Chapter 161 - Episode 23: "I Shall Turn This Into a Great Nation of Evil"
Gokigenyou! It is I, Violia Nico Fortesia!
I am currently issuing the announcement for the Martial Arts Tournament!
「……You have certainly done something bold.」
「Is that so? Ah, Carol. You must certainly come to spectate as well. I shall show you my heroic figure.」
「I look forward to it! But…… for Sensei to be looking for a marriage partner……」
「It will be fine. After all, I do not intend to lose.」
……Yes. That is the point.
'Only the winner of the Martial Arts Tournament gains the right to propose to me.' The beauty of this system is that it creates a reason for me not to marry anyone as long as I don't lose.
And if I reach an age where my physical strength declines, the storm of marriage proposals will likely have subsided by then anyway. I simply need to keep defending until my youth fades; it is quite a simple matter!
「Ah, perhaps I should make this an annual event. That way, I will have an excuse to fight strong opponents once a year……」
「Please do not be too reckless. What will you do if an assassin is mixed in?」
「In that case, I shall quietly kill or be killed!」
……Or rather, even before the annoyance of marriage, the simple fact that a place is being established for strong people to gather and fight makes me incredibly excited! Yes! In fact, let that be the primary objective! I want to fight! Now that the Orchesta Royal Family is gone, I cannot fight unless I do something like this—!
……And so, I immediately sent out a proclamation throughout the country.
That is to say, the 'Notice of the Martial Arts Tournament'! ……I feel like I saw something like this about half a year ago…… Well, I won't let it end in such a pathetic result as that one. Since we are doing it, let's make it a thoroughly enjoyable event.
The prize for winning the Martial Arts Tournament is 'The right to propose to Violia Nico Fortesia' or 'The right of petition to Violia Nico Fortesia.' Well, in short, it means you either propose to me or ask me for a favor.
Of course, since it is a festival, I intend to grant most wishes. Unless, of course, someone says, 'Give me your head.'
As soon as the notice of the Martial Arts Tournament was made public throughout the country, applications immediately came flooding in.
……They flooded in, indeed……
「How strange…… the First Martial Arts Tournament was supposed to be a more modest affair……」
「Violia-sama! That's why I told you! There are many people who want Violia-sama as their wife! Even putting aside power and status, there are many! So it's only natural it reached this number!」
「Oh my…… it must be hard for you, Lital. Please do your best to handle them.」
「Yes! I will surely meet your expectations…… Ah, ah, no, that's not it! That's not it!」
Processing the application forms is the job of civil officials like Lital, so as the King, I shall pass the time by feigning ignorance! Do your best! Ah, you may use Chris as much as you like!
……And so, during the month until the application deadline, the number of applications became truly staggering.
This…… looks like it will be on a scale far exceeding that thing the former Royal Family held……
That night.
I was worrying together with my direct knights, our heads huddled together.
「How did it turn out like this……」
「……There is the element of novelty, I suppose.」
「It's because Milady is charming, that's why.」
「There are surprisingly many eccentrics out there~」
「Conversely, why didn't you realize it would turn out like this?」
「I told you, didn't I!? I told you, Violia-samaaa!」
……Yes.
The applications exceeded 1,000 people.
I am shocked! I am shocked! Why has it become like this!? Do you all want to marry me that much!? Are you all idiots!? Your balls will be torn off, you know!? (T/N: 'Chintama mogemasu' is a very vulgar way of saying one's testicles will be ripped off.)
……Well, since they are applying without knowing their balls will be torn off, they are quite pitiable. Yes.
By the way, applications flooded in not only from within this country but also from other countries one after another. Rather, the fact that applications from other countries are prominent means, well…… they are thinking of taking over the Kingdom. Then it is perfect. It is a great opportunity to make the Queen's strength known and teach them that I cannot be conquered so easily!
……However, with 1,000 people, there must be a fair number of strong individuals mixed in! I look forward to it!
「Are we clear? This Martial Arts Tournament is a fine opportunity to demonstrate the Queen's strength and authority!」
After saying that first…… I continued.
「Therefore, I shall have those 1,000 bastards fight in the palm of my hand.」
……And so, two weeks before the Martial Arts Tournament.
I issued a proclamation.
'To participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, one must obtain an invitation.'
That 'invitation' is a ring. It is made of iron and brass, but the craftsmanship is quite beautiful.
A 'sample' was also distributed along with the notice. Therefore, everyone should know what the invitation looks like.
……On top of that, I scattered the invitations all over the place.
For example, the bottom of the sea.
For example, the depths of a monster's den.
For example, the top of the tower that Onii-sama built for me.
For example, the hideout of the King-sanctioned bandits.
For example, inside the bodies of Shirigomi Slimes released near the Royal Capital.
For example, my own finger.
The number of invitations scattered in such places was 100 in total. Considering that some might remain unrecovered…… I suppose about 30 people will be able to participate. Yes.
Of course, I stated that the method of obtaining the invitation does not matter. It can be obtained anywhere.
Therefore, it is fine to obtain it through underground routes. Or…… there might even be strong individuals who forge them. Well, to prevent forgery, a string of characters is engraved on the back of each ring. If there is someone clever enough to forge it by predicting 'what kind of string is engraved,' I would certainly like them to join the fray. I do like clever things.
Now then.
From the day the proclamation was issued, people began to move all at once!
I suppose it feels like a treasure hunt. I even saw children innocently searching through the city.
……Hmm, from next year, perhaps I should also hide 'rings that have nothing to do with the tournament but can be exchanged for sweets if found and brought to the tournament headquarters' throughout the city. That way, the children can enjoy themselves too……
Well, putting that aside…… challengers are scattered here and there, searching in the outskirts of town, the forest near the Royal Capital, the sea near Elsemarin, and the tower towering next to the Royal Capital.
Hmm, this is fun. A treasure hunt is an event that even adults can enjoy. I thought of various other things, such as a stamp rally using special ink and special stamps, or setting up a secondary application office at the top of a steep mountain swarming with monsters…… but well, this current method is the most fun, and it's good because it's moderately easy to cheat.
Yes. This is a country ruled by villains. Cheating is most welcome. Of course, I will not forgive boring cheating that is immediately seen through.
……And so, choosing an appropriate day, we held a secret meeting.
For what purpose? For profit and pleasure!
And! To complain as an aside!
「No one is coming to steal the ring from my finger……」
Yes. This is the main topic of today's conversation.
I thought that if I wore the ring, someone would naturally attack me and I could enjoy the combat, but it wasn't that easy……
I thought I could have a little fun before the Martial Arts Tournament! It's too much!
「They came to my place, though.」
「Eh!? That's unfair!」
On the other hand, Doran, who quickly took an invitation from the depths of a monster's den and wore the ring in a conspicuously visible position, said many challengers came to him…… Ahhh, this battle maniac! He looks so happy! He looks so very happy! I'm envious! I'm jealous—!
「Ah, that's right. Milady. When the Martial Arts Tournament starts, can I run a gambling ring? I'll pay you a portion of the proceeds.」
Gambling, is it? ……Well, it sounds interesting. Yes. Since it's Giovan, he won't mess up, and there's no particular reason to stop him.
「Our cut shall be 30 percent. You may do as you please with the rest.」
「As expected of Her Majesty the Queen. You're generous.」
Well, it's a special festival, so I can allow this much. If I say that we are gambling and using the proceeds for the sake of the country, the populace won't object.
If the state takes the lead in doing these 'slightly bad things,' villains of the type that oppose the state won't appear. As long as villains who follow the state's intentions appear, there is no problem at all. Far from turning a blind eye, I'll even go scout them and add them to our side!
Brightly, funly, and cheerfully from now on! And proactively! I want this to be a Kingdom that supports fun and slightly bad things!
……And so, while Doran was playing and Giovan was trying to earn money, and everyone around was enjoying themselves in various ways, this Martial Arts Tournament opened.
By the way, there were only about 20 participants. It was much fewer than I expected.
As I thought, was letting the Shirigomi Slimes hold the rings too much……? Or was the seabed a bit too harsh……? Hearing that in the end, no one but Keeb could break through Onii-sama's tower, was that the cause after all……?
……It was all of them!