Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 191

It will be less than ten days before we arrive at the Imperial Capital of Windbona.

The rewards that Valiere-sama promised for our military achievements in defeating that detestable Mainz have been distributed to everyone.

These rewards include coins that I’ve never held in these scarred hands before: coins minted in Anhalt bearing the profile of Her Majesty Queen Liesenlotte, coins minted in Virendorf bearing the profile of the demonic superhero Reckenber, and coins minted in Mainz bearing the profile of the Elector of Mainz.

Some have even received large silver coins, the likes of which one might only come across once in a lifetime.

However, the silver coins from the Electorate of Mainz were undervalued by the sutler merchants, who claimed, “We cannot trust the future value of this currency.”

The loss of honor and authority as an elector even affects the value of the currency.

Nevertheless, the wealth that Valiere-sama acquired from the feudal lords during the campaign, including the compensation paid in advance by the Elector of Mainz, amounted to a significant sum in rewards.

Not just in gold.

“Special favors from the powerful” were also generously bestowed.

More than 20 individuals were officially knighted amidst the roar of the crowd, with various people being called forth.

There was a captain who led a mercenary group, more battered and bruised than any other, who had truly fought valiantly.

Ah, I hear that even the third or fourth daughter of an Anhalt noble family, a young girl not yet 14 who could not become a knight, managed to kill an enemy knight from Mainz despite lacking sufficient education and training.

Even a Black Knight, who joined the march midway, wept torrents of tears as he clasped his hands in prayer before Valiere-sama, a master of martial arts who bravely fought on the front lines, defeating enemy pikemen and even breaking into the enemy’s ranks.

This was testified by Lady Sabine, whom I was assisting in the military achievements survey.

Ah yes, they were naturally there, as a result of their valor on the battlefield.

Everyone’s evaluation on the battlefield was honest, acknowledging their admirable efforts.

We could never lie about the contributions made to His Highness, who dared to challenge the Elector of Mainz in anger on behalf of all of us.

Even if one could scoff at the gods, one could not demean that fortunate fairy.

Thus, all those who were knighted received a just evaluation, being tapped on the shoulder by His Highness with a sword in full public view.

Why then should I, who had no reason to concoct such rotten excuses as those scoundrels, feel so wretched?

Even someone as despicable as me understands that such ugly actions only serve to demean oneself.

Ah, but it is alright to envy.

I, too, wished to be like that.

Yet, I could not become so.

If I could, I would have continued marching “until I die.”

Following Valiere-sama, showing those like me, leading a worthless life, that there is hope for social advancement.

But once this ends, I will wake from this dream.

Though we received a substantial amount of money as a reward, I have no ‘support’ on which to rely.

Having left home, I have no citizenship to settle down anywhere; I will be shunned wherever I go.

The saying that money can buy anything is a lie; without a social background, it amounts to nothing.

I have no way to establish a livelihood.

Someday, perhaps intoxicated with alcohol, I might foolishly squander all my fortune in one go.

Back to a life of half-mercenary, half-banditry.

A poor man who can neither write nor calculate will just return to his former life.

I can foresee such a future for myself.

The pain in my muscles from continuous walking, the pain of my skin peeling and tearing, even the battle wounds sustained in combat with the Mainz army—if only I could continue marching, none of it would bother me.

But there are no more chances.

Who would dare confront those who defeated 6,000 knights of the Elector with just 3,000 weak soldiers?

Even the smallest band of bandits, upon hearing rumors, scatter and flee.

Feudal lords compete to establish a lord-vassal relationship with Valiere-sama, generously offering gold.

There are no more opportunities to make a name, no more chances to wreak havoc.

Ah, it’s almost time.

Valiere-sama’s campaign is coming to an end.

The parade that we, who are allowed to dream only once in our lifetimes, are witnessing is ending.

It was then that a strange rumor started.

“I heard that everyone will be saved. If we just follow Valiere-sama, somehow in the end, everything will be taken care of.”

Such an odd rumor circulated among us, the “Leftovers of Valiere.”

Everyone thought it impossible.

But, but then again…

Those of us, uneducated and pitiful, couldn’t completely give up hope.

Good men and women are nowhere to be found, and although we hate the world and crawl on the ground to survive, this was our last hope.

So, we endured.

Without resorting to violence in desperation, without stealing from some traveling merchant’s goods and running away, we quietly, quietly marched.

We marched, believing that following Valiere-sama was the only good.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

Everyone knows this.

From our life experiences, we understand.

The number of loaves of bread in this world is limited.

The number of wines is limited too.

The number of people who can partake in the bread (flesh) and wine (blood) of the Redeemer is limited, and not everyone can be satiated. The Cologne Sect’s scripture that speaks of “creating bread beyond matter” is but a folly.

Dreams cannot be eaten.

Everyone knows this, from us poor folks to wealthy men like the Elector of Mainz.

Even those at the pinnacle, like the Pope or the Emperor, know this.

Not everyone can be saved.

No matter how desperately everyone lives, they will not be rewarded.

Only those born privileged receive both bread and wine.

That’s why, that’s why…

We doubted our ears.

Duchess Valiere was delivering a speech.

Standing atop a small hill, just before reaching the Imperial Capital, she spoke alone as everyone watched, the “Leftovers of Valiere” focusing intently on her words.

“It was a difficult journey. Fortunately, there were no stragglers, but as you know, there were many deaths. We’ve buried the bodies, but there are many whose remains have gone unclaimed. I’ve decided to bury them in a single communal grave.”

My friend also died.

But perhaps she was fortunate in her own way.

Neither she nor I were exceptional soldiers, and it’s likely that neither of us had any chance for significant advancement.

Being buried in a communal grave might have been…

“I read out their names before, one by one. I asked Sabine and Pretihya to find out what kind of people they were in life. I made a vow to never forget those who gave their lives for my sake. I will continue to honor their graves. Yes—”

To have one’s name called, to have one’s existence acknowledged, and to have that existence honored was comforting.

Perhaps it is a happier ending to have Duchess Valiere visit our graves.

I truly believe that.

“I have something I want to tell you all. But before that, there is one thing I must share.”

A breath was audible.

The words Duchess Valiere had been muttering were echoed throughout the ranks of the 3,000 soldiers, repeated by the guards and the newly knighted knights under her command.

They likely knew in advance what she was about to say.

So when I heard a breath, it must have been theirs.

What she was about to say must be important to us.

“Do you know of the Polydoro territory? No, you wouldn’t. I have a fiancé—his name is Faust von Polydoro. He’s a rugged knight, several years my senior, an advisor in the Second Princess’s royal guard whom I took a liking to when I was twelve. He’s a feudal lord.”

I knew that name.

I am a fortunate mercenary from Anhalt, who followed Duchess Valiere’s campaign from start to finish.

Yes, initially, I doubted that even knighthood could be achieved through mere perseverance, alongside my captain and friends.

Everyone went mad trying to be recognized by Duchess Valiere after the mercenary captain named Pretihya was knighted.

And somehow, during the campaign, this parade, I became enchanted and followed it to this point.

“The Polydoro territory lies on the border with Virendorf. I haven’t visited it yet, but I’ve heard there’s a large mountain there, and the land and forests collect rainwater, providing a good water source for the rivers flowing through the territory. I hear it’s a small dominion, not even large enough to be called a village or a town, about 300 people. I once heard from my father, Robert, that it started with just 30 people.”

Again, a breath was audible.

Standing closest to me was, if I recall correctly, Lady Sabine.

She must have been the captain of the guard.

She seemed distant, yet her eyes sparkled fiercely, as if she were under some spell.

Yet her posture remained upright.

She continued with Duchess Valiere’s words.

“I asked Faust about the origins and the nature of the Polydoro territory. Pulling at the threads of memory taught to me by my father, I asked him to reveal everything. Understand that I am not allowed to speak of everything Faust told me. I am not so wicked as to divulge all the secrets of my fiancé. I don’t want to be disliked by him.”

Somewhere, a whistle sounded.

Despite the chaotic nature of the campaign, someone teased the Duchess for not wanting to be disliked by her fiancé.

It was a brave act, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

I was too far from Duchess Valiere to see her expression, but it seemed she was smiling.

“How far should I go? I tried to choose my words. But as I listened to Faust, I realized there was no need to choose. These are not my words. They are the words of a woman who founded the Polydoro territory, who had no name, no family name, not even a noble prefix like ‘von.’ The words of a pioneer. I will borrow these words, as Faust has allowed me to.”

Again, a breath was audible.

It was a deep breath.

A breath taken to continue speaking.

“We are no longer afforded the value of being human. We are mocked, humiliated, spit upon. Our sacred land does not exist in this world. Our homeland does not exist. There is likely no heaven or hell. At the very least, we want our own village. Let’s create our own country. There is no future here. There is no future anywhere else either. At least, let’s die doing what we love. If we don’t even have a grave to be buried in, it wouldn’t make a difference if our remains are eaten by hungry dogs.”

Something, trying to say something.

But nothing was said.

I don’t know what happened, but these were not the words of a sane person.

Surely, they were words of desperation, found by someone driven to their limits.

Just like us.

“It was the statement of a woman called Polydoro. The words of the first settler who founded the Polydoro territory. Anyone could understand it was a fierce determination to settle the land. After hearing this, I hesitated for a moment. At the same time, I asked him a question. What would he do if someone similar came to this place? What if someone who was mocked, humiliated, and spit upon came here? Would he welcome them, or would he reject them?”

What Duchess Valiere was trying to say.

I was a bit puzzled, unable to grasp it.

She seemed to be demanding something from her fiancé, Faust von Polydoro.

“If they try to take our land, I’ll kill them. This is our land. We have no farm equipment, so we dug the fields with sticks and our hands. We have no wisdom or technique, so we killed many crops. There are no superheroes, so we have no way to protect ourselves from beasts, and many have died. Why should we give the fruits of our ancestors’ efforts to others? Do they think we are slaves or something? Do they laugh at our dignity as if it’s something to be handed down like a dog’s offspring? If anyone suggests we give even a speck of dirt from the fields we have tilled, I will beat them down, even if it’s my fiancée.”

Of course.

I am beginning to understand a little.

Duchess Valiere was demanding something incredible from her fiancé.

Land, more valuable to a feudal lord than even his own life.

“But still,”

Pausing for a breath.

Lady Sabine, who was supposed to convey Duchess Valiere’s words, seemed struck by some incredible terror, shivering as if she had faced the wrath of Lord Polydoro firsthand, as if frightened by something.

Duchess Valiere paused her words, waiting for Lady Sabine’s trembling to subside, and then continued speaking.

“The Polydoro territory knows a bit of agape. If there are others who are mocked, humiliated, and spit upon. If there are people who have nowhere else to go. If these people are not trying to steal the land we have tilled but are trying to settle and build their own places. We will cooperate a little. If you call yourself a resident of Polydoro, then do these things first.”

Now, without hesitation.

Almost as if feeling the touch of pure water.

“We will give plenty of old farm equipment. We will give plenty of used ostracons (pottery shards). We will give plenty of worn-out books. We will give plenty of seeds. We will do that much. If you truly want to welcome someone to the Polydoro territory, let them develop land from nothing. That is the maximum concession that Faust, a feudal lord of Polydoro and my fiancé, can make.”

Duchess Valiere von Anhalt, the fairy monarch to whom I first felt loyalty, was speaking.

My own, only mine.

“I answered. I will put the old hoe into the land with these hands. I will remove stones with these hands, plant seeds with these hands, distribute pottery shards with orders with these hands, read the books of development with these hands. I will develop a village in the undeveloped, barren lands of the vast Polydoro territory.”

Our monarch, speaking only to us.

“This… What I am about to say may seem presumptuous. It might seem foolish for the second child of an elector who has never struggled to say this. If you think so, you can abandon me. What I am about to say is just a fanciful tale that I have brooded over and come up with on my own. It may not align with any of your hopes.”

Our own thing.

Yes, the people who once followed a leader called Polydoro must have thought the same.

This is ours alone.

“If, if this campaign ends and you have nowhere to go. If there are those among you who have no place to settle down.”

So please, say it.

We will follow your words, the words of Valiere, a single fairy princess.

“Let’s develop the Polydoro territory together. Citizenship will be granted. I will somehow prepare the development costs. There will be hardships. You may have never farmed before. But I will be the first to put the hoe into the field. I will be the first to try everything. So please…”

I will follow whatever you say.

Seeing Lady Sabine fall after finishing all of Duchess Valiere’s words.

“Let’s create a place where we can live together with me, who will become Valiere von Polydoro. Let’s develop the Polydoro territory together.”

I, at least our mercenary band, all raised a cry of agreement.