Praise the Orc! Chapter 36:


Chapter 36 – Contrast (3)

“I know why you are so obsessed with being a guard,” Elsanad spoke .

She was checking the shape of her earrings in the mirror . When she touched it with her fingers, the transparent earrings moved and scattered light at various angles . Elsanad was satisfied with the brilliance and quietly laughed .

The reflection in the mirror showed Elwina’s sour expression .

“But how long can you keep it up?”

“I will do it for as long as I want . ”

“There is good in the world Elwina, as well as poison . ”

Elsanad rose from her seat .

She spent most of her day working as the highly respected mayor of Arnin . The only personal time she had to herself was when she prepared her appearance before going to the city hall in the morning . As an elf, she was sensitive about her appearance and painstakingly managed it .

Elwina, who inherited her blood, was no different from her . Fortunately, both of them had prominent beauty among elves, and were never dissatisfied because of their appearance . However, unique hobbies would form due to their high sense of aesthetics .

In Elwina’s case, it was dolls .

“There won’t be much room for your collections anymore . ”

She made the dolls directly . There was only one of them in the world so she appreciated their unique charms .

“I’m tired of pretty elves . I need new materials . ”

As a guard, she was able to see many groups of people travelling to Arnin . The strangers and members of other species gave her a type of inspiration different from the elves .

“It is awkward because you’ve only loved elves . Then are you planning on making an orc doll?”

“……”

Elwina didn’t answer, so Elsanad turned towards her . Her daughter had a confused expression on her face .  Elsanad burst out laughing .

“Elwina, I’m glad that you are forsaking the prejudice against other species, but I am worried about your blush all of a sudden . Did you meet an orc?”

“That’s right . ”

“It has been a really long time since an orc has entered Arnin . Maybe it is a good thing for Arnin . ”

Elsanad rose from her seat . In her elegant dress, beautiful earrings, and necklace, she looked like a goddess from a piece of artwork .  Elsanad’s secretary, who was watching them talk, opened the door .

“Mayor, it is time to go . ”

“I understand . ”

Just before she left the room, she looked at her adorable daughter Elwina .  “Daughter . I know I have been negligent towards you since your childhood . I have always felt sorry about that . ”

“It’s nothing . ”

“Come here . ”

Elsanad stretched out her hands and hugged Elwina, patting her on the back .  Elwina looked at the secretary like she was embarrassed by the sudden embrace, but she soon hugged her mother back .

“I am your mother, but I am also the mother of all of the citizens in Arnin .

“I’m aware of that . You don’t have to worry . You’ve always said that since I was a child . ”

“I appreciate your understanding . If you can live in a happier and more beautiful Arnin, isn’t it worth it?”

Elsanad released Elwina from her arms .

“Most of the plans that I first thought about are currently ongoing . Once I am mayor again after the election, I will do what I can for Arnin . ”

“Yes…”

“At that time, I want to retire and spend more time with you . ”

Elwina nodded .

“Next time, show me your dolls again . They are beautiful . ”

“…Yes . ”

Elwina smiled . Elsanad touched her daughter’s cheeks . She was a stubborn daughter, but she looked like an angel when she smiled . She was reminded of her dead husband .

“Then, I’ll be going . ”

“Goodbye . ”

Elsanad kissed her daughter on the cheek and left the room . Her secretary followed .  As soon as they left home, she turned to business straight away .  “How are they? Is it going well in the slums?”

“Of course . ”

“I’m glad . It is my long-cherished wish, so I am sorry that I felt any doubts . ”

They entered a carriage . As the carriage moved through Arnin, citizens waved and greeted their mayor . Elsanad smiled at the citizens through the window .

“Everybody is happy, I think . ”

“It is all thanks to you . ”

“The old Arnin wasn’t beautiful . It made me sick . ”

Elsanad’s secretary, Alsein shrugged .

He was firmly dedicated to his boss, Elsanad . However, her passion and enthusiasm was solely based on her own strict standards of beauty . This often led to gaps between ideals and reality . It was his role to point this out .

“The citizens of the slums will also smile like that,” Elsanad said .

“They will . ”

“Huhuhut . ”

“Just…”

“Just?”

“The cost of the new buildings seems to be excessive . Don’t just try to make it pretty when building . I know that you are sensitive to beauty, but you have to compromise . In particular, the statue of benevolence in the slums is a bit…”

“…Isn’t it okay?”

“It won’t work . It is a waste of money . ”

“…Really?”

“Yes . I strongly oppose it . ”

Elsanad’s ears dropped . Alsein’s heart weakened, but he didn’t give in as he declared, “It is nonsense . ”

“I understand . I will take care of it . ”

“Thank you . ”

Elsanad wanted to build a statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the slums . It would look good, but the cost was a problem . She was crestfallen, but Alsein pretended not to know .  She looked out the window and suddenly laughed .

“Alsein, look . A sheep cloud . ”

Alsein’s gaze moved .  A cloud in the sky was shaped like a sheep . It was a rare and beautiful sight . Elsanad’s eyes lit up like a girl who liked pretty things .

“Pretty . ”

Elsanad grabbed Alsein’s shoulder and enjoyed it . Alsien also smiled .

 

***

Crockta wiped out the Thawing Balhae Clan, which had been committing evils in Arnin . Most of the clan members were rendered unable to play the game, and Ian got some revenge for Lenox . But the Thawing Balhae Clan wasn’t based only in Arnin .

Arnin was just the beginning . He still had to clear them from a few other cities .  However, Derek’s contract still remained . Crockta’s work in Arnin wasn’t over yet . These were the conditions .

Kill Elsanad, or help Ilya win the election and become mayor .

According to the contract, he could kill those who took part in the crime . Derek’s goal was to make his business partner, Ilya, hold the reins of power in Arnin . If Mayor Elsanad was killed, and if her wicked deeds were publicized, things would become easier .

But Crockta decided to watch some more . It was sufficient if Ilya was elected mayor .

Ilya was questionable .

There were many suspicious and unknown things about him . No matter how long he had been preparing, he knew all of the information about the Thawing Balhae Clan and guided Crockta through their secret passages . Most of all, the man who seemed to be the leader of the Thawing Balhae clan in Arnin was surprised when he saw Ilya’s face .

Then Ilya had blocked the man’s mouth by killing him .

Crockta, Jung Ian, had gone through all types of things as a soldier . He wasn’t always on the right side . He often saw those involved in power cover the truth with deception and move people according to their will .

To him, his task here was over so he was just playing around now . Thus, he didn’t intervene anymore and just watched Ilya .

“Arnin’s citizens! I have something I must tell you . It is the truth . The dirty and ugly truth . ”

Ilya stood in the square and shouted at people .

It was Arnin’s election season .  Support for Elsanad was overwhelming, so the vote was close to a formality . They would run the competition, but the winner would always be Elsanad .

But this time might be different .

“What type of person is Elsanad? A clean person? A mayor who makes sacrifices for Arnin? If so, you have been tricked . She isn’t such a person . ”

Ilya shouted . His words, enhanced through magic, rang out through the square .  The citizens passing by stopped .  It was irritating to hear such things about their beautiful mayor .  The citizens were interested in what Ilya was saying .

“As you all know, not every place in Arnin is beautiful . There are slums . You don’t want to see it or admit it, but Arnin doesn’t just consist of rich elves like you . There are the poor and persecuted . And Elsanad!”

He spoke about how Elsanad joined with those cursed by the stars, trafficking and enslaving elves through them .

The citizens didn’t believe it .  To them, Elsanad absolutely wasn’t such a person .

But Ilya held the clear evidence high in the air .

“Take a look at this book! All of their transactions with Elsanad have been recorded here!”

Ilya opened the book and thrust it before the eyes of the spectators .  It agitated the crowd . Ilya didn’t stop . His powerful voice resonated in the square . People started to believe his words .

Ilya’s fellow elves among the crowd led the response .

Crockta watched silently and turned away . Ilya was suspicious, but Crockta had no evidence . Whether it was true or false wasn’t his problem . Crockta just wanted revenge for Lenox . It wasn’t the same as justice . It was up to them to do their share .

At that moment…

There was a disturbance in a corner of the square .  Mayor Elsanad’s carriage had appeared . City Hall was just across the square so Elsanad was confronted with Ilya as she arrived at work .  The citizens had interested expressions on their faces .

Elsanad didn’t know what was happening and just wanted to pass through the square . But Ilya blocked her horse-drawn carriage . The driver asked him to move aside but Ilya was adamant .

“Elsanad! Reveal the truth! You can’t fool us anymore!”

The driver spoke inside the carriage .  Then the carriage door opened and Elsanad stuck her head out . The citizens shouted as her beautiful face was exposed .

“…Ilya?”

Elsanad’s eyes widened .  Ilya’s expression didn’t change as he approached her and shouted,

“Elsanad! All of your crimes are recorded here! Are you pretending not to know? You are a corrupt mayor who sold the elves to those who are cursed for the sake of your own self-interest!”

“Ilya, this…”

At that time, Alsein spoke to the driver of the carriage .  He had a sense of what Ilya was trying to do .  “Move around that person . Leave now . ”

“Alsein?”

“Let’s go . Mayor, please ignore this . That person is trying to incite the citizens . You don’t need to deal with it . ”

“But…”

“There is no need to move as he desires . Just go . Leave now . ”

The driver moved the horses .  The carriage redirected and moved around Ilya to leave the square . Ilya looked back and shouted louder .

“Look at this! Elsanad is avoiding the truth and running away . ”

The crowd murmured . A smile appeared on Ilya’s face . He once again raised his voice .

“Let’s find out the truth about Elsanad, who has lied to the citizens!”


Leave a Reply