Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 23

In a cheap tavern near the slums of the capital, Faust von Polydoro found himself sitting, contemplating the ale poured into his wooden cup.

Recently, a promotion ceremony for the Second Princess’s Royal Guard was held in recognition of their achievements in the Caroline subjugation campaign. Sabine was promoted to the second rank, and the other members each advanced one rank. However, this gathering in the cheap tavern wasn’t for celebration; it was in memory of a fallen comrade, Hanna, and I had been invited to join.

“The table feels lonely with one less cup. It’s unbearably lonely. It’s not appropriate to invite Lady Valiere to such a place, especially with her being busy preparing to return to her domain. But please, consider this as a tribute to Hanna’s memory and join us,” Sabine had approached me after the ceremony. There was no reason to refuse, especially since I had attended Hanna’s funeral in my role as advisor to the Second Princess.

Hanna had fulfilled her duty as a member of the royal guard, dying in service during Lady Valiere’s first battle, proving herself a true hero.

“Sabine stood up on the table, removed her shoes, and began to speak, ‘Our comrade Hanna has passed away, becoming the shield for Lady Valiere, sacrificing herself in her stead.'”

The tavern, reserved for the guard this evening, showed no objections. A barrel of ale was purchased with the combined funds of all 15 members, following a tradition Hanna had also partaken in. I had offered to cover the expenses, considering the royal family would compensate us, but was told this was a guard tradition they wished to honor for Hanna as well.

“How enviable a death,” Sabine paused her speech, tears flowing. It seemed my assessment of her as a dangerous individual was mistaken; she did possess a sense of humanity after all.

“We will never forget,” she said, altering her speech mid-way, a change evident to all of us – the 13 members of the guard and myself, Faust, listened in silence.

“We will not forget Hanna, who, after a failed attempt at spying on a squire’s changing, faced Lady Valiere’s wrath, blaming me while kicking my shin hard, saying it was my fault, despite agreeing to the plan,” Sabine continued, revealing an unexpected side of their camaraderie.

“What were they thinking, the Second Princess’s Royal Guard?”

“Hanna showed the strongest interest in lewd stories, eagerly asking for more as I explained the male anatomy. She was truly fond of such tales, the biggest pervert among us.”

“Unforgettable. She must now be in Valhalla, honored as an Einherjar by the Valkyries for her noble death in battle. But we will remember her as one of us, a fool laughed at by the court and the noble families. We will never let her memory fade.”

Sabine, the captain of the Second Princess’s Royal Guard, cried throughout her speech.

“Remember, we too may die at any time. We, the Second Princess’s Royal Guard, will continue to serve Lady Valiere. If told to die, we shall die; if told to live, we will do so by any means necessary.”

Sabine cried openly, continuing her speech without hiding her tears. Despite being celebrated as the hero who rallied the militia and led Lady Valiere to victory in her first battle, this glory was, to her, a painful reminder.

It was time to reassess my opinion of Sabine. I decided to retract the complaints I had shared with Helga before. Sabine was no longer someone I could dislike.

“Don’t go dying on me without even getting Valiere-sama’s permission, you fool.”

It wasn’t even a speech by the end.

It was a spat-out phrase, yet it carried the utmost affection.

“Enough! The boring speeches are over! May glory be with Hanna in her future battles against the giants in Valhalla! A toast!”

“A toast!”

As Sabine’s speech came to an end, the word “A toast!” danced in the air from me and the remaining fourteen.

I don’t know much about this person, Hanna.

Only that she was a commendable woman who fulfilled her duty by protecting Valiere von Anhalt, the second princess, with her life.

However, her life, while serving as part of the second princess’s personal guard, was probably at least happy.

I feel so before vigorously downing my ale.

“Sabine-dono,”

“Ah, Polydoro-sama. Thank you for coming today.”

We clinked our wooden cups together.

“It’s not the happiest of occasions. I imposed on you. Thank you for coming today.”

“No, I’m here as a part of attending Hanna-dono’s funeral.”

She was a good woman.

What a shame.

I would have wanted her as a wife if she were alive.

It’s an unattainable wish now, and I wouldn’t have thought this way if she hadn’t died as a substitute for Valiere-sama.

Well.

This time, I actually came here pushed by Helga, the captain of the guards, saying, “Please pick the best woman from the second princess’s personal guard. I highly recommend Sabine-sama.”

It’s completely not the mood for that.

And I’m not in the mood either.

Today is for commemorating Hanna-dono.

And that’s fine.

I’ll give up on finding a wife this year.

“May I sit here?”

“Please.”

Sabine sat across from me.

Each member of the second princess’s personal guard is telling old stories about Hanna.

…I wonder if Sabine doesn’t need to join them.

“Sabine-dono, I’m fine alone. You don’t have to keep me company; go join the others in talking about Hanna-dono…”

“I can always talk to them.”

Sabine took a sip of her ale, exhaled loudly, and then turned to me.

“Polydoro-sama, you’re returning to your territory, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’ll be returning.”

I’ve completed my military service.

I’ve also proudly completed my first battle under Valiere-sama.

The obligations of the protective contract for my territory and my role as advisor to the second princess are fully concluded.

There’s no more need for me in the royal capital.

My people and my family are waiting.

I should hurry back and devote myself to improving my territory’s productivity.

Though my territory is far from wealthy, the reward money paid by the royal family in place of the Bösel family will enrich it for the next ten years.

During this time, I plan to implement a tax reduction policy, employ the people, and expand the farmlands a bit more.

I can almost see the wheat fields turning a beautiful golden color.

“Why did you spare Martina, Caroline’s child?”

“…Are you dissatisfied?”

“No, the vendetta against Hanna was concluded when Valiere-sama personally avenged her on the spot. I have no complaints.”

Sabine asked, and upon my reply, she shook her head.

The cause of the worst turn in this first battle, why save the daughter of Caroline?

I thought it might have bothered her, but it seems not.

Indeed, the vendetta was concluded by Valiere-sama’s own hands.

“I want to know about Polydoro-sama’s honor. I just can’t understand. I can’t grasp what Polydoro-sama gained from this. If anything, you’ve created a debt to the royal family.”

…

I respond with silence.

Sabine, seemingly foolish, is actually wise.

Well, it’s unlikely that any speaker without some intelligence would be present.

Why was she exiled from her family and joined the second princess’s personal guard?

Now, having a calm conversation like this, she doesn’t seem to be a foolish woman at all.

Was it because her personality was too brutal?

That impression has faded now.

Perhaps she too has grown through this first battle.

“…Won’t you answer?”

“No, I will.”

It seems my silence was taken by Sabine as a refusal to speak. But I’ll answer honestly. After all, we’re just drinking. Speaking the truth won’t cost me anything.

“…Don’t you think it’s wrong, even for those of noble blood, for the sins of the parents to be borne by their young children?”

“…”

That’s all there is to it. Had Martina not been a child, I might have, as a knight’s mercy, beheaded her. But the honor of blue blood, taught by her mother, merged devilishly with the moral senses of my past life as a Japanese, produced that answer. That’s the conclusion of that honor.

“That’s what I couldn’t stand. That’s all.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Sabine murmurs with puzzled eyes.

“You’re a strange man, Polydoro-sama.”

“I think so myself.”

It’s me who’s out of place in this world, I’m aware of that. But I simply cannot live purely in this world of noble blood. Still, I think I can manage to live by making some compromises.

“But I don’t dislike it. Surprisingly, we may get along well.”

“Are you trying to court me?”

I retorted teasingly to Sabine’s words, as they sounded like a pick-up line.

“What if I said yes?”

I froze. Is she seriously courting me? In this world, at least in the Kingdom of Anhalt, a muscular and tall man like me shouldn’t be the mainstream preference for women. Could it be?

“Are you after my fortune? Let me remind you, all I have is a small village with less than 300 people to my name.”

“That might dazzle someone who has only recently risen from a mere knight to a second rank, like me. But no, this isn’t about that. I’m genuinely fond of you, Polydoro-sama.”

Seriously, this woman? I freeze at the unexpected response. Helga, my captain of the guards, what’s this? It seems I’m being courted instead of courting your recommendation. Being courted isn’t new to me; I was propositioned almost daily by Duchess Astarte, though as a mistress.

Speaking of which, about Duchess Astarte and this matter. That woman likely maneuvered to have Martina beheaded by me, making it seem like my decision. Kneeling was my responsibility, but she probably anticipated my plea for clemency. Even if she wanted to save Martina, her methods were too dirty. How could she do this to me, considering our past dealings from the Virendorf campaign? I thought we were comrades in arms, sharing blood and sweat. This humiliation, I won’t forget. Yet, her voluptuousness is regrettable, but that’s just my past life’s man instincts. Well, let’s forget about that for now.

“Polydoro-sama, perhaps a woman like me isn’t to your liking?”

In reality, I have a preference for well-endowed women. I’m a so-called “boob man.” If she has a nice pair of rocket boobs like Sabine, visible even through her clothing, she’s definitely my type. In this world, where all women seem to have absurdly high facial attractiveness, any large-breasted woman is an automatic yes. But admitting that here would surely be frowned upon. It would be seen as utterly lecherous. Plus, there are considerations given my status. A wife for a lord must be someone who can represent me and even fulfill military duties on my behalf.

Wait, isn’t the current Sabine not bad for that role? Even Helga recommended her.

While pondering, I muddle through my response.

“I don’t dislike it.”

“I’m truly glad to hear that, Polydoro-sama.”

What is this situation? Why am I being courted by Sabine, whom I once considered a brutish chimpanzee? And why am I attracted to her advances? Someone tell me what I should do. It’s unfair to expect a virgin like me to know how to act in such a situation.

“Polydoro-sama. I have lost Hanna, my dearest friend. But as the advisor to the second princess, I have formed a connection with you. Maybe Hanna brought us together. As the captain of the second princess’s personal guard and personally, I hope we can continue to rely on each other. I hope for a close relationship between a man and a woman.”

“Uh, yes. Likewise. Looking forward to it.”

Sabine and I shake hands. Her hand, despite being rough with calluses from sword and spear, felt surprisingly soft. I’m done for. I’m starting to be captivated by Sabine. Probably because I’m not used to being popular. Or maybe it’s because I was so cruelly betrayed by Duchess Astarte, my heart is vulnerable.