Chapter 132: Mixed-blood(4)
Chapter 132: Mixed-blood(4)
The text I handed to Arwen was an excerpt from one of the speeches that played a pivotal role in Hitler’s rise to power.
With that single speech, Hitler instilled a sense of superiority and pride in the German people, who had been mired in an inferiority complex following their defeat in World War I. Furthermore, it solidified his own political standing.
Following that, the Nazi Party was established, he purged all his enemies, and he collectively brainwashed the public by blinding their eyes and plugging their ears. Then, he invaded Poland and ignited World War II.
It is said that a British spy who heard Hitler’s speech nearly defected, which speaks volumes about his oratorical prowess. The speech itself was perfectly tailored to uplift a discouraged nation.
"S-Stop playing around! How could I possibly give a speech like this?!"
"Pwahahaha!!"
As Arwen shouted at the top of her lungs with a flushed face, I slammed my fist on the desk and burst into laughter. It seemed she had belatedly realized how bizarre the content of the speech was.
Regardless, my mind was filled with the image of Arwen shouting to the people of Albenheim with a heavy accent and exaggerated gestures. No matter how I looked at it, it didn't suit her at all.
"Ah, my stomach. It’s been a while since I’ve laughed this hard."
"Ugh... Stop teasing me. I am being serious..."
As I wiped away my tears and spoke, Arwen grumbled with a dejected expression. However, her face remained flushed, and her ears were pricked straight up toward the sky.
I had heard that an Elf's ears change according to their emotions. Therefore, her current state meant she was incredibly embarrassed.
Moreover, she seemed quite sulky, pouting her lips like a child. Who would look at such a cute and beautiful Elf and think she was the Queen of Albenheim?
Perhaps it was because I only saw her in her casual state, not as a queen. Since I had never seen Arwen acting as a queen until now, I couldn't imagine it at all.
However, it seemed best to stop the teasing. I immediately apologized to the sulking Arwen.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing. But wasn't the temporary draft actually pretty good?"
"Objectively speaking, it is a magnificent speech. But how should I put it... I cannot tell if it is a speech meant to instill pride or one meant to incite the masses. It is completely different from the direction I desire."
"You hit the nail on the head."
In fact, Hitler used that speech to boost the confidence of the German people, who were steeped in a sense of defeat, so she wasn't wrong. One could say the incitement began from that point.
"But is this something you absolutely have to ask me? Usually, someone else writes the speeches and you just review them yourself, right?"
"Because there is no one else I know who possesses such brilliant writing skills as you. Especially when it comes to writing that moves the heart—I know of no one but you."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't lay the flattery on so thick."
"Excessive humility is also unpleasant to witness. Are you saying such things when your writing is already moving the world?"
When she spoke so firmly, I was the one who felt embarrassed. I rubbed the back of my neck with an awkward smile before getting to the main point.
"Fine. So, Arwen, you want me to write the speech for you, right? To handle the Mixed Blood issue currently arising in Albenheim."
"That is correct. Albenheim is currently in much greater chaos than you might think. We are in a state where we cannot determine when the Mixed Blood began to permeate Albenheim, or whether our ancestors were Mixed Blood or not."
In Albenheim, the Mixed Blood issue was already an irreversible social phenomenon. One could say it was better than the situation with humans; unlike humans, whose generations change frequently due to their short lifespans, it is easier to identify Mixed Blood among Elves.
The problem, however, was that the characteristics did not always manifest outwardly. In reality, Albenheim had no choice but to assimilate with the Mixed Blood.
While thinking about how the situation in Albenheim was progressing, a question suddenly occurred to me, and I asked Arwen.
"Is the symbol of Pure Blood that significant to Elves? Isn't that also a form of Racial Supremacy?"
"It is. But as you know, within the hearts of Elves, there is a sort of Chosen People Consciousness—the belief that we were chosen by the gods. The blood of a race chosen by the gods versus the blood of a race that was not. That alone explains everything."
"The more I see of Elves, the more I realize what an incomprehensible race you are."
At times, they were a race that pursued honor and pride, but at other times, they were a race that consumed themselves due to such arrogance. Just as pride becomes conceit, and Chosen People Consciousness or a sense of superiority becomes hubris, Elves could be described as extreme.
They even possessed the 'power' to back it up, which increased the risk of falling into hubris. Ultimately, the Mixed Blood crisis could be seen as being halfway caused by the characteristic arrogance of the Elves.
"Are the Pure Bloods and Mixed Bloods clashing with each other right now?"
"It has not reached that point yet. Most of those who have revealed themselves as Mixed Blood hold high-ranking positions. However, suspicion is beginning to sprout: 'Could the person next to me also be Mixed Blood?'"
"If left alone, it’ll definitely get worse."
Fortunately, the seeds had only just sprouted; the flowers had not yet bloomed. The moment those flowers bloomed, the chaos would become uncontrollable, so Arwen had a duty to calm the situation through her speech.
The problem was whether the Elves, who discriminated even against their own Mixed Blood, would actually calm down after hearing Arwen’s speech. The situation was by no means easy.
In the worst-case scenario, someone could incite the masses to drive out all the Mixed Bloods. If that happened, the Dark Elves, who had experienced the same thing, would turn their backs completely, saying Albenheim had not changed, and the nation's power would inevitably plummet.
For now, it was merely the calm before the storm. If this wasn't handled properly, no one could predict what kind of future awaited Albenheim.
'It must be a heavy burden.'
I stared at Arwen, who was worrying about the future of Albenheim. How difficult must it be to have the fate of a nation resting on those small shoulders?
Furthermore, many Elves were stubborn, and the older ones, like those in the Senate, possessed both wisdom and cunning in equal measure. They were formidable entities for the young Arwen to handle.
Perhaps the reason she asked me, of all people, for the speech was because she couldn't trust the people within Albenheim. I suddenly became curious about Albenheim’s political structure, but I figured it was best not to interfere that far.
In a way, this could be seen as a test given to Arwen. I only needed to help a little.
"Anyway, I get it. I'll help you write the speech."
"I-Is that true?"
"Yeah. But there has to be a reward, right?"
"A reward..."
As soon as the word 'reward' was mentioned, Arwen’s brightened expression stiffened instantly. She likely knew what it meant to ask for a speech from me.
It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but I am the author of Xenon Chronicle, a work that is currently swaying the world. It meant that my writing skills, at the very least, were recognized, and asking such a person for a favor was no small matter.
Moreover, even while I was hiding my identity, Arwen had come forward personally to ask. If she didn't offer a reward, it would be an act of abandoning her conscience.
'But there’s nothing I really need as a reward.'
The incident with the stolen manuscript had already been settled by receiving books from the Holy Land. Siris was serving as an errand runner, and Rain had been given probation. This was purely a personal transaction with Arwen.
The problem was that there was nothing I wanted from her.
Money? I already had more than enough, and I wasn't particularly interested in it. Above all, my two girlfriends were wealthy, so what would I need?
Fame? I was the author of Xenon Chronicle. Enough said.
Status? If I wanted that, I could just ask Lina.
Knowledge? I was already receiving and reading books from the Holy Land regularly.
Women? I had Mari and Cecile. I was already intimate with Mari, and it seemed I would be with Cecile soon as well.
'Wow... now that I think about it, I really have everything.'
I realized that at an age not even twenty, I possessed everything a man could want. Personally, I had a frugal nature and no greed for power, so there was nothing I desired.
However, it would be strange to say I wouldn't accept anything. From Arwen’s perspective, she would be indebted to me once again, and it might make her feel uncomfortable.
I agonized over what kind of reward I should receive that Arwen would also find acceptable. For a fleeting moment, a lewd thought even crossed my mind, but I cast it far away.
'...Ah, right. This will do.'
Fortunately, one thing remained. It was something I could use as a reference for Xenon Chronicle, so it was perfect.
"Could you perhaps teach me about magic in detail?"
"Magic? But you are not a mage, are you?"
At my request, Arwen tilted her head, looking puzzled. As she said, I wasn't a mage; I was just a civilian with good physical stamina.
However, what I wanted wasn't to be trained in magic, but rather information about the types of magic and their effects. Not common spells like teleportation or flight, but magic that only Elves could use.
One might ask why I didn't just ask Cecile, who was also a master of magic, but Elves were descendants of Angels while the Demon Clan were descendants of Devils. Perhaps because of this, the magic of the Demon Clan tended to be focused on 'destruction.'
Conversely, Elves were more like all-rounders. Support, attack, defense—they had it all. In exchange, their output was somewhat weaker than that of the Demon Clan.
"Even if I'm not a mage, I can use it for reference. And I'm not asking you to teach me how to cast it, but rather what the names are and what the abilities do. If possible, write it down and send it to me."
"Do you not have the Princess of the Demon Clan?"
"Cecile is a Demon. I've heard that the magic used by Elves and the Demon Clan follows completely different paths."
"Hmm. That makes sense. Very well."
Arwen nodded, then glanced at me and spoke in a cautious voice.
"...Is that truly enough?"
"It's enough for me."
"Isaac. I am the Queen of Albenheim. Even if it is something difficult to ask for, I will gladly grant it. I do not wish to remain indebted like this."
"Hmm..."
As Arwen made the offer graciously with her hand over her heart, I crossed my arms and looked at her face. Then, I slowly lowered my gaze.
She was wearing a robe now, but underneath it, a tight dress like the one from last time was likely hidden. That silver-gray dress, the same color as her hair, had boldly revealed Arwen’s figure.
I clearly remembered that, despite her youthful appearance, her hips were magnificent. Even when I was kneeling and bowing my head, my eyes had been drawn there, so I won't explain further.
'Damn it. The lewd devil is at it again...'
I quickly banished the dirty thoughts and looked at Arwen. She had an anxious expression, as if she truly felt sorry.
"It's fine. It's just writing a speech. Or should I help you with the delivery as well? If I do that, there is one more thing I'd like to ask."
"W-What is it? I can grant it right now."
"It's no fun if I tell you now. For now, do you want to practice here once?"
"Then the speech..."
"Just use that one."
Arwen looked displeased, as if she wasn't very keen on delivering the speech I had written arbitrarily. Still, the content itself was sufficient to rouse the people.
Arwen then stood up from the bed, loosened her throat, and stared intently at me. As I met her gaze, a question occurred to me.
"Don't you need to memorize it?"
"I have already memorized it all."
"... ..."
"We Elves may lack adaptability, but we never forget what we have seen once."
As expected, they were a cheat race, right up there with the Demon Clan. It made me, a regular human, feel even more pathetic.
While I was looking at Arwen with envious eyes, she took a deep breath and patted her chest, seemingly a bit nervous.
I had a fleeting wish that she would take off her robe to give me some eye candy, but I suppressed it, feeling like that would be crossing a line.
Soon, Arwen clenched her fists with a look of firm determination in her eyes and...
"Citizens of our Albenheim! Chosen by the gods, we established the first civilization, and furthermore, magic...!"
"Pfft..."
I burst out laughing from the very first sentence. With her taking such aggressive gestures, she was the spitting image of that man.
But Arwen stubbornly continued the speech. The fact that she was so serious made it even funnier.
"Though we were defeated in the Race War, we realized our mistakes and have developed even further! Therefore, Elves! Rise once ag— Oh, screw this. Fuck."
In the end, even she realized this wasn't right and let out a rare, coarse curse. Then she flopped down on the bed and shrieked.
"I really can't do this! This is incitement, not a speech!"
"Gwahahahaha!"
"Don't laugh! I told you I was serious! You red-faced human!!"
"Oh, my stomach! Hahaha!!"
Regardless of Arwen’s shouting, I was busy rolling on the floor laughing. She looked like an elementary schooler giving a declamation, providing an unbearable level of cuteness.
"I said don't laugh!!"
"Pwahahahaha!!"