Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 26

“He was incredibly angry, wasn’t he? Yet, ultimately, he calmed down, heard us out, and even agreed with us.”

“I’m just glad he forgave me as well.”

In the chamber of Princess Anastasia, the First Princess.

Faust and his squire, Martina.

And Princess Valiere, the Second Princess, who had left to begin preparations for the expedition to Virendorf.

After their departure, Anastasia and Duchess Astarte sighed deeply, deeply.

“It’s understandable to be angry about a round trip from the frontier within a month. But now, we can no longer put off dealing with the Virendorf matter.”

“Now it’s too late for second thoughts. Are those nobles truly fulfilling their duties?”

“They are. I made sure to choose the right people myself.”

My mother, Queen Liesenlotte, has entrusted me with the task of addressing the Virendorf issue. An elite, battle-capable noble who wouldn’t be looked down upon by Virendorf. Despite sending such an officer, they regarded us with the attitude of ‘we do not listen to the weak’. Now, the only option left is to send someone so strong that they cannot be ignored.

Faust would undoubtedly be considered strong in Virendorf. The concern is—Astarte murmured as if reading my thoughts.

“Faust will likely be attacked. I don’t expect Virendorf to ambush him in his sleep, but he’ll probably be challenged to a multitude of duels head-on.”

“He will be challenged, yes. And he must overcome them. But there’s no need to worry about that.”

If it comes to a duel, Faust von Polydoro is the man who would fight a hundred battles and win them all. It’s impossible to imagine him losing.

He once mentioned that only the commander of the Reckenber Knights in Virendorf was truly formidable. But now, even that legendary figure has been defeated by Faust himself. There should be no problem.

“Still, Faust, that’s not the only issue. His muscular physique, towering over 2 meters tall, and his prowess as a warrior, are all to Virendorf women’s liking. He’ll definitely be swarmed with suitors.”

“In Virendorf, he’s likely to be idolized as the ultimate sex symbol. It’s as if he’s the embodiment of sex itself. That’s precisely why we’re dispatching him, in hopes that he receives the respect he deserves…”

Honestly, I’m worried about Faust’s chastity. But Faust is a man of strong principle. He wouldn’t easily bed someone. Yet, the worry is there. The thought of him being defiled by someone else almost drives me to madness. But it’s too late for any changes. The decision to send Faust to Virendorf as an envoy has already been made.

A knock is heard at the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. I’ve brought some tea.”

“Ah… I was just feeling thirsty. Please, come in.”

The captain of the First Princess’s personal guard enters, carrying a tray with two cups of tea. After placing it on the table, both take a cup in hand. As Astarte enjoys the aroma of the tea, she speaks again.

“In the end, what do you think? Will Virendorf invade us as soon as the ceasefire ends?”

“It’s hard to say. The absence of the Reckenber Knight Commander complicates things. We can’t grasp the intentions of the Queen of Virendorf, and our spies are not very effective… They don’t seem to be preparing for war, but that country can mobilize for war quickly. We cannot let our guard down.”

Faust has truly done a remarkable job.

The Reckenber Knight Commander.

She was a monster of Virendorf, notorious for his prowess. She had been a guiding force and a powerful supporter of the Queen when she was the Third Princess, fiercely combating the nomadic tribes. Not just combating, but annihilating them.

Their method involved using magic longbows to exceed the range of the nomads’ composite bows, first assassinating the chieftains and then the archers. Afterward, leading a cavalry charge for a one-sided massacre of the nomadic people.

While the method is somewhat understandable, it’s something our country cannot replicate. Especially since the Reckenber Knight Commander never missed a shot in battle, as the minstrels’ songs from Virendorf proclaimed.

Every so often, the world produces superhumans of incomprehensible levels, like Faust.

It’s truly a relief that Faust took her down.

“The Knight Commander was not only superior in martial prowess but also in strategy and politics.”

“Yes. She trained the woman who was the Third Princess, strongly supported her, and elevated her to Queen.”

The barbarians of Virendorf.

Or rather, the entire nation of Virendorf’s succession system is not based on eldest sibling inheritance. It’s decided by duels. Sisters duel each other, and the victor gains everything. The defeated sister either supports the new head of the family or leaves the household.

This clear-cut, no hard feelings system is somewhat refreshing but also puzzling how a country operates like this. Their culture is too different from that of the Anhalt Kingdom. At least, the successor provides for those who choose to leave, ensuring they have a way to survive without claiming their noble blood.

The turnover of rulership in Virendorf is rapid, usually happening around when the eldest sister reaches her early twenties. Thus, the eldest sister winning and the youngest losing is a natural outcome, due to the latter’s youth. However, the current Queen of Virendorf won despite being the youngest, the Third Princess, at only 14 at the time. Likely, this was due to the Knight Commander’s influence.

Anyway, recalling the Virendorf campaign is emotionally draining.

“Astarte, during the Virendorf campaign, how many times did you think you were going to die?”

“I can’t even imagine. The first time was when Anastasia’s main camp was attacked, and then when I messed up the coordination of the standing army in my panic. After that, I’d like to think we had the upper hand, especially after Faust’s duels. But honestly, without that advantage, we wouldn’t have won.”

Astarte took a sip of her tea, pausing before answering.

“Well, I must have reckoned I was going to die, oh, about thirty times? Being on the front lines alongside Faust and all.”

“I see.”

The times Anastasia thought she might die included when their main camp was invaded. That moment and the times communication with Astarte at the front lines was cut off, she prepared herself for the possibility of death in her first battle. The number of times she thought this was countless.

We were lucky to win that campaign.

—That’s why, we can’t win again.

The image of winning doesn’t come easily to me, Astarte, or even Faust.

But still.

“It’s genuinely difficult to discern the Queen of Virendorf’s intentions. After the loss of Reckenber, her trusted advisor, it’s unclear whether she’s lost the will to fight our country or if she’s burning with a desire for revenge. The issue with the northern nomadic tribes isn’t entirely resolved, despite some being eradicated. What’s her plan for dealing with that moving forward?”

We just don’t know.

Though we have spies in place, in the current situation where our nobles can’t even secure an audience with the queen, resulting in almost being turned away at the door, we’re in the dark.

“Perhaps she’s waiting to see our reaction.”

“What do you mean?”

I listened to Astarte’s thoughts.

“Maybe she’s waiting for Faust von Polydoro.”

“That can’t be.”

Were we danced around to their tune? I hadn’t dismissed the possibility.

Could they be that fixated on Faust?

“It’s unclear. To Virendorf’s values, Faust is truly a special existence. Perfect in appearance, his combat is beautiful, a flawless gem.”

“Through this gem, they’re gauging our reaction?”

“If Anhalt Kingdom is seen as formidable, they might avoid war. If we’re seen as nothing more than rumors, they might restart the war.”

Such a ludicrous idea.

Astarte casually mentioned this, almost jokingly.

“But, you know, this prediction might not be off. Everything might be waiting on Anhalt Kingdom’s reaction. Then they’ll decide everything!”

“Virendorf is also uncertain about our actions?”

“That’s right. Despite everything, we won. I’ve earned the nickname ‘Astarte the Annihilator’ in Virendorf.”

It’s not about taking their land.

Astarte attacked villages in Virendorf, looted everything, and left nothing but scorched earth. Her infamy in Virendorf is immense.

“Well, Anhalt Kingdom is currently allocating a lot of its army for the northern nomadic tribes. The local lords’ forces as well. So, we can’t spare much for Virendorf.”

“Virendorf knows this. That’s why I fear a renewal of hostilities.”

“But with Reckenber, the Knight Commander, having been defeated, they won’t necessarily think Anhalt can’t do it.”

“Hmm.”

Just as we can’t fully understand everything about Virendorf, they can’t fully grasp everything about Anhalt.

I can understand that.

“So?”

I asked Astarte.

“That’s why it’s a waiting game. Everything hinges on Faust von Polydoro. The Queen of Virendorf will decide everything after seeing him. I think this guess isn’t too far off.”

“Umm.”

Perhaps you’re right.

Even the rarest of mages can’t read the minds of others. If there’s any deciding factor—it lies in the values built by Reckenber during the queen’s formative years.

“Seeing our hero, Faust von Polydoro, will help her decide everything.”

“If it were me, that’s what I would do.”

Astarte, tracing her thoughts as if she were the Queen of Virendorf. My advisor, my right hand, Astarte. This time, I acknowledge your wisdom.

“Then, we can’t send Faust off looking shabby.”

“That chainmail look?”

The preoccupation with appearances is widespread; nobility does not equate to wealth. As for Faust, a knight of minor lordship, his coffers are far from full.

Hence his wearing chainmail.

“Let’s use my allowance to create fluted armor for him. Have the court mages work on lightening it and reinforcing its strength.”

“Will it be ready in time? We don’t have much time before sending the envoy.”

“Spare no expense on blacksmiths. Get it done in a month.”

Ridiculous.

Astarte made a face.

But it’s necessary.

After Astarte’s story, presenting Faust to the Queen of Virendorf in mere chainmail seems inadequate.

I’ll use my ample allowance to tailor a full set of armor. This is an opportune situation.

Given the circumstances, even the finance bureaucrats can’t complain, and it’ll certainly win Faust’s favor.

“Anastasia, you don’t actually think buying Faust’s favor with this will work, do you? Sure, you can buy his favor with money, but not the depths of his heart.”

The second princess’s advisor provided Faust with a modest estate.

Martina constantly monitors it, understanding Faust’s preferences and tendencies—although there were misunderstandings during Martina’s plea for mercy.

But still.

“I think it’s necessary, and besides. Don’t you think Faust dislikes me?”

“No, I think he considers you a comrade-in-arms. Even though you’ve sent him to the front lines, Anastasia, you’ve struggled too. But you’re scary.”

“Scary? What’s scary?”

I don’t understand what Astarte is trying to say.

“Your eyes are scary.”

“That’s not a reason to be disliked!”

“In fact, your sister Valiere was scared of you until recently!”

If A says so, then B.

“That’s Valiere’s problem! She’s been scared of me since she was a child! Recently, she’s become oddly affectionate, which is cute.”

“Oh, cute. It’s good that your relationship with your sister has improved, but…”

Astarte made a face of exasperation at our sisterly relationship.

Leave it alone.

She’s my blood-related sister from the same father.

Once you accept that, how could she not be cute?

Valiere has no intention of competing for the throne, as reported by Astarte.

In the future, I won’t send her to a nunnery; I’ll make sure she marries well.

That’s the least I can do.

“Let it go, it’s fine. After all, presenting him with enchanted fluted armor will no doubt thrill Faust. But I wouldn’t count on such a gift making him spread his legs for you.”

“Absolutely not!”

What indecent thoughts are you harboring?

All I’m aiming for is to seize this chance to boost Faust’s regard for me and to facilitate successful peace negotiations with Virendorf.

That’s the entirety of my plan.

Princess Anastasia, the First Princess, heaved a deep sigh and drained the cup of her now-cold tea.