Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 200

After much deliberation, I decided to guide her to the residence of Princess Anastasia.

This person, who calls herself Nahid, desires an audience with the heir to the Anhalt royal family. Since Queen Liesenlotte is not in the imperial capital, it is proper to introduce her to the legitimate heir.

Valiere-sama?

Although technically in line for succession, she can hardly be called a successor any longer.

She has already prepared herself to become the head of the Polydoro family as my fiancée, and everyone is intent on it.

The transfer of royal power has effectively been made to Princess Anastasia.

…Truth be told, it’s pitiful to involve my fiancée, Valiere-sama, in these unnecessary matters now.

“Well then… I should say you’ve had a hard time, Faust. It wasn’t your intention, but I had been searching for her, for the ‘Old Man of the Mountain.’ I was looking, but I had no idea where she was. Embarrassingly, the Anhalt intelligence network had once collapsed. It was only thanks to my aunt, Queen Liesenlotte, that we discovered they had escaped from Parsa.”

Duchess Astarte smiled at me kindly. She seemed in good spirits, even showing a semblance of relief.

“Nahid-dono did well to contact us. I don’t know how the discussions will go, but first, let’s give thanks.”

Her voice was gentle, expressing gratitude, but it was not out of complacency.

She maintained utmost vigilance toward Nahid, ready to reach for the knife at her hip at any moment.

Well, if it comes to that, between Princess Anastasia, Duchess Astarte, and myself, the three of us together should manage, even if she fully commits to a fight.

“Let’s take things at face value for now. However, do consider our circumstances. I did indeed contact the Anhalt royal family, but that was due to an old secret pact. Depending on the situation, I might even head to Vilendorf, or even the declining Mainz. Even if somewhat decayed, the elector’s rank remains.”

If it comes to an escape, even with Polydoro’s strength, capturing her would be difficult.

I’m calculating our capabilities.

Not quite like Lord Reckenburg, but it’s a close call if she’s weaker than Duke Temeraire.

Not just in physical strength, but with her skills as an assassin—it’s hard to fully assess.

Duchess Astarte continued without changing her expression.

“…I should ask, just in case. What about the Pope or the Emperor? What do you think, regarding Nahid-dono?”

“It’s a foolish question. Why should we follow those who drove us out of Parsa, those who wag their tails at that detestable Mongol Empire? What do you think, Faust von Polydoro?”

Somehow, the conversation turned to me.

You know, right?

Do you really understand?

Hey, hey, do you truly understand? As if to say that, Nahid seemed to be scrutinizing my expression.

Why provoke me needlessly, you tanned loli baba?

“We’re both just feeling each other out, aren’t we? Let’s move on to the main topic.”

“Well, that’s true. You look like you wouldn’t understand without a commentary. Exploring each other’s intents, jesting is necessary in adult conversations to ensure both parties are of matched intellects and can engage in clever talk. Ah, when I think about it, you’re utterly hopeless. Someone who rushes straight to the main point isn’t going to navigate the world well.”

How have you survived in the world of nobility until now?

That’s how she ridicules me.

Do you have a grudge against me, you tanned loli baba?

Ah, to be honest, I wish Martina was here.

If I brought a 9-year-old and said she’s my assistant, I’d probably be ridiculed even more.

“All I can expect from you is that you defeated Lord Reckenburg, who practically destroyed our branch family, the Vesperman house. That’s your only merit as a knight.”

I don’t need anything but my sword.

That’s what I was about to argue, but wait, there are several unclear points about this Nahid.

If I take her word for it, she’s the founder of the Vesperman family, but then how old is she?

She must be centuries old, but Nahid looks nothing more than a tanned loli baba in front of me.

How many centuries ago was the holy war that the Emperor of the Holy Gusten Empire, as the supreme commander, waged?

It’s confusing, even with my knowledge from a previous life.

Maybe it was during the time of the Third Crusade.

After that, there was the Mamluk dynasty, who successfully “defended” against the Mongol Empire, one of the few to do so, but that’s about all I remember.

So, were you serving the Khwarazmian dynasty that was destroyed by the Mongol Empire?

No, that feels entirely wrong.

“Old Man of the Mountain”? Sounds like something related to Marco Polo, maybe the Ismailis?

Then it would be close to Shia Islam, Fatimid… that’s before Saladin.

Who were you serving, “Old Man of the Mountain”? High school history-level knowledge won’t cut it here.

I squeezed my brain to its limit, and the best I could come up with was the Seljuk dynasty, but… that’s still uncertain.

I don’t know the geography of Islamic society well.

No, thinking this far, it’s meaningless.

After all, the history of this world, while seemingly similar, is entirely different from my previous life, so really, it’s pointless.

My agonizing was meaningless.

Maybe this person, whether or not it suits their interests, has served several dynasties, so it’s pointless to specify.

Using knowledge from a previous life, I can’t determine who she is or what she’s thinking.

“You’re confusing, you know. I could kill you. I don’t understand a thing. Your life is just too chaotic.”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice in frustration.

The target of my outburst, the tanned loli baba, voiced her confusion.

“Eh, why am I being scolded? Didn’t you just say you were going to kill me!? And didn’t you just belittle the life I’ve worked so hard for, for the sake of my clan!?”

“It’s because you’re at fault,” I clicked my tongue.

The secret pact between the Anhalt royal family and the assassins of Parsa is indeed concerning, but I have no right to speak on the royal family’s secrets.

I have no right even to inquire about it.

As I grumbled to myself, Nahid asked with a slightly anxious look.

“Did I do something wrong? I can’t think of anything… What are you worried about?”

“I don’t know the history of the world. Even if I tried to think about it, I don’t understand the history of this world. I don’t understand the kind of life you, Nahid, have led, which dynasties you’ve served, or how old you are. I’m curious, but it would be rude to ask. I’m also curious about the secret pact between the Anhalt royal family and the assassins of Parsa, but since it’s a secret, it might be foolish to ask. I want to ask everything, but, well, I guess I won’t. I don’t have the right to question it.”

“Eh… Aren’t you too honest? If you think it’d be bad to ask, then why don’t you just avoid asking at all? Isn’t it normal not to even mention it? You’re lying, right… Do you have some grudge against me? Because of your statements just now, all the probing between me and Princess Anastasia is ruined, you know?”

Unbelievably, the tanned loli baba groaned.

Martina often tells me the same thing.

But, well, being honest hasn’t really caused me problems.

If Martina, my 9-year-old retainer, were here, she’d know everything, but she’s not.

And really, who are you anyway?

You’ve grandly named yourself “The Old Man of the Mountain” and claimed to be part of the “Evening Star” assassin group, but frankly, I don’t know you.

And honestly, I have to admit, I’ve disliked you, loli baba.

You hold no sexual appeal for me, and I don’t feel the respect for you that I have for Valiere-sama.

Why are you even alive?

“Or maybe, was it a mistake to bring you here? Shouldn’t I avoid bringing someone as suspicious as you before my lord? I’m sorry, Princess Anastasia. She’s suspicious, so I’ll just leave her on some street corner.”

“Eh… Even though I’m meeting someone for the first time, I thought I explained everything quite thoroughly from the start… I thought I made a strong first impression. To be treated like a stray kitten?”

If it were a stray kitten, I’d watch for a few hours to see if there was a parent cat nearby, and if not, I’d reluctantly take it home.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re as adorable as a cat, you tanned loli baba.

I genuinely don’t understand what you are.

Why did I even bring you before Princess Anastasia, my lord?

Honestly, I’m questioning my own judgment.

“Well, calm down, Faust. You might dislike her, but I have business with her. And well, as Valiere’s fiancé and a member of the royal family, you have a right to know the secrets of the Anhalt royal family. I had Martina leave the room, but you alone have a right to know.”

Finally, Princess Anastasia spoke up and gestured with her eyes.

Duchess Astarte nodded in agreement, implying it was time for an explanation.

To your questions, I might just tell you a part of it, her lips curving slightly in a smile.