Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 55

My Druid is Christ.

This was proclaimed by the great abbot of Ireland, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in a past life.

I recall such memories from a past life.

Just as Celtic Catholicism assimilated ancient Druid traditions into Christianity as a whole.

This world’s monotheism has even integrated aspects of Norse mythology, including views on the afterlife.

Similar to how the tale of Einherjar—souls of warriors chosen after death journeying to Valhalla—resides within the beliefs of this monotheism and its followers.

Celtic traditions quietly survive in this era, preserved as tales.

In the legends of Celtic mythology, they are known by various names: curses, taboos, vows, admonitions, decrees, and promises.

These words also appear in the oldest tale of the Arthurian legend, “Culhwch and Olwen.”

The Geis (vow).

This was the very cause of death for the renowned Cú Chulainn and Diarmuid.

Of course, the myths of these renowned warriors also remain in this world.

The only difference might be their gender being female.

Well, it matters not.

In any case, the Geis (vow).

First and foremost, I considered making a solemn plea to Queen Liesenlotte, piercing the shadows.

However, unlike the prostration for Martina’s pardon, such an act might not be universally understood across cultural values.

Therefore.

That is why I—

A knock on the door.

“Enter.”

After seeing off the envoy, Helga enters the room.

“Lord Faust, an envoy from Queen Liesenlotte has come to inquire.”

“Ah.”

I reply vaguely to Helga, the chief of my retainers.

“Excuse me for saying so, but that envoy, I remember, was a member of the Queen’s Guard. May I know what was discussed?”

“First, let’s hear everything you have to say. So, tomorrow, you’ll also quietly listen to everything I have to say.”

Without facing Helga, I mutter while looking out the window of the reception room in the lower mansion where I greeted the guardsman.

“What was Lord Faust’s discussion about?”

“It’s nothing significant.”

“Excuse me, but the current Lord Faust—”

I turn around, intensifying my killing intent.

Helga flinches and closes her mouth.

“What about the current me?”

“You seem like you’re on the battlefield, Lord Faust. It’s as if you’ve taken on a bit of madness.”

So, the people perceive me this way.

The battlefield is where only those who can keep their cool while skirting the line between madness and sanity survive.

This was a lesson from my late mother.

Hmm, it seems I have faithfully adhered to my mother’s teachings.

Consider this.

To be in the realm between madness and sanity, and to maintain composure there.

Thinking about my current situation.

First.

The hypothetical Mongol Empire, Toktoa Khan, will likely arrive within seven years, sooner than in actual history.

But, based on my knowledge as a reincarnated person, neither Anhalt nor even Virendorf would consider it possible, probably not even the Holy Gusten Empire.

Second.

It seems that Princess Anastasia and Duchess Astarte have reported our conversation to Queen Liesenlotte.

Hence, the Queen’s Guard visited the lower mansion.

They are willing to hear me out to the end, which is very good. In return, I shall also listen to Queen Liesenlotte to the end.

I disagree with you. However, I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Like the famous quote from the French philosopher, Voltaire.

Third.

I have succeeded.

Though I did not receive a divine oracle, I conceived “a certain plan” with this frantic, deficient mind of mine.

“A certain plan” to show my resolve instead of performing a ritual sacrifice, requiring only one priest.

I managed to bring my Druid, the priest, to tomorrow’s audience with Queen Liesenlotte.

Yes.

My “certain plan” is proceeding smoothly.

“Lord Faust.”

Helga’s voice.

It was tearful.

“This commoner, Helga of the red blood, does not understand the nobility. I cannot comprehend Lord Faust’s resolve. But we, the 300 people of your domain, will follow Lord Faust even to the ends of the ocean, to Okeanos, even if we fall and are left behind without bearing any grudge.”

“Helga.”

“Why are you so bound to Anhalt? Why pledge such loyalty to the Anhalt royal family? Why must you go to the royal castle tomorrow, ready to sacrifice your life for this country that scorns you as a bizarre knight?”

I realize you can see it.

Even I, with knowledge from a previous life, am shouting about the arrival of Toktoa Khan.

So, it might not happen.

Even if it does, it might not be within seven years but much later.

Maybe there’s no need to rush.

But, if it happens and we’re unprepared, it will be too late.

That’s why I need to make my stand and appeal to the Anhalt royal family, its lords, and the ecclesiastical nobility with my life on the line.

“Let’s go to Virendorf. There, Lord Faust, you will be rewarded. Even the king consort of Virendorf could be within reach. If Lord Faust decides to abandon Anhalt, we would forsake our ancestral territory as well.”

“Helga.”

By now, Helga had knelt down, bowing her head, her face streaked with tears. I’m sorry. I’ve forced a painful decision upon you.

“I will never forsake the territory of Polydoro, those territories. This promise was made at my deceased mother’s grave. I am content to be the borderland knight of the Polydoro domain, serving my 300 subjects until my death. For that, I need neither luxury nor anything else. Anything more would be excess for a man named Faust von Polydoro.”

“Lord Faust!!”

“To dig up the graves of my ancestors and carry their bones to new territory is something I cannot forgive myself for.”

It’s alright if there are no grand tombs. Health is all that matters. It was in a state of utter shock, after coming to understand my mother’s love, that I received the will from Helga’s mother, the former chief retainer.

The will, penned by my mother on her deathbed, had faded to the thinness of a thread, comprising only two lines. That was it. That’s why I cannot forgive myself. I must do more.

“When I read that will left by my mother, I decided then. To do everything for the sake of the territory, for my mother. I want to let my mother rest peacefully under the small gravestone I picked and carried from the mountains of our domain.”

The Polydoro domain, as I’ve often said, is a small territory with neither special products nor 300 subjects to boast of. But it has mountains and rivers.

As if carrying my deceased mother herself, I selected a gravestone from the mountain, hoisted it up, and made my way to the cemetery over the span of a day and night. Then, I placed it on the ground of the cemetery where my mother rests. I still remember that moment.

“Helga, I’m sorry for making you cry.”

“Lord Faust.”

“I won’t lie to you, Helga. Tomorrow, at the royal castle, in the presence of lords and ecclesiastical nobles, I plan to report formally on the peace negotiations concluded with Virendorf. And I plan to sound the alarm regarding a particular threat.”

A threat that swallows everything. My territory, more precious than my life, my subjects, my mother’s grave, could all be trampled under the hooves of horses and vanish into the shadows of history. That kind of threat. Helga no longer asks about the threat. She’s just desperately trying to hold back her tears, wiping them with the back of her hand.

“There, I might be laughed at, ridiculed, called a coward, despised as merely a knight. Like my mother Marianne, I might be called mad. Suspected of colluding with Virendorf to weaken our nation’s strength.”

“Lord Faust!”

The grim reality. Just muttering what is anticipated. All prepared for.

“Yet, it’s necessary. If the threat comes, the cooperation between Virendorf and Anhalt is necessary. And the unification of Anhalt’s military power. I won’t let anyone complain, I won’t let them mock me. With my vow.”

“A vow? What vow, Lord Faust?”

“Just that. It’s the Geis.”

Now, in this fantasy world, it has become like the knightly vows of lore. Now, it’s a word that has become ‘taboo’. Famous heroes like Cú Chulainn and Diarmuid died because of it. It’s dubious whether there was ever a blessing, but the curse is certain. Yes, a curse from the gods. In this fantasy, “divine judgment” clearly exists. The heroes of this world’s past have all met tragic ends if they did not adhere to their Geis, subject to what can only be described as ‘divine judgment’.

“Lord Faust! The Geis is a ‘taboo’. To make such a vow!!”

“That’s exactly why it has meaning.”

Cutting through the shadows. Now, in this fantasy world, it’s treated as a foolish act, a ceremony that should not be vowed. The Geis (vow), I will swear it to a Druid, a priest of the Cologne Sect. “If Toktoa Khan does not attack Anhalt within seven years, I will take my own life.” It will probably be a lengthy statement according to the ceremony of the Geis.

But, a unique Geis. Not just any taboo vow. Yet, it will pass. It’s fate.

This is probably the taboo fate given to me as a lord knight in this medieval fantasy world, born to protect my subjects and my mother’s grave. So, it will pass. The gods will allow it.

“Helga, even so, I will leave my bloodline. Within these seven years, I’ll find a successor. Queen Katarina of Virendorf promised to find me a bride within two years if I don’t find a lawful wife. With that woman, I will have a child. Even if I die, the domain will continue. If the threat doesn’t come within seven years, and the Geis fails and I die, the domain will remain. The only thing that won’t be erased is the disgrace of causing a stir in Anhalt… Sorry, I’ll be causing trouble then.”

“If Lord Faust dies, then I will die too.”

Helga pleads in a tearful voice. A chief retainer who cries a lot. It’s become somewhat amusing rather than a somber resolve.

“Helga, when I die, you have a duty to support my successor. The heir to the Polydoro domain, tarnished by failure and disgrace.”

I sit down in front of Helga, kneeling at the door, and slowly grasp her hand, trying to speak in the gentlest tone possible.

“Sorry for being a foolish lord. But, let me do what I want to the end.”

“The true foolishness lies in Anhalt, for not understanding the loyalty of Lord Faust.”

Words that seemed like curses spilled from Helga’s mouth. You’re wrong, Helga. The one who’s irrevocably foolish is me.

“If I die, tell my successor to choose as they wish, whether to align with Anhalt or Virendorf. I swore loyalty to the Anhalt royal family, but that doesn’t bind the next generation.”

That’s as far as it goes. Thanks to Helga, my thoughts are organized, my resolve is made. Tomorrow, I will go to the Anhalt royal castle, and with my poor oratory skills, eloquence, and persuasive power, I will warn Queen Liesenlotte about the threat of Toktoa Khan.

The threat of a nomadic horse-riding nation. And instead of cutting through the shadows, I’ll swear the Geis.

If that still doesn’t work.

If, after all that, no one believes me.

If even fate abandons me, and no protest reaches anyone.

If that’s my destiny.

“If tomorrow no one believes my words. If no one believes me. Then, it means that I was just that much of a knight.”

The decisive battle is tomorrow.

Let’s face it.

Let’s brace ourselves.

After finishing a bottle of wine, I’ll get a good night’s sleep in bed.

Faust von Polydoro, with just 300 subjects, is fit to be called a minor borderland lord knight.

But still, I am a lord, and in the Polydoro domain, I am the king and knight to those 300 people.

With such pride, I made my resolution.