WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

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◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 96: A Moment of Relief

After reuniting with the fifty-strong reinforcements led by Matthias, Friedrich and his group withdrew to a Royal Army supply base along the main road.

Although they had pulled back, the forces of the Kingdom of Arelia still remained on the Beiral Plains, and the Arnsberg Fortress could not yet be considered secure.

Therefore, a supply fort located about a day’s travel east of the fortress was chosen as the evacuation site for Melinda and Claire.

No pursuit was made against the enemy jaegers. While they had been forced to retreat, the majority of the enemy force remained intact. Pursuing them without sufficient strength on their side would have been reckless.

For now, they were simply left alone. As for gathering intelligence, the wounded left behind by the enemy—those they hadn’t managed to carry out—would suffice.

Handling of the battlefield was kept to a minimum, and the group reached the fort before nightfall. It was a small-scale supply outpost, and there wasn’t nearly enough room in the barracks for everyone.

Sleeping quarters were provided for the guests, Melinda, Claire, and the Imperial knights, while Friedrich and the Royal Army knights pitched tents and stayed outdoors.

Of the fourteen Royal Army knights who had taken part in the battle, three were dead. Three more were seriously wounded. Including Uwe, who had fallen at Kelra Village, the total number of Royal Army dead came to four.

Given how intense the fighting had been, one could say the toll was light, but Friedrich had lost comrades he knew from headquarters, and Oliver had lost men from his own squad.

“The medic said I’ll be fit for duty, but I’ll need to refrain from wielding a sword for a while. I may be somewhat limited, but I’ll still fulfill my responsibilities outside of combat.”

Gregor, one of the seriously wounded, said this to Friedrich as he visited the medical tent with Yurika.

Sitting upright on a temporary cot, Gregor was stripped to the waist. The bandages wrapped around his right arm were soaked with blood. Despite the painful appearance, he remained composed.

“It’ll take time, but if your arm’s going to heal, that’s a relief... Still, that commander of the jaegers was terrifying. Even with you and Yurika fighting together, it was only just even.”

“In terms of sheer combat strength, he might be the strongest I’ve ever seen. Perhaps even on par with Lord Hosenfeld, if not stronger.”

Gregor’s expression hardened as he gave his reply at Friedrich’s words.

Someone stronger than Matthias. Hearing that, Friedrich couldn’t bring himself to deny it. Watching the fight alone had been enough to see it, the enemy commander had been far more formidable than the others.

The jaegers varied in sword skill, but that man stood in a league of his own.

“…Still, he’s human. If we cut him, he’ll die. One day, we’ll kill him. I’ll make sure of it, for the sake of your arm, Captain.”

Perhaps it was the frustration of being outmatched, or the thrill of facing a true opponent. Yurika spoke with an unusually ferocious grin on her face.

"With the way you're saying it, it sounds like I lost an arm or something. It's still attached. Still moves... But yeah, you're right. If someone like that is in Arelia, they're trouble. Next time we cross paths, I'll make sure to finish it."

Gregor let out a dry chuckle, then flashed the same fierce grin as Yurika.

・・・・・・

As Friedrich turned to head back toward his tent, a voice called out to him. It was Chester Kahreil, the Imperial knight and viscount.

“…Lord Kahreil. Has everything settled down on your side?”

“Yes. Her Ladyship and the young miss fell asleep almost immediately after arriving at the fortress. I’d say the fatigue caught up with them.

They might not wake until morning, or possibly even noon. We’ve stationed a night watch just in case, but frankly, I doubt there’s any danger of another attack. It’s a relief.”

Chester spoke with a small exhale, and it was clear that even he, despite his calm demeanor, was worn down from both the journey and the fierce battle.

“I must thank the Kingdom’s forces once more. It was our duty to protect them, but in the end, it was your people who saved the Lady and her daughter.

Especially you. Had you not come up with those tactics, even with limited time and gear, we’d all be dead, and they’d have never made it out alive.”

“Please, that’s far too kind. If anything, it’s the Kingdom’s side that should be apologizing. We allowed such a large enemy force to cross into our territory. That lapse put Her Ladyship and the young miss in danger, and cost the Empire dearly.”

In total, fourteen imperial soldiers had died in this conflict. Ten were lost in the initial ambush, while four more fell during the joint battle with the Kingdom’s knights. Several others had been seriously wounded.

More than half of the ambassador's escort force had been killed or wounded. At its root, the tragedy had occurred because the Kingdom of Edelstein failed to prevent the enemy from crossing its borders.

Speaking from his position as a royal knight, Friedrich wore a solemn expression as he accepted this blame, but Chester responded with a faint, almost resigned smile.

“No, this is just my personal opinion, but I don’t believe your side is truly at fault. If Arelia is fielding forces of that size, then it would be unrealistic to expect no incursions at all. And even if they hadn’t, something unpredictable could’ve happened either way. Besides… well, you know.”

He trailed off, letting his unfinished sentence hang in the air. Friedrich understood what he meant and responded with a faint smile of his own.

Neither side had anticipated a situation this extreme. Still, both nations had accepted some degree of risk when arranging a diplomatic mission so close to the border. In that context, it had been Ambassador Christopher’s personal decision, driven by idealism, to bring his wife and daughter along.

The chaos that resulted could partly be traced to that decision. Chester, as the one responsible for their protection, likely had mixed feelings about how things unfolded.

“In any case, we’re alive thanks to you. This was our first time fighting side by side, but your Kingdom’s knights proved their strength. It was an honor to stand alongside men as brave as you.”

“…You’re too kind. I, too, witnessed firsthand the strength and resolve of the Rigald Empire’s knights. Fighting with you was an honor.”

Friedrich chose to let Chester’s earlier, unspoken words go unacknowledged. Instead, he stepped forward and took the man’s hand in a firm handshake.

His words had been sincere. Against an overwhelming enemy, the imperial knights had stood their ground without hesitation. As a fellow soldier, Friedrich held nothing but respect for them.

“I hope the bond we’ve built as comrades on the battlefield… will carry over into the relationship between our nations.”

“Yes, Truly.”

What would become of Edelstein and the Empire in the aftermath of this incident, that was for the politicians to decide. As soldiers, all they could do was fight with honor and hope their friendship might become a foundation for lasting peace.

・・・・・・

After a sleep like the dead and some partial recovery from the exhaustion of the chase and battle, Friedrich made his way to the command tent later that afternoon.

“The Hildegard Regiment reports that Arelia’s forces have fully retreated. They also witnessed the remnants of that jaeger unit crossing the border. Seems they no longer had the luxury to slip away unnoticed. The threat, for now at least, has passed.”

“…I see. That’s a relief.”

“We got word from the captured jaegers, too. Turns out they’re mercenaries from the northern continent, just like you suspected.”

“Not exactly a prediction I’m happy to be right about.”

“Agreed.”

Friedrich’s expression turned sour, and Matthias nodded grimly.

Mercenaries from the far north, men with monstrous endurance and unmatched ability to traverse rough terrain.

And the unit they’d just faced wasn’t even wiped out. More than half were still alive. Which meant that in Arelia’s homeland, even larger numbers could be waiting. There was no room to take pride in a correct guess.

At most, they might number a few hundred, light infantry with limited range and utility. But even so, the king of Arelia wasn’t likely to squander such elite troops on pointless raids.

Just knowing that such a force could cross the border at any time was enough to be a constant thorn in Edelstein’s side.

"As for what comes next, once the Ferdinand Regiment has fully gathered at this fortress, we’ll escort the ambassador's family back to the capital.

The chance of another attack is close to zero, but this will demonstrate to the Empire that the Kingdom is fully committed to protecting the ambassador’s family.

We’ll depart once the other units have arrived. Until then, the two of you should get some rest... Friedrich. And you too, Yurika. Once again, well done. I’m just glad you're both safe."

Spoken now not as a commanding officer, but as a protector, Matthias said this with a softened expression. Friedrich and Yurika responded with small smiles and nods.

Footnotes:

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