Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Since I've Been Exposed, I Shall Simply Be Brazen!
Good day to you. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
I have been found out. I have been magnificently found out.
What has been found out, you ask? The secret of my blood, of course!
It would be absolutely difficult to play dumb from here. I never thought he would be the type of person to eat something he was told not to eat.
...Well, I did not think I could keep it hidden forever anyway. Trying to keep a secret from 'dangerous guys' is something only a fool would attempt.
"Why did your blood become like that? Is it a curse?"
"You are half-right, I suppose."
While skinning the dragon, it turned into a time for the big reveal.
It is not as if I have no anxiety about revealing it. I am a bit uneasy about whether these people, starting with Doran Parc, can be trusted.
But... I suppose it is time to take a step forward.
"...In the beginning, it was for self-defense."
As I began to speak while reminiscing, it felt like a very short story.
"I knew there were many nobles who did not think well of House Fortesia. Therefore, to prevent being poisoned, immediately after becoming a noble... from a young age, I drank small amounts of poison every single day to build up a resistance."
"Is your family a lineage of assassins?"
"I told you, we are nobles! ...And so, I dabbled in all sorts of poisons. I likely know more about poisons than you do."
House Fortesia also ran a business, so I tried almost every poison that came through those channels.
I suffered because of it at times, but my body, which was in its growth period, magnificently accepted the poisons and became strong and sturdy.
My body gained a powerful resistance to poison, and my mind gained knowledge of poisons that would make a poison encyclopedia look like a joke. I think I would do quite well as a poison merchant for dangerous guys.
"...And so, while I was doing that, I began to dabble even in poisons that act through curses."
And once one becomes strong, one naturally wishes to aim higher.
Believing I should be able to handle all poisons, I even touched cursed poisons.
...Cursed poisons are poisons that work through magic. They are close to what one might call 'Poison Magic.' In short, they are substances where magic creates a poisonous effect that the medicine originally did not have.
"However, it just so happened that I was in my growth period... well, very unfortunately, it seems a large portion of my magic power was diverted to that."
"What do you mean?"
"In short, my blood became a magical toxin, and at the same time, I gained the ability to be immune to all poisonous substances."
Doran groaned and thought for a moment... then said.
"Not being affected by poisons... is that why you can't get drunk on alcohol?"
"That is likely the case."
This man certainly observes many things.
That is right. The reason I cannot get drunk is likely because of that. My body has gained an incredibly strong resistance to poison, and furthermore, it seems to possess the functions of using magic power to block, decompose, or incorporate poisons into itself, and even the function of creating cursed poisons. There is no way I could get drunk on alcohol.
"Well... therefore, if you touch my blood, you all might die as well. You saw how easily the dragon went down, did you not?"
"I understood it well after actually eating it."
This man, even though he had some idea about my blood, ate the dragon meat I had killed with it? To have the guts to eat 'Dragon-Killer' is more reckless than brave! (T/N: '-korori' is an onomatopoeia for something falling over or dying suddenly; it's often used in the names of poisons, like 'Nezumi-korori' for rat poison.)
"Therefore, I do not wish to be touched when I am bleeding. The poison might spread through the skin, and if you had even a small scratch on your fingertip, it might kill you."
That is why I cannot even carelessly peel a hangnail. I do not know where or who even a tiny amount of blood might kill.
"...I see."
Doran has a bit of a pained look on his face. But this blood is not all bad things!
"Well, this ability is also quite convenient. It is perfect for monster hunting, and it will be the best means to slaughter all those hateful bastards!"
"True. A poison that can kill a dragon in one hit isn't something you'd find easily."
I can kill a dragon with one arrow and a bit of my blood! It is the best cost-performance! Ohohohoho!
And after a while, after we had both skinned the dragons we had killed and taken their fangs and claws, and successfully stored them in our respective Spatial Bags.
"...There's one thing I want to confirm."
"Yes?"
Doran suddenly made an indescribable face.
"In other words, you were planning to assassinate the Prince from the beginning, weren't you?"
"...Oh?"
So you realized that as well, did you?
"I had no murderous intent, you know?"
"...Then, what happens to the partner when you have sexual intercourse?"
"Their balls would likely rot off and they would die."
Doran apparently imagined it, as he made an indescribable face. I cannot imagine it myself, but I suppose it is a terrifying thing for men.
"...In other words, you intended for that to happen. Am I wrong?"
"Well, you may take it that way if you wish."
"Your goal was to marry into the Royal Family to establish a connection with them and escape your status as a nouveau riche noble. According to the investigation, that was the case."
"There is no mistake there. However, once I have married in, I have them where I want them."
It is unrefined to speak in detail, but well, as long as I have the Prince's child, I have the upper hand, and well... in the worst-case scenario, no one would ever know whose child it really was anyway. Ohohoho.
"At any rate, you were plotting the death of the Royal Family. It wasn't a false accusation at all. ...Is that right?"
"Ohohohoho! That is right! Of course, I was not planning to kill him with a poison in a cheap glass bottle or a tacky cursed bracelet! Those were completely false accusations!"
Yes! That is what makes me angry!
If it were me, I could have performed a much more beautiful and efficient killing! To go through the trouble of framing me with such a stupid way of killing! And those nobles who are likely overjoyed, thinking they successfully framed me and threw me into prison without ever realizing that I was truly planning to kill the Prince! They make me so incredibly angry!
"...I see."
At that, Doran laughed a little. Does he actually like dirty jokes despite that face? Ah, he does not?
"I was wary because you were a noble, but hearing that, it seems there's no need for that concern."
Oh? The wind seems to be blowing in a different direction.
"My goal is the collapse of this kingdom. ...I want to slaughter the Royal Family."
...I see.
This man is a genuine 'dangerous guy'!
"Well, I am much the same now. I shall slaughter all those hateful bastards."
"I see. This is good news. Let's head back immediately."
Doran gave a smirk and quickly began cleaning up.
...Which means Giovan and Chesta likely have similar goals... does it not?
I truly am lucky!
Now then, there is something I must do before we return.
Yes.
The dragon eggs... still left inside the cave!
"Violia. Are you going to eat more meat?"
"Yes. Could you wait a moment? Would it be alright if we depart after I have eaten the dragon eggs as well?"
When I made that request with my heart bouncing in excitement.
"What!? You're going to eat the eggs!?"
"Do you not eat them!?"
It was an unexpected reaction!
If we are not going to eat them, then what on earth did I fight so hard for!?
"...We sell the eggs. They sell for a high price to noble dilettantes."
"Ah, is that so..."
Well, I suppose so. Rare monsters are popular as pets...
But it is a pity... I thought I could taste that ultimate delicacy again... it is a pity...
...Ah.
"Surely, there must be eggs that were broken when the dragons went on a rampage! It would be fine to eat those, would it not!?"
"...Do you want to eat them that badly?"
I do!
And so.
I was successfully able to eat dragon egg dishes, and I set off on the journey home with a full stomach and great satisfaction.
Ah, by the way, Doran also ate the egg dishes. He was surprised by how delicious they were. See? Once you eat this, you can no longer think of dragon eggs as merchandise, but only as food, can you? Incidentally, I already recognize dragons, both eggs and the main body, as food.
And so, it was well after dark when we returned to the hideout.
But for us, who were completely energized by the dragon meat and dragon eggs, sleepiness did not come at all!
"We have returned!"
...However.
"...Is Giovan not here?"
The only one in the hideout was Chesta, who was slumped on the sofa, apparently having taken either drugs or alcohol.
"There's no note... even if he went to the shop, I thought he'd be back by the time we returned."
"Chesta. Were you not given a message?"
For now, I shall try to wake Chesta up.
When I did.
"...Uhyahyahehya... Ahh, the sky is round again today..."
"Ah, it is no use, this fellow is completely wasted."
Chesta was a lost cause. Since it is not the first time, I do not even feel disappointed.
Now, not knowing Giovan's whereabouts is also somewhat unsettling. Especially since he had just said he had a 'bad feeling.'
...Or so I thought.
"Ah—I'm back."
"Welcome ba—eeeeeeeeee!?"
"Sorry, but I'm using the shower room."
Giovan, who had returned, was covered in blood from head to toe!