Chapter 32:
Art Thou a Hero?
NEVER WOULD HAVE I IMAGINED THAT I’D BE here again in less than three months. The Villendorfian border was right in front of my eyes as I prepared to leave Anhalt—this was precisely where I’d killed Caroline.
“This must be where my mother and you dueled, Lord Faust,” Martina said.
“That’s right,” I replied.
The little girl clung onto my back as we rode atop Flugel. I couldn’t quite understand the emotions in her voice that echoed throughout the area. I pondered over my response for a few moments before I quietly nodded.
“Was my mother strong?” Martina asked.
“She wasn’t weak. She was a step into extraordinary or superhuman territory.”
I thought back to Caroline. She hadn’t been weak by any means, and she’d been popular among her citizens. Not a single person under her command made an attempt to flee until they were completely wiped out. Her soldiers all fought until their dying breaths; even during the battle, I could see that she was truly an excellent fighter who’d earned the unwavering trust of her people. What went wrong? I wondered.
The fate of the Bosel fief, the reality of the family, and the series of misunderstandings and miscommunications made me feel so empty inside. Caroline had a very narrow scope of the world, but above all, she was just unlucky. All it would have taken was one little change; if Caroline had taken a right somewhere instead of a left, Martina’s future would’ve been assured as the eventual successor of the Bosel fief, and she’d be happily enjoying her life right now. I was sure of it.
“My mother was a fool,” Martina said.
“One shouldn’t speak ill of their own mother,” I replied. “And if you don’t mind having it in my fief, you can even set up a grave at—”
“Lord Faust, you’re far too kind. I’ve no need for a grave. Such an act will only earn you further criticism, my lord.”
She was right. I was stupid to say it. I couldn’t possibly make a grave for a traitor, and even if I did, I wouldn’t be allowed to engrave Caroline’s name into the tombstone. And her body wouldn’t lie under that grave. But even so, I wanted to teach the right path to this little girl.
“Martina, frankly, it pains me to see a child deride their own mother,” I said. “I’d like for you to refrain from doing so.”
“If that is your wish,” Martina replied.
As an outsider, I couldn’t stand to see a child ridicule their own mother, even if the kid had been forced to shoulder the burden of their mother’s sins. Is this me being selfish? It probably is. A hollow feeling once again washed over me.
“Lord Faust, I’ve announced your arrival,” Helga, my chief squire, said.
She returned from Villendorf as my herald and reported back as she caught her breath.
“What was their response?” I asked.
“I’ve been told that they await your arrival with open arms,” Helga replied. “I believe they look upon you favorably.”
“I see.”
As long as they’re not hostile. Now then… I turned to Ingrid Company behind me; they followed my horse with several carriages.
“Ingrid!” I called. “Can I leave Martina in the carriage with you?”
“Lord Faust, I’m your apprentice,” Martina insisted. “It’s only natural that I always stay by your side.”
“To be blunt, I don’t look as impressive with a child behind me on this horse. Could you please listen to my request?”
I thought it was best to hide her in one of Ingrid Company’s carriages. I wasn’t worried about a battle breaking out or anything, but I had a feeling I’d be in for a troublesome time. No matter the case, I knew that keeping Martina with me wasn’t the wise option.
“Your wish is my command,” Martina replied.
She reluctantly nodded and jumped off the horse. Flugel kindly lowered his posture, making it easier for her to get off. I patted my steed’s neck gently. His mood had improved considerably; when I’d reunited with Flugel after a month of letting him run wild, he’d charged toward me the moment he saw my face. He nuzzled me for a while before he bit and tugged on my clothes and tried to drag me to the ground.
I’m sorry for leaving you alone, Flugel. You’re so smart. And you’re so cute even when you’re angry. My mind wandered away from reality as I was overcome with my steed’s cuteness, but I was forced to quickly snap back to my senses.
“Faust, we’re all ready too,” Princess Valiele called.
Her corps were all at the ready in perfect formation.
“Then Your Highness, your order please,” I said.
“Very well,” Princess Valiele replied. “All forces, march ahead!”
The princess and I rode side by side at the vanguard. The corps and my citizens marched behind us in horizontal rows as we proceeded forward. At the very back were Ingrid Company’s carriages, fully loaded with various items for trade. Are you trying to do business with Villendorf already, Ingrid? You better be keeping that safe and sound. That item’s more important than anything right now.
I referred to the gift that we’d prepared for Queen Catalina. After much thought, this was the best that I’d been able to come up with. I had no idea how to slice open Queen Catalina’s heart, so I decided to just do whatever I could on the fly.
All the while, I could see shadows beyond the border. A dozen or so Villendorfian knights were all lined up to greet us; I was certain that they were stronger than Princess Valiele’s corps. These knights must’ve participated in the Campaign of Villendorf. We first chose to introduce ourselves.
“I am the chief delegate of the Anhalt Kingdom, Princess Valiele!”
“I am her assistant, Faust von Polidoro!”
We were a mere few meters away from the border. The response we received wasn’t the introduction of their commander, but an order.
“Sir Polidoro! Remove your helm!” the Villendorfian commander barked.
I hadn’t expected that reply.
“Does it not suit me?” I asked. “I’ve taken quite a liking to this helm!”
“It doesn’t suit you,” the Villendorfian commander replied. “Your brawny body and your steed tell me that you’re Sir Faust von Polidoro. However, that great helm doesn’t suit your splendid suit of Maximilian armor. The two don’t complement each other!”