Chapter 79: The Good, The Bad, and The Traitor 1

Overwhelmed by despair and bewilderment at the unexpected fall of the Palatinate, before inquiring about the precise details, Friedrich urgently asked about the most important matter weighing on his mind:

“Then… what of my family? My wife and children… Surely, they have not already fallen into the enemy’s hands…”

Though a ruling lord and prince, he was also a husband and father. Family was his paramount concern, prompting him to first inquire about their well-being.

Addressing his liege’s query, Anhalt swiftly relayed the facts he had learned:

“On that front, you need not worry. As soon as the war broke out, your family safely evacuated eastward to Lorrend as a precaution.”

“Phew… That is truly a relief.”

“Yes, they had initially intended to come here to Bohemia, but circumstances did not permit it. Fortunately, Lord Moritz of Lorrend is a trustworthy individual, so you can rest assured regarding your family’s safety.”

Heaving a deep sigh of relief, Friedrich then regarded Anhalt with concern and puzzlement:

“But… how did our Palatinate fall so disgracefully? Did the Imperial main force not suffer defeat here in Bohemia at our hands?”

“That is true… but… um…”

Questioned about the circumstances leading to this predicament, Anhalt hesitated before cautiously revealing:

“There was… a betrayal.”

“Betrayal?”

Friedrich’s expression showed shock at this unexpected revelation.

Although Friedrich had led the main force to Bohemia, the Palatinate remained a formidable and wealthy territory.

Fully capable of withstanding a war, at Anhalt’s recommendation, Friedrich had urgently hired a massive mercenary band to bolster his deficient garrison forces.

Mansfelt Ernst, a renowned 9th-rank mage known as the ‘Mercenary King’…

Along with the 15,000 mercenaries under his command.

They had been contracted by Friedrich with substantial financial backing to defend the Palatinate. For a time, they dutifully repelled minor Imperial incursions as the territory’s garrison.

However, their cooperative stance took an abrupt turn with the unexpected arrival of another Imperial assault force.

Not from Vienna, but the Emperor’s other vast western domain of Essvan – a massive army stationed there.

25,000 Imperial troops led by General Spinola, a 10th-rank mage, marched on the Palatinate the moment Friedrich departed with 7,000 men for Bohemia.

Spinola’s forces disembarked in the Imperial heartlands south of Lorraine after sailing, not marching overland.

This unanticipated assault left the leaderless Palatinate defenseless. But their ultimate downfall arose from an internal, not external, threat.

Mansfelt, effectively commanding the Palatinate’s defenses with his mercenary band.

Yet, in stark contrast to his formidable power and forces, he was a rather venal individual.

Ordinarily, mercenaries are expected to fight for their employers even in adverse circumstances. Among them are those who uphold mercenary honor, willing to wield their blades to the bitter end, even at the cost of their lives.

This principled conduct, despite being paid, was the pride of a mercenary – the very reason Anhalt had hired Mansfelt at great expense, expecting such integrity.

However, Mansfelt possessed no such romantic notions.

Prioritizing personal greed and the welfare of his forces over honor or pride.

Though among the Empire’s most formidable military powers, with his mercenaries’ full might, they could likely have repelled Spinola’s assault and routed the enemy.

Yet Mansfelt had no intention of risking his assets and men’s lives for an employer.

To him, the mercenaries were his sole possession, his very being – not to be jeopardized for some trifling notion of ‘honor’.

With the Palatinate’s forces floundering under the enemy’s onslaught, Mansfelt felt not the slightest inclination to risk his men’s lives defending them. Instead, he secretly negotiated with Spinola.

Offering to withdraw from the war in exchange for suitable compensation.

Already wary of Mansfelt’s forces, Spinola readily agreed to these terms.

Though costlier than anticipated, the prospective gains from occupying the Palatinate far outweighed the expense.

With their deal struck, as the Palatinate crumbled in desperation, Mansfelt simply abandoned them and led his mercenaries southward in retreat.

Satisfied with the substantial profit from this endeavor, regardless.

And this betrayal by Mansfelt proved the fatal blow to the already disadvantaged Palatinate forces.

The remaining defenders, striving until the end, were ultimately annihilated.

Thus, the Palatinate fell disgracefully into Imperial hands.

Just as the original story had unfolded…

“…How… How did things end up like this…?”

Unlike his usual self, Friedrich vented his rage unrestrained.

Witnessing his liege’s uncharacteristic demeanor, Anhalt could only tremble with his head bowed.

He had already deeply disappointed Friedrich with his abysmal leadership at the Battle of White Mountain.

Due to his reckless advance, the Palatinate forces had suffered heavy casualties. Moreover, fearing for his life amidst that dire situation, instead of fighting to the last, Anhalt had simply abandoned his troops and frantically fled all the way to the Kalmar Union – a shameful display.

Though he had returned upon hearing of the war’s victorious conclusion shortly after arriving in Kalmar, Friedrich’s trust in Anhalt had already been severely shaken.

Furthermore, the hiring of Mansfelt, who played the decisive role in the Palatinate’s fall, had been Anhalt’s doing.

Having bungled every endeavor he touched, Anhalt was utterly defenseless before his liege.

As he prostrated himself, awaiting his lord’s judgment, a voice called from outside:

“Your Highness, it is Santana.”

Suppressing his roiling emotions, Friedrich prepared to receive his ‘friend’.

“…Hah… Anhalt, step aside for now.”

“…Huh?… Y…Yes, Your Highness…”

At Friedrich’s command, unable to even raise his head, Anhalt withdrew.

As he departed, Santana and his maid entered, and regarding them with profound dismay, Friedrich began recounting the events.

“I see… The Palatinate…”

After hearing Friedrich’s account, I remarked with a bitter tone:

“Though foreseen in the original story, hearing it firsthand is still lamentable.”

“Then… what should I do now? My family has at least taken refuge in Lorraine, but I cannot simply remain idle, can I?”

Friedrich’s desperate plea prompted me to calmly try to settle him:

“First, what did Chancellor Anhalt suggest?”

“Anhalt? His words are no longer of any use to me! Your counsel matters more now!”

“…”

Friedrich’s firm dismissal of Anhalt, something I had never witnessed before, gave me pause. It seemed I had gained excessive trust from this prince.

After a momentary silence, Friedrich pleaded earnestly once more:

“You are the one who delivered Bohemia from peril. Have you no good counsel to offer?”

Seeing his agitated state, I spoke calmly to mollify him:

“Allow me some time, please. I shall collect my thoughts before advising you.”

“Is… Is that so? Ah, very well, I shall await your guidance.”

Having placated the prince effectively seeking my strategic input, I mentally reviewed our dire situation.

While not as dire as the original, Bohemia and my own prospects remained decidedly perilous, leaving me with a profound sense of unease.