Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 165

The followers of the Cologne Sect use the Cross and Circle emblem. First, there is the artistically—what those outside the Cologne Sect might call “misshapen”—cross, surrounded at the intersection by a simple design of a ring, forming the emblem. This emblem is used in churches, at graves, and sometimes by the knights of the Cologne Sect or the serfs of the bishopric’s domain.

And if one is a true follower of the Cologne Sect, this emblem is allowed to be displayed by all, no matter how impoverished.

Before me sits a breastplate engraved with a large Cross and Circle emblem.

“Lord Polydoro, we have somehow found your armor.”

This piece was brought in by a silver-haired Cologne knight, who once performed a “heart-punching ceremony” during a duel with the “Mad Boar Knights.” She is smiling like a large sunflower, a warm and cheerful smile. Her face bears many scars from inevitable sword fights in defense of the doctrine, but she seems completely unbothered by them, which feels incredibly attractive. It’s rather inappropriate, but it even stirs a bit of sexual excitement.

I try to suppress these lustful thoughts and express my feelings honestly.

“It’s a marvelous armor. I appreciate your efforts in finding it.”

I sighed in admiration.

It’s a magnificent piece of armor. It’s unfortunate that it’s not an enchanted armor, but it was too much to ask for. Moreover, wearing something so valuable would cause suspicion. On this journey, where I must conceal my identity, I cannot even use the fluted armor gifted by Princess Anastasia or the greatsword passed down through my ancestors. I shouldn’t leave any evidence that could trace back to my identity.

“To be honest, I thought my armor would never be found.”

It’s not that I couldn’t find armor to fit my towering height of over 2 meters and muscular 130kg frame. Women in this world often meet a high standard of beauty and muscular women are not uncommon. A good example is Alexandra from the First Princess’s Royal Guard, who stands over 190cm tall. She is a muscular blonde beauty with a robust physique. If I had served under Princess Anastasia rather than Lady Valiere, there might have been an opportunity for marriage, which I genuinely regret.

Well, there’s no use worrying about what feels like an unreachable dream now. After all, tall women are not particularly rare in this world. The Cologne knight before me is also a stunning silver-haired beauty over 190cm tall. But of course, mass-produced armor fitting someone over 2 meters tall isn’t common.

“Finding armor to fit someone over 2 meters tall would only be possible in the imperial city of Windbona, where there are over 40,000 citizens and a population exceeding 300,000.”

And this isn’t just any armor.

The Cologne knight said cheerfully, “Faithful Faust, this was officially used in parades by the Cologne Sect church. It is indeed a blessing from God that this armor has found its way to you!”

She exclaimed with a proud smile, justified in her pride since she was the one who found this armor. I thanked her.

“Thank you, Knight of Cologne.”

“I merely fulfilled my duty to aid a fellow believer. Your words of gratitude are more than enough.”

Her chest swelled with pride. It was impolite to stare, but it was hard not to notice her voluptuous figure. Before setting off, I bowed deeply to the six members of the “Mad Boar Knights” gathered for the meeting.

“I apologize for the inconvenience my personal circumstances may cause you during this journey. I am sincerely grateful to you all.”

“If I may speak my truth, I was opposed to this, but it can’t be helped.”

She, known as the Loyalist and the right hand of Duchess Temeraire, even agreed to participate since her lord’s condition was no longer a concern.

Frankly, the only subordinate I could rely on for intelligence was the ten-year-old Martina.

“On this journey, I will depend on her.”

“…If Duchess Temeraire had proposed this herself, I would have followed without hesitation. But why must we be ordered around by Anastasia or Katarina?”

The Excommunicate—my former dueling partner, a seductive beauty reflecting the image of a carnivorous Spanish woman—responded with a slightly disgruntled voice.

“Excommunicate, what exactly are you dissatisfied with?”

The voice came from the back, from the Samurai Lord. It seems there were opinions about this journey even among the six members selected from the “Mad Boar Knights.” The Loyalist and the Excommunicate were clearly opposed, while the Defeated and the Shadowed One remained neutral. The Samurai and the Cologne Knight were in favor.

“No, if Duchess Temeraire had fully supported it, I wouldn’t have had any complaints. But she opposed it. It’s one thing to go greet this Valiere of Anhalt, but elsewhere—”

As she made excuses, the Excommunicate flipped her hands dismissively, sticking out her tongue provocatively.

“You’re using a fake name to hide your identity, Lord Polydoro. What’s with ‘Biggus’? Are you out of your mind? There must be something else.”

And honestly.

Even if a lascivious Excommunicate were to scold me so seriously.

Perhaps the naming by Duchess Astarte was a bit odd.

Faust von Polydoro thought so too.

But once I agreed, I couldn’t go back on it. It wouldn’t befit a knight to retract an agreement already made.

“I thought by naming myself so, it would not be obvious that I was the one hiding.”

“Right, you’re an idiot.”

“You should just die.”

“You should suffer and die.”

With such disdain in her eyes, the Excommunicate glared at me.

“Don’t mind her. The Excommunicate is just intensely jealous of you because you’re favored by Lord Temeraire. She’s a ‘woman-lover,’ you know.”

Samurai Lord whispered this. Could it be she’s a lesbian? In a world where men are scarce, it’s not uncommon for noblewomen to enjoy each other’s company in bed. I consider the culture of women loving women to be precious, and I have no intention of denying it.

“Anyone who tries to steal Lord Temeraire from me should suffer and die!”

The Excommunicate did not deny her own preferences. Though I have no recollection of stealing her away. Lord Temeraire herself, a rugged man like me, wouldn’t fall within her interests. There were times when we were alone in her room, and she would come close, start to place her hand on me, then seem terribly confused and stop. As someone who has killed and then resurrected her, it’s absurd to think she would have a romantic interest in me.

“I have no intention of taking Lord Temeraire away from you.”

“…That’s what makes me even angrier because I know you’re serious.”

The Excommunicate muttered sadly. I didn’t want to hurt her. I tried to change the subject.

“Well, now that the travel preparations are complete, I think it’s time to head to Lady Valiere.”

“Do we need to?”

Samurai Lord tilted her head, her beautiful black hair tied with a white cloth swaying with her questioning tone.

“Yes, my intuition tells me something terrible must be happening to Lady Valiere right now.”

I pointed to a corner of the room. There was a small spider there, having just caught a winged insect in its web.

“That winged insect being devoured is Lady Valiere.”

I likened Lady Valiere’s current predicament to the insect wrapped tightly in the spider’s web.

“She’s already dead, isn’t she?”

The Excommunicate spat out. Perhaps my analogy was poor. Yet, I couldn’t believe my intuition was that far off. If I hurry, I should be able to make it in time.

“Regardless, Lord Temeraire opposed it at first but ultimately gave her permission. I understand everyone has their own thoughts, but I ask for your cooperation.”

I informed the six members of the Mad Boar Knights with whom I had once dueled and bowed deeply, asking for their help.

“Lady Valiere, having converted to the Cologne Sect, is a noble lady. If the Cologne Knight goes to assist Lord Polydoro—excuse me, Lord Biggus—it will surely be in accordance with the Cardinal’s wishes.”

The Cologne Knight represented them, speaking with a bright smile. Loyalists, the Excommunicate, the Shadowed One, and the Defeated said nothing more. Having been defeated once, they seemed resigned to follow the noble.

Only Samurai Lord spoke up.

“Lord Polydoro. So, the purpose of this journey is to rescue your fiancée, Lady Valiere?”

“That is indeed the purpose of the journey.”

There was no greater purpose. Supporting Lady Valiere to safely reach the imperial city was my goal. I felt she might die otherwise.

“I see. In my country, it is customary to give a ‘special token of gratitude’ to vassals or guests who have performed exceptional services. I understand this is not uncommon in the Holy Gusten Empire, including in Anhalt and Virendorf. What do you think?”

Samurai Lord spoke as if she really wanted to know. I understood what she was getting at—a discussion about gratitude and obligation. If you employ people, it’s only proper to reward them.

“Of course, I will ensure that a proper reward is provided for everyone participating, including you, Samurai Lord.”

Since it was for her sister, Lady Valiere, it was expected that she would pay well. There was no need for Samurai Lord to worry about the reward.

“…Can this request also be made to Lady Valiere or Lord Polydoro?”

“Yes.”

Well, the one being saved is Lady Valiere, and the one making the request is me. It might not be wrong to bill her or me. Neither of us has any money, though. Ultimately, the Kingdom of Anhalt will have to pay.

“The payer will remain unchanged, but if that’s acceptable to you,”

“Yes, that will be fine. If there’s even a slight chance that Lady Valiere, Lord Polydoro’s fiancée, whom we will save, can pay this ‘special token of gratitude’ to me, that would be satisfactory.”

Samurai Lord nodded, seemingly pleased. I didn’t quite grasp her intentions, but since Anhalt would be paying, it wasn’t my concern. I smiled warmly at her as she looked at me with a hint of desire.

“Everything is ready, then. We must go to meet Lady Valiere quickly.”

Looking again at the spider from before, it had just finished consuming the captured insect. The sooner we start, the better.

With that decision made, I hastened our travel preparations.