Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 28

In the Kingdom of Anhalt, Faust von Polydoro embodies beauty and wrath. His figure is gallant, and the weight of the sword he raises is of unparalleled strength, making even women groan in awe. Riding his swift horse, he invades the battlefield like a fierce fire. His well-trained body, fueled by the blood of anger, shines like the sun. Those whose souls are melted by that light forget the battle in their awe of his beauty and die in ecstasy.

Faust von Polydoro. The incarnation of wrath. Faust von Polydoro. The embodiment of fierce fire. Faust von Polydoro. Our eternal worthy rival suitable for our Virendorf.

“Another heroic poem about Faust von Polydoro? It’s becoming quite popular these days.”

“Indeed, now that he’s decided to come as an envoy, it will be discussed. Bards know their business well; they don’t miss a beat.”

Walking through the royal city of Virendorf, two individuals converse while watching a minstrel sing in the streets. Nobles of Virendorf, a military and a civil officer. Though their roles differ, they are best friends. Their families were close and had either family had a son, he might have been promised in marriage to the other. Unfortunately, both families only had daughters. Yet, they mused that perhaps sharing the same husband might be nice in the future.

While pondering such thoughts, the civil officer tilted his head in curiosity.

“What could he really be like? Over 2 meters tall, muscular, noble features, and most of all, he defeated our heroic Captain Reckenber. It’s beyond imagination. Is he really human?”

The person described in the heroic poem. If all of it were true, he would be no mere human. Beyond a superhuman, perhaps a demon. Indeed, it is said that Captain Reckenber had proposed marriage to him during their duel, declaring that if she won, he would become her second husband. The extent of the truth is unclear—well, one would know if they asked. It’s not something easily discussed among them, though.

“As you know, I was by Captain Reckenber’s side during the Anhalt campaign—or, as it is called in enemy territory, the Virendorf campaign. Perhaps the victor’s name for it is the correct one.”

“Yes.”

Finally, they might hear the story they’ve been so eager to learn. This friend had always become reticent when discussing the Virendorf campaign. No matter how many times I asked. Perhaps a gag order had been placed on those involved in the campaign. The civil officer pondered the court’s reasoning about whether it’s been lifted now. The death of Captain Reckenber wasn’t belittled by the Kingdom of Anhalt—since Faust von Polydoro, adhering to etiquette, returned her head with praises. Praising the strong is a part of Virendorf’s culture. I was curious about why there was a gag order in the first place.

“It wasn’t just human ferocity, as you say. Truly a demon.”

“A demon, indeed. Not just a superhuman.”

“A beautiful beast, that’s what they call it. Not a superhuman, but a being of demonic nature.”

The military officer suddenly stopped, turning her gaze toward a nearby tavern.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“I’m all for it. If I hear the story, I’ll treat you today.”

“Then, I’ll drink a lot. I’m off duty today.”

Without hesitation, the military officer opened the tavern door and sat at a small table.

“Two ales!”



The officer shouted to the tavern keeper and resumed her story.

“The first thing that shocked me was when that man, on the battlefield, defeated one of our knights and declared his name.”

“My name is Faust von Polydoro. Anyone who thinks they can match me, come forth!! I’ll fight you!! Was it like that?”

“There’s no point in having a gag order. Why would the court do such a futile thing?”

It seemed like he inadvertently interrupted the flow of the conversation. The story, including the heroic poem and the battle with Captain Reckenber, was supposed to be shared.

The officer clicked her tongue in frustration.

“If you already know, well, that’s fine. At that time, I was by Captain Reckenber’s side. Even from a distance, his towering figure was evident, and his loud cries resonated across the battlefield. Despite wearing chain mail that seemed fit for a lower noble, his figure was as beautiful as the sun.”

“Beautiful, you say?”

“Yes, a demonic beauty, perhaps. His face flushed with anger, he was the only one among the confused soldiers of Anhalt who understood the dire situation they were in due to Captain Reckenber’s strategy.”

Like a cat trying to escape from a sinking ship, though he was more of a tiger than a cat. Two ales were brought to the table.

“It must have been reflexive. Captain Reckenber shot an arrow from her magical longbow directly at the chest of that sun-like man.”

“And then?”

“It was deflected. With the hilt of his greatsword.”

“The hilt!? Captain Reckenber’s arrow?”

The arrow of Captain Reckenber, who had wiped out many northern barbarian and looting tribes. The arrow with a legend of one shot, one kill. Had that legend been so easily overturned?

“After that, Faust killed about three more? I don’t remember well. The impression of him deflecting the second, third, and fourth arrows with ease was too strong.”

“Was Faust under some spell to avoid arrows?”

“Possibly. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a fate bestowed by the gods.”

The officer finished her ale completely. Ordering another round from the tavern maid, she continued the conversation.

“It was clear he was no ordinary superhuman. But what was truly astounding was when he appeared before Captain Reckenber—before our very eyes.”

“What kind of person was he?”

“Just like in the heroic poem. The only difference was that his military attire, chain mail, looked too modest for him. The greatsword engraved with magical runes was the only thing that stood out. No—”

The officer shook his head.

“Even his appearance in just chain mail was beautiful. No helmet, no shield. His military attire consisted of chain mail and a greatsword, and a magnificent steed that was rarely seen even in Virendorf. With just that, he appeared before Captain Reckenber.”

Unbeknownst to the officer.

Everyone in the tavern had fallen silent, listening intently to her story, even the female tavern keeper.

“That demon said, raising his greatsword high under the sun, ‘Captain Reckenber of Virendorf, I challenge you to a duel!!'”

“What did Captain Reckenber reply?”

“She accepted, with a single condition.”

The officer emptied his second mug of ale.

“Another round!” she shouted, holding up his empty mug. The tavern keeper hurriedly brought another ale, not wanting to interrupt the officer’s story.

“What was the condition?”

“If I win, you will become my second husband, nothing more.”

“Just like the heroic poem, wasn’t it? Was he that beautiful?”

“It wasn’t just beautiful. I said he was a demon, didn’t I?”

The officer leaned in close to my face, whispering.

“Honestly, I felt a stir myself. Could such a beautiful man truly exist in this world?”

“That much?”

“That much.”

She backed away and resumed the conversation. Despite whispering, everyone in the tavern, including the patrons and the tavern keeper, had heard.

The officer had always had a loud voice since she was a child.

“What can I say about that beauty? The muscular body visible even through the chain mail, trained from a young age. His noble face flushed red. Before challenging to a duel, his glaring eyes subdued those around. For the first time in my life, I felt looked down upon by someone.”

The officer stood at around 190 cm tall, which gives a good idea of how tall Faust and his steed were.

“He was truly beautiful. I’d like to embrace a man like that just once… Well, that chance is—”

“That’s beside the point. What happened in the duel with Captain Reckenber?”

That’s what everyone wanted to know. The officer stopped talking, looking a bit annoyed as she gulped down her ale. The rest of the tavern’s patrons watched in rapt attention, holding their breath.

“It was beautiful. That’s all.”

“Huh?”

“What else can I say? Those whose souls were melted by that light would forget the battle in their awe of his beauty and die in a state of ecstasy. Remember, it was mentioned in the heroic poem earlier.”

The officer murmured teasingly.

This girl.

—She has no intention of sharing that memory.

I couldn’t help but speak more casually.

“Hey, I’m your best friend. You can talk to me.”

“Should I, though?”

“Stop teasing. If you’re not going to talk, no more treats for you.”

While I sipped on my ale, I gave the officer an annoyed glare.

“Fine, I’ll talk. First, Captain Reckenber entrusted me with her magical longbow and fetched her halberd herself.”

“That weapon she used to slay dozens of nomads with?”

The same as the magical longbow, enchanted by the court magicians for enhanced sharpness and durability.

“The halberd gave Captain Reckenber an advantage in length and armor. Unlike Faust, rumored to be a minor lord knight with only chain mail, she wore full plate armor filled with magical engravings. Despite Faust’s demonic beauty, I never doubted Captain Reckenber’s victory.”

“That makes sense.”

The disparity in equipment and achievements was too great. Faust von Polydoro was a name I only heard during the Virendorf campaign. Only later did I hear in the heroic poems about his deeds, killing over a hundred bandits during military service. But Captain Reckenber had more impressive achievements.

“But the match was equal, at least for a while.”

“What kind of match was it? That’s what I want to know.”

“Faust’s greatsword, although enchanted, couldn’t slice through Captain Reckenber’s equally enchanted plate armor. At the same time, most of her attacks were parried by Faust’s greatsword.”

How many rounds they fought, I can no longer recall. The officer called for another ale, and the tavern keeper hurriedly brought more.

“There were moments I thought Captain Reckenber had won when Faust’s chain mail was struck by the halberd, scattering blood and chain links around. But the wounds were superficial; Faust narrowly dodged the lethal strikes.”

“Faust truly is a demon, then.”

Captain Reckenber. Our hero who will leave her name even after death. She was the one who led charges and decimated nomadic tribes with her magical longbow and cavalry. Her name will remain in Virendorf for a thousand years.

“The cause of Captain Reckenber’s defeat was exhaustion.”

“Exhaustion?”

“The weariness from fighting hundreds of rounds in full plate armor. Even for Virendorf’s superhuman, her stamina didn’t last.”

Captain Reckenber was human, after all.

“In contrast, Faust wore lighter chain mail and was younger. Not that age should be an excuse. Captain Reckenber’s experience allowed her to last that long. And then—”

The officer closed her eyes as if in prayer.

“Faust’s greatsword reached the unprotected neck beneath the plate armor.”

“That was Captain Reckenber’s end?”

“Yes.”

The officer sighed, finishing the tale while checking her ale.

The gag order was lifted. Finally, she could speak to someone about it.

“Faust then sheathed his greatsword, lifted Captain Reckenber’s head with both hands respectfully, and asked who her adjutant was.”

“That was you.”

“Yes, me.”

I was Captain Reckenber’s adjutant.

“Faust said, ‘She was a formidable woman. I will never forget this battle.’ Then, he respectfully returned her head.”

“Standing there without fear of being cut down…”

“Yes, without fear. Even though he understood our values in Virendorf…”

We had lost our hero, Captain Reckenber. There was a risk of someone foolishly interfering out of anger.

“But Faust von Polydoro was not afraid.”

“Is that the end of it?”

“Yes, that’s all. He took the citizens who had witnessed the duel and returned to his army.”

The mug was empty, but the officer didn’t ask for more.

“Faust von Polydoro is an incredible man.”

“I told you, he’s a demon.”

The story ended, but one thing remained on my mind.

“What happened to Captain Reckenber’s body? We only learned of her death after the Virendorf campaign.”

“She was lost in a defeat. Her body was buried quietly, with respect, by her family, our knight order, and the Queen of Virendorf. You should visit her grave sometime.”

“Of course… She was our hero…”

I drank my ale.

It was a somber moment. Faust deserved praise for his victory, but losing Captain Reckenber was a tragedy.

“What happened to Captain Reckenber’s family afterward? Did her sisters inherit the leadership?”

“No, her sisters, proud of her, pleaded to pass the leadership to her only daughter, Nina, though they would act as regents. Nina will inherit it.”

“Nina, then.”

That’s good to hear. She carries the blood of Captain Reckenber. Surely, she will become a hero in the future.

“Then, let’s toast to our hero, Captain Reckenber, and to the future hero, Lady Nina.”

We clinked our mugs and drank deeply, honoring the memory of Captain Reckenber and the promise of Lady Nina.