Chapter 159 - Chapter 21: "Drinking While Watching the Castle Burn is the Best."
Greetings! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
I am currently watching the burning royal castle!
...It really is a wonderful view. After all, the royal castle is burning, isn't it? So of course, it's a wonderful view!
Just like me, the people are also watching the burning castle.
The end of an old era. The beginning of a new era. Feeling such hope and a slight nostalgia, the people gathered in the square all had their faces illuminated by the light of the flames.
"Now, listen!"
I stood before those people and finally gave my revolutionary greeting.
The Revolutionary Army flag fluttered at my side. Behind me was the blazing castle. And before my eyes were the people I would be leading from now on. Finally, the revolution has reached its peak, I suppose.
"The evil royal family has perished, and the castle that held that loathsome history is also burning down like this! And what will be born from the ashes is a new nation! A new nation by us, the Revolutionary Army, is born here!"
At my greeting, the people erupted in cheers. Yes. It feels quite good.
"...And, I, Violia Nico Fortesia. Though it is presumptuous, I shall lead this new nation. Is that acceptable?"
And... my practical declaration of accession was also welcomed by the cheers of the people.
...Onii-sama had said that 'the people desire it', and it's good that I can ascend the throne while being desired like this.
"Thank you. I intend to lead this new nation magnificently."
I said that and smiled, receiving the cheers of the people all over me.
...I didn't say 'I am a villain', nor 'I do not wish for the happiness of everyone', nor 'If I make a mistake, come and destroy me'.
Yes. I won't say such things.
The will for me to carry on as Queen is something only I need. There is no need to tell the people.
The people can just be tossed around by me from now on. And while witnessing politics by a villain, for a villain, and of a villain... they can live idly without noticing they are being tossed around or that the country is changing.
It's fine. I'll do it well. While making sure the people don't feel dissatisfied, I'll do plenty of wicked things!
"Now, I shall announce my first words as Queen."
Now. Once I had quieted the people... I announced it!
"Today, this day shall be the Revolutionary Anniversary of this country! Now, celebrate this auspicious day! To the birth of a new nation, to a brilliant future... for now, let us just rejoice together!"
And so, the people began their drinking party. At first, they were bringing out wine barrels taken from House Fruitier's warehouse or bottles of alcohol taken from various nobles' houses, but soon, someone started providing wine in barrels with the royal purveyor's crest, and the banquet became even more lively.
...Yes. This was definitely provided by our drug addict!
"Yo, you drinking?"
"Yes. Thanks to someone."
While I was also having some alcohol, I was immediately approached by the drug addict who provided the wine in barrels.
"You're not drunk at all, are you?"
"I can't get drunk. Have you forgotten?"
"Ah, right, that's how it was. Well, isn't it fine. A King who never gets drunk no matter how much they drink is better than a drunk King, right?"
Is that so? ...Well, since I don't get drunk, it would be very difficult to aim for an assassination while I'm intoxicated. Even if someone tried to kill me here and now, it would be very difficult for them. Yes.
As I was drinking, people came from all over to pour me more alcohol. I received it gratefully and deliciously, and in doing so, I ended up showing the people that I don't get drunk at all...
...Well, by not getting drunk no matter how much I drink, I suppose it strengthens a kind of divinity. A King must not be the same human as the people. It is necessary to constantly display that one is a being a step above. And in a way that isn't foolish.
In that sense, without scattering money, without hurting the people, without meaningless crackdowns... just by displaying this 'inhuman ability to not get drunk no matter how much I drink', I can make them think I'm 'not the same human', so it's not bad.
...And so, the banquet continued joyfully... into the middle of the night.
The fire of the royal castle hasn't gone out yet, so it serves as a giant bonfire, brightly illuminating the square. Yes. Being able to have a drinking party outdoors in the middle of the night is because I burned the castle. Wonderful.
I'll enjoy my alcohol alone while watching the burning castle. After all, alcohol while watching the burning castle is very delicious.
Because the burning castle contains my past and my future. The fierce flames are praise for the past and hope for the future. I feel very good.
Therefore, I have no resistance to drinking alone on such a night.
Perhaps feeling that it would be bad for thugs to be near the person who will become King, Chesta and Doran don't approach. Keeb and Giovan casually bring more alcohol or light snacks, but they casually leave if anyone else approaches. They are very tactful.
Lital seems to want to be by my side as much as possible, but on the contrary, he's being pushed by other Revolutionary Army members and the people, and is in a situation where he can't maintain his place next to me. Just do your best to become stronger.
...And, Onii-sama.
"Violia."
I wonder when he approached; Onii-sama was behind me. A way of erasing his presence that even an assassin would envy. I can only say it's magnificent.
"Oh, Onii-sama. Please don't startle me?"
"Haha, sorry about that. ...Now, can you step away for a moment?"
...Oh? I wonder what he wants. If it's Onii-sama's business, I'll step away as much as he likes...
Led by Onii-sama, I left the square in front of the castle.
...As soon as we left the square, we also left the noise behind. Now, almost everyone in the capital is gathered in the square in front of the castle. It's natural for other places to be silent.
"Onii-sama? Is there something here?"
"Yes. ...It should be about time."
Onii-sama said that and entered one of the back alleys of the capital...
...And there, I found something very wonderful.
"Father! Mother!"
Yes! In the back alley were my dear Father and Mother! Ah, I've wanted to see you for so, so long!
"Violia! Ah, you've become so magnificent...!"
"You are the pride of House Fortesia, Violia."
Father and Mother caught me as I jumped at them. Ah, how nostalgic. Truly... this was one of the things I had wanted to get back for so, so long!
"Where have you been all this time? I was lonely!"
"Hmm, sorry. I thought so, which is why I sent Onii-chan to you, but..."
"Onii-sama is Onii-sama, and Father and Mother are separate!"
It would have been even harder if Onii-sama hadn't been there, but it was also hard without Father and Mother! Ah, don't say I'm selfish, okay? You're my dear family. It's only natural that it's hard to be apart!
"That's right. Yes, Violia. It must have been hard for you to work so hard all by yourself. I'm sorry."
"No... just being able to see you like this is enough."
I hugged Mother tightly once more. That alone fills my heart.
...Ah, truly, what a wonderful day today is!
The hateful royal family is gone, the castle is burning! And I am the master of a new country, and Father, Mother, and Onii-sama are all here!
I... will never forget this day.
"Father. Mother. We don't have much time."
"Ah, that's right. Sorry, Contraus."
While I was hugging Mother, Onii-sama whispered something to Father. Then Father took something out from his coat...
"Violia. It's quite late, but here's your birthday present."
What Father gave me was a beautifully crafted handgun.
The iron barrel was a deep bronze color, with gold decorations. Especially the beauty of the trigger is like nothing else!
The grip was made of deep amber-colored wood, with carvings designed not to interfere with the grip.
And... the slightly unusual shape makes it even more exotic and beautiful. I took a liking to it at first sight!
"Oh, how beautiful...!"
"Not just the beauty, but the performance is also finished to be something wonderful. Everything is specially made for you."
Ah, I'm so happy! I never thought I'd receive such a wonderful present!
"This is what Onii-sama was talking about, wasn't it?"
Remembering what Onii-sama had said before, I said that. This is the 'birthday present', isn't it?
...Or so I thought.
"No? It's not."
Onii-sama smiled and answered.
...Oh? But this is a birthday present, and... th-then what is this?
"That's 'last year's' birthday present. Surely, you're not going to tell me to skip last year's?"
"I want to celebrate your birthday every single time without missing any, Violia."
Ah... I'm so lucky to be thought of like this.
I'm really glad I was born into House Fortesia...!
"That's how it is. So, please wait a bit longer for this year's birthday present."
"Yes. In that case, I'll look forward to it!"
That's right. I've only been receiving... I must prepare presents for Father, Mother, and Onii-sama for last year. That's also something to look forward to!
"We're having a bit of trouble with the preparations. Hmm... well, it should be available before too long, so just look forward to it."
"I'm also preparing, so in a bit more time, we'll be able to spend time together as a family again."
Father and Mother said that and immediately flew away on the Pegasus that had been parked in the back alley. Did they seem to vanish halfway through because they used wind or dark magic? Or was it purely illusion magic...? I must also strive so that I can do things like that!
"...They've gone."
"Yeah. Father and Mother are a bit busy. But I thought you'd want to see them even for a moment..."
"Yes! Onii-sama, thank you so much! I'm so happy!"
Surely, Father, Mother, and Onii-sama all gathered to celebrate today despite being very busy. I can't thank them enough.
Afterward, on the way back to the square in front of the castle, I asked Onii-sama.
"...By the way, what is it that Father and Mother are preparing?"
"Oh. To think you'd want to know the contents of your birthday present."
Because I'm curious. I'm very curious.
"...Hmm. Well, I suppose it's fine to tell you."
"Oh, you'll tell me?"
"Hehe, only a hint."
Onii-sama smiled gently and... said.
"The hint is 'neighboring country'."
...Ah, could it be that I'll become the master of not just one, but two countries?