Chapter 38 - Episode 9: My Third Time in the Slammer
Greetings. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
I have just prepared myself for my third stint in the slammer.
However, if I surrender myself, I can save the Guild, and if I bring the Guild to our side in return, this town will already be mine! For that purpose, being in the slammer twice or three times is all the same! Now! I shall enter the slammer with gusto!
And so, I have arrived at the Guild. The soldiers who were around the Guild have been mobilized for the 'extermination of slimes that suddenly appeared in massive numbers at the Magic Academy.' The sentries remaining outside were in positions where they could be ambushed, so I knocked them unconscious and tossed them aside.
When I rang the bell with a clink and opened the door, it was a nostalgic sight.
Adventurers were there, the reception was there. ...That Pin-Hane Girl is not there, and above all, everyone has a dark expression. But, it is a nostalgic sight.
It has only been two or three months since I was running wild in the Guild, yet it feels like a very long time ago.
"Greetings!"
When I stepped into the Guild, everyone around looked at me... but they only had slightly puzzled faces.
Come to think of it, in this Guild, I always wore a full-face helmet. It is only natural they do not recognize my face.
I gallantly walked up to the Guild's request board, snatched a request that was posted in the corner as a mere formality, and headed to the reception with it in hand.
"I have something to discuss regarding this."
While saying that to a male staff member I didn't know, I... spotted the Guild Master looking blankly in the back of the reception and smiled brightly.
"Would it be alright if I spoke with the Master?"
I was secretly guided to the Master's residence behind the Guild, and there I spoke with the Guild Master.
...I had considered the possibility of being seized the moment I arrived at the Guild reception and handed over to the nearby soldiers, so this is a bit of an anticlimax. Yes.
"It has been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes... no, how on earth should I even greet you..."
Well, I understand this confusion. In fact, if he hadn't been confused at all, I would have suspected a trap.
"There is not much time. I shall get straight to the point."
However, there is no time to dither. I do not know when the soldiers from the slime commotion will return here.
"I heard that this Guild is in a dire situation. Being charged with the crime of harboring me at this late stage, and a fine of a Black Gold Coin, you say?"
"...Yes. That is correct."
The Guild Master said that, hung his head, and told me the circumstances.
"Do you remember that young female receptionist..."
"Ah, the corrupt Guild employee who was constantly skimming off the reward money. If I recall, she was also the one who reported me. What about her?"
As expected, the talk turned to the Pin-Hane Girl. I wonder if she pulled off something that significant.
"Actually, she resigned last month... immediately after the mass murder in the noble district."
"Oh, so she wasn't fired?"
"Yes, well, I wanted to do so... but since she said she was quitting herself, I thought that would be fine. I didn't want to cause a stir."
Well, that is a reasonable judgment. It is a bit annoying that she wasn't fired, but it cannot be helped.
"I did ask her, just in case, what she intended to do after resigning. ...Then she said, 'I've been summoned by the Royal Castle.'"
"...The Royal Castle?"
That is... quite inexplicable.
I do not see the meaning in a mere Guild receptionist being summoned to the Royal Castle. If it were a hero who achieved special merit, or even the Guild Master himself, I could understand...
...Ah. Could this be an interrogation regarding me?
"I do not know why she was summoned to the Royal Castle. However... this is the result. She must have sold out this Guild!"
Rather than the Pin-Hane Girl selling out the Guild, it is more likely that since she had a connection with me and was easy to frame, and on top of that, this was the Guild of the town where the noble district was annihilated, this Guild was targeted—but I shall keep that to myself. If the Pin-Hane Girl is hated unnecessarily, it is rather a cause for celebration.
"This is the warrant issued by the soldiers."
The Guild Master said that and placed a piece of paper on the desk.
...Well, it is the content I expected.
First, 'The Guild as a whole is charged with the crime of harboring Violia Nico Fortesia.'
Next, 'Pay one Black Gold Coin as a fine.'
And, 'If the fine cannot be paid, the Elsemarin Guild will be disbanded.'
Such content was written there. The deadline is... three days from now. This means they have no intention of letting them prepare a Black Gold Coin. Honestly, the people of the Royal Family are a bunch with rotten souls!
"I... see. I am sorry, just because I used this Guild."
When I acted demurely, the Guild Master shook his head while looking down.
"To be honest... it's not that I don't feel resentment toward you. However, more than that... I hate the King's selfish orders and that receptionist."
...Hoh.
This person is quite good at pleasing me.
"By the way, Ayle Kanone-dono... no, Lady Violia Nico Fortesia, how have you been until now...?"
"While being escorted to the capital, I was rescued by certain individuals. I am currently with that organization."
I said that nonchalantly and... well. Now, I shall make a grand move.
"The organization I am with now is a Revolutionary Army whose goal is to dismantle the current Royal Family."
"R-Revolution...?!"
"Shh. Your voice is too loud!"
"M-My apologies. But, a revolution..."
Before the completely terrified Guild Master, I finally bring up the main topic.
"I wish to save this Guild."
"Save...? You? Us?"
"Yes. I... was in this Guild's care. For this Guild to face the crisis of dissolution because of me is just too... well, it's heart-wrenching."
This is, for the most part, my true feelings. I won't deny there are various other motives behind it, but this is for the most part my true feelings!
"Therefore, I would like you all to cooperate. To save this Guild... and this country!"
Yes.
From there, it was a whirlwind strategy meeting. Or rather, a notification of the strategy.
The content is simple.
First, the Elsemarin Guild will sell 'Violia Nico Fortesia' to the soldiers. In short, they will negotiate to see if my person can cover the price of one Black Gold Coin.
...Well, the soldiers probably won't be able to make a decision right there. But that is fine. I will be safely thrown into the slammer, and the Guild's treatment should be put on hold for the time being.
And then I should be escorted to the capital. Likely... well, under much stricter security than before. Yes.
So I must gracefully avoid that. That depends on Doran-san. I honestly don't think I can move on my own.
Now. While I am captured, there should be a contact from the capital to the Guild.
...I do not know what judgment will be passed there.
Whether they will be exonerated, or whether they will be disbanded anyway, with a 'that is that, and this is this' attitude.
Here, the strategy splits into two paths.
First. If the Guild is forgiven.
The Elsemarin Guild will outwardly get along with the capital, while in reality, it will become a dark guild connected to me behind the scenes. In short, spies.
If this happens, it goes without saying, but information from the capital will become much easier to obtain. This is delightful.
And second. If, despite the Guild handing me over, they are still punished with a 'that is that, and this is this' attitude.
In that case... unfortunately, it will be thorough resistance. Yes.
The Guild will publicly announce that they have 'defected,' and with that momentum, they will kick the soldiers around.
This leaves some anxiety. Since Elsemarin has sea routes, it will be hard to starve them out, and if they take the Academy and the Cathedral as hostages, they should be able to fight reasonably well... hmm, well, there is no use thinking about it. I pray it does not come to this.
...And so, that is the strategy.
The secret to the success of this strategy is, first and foremost, that I can escape. And second... that the King buys as much resentment from the populace as possible.
This is a 'Revolution.'
There is only one meaning to giving it such a grand name. Yes. To gather the public will into a bundle and make it a strength to defy the King!
...If dissatisfaction with the King grows, I think it is possible to turn an entire town into the Revolutionary Army. The ideal would be 'a good child on the surface, and friends with the dark world behind the scenes Revolutionary Army,' but well, there is no use thinking about that now.
Therefore.
I incited resentment toward the King and the capital's soldiers to the fullest... and said to the Guild Master.
"You already understand, don't you? The foolish King will never let us have any good thoughts. It is your choice if you want to continue miserably obeying the King's every word... but if you dislike that, then take my hand."
...And so.
I successfully joined hands with the Elsemarin Guild Master.
As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. It is thanks to the King making enemies all over the place!
"Now, Master. Please report me."
"I-Is it really alright...?"
"It is fine."
The Guild Master made up his mind and reported me. Of course, it would be strange if I were just caught, so we went with the setting that a few reliable ones among the adventurers in the Guild (meaning a bunch of rebellious, almost villainous types who love money and freedom) captured me.
Now. I am going to the slammer again!
My third time in the slammer! Well, twice or three times, it makes no difference now! Ohohohoho!