Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World

Let’s think positively.

This has afforded me the opportunity to incur a favor from Faust von Polydoro.

Faust is known for his strong sense of duty; this favor will not go to waste.

Considering it as having secured a leash on Faust, sparing a clever girl is hardly a setback.

Besides military duties under the protection contract, and outside of my role as the Second Princess’s Advisor, I can now ask Faust for favors.

Queen Liesenlotte resolved to maintain a positive stance.

Otherwise, she couldn’t have coped.

Why must I undertake such tasks—does Liesenlotte take personal pleasure in the death of children?

It’s unavoidable, being the queen.

Is it my failing not to have penetrated the depths of Faust’s character, beyond his reputation—rather than succumbing to Astarte’s machinations?

No, that’s not it.

Absolutely not.

This is all Astarte’s fault.

If you wanted to save her, you could have simply said so yourself.

If Duchess Astarte had stated she would take full responsibility within her authority and position for Martina, I would have agreed.

Don’t bother using Faust, you brat.

Internally, Liesenlotte, as a private individual, grumbles.

With Faust’s plea, the tumultuous scene calmed down, now awaiting my, Queen Liesenlotte’s, judgment.

I don’t plan to drag this out any longer.

Let me just get to the conclusion.

“Herma von Bösel, I’ve made my decision. Prepare yourself to listen.”

“Yes.”

“The Bösel territory will be confiscated and made a direct domain. There will be no changes to this decision.”

Herma bowed her head and dropped her staff.

This was one point on which I would not budge.

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, the Bösel territory has been our family’s territory for generations…”

“I said there will be no changes. Do you think this situation allows for such arguments?”

I questioned Herma.

“By causing the death of over a hundred retainers and knights, and having all the competent soldiers taken away by Caroline, leading to all of them dying in battle under my daughter, the Second Princess Valiere’s command, what’s left are nothing but sycophants who wish to manipulate you as a puppet. In such circumstances, do you really think you, the survivor, can properly manage the territory? Let me be clear. The Bösel territory is doomed. Who knows what calamity might emerge from the devastated Bösel territory? It cannot be ignored.”

“If my death pleases you, then take my life here and now. But please, have mercy and let Martina inherit the house.”

Your life means nothing to me.

Compared to the lowered head of Faust, it holds no value.

But—considering the balance.

“Initially, I planned to make the Bösel territory a direct domain, and Martina was to be sentenced to death. The Bösel family was to be extinct, with no future. However, be thankful to Lord Polydoro. Going to such lengths, he saved her life. That future, at least, will be guaranteed.”

Honestly, subduing nobles and their representatives is easy.

But let’s think about the balance.

There’s no need to crush the family.

“The Bösel family shall be accorded the lowest tier of hereditary nobility within the bureaucratic aristocracy.”

This should strike a good balance.

Not crushing the family.

This way, the nobles might barely accept it.

They won’t like it, but it’s acceptable.

“…”

Herma remained silent, head bowed.

She wouldn’t be satisfied.

If it were about dissolution, there would be lords ready to fight to the last man.

But even for that resistance, the Bösel territory now lacks military strength.

Suppressing the rebelling vassals will be easy.

“Are you satisfied?”

I asked Herma.

I’m not expecting an answer other than yes.

“Understood. Please take good care of the Bösel family, and Martina.”

“It’s not yet time to leave it all to Martina. You are the one to inherit the family.”

Well, given your frail appearance, you’ll likely die soon anyway. There are still two more matters to address.

“Now, regarding the achievements of the Second Princess’s first campaign—Lord Polydoro.”

“Yes.”

I addressed Faust, who, now calm, stood beside Valiere to my left.

“I’m aware you expected reparations from the Bösel territory. Let the royal family pay it instead. Decide later whether you want a lump sum or a 10-year installment plan, which would amount to more.”

“Queen Liesenlotte, I have just now acted against a royal decree.”

“A merit is a merit and must be acknowledged. Are you trying to embarrass me?”

Yes, achievements must be recognized as such.

But—

“And a crime is a crime that must be addressed. Faust, you have defied a royal decree.”

“Yes.”

“I must impose a penalty on you, unfortunately.”

Now, what to do? Honestly, I don’t want to impose a harsh penalty and reduce the favor owed to Faust. Ah, let’s deal with the trouble at hand.

“Take Martina as your squire. Raise her to be a knight worthy of the royal family’s loyalty until she can inherit the family.”

“What?”

Faust looked taken aback. What’s with that face? It’s a natural course of action.

“Queen Liesenlotte, I must assert, as the man who vanquished Caroline, I stand as the adversary of her mother to Martina. I implore you, entrust her into the care of Duchess Astarte.”

Faust glanced at Astarte standing to my right. Don’t tell me you used me just to save Martina. That suspicious look seemed to realize something belatedly. Right, Faust. Astarte is to blame. Give her a harder look. Inside, the private individual that is Liesenlotte starts cheering. Well, let’s see how Astarte plans to appease Faust’s mood in the future. She’ll definitely struggle.

“Let’s ask Martina directly then. Martina, frankly, you are a troublesome individual with complications.”

“I am aware.”

Martina responded calmly.

“As you are wise, there’s no need to tell you—though I’ve already said it to Faust. You are the daughter of a rebel and a traitor to the territory. You’ll live being pointed at. The only ones who might accept you as a squire would be Duchess Astarte, who brought you here, or Lord Polydoro, who pleaded for your life.”

“I suppose so.”

Martina responded, still calmly. She did not make a face that said she knew all along. She remained expressionless. It’s hard to tell what she’s thinking.

“Then, let’s ask you, Martina. Whom do you wish to serve as a squire?”

“Lord Polydoro—Faust von Polydoro, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

…So Martina has made her choice. Well, I knew that. Faust, however, seemed unable to comprehend.

“Martina, or Miss Martina, I am a man who has devoted himself to knightly rather than domestic education. I doubt I can adequately care for you…”

“On the contrary, that’s what a squire is for. I shall take care of your needs.”

Martina said, looking straight into Faust’s eyes.

“I’ll be honest. I was prepared to die here, and you could say you’ve tarnished my pride.”

“Is that so?”

“I don’t quite understand your honor. Saving my life brings you no benefit.”

Faust shrugged and muttered softly.

“Was it a bother?”

“I am saying it was. But, I’ve changed my mind.”

Martina’s expression, previously emotionless, softened slightly as she murmured.

“If it’s a life picked up, I might as well follow the one who picked it up. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Is that so?”

Faust seemed somewhat pleased. His actions, not just selfish nuisances, were acknowledged. That must have been pleasing. He’s more troublesome than I thought. Not the man I imagined, more complex. But not disliked. Unacknowledged as a queen, but as a private individual, yes. Liesenlotte thought and spoke up.

“Thus, the matter is decided. Martina shall be placed under Lord Polydoro’s guardianship. Do any objections arise? Lords, esteemed representatives?”

I must seek their opinions, though the response is predictable.

“If losing the territory but preserving the family is the decision, we have no objections. Indeed, a wise judgment by Queen Liesenlotte.”

One of the lords commended me, taking the lead.

“This seems a good compromise. Truly, Queen Liesenlotte.”

Another noble representative agreed. Both sides had more to say, but this outcome must be satisfactory for them. Martina was spared death, and the Bösel territory confiscated as a direct domain. It was the greatest benefit for the royal family. Well, granting the Bösel family a single title of hereditary nobility is acceptable. The real task is revitalizing the Bösel territory. It will take some time before profits can be extracted. The amount of manpower and investment required is another question. This also fills some unnecessary roles among the noble representatives. Well, it’s their job to handle it. I just need to command. That’s sufficient.

“This concludes the judgment. Everyone, leave the royal chamber. Herma and Martina, you will be under the care of Duchess Astarte for now. At the right time, find a new residence in the capital and present Martina as a squire to Lord Polydoro.”

“Understood.”

Someone’s acknowledgment echoed in the royal chamber.

※

In the corridor, four individuals were walking together: the First Princess Anastasia and her Advisor Astarte, and the Second Princess Valiere and her Advisor Faust.

Anastasia was furious with Astarte for making Faust bow his head to the ground. They would likely confront each other in private later.

Astarte, meanwhile, avoided making eye contact with Faust, deciding it was best to give it some time.

Valiere looked at Faust with concern. His actions were uncharacteristically impulsive for the usually calm Faust.

And Faust himself…

…was walking down the hallway in a daze.

I’ve failed.

I have failed.

That thought was lingering in his mind.

He did not regret his plea to spare Martina’s life.

His knightly upbringing as a noble and his moral sense from his previous life as a Japanese had merged into this honorable action without regret.

Had he not acted, his identity would have crumbled.

But still…

But still, there is a but.

There’s a way to do things, idiot.

He berated himself.

You, who albeit from a small village, are a lord knight responsible for the lives and honor of 300 people.

What are you doing?

Instead of running amok, you should have calmly opposed Martina’s execution and pleaded for her life.

It was not an action that should have been done impulsively.

Regret piled up.

He was not the hero the world speaks of.

Just a minor lord knight from a not-so-wealthy borderland, responsible for nearly 300 people.

He could not afford to rashly throw his life away in a burst of impulsiveness.

Admonish yourself, Faust von Polydoro!

He shouted inwardly.

But at the same time, he also thought…

Well, it’s not like…

I’ve lost anything in particular.

He casually reassured himself.

He was going to receive the apology money as planned.

This would allow him to add an extra dish to the modest tables of his people.

Having Martina as a squire might be slightly awkward, but Caroline’s last wish made it not an unwelcome arrangement.

More importantly, Faust von Polydoro didn’t have much to lose.

He hadn’t lost anything by kneeling.

He wasn’t invited to noble parties anyway, so his future activities as a noble wouldn’t be affected.

His impulsive act might be seen as a stain on his reputation among the nobility, but as a minor lord knight, he was already looked down upon.

It was almost comical how unaffected he was.

Considering all this, Faust started to feel indifferent about everything.

Faust didn’t know.

He wasn’t invited to noble parties because Duchess Astarte and the First Princess Anastasia were keeping an eye out, ensuring no unwanted attention came his way.

Faust was oblivious.

Rather than being scorned as a minor lord knight, he was seen by lords and high-ranking nobles as a potential consort for the future Queen Anastasia or for Duchess Astarte.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

Unaware of all this, Faust straightened his back and met with his chief retainer Helga at the royal gate, leaving the castle to head to the lower house in the capital where his beloved people awaited.

As he made his way, he thought of returning to his territory, Polydoro territory.