June 30th, 2023
Arwen’s shocking confession echoed through the square like a resounding echo. The already quiet square became even heavier with the weighty currents that settled.
Considering the current situation in Alvenheim, Arwen’s confession was more than just a shock, it was like a bomb. With the tensions rising between the purebloods and the mixed-bloods, her confession had the potential to cause even greater rifts.
It was a confession that could either become fuel or sand, depending on the perspective. It was truly a gamble, fitting for the saying, “The die is cast.”
“The Queen…”
“A mixed-blood…?”
“Then, what about us…?”
The sound of shattered silence began to trickle out here and there. I silently glanced around, observing the reactions of the council members and nobles seated in front of me, as well as the confused faces of the elves filling the square. It was understandable, considering they firmly believed their queen was a pureblood.
Moreover, they must have known very well that revealing her half-blood status carried significant implications in these times. It also implied that their queen felt a heavy responsibility for this situation. The elves, more than anyone else, would be well aware of it.
“Everyone must be feeling confused. But look around you.”
As the murmurs grew louder and the square became noisy, Arwen spoke up. Her words were closer to commands than a speech. And everyone in the square, including myself, looked around. Cecily sat on the left, and Marie sat on the right. It seemed like she was speaking not to foreign guests but to her own people. And my guess was correct.
“Did you all know that your neighbor is a pure-blood or a mixed-blood? Or perhaps you didn’t know about it at all. They were not just pure-bloods or mixed-bloods, but beloved family, friends, and relatives.”
“… …”
The increasing murmurs of the audience were as surprising to me as the content that was not included in the speech I delivered. Arwen, it seemed, had thought about it in her own way rather than just reciting the speech I gave her. Otherwise, such words would never have come out.
I looked at Arwen on the podium with a serious expression, crossing my arms. She happened to shift her gaze to me as well. Then she smiled like a compassionate queen, and once again looked at the crowd. As I felt before, every time our eyes met, Arwen seemed to gain confidence.
“Thousands of years ago, our ancestors served alongside the gods. They received wisdom, power, and eternal life from the gods. However, due to a great mistake, they lost their wings and descended to this land. The wrath of the gods was unimaginable, but they did not abandon us out of love. This is the blessed land of the gods, Alvenheim.”
Finally, the opening of the speech I wrote flowed from Arwen’s lips. She continued the speech with the gentle and affectionate motherly grace I led her to, exuding a childlike innocence and charm that captivated the audience’s attention. It was especially undeniable that all eyes were drawn to her slender waist…
‘…My gaze keeps wandering in that direction.’
I chuckled wryly. With Arwen being someone with particularly well-developed hips and wearing a tight dress, it was impossible for the eyes not to be drawn to her.
Perhaps, I even thought that the reason she wore such clothes was to capture the audience’s attention.
“We, on this sacred land, founded Alvenheim, the first civilization as people, taking our first steps. Since then, we have endured countless hardships, adversity, humiliations, and conflicts to reach this point. Through these experiences, we gained much but also lost much. Warriors stood against external invasions to protect this land in moments of crisis, and priests restrained their desires and sought repentance from the gods. 3000 years ago, we received a reward for those sacrifices. It was the symbol of Alvenheim itself, the seed of the World Tree, which became our pride.”
The content of the speech is unexpectedly simple. It tells the ancient history of the elves, what obligations the gods bestowed upon them, and the sacrifices their ancestors made to bring them to this day.
Lastly, how the price of arrogance has come back. Everything is written in the speech I conveyed to her.
“But was it because we have lived longer than others? Or was it merely an excuse? We have shamefully forgotten the true honor that our ancestors safeguarded even at the cost of their own sacrifices. Pride has turned into arrogance, confidence in abilities has degenerated into conceit, and honor has been corrupted. In the end, 300 years ago, we found ourselves being tossed in a massive storm that swept across the world.”
The racial war was a history stained with shame and disgrace for the elves, yet no one spoke up. Even the council members who were busy restraining Arwen were now silent.
It attested to Arwen’s exceptional oratory skills. Even I, who knows that she possesses tomboyish sensibilities, am watching silently. How must others feel?
“That storm has made us realize that we have harbored not pride, but arrogance. The humans we underestimated have grown significantly after the Devil War, but fundamentally, their achievements have humiliated us. The price of pride distorted by arrogance has made us pitiful. Can we truly be called a race chosen by the gods, the elves? No, we are nothing more than a pathetic race consumed by self-importance. Honor and pride are not something taken from someone else, they must be deeply cherished within one’s heart to truly manifest their power.”
Words that evoke self-doubt. Elves know better than anyone that they have been chosen by the gods.
However, they only know that fact, without understanding why they have been loved by the gods. The speech is a reminder of that.
“Yet, at this very moment, that honor and pride are once again at risk of being corrupted by arrogance. Pure-blood and mixed-blood, this is why we are fighting now. In my blood and someone else’s, the blood of different races is mixed. But this is foolishness. What difference does it make if it’s pure-blood? What difference does it make if it’s mixed-blood? We are the descendants who carry the pride and honor preserved by our ancestors, a race loved by the gods, the elves!”
The increasingly impassioned voice of Arwen. Her calm voice, which used to be serene, has disappeared without a trace and has begun to ignite flames in people’s hearts.
The obligation that ancestors sacrificed to uphold must be honored.
That they are a race called elves, not divided by pureblood and mixed blood.
If they have a strong sense of pride, it doesn’t matter if the blood of other races flows in them too.
Ultimately, they are a chosen race by the gods.
Arwen was enlightening them about the elven identity.
“I command you once again! Look around you!”
Now, Arwen’s voice has completely heightened. If her previous words were a humble request, now her authoritarian side as a queen has revealed itself.
It was not compassion but charisma, not kindness but firmness.
It was emanating from her words.
“Are your family, friends, and relatives pureblood or mixed blood? We must never differentiate or separate ourselves! As elves, we must live on this land, holding the pride and honor that our ancestors have preserved! It is our last chance bestowed by the gods, the only way for us to repent for our mistakes! Not you and me, but ‘us’! As one ‘elf,’ not defined by pureblood or mixed blood! We shall live in the blessed land of Alvenheim!”
As Arwen’s intonation grows more fervent, the atmosphere among the surrounding audience becomes heated as well.
Though they may not speak, judging from the reactions of the elves, it is evident that something significant was unfolding.
They tightened their expressions, clasped hands with those beside them, and so on.
They were in the midst of transforming into a unified community called “elves,” not divided by pure blood or mixed blood, through Arwen’s speech.
“Furthermore, we, as elves, neither pure-blooded nor mixed-blooded, will carry honor and pride in our hearts. Alvenheim should be a place where everyone is free and equal under the grace of the gods, where we overcome arrogance and become truly united to face the upcoming challenges… Remember! Who we are and what our ancestors wanted to protect. That is our responsibility and duty as those who bear the name ‘elves’!”
Now it was time for that famous quote. Arwen’s speech, which would unify the divided Alvenheim and become a memorable quote for future generations. Arwen slowly scanned the audience and placed one hand in the center of her chest. Then, with a resolute voice, she shouted as if making an appeal.
“From this moment on, I, Arwen Elodia, the Queen of Alvenheim, declare! As an elf who is of mixed blood, I swear to the gods that this blessed land will not only guarantee freedom and equality but also become a country of the elves, by the elves, and for the elves! In such a beautiful country where no one is discriminated against, let us become one. I swear to all of you!”
“… …”
I couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. Lincoln’s famous quote was naturally what I had written, but Arwen added her own touch to it. Whether she had planned it separately or did it spontaneously, one thing was certain, adding that personal touch to the speech was highly effective. It resonated with the hearts of the elves, who leaned more towards collectivism than individualism.
Clap, clap, clap
Thus, as Arwen’s speech came to an end, the applause that quietly resounded.
Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap!
The sound transformed into thunder and filled the square. I, too, started clapping as if possessed, and the acquaintances seated beside me did the same.
Some of the nobles from Alvenheim seated in front of me were so impressed by Arwen’s speech that they stood up and even gave a standing ovation. Of course, those presumed to be members of the Council remained seated, clapping slowly.
WOOOOOOOW!
Applause continued, accompanied by bursts of excitement throughout the area. Arwen, with a deeply excited expression, looked around the audience and sincerely expressed her encouragement.
“Thank you all for listening to this speech! I hope you all have happy days with your loved ones in this land!”
Despite the noise that filled the square, Arwen’s words reached my ears. Filled with pride, I clapped fervently for her.
Perhaps my feelings were conveyed. Arwen clasped her hands together at the center of her chest and looked at me. I also smiled back at her, meeting her gray eyes.
As I smiled, Arwen couldn’t have been happier and responded with a smile full of warmth, politely nodding her head. To others, it probably seemed like she was greeting them.
[Thank you, Isaac. I’m really grateful.]
At the same time, Arwen’s voice resonated in my mind. It felt as if she had conveyed her thoughts through telepathy, just like before.
Startled for a moment, I looked at her face. Arwen had a faint blush on her cheeks and was looking at me with eyes filled with warmth.
[I will make sure to repay this favor. If there’s anything you desire, please ask Siris.]
What I wanted… That was all achieved when Arwen appeared. Watching her deliver the speech, I was completely captivated, so I couldn’t think of anything to ask of her.
‘Just having her deliver the speech was enough.’
However, until then, I had no idea. I had no clue about the misunderstanding Arwen had fallen into because of those words.
I had no idea about the misunderstanding the Council had formed due to the speech she had mistakenly left behind.
“It was a truly magnificent speech, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
At least in that moment, I was unaware.
Translators note:
So in the end Isaac went with Abraham Lincoln’s speech huh
