Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 49

On the table is a new bottle of wine.

And for my personal use, a newly prepared wine glass was placed.

“Come on, have a drink first. It’ll make your throat smoother.”

“Drinking alcohol from noon isn’t something one should do—well, I suppose it’s fine. I’ll accept your offer.”

Duchess Astarte poured wine into the glass.

After sufficiently filling it, I sipped it as if tasting it for the first time.

Delicious.

It was different from the cheap liquor I usually drank.

However, I had no time to enjoy the taste of the wine.

I came here today because I had something to discuss with them.

“First, I want to ask you both. Did you know why Virendorf agreed to the peace negotiations this time?”

“Hmm. So, you suggest that there were factors other than your achieved peace treaty?”

The question was about knowing.

To that, Princess Anastasia answered.

Following Queen Liesenlotte’s advice, I successfully struck at Queen Katarina’s heart.

That was one of the reasons.

But there were others.

“Yes. I would like to know how much you both ‘understand.'”

I mutter, emphasizing the word “understand.”

“The weakening of the royal power due to the absence of the hero Reckenber. Especially since Reckenber had annihilated, the nomadic tribes from the north might sprout from somewhere again and surge forth. There’s a strategy for that. In this peace negotiation, the Virendorf side had benefits other than Queen Katarina bearing your child.”

Princess Anastasia spoke in a bitter voice.

That was one of the reasons.

But there must be a more significant reason.

“Can’t you answer?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It’s impossible that you don’t know. Unlike me, a minor lord with only 300 subjects, you two must be aware. I would like to hear it from your mouth. This is a request from Faust von Polydoro, as a comrade-in-arms of the Virendorf campaign.”

First, make them speak.

How much do these two understand the threat?

The threat of Toktoa Khan is far at the eastern end of the continent, beyond the distant Silk Road.

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte looked at each other and sighed heavily.

“As a request from a comrade-in-arms, we cannot but speak. According to reports from the Holy Gusten Empire, a dynasty in the east has been destroyed. We are aware of that. The Holy Gusten Empire intended to mediate our peace negotiations as well. Both countries should cooperate and prepare for war, build a bulwark that can withstand the threat.”

Hmm?

This is unexpected.

The Holy Gusten Empire is quite far-sighted.

“Did Anhalt not respond to the mediation from the Holy Gusten Empire? There’s no need to rely on someone like me then.”

“Virendorf refused first. For the face, Anhalt also had to refuse to show weakness. It was decided to send you as an envoy after realizing that Virendorf wanted to drag you into this.”

I see.

Thinking back, Queen Katarina seemed to have seen through Anhalt through me.

From our conversations, she seemed pretty disillusioned with Anhalt.

Probably because I was treated poorly in Anhalt.

“However, the peace treaty has been established for now. So, first of all,”

“The nomadic tribes from the north. They will be eradicated, and we will cooperate with Virendorf. It’s somewhat irritating to listen to the Holy Gusten Empire.”

Don’t say irritating.

I understand that it’s unpleasant for Anhalt, an independent nation, to follow the empire’s orders, but the empire is proper this time.

Is there someone who can see so far ahead?

How was it in the pre-reincarnation Holy Roman Empire?

Who predicted the Mongol invasion of the West?

As someone who died young and wasn’t a Western history scholar or researcher, I don’t know.

“We should follow the advice of the Holy Gusten Empire.”

“Of course, we understand that. That’s why I’m saying we’ll cooperate with Virendorf.”

Princess Anastasia mutters with a bitter face.

It’s nice of you to say that, but that’s not it.

My point is not being understood.

I know it’s impossible to expect everyone to understand everything.

Even Queen Katarina, who is already making moves, does not understand perfectly.

To defeat Toktoa Khan, to beat the hypothetical Mongols requires a total and thorough mobilization of forces beyond imagination.

Such a mobilization would require more than just Anhalt and Virendorf; even reinforcements from the Holy Gusten Empire wouldn’t be enough.

At the very least, Anhalt and Virendorf need to set aside their reluctance and be prepared to face hardship together.

Without unity, there is a 100% chance of failure.

The way of warfare, everything about it, is different between the hypothetical Mongols and the West.

We cannot win.

Internally, I despair, holding my head.

“Ah, so, Faust. You’re saying you’ve encountered some information in Virendorf that the two of us are unaware of?”

Sitting next to me, Duchess Astarte pours wine into my empty glass.

Instead of her usual nonchalant expression, she responds with a somewhat severe look.

She’s quick on the uptake.

There is, indeed, the information I’ve acquired from Virendorf.

Should I make that the reason?

First, the conversation.

“Thanks to Queen Katarina’s consideration, I met with Yue-dono, a military commander from the East. She is one of the superhumans who escaped from a fallen dynasty with her life.”

“She came to Virendorf through the Silk Road?”

“In that country, you can climb up the military ranks if you have the skills. She said she’s now a retainer for the Reckenber family.”

Given her abilities, she will likely serve as a substitute captain of the knights until Nina von Reckenber grows up.

For now, she’s waiting for an opportunity to prove herself.

“So, a military commander from the East has fled and is waiting for a chance for revenge in Virendorf. Is that a correct interpretation?”

Princess Anastasia’s face changes from bitter to serious.

Yes, that’s the expression I wanted to see.

The woman who freely manipulated me and the duke’s forces in the Virendorf campaign.

I need your sharp mind now as if you were half under the influence of some potent drug.

Please, listen to my story seriously.

“A nomadic horseback nation, huh? Do you know its name?”

“The name of the country is unknown. The Queen’s name is Toktoa Khan.”

“Toktoa Khan.”

The name hangs in the air for a moment.

In Princess Anastasia’s mind, a flood of information from the Holy Gusten Empire, unknown to me, is being meticulously considered, mulled repeatedly, like dishes stacked up after being washed in the kitchen.

Then, Anastasia concludes.

“Do you know how many years until they come, Faust?”

“Unknown.”

A simple answer.

1234, the fall of the Jin dynasty.

1241, the Battle of Wahlstatt.

In my previous life, it was just seven years.

It might be even sooner in this fantasy world when magical communication is developed.

It’s too uncertain to mention now.

But.

“Your prediction is fine. Speak.”

“It might be less than seven years.”

Princess Anastasia’s intelligence is picking up on my urgency.

And she’s assuming there must be some basis for it.

I cannot lie.

“What makes you think so?”

“…”

Silence.

I cannot answer.

Statements like “I deduced from my previous life” are not permissible.

Then.

“A superhuman intuition.”

“That’s a weak basis. If we had information, we could act immediately.”

Princess Anastasia frowns.

It can’t be helped; I can now respond with this.

But I still cling to it.

“Faust, unfortunately, the royal family cannot act on mere speculation. I trust you. But the nation cannot move on that alone. Preparing for a total war imposes a heavy burden on the people.”

“But it will be too late!!”

I stand up from the long chair, pleading.

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte, apparently anticipating my action, are completely unfazed.

“Please discard any illusions and false hopes!!”

“What if we prepare desperately for a total war and the enemy doesn’t come? ‘Good, Toktoa Khan didn’t come after all.’ It’s not as simple as that. There are limits to the royal authority and resources.”

Princess Anastasia coldly rebuffs.

Duchess Astarte continues.

“An enemy whose arrival time is unknown is troublesome. If we knew when they would come, it would be better. Morale would hold. However, maintaining a state of total war preparation for years is difficult. People become lax. They lose motivation. It leads to dysfunction. They’ll inevitably harbor the illusions and false hopes you mentioned. ‘Toktoa Khan coming from beyond the Silk Road, a nomadic horseback nation attacking us?’ Soon, the lynching starts. By then,”

I’m encouraged to sit and sip the wine poured for me.

It’s expensive, you know.

Duchess Astarte continues with a tone that doesn’t match the gravity of the situation, raising her voice midway through.

“By then, you, Faust von Polydoro, will be lynched. We’re worried about that for you.”

“I don’t need honor! I don’t care what I’m called!!”

I raise my voice.

But I decide to heed Duchess Astarte’s advice.

I sit down and sip a little wine.

“That won’t be the end of it, Faust. We’d have to punish you.”

Princess Anastasia mutters sadly.

“I truly appreciate your loyalty to the country. But, Faust. You’re probably planning to appeal to Mother during the formal report of tomorrow’s peace negotiation. Stop.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to lose you. If preparations for a total war become futile, you would be—”

I would have to be killed.

“I would have to be killed.”

It wouldn’t just be a loss of honor.

My lands would be confiscated, and my territory would become part of the royal domain.

Princess Anastasia did not even want to voice that possibility.

“…”

I responded with silence and gritted my teeth.

What should I do?

The words of Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte are correct.

Painfully, tragically correct.

I am not a hero.

I once boasted to the knights of Virendorf that I was a hero of Anhalt.

But I doubt the citizens of Anhalt’s capital would recognize me as such.

I do not have a position as solid as the Reckenber Knights’ captain in Virendorf.

Here, I am merely a minor lord knight with but 300 subjects, tied only by relations to the royal family.

With my head bowed to this reality, I continued.

“I am not suggesting we start preparations for a total war from tomorrow. However, information and awareness must be shared among the lords of Anhalt so that orders can be executed immediately within this feudal system. Otherwise, we stand no chance against the nomadic horsemen.”

“I will not allow it, Faust von Polydoro.”

The expression was desperate.

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte, with twisted expressions, confronted me together.

“We will not allow unnecessary chaos within Anhalt. It is utterly unacceptable for you to be lynched.”

“Tomorrow, I intend to appeal to Queen Liesenlotte, in a full assembly with lords and high-ranking nobles present, about the threat of Toktoa Khan.”

“Listen, Faust! Can’t you heed our advice?!”

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte desperately tried to stop me.

But I could not listen.

I understood their words were from the bottom of their hearts.

After all, we are comrades-in-arms.

We embraced each other in armor on the battlefield, not caring about the mix of blood and sweat, verifying each other’s life.

Yet, even so.

Even so, I…

“Today, I had intended to ask for your support in my appeal to Queen Liesenlotte. But you two are right. And I am the wrong one.”

It’s I who is mad.

I’m the one taking foolish actions here.

There’s yet no basis for a Mongol invasion in this world.

Yet, I feel it’s already too late unless I appeal now.

My knowledge and intuition from my previous life tell me so.

“Knowing that, I will still appeal to Queen Liesenlotte tomorrow. I plan to make preparations and be ready.”

“Preparations?”

A slip of the tongue.

I should not have said that.

Foolish of me.

I bowed my head.

“This is it, then. Our discussion is over. Please forget my mad ravings.”

“Don’t say something foolish. If you’re determined, we’ll cooperate with you. We’ll find a more tactful way to ensure you’re not lynched.”

“That won’t be enough. We need a striking blow that will wake everyone up.”

I bowed my head, my resolve firming.

There’s no other way.

The only option left to me is a mad course of action.

The only way left is to demonstrate my resolve in this world of subtle magic.

To show my resolve before I get lynched.

What, I’ll even cut open my belly if I have to.

I don’t honestly love this country, where they look down on me as an ugly man.

It’s not that I dislike the royal family, Queen Liesenlotte, Princess Anastasia, Duchess Astarte, or Lady Valiere.

Above all else…

“Princess Anastasia, Duchess Astarte, you see, I cannot forgive the idea that a nomadic horseback nation could invade my lands, desecrate my mother’s grave, and become lost to history in the tides of time.”

I drained the glass of wine given to me.

The two started to scream again.

But I no longer heard their voices.

They even seemed like a song to me.

To Faust von Polydoro, their desperate pleas sounded like a triumphal hymn.

This was the only wise way left for a foolish lord knight with less than 300 subjects to make Queen Liesenlotte understand the threat of the nomadic horseback nation.

No, it wasn’t wise. Instead, it was foolish.

Smiling, I left the room, pulling along Martina, who was chatting with Alexandra, the captain of Princess Anastasia’s guard, and left Princess Anastasia’s chambers.