Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 244

Normally, I would be attending the conversion ceremony for the new citizens of Lord Polydoro’s territory.

However, since it coincides with the monthly commemoration of Emperor Maxine’s late father, someone from the royal family of Anhalt must attend as a representative. I was chosen for the task.

I considered declining, but since it was an order from Lady Anastasia, I couldn’t refuse.

Besides, with the Elector Succession Ceremony, I already had plenty to keep me busy. So, I resigned myself to it.

Yet, on the morning of the event, something happened.

“That’s what Anastasia must be thinking. That’s the current situation.”

“……”

Duke Temeraire had appeared suddenly and explained everything in detail, leaving me speechless.

What do they think of me, really?

Do they consider me some mindless brute, a boar knight without the ability to think?

I cannot deny it, but it’s still an insult.

“I will head to the Cologne Sect’s conversion ceremony immediately. I don’t care about Lady Anastasia’s plan.”

“Hold on.”

How can I wait when I’m this angry!

I was about to spit those words, but I couldn’t completely ignore the advice of Duke Temeraire, who had been honest with me.

“Duke Temeraire, are you saying it’s fine for Valiere, my fiancée, to be kidnapped?”

“I never said that, and it won’t happen.”

Trying to remain calm.

She, with her teacher-like aura as usual, her short, golden hair gleaming, reached out to adjust her crystal glasses as she responded.

“Faust, I know you’re angry, but Anastasia’s decision isn’t wrong. It’s not. She didn’t even consult me because she likely assumed I would agree. Although, I do wish she had discussed it with me.”

“It’s not a matter of right or wrong. I can’t agree with letting her be kidnapped for the sake of some grand justification.”

“Listen, Faust.”

There was no sense of mockery or disdain in her voice.

Rather, she smiled as if she pitied something far more hollow and fleeting.

“Everyone’s misunderstanding. Anastasia, Astarte, and Lady Nahid—they’re all missing the mark. Their judgment isn’t wrong, but they don’t truly understand the Imperial City, nor what the Landsknechts are.”

“What do you mean?”

“As I said before, I don’t think Valiere being kidnapped is acceptable. But the truth is, there’s no reason to worry about that at all.”

I didn’t quite understand what she meant.

“No one seems to have noticed. Not Katarina, not Nina von Reckenber, not even cunning minds like Sabine or Berlichingen understand. Not even Emperor Maxine or the Citizens’ Council, who employ the Landsknechts, truly grasp the situation. Likely, the only one who understands the reality of things is me, Duke Temeraire. After all, I’m the only one who has faced them on the battlefield.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

I couldn’t make sense of Duke Temeraire’s words.

So, I asked her directly.

“Please, Duke. Explain what you mean.”

“The Landsknechts are pitiable. They’re trying to do something beyond their abilities. They gather a force of 1,000, full of bravado, planning to storm the Cologne Sect’s conversion ceremony, kidnap Valiere, and wreak havoc. They want to desecrate the sacred ritual of Valiere’s followers. But how absurd! They can’t accomplish any of it—they’re utterly incapable!”

It felt like she was talking to herself.

Speaking words as if they were merely observations, Duke Temeraire fell silent again.

“……”

“……”

With no response from her, I had no words to offer.

If I had time for this, I should have mounted my horse, Flügel, and headed straight for the conversion ceremony.

But something about the Duke’s sad expression held me in place.

“What should we call this, if not pitiful? Or perhaps just foolish? No…”

“……”

“Tragedy awaits.”

The Duke spat out those words, her expression as if she were witnessing a dear friend suffering.

Could she be pitying the Landsknechts? Her enemies?

“I plan to find a way to resolve this.”

“Duke Temeraire, regardless of what you may feel, the Landsknechts have already challenged me. I won’t let them off lightly.”

“I know. I know.”

She nodded, truly looking heartbroken.

“I understand everything. At the same time, I believe I’m the only one who can control the situation this time. I promise you, the Landsknechts will face punishment, but it shouldn’t happen at the conversion ceremony.”

Why not?

They insulted my mother, my land, and my people.

I wanted to say they deserved nothing but death.

“The Landsknechts are powerless at the conversion ceremony. They won’t be able to accomplish anything.”

“Why?”

The Duke still hadn’t provided a clear explanation.

So I asked again.

“Are you saying preparations have already been made? Has Duke Temeraire arranged a solution?”

“I have. Just in case—though I doubt it will be necessary. I’ve gathered the ‘Knights of the Mad Boar,’ 30 elite warriors and 100 cavalry from my territory, ready to charge in if they attempt to kidnap Valiere and slaughter the Landsknechts.”

So, the preparations have been made.

That’s reassuring—yet she claims they won’t be necessary?

“…I don’t think my predictions are ever wrong. But, well, even the seemingly immortal Reckenber fell. There are no absolutes in this world. So, I’ve made the preparations just in case. But Faust, the Landsknechts will storm in, and they’ll achieve nothing.”

“…Why? Aren’t they coming to kidnap Valiere?”

“They’ll come. And then they’ll do nothing.”

The Duke declared this firmly.

“They’ll just stand there, watching enviously, and then leave, having accomplished nothing.”

“Why?”

“Faust, you can’t understand right now. And it’s not your fault—very few people do.”

Didn’t she just count the people who didn’t understand earlier?

Even the wisest of our allies don’t understand.

Not even Martina, the girl I wish to adopt, would grasp it.

Only Duke Temeraire, who has faced Reckenber and the Landsknechts in battle, knows the truth.

“Valiere’s followers will likely be the most confused. They’ll panic, baring their teeth to protect Valiere—while the Landsknechts look on, envious and powerless. That’s all that will happen.”

“Duke Temeraire, there have already been skirmishes between the followers and the Landsknechts, with casualties.”

“That’s because they don’t truly understand what’s happening. They lack the imagination to realize it, and so they’ve acted recklessly.”

She sighed.

I couldn’t fully grasp what Duke Temeraire was saying.

If I, with my limited understanding, couldn’t comprehend it, neither could our clever allies.

And yet, she alone seemed to understand the situation.

“I’ll make a promise, Faust. I’ll protect Valiere. The Knights are ready, and the preparations are in place. But I also promise you that nothing will happen. If everything goes as I predict, leave the rest to me, will you?”

“…”

I thought about it.

I didn’t understand anything, but at least Valiere’s safety was guaranteed.

In that case, there was nothing more for me to say.

—There was no longer a need for me to head to the conversion ceremony and ignore Duke Temeraire.

“You mean leave the handling of the Landsknechts to you as well?”

“Exactly. I’ll even arrange for the battle if it comes to that. One question, though—how many foes can you take on alone, Faust? I hear you dislike being swarmed like ants.”

“If it’s desperate Landsknechts, I can handle 50 with ease. But 100 would be tough. Indoors, I’d struggle against 30 in a confined space.”

“Good. That’s the perfect number.”

I couldn’t understand why the Duke was asking this.

But, for once, I felt like I could leave everything in her hands.

At the very least, she’s smarter than me, and she’ll keep her promises.

“Well then, I suppose I’ll attend the conversion ceremony in your stead. Though I don’t like it, I’m a member of the Cologne Sect as well, so there’s no issue.”

Duke Temeraire said, her tone tinged with sadness, as if she were being forced to witness the miserable downfall of a former enemy.