Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 45

At the Virendorf royal castle, in the Queen’s chamber.

I kneel and pay my respects to Queen Katarina.

“Are you already leaving? It’s still early, isn’t it? The details of the peace negotiations have been linked with a magic crystal ball and delivered to the Kingdom of Anhalt,” Queen Katarina’s words suggest.

Honestly, I do feel like taking it slow.

“I must hurry to return the people to their lands. Moreover, there’s the issue of…”

I want to hurl the bomb you sent as a gift at Queen Liesenlotte as soon as possible.

You probably haven’t talked about Yue-dono’s case.

Even though information about the destroyed dynasty has spread to the Kingdom of Anhalt from the Holy Gusten Empire to the Silk Road and beyond, I can hardly believe the threat has been fully conveyed.

Such vast information overwhelms a minor lord knight responsible for merely 300 subjects.

“There’s so much I want to talk about. How you grew up, how you’ve lived your life. I want to know that. At the same time, I want you to know about me. How I grew up, how I’ve lived my life. Is that a crime?”

Queen Katarina, with a gesture like a pleading cat, tilts her head to the side gently.

The Queen’s chamber is filled with the strong scent of damask.

This is because many roses have been decorated in the king’s chamber.

I think they gathered this many roses just after I announced my departure yesterday.

Indeed, the financial prowess of the electorates stands apart.

Or rather, Virendorf is more centralized than Anhalt.

That means, of course, that the royal family has stronger demands from the nobles.

Such trivial matters cross my mind.

Yet, above all, I am compelled to address Queen Katarina’s remarks.

“I, too, would certainly like to share the stories of our lives, Your Majesty Queen Katarina, however, if our country faces a dire situation. I must speak directly with Queen Liesenlotte. You are also at fault, Your Majesty Queen Katarina.”

“Is it about Yue? To be frank, Faust von Polydoro, I think that Anhalt, which treats you roughly, will only be able to devise a response if they are informed of the situation. In Virendorf, we have already conveyed our thoughts to the Holy Gusten Empire and requested assistance in case of emergency.”

“Still, Your Majesty Queen Katarina…”

Nonetheless, it remains insufficient, Your Majesty Queen Katarina.

I understand that you are competent and have already done what needs to be done.

But it’s naive.

“Still, I must say it’s not enough. Even if Virendorf and Anhalt stand together and receive support from the Holy Gusten Empire, it’s still not enough.”

“If it comes to the crisis of the state’s survival, Virendorf can organize an army of 10,000. Anhalt should be able to do the same. With these 20,000 and the support of the Holy Gusten Empire, still?”

“It’s not enough. According to my humble estimation, it’s…”

We are starved for information.

Why did God not grant me the fruit of wisdom as well as the power of arms?

Virendorf and Anhalt could muster up to 20,000 troops combined if they tried.

If they forcibly mobilized peasant soldiers, even more could be possible.

However, those troops would be a mix of good and bad soldiers.

No matter how capable the generals are, the poor quality of troops disrupts coordination.

In contrast, the hypothetical Mongol troops are experienced horsemen.

Above all, their mobility is too different.

In flat terrain, there’s no competition.

We must lure them into forests or marshes where they can’t utilize their mobility.

However, deciding whether to battle with a large army without harming civilians inevitably has to be done on the plains.

Remember.

I clutch my head, squeezing out knowledge from my past life.

I remember the defeat of Europe well at the Battle of Württemberg.

At that time, the tactic of European knights was to charge at the enemy’s center.

It sounds good if you call it a “decapitation strategy,” and the cavalry charge is a powerful method. I won’t deny that.

The Mongols countered this charge with feigned retreats by light cavalry on both flanks, engaging in mounted archery, essentially creating a pseudo-crossfire formation on the plains, plunging the German-Polish alliance into chaos.

Then, they used smoke screens behind the knights to separate them from the rear infantry.

And when the Mongol heavy cavalry broke through the confused troops, it was all over.

In summary, it’s a very simple matter.

I remember it well.

I refuse to die in a situation covered by the strongest Mongol pattern.

In this world, though there are magic, miracles, and legends, I can’t see any key to overturning a hypothetical Mongol battle right now.

So.

“Everything is lacking. We could handle the Parthian shot of the nomadic horsemen if they were few, just like Claudia von Reckenber-dono exterminated the northern nomadic tribes. But if the enemy has equal numbers, even superhumans won’t be able to sway the battlefield,” I admitted.

“The enemy’s numbers being equal means superhumans can’t decide the battle’s outcome, right?”

“Yes. Of course, superhumans are necessary…”

It’s not a battle where superhumans can turn the tide.

It’s going to be a large-scale war with tens of thousands clashing.

What are we lacking now?

A leader with strong charisma to unify hastily assembled tens of thousands?

A tactician who can overturn the concept of warfare, deploying tactics the enemy can’t even predict?

A coordination system that doesn’t fall into chaos on the battlefield even if several commanders fall, with their replacements stepping in immediately?

Or an unbreakable supply line?

Or the variety of military arms that enable diverse tactics?

Togtoa Khan had it all.

If it were a hypothetical Mongol, they would have everything.

Right now, Faust von Polydoro possesses none of that.

I have only the great sword passed down through my ancestors, the longbow borrowed from the Reckenber family.

And this superhuman body, nurtured by my mother.

With only 300 subjects to protect and their weak position.

Just that, and I have to think about facing the Mongols.

Of course, it’s reckless.

So, for now, I’ll report the threat to those above.

That’s the most urgent thing to do right now.

“I will return. I will go back and report this threat.”

“Is that so? I will take your words seriously and think about them. What was your merchant’s name, the one who will take care of your affairs?”

“Ingritt. The Ingritt Trading Company.”

Ingritt Commerce.

This time, having been chosen as the merchant for Faust von Polydoro, they were overjoyed at having secured the golden endorsement.

They had admirably managed the transportation of the “heart-melting roses” of the cold-blooded Queen Katarina.

Even though it was stolen goods from the royal palace of Anhalt.

As long as the peace treaty continues, they could likely do business in Virendorf with their heads held high.

Well, that much of a benefit should be expected.

“From now on, let’s rely on Ingritt Commerce for communication. They can be trusted, right?”

“Without a doubt, given our long-standing relationship since before the previous generation.”

“You must have heard from Yue, but Toktoa Khan is skilled in information warfare.”

Queen Katarina muses while stroking her chin with her hand.

“Without a doubt, she must be obtaining information from Silk Road merchants. Merchants from Parsa are particularly suspicious.”

“Indeed.”

Persians, Arabs, and other followers of Islam.

These Muslim merchants were involved in the prosperity of the Mongol Empire.

Curse those gold-digging villains.

“Yet, halting the flow of trade is not an option. Thus, I shall engage in information theft.”

“Queen Katarina will?”

I make a skeptical face.

Though it would be appreciated if she could.

“There’s no trade with Silk Road merchants, but people flow. People like Yue come flowing in. Those who have sworn revenge against Toktoa Khan and nothing else.”

“There’s also the possibility of them being insiders. Please be cautious in selecting people.”

It seems like Queen Katarina would be able to see through that much.

And also, the older woman is serving as the Minister of Military Affairs beside me now.

“Do you think I can’t see through them? If anything, be wary of the Kingdom of Anhalt.”

“Both our Queen Liesenlotte and Princess Anastasia are wise sovereigns.”

“I’m not doubting that. I’m worried about your subordinates who underestimate a hero like you becoming insiders. Fools are fools because they are foolish to the core.”

That is genuinely a great saying.

It’s hard to believe that Toktoa Khan favored traitors without skills after the war.

Fools are fools because they are foolish to the core.

“Be careful, Faust von Polydoro.”

“I understand.”

Fools should be cut down.

Instead of offering advice, I end up receiving it.

Now, I have to worry about the possibility of traitors within the Kingdom of Anhalt.

“Shall we proceed with the final ceremony?”

“Ceremony?”

“What, the contract for the peace negotiations? It’s an advance payment that will be paid two years later.”

Queen Katarina slightly blushed and beckoned me over like a cat with a wave of her hand.

“?”

With a skeptical look, I excuse myself with a word and stand up.

What is this advance payment?

“Kiss me, Faust von Polydoro.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to try it.”

Queen Katarina was honest.

A straight and direct approach, like a cat making a beeline.

Somehow, this person’s actions often remind me of a cat.

Even though she has the figure of a voluptuous beauty.

“As for me, my first kiss remains unclaimed.”

“Me too. It’s perfect since it’s the first time for both of us.”

Well, this is problematic.

I don’t even remember a kiss from my past life.

In matters of love, I was utterly inept.

“I don’t know how to kiss. Our teeth might clash.”

“Just retract your teeth, you fool. Haven’t you ever kissed your family? When I was a child, the Reckenbers would kiss me on the cheek every day.”

“I remember being kissed on the cheek by my mother a few times.”

I approached.

No one stopped me.

I passed by Valiere-sama, standing before me, and Sabine-dono, who had a bleak expression.

I stopped right in front of the throne, in front of Queen Katarina.

Seeing this, Queen Katarina stood up and approached me.

“This is a contract, Faust von Polydoro. In two years, make sure you father a child in my womb.”

“I will endeavor to do so.”

I’m not against it.

Not at all.

I am an enthusiast of breasts.

A fanatic, to be precise.

Queen Katarina has large breasts. Therefore, she is righteous.

Hence, I am certainly not against it.

The problem is whether I, a love-stricken weakling, will be knocked out by a single kiss from Queen Katarina.

I might fall in love.

This is not about the love between me and Queen Katarina.

It’s like licking each other’s wounds, sharing the same scars.

Definitely not affection.

“I’ve waited a minute.”

“I’m still preparing my heart.”

“I can’t wait any longer. Crouch down. You’re too tall.”

I crouch down, bringing my towering frame closer to the ground.

Then, I received a kiss on the lips from Queen Katarina.

It was our first kiss.

Neither of us knew how to do it.

Our tongues intertwined.

Like tentacles, I realized, so this is what a kiss is.

As we entangled our tongues inside our mouths, I felt her warm breath on my face, and our eyes met.

Her eyes were beautiful.

I honestly thought so.

There were no words between us.

Several minutes might have passed.

Eventually, Queen Katarina pulled her face away.

“My head is spinning.”

Mine too.

Queen Katarina’s face was flushed red, and so was mine.

Upon reflection, this was the Quuen’s chamber, filled with high-ranking officials and nobles.

I went ahead with it initially, but was it alright?

Yet, above all else.

I am indeed a love-stricken weakling.

I’ve developed feelings for Queen Katarina.

I felt love with just one kiss.

I never intended to betray our contract, but now, no matter what happens, I can’t betray her, Queen Katarina.

“The advance payment for the contract has been made! This marks the true establishment of peace negotiations between Anhalt and Virendorf!”

The older woman from Virendorf, the Minister of Military Affairs, shouted.

Her voice, uncharacteristically loud for an older woman, was filled with joy.

The atmosphere and the afterglow were ruined.

I wiped the surface of my mouth.

Queen Katarina’s saliva remained in my mouth.

But it wasn’t unpleasant.

Kisses are truly strange.

Suddenly, there was a sound, and for some reason, Sabine-dono collapsed to the ground, crying.

This is the Queen’s chamber of Virendorf.

Isn’t it disrespectful to Queen Katarina?

Well, it seems no one else is concerned.

“Faust, next year. Next year. Make sure to show your face. Send a letter every month. I’ll do the same.”

Queen Katarina, sitting back on the throne, still with a flushed face, told me.

“Understood.”

I briefly responded.

Turning my back on Queen Katarina, I tread on the red carpet of the king’s chamber, feeling sorry for Valiere-sama, who was panicking over the fallen Sabine-dono.

Attempting to leave the Queen’s chamber while lifting Sabine-dono.

“Faust von Polydoro.”

A voice called from behind.

It was Queen Katarina’s voice.

“I hate being thought of as a jealous, pitiful woman. So, go without turning back. This is truly my last word. Let’s meet again, Faust.”

“Yes, Queen Katarina. Let us meet again.”

I didn’t turn around.

Not because of Queen Katarina’s words.

If I turned around, I would want to kiss her again.

Step by step, on the red carpet alongside Valiere-sama.

And with that, I left the Queen’s chamber of Virendorf.