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!”