Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 32

Once more.

I hadn’t expected to return here, especially not within three months.

The Virendorf border line.

The boundary between the Kingdom of Anhalt and the Kingdom of Virendorf.

Moreover, it was the very place where I had defeated Caroline.

“Here, my mother Caroline and Lord Faust had a duel, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

Behind me.

The girl clinging to my back, riding together on Flügel.

Martina’s emotionless words.

After a moment of hesitation on how to respond, I quietly nodded.

“Was my mother strong?”

“She wasn’t weak. She was a person who had stepped into the realm of the superhuman.”

She wasn’t weak.

Moreover, she was well-liked.

Under Caroline’s command, not a single vassal fled until they were annihilated.

Every last one of them fought as dead soldiers until the end.

Even on the battlefield, she was recognized as a person of integrity.

It’s strange.

Thinking about the fate of the Bösel territory, its internal affairs, the misunderstandings, it all feels somewhat empty.

Caroline’s perspective was far too narrow.

And above all, she was unlucky.

A different stroke of fate, and Martina might have had a happy future as the successor of the Bösel territory.

That’s what I believe.

“My mother was foolish.”

“One shouldn’t speak ill of their mother. If it’s within my territory, I can even offer a grave—”

“Lord Faust, you are too kind. There’s no need for a grave. You would be criticized for it.”

Indeed.

I uttered foolish words.

A traitor’s grave cannot be erected.

Even if one were made, inscribing their name on it would not be allowed.

Nor would their remains rest beneath it.

But Martina alone…

“Martina. It’s honestly distressing to hear a child speak ill of their mother. Please stop.”

“If Lord Faust says so.”

Seeing a child denigrate their mother is a painful sight, regardless of the circumstances that led to it.

Perhaps this is my selfishness.

No, it certainly is.

Once again, I feel emptiness.

“Lord Faust, I have finished the preliminary negotiations.”

Commander Helga returns, out of breath, from beyond the Virendorf border line.

“What was the response?”

“They were sincerely looking forward to Lord Polydoro’s arrival. The impression was not bad.”

“Is that so?”

Well, if it’s not bad, that’s good.

Now, then.

I call out to the Ingritt Merchant Company, which is towing several carriages behind.

“Ingritt! Please take care of Martina with the carriage!!”

“Lord Faust, I am your knight-in-training, am I not? I should always be by your side.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t look right for two people to ride a horse like this. Please understand.”

Let’s temporarily hide Martina in the company’s carriage.

I’m not particularly worried about conflict.

If my predictions are correct, it will be troublesome.

Anyway, it’s not feasible to keep Martina riding on my back.

“Understood.”

Despite her reluctance, Martina nodded and dismounted from the horse.

Flügel assisted Martina as she descended from his back.

I gently stroked Flügel’s neck.

He seemed to be in a better mood.

This beloved horse of mine, perhaps because he had been left to graze for a month, had charged towards me the moment he saw me, rubbing his face against mine.

After that, he tried to drag me around by biting and pulling on my clothes.

My apologies.

Truly, Flügel is wise.

Even when he’s angry, he’s adorable.

While I was escaping reality with the cuteness of my beloved horse—

“Faust. The preparations on this side are okay now.”

Lady Valiere calls out to me.

The Second Princess’s Royal Guard seems to be ready as well.

Everyone is lined up in formation.

“Then, Lady Valiere, please give the order to march for all of us.”

“Understood. All troops, march!”

Lady Valiere and I.

Both of us lead at the front, side by side, followed by the Second Princess’s Royal Guard and my Polydoro territory’s citizens, lined up in a single row behind us.

Even further back, several carriages from the Ingritt Merchant Company, loaded with trade goods.

Are you already starting your business, Ingritt?

Right, “that” must be properly preserved and maintained.

I ponder over “that.”

The gift for Queen Katarina of Virendorf.

After much thought, this was the only thing I could come up with.

I couldn’t think of any way to completely win over Queen Katarina’s heart.

It’ll have to be a battle of wits on the spot.

As I’m lost in thought, beyond the border line.

There’s no doubt that the knights waiting there, probably veterans of the Virendorf campaign, are stronger than the Second Princess’s Royal Guard.

A dozen or so knights from Virendorf were awaiting us.

“I am the official envoy from the Kingdom of Anhalt, Second Princess Valiere!”

“I am the deputy envoy from the Kingdom of Anhalt, Faust von Polydoro!”

We announce ourselves.

Approaching within a few meters of the border line, we make our introduction.

But—

“Lord Polydoro! Remove your helmet!”

What came back wasn’t the introduction of the Virendorf knight commander.

Instead, it was a demand to remove my helmet.

“Does it not suit me? I happen to like it quite a bit!”

“It doesn’t suit you. With that stature, that horse, you must be Lord Faust von Polydoro! But that great helm does not suit your magnificent fluted armor at all!”

Laughter, not of derision but the kind one might direct at a friend’s slightly foolish appearance, fills the air.

I give a wry smile.

I do like this bucket helmet, even if it restricts my vision.

I remove the helmet, revealing the wry smile hidden beneath.

For a moment, everyone on the Virendorf side goes silent, then stares silently at my face.

“Excellent! A man more handsome than any hero of legend!”

“I’m not popular in the Kingdom of Anhalt at all! Still unwed!”

“Then come to our country! A man as handsome as Lord Faust von Polydoro would be welcomed by everyone! Every woman in the realm awaits you, drooling with anticipation!”

An invitation, then.

Well, as far as first exchanges go, this isn’t a bad feeling.

The commander seems so eager she’s nearly falling off her horse as she stares at my face.

“What about me, then? I’d even leave my current husband!”

“I’m afraid I don’t engage with married women!”

The banter continues.

Probably, this commander will lead us to the Virendorf royal capital.

I’d like to make a good impression here.

“Pity! Had I met you before I met my husband… Truly a pity from the bottom of my heart!”

“One should cherish their husband!”

“True! But it’s a shame!”

Give up gracefully, will you?

Really, married women are off-limits for me.

No interest in stolen loves.

Once, I was propositioned to be the second husband of Commander Reckenber, but that was an emergency situation.

Ah, but widows are another story.

That’s actually rather exciting.

Irrelevant personal tastes aside, Faust continues to lead his beloved horse Flügel forward.

“Since you’ve given up, let’s cross the border, shall we?”

“Wait!”

The commander raises her voice.

Then, she gestures towards the fully armored knights behind her.

“Here, we have a few selected volunteers. If you are indeed Lord Faust von Polydoro, you know what they desire!”

As expected, then.

“Ah, I understand. A duel, correct? Are the blunt swords ready? I’d prefer not to have any casualties during these peace negotiations.”

“We have prepared two. Take breaks as you wish! Whether to fight on horseback or dismount is up to you! However, should our volunteer defeat you, they wish to become your spouse! You need not come to our country, but any child aside from the eldest must be given to us! The child of a hero for the future of Virendorf!”

Very well.

Everything is proceeding as expected.

Dismounting then.

I wouldn’t want to risk any harm coming to Flügel.

Though, with the newly made magical inscriptions on the red fabric covering the fully armored Flügel, resembling horse armor, I doubt he could be injured.

But it’s better to be cautious.

“Wait a minute! Faust, you’re really going to accept this challenge? We’ve come here for peace negotiations! Besides, even if you win, you gain nothing from this.”

Lady Valiere is flustered.

Perhaps I should have informed her beforehand that such a situation was anticipated.

Well, explaining it now rather than earlier doesn’t make much of a difference.

“Commander Reckenber.”

I mention the name of one of Virendorf’s heroes.

“Lady Valiere, during the Virendorf campaign, Commander Reckenber could have easily surrounded me with her knights and killed me. However, she chose not to.”

While putting on my bucket helmet and adjusting its fittings, I explain to Lady Valiere.

“It’s because she is a hero of Virendorf.”

My explanation is brief.

Just for that reason alone, Commander Reckenber accepted my challenge to a duel.

This is known as a part of Virendorf’s culture and values.

But—

“I am a hero of Anhalt.”

Even if the citizens of Anhalt scorn this muscular figure of mine,

Even if I am but a minor frontier lord with barely 300 citizens,

That is a fact acknowledged by everyone in the Kingdom of Anhalt.

“If the opponent does not avoid a duel, I see no reason why I should. Whether it’s for peace negotiations, no matter the time, place, or situation. I will not run from a duel with a Virendorf knight. If I did, Commander Reckenber in Valhalla would lament that she lost to such a man. The battle with Reckenber is my honor. This is something I cannot yield.”

“Bravo!”

Touched.

The commander, removing her helmet as well, stares at my face, visibly moved, and shouts in admiration.

“Well said! Truly like the hero of the epics! A worthy eternal rival for Virendorf!!”

The commander shouts with her arms wide open.

Then, she calls out to the knights behind her.

“None of you will be able to defeat that beautiful beast. I know that. But do not bring shame upon yourselves in battle!”

“Understood!”

One of the knights steps forward.

I fit the pieces of my great helm together, fully donning the helmet.

I then quietly approach the Virendorf soldier, who hands me a blunted sword, and I check its condition.

Good, not bad.

With this, I should be able to avoid killing, if I hold back properly.

“Then, shall we begin?”

I tap Flügel’s belly twice.

Understanding my intention, Flügel, though somewhat reluctantly, moves away from my side.

※

Lady Valiere, flustered by the unfolding events, questions the true nature of their mission, hinting at the possibility that what they’re engaging in might not fully align with the typical expectations of peace negotiations. This leads to an exchange between her and Sabine, the commander of the royal guard, who tries to rationalize Faust’s actions within the context of dealing with Virendorf, suggesting that perhaps this unconventional method might indeed be the right approach when negotiating with such a culture.

Sabine’s remarks reveal a personal sense of possession over Faust, which he quietly questions, marking a slight disconnect in their relationship dynamics. Despite her claims of not officially being in a relationship with Faust, Sabine’s comments hint at her deep-seated fantasies about their potential romantic entanglement, further complicated by her unrealistic expectations about the journey they are on.

The conversation takes a humorous turn as Sabine suggests the possibility of finding time for romantic escapades during their mission, a notion quickly dismissed by Lady Valiere, highlighting the serious nature of their task and the unlikely chance of such opportunities arising, especially given the rigorous surveillance they’re expected to be under from Virendorf’s forces.

As they observe Faust’s combat prowess, the two women witness his surprising capability in hand-to-hand combat, leveraging his impressive physique as a formidable weapon against his opponent. Faust’s effortless victory in the duel, where he skillfully overpowers and subdues the enemy knight without causing serious harm, serves as a testament to his exceptional strength and combat skills, underscoring his unmatched talent in battle and raising questions about the existence of any worthy opponents.

The outcome of the duel, quickly declared by the enemy commander, reaffirms Faust’s dominance on the battlefield, leaving Lady Valiere and Sabine to contemplate the implications of his words about facing challenges under any circumstances. With this event occurring even before they officially enter Virendorf, concerns arise about the potential recurrence of such encounters throughout their journey, casting a shadow of apprehension over what lies ahead and prompting Lady Valiere to sigh in trepidation at the prospect of what their mission entails.