Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 52

Within the private chambers of Princess Anastasia, the First Princess, in the royal palace of Anhalt.

Two individuals were seated, and one stood nearby, all bearing heavy expressions that marked the gravity of their presence.

Seated were Princess Anastasia herself and Duchess Astarte.

Standing grimly after hearing their story was I, Alexandra, the Captain of the First Princess’s Royal Guard.

I spoke up.

“What do you plan to do?”

“First, we wait. A report on Faust’s actions after leaving the royal palace should be coming soon. Faust will undertake some unusual action today.”

“Report?”

Duchess Astarte answered, nodding affirmatively.

“While staying in the royal capital, we watch Faust closely to prevent any unwanted pests from clinging to him.”

“It would be troublesome if some strange noble tried to use Faust for their ends.”

Duchess Astarte, followed by Princess Anastasia, added their thoughts.

No, by all accounts, they just want to isolate Lord Polydoro from the women of other nobles.

The two of them want to monopolize Lord Polydoro.

Though I thought as much, being a wise woman, I pretended not to grasp the true intention.

Unlike the group known as the Second Princess’s Royal Guard, which I consider no better than chimpanzees, I am different.

Instead of voicing my thoughts, I cleared my throat with a cough.

Simultaneously, a knock sounded.

There shouldn’t be any visitors scheduled for Princess Anastasia’s chambers.

Well, it’s unlikely that the palace guards would let an assassin through.

“I will verify the visitor.”

However, to be safe, I approached the door with my sword, ready for drawing.

Princess Anastasia called out to me from behind.

“It’s likely someone from my staff or the Duchess’s. No need to worry. Go ahead! Open the door and let them in.”

With a click, the doorknob turned.

The person who appeared was a face I knew well.

A noble from the judiciary, and a high-ranking one at that.

Their family was—

“I am Marianne von Vespermann!”

This spirited declaration was made by a newly inherited judiciary noble.

She was only 16 years old, though noble inheritances in this country come early.

Her family oversees our nation’s intelligence.

They oversee spies in surrounding countries, negotiate with bard guilds to manipulate public information, and orchestrate the assassination of undesirable nobles, both domestic and foreign.

Essentially, they are the face of noble families engaged in covert operations.

Officially, they are just another diplomat.

“Today, I have to report suspicious activities regarding Lord Faust von Polydoro.”

Ah, the second daughter, I recalled.

She was supposed to join the First Princess’s Royal Guard but was passed over due to her older sister’s incompetence. Ah, yes, I recall now.

Her sister was Sabine von Vespermann, the Captain of the Second Princess’s Royal Guard.

Her parents, deeming her unfit for overseeing secret operations, akin to a chimpanzee, exiled her.

A decision I deemed profoundly wise.

Even so, having heard of Sabine’s exploits in rallying villagers and successfully recruiting soldiers during Lady Valiere’s first battle, I couldn’t entirely dismiss her.

Yet, fundamentally, Sabine had a critical flaw.

The Vespermann family made the right call to exile her from their home.

But that’s beside the point.

“Today, after leaving the royal palace, Lord Polydoro headed straight to the great church of the Cologne Sect!”

“The Cologne Sect’s church? True, Faust is a follower of the Cologne Sect. But,”

Duchess Astarte tapped her temple thoughtfully.

“As far as I know, Faust hasn’t visited the great church in the past two years? He has been attending services at a church near his townhouse.”

“Indeed! This behavior is unprecedented in the surveillance records of Lord Polydoro!”

Marianne’s crisp voice filled the room.

Was she nervous in front of Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte?

It seemed so, but that just appeared to be her nature.

“Anastasia, this won’t do. He’s gone to his sect’s priest for support.”

“What do you know of the character of the Cologne Sect’s priests, Marianne? Report if you know.”

“Indeed! I am aware.”

Marianne met Princess Anastasia’s gaze, resuming her brisk report.

“As you are aware, the Cologne Sect venerates firepower as a minor sect, endorsing the use of crossbows and actively engaging in the academic study of muskets and cannons through gunpowder. The character of the great church’s priests aligns with this, naturally.”

Their thoughts remain as eccentric as ever.

Yet, despite being a minor faction, their roots run deep.

The bishop at the helm of the Cologne Sect has even been elected as a cardinal.

“To desire peace, one must prepare for war. The Cologne Sect emphasizes the importance of being fully prepared for military action and constantly issues warnings to the state! The priests do the same, incessantly advising Queen Liesenlotte to prepare for wartime, to the point of annoyance, as I’ve heard from my mother!!”

Marianne concluded her report and fell silent.

Then, Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte exchanged glances.

Duchess Astarte was the first to speak.

“It seems Faust intends to bring a Cologne Sect priest into the royal castle.”

“Together, they plan to warn of the threat Toktoa Khan poses?”

“That’s certain. But,”

Duchess Astarte hesitated, the word hanging in the air.

But what could it be?

“Something feels off. Is Faust plotting something?”

“What could he possibly be plotting? To conspire with the Cologne Sect’s priest and claim a divine oracle? Ridiculous, Faust is well aware of the fate of those who claim to have heard the voice of God.”

“Faust has considered that and is prepared to seek that method regardless. But,”

Their gazes met.

Duchess Astarte signaled to Marianne with a look and asked.

“Marianne, answer this. If Faust von Polydoro were to predict Toktoa Khan’s western conquest as a divine oracle, would the Cologne Sect’s priest acknowledge it?”

“Unlikely.”

A brief reply.

“A follower of theirs walking the path towards their burning at the stake? The Cologne Sect’s priest would not permit it. Likely, they would do the opposite and try to dissuade them.”

“Indeed.”

Duchess Astarte sighed in relief at her conclusion being affirmed.

Even a Cologne Sect priest, as odd as they are with their focus on military action, wouldn’t accept that.

Let alone a false prophecy.

“But, still, Faust is up to something.”

Duchess Astarte muttered as if in pain with a troubled expression on her radiant face.

“What do you think, Anastasia? Faust’s demeanor at that time was anything but normal. It was as if he was being consumed by a fundamentally different kind of creature, a primal fear.”

“The fear Faust is feeling is real. His claims must be true for him. But, we need more objective information. Marianne, I have a question for you.”

Princess Anastasia directed her gaze at Marianne, who promptly responded with a “yes.”

“As a high-ranking judiciary noble and the overseer of spies, you must know. Toktoa Khan demolished the Silk Road dynasty in the Far East. Will she embark on a western conquest within seven years?”

“I do not.”

A straightforward response.

Marianne von Vespermann answered clearly.

“First, she would solidify hher hold on the conquered dynasty and the territories she has taken. After all, they’ve acquired fertile land suitable for farming. Nomadic tribes have faced heavy snow, cold temperatures, strong winds, and feed shortages and endured hardships, hungering for food and water, quenching their thirst with the milk of their livestock. For those who could only fill their bellies through plunder, their greatest wish has been fulfilled, hasn’t it?”

Marianne’s perspective.

It’s also our perspective.

“From what I’ve heard, the lands of the conquered dynasty are as vast as the Holy Gusten Empire, and merely continuing to rule and collect taxes should suffice to satiate the limited numbers of nomadic tribes. Why then embark on a western conquest of the Holy Gusten Empire west of the Silk Road? Shouldn’t that be enough if their bellies are full and they can live in luxury on the lands they control? What more could they possibly desire?”

Question.

Marianne posed a pure question.

But then.

“That’s right, thinking that way is normal. It’s what our common sense dictates. But,”

Lord Faust von Polydoro, Faust himself, does not think that way.

What are nomadic tribes?

As Princess Anastasia informed, he had an expression as if he had pierced to the core of their very nature.

Furthermore, the Emperor of the Holy Gusten Empire and the Pope agreed to “prepare for war, build a bulwark against the threat.”

They probably do not believe, as Lord Polydoro suggests, that it will happen within the next seven years.

Indeed, they may have the shape of humans, but they live with the ferocity of wild beasts.

Are we to say that the resurgence of nomadic horse tribes from a millennium ago is upon us again?

“I’ve decided, Astarte. Tomorrow, we will side with Faust. By siding with him, we shall stop him.”

“Is that the only way?”

Princess Anastasia’s resolute statement was met with a nod from Duchess Astarte.

“That’s all we can do. Tomorrow, in front of Mother, we cannot let Faust run amok among a full assembly of high-ranking judiciary nobles and lords. In the presence of Mother and the lords, we will only let Faust plead about the threat of Toktoa Khan. If that calms Faust, then so be it.”

“Will that stop Faust?”

“To be honest, I don’t know.”

Princess Anastasia murmured, troubled.

“The lords of the major territories, the high-ranking judiciary nobles, are aware of the words of the Emperor of the Holy Gusten Empire and the Pope. Not everyone will outright reject Faust’s words from the start. But tomorrow,”

“It’s the grand ceremony celebrating the peace negotiations with Virendorf, with local lords from smaller territories attending. Some may not know, right?”

“How much can we restrain?”

How can we avoid the idea of women scoffing at Faust von Polydoro’s plea, ignorant women laughing at his plea without understanding the situation, and Lord Polydoro becoming infuriated?

Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte are in anguish.

Neither I, Alexandra, nor Marianne can intervene anymore.

“Our words alone, yours and mine will hold them back. I can hardly imagine any foolish nobles continuing to laugh even after we have sided with Faust.”

“But if Faust’s plea goes through as is, that would be problematic too, wouldn’t it?”

“I will go and talk to Mother about this right now. We will let Faust express all his claims in front of Mother and get her agreement. From there,”

From there.

Princess Anastasia paused momentarily, taking a breath.

“Bad as it may be for Faust, we must muddle through. We cannot entirely let Faust’s claims pass. No, Faust said he did not wish for a national mobilization for war immediately. He mentioned that he aims to ensure that the threat of Toktoa Khan is recognized and shared among the lords of Anhalt, unifying military command.”

“No one will comply.”

“Exactly, no one will.”

The words of Lord Polydoro will not be heeded, especially by the more minor territory lords.

They are lords, albeit of smaller realms.

They will not relinquish military power.

Unless they face a situation, as Lord Polydoro says, “unless we do this, we will lose everything.”

“Then, let’s go. It’s time to finalize the talk with Mother. Marianne, thank you for your efforts. You may leave.”

“Understood.”

Marianne exited the room quietly, making no sound with her footsteps.

And Princess Anastasia stood up.

However, Duchess Astarte remained seated on the couch.

“Anastasia, calm down for now. At this hour, Queen Liesenlotte is likely conversing with her child.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Princess Anastasia sat back down.

Duchess Astarte began pouring wine into their glasses.

“Mother is checking whether Valiere has any intention of marrying Faust.”

“Well, whether Faust agrees or not, I don’t know either. Which will it be?”

“Or rather, is Faust’s agreement not necessary? Will you suddenly announce Faust and Valiere’s engagement tomorrow? There hasn’t even been any discussion yet.”

A question that comes too late.

Princess Anastasia harbored that thought.

“Originally, that’s what I wanted to discuss.”

“It’s been all Faust’s momentum from the start; it can’t be helped.”

The wine bottle emptied.

Having poured the last of the wine into their glasses, Duchess Astarte sighed heavily.

“What will become of tomorrow?”

“Nothing can be done now. Thinking about it now won’t change what’s bound to happen.”

Time was too short.

After the peace negotiations report, a day was set aside to wash away the travel’s dust, but even a week would have been better.

However, the lords of the smaller territories have come to the capital from all over the kingdom to hear this peace negotiation report.

To witness how the royal family responds to Faust’s achievements.

Delaying the date any further was not an option.

“The situation is the worst.”

“Anastasia, drink the wine. Once we’ve finished, let’s slowly head to Queen Liesenlotte.”

The inner turmoil of two of Anhalt’s top three.

As Alexandra witnessed this, she sighed in sympathy.

If Lord Polydoro causes a commotion tomorrow, it will not bode well for either the royal family or Lord Polydoro himself.

In my heart, I prayed that everything would go smoothly.