Chapter 141: The Speech(2)
Chapter 141: The Speech(2)
Arwen’s shocking confession echoed through the plaza. The already silent square was now weighed down by a heavy atmosphere.
Considering Albenheim’s current state, Arwen’s confession was more than just a shock; it was a bombshell. Now that pure-bloods and mixed-bloods had begun to view each other with suspicion, her revelation could easily have triggered an even greater schism.
Metaphorically speaking, it was a confession that could either serve as fuel for the fire or the sand that ground the gears to a halt.
The phrase "the die is cast" felt perfectly appropriate for this kind of gamble.
"The Queen is..."
"A mixed-blood...?"
"Then we..."
The sound of heavy silence breaking began to leak out from various spots. I looked around the surroundings without a word.
The members of Albenheim’s Senate and the nobles sitting in front, as well as the elves filling the plaza, all looked bewildered. It was only natural, as they must have firmly believed their Queen was a pure-blood.
Furthermore, they likely understood the weight of her words. Revealing herself as a mixed-blood in this climate carried immense significance. It showed that their Queen felt a profound sense of responsibility for the current situation.
The elves would know this better than anyone else.
"I know you are all very confused. But look around you."
Just before the murmurs could grow into a roar and throw the plaza into chaos, Arwen spoke. It was less a speech and more a command.
Everyone in the plaza, myself included, looked around. To my left sat Cecile, and to my right, Mari.
It seemed she wasn't addressing the guests from foreign lands, but her own people. And my hunch was correct.
"Did you know if the person next to you was a pure-blood? Or did you know they were a mixed-blood? None of you knew. To you, they were not 'pure' or 'mixed,' but simply beloved family, friends, and kin."
"... ..."
The audience fell silent again, just as they had before. I couldn't help but be slightly surprised, as this wasn't in the draft I had given her.
Arwen hadn't just recited the speech I provided; she had clearly put her own thought into it. Otherwise, those words wouldn't have come out.
I crossed my arms with a serious expression and looked at Arwen on the podium. Just then, her gaze shifted toward me.
She then wore a smile befitting a benevolent queen and looked back at the crowd. I had noticed it earlier, but Arwen seemed to gain confidence every time our eyes met.
"Thousands of years ago, our ancestors served by the side of the gods. They were granted wisdom, power, and eternal life. However, they committed a great sin, lost their wings, and were cast down to this earth. The gods' wrath was greater than we can imagine, but they did not abandon their affection for us. This very place is Albenheim, the land blessed by the gods."
Finally, the introduction of the speech I wrote flowed from Arwen’s lips. Following my guidance, she continued the speech with a soft yet warm aura of motherly benevolence.
She had a gentle, youthful face, but that only added to her charm and helped her command the audience's attention. Of course, the most eye-catching part was undoubtedly her hips...
'My eyes keep drifting that way.'
I flashed a bitter smile. When someone with hips as developed as Arwen’s wears a tight dress, it’s impossible not to look.
I even wondered if she chose that outfit specifically to draw everyone's focus.
"Upon this sacred ground, we founded Albenheim, the first civilization, and took our first steps as a people. Since then, we have endured countless hardships, adversities, humiliations, and conflicts to reach where we are today. In that time, we gained much, but we also lost much. Our warriors stood against external invasions to protect this land in times of crisis, and our priests practiced restraint over their desires to seek repentance from the gods. Three thousand years ago, that sacrifice was rewarded. We were gifted the Seed of the World Tree—the symbol of Albenheim and our very pride."
The content of the speech was surprisingly simple. It recounted the ancient history of the elves, the duties the gods had bestowed upon them, and the sacrifices their ancestors had made to reach the present.
Finally, it addressed the price of their arrogance. Everything was written in the draft I had handed her.
"But was it because we lived longer than others? Or was that merely an excuse? We completely forgot the true honor that our ancestors sacrificed themselves to protect. Pride turned into arrogance, confidence in our abilities soured into conceit, and honor became corrupted. Ultimately, three hundred years ago, we were swept up in a great storm that brought a wind of blood across the entire world."
The Race War was a history stained with shame and humiliation for the elves, yet no one spoke up. Even the members of the Senate, who were usually busy checking Arwen at every turn, remained silent.
This was proof that Arwen’s oratory skills were far beyond expectations. Even I, who knew her girlish side, was watching in silence; I could only imagine how the others felt.
"That storm made us realize that we had been harboring arrogance, not pride. The humans we looked down upon developed greatly after the Demon War, but fundamentally, it was our own pride that led to our humiliation. The price of self-importance turned into arrogance was our misery. Can such beings truly be called the elves, the race chosen by the gods? No, we were nothing more than a pathetic race steeped in conceit. Honor and pride are not things to be extorted from others; they only hold true power when held deep within the heart."
Her words called their very identity into question. The elves knew better than anyone that they were chosen by the gods.
However, they only knew the fact itself; they had no idea why they were loved by the gods. The speech was a reminder of that reason.
"And yet, that honor and pride are on the verge of turning into arrogance once again, at this very moment. Pure-blood and mixed-blood—this is the reason we fight today. In my blood, and in the blood of others, the blood of another race is mixed. But this conflict is foolish. What makes a pure-blood different? What makes a mixed-blood different? We are all descendants who carry the pride and honor our ancestors protected in our hearts—we are the elves, the race loved by the gods!"
Arwen’s voice grew increasingly impassioned. Her calm tone had vanished, replaced by words that set fire to people's hearts.
The duty to uphold the sacrifices of their ancestors.
The fact that they were one race, Elves, not divided by pure or mixed blood.
The fact that having the blood of another race mattered not, so long as one held steadfast pride.
And ultimately, the fact that they were the race chosen by the gods.
Arwen was awakening the elven identity.
"I command you once more! Look around you!"
Arwen’s voice was now fully raised. If her earlier words were a request, she now displayed the commanding presence of a queen.
It wasn't benevolence, but charisma; not kindness, but determination.
It flowed through her every word.
"Is the family, friend, or relative beside you a pure-blood? Or a mixed-blood? We cannot distinguish them, nor should we! We must live upon this land as elves, carrying the pride of our race and the honor our ancestors protected! That is the final chance the gods have given us, and the only way we can repent for our sins! Not 'you' and 'I,' but 'we'! Not pure-blood and mixed-blood, but as one 'Elf'! We shall live in Albenheim, the land blessed by the gods!"
As Arwen’s inflection rose, the atmosphere among the audience grew heated.
Though they didn't speak, the elves' reactions showed that something significant was happening.
Some wore expressions of firm resolve, while others tightly held the hands of those beside them.
Through Arwen’s speech, they were transforming from a divided group into a single, unified community of elves.
"Furthermore, we shall move forward with honor and pride in our hearts, not as pure-bloods or mixed-bloods, but as elves. Under the protection of the gods, Albenheim must be a place where everyone is free and equal. We will cast aside arrogance and become truly one to face the coming crises... Remember! Remember who we are, and what it was our ancestors wished to protect. That is our responsibility and our duty as those who bear the name 'Elf'!"
It was finally time for the famous quote. The words Lincoln used to unify a divided America, a quote that would be remembered for generations.
Arwen slowly scanned the crowd and placed one hand over the center of her chest. Then, with a voice full of resolve, she made her appeal.
"As of this moment, I, Arwen Elidya, Queen of Albenheim, declare! Not as a mixed-blood, but as an elf, I swear to the gods that this blessed land will not only guarantee freedom and equality, but will be a nation of the elves, by the elves, and for the elves! I swear to you all that we shall live as one in such a beautiful country, where no one shall suffer discrimination!"
"... ..."
I couldn't help but be a little stunned. I had obviously written the Lincoln quote for her, but Arwen hadn't stopped there; she had added her own flair.
I didn't know if she had planned it beforehand or if it was spontaneous, but one thing was certain.
Adding those touches to the speech was incredibly effective. It was a speech that struck right at the hearts of the elves, who leaned more toward collectivism than individualism.
Clap— Clap— Clap—
As Arwen’s speech concluded, the sound of solitary clapping began.
Clapclapclapclapclap!
It soon turned into a thunderous roar that filled the plaza. I, too, began to applaud as if possessed, as did my acquaintances sitting on either side of me.
Several Albenheim nobles in the front were so moved by Arwen’s speech that they stood up to give a standing ovation. Of course, those presumed to be Senate members remained in their seats, clapping slowly.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
As the applause continued, cheers erupted from everywhere. Arwen looked around the crowd with a flushed, excited expression and offered a sincere word of encouragement.
"Thank you all for listening to my speech! I pray that you all spend happy days with your loved ones in this land!"
Despite the noise filling the plaza, Arwen’s words reached my ears clearly. I applauded her enthusiastically, feeling a sense of pride.
Perhaps my feelings reached her. Arwen gathered her hands at the center of her chest and looked at me. I met her silver-gray eyes and gave her a bright smile.
When I smiled, Arwen gave a look of unparalleled happiness and bowed her head politely. To others, it probably just looked like a standard greeting.
[Thank you, Isaac. Truly, thank you.]
At that moment, Arwen’s voice echoed in my head. It seemed she was communicating via telepathy again.
I flinched for a moment and then looked at her face. Arwen was staring at me with warmth in her eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed.
[I will be sure to repay this debt. If there is anything you desire, please ask Siris.]
Something I desire... I had already achieved that the moment Arwen stepped onto the stage. Having watched her entire performance, there was nothing left to ask for.
'I'll just tell her that seeing the speech was enough.'
But at that time, I had no idea. I didn't know what kind of misunderstanding Arwen would fall into because of those words.
Nor did I know what kind of misconception the Senate would form because of the speech manuscript she had carelessly left behind.
"That was a truly wonderful speech, wasn't it?"
"Yeah."
At least, at that moment, I didn't know.