Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 243

“A conversion ceremony to the Cologne Sect?”

“Yes, most likely—no, definitely, the Landsknechts will attack there.”

Clapping my hands in front of my advisor, I smiled.

“They intend to kidnap my dear sister, Valiere. I’ve been tracking the movements of the Landsknechts thoroughly. The actions of the Citizens’ Council are within expectations as well. I’ve got everything in my grasp.”

“I see. You truly are an exceptional elder sister.”

Duchess Astarte nodded.

It’s always easier to discuss plans when you have an advisor who understands you.

“The upcoming conversion ceremony to the Cologne Sect will also serve as the conversion ritual for Valiere’s followers. As the representative of the gathered crowd, Valiere will be baptized. That’s the perfect opportunity to strike. While there will be a lot of people present, security will be thin.”

“Indeed. Moreover, we cannot attend the ceremony ourselves.”

Neither Anastasia, Duchess Astarte, nor Lady Nahid can attend the conversion ceremony to the Cologne Sect.

This is because our sects are different.

In Lady Nahid’s case, the entire religion is different, so it’s impossible for her to attend.

In any case, we don’t want to be involved in a ceremony for some insane people. We don’t even know what the ceremony involves.

“I had hoped I could be of use, though,”

Lady Nahid remarked regretfully, tilting her head slightly as she fiddled with a knife, playing with it absentmindedly.

It seems she won’t be of much use this time. Assassins aren’t always handy for every situation.

“The conversion ceremony to the Cologne Sect won’t be held in a church but rather outdoors, outside the city. Since it’s a large-scale event with a significant number of people converting, it’s impossible for all 3,000 participants to attend at once, so it will be done in several sessions.”

Valiere’s followers are all set to convert to the Cologne Sect.

It’s a mandatory ritual for their settlement in Lord Polydoro’s Territory.

“Amelia von Berlichingen and Lady Sabine will be attending, correct?”

“Of course. The two of them have only gone through a simplified conversion. They likely wish to participate in the official ceremony alongside Valiere. Now, the question is, what to do about this situation? I wonder if those two can stand idly by and let Valiere be kidnapped.”

I’m genuinely unsure about what the best course of action is.

“Are you suggesting we allow the kidnapping on purpose?”

Lady Nahid whispered.

That’s the crux of it.

Is there truly a need to go that far?

The act of attempting to kidnap her alone would be enough to sentence them to death.

I could launch a ‘retaliation’ strike on the Citizen Council’s mansion, the meeting room itself.

We could foil the Landsknechts’ plans and punish the Citizens’ Council.

Wouldn’t that resolve everything?

I could even have Lady Nahid carry out an assassination or come up with a flashier method.

That’s what I’m thinking.

“Do you fear they might claim that the Landsknechts acted on their own accord?”

Duchess Astarte’s words hit the mark.

Exactly.

We need a solid justification for our actions.

Yes, it’s because of such an outrageous act that Anastasia would be furious.

It’s natural to seek revenge when someone lays a hand on your sister.

I need a reason that I can present to the citizens of Windbona Imperial City and the electors who are not currently in the capital.

For that, Valiere must be genuinely kidnapped first.

That’s the dilemma.

“How much can we trust the Landsknechts?”

Trust those beasts? Impossible!

Reckenber left them behind in the capital precisely because she couldn’t trust them.

I’d have to go all the way to Valhalla to ask her what she had in mind for them—but for now, I certainly can’t trust the Landsknechts as allies.

I could never hand over my beloved sister’s safety to them, not even for a moment.

Not to mention, I would never forgive them for so much as laying a scratch on her!

Yet, it’s a necessary action.

And Valiere is in a position where she must risk her life.

This incident is also tied to her dealings with the Citizens’ Council.

Her death would inconvenience everyone, but she must have the resolve to not flinch even if one of her eyes were gouged out—such is the expectation of the royal family of Anhalt.

“Let’s put Katarina to work.”

“Shall we have Nina von Reckenber and the Virendorf Knight lead the charge against the Landsknechts?”

Is there no other option?

I ponder, but no alternative comes to mind.

“That sounds reasonable enough. Should I accompany them as well?”

Lady Nahid’s words.

There’s no other choice but to proceed this way.

“It’s decided. As frustrating as it is, we’ll let Valiere be kidnapped. However—”

“Are you wondering if Lady Sabine and Amelia von Berlichingen will agree to this?”

“Once they learn of the plan, those two will naturally oppose it as her subordinates. And they aren’t foolish enough to overlook such a strategy.”

It’s a delicate matter.

Though they follow my orders for now, they won’t appreciate risking Valiere’s safety in a gamble, even if it’s nearly certain. Even with a 99% chance of success, they would avoid it if there’s a 1% chance of failure.

Frustrating.

At the same time, it’s endearing how my sister is favored by those two crafty individuals. I imagine my sister clutching her stomach, surrounded by tricksters.

What was it, the “God of Tummy Aches?”

Valiere once invited me to join, but I declined.

How is it that my sister, a heretic, can even attend the conversion ceremony for the Cologne Sect?

“Let’s go with this: If those two can stop the kidnapping, then so be it. If not, we proceed with our plan. Having such a variable will prevent the Landsknechts from thinking they succeeded too easily.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

Duchess Astarte nodded and stood to give instructions to the two in question.

It seemed the discussion had ended, but—

“What about that man? What will Faust von Polydoro do?”

The largest issue still remained.

Provoked by the Landsknechts, his beloved mother and land insulted, and even his faith on the verge of being desecrated. They’re attempting to interfere with the conversion ceremony of his future subjects.

There’s no way he won’t fly into a rage.

Ah, yes.

There’s something for Lady Nahid to do after all.

“Go explain it to him, Lady Nahid.”

“Ugh, what a lousy job. That guy really hates me, you know? He’s so cold to someone as cute as me.”

“I don’t care.”

I commanded her.

It’s necessary.

If she doesn’t obey, there will be punishment.

“How about we just explain nothing, then?”

“Faust would explode in anger when he finds out.”

“He’s quick-tempered, sure, but he’s not so stupid that he won’t understand once the reason is explained. Unlike Sabine or Berlichingen, Faust isn’t sharp enough to realize something without being told. Don’t you think it’s better not to explain?”

That does make sense.

Should we leave him in the dark?

However, if Faust finds out that this conversion ceremony is for Valiere’s followers, who are to become his future subjects, he will surely want to attend.

What should we do?

“No, Martina will notice.”

Duchess Astarte mentioned her favorite prodigious girl.

She’s right.

However—

“Martina will stay silent. She likely won’t spill a word. She might explain herself afterward as though she ‘just realized,’ but she’ll prioritize protecting her own position.”

That girl despises Valiere.

It’s not the jealousy of a servant, but the petty jealousy of a little girl.

If Valiere were truly going to die, she would absolutely intervene. But if there’s a 99% chance her life is guaranteed, she won’t speak up.

Although what we’re guaranteeing this time is only her ‘life.’

“Then should we keep quiet and send him somewhere far away?”

“Yes, that’s how we’ll do it. Let him vent his frustrations during the exhibition match.”

It’s decided.

Faust won’t be told anything.

If he gets angry, we’ll apologize later.

And we’ll make sure he’s far from the conversion ceremony of the Cologne Sect.

“On the day of the ceremony, remove Faust from Valiere’s guard duty. The timing is perfect—it’s the monthly commemoration of the late father of Emperor Maxine. Faust can attend the memorial service as a representative of both His Majesty and the royal family of Anhalt. That way, he won’t be able to attend the conversion ceremony.”

Yes, that’s how we’ll do it.

That’s how we’ll do it.

Duchess Astarte and Lady Nahid echoed their agreement.

That’s how it was decided.

Though I can already foresee Faust’s anger when he finds out, we have made our decision.

Faust von Polydoro will be kept away from the conversion ceremony, and Valiere von Anhalt will be handed over to the Landsknechts.

That is the course we’ve chosen.