Chapter 102 - Chapter 18: "I Am Not a Trash Can, You Know!?"
Good day to you! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
I am currently standing before the royal castle.
It has been a while since I passed through these castle gates.
...I rode in the carriage with Carol, passed through the gates easily, and stepped out in front of the royal castle easily.
While escorting Carol out of the carriage, I looked up at the royal castle once more.
This castle, which was supposed to be my second home, is beautiful no matter how many times I see it. The solemn feel of the Cathedral is good, but the lavish feel of the royal castle isn't bad either.
And yet, I am quite familiar with this royal castle. That's why, even in this situation, nostalgia wins over nervousness.
...I'm back, royal castle. This is the first time I've stepped inside since my public execution. The first time I can stand tall since I was framed for the assassination of Dactor-sama.
It's somewhat deeply moving...
"This way, Lady Saint. I shall guide you."
A castle official came out and began to lead the way, so I started walking behind Carol.
Today, I am the Holy Knight protecting Carol. Along with Doran, who is also clad in Holy Knight armor with his face hidden, I will fulfill my duty properly!
"Well, well, Saint Carol. We are glad you could come."
"Thank you for inviting me today."
We were immediately guided into the castle, to the throne room, where the King sat regally and welcomed Carol.
...If she were just an ordinary young girl, she would be intimidated by the title of 'King' and shrink back, and the meeting would proceed as the royal family wished... but Carol is different!
After all, I have told Carol, "Under the King's crown, he is bald!" Therefore, Carol is not intimidated by the King right now and can clearly recognize that 'the person in front of her is just a bald old man'! Instead of the King's dignified appearance, her attention should be on the crown that looks like it might slip but doesn't!
The dignity of high-ranking people is mostly an illusion. You feel like they're great because they somehow seem great. That's all it is.
Therefore, I told her plenty of trivial stories that show the King is just an ordinary bald old man... like 'when he was a child, he chased a butterfly and dove headfirst into a hedge and stayed there for an hour,' or 'he rigged the martial arts tournament he entered in his youth with plants and cheats but still failed to win,' or 'after he went bald, he redesigned the crown to hide his baldness and spent an outrageous amount of national tax on it.'
Thanks to that, Carol... in a way that completely betrayed the King's expectations, is dignified and not at all intimidated! As expected!
"...Then, without further ado, a meal has been prepared. Let us head to the dining hall."
The King seemed a bit taken aback by Carol's dignified behavior—no, a demeanor that wouldn't be out of place for a queen of a neighboring country—but it was decided that he would accompany Carol as they moved.
By the way, I have hammered the map of the castle into Carol's head in case anything happens, so she knows exactly where they are heading. Perfect!
We arrived at the dining hall after taking a slight detour, and lunch began there.
Tableware was set for the number of people, creating a very formal atmosphere for a dinner party...
"Please, Holy Knights, you may also take a seat."
The minister said with a smile, but of course, if we take off our helmets, we'll be sent straight to the slammer.
"No, do not mind us. We are here to protect Lady Carol."
Since I felt like my voice might give me away, Doran answered in my stead.
"...Do you believe there is such danger within the royal castle?"
"One never knows what might happen. In fact, I heard there was a great disturbance on the day of the Saint vote."
The minister had no choice but to remain silent at this response. This is effectively saying 'the Cathedral does not trust the royal castle,' but since Carol is gentle, it's just right.
It's better to have the King think that 'winning over Carol alone won't solve the problem.' Even if it's just a 'pretense,' I refuse to be bought cheaply.
So, with Doran and me standing behind Carol against the wall, the meal began.
Since it's a meal at the royal castle, it is naturally a luxurious one. Perhaps out of consideration for Carol being a member of the clergy, the meat is kept to a minimum.
The main dish is white fish meunière with a herb sauce. The soup is a cold potato soup. The salad consists of fresh raw vegetables prepared with wine vinegar and salt, and grilled ones with an egg yolk sauce. Vegetable terrine, scallop and mushroom fritters...
The menu is centered around vegetables. However, the sheer number of dishes and cooking methods creates a sense of luxury.
Since it was prepared in the royal castle's kitchen, the taste must naturally be delicious...
...I'm a little jealous! When I get back, I'll have a party with dragon meat!
"Saint Carol. Is the food to your liking?"
"Yes. It is very delicious."
During the meal, in a peaceful atmosphere, the King began to talk to Carol with a gentle smile. He's probably trying to make her feel some familiarity. I understand. I've been spoken to in the same way in the past.
"I see. That is good. The chefs were apparently a bit worried about what kind of meal to serve the Lady Saint, but if you like it, then that is all that matters."
The King says this while looking like he's trying to figure out how to bring up the main topic.
...But it's too late.
While he's hesitating, Carol is going to make the first move.
"Your Majesty. There is one thing I would like to confirm."
"W-What is it?"
The King, who apparently didn't expect her to make the first move, allows Carol to speak as he is swept along.
"Are you aware of the town that was newly built in the northern part of Elsemarin?"
"...Ah, I know of it. I have received reports that there is a place that has developed as a settlement since about two months ago."
The King probably finally realized his blunder here, but Carol won't let up her attack!
"Yes. About three weeks ago, soldiers claiming to be messengers from the royal family 'invaded' that place."
There's no way he doesn't know. Only the King can move the royal army. Of course, that's in a formal sense; the decision to dispatch troops is made by the corps or the ministers, but all final confirmations must pass through the King.
Besides, the raid on the Settlement was undoubtedly the King's instruction. Because that was a sabotage operation to prevent Carol from becoming the Saint.
"They said a great criminal was hiding there, but when I investigated later, there was no such person in the town."
"I-I see. That is good to hear."
The King said something nonsensical while stammering... but well, he's not so stupid as to make a massive blunder here.
"The information we received was only to the extent that there was a possibility that the great criminal was staying in that town. However, as long as there was a possibility, we had no choice but to investigate."
"Yes. I understand the importance of eliminating possibilities. However, if that is the case, why did you not ask for our cooperation beforehand? Furthermore, was there any meaning in destroying the houses?"
"That is..."
They probably wanted to cause as much damage to the town as possible to reduce the number of people voting for Carol, but it seems they haven't prepared an excuse for that!
"...I am sorry for that. The soldiers did it on their own. I shall warn them strictly."
"Yes. Please ensure that such a thing never happens again."
Carol said that and resumed eating with a small sigh.
...I think this is very painful for the King.
The King probably wanted to use the Settlement as a bargaining chip.
If Carol had come in a humble manner, he would have found some fault with the Settlement, mentioned sending troops there, and then said something like 'I won't send troops if the Cathedral cooperates with us' to buy the Cathedral's cooperation.
...But Carol defied the King's expectations and was not someone who could be crushed by authority.
He can't use such childish threats against someone who is trying to deal with him as an equal, and since the fault lies with the royal family in the first place, if she makes the first move, he can apologize for the Settlement, but he can't negotiate using the safety of the Settlement as bait! Ohohohoho!
...Furthermore.
"So, who exactly was the great criminal who might have been in that town?"
When Carol threw out such a perfectly natural question, well, he's in trouble, isn't he!
Now, please answer! The name of the great criminal who wasn't even there!
"...I cannot answer that. It is a matter of security confidentiality."
"There are many people in that town who have taken care of me. Furthermore, the beginning of that town was originally due to a lack of support for the farmers. It is a town formed by farmers who couldn't survive the winter due to poor harvests and a lack of support, so the Cathedral intends to protect that town. Therefore, we must not let that town be targeted again. The Cathedral will also cooperate in gathering information, so please tell us the name of the 'great criminal.'"
He's speechless. Moreover, since the Cathedral is offering 'cooperation,' albeit only partially, the royal family cannot flatly refuse!
...No, of course, having cooperation to find a non-existent great criminal would be nothing but a nuisance to the royal family. However, if the fact that 'cooperation was offered but refused' is established on the Cathedral's side, it will be difficult for the royal family to form a cooperative relationship with the Cathedral in the future. It would become a case of 'even though you refused the cooperation we offered back then.'
Now, now, now! The King's complexion is looking poor!
Will he give the name of a non-existent great criminal and even provide information about them? Will he keep piling lie upon lie and make things harder for himself? Or will he give up on bringing the Cathedral in?
Well, which is it!?
"...Then, I shall tell you. The great criminal is someone you also know."
I see! Who exactly is it!?
"The name of the great criminal is Violia Nico Fortesia. ...There was information that she was hiding in that settlement."
...Yes! Correct! That's me!
Well, that's reasonable. Or rather, the royal family probably found it difficult to tell any other lie.
After all, there is no other great criminal in this country that they would want to capture even if it meant ravaging a town.
If I had to say, Doran might be a good candidate since he's a werewolf, but well, that's about it.
"Violia Nico Fortesia... you mean... the person who helped everyone at the polling station that day...?"
But it seems His Majesty the King has forgotten!
'Saint Carol' doesn't have a shred of resentment toward 'Violia Nico Fortesia'!
The King, who was immediately met with looks of bewilderment and suspicion from Carol, cleared his throat and began his defense.
...Well, he just rattled on about my crimes, true or not. Yes. I didn't expect to be framed for the crime of 'stealing crops under the cover of poor harvests caused by a slime outbreak.' That's a bit amusing.
"...I see. So the members of the royal family are looking for the person named Violia Nico Fortesia."
"That is right. That root of evil cannot be left alone. If we do not capture her by any means, there is no future for this country."
The King says so, but since Carol is from a commoner background and heard my speech at the polling station, she only makes an indescribable face.
"I understand. Certainly, if she has committed such crimes, there must be people who would tremble just at the mention of her name."
"That is why we had no choice but to investigate while keeping the name hidden. ...Do you understand our circumstances now?"
"Yes. I can accept that. However... there is one thing that concerns me."
Before Carol's simple question was voiced, the King's side braced themselves all at once... but just because they braced themselves doesn't mean they can do anything about it.
"Where did the information that she was in that town come from? If we knew that, I think the Cathedral could be of more help."
Look! There's nothing you can do! Hurry up and be at your wit's end! Ohohohoho!
...However, after a moment of silence... the King played a desperate card.
"It was Amavire Rent."
"Eh?"
"Amavire Rent. ...You have seen her too, haven't you? At the time of the Saint vote..."
"Eh... Ah, that person...?"
Carol is so confused she's even looking over here a bit! But it's fine! Stay like that! Please continue the conversation just like that!
"Yes. That woman brought information about Violia Nico Fortesia... but as you know, she is currently in custody."
...How should I put it, are you just throwing everything complicated into the trash can, like my name and the Pin-Hane Girl's name...?
The Pin-Hane Girl is one thing, but don't use me like a trash can! Hmph!
I'm a bit dissatisfied with the treatment, but well, this is a chance!
"...Um, I have one request."
"Oh, what is it?"
The King looked a bit happy at Carol's 'request.' Well, if he listens to her 'request' first, the hurdle for 'requesting' cooperation with the royal family becomes lower.
...But.
"I would like to meet her. Amavire-rent-san."
As expected, after being told that by Carol, the King and his people don't seem to have the leeway to think about utilizing it...