Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 30

“About the matter of Lord Polydoro not coming to see me,”

“I don’t know.”

In a cheap tavern near the slums, the Second Princess’s personal guard had bought out a whole barrel of ale for their exclusive use. It was in this tavern that the captain of the Second Princess’s personal guard, Sabine, was fuming.

“I told him we were close, as a man and a woman! And Lord Polydoro said he looked forward to our future together!”

“Oh, we’ve heard that story enough to rot our ears.”

Sabine was infuriated, but the reaction from the guards was cold. Drunk and face down on the table, they only raised a hand and waved it sideways in dismissal.

“Did you even listen to what Lady Valiere said yesterday? There’s going to be a farewell party. Though it’ll be modest, held in a room at the palace. Just Lady Valiere, Lord Polydoro, and us from the Second Princess’s personal guard.”

“I heard. But Lord Polydoro has been in the capital for a month now. Couldn’t he have shown his face at least once?”

“I heard that they didn’t want to embarrass Lord Polydoro with any unsightly business regarding Virendorf, so he’s been busy making Fluted Armor. Been at the forge the whole time. The First Princess’s allowance entirely covers the production costs. How enviable.”

One of the sober guards raised their voice, sharing a piece of new information they overheard from a palace page.

“I haven’t heard that. When did you hear it?”

“Just recently. That page was mocking Lord Polydoro’s muscular physique, so I reported it to Lady Valiere.”

Recently, Lady Valiere and the First Princess Anastasia have been on good terms. It’s likely that Lady Valiere relayed the information about the page, and Princess Anastasia would have sent him back to his domain with a scolding. Serves him right. While pondering this, a guard listens to Sabine’s complaints.

“You should’ve told me sooner! If I had known, I would’ve gone straight to the forge! Even when I visit the villa given to me as an Advisor, the locals just give me the runaround. And here I am, the captain of the Second Princess’s personal guard!”

“Well, I only found out recently. Besides, wouldn’t barging in there create a bad impression? Making armor involves the blacksmith’s secrets and their hidden techniques.”

What Lord Polydoro is doing at the forge remains unclear. Maybe he’s just busy. Intruding might do more harm than good in winning his favor, one guard thinks. In reality, Faust, who was actually bored, might have welcomed a visit from Sabine, known for her voluptuous figure. But that’s something none of the Second Princess’s personal guard could have known.

“What should I have done?”

“What do you want to do now, anyway? It’s too late for anything.”

“What I want is… intimacy. I wanted to establish a pleasurable relationship over this past month.”

Such a fool, one of the guards thought, considering ending the conversation. Among the 14 members of the Second Princess’s personal guard, none had any experience with men. In the first place, they were confiding in the wrong person. Moreover, it would be a mistake to consult Lady Valiere about this, especially since she’s only 14. Previously, there was an attempt to use Lady Valiere’s allowance to visit a high-class brothel. But, setting that aside, Sabine is known to throw tantrums when things don’t go her way, sometimes even rolling on the ground in frustration, acting like a chimpanzee. It seems her parents didn’t discipline her properly. The same could be said for all members of the Second Princess’s personal guard, none of whom received a proper knight’s education. A sad story, indeed. Yet, they all thought themselves better than Sabine.

“Anyway, I just want to be intimate with Lord Polydoro!”

“I don’t care.”

Another guard, still drinking, responded.

“You’re asking the wrong people. Everyone here is a virgin with no experience in love. What are you trying to say?”

“I just want it to happen!”

“Listen, if you’re going to ask for advice, at least listen to what we have to say.”

Sabine, ignoring the conversation, lay on the floor, kicking her legs in frustration, clearly drunk.

But really, was someone like Lord Polydoro her type? It seems it was more of an intuition after actually speaking with him that they clicked. It’s doubtful whether Sabine’s desire for an erotic and decadent life could ever be fulfilled with the earnest Lord Polydoro.

“Well, regardless, we are to set off on a journey with Lord Polydoro, newly armored.”

“Sabine, what do you think will happen in Virendorf?”

“What do you mean, all of a sudden?”

“The value placed on men there is entirely different from ours.”

In the Anhalt Kingdom, the preferred traits in men are slender builds, shorter stature, and quiet dispositions. Virendorf values the opposite: muscular bodies, tall stature, and bold personalities. Lord Polydoro embodies all of these preferred Virendorf traits, and he’s handsome to boot. Although, as a citizen and knight of Anhalt, he wouldn’t be someone’s preferred type. Still, his valor and good nature are undeniable.

“In Virendorf, Lord Polydoro will be quite the catch. Especially since he’s the man who honorably defeated Reckenber, the knight commander. He’s a man without fault.”

“And what about that?”

“Aren’t you worried about losing him to someone there? After all, you’re not together yet.”

The concept of duels for marriage proposals is not unfamiliar, and Lord Polydoro might be challenged by many, despite not necessarily losing. Could you really just stand by?

Sabine responds nonchalantly from the floor.

“Do you really think the man who turned down Duchess Astarte’s advances would fall for someone from the enemy nation of Virendorf? You’re naive.”

“And?”

“For Lord Polydoro, his ancestral territory and the people who loyally serve him are paramount. Nobody who attempts to take those from him would be tolerated. How could anyone from Virendorf guarantee those?”

Sabine stands up.

“Maybe if it were the queen of Virendorf.”

“There is someone capable?”

“The queen of Virendorf?”

Sabine laughs, “The Cold-blooded Queen Katarina.”

“Huh?”

“That’s what they call her in Virendorf. Unlike the hero Reckenber, her reputation there isn’t favorable. She’s said to be colder and more terrifying than our First Princess Anastasia.”

It’s intriguing how Sabine acquires such detailed foreign intelligence, given her supposed background. Rumors suggest she was actually the first daughter, discarded due to her temperament, despite her education seemingly close to a knight’s. Could her intelligence and espionage network still be active?

“Katarina is known not for her honor but for a rationale devoid of empathy. She defeated her older sister in a succession duel at 14, a sister who was cruel to her yet lacked talent.”

Sabine continues, “She even struck down her father when he objected, declaring that the strongest should rule Virendorf, a lesson she claimed to have learned from Reckenber.”

Sabine pours herself another ale and drinks deeply before resuming.

“Nobody dared oppose her after that. The second princess even conceded the duel, deeming victory impossible. Queen Katarina of Virendorf is seen as a monster, a being living solely by logic, who has killed her mother, father, and sister. Could such a creature be charmed by someone like Lord Polydoro? I doubt it.”

“I think the opposite.”

Lord Polydoro, seen as a beacon by his comrades, may not have the conventional charm, but his knightly virtues are undeniable. Perhaps, in Virendorf, his valor could “kill” even a monster’s heart.

“Monsters are always defeated by humans, aren’t they? A knightly sentiment.”

Sabine smirks.

“Regardless, my Lord Polydoro won’t be swayed by any woman from Virendorf. He’s naive in matters of love, yet his loyalty to his territory and people is unwavering.”

“What if peace negotiations demand a Virendorfian bride for Lord Polydoro?”

Sabine stops short, having not considered this scenario.

“Is that even possible?”

“While not certain, Virendorf might desire his superior lineage, offering a bride in exchange for any offspring besides the eldest child. Could such a negotiation occur?”

“That’s aiding the enemy. Anhalt, Lady Valiere wouldn’t allow it.”

Sabine turns her face away as if to say she regrets even listening to the conversation.

“But, who knows. This time, Lady Valiere is the official envoy…”

“You’re saying the actual negotiations will be conducted by Lord Polydoro?”

“Is that wrong?”

Lord Polydoro participated in the Virendorf campaign and also serves as the brains behind Lady Valiere, the Second Princess’s advisor. Through her first battle, Lady Valiere has grown and even reconciled with Princess Anastasia, who now takes an active role in her education.

“However, it’s not to belittle Lady Valiere, but the reality is that Lord Polydoro will lead the negotiations. It’s a fact that he will be advising from behind. And from a knight’s perspective, the situation in Anhalt is not good.”

“So, you’re suggesting Lord Polydoro might accept certain conditions for peace negotiations?”

“Even a fool like me can feel the tension in the court.”

Even as a guard and a knight with the right to enter the palace, I can feel the uneasy atmosphere within the court. The fear of another invasion of Virendorf looms, and a perfect defense seems unlikely. The conflict with the nomadic tribes in the north remains unresolved, potentially leaving us to face Virendorf with merely Duchess Astarte’s standing army of 500 once again.

“Next time, we might also be part of the second Virendorf campaign and possibly die.”

“So, Lord Polydoro, he… despite his objections, tends to sacrifice himself for others?”

“Though not as convinced as Sabine, I feel that’s his nature.”

Sabine cradles her head in frustration.

“All I want is to be intimate with Lord Polydoro, that’s it.”

“I don’t know.”

The conversation seems to circle back to the beginning.

“I want to indulge in a hedonistic, decadent life, that’s all. I want it at least three times a day.”

“I don’t know.”

That sounds more like Sabine’s personal fantasy.

“Why is this world so fleeting?”

“Sighing wistfully won’t change reality, you know.”

Nevertheless, Sabine underestimates Virendorf. What fate awaits Lord Polydoro’s chastity in a land where he is considered the ideal man by those barbarians? It’s still unknown to anyone.

As one of the Second Princess’s personal guards reflects on this…

“By the way, all of you are inexperienced in love and still virgins, right? I’ve found someone I love. His name is Lord Polydoro. Jealous? Hey, are you jealous?”

“Go die quietly.”

Provoked by Sabine, all 13 members of the personal guard stand up from their chairs, perhaps ready to silence her once and for all.