CH 142

Chapter 142 – Speech (3)

June 30th, 2023

Arwen’s speech achieved great success, leading to fervent support from the people. However, if we delve into its essence, we can see that it is not a complete success.

There is a risk of misinterpretation that could involve elements of racial superiority, namely fascism, although she actually cautions against becoming arrogant. There are unavoidable aspects in trying to unite pure-blooded and mixed-blooded elves into one group called “elf.”

Therefore, the key is to observe whether pure-blooded and mixed-blooded elves can integrate well and become truly united. If Arwen’s intentions are fulfilled, it may even be possible to accept Dark Elves.

However, it is quite apparent that the Council of Elders, particularly certain individuals, is monitoring her closely and could hinder her achievements. We can only hope that Arwen handles the situation well.

After the conclusion of all the speeches and as people dispersed in the square, we remained seated quietly. The reason was simple.

“It is an honor to meet you. I sincerely…”

“I am delighted to meet the sun of the Empire…”

“Perhaps an invitation to our country in the future…”

“What is Helium like?”

Immediately after the speeches ended, there was a buzz of excitement around Rina and Cecily. In addition to the Minerva Empire, there were also distinguished guests from other countries, so it was somewhat expected.

Personally, I felt uncomfortable in such situations, and instinctively tried to leave. In order to aspire for the future, I needed to become accustomed to such spontaneous encounters, but it was a habit I unintentionally developed.

However, there was someone who prevented me from doing so.

“Where are you going? You should get used to these occasions.”

“I don’t like it…”

“Don’t be stubborn. If you marry me later, you’ll inevitably have to make your debut in society. You wouldn’t think of avoiding society after marriage, right?”

It was my girlfriend, Marie. She skillfully persuaded me to attend the spontaneous encounter.

At first, I grumbled, but upon reflection, I realized there was nothing wrong with attending. Besides, since it was a spontaneous encounter, it would only last a short time, so there was no need to feel burdened.

However, the fact that they were not nobles of the Minerva Empire but rather royal or noble figures from other countries did give me some pause. I wasn’t familiar with their culture and etiquette.

However, before long, I realized that even that anxiety was fleeting.

“Your name is Isaac, right? Red hair is quite rare in the world, it’s really unique.”

“I hear that a lot. Lady has probably heard similar things about herself, haven’t you?”

“My hair is also orange, so I hear those comments a lot. Does Lady Marie also receive such comments?”

“Yes, that’s right. White hair is not very common either.”

Perhaps it was because we had just met, or maybe it was because of Marie’s high status, but everyone was kind. Especially when they looked at me, they always mentioned my hair and eyes.

Furthermore, me being a Baron’s son and Marie being a Duke’s daughter, it was only natural for people to be curious. Sometimes, a few people even asked if I’m engaged to Marie.

It could be a slightly uncomfortable question, but considering our social status, it was an inevitable doubt.

And every time such a question arose, my girlfriend pointed at my face and answered.

“You’ll know when you see my fiancé’s face. Just imagine someone with this face smiling kindly.”

“Oh… I see. It’s convincing. Unique looks like that are not common.”

“Yes, that’s right. And it seems like your physique is also secretly impressive…”

“I received knight training in the past. Although I quit due to lack of talent, I still exercise regularly.”

“By the way, currently, he is highly regarded by professors at the Halo Academy. He is already registered as a recommended student and is assisting the professors.”

Somehow, I ended up boasting, but I’m trying to appeal that I’m the right man for Marie. That way, she won’t look down on me.

As expected, after Marie’s time to boast ended, both women and men glanced at us with envy. They probably see us as a couple of exceptional individuals.

Marie is a beautiful woman from a noble family, and I am a man with good abilities and a distinctive appearance, despite my lower social class.

Moreover, being a member of the powerful Minerva Empire, which can be considered the pinnacle of humanity, I have no trouble gaining connections. Thanks to that, I was able to build relationships smoothly.

As time passed, some people left due to busy schedules. Naturally, Rina and Cecily joined us.

Most of the conversations were led by the women, and the men answered their questions. It’s natural for women to take the lead in non-combative discussions since they excel in eloquence.

I, too, just listened to the women’s chatter. Occasionally, my eyes met those of other men, and when I awkwardly smiled, they smiled back in response.

Even though we come from different nationalities, cultures, and social classes, it was too simplistic for men to participate in the women’s discussions.

“By the way, what do you all think about the speech?”

At that moment, a certain woman mentioned the speech. She had brown hair, blue eyes, and an elegant and refined beauty.

If I recall correctly from the previous conversation, she mentioned being from the Belua Republic. The Belua Republic may be small, but it has accumulated tremendous wealth as a center of global trade.

The ambitious Minerva Empire was also tempted to conquer it, but since it is a neutral country, I guess they are being left alone for now.

“That was an excellent speech. Especially the part about the elves, by the elves, for the elves. I really liked that. But, um…”

“You think it feels somewhat supremacist?”

Cecily, who had been quietly listening, answered instead. The hesitant woman, who was reluctant to speak out of turn, nodded vigorously with a worried expression when Cecily replied.

For some reason, Cecily gave me a mischievous smile and said,

“That part concerns me too, but the Queen mentioned it clearly. Not to become arrogant. Arrogance is usually when it harms others. As long as we have pride without causing harm to others, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I see. That makes sense. No wonder she mentioned the war between races.”

“Yes, and we’ll have to see how things unfold from now on. The Queen had handled it well, but you know how things can be with people.”

While the criticism of the speech continued, I glanced discreetly at another place. It was where the nobles of Alvenheim were gathered.

There, people were also gathered, perhaps having impromptu encounters like us. Some of the people there might be listening to our conversation.

It’s not entirely impossible, considering that elves can use magic like the demons can breathe. Moreover, the people here are not ordinary nobles, but royal or high-ranking nobles.

‘I’m not sure if it’s right to discuss this here.’

Since it’s an impromptu meeting, important words might not come up, but you never know because people make verbal mistakes.

Fortunately, Arwen was more challenging than expected, which was surprising. Still, she’s an elf, so people assumed she would be older. Those kinds of comments were made, but nothing more than that.

However, in case someone unintentionally brings up something strange without realizing it…

“Miss Kate, it seems a bit impolite to discuss that here. There are nobles from Alvenheim over there as well.”

“Oh…! I-I’m sorry.”

Rina, who could be considered the highest-ranking person here, immediately intervened. Indeed, class has its influence.

Anyway, the impromptu meeting ended within a short period, and as we had to return to the academy tomorrow, we also started moving our steps. In my heart, I wanted to explore various places in Alvenheim, but time was limited.

Above all…

“Achoo!”

“Are you still like this?”

“Yeah. Sniff… Yeah…”

Cecily’s allergic reaction was becoming more severe. During the impromptu meeting just now, she barely spoke and only answered direct questions. In reality, she kept her mouth shut.

Those who saw it might have found it somewhat strange, but as she continued sneezing and sniffing, they quickly realized that she wasn’t feeling well.

I could see something around her neck with a worried expression in my eyes. It wasn’t just a slight goosebump, it was something protruding unevenly…

“Huh? Noona, what’s on your neck?”

“What, what?”

Upon hearing my words, Cecily was startled and touched her neck in a hurry. Then, she quickly wore a heavily flustered expression and checked her arms.

On her pure white arms, there were also similar raised bumps. We were all taken aback, our eyes widening in surprise.

The mana of the World Tree was more deadly to the demons than we had anticipated.

“…Ballak!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Cecily, who checked her own arms, called Gartz. In response, he silently revealed himself to us.

I was slightly surprised by his ability to appear without any indication, but that wasn’t the issue. Cecily urgently questioned him in a tense voice.

“Ballak, do you have these bumps too?”

“I haven’t developed any bumps yet… Ah-choo! I apologize. I haven’t developed bumps like Your Highness.”

“Hmm…”

Cecily narrowed her eyes and looked down at her arm as she listened to his response. The hives hadn’t fully developed yet, but the symptoms were worsening, with her skin turning increasingly red.

In cases like hives, they often improve over time, but this was different, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. It wasn’t caused by pollen or food but by “mana.”

Cecily turned her head and glanced behind her. Her gaze was fixed precisely on the World Tree.

“…It seems the devils couldn’t invade Alvheim for a reason.”

Then she murmured bitterly and clenched her arm, where the hives had formed, with her hand. Meanwhile, I watched Cecily with a worried look in my eyes.

Perhaps Cecily sensed my gaze because she gave me her characteristic smile, easing my concerns.

“Don’t worry too much. Seeing that Balak is unaffected, it’s probably because I’m too strong. The stronger the demon, the denser the concentration of black mana.”

“…Let’s just hurry back for now. It could get worse.”

“Thanks for worrying. But, as weak as you think I am… Achoo!”

“… …”

As soon as Cecily sneezed, I gently closed my eyes. Since we were facing each other, I vividly felt the spittle hitting my face.

If there had been a warning, I would have turned my head, but it happened suddenly without any premonition, leaving no time to avoid it.

“Ah… I-I’m sorry. Should I wipe it off?”

“…It’s fine.”

It seemed that preparing extensively would be necessary for the demons to reach Yggdrasil.

*****

It was when Isaac and his party were returning home. Arwen’s speech was sufficient to eradicate the deep-rooted arrogance in the hearts of the Alvenheim citizens, but it didn’t mean that there were no dissatisfied individuals. Among them, it was natural to consider the power restraining Arwen, the Council of Elders. They could not help but be bewildered by Arwen’s unexpected and brilliant speech.

Even though it had only been about a week since the nationwide speech, whether it was talent or a hidden ability, she displayed speech skills beyond expectations. Although it was just a speech, its content shocked the Council of Elders.

“Darn it! I can’t believe she was hiding such ability…!”

Feiren, the leader of the Council of Elders and a senator, expressed his frustration as he returned to Elydia. Arwen’s nationwide speech surpassed his expectations and ended in great success, and furthermore, it was erasing the boundaries between pure-blood and mixed-blood.

Fieren, who had always restrained Arwen, couldn’t understand it. He already knew that she liked books and had excellent eloquence, but speeches were a different matter.

He couldn’t fathom what had happened in just a week, but Arwen had moved the hearts of the Alvenheim citizens and captured public opinion.

‘I thought she would fail…’

Fieren pondered with his narrowed forehead, tapping his finger against his temple. The reason he hadn’t bothered Arwen during the week of preparation was that he predicted she would be preparing an insignificant speech.

Originally, the purpose was to fuel the conflict between purebloods and mixed-bloods and drive out all the mixed-bloods. When Arwen initially revealed that she herself was a mixed-blood, it was enough to make one inwardly chuckle.

However, those predictions went completely awry, and the plan itself became nothing more than shredded paper. Never did I expect Arwen to not differentiate between purebloods and mixed-bloods but rather form a collective called ‘Elves.’

It was obvious that Arwen would be at an advantage politically. Perhaps even the prestigious families assisting the Council of Elders might support Arwen.

“Councilor Fieren!”

“Yes?”

Someone rushed over urgently while Fieren was lost in thought. Fieren snapped out of his reverie to confirm who it was.

It was Jukiri, an elf who was both a fellow counselor and a conduit of information. She possessed a typical elven beauty but had a somewhat anxious expression.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“You need to see this. Look at this!”

Jukiri hastily arrived, panting, and handed Fieren a piece of paper. Assuming it was a letter, Fieren accepted it without any suspicion.

However, the contents written on the paper were enough to widen Fieren’s eyes in surprise.

The contents on the paper matched Arwen’s upcoming national speech.

The problem was that the handwriting was not Arwen’s but someone else’s. Fieren already knew Arwen’s handwriting well.

“This is…”

“It’s something the maid discovered while tidying up the queen’s chamber. It seems the queen forgot to organize it. However…”

“The handwriting is different. This wasn’t written by the queen.”

“Yes, that’s correct. What do you think?”

“Hmm…”

Fieren pondered while stroking his snowy white beard. If used well, this could pressure Arwen, but it was not enough on its own.

Who, when, where, delivered a speech to Arwen, and why.

Four out of six principles are missing. Fieren’s mind spun rapidly, and suddenly, one assumption came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, the queen seemed particularly reluctant to find Xenon…’

There are many people who write well. However, there are very few who can write moving words like this speech.

Of course, this might be an overly advanced thought, but considering Arwen’s attitude so far, it’s not entirely strange. She rejected everything they said about finding Xenon and insisted it was just a book.

But what if Xenon and Arwen have a close relationship? Moreover, Arwen herself has stated that she is a hybrid and hybrids have the environment to grow within human society.

And within the story of Xenon, there is also the tragic narrative of Kair and Elisha. It’s a love story between an elven queen and a human with extraordinary abilities.

Moreover, it is speculated that even Xenon, who has experienced countless trials and tribulations, is considered to be a sage by the world. It is said that Xenon incorporated his own experiences into Xenon’s Biography. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to create such a story.

Fieren couldn’t help but suspect that the puzzle pieces fit together too perfectly.

Arwen and Xenon, it is said that they had a deep relationship in the past, a bond that may have been severed due to their difference in lifespan.

“…Jukiri.”

“Yes, Grand Councilor.”

“Send someone to the publisher of Xenon’s Biography immediately. And ask for just one letter containing Xenon’s writing.”

“Why? What’s the reason for that?”

Fieren raised one corner of his mouth.

“I have a feeling that an interesting story is about to unfold.”