Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 192

“Even I didn’t expect this turn of events… But well, it’s not a bad outcome for anyone. No, it has been quite disastrous for Cardinal von Mainz, who got caught up in it.”

Anastasia threw the parchment onto the desk.

It detailed the dispute between Valiere von Anhalt and the Elector of Mainz, and she had committed it all to memory.

It wasn’t a bad outcome.

For anyone.

I almost felt like whistling.

“There’s only one thing I cannot yield…”

She recalled the words Valiere had hurled at Astarte after her first battle.

Ultimately, Valiere was never fit to be a ruler.

Had that girl succeeded the House of Anhalt, the kingdom itself would have likely crumbled.

Just as Her Majesty Queen Liesenlotte, her sister Anastasia, and I, her cousin, had anticipated—she was merely a mediocrity.

Yet, because she is a foolish mediocrity, one who truly believes that everyone should be happy, she could be seen as a clown who dreams impossible dreams.

Even to the very end, she persisted in her struggle, refusing to be abandoned or unacknowledged, perhaps reaching towards divine grace (charisma).

“She’s like the Pied Piper of Hamelin.”

I was reminded of the fairy tale where a piper led away the children.

The roots of that legend, I heard, stemmed from the stories of Eastern colonists in the Holy Gusten Empire who set off to pioneer new lands.

Those without a homeland or even a house, “Valiere’s gleaners,” were led by her to the lands of Polydoro to settle.

To create their own true place.

Very well.

Astarte herself prays that those who truly possess ability, who exert themselves in their lives, shall be rewarded.

Let us support her journey forward.

“Anastasia, about the previously frozen development aid for Polydoro’s lands—”

“Are you suggesting financial assistance? Even after Faust and his people refused immigration and aid, causing us to give up once?”

As if echoing, Anastasia replied.

She groaned a little and muttered while tapping her temple with her long nails.

“It’s a difficult problem. I must discuss it thoroughly with Faust.”

“True, but now might be the time to succeed.”

Ultimately, Faust is ever the lordly knight.

However, he could not refuse Valiere when she threw herself to the ground and begged.

As a lord, his cruel yet strangely kind nature shapes Faust von Polydoro’s character.

The settlement by colonization was approved.

Agape was called, promising minimal support.

Thus, the matter is simple.

“Originally, our plan was to drop a massive number of immigrants and materials to develop Polydoro’s lands. If it’s the vast agricultural land of Polydoro, a minimum population of 2,000 is appropriate. The immigration will be covered by this colonization. Next is materials, and then funds.”

“Think Faust will just accept that?”

“He will.”

Faust is not a foolish lord.

If he offers only minimal support to Valiere, it’s because that’s all he truly can do.

If we consider the perspectives of the native residents of Polydoro, Faust wouldn’t commit such selfishness.

“If we explain it as necessary for soothing the current residents and for land development, he’ll definitely accept the money. Faust isn’t one to refuse that. We have Valiere to thank for the reason to give the money.”

“Our family, Valiere, bringing her subordinates to settle in Polydoro’s lands, is compensation for our presumptions towards Polydoro and also a betrothal gift to her fiancé, Faust.”

“Just deliver it that way. Once the money is distributed by Faust among the residents, and he works to lighten their taxes, our sincerity should lessen any malice towards the settlers, making Valiere’s colonization easier.”

“Though we cannot completely bind Faust with favors.”

The original goal was to gain Faust’s favor.

Additionally, we just wanted to ensure our lover had a territory befitting our dignity.

“Well, that’s fine,” Anastasia muttered.

Yes, this disturbance isn’t really bad for the House of Anhalt.

“Well, I’ll manage to supply a few men for the settlers from the ducal house.”

“I may not be able to prepare that many, though.

Perhaps 50 at most for the 1,500 settlers?”

She casually estimated.

It would be sufficient to purchase boys sold cheaply as prostitutes or wandering folk.

Given the circumstances, their origins hardly matter, nor would anyone complain.

On their part, living there would be an improvement over their previous conditions.

So she declared.

“……Using Polydoro’s lands as a buffer zone along the border with Virendorf?”

Until now silent and observing, Katarina finally spoke.

Certainly, the House of Anhalt must also gain.

“That’s the plan. It shouldn’t be a bad deal from your perspective either, considering you intend to marry Faust and welcome a child into the Virendorf royal family,” Anastasia announced.

After a moment, Katarina nodded, seemingly in agreement.

“I see, if Anhalt is too selfish towards Polydoro, Virendorf can justify taking us in due to familial ties. If the next generation of Anhalt blunders, we can sway the feudal lords around Polydoro without an invasion.”

“That’s the idea.”

Let’s arm the Polydoro family as well.

Polydoro’s lands currently belong to Anhalt, but honestly, they’re situated in such a way that switching allegiance to Virendorf wouldn’t be odd if there were a reason.

In that case, we should stop any half-hearted harassment and create a situation Anhalt cannot ignore.

A child of Valiere, bearing Anhalt’s blood, would become the lord of Polydoro, and his half-sister would be the queen of Virendorf.

A convenient position, yet not one Polydoro can exploit freely.

“Isn’t that a good deal?”

Anastasia turned the conversation to Katarina.

The desired outcome was something cold-hearted Queen Katarina could provide.

“What would you ask of Virendorf in return?”

“Considering colonization, don’t you think 10 or 20 years is far too short? I wouldn’t want my dear sister to pioneer a frontier where enemy nations could attack at any moment.”

“Are you talking about peace negotiations?” Katarina murmured softly.

She was likely thinking with her cool head.

Financially focused Anhalt isn’t interested in expanding territory, but Virendorf, which values military strength, is different.

Everyone desires to expand their territory.

The reason why the demonic übermensch Reckenber invaded Anhalt had that aspect too.

Though lately, I suspect there might have been another reason.

“Fine. The next generation of the Virendorf electors wouldn’t want to fight against Polydoro, where their father lives and their half-sister rules.”

“Then, a non-aggression pact here.”

“I promise, as long as this Katarina lives,” Katarina indeed promised.

A long-term non-aggression pact with Virendorf would benefit Anhalt.

“……The details of Valiere’s colonization can wait. Anyway, the colonization won’t start until we return to our homeland.”

There are more important matters to discuss.

Anastasia muttered, likely eager inside to support the earnest efforts of her recently endeared sister.

Her expression could easily be mistaken for someone who might indulge in cannibalism.

But at least the topic to be discussed now was fitting for such a ghastly face.

“Sabine von Wesperman has arrived. The assassin appointed by Elector Katarina. A psychopath, human scum. She wouldn’t feel a thing killing anyone besides Valiere and her family, even if she were to strip a priest of his silk robes and sell them off. What shall we do with her?”

I whispered.

I whispered what everyone already understood.

What we were about to do wasn’t all that grand.

It’s not uncommon for clergy to die on the battlefield.

Just as Cardinal von Mainz was nearly killed the other day.

Anastasia spoke of her wish.

Simply stating the reason and purpose of what was to be done next.

“Papal assassination. They tried to kill my sister Valiere. There’s no longer any reason to negotiate. The die is cast. We shall beat that violent Pope Yulia with violence. After beating her to death, we’ll seat her corpse on the throne and boldly have the new pope revoke the Cologne Sect’s heretical status right in front of her. We’ll expose that filthy traitor of the Holy Gusten Empire. As for who the next pope will be, let Katarina and I decide.”

Quietly, truly quietly.

With a reptilian smile, as if a serpent had gorged on human flesh.

Anastasia von Anhalt wished for the pope’s death.