Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 153

At the grand cathedral of the Cologne Sect in the royal city of Anhalt, I was kneeling.

The object of reverence was at the center of the church, adorned with the image of the Redeemer crucified.

In her hand, she held a musket, and a pistol was sheathed at her waist.

Long ago, it had been a crossbow in her hand and a mace at her waist, but the clergy who handled manuscripts had discovered a new bible.

The Redeemer, who fought to the bitter end against the heretics, battled until no bullets were left. Even after being captured and executed, she resurrected, screaming, “I won’t stop until I win! I’ll rise from this hell as many times as it takes, until I win!!”

How beautiful she is.

Where in the world could there be a visage as beautiful as this?

To think that such a beautiful being exists, and that she is still spoken of in the “New Century Redeemer Legend” within the bible, makes my heart feel like it will burst.

While staring at the statue, I let out a huge sigh, almost like an owl.

I was born the eldest daughter of a law knight, receiving a knight’s education just to take over a trivial house.

Visiting the church of the Cologne Sect, I read the part about the Redeemer’s resurrection in the “New Century Redeemer Legend” and was moved to tears.

I grew to despise the secular impurities and eventually became a cleric.

I have no regrets about my life thus far.

But as I was reminiscing, I realized this was inappropriate.

I was in the middle of a service and should not let my mind wander.

I shook my head vigorously and tried to focus on my prayers again—

“Sister,”

A voice came from behind, and this deacon of Polydoro turned around.

“Priest,”

Most people born into this world do not live past twenty.

For serfs, reaching thirty is rare.

Life is short for humans.

Approaching old age and exuding mystique, the priest of the great Cologne Sect cathedral addressed me.

I stood up once, then knelt down again, facing her.

“Sister, listen carefully. I’ve just decided what our sect must do upon the departure of follower Valiere. As a representative of the Cologne Sect, listen to this priest’s words.”

“Yes.”

Her Highness, Princess Valiere of Anhalt, and her 100-strong personal guard under her command are all followers of the Cologne Sect.

I have been chosen as their accompanying Holy Mother.

It’s an honorable position, my first battle, so to speak.

Of course, the Cologne Sect could not send them off without support.

“From follower Sabine, of course, there were requests for hiring private mercenaries through the Ingritt Company, and there are dealings in gunpowder among the Cologne Sect’s mercenary followers. It’s a rushed discussion, so I can’t provide exact numbers…”

“How many can we gather?”

“Hmm,”

The priest opened her palm.

Five fingers were extended.

“We can assure a force comparable to a duchess’s standing army, 500. Because there is no more enticing offer than this. The conditions relayed by follower Sabine—if the mercenary group shows exceptional valor on the journey, their leader will be knighted. The mercenaries under their command will also be employed as soldiers of Anhalt. These are exceptional terms, indeed. It’s impressive that you could negotiate such conditions with the royal palace.”

“Follower Valiere is quite a person.”

Her small, cute face houses a brain filled with vast prospects.

In the marketplaces, she is now celebrated as the beautiful fairy princess with long, lucky red hair.

If one could even grasp a single strand of that hair, a lifetime of peace is assured.

I’ve heard that the Ingritt Company has funded the minstrels’ guild, but as they only sang of the beautiful princess’s true deeds, there’s no reason for a cleric like me to frown.

I would also like them to sing about how exalted the Cologne Sect is.

“Truly wonderful. Originally, as the future ruler of Polydoro, which is entirely comprised of followers, and as her fiancé—there wasn’t a single bad impression to be had. Right after the engagement was announced, she converted her entire personal guard. Her charisma is noteworthy, and her monthly tributes are commendable. She is truly a worthy person for us to assist.”

“Princess Anastasia refused our participation in the military,”

We of the Cologne Sect intended to support Princess Anastasia when she went to the imperial city because Lord Polydoro was going.

But to think that the priest was bluntly rejected by her.

“Please, you madmen, don’t follow me,” she said with utter disdain.”

“Indeed.”

Her gaze was like that of a basilisk—ruling over all snakes as the snake queen, reptilian in nature.

Surely, if she were speared, the poison from her body would torment and kill the knight holding the spear.

And if it were a mounted knight, the horse would die from the poison in the knight’s sweat.

“Sister. However, you must not hold any resentment towards Princess Anastasia.”

“I understand.”

It’s truly regrettable.

Honestly, as the Cologne Sect, we would prefer Princess Valiere to inherit the kingdom.

But the fact that Princess Anastasia is exceptionally skilled and is the chosen successor to Anhalt is a done deal.

No one could deny her, having triumphantly overcome poor odds, a first battle, and field combat.

The electoral ceremony as elector is already scheduled, and follower Valiere is confirmed to be welcomed as the lord of Polydoro.

Despite her charm, akin to a luck-bringing fairy, Princess Valiere is unable to inherit the kingdom of Anhalt.

“Sister, do not pity one over the other when comparing Princess Anastasia and follower Valiere. The Redeemer herself said, ‘Do not regret, envy others, or covet their possessions or status. The only thing you may do is seek revenge against those who have looked down upon or insulted you.'”

To repay evil with evil is not the Redeemer’s way. It is a warning. If struck unjustly on the left cheek, you must strike back justly in the face. Pain is felt when struck, sadness when insulted. Make the other fully understand that they have done this to another person, and urge them to repentance. This is the teaching of the Cologne Sect.

“What a wonderful scripture.”

I wept with emotion. My body trembled with the impact, my heart felt like it would burst. My pulse wouldn’t stop.

“Princess Anastasia indeed insulted us, calling the Cologne Sect mad, but we are aware that we are called mad.”

We know. “We are mad.” We must admit it, and we couldn’t proceed otherwise. This is a scripture that clergy converted to the Cologne Sect are repeatedly taught from the beginning, and it cannot be denied. We are somehow wrong. Surely, we are headed in a mad direction, seen by anyone. Thus, we do not deny this.

“Sister, we are mad. Acknowledge this. Until we reach the ultimate point we aim for, until our true wish is realized. Let us continue to be mad with joy.”

“Mother”

I am still a deacon, not yet fully taught all the teachings. I do not know what the true wish, the ultimate goal of the Cologne Sect is. I asked,

“Is the true wish of the Cologne Sect the ‘Bread Beyond Material’?”

A phrase I have always wondered about during the ritual of the Holy Bread. A phrase given to the followers along with the Holy Bread without understanding what it means. It seemed to me that it could be the true wish. Surely, as a deacon of the Cologne Sect, studying and contributing to scholarly research, that must be the case.

“No,”

The priest quietly denied it and continued.

“Sister, you are wise. However, I still cannot teach you about the true wish of the Cologne Sect. ‘Bread Beyond Material’ is just a waypoint on the path to reach it. It is much, much farther away. Farther than the stars in the sky.”

Denying everything. With a gesture as if piercing the stars, the priest pointed at the stained glass of the church. It was daytime, and no stars were visible. The night in the Cologne church is dark to save on expenses; torches and the like are not lit. Even in a grand cathedral, that is the way of the Cologne Sect.

The priest taught me, a blind follower. Pointing to the sky where no stars were visible during the day, it seemed that reaching the stars is the true wish of the Cologne Sect.

“One day will come when I will teach you everything. A day when you will understand everything about the teachings of the Cologne Sect. A day when you will know everything as the Mother of Polydoro and become a priest in the capital in my place. But that is a long way off, after you have fulfilled your duty as a military mother for the followers heading to the imperial capital. Do not be arrogant.”

A cautionary word. I accepted the gracious priest’s words and was ashamed of my hastiness. It was arrogant to think I had understood the teachings of the Cologne Sect. I clenched my teeth, blushed, and closed my eyes tightly.

“I repent, Mother.”

“Good. Your question was natural. Now, let us return to the discussion.”

We both bowed our heads, erasing my premature thoughts, and returned to the topic at hand.

“The arrangement for the mercenary band requested by follower Valiere is complete. The journey to the imperial capital will be joined by a large number of Cologne Sect followers. This march cannot fail.”

“Indeed.”

With 100 of the Second Princess’s personal guard and 500 mercenaries of the Cologne Sect followers, the number of troops known to me exceeds 600. Adding the sutlers arranged by the Ingritt Company, it would surpass the population of a small village.

If led by the princess with the fortunate red hair, akin to a fairy, failure is unthinkable. Success is assured.

“Therefore, taking this opportunity, there is something I want you to deliver to the Cardinal Archbishop of Cologne in the imperial capital.”

“Something to deliver?”

Indeed, if transport can be managed at this time, it would be suitable. But we of the impoverished Cologne Sect are often mocked for having nothing but salt and gunpowder in our stores.

“What could there be to deliver to the Cardinal…”

“Now, sister, are you aware of the existence called ‘Holy Relics’? Even our impoverished Cologne Sect has such things.”

The priest smiled gently, with a wrinkled, all-encompassing grandmotherly smile.