Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 47

In the royal capital of Anhalt, preparations were underway along the long, broad main street that runs directly to the royal castle.

In addition to the 200 ducal troops stationed in the capital, 200 soldiers from various lords were also present, arrayed to clear the path and vigilant to prevent any mishaps.

A parade was being prepared to welcome the principal envoy, Valiere von Anhalt, the second princess, and the vice envoy, Faust von Polydoro, in the wake of successful peace negotiations with Virendorf.

The soldiers lined up to clear the center of the main thoroughfare.

In front of the soldiers, the citizens of Anhalt waited patiently for the parade to begin.

Passing through the gates of the capital and seeing the scene before me, I muttered,

“It reminds me of the Virendorf campaign.”

“I heard from Helga-dono, the chief retainer, that Lord Polydoro was not praised. It was an almost insulting welcome, not commensurate with his achievements.”

Upon hearing those words, Martina, riding with me on my beloved horse Flügel, recalled the parade after the Virendorf campaign.

Ah, an unpleasant memory.

The look of seeing something grotesque.

Not the look one gives to an ugly man, neither despising nor praising.

The look of seeing something foreign in Anhalt.

That stickily cold gaze was extremely uncomfortable.

Regardless, nobility is all about saving face; being slighted necessitates reclaiming one’s honor, even to the point of killing the offender.

As the lord of the Polydoro domain, I have my own dignity to uphold.

I carry the honor of my domain on my back. That much is true.

But still,

The minimum I must uphold is the dignity of being a minor lord knight to my 300 citizens.

Honestly, unless I’m directly insulted, it’s not something I need to worry about too much.

If I am directly insulted, I would reluctantly half-kill the person, but even that’s a hassle.

I sighed.

Let me repeat it, I am a foreigner in Anhalt.

That is something I understand better than anyone.

“Well, this time will probably be the same as the Virendorf campaign. I’m not expecting anything.”

“Should I dismount? It might further tarnish Lord Faust’s reputation.”

“No, stick close to me.”

This, too, is an experience.

Though destined to inherit the position of a knight in the future, Martina is disabled by a traitorous mother.

She must know that a tough path lies ahead.

Martina is my apprentice knight.

Such experiences are necessary.

If they can become part of her, that’s all the better.

I looked back at my citizens.

The citizens were preparing to draw their swords and pull the strings of their crossbows with pulleys—wait a minute, what are you doing, Helga and the others?

“Preparing to kill. This time, we will surely strike down those who insult Lord Faust immediately, so please rest assured.”

Nothing is reassuring about this.

There’s not a single reassuring element.

“The opposite, put away your swords. Wrap the spear tips with a cloth. Store the crossbows in the carriage.”

“But, Lord Faust, this concerns the honor of our Polydoro domain.”

Helga stepped forward three steps, appealing to me on behalf of the citizens, with tears in her voice.

“Please remember the parade after the Virendorf campaign. The citizens of Anhalt’s royal capital didn’t even praise Lord Faust, who showed the valor of a national hero in that tangle of death. On the contrary, they looked at him as if he were something alien. The 20 citizens who participated in that campaign still regret not beating them up.”

The 20 citizens vehemently nod their heads among the 30 I brought who had participated in the campaign.

My citizens swear absolute loyalty to me.

If I leap into death, not a single one will be missing in following me.

Though I am proud of my citizens…

“There’s no need. There’s no need.”

I waved my hand, denying it.

Why should I needlessly stain the hands of my dear citizens with blood?

Moreover, the ducal troops, who are comrades-in-arms, are managing the parade this time.

If there are fools who insult me, the ducal troops will catch them on the spot and send them to prison.

I voiced my thoughts.

“This time, the ducal troops are in charge of the arrangement. Do you think they, who shared death with us, would allow me to be insulted?”

“That’s true…”

Helga nodded.

I’m glad she understands.

But still, Helga raised her spear with its tip exposed and responded,

“However, leaving everything to the ducal troops, our comrades-in-arms, is wrong. This time, we must show the citizens of Anhalt’s royal capital what we’re made of with our hands.”

“Helga, just to confirm, I, Faust von Polydoro, have pledged my loyalty to the Kingdom of Anhalt and been promised the protection of my domain. There’s a lord-vassal relationship. You understand, right?”

“I do understand. However, we have sworn absolute loyalty to Lord Faust, but we have never sworn allegiance to the Kingdom of Anhalt. A vassal’s vassal is not a vassal.”

Technically, she’s right.

Oh no, I’m getting a headache.

Unfortunately, because I was welcomed in Virendorf, the hostility of my citizens towards the Kingdom of Anhalt has increased.

What to do?

There is no choice but to shout at them.

As I was about to raise my voice, someone intervened.

“Helga, I understand that you are dissatisfied with the treatment of Faust by our citizens and nobles of Anhalt. After all, I am dissatisfied myself.”

“Valiere-sama.”

It was Lady Valiere.

Helga lowered the spear she had raised.

“Likewise, I’ve only just participated in my first battle and have begun to be somewhat recognized, but I’m still treated as insignificant among the nobility. I’m not sure whether my head is good enough or not.”

Lady Valiere bowed to Helga, who was merely a commoner and chief retainer.

“Because of my bowed head, could you please behave this time?”

“Please stop, Lady Valiere. If you say that, we can do nothing. We understand everything.”

Helga bowed deeply to Lady Valiere and quietly directed all the citizens.

“Everyone, wrap the spear tips, sheathe your swords, and return the crossbows to the carriage.”

The citizens quickly followed the instructions and began preparing for the parade.

Their movements are good, indeed.

They are all veterans who have been to war numerous times, just like me.

But they’re too hot-blooded.

“The order of the procession should be with Faust beside me, followed by the Second Princess’s personal guard, and then Helga and the rest of your citizens, right?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

I answered with a voice full of gratitude for Lady Valiere’s words.

Thinking back, Lady Valiere herself has grown since her first battle. She wouldn’t have been able to do something like this before her debut.

“Well then, let’s head to the parade. Our preparations are all set, right, Sabine?”

“Yes, Lady Valiere. If anyone dares to insult you, we’re prepared to kill that citizen.”

“Did you guys even listen to the conversation we just had?”

The Second Princess’s personal guard begrudgingly sheathed their swords and wrapped the spear tips with a cloth. My citizens’ hot-bloodedness is one thing, but the personal guard’s fanaticism towards Lady Valiere is another matter entirely.

“At my debut, there was neither a send-off nor a welcome. This is my first parade.”

Lady Valiere muttered sentimentally.

This time, the peace negotiations with Virendorf were a success. Regardless of me, I wish for Lady Valiere to be rewarded.

“I certainly hope we are met with cheers.”

I watched as everyone’s formation was completed and gently stroked the neck of my beloved horse, Flügel. In response, Flügel started walking slowly.

“I hope so, too.”

Lady Valiere’s horse began to walk at the same time. My beloved horse, Flügel, and Lady Valiere’s horse entered the primary thoroughfare side by side. The citizens who had been waiting began to stir, and the soldiers, still lined up, intensified their vigilance. They are overly cautious. I can feel it. I understand why the ducal troops would be on alert, but why are the soldiers from the various lords also on alert?

Failure of this parade is not an option. Should anything happen, I must put myself at risk to stop any accidents. That’s the tension in the air, a feeling I sense with my knight’s intuition. Did something happen in the capital while we were away? I’m puzzled. If I don’t understand something, I’ll ask the nine-year-old repository of wisdom behind me.

“Martina, the soldiers are tense. Do you know why?”

“Well, of course. What kind of foolish question is that? You and Lady Valiere have just successfully negotiated peace with Virendorf. What would happen if this parade were to fail?”

“What would happen?”

I’m not wearing the great helm, I received many complaints about it being unfitting for the parade. I’m in my fluted armor, carrying the ancestral great sword.

I cannot see the expression on Martina, who is riding behind me.

“Don’t you understand? The Kingdom of Anhalt fears incurring any further displeasure from you, Lord Faust.”

“Hmm.”

That’s not an answer to what would happen. Even if told I would be displeased, I have no expectations for the parade. Faust von Polydoro has no expectations from the citizens of the Kingdom of Anhalt. Well, it’s okay. I gently stroke Flügel’s neck again. My beloved horse, let’s quickly get through this tedious parade. Well, I do hope Lady Valiere gets cheers.

The parade begins.

“Long live Lord Faust von Polydoro!”

The voice came from something other than the citizens first but from the 200 soldiers of the ducal troops. I recognize that face—one of my comrades who fought alongside me at the forefront during the Virendorf campaign. I relaxed my face into a smile and exchanged nods with each other.

“Long live Her Highness, the Second Princess Valiere!”

Again, the voice came not from the citizens but from the soldiers facing the ducal troops, from the various lords’ soldiers. They must have been instructed in advance to cheer—a good judgment. Someone needs to start it, or cheers from the citizens will never begin. At times like this, it would have been wise to mix in shills, people hired to stir the crowd among the citizens. But knowing Queen Liesenlotte, there wouldn’t be any oversight.

“Long live Lord Faust von Polydoro! Long live Her Highness, the Second Princess Valiere, long live Anhalt!”

From here and there, voices from the shills among the citizens can be heard. As expected of Queen Liesenlotte. Even in such a parade, she leaves nothing to chance. Now, it’s all about whether it will become lively or not.

“Long live Anhalt!”

“Long live Anhalt!”

The citizens, numbering more than two thousand, begin to cheer.

Queen Liesenlotte’s maneuver was successful.

Although I’m the one being welcomed, I feel relieved.

Had it failed and turned into the scenario I mentioned earlier, where citizens who insult me are beaten and taken away by the ducal troops, it would have been unbearable.

The parade would have been a failure.

Both Lady Valiere and I have our dignities to uphold.

“The soldiers incite first, and the shills among the citizens cheer. Well, one can say that Queen Liesenlotte’s skill is admirable.”

Martina’s cool voice.

Truly a wise nine-year-old.

Well, it’s done in every country, big or small, everywhere.

Stimulated crowds by trained audiences, unified in intent.

What is the most splendid incitement in the world?

Suddenly, I recall the Total War Speech made by Nazi Germany’s Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels, in my previous life.

Huh?

The Total War Speech?

Yes, the Total War Speech.

Presentation of three propositions.

Nazi Germany presented three propositions in the Total War Speech:

① If Germany were defeated, Europe would fall into the hands of the Bolsheviks.

② Only Germans and the Axis powers had the strength to save Europe from this threat.

③ The danger is imminent; if we do not act quickly, it will be too late.

Can’t this be applied?

I must emulate that Total War Speech.

How can we convey to Queen Liesenlotte the threat of the hypothetical Mongol, Toktoa Khan?

How can I make them understand the threat?

That’s what I’ve been pondering back.

The hint was in my knowledge from my previous life.

To think I’d come up with it in the middle of a parade in the royal capital.

Foolish me, Faust von Polydoro.

There needs to be more time.

I scratch my head frantically.

“Oh, aren’t you uncharacteristically bashful, Faust?”

Lady Valiere laughs and waves back to the citizens’ cheers.

She turns to me, mistaking my gesture for shyness.

Completely different, Princess Poyapoya.

That smile of a 14-year-old beautiful red-haired, flat-chested girl is cute, but it offers no consolation to my current mood.

The citizens’ cheers no longer reach my ears.

Ah, if only I had time to plant instructions among the trained audience for Lady Valiere.

Must I do it all alone?

There’s a bit of time after the parade before I formally report the peace negotiations to Queen Liesenlotte.

Do I have time to instruct Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte to act as part of the audience before meeting Queen Liesenlotte?

No, can I, of all people, really guide those two wise individuals?

It’s no different from pleading with all my heart and soul.

As a minor lord knight of 300 citizens, cut off from noble relations since my mother’s time, I lack the means to gather a persuaded audience or any other prepared group.

Damn it all.

Diminutive Faust von Polydoro.

I cannot wield the knowledge from my previous life as I wish.

That’s your limit.

If there’s a god who reincarnated me into this mad fantasy world, I feel they would murmur so with delight.

I need a wise person.

I need a strategist.

I want a military tactician and a schemer, but above all, I need a wise person to think together.

This knowledge from my previous life is of no use on its own.

I am reminded of my own inadequacy.

“Lord Faust, the parade is ending. I understand your dissatisfaction, but please, don’t make such a sour face. At least end it with a smile.”

Martina calls out from behind me.

Was my face that grim?

First, I must finish this parade and then, with all my heart and soul, plead before Queen Liesenlotte and the whole assembly of the court nobility and lords about the threat of Toktoa Khan.

There’s no other way.

That’s all I can do.

With a click of my tongue, unheard by anyone, I force my face into a smile.