Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 18

Walking within the royal castle.

I, Valiere, having completed the aftermath procedures of the battlefield, had returned to the royal capital of Anhalt.

Of course, along with the remains of Hanna and the Second Princess’s personal guard.

The burial was quietly held with only the personal guard, Advisor Faust, and myself as the 16 attendees.

My mother suggested conducting it with all due formality, considering you protected her, along with the law-officers of the noble class and the Queen’s personal guard.

However, I didn’t think Hanna would be pleased with that.

The personal guards and I wanted to conduct the funeral among ourselves.

We thought that would make Hanna the happiest.

Above all, if the story became too big and Hanna’s family, who had changed their stance, came to visit the grave, Hanna would surely not be happy.

On the contrary, she would be angry.

“Sabine.”

“What is it, Lady Valiere?”

“Have you gotten over Hanna’s death?”

I asked Sabine, who was by my side.

Sabine shook her head slightly with a sad look on her face.

It seems she hasn’t fully recovered yet.

“Princess. Regarding the people of that small directly governed village,”

“As you know, I have asked Duchess Astarte and also my mother about that. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Sabine had driven those people to death.

The magistrate, who, despite being seriously injured, led the volunteer militia and restored his honor as a blueblood.

The surviving severely injured volunteer militia, totaling 30, along with the rescued men and boys.

And the remains of 10 people were to be transported by Duchess Astarte.

All the arms and wealth that Caroline had been holding were recovered by Duchess Astarte.

Eventually, it will be used for compensation to the families of the direct jurisdiction.

Though the number of women has decreased, the men and boys have been reclaimed.

Eventually, bureaucrats commanded by my mother will select immigrants to compensate for the decreased population, gradually increasing the village’s population each year and restoring the small village’s happiness.

However, it will take quite some time.

Until the sorrow for the dead heals.

Until the traces of the village destroyed by Caroline disappear.

“Is that so?”

It will probably take longer than for Sabine to recover.

However, this time, Sabine’s rank was raised by two levels.

All other members of the personal guard were also promoted by one rank.

The achievement of this time, as a direct attack on the jurisdiction, abducting men and boys, stealing wealth, and even attempting to defect to Virendorf by selling them, was considered worthy of promotion by my mother as the achievement of subduing the traitor, Caroline.

However, Faust had a bit to say about Sabine’s two-level promotion.

“I hear that the drafting of the militia was the achievement of Captain Sabine,” my mother said with a puzzled look when Faust brought it up.

“In that situation, it was the best solution. That it was the best solution is clear from the outcome. I acknowledge that. However, I have some advice to offer.”

Faust honestly expressed his thoughts about Sabine’s speech and offered some criticism.

My mother’s cheeks twitched at the content, and upon reflection, I too thought it was clumsy for a blueblood.

But, victory justifies the means.

My mother ordered the Minstrel Guild to create an epic poem stating that the militia volunteered in response to Sabine’s passionate motivation, and for this instance, we will just gloss over it, she answered.

Well, there was no other choice, as Faust’s resigned expression still comes to mind.

In the end, there were no changes regarding Sabine’s two-level promotion.

Next time, we might genuinely anger Faust, so I must talk to Sabine about it.

However, I doubt she will do the same thing again without being told.

Sabine deeply regrets causing the death of people by driving the militia and the death of Hanna.

I just hope that hearing the fabricated epic poems that the minstrels commissioned by the Guild will start to sing throughout the capital does not further pain her heart.

But it’s probably impossible.

Sabine’s complexion is pale.

I wonder if she is sleeping well at night.

Occasionally, I too wake up from my bed, having dreamt of the battlefield’s music or the faces of the women I killed.

Eventually, this too shall pass with time.

“…”

“I wonder what rewards will be given for Faust’s achievements this time.

Without Faust, this victory would have been impossible.

During the Virendorf campaign, Faust desired only a modest monetary reward for his significant achievements, earning him the reputation among the nobility and his mother as a man devoid of greed.

However, the rewards for Faust’s recent achievements have yet to be announced.

Wait, perhaps it’s my responsibility to ensure it comes from my own stipend?

After all, Faust served as the Advisor to the Second Princess.

Therefore, it’s only natural that I provide the reward, which is why Mother has yet to say anything—

Nodding to myself in thought.

With the limited authority granted to me and my meager stipend, I cannot offer a reward satisfying enough for Faust.

I shall have to consult with Mother again on this matter.

In this case, I sincerely hope the country’s finances will cover it.

Or perhaps, it’s time to increase my stipend.

After all, we’ve saved the nation’s face; that should be worth something.

Wishing so, I walk through the palace corridors.

“Ara, Valiere. Good afternoon.”

“Sister… um, good afternoon.”

I am addressed by my sister—Anastasia, the First Princess, and her gaze renders me stiff.

It’s no use.

I could meet Astarte’s gaze, but facing my sister is undoubtedly more challenging.

After all, she really has a severe look.

Even Faust prefers to avoid her gaze.

It’s understandable to be scared, right?

But no, I must stand as a proud member of the royal family and the Second Princess’s personal guard, meeting her gaze.

“Valiere, it’s good to see you’ve at least learned to greet properly. That’s very good.”

“Um… thank you?”

I am puzzled.

Was that acknowledgment from my sister, indicating she somewhat recognizes me?

“I have something to ask you.”

“Yes?”

What could my sister possibly want to know?

“Did the mindset I taught you for your first battle come in handy?”

The mindset for the first battle.

One, the unpredictability of the battlefield and the discrepancies in pre-acquired information.

Two, the illusion of safety in the rear lines, only for the enemy’s elite to suddenly strike.

And another—facing the death of loved ones as an indifferent occurrence.

“The battlefield was exactly as you described, sister. However, I couldn’t make use of that knowledge.”

“I see. I’ve read the reports from Faust and Astarte, and it seems you were placed in a particularly dire situation. Don’t worry about it.”

“No, I apologize for not being able to utilize it.”

I sincerely apologize.

I couldn’t fully grasp my sister’s intentions at the time, but she did show concern in her way.

“Valiere.”

“Yes, sister?”

She looks into my eyes with her piercing gaze, reminiscent of a serpent’s.

“Were you able to remain calm even as your loved ones died before your eyes?”

“No.”

I had put up a brave front in front of Astarte, but this time, I answer truthfully.

I couldn’t do it.

Does this make me unfit as a member of the royal family?

“Then, that’s good.”

“What?”

Her unexpected words leave me stunned.

What does my sister mean by this?

“It’s a characteristic of our bloodline to become frenzied and lash out at the enemy if a loved one is killed in your first battle.”

Is that acceptable for our bloodline?

Shouldn’t we remain calm, especially in emergencies?

“Honestly, I had my doubts whether you truly possessed our bloodline.”

Was I that disliked by my sister?

I knew she didn’t favor me, but to be so bluntly astonished…

“However, it seems I was mistaken. I’ve reconsidered my view of you, Valiere.”

“Thank you.”

This time, her praise is clear and understandable to me.

I should take pride in it, though the content itself feels ambiguous to me.

“Now, I’ve said what I wanted, but Valiere, you’ve caused unnecessary trouble. Your achievements have postponed my coronation as queen. Queen Liesenlotte says to consider the balance within the court. If only you had quietly fled back home.”

An absurdly unreasonable complaint.

How should I know about such things?

My achievements are being entirely negated.

“Valiere, dying achieves nothing. Flowers bloom only when alive. As royalty, we must never die in our role as supreme commanders. If you had died, even if we had won the battle, the royal family would have considered imposing a penalty or punishment on Faust, who served as your aide in your first battle.”

“I understand.”

My sister’s words imply that her concern may not be for me, but for Faust.

This suspicion arises within me.

“And two more things, at the end.”

“There’s more?”

Honestly, I was at my wit’s end. I had no desire to face further one-sided blame.

That’s what I thought, but…

“One is, I’m glad you made it back alive, my sister.”

Surprise outweighed my pleasure.

I never imagined such words would come from my sister’s mouth.

The sister with an iron facade.

Doubted by the nobility to share the same blood as them.

The sister whose gaze had been as demonic as ever since our childhood.

This was a significant achievement.

A milestone in itself.

“The other thing, Valiere. Soon, Astarte, my Advisor, will return from delivering villagers to their direct-controlled territory and handling some additional tasks. Be prepared.”

“Prepared? For what additional tasks?”

I was inwardly jubilant, considering this a significant achievement, but the next topic brought doubts.

For what preparation? And what might these additional tasks entail?

“The aftermath of the war is not yet over. The greatest factor that cornered you this time, the traitor Caroline’s sister, Herma von Bösel, has succeeded in inheriting the family leadership and becoming the lord of the Bösel territory. That is fine. However, she let Caroline and her followers escape. As a result, Caroline commanded bandits to attack our royal directly-controlled territories. We have yet to pursue this oversight. Astarte, while passing by the directly-controlled territories, will bring Herma to the royal capital.”

I had been too shocked by Hanna’s death to remember.

That issue was still pending.

The primary cause of our dire straits.

I recalled it all.

Initially, Faust had asked for a substantial apology payment—war expenses—from Herma von Bösel, the eldest daughter of the regional lord responsible for this incident.

I despise incompetent lord knights to the extent of feeling nauseous, unable to even wipe their own behinds.

That was precisely Faust’s point.

“Well, it’s not you who will confront Herma. Mother, Queen Liesenlotte, will question Herma as the queen. However, you are involved and suffered from her troubles. If you have any complaints about the judgment, you are entitled to express your opinion.”

“My… opinion.”

“The judgment of her crimes and punishment will take place among the kings, high nobility, and representatives of lords and their proxies. Not everyone will be able to attend due to being busy. You should attend with Faust, your Advisor.”

“I understand.”

After her final words, my sister turned her back and walked away down the corridor.

By rights, I ought to be angry.

Without such incidents, I would have simply finished off some bandits and probably returned to the royal capital with all my guards intact.

Well, that’s a hypothetical scenario, as anything can happen on the battlefield.

But no anger wells up within me.

Not even towards Caroline, whom I should probably despise.

It all felt as if it had been settled.

That was my state of mind.

Yet, it’s not over.

It’s not the end.

“Sorry, Faust. I know you’re eager to return to your territory, but I need to borrow your strength for a little longer.”

In my mind, I apologized to Faust, who must be grumbling in the lower mansion provided by the royal family, wondering when he would receive his reward and when he could return to his territory.