Chapter 96 - Chapter 12: "You May Stare at Me to Your Heart's Content"
Good day to you! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
I am currently flying toward the Royal Capital on the back of a dragon!
Walking and carriages are simply too slow! Truly, dragons are the only way to travel from now on!
...By the way, the dragon is trembling as it flies. It seems to feel that carrying me on its back is an act of overwhelming irreverence. How adorable and quite wonderful.
As soon as I arrived at the Royal Capital, I strode through the morning streets and headed for the Capital's Guild.
The Guild first thing in the morning still has few people, which is just right.
"Good day to you."
When I entered in my full-face suit of armor, the Guild clerk, who had looked bored, made a face like, "Eh?! People actually come at this hour?!" while moving to the reception desk.
"How may I help you today?"
"I wish to register as a candidate for the Saint election. Could you please complete the procedures?"
...The clerk made a face like, "Eh?! There are people registering at this stage?!" but since they couldn't say no, they proceeded with the paperwork steadily.
By the way, I used the name "Jeanne Guillaume." Well, on the day itself, I shall go in a dress rather than full-face armor, so the fact that I am Violia Nico Fortesia will be exposed immediately. However, it would be troublesome if I couldn't at least get the registration done, so this is quite fine.
While offering my sympathies to the Guild clerk who was forced to work so early in the morning, my work in the Royal Capital is finished for the time being.
Now, I only have to wait for Doran and the others to transport what needs to be transported.
And so, I decided to spend my time leisurely in a room at an inn I had randomly taken.
"Say, Chesta. Which color dress do you think would be better for the day?"
"Doesn't matter either way, does it?"
"How dismissive..."
By the way, Chesta is with me. Why? Because currently, he is the only one who can ride a dragon with perfect composure.
Chesta was on standby with a Spatial Bag for my evacuation, just in case I was about to be caught at the Guild.
Therefore, I am not lacking for a conversation partner right now. Well, since it is Chesta, I cannot expect many clever responses.
"Even if you call it dismissive, both of 'em suit you."
"Oh? Then let me change the way I ask. 'Which one looks more like a villainess?'"
"The red one on the left with the gold embroidery."
"Then let us go with this one. I thought black might be good as well, but red is indeed more flamboyant, isn't it?"
Saint candidates often wear dresses that seem 'Saint-like'... which is to say, modest and neat dresses. White, gray, or perhaps pale blue or pale pink. Entering a gathering of only such colors in a bright red dress will surely make me stand out, won't it?
"You really do suit red."
While I was choosing accessories and shoes to match the dress, Chesta suddenly muttered that.
"Your eyeballs are red, too."
"...Well, is it not only natural to choose one's attire to match the color of one's eyes and hair?"
"But you're red, not brown. After all."
That is true. Rather than matching my chestnut hair, I suppose I often dress to match the red of my eyes.
"Also, you're kinda red. On the inside."
"On the inside? Is the color of blood and flesh not red for everyone?"
"No, I don't mean that kind of 'inside.'"
I wondered if perhaps Chesta's blood was blue or something, but it seems that was not it.
"In short, you are speaking of the spirit, are you not?"
So Chesta talks about these things too, does he? Despite being a drug addict.
"Spirit... yeah, well, that kind of thing. You're kinda red in that way."
Being told my spirit is red gives me an indescribable feeling... but yes. Red is often called the color of passion or flames. Furthermore, it is the color of blood. All of them are perfect for me.
"Well, I understand being 'red-ish.' After all, I have lived my life with the intent to 'be red-ish.'"
Passion, flames, and blood. All are characteristic of me. Or perhaps, I resemble passion, flames, and blood. I do not know which came first, but I am conscious of the fact that I became this way by trying to approach 'red' of my own accord.
"Heh. So you made your own impression yourself?"
"Yes. After all, can people not decide their own color to some extent? Then, I shall become my favorite color."
"Maybe. Well, I think it's good and suits you. Being red."
I should think so. I am aware that red suits me. The result of loving red and becoming suited to red is the current me. If I had loved blue, I would surely have become a young lady suited to blue by now.
"By the way, what color am I like? What color suits me?"
"Green. The color of leaves."
"That's harsh."
Since Chesta suddenly asked me again, I gave him a random answer.
...But unexpectedly, it might suit him. Green. Amber eyes with flashy blonde hair. If leaf-green were added as an accent color, I think it would be quite good.
Yes. I think it would suit him. Green.
...Regardless of whether he wished for it to be so, the green of narcotics suits him.
Therefore, I think this was for the best. Surely.
And so, the next day. That is to say, the night before the voting.
"I got word from Giovan. He said they finished transporting the golems. Also, your Onii-sama said he's ready."
"Things are finally getting exciting, aren't they?"
In the end, I decided to have the golems vote at the polling station in the Royal Capital.
...If we were to take the safe route, it would be better to use them at the Elsemarin polling station where it would be easier to cover things up if something happened, but since I am coming to the Royal Capital anyway, it will be easier to move as a whole if the golems are also operating in the Royal Capital.
...Besides, having the golems concentrated in the Royal Capital is not a bad choice. It increases the number of strategies I can take.
"It's finally time, huh."
"Yes. I shall show them how I can shine beautifully to my heart's content inside that glass-walled room."
"Haha. I'm looking forward to it."
Chesta plans to blend into the town skillfully this time. After casting his own vote, I will have him wander around the inside and vicinity of the polling station. Ultimately, I plan to have him serve as my escape route using the Spatial Bag.
"...Even so, going out of your way to get caught in a glass cage is quite something."
"Oh? Whether that place becomes a cage or a podium depends on the person inside."
...Yes. That is right.
I shall enter the glass room along with the other Saint candidates... but that room is a safe zone that will never open until a specific time, and at the same time, it is a cage that will definitely confine me until that specific time.
If the wanted arch-criminal Violia Nico Fortesia is inside, naturally, the Royal Army soldiers will surround the cage.
But that, too, will surely be an entertaining sight.
I might even give the soldiers the right to watch the Saint candidates' disgraceful behavior from the front row. As a souvenir for their trip to the afterlife, you see.