Praise the Orc! Chapter 37:
Chapter 37 – Truth (1)
Crocka snuck through the slums to search for the remaining members of the Thawing Balhae Clan, but none remained . There were no noticeable users in the vicinity . It seems like they had withdrawn from Arnin .
The elves living in the slums were at work, so it was quiet . Only the voices of the workmen building in the slums were occasionally heard . Were they doing something wrong?
Crockta wandered for a while before suddenly stopping in front of the construction site .
“……!”
Crockta’s eyes widened . It was due to the appearance of the sweaty workers holding the construction tools .
“Hey! Move carefully! Don’t get hurt!”
“Whew, why am I doing this in a game?”
“That’s what I said . ”
A white star was shining on the foreheads of the workers . Crockta examined each one of their faces . There were NPCs, but the majority of them were users . They were wearing protective gear and using construction place jargon like they were actual builders .
“Hey, Orc!”
A man sitting on the floor and drinking water waved at Crockta . He also had a white star on his forehead .
“This is the first time I’ve seen an orc in Arnin! If you want to build a house then tell me! We can make it for cheap!”
Crockta looked at the entrance of the construction site . The sign, ‘Kangaroo Construction’ was hung there . Below was an advertisement for prompt construction at low prices . Crockta asked,
“Are you people cursed by the stars?”
“Eh? How do you know?” The man was confused . “Well, we are cursed but…does it matter? We are cursed, but we build for a cheap price, and we do it quickly . So if you have some land, tell me . We will build it nicely . Hahaha!”
They were users who enjoyed the architectural field in Elder Lord . Their deft movements indicated that they were people who actually worked in the construction industry . There was a brief overview of the construction posted at the entrance of the construction site .
[Name of Project: New construction of the ‘Benevolence Medical Aid’
Client: Arnin City
Contractor: Kangaroo Construction
Building Usage: Public medical and support for the underprivileged facility . ]
Crockta scrutinized it carefully and the man shrugged .
“Do you need a job? An orc should have enough strength so do you want to try it?”
“No . Do you know the Thawing Balhae Clan?”
“Thawing Balhae? I know . ” The man nodded . “They connected us to the mayor here . They are quite dishonorable, but we didn’t have a choice . Do you know them?”
“I don’t know . ”
“I see . Be careful not to tangle with them . It seems like they are doing bad things to amuse themselves . NPCs, no, they don’t like orcs . Haha . ”
The overseer called out to the man . He got up from his seat .
“I’m going, I’m going! So Brother, stop wagging your tongue!”
The man ran back and continued working on the construction . Crockta looked after him thoughtfully . Ilya had said that this building would become a villa for the rich elves, but that wasn’t it . It was a medical facility for the poor . His mind became complicated .
Ilya .
His face popped into Crockta’s head . He seemed friendly, but his real intentions were unknown . The surprised Thawing Balhae member seemed to know Ilya . He was killed by Ilya before he could open his mouth .
Ilya made a deal with Derek . Derek wasn’t a good man . Rather, it was the opposite . Derek and Crockta just joined hands to use each other . Crockta absolutely didn’t trust Derek .
Was he being deceived?
Crockta sighed . His purpose was revenge on the Thawing Balhae Clan . It wasn’t necessary to worry about other things . Whether he was being used or not, it was sufficient if he wiped out the Thawing Balhae Clan .
Therefore, he tried to turn away . But something kept nagging at him, making his heart uncomfortable . He stood still to think about it . Crockta closed his eyes and looked into his heart .
Ah . Crockta opened his eyes .
It was him . He was there . He was watching Crockta from the bottom of his heart .
“I understand Lenox . ”
Crockta touched his chest . The scar created by Lenox’s axe would be there forever, along with the laws of a warrior that he preached . Before he left Arnin, he needed to know the truth about what was happening in this city . It wasn’t too late to decide how to act after confirming the truth .
Crockta moved again .
***
Enyanis, the plains administrator, looked between the two people who came to visit him with a difficult expression .
“What are you…”
One of them was the orc warrior Crockta, whom Enyanis had directly granted an honorary citizenship . The other person was his friend, Secretary Alsein, who was Elsanad’s shadow .
“Crockta, sit down . Alsein, what are you doing here?”
Enyanis served tea . The three of them were facing each other in the drawing room . Crockta didn’t know who Alsein was and got straight to the point .
“Enyanis, I have a question . ”
Enyanis nodded . It was the first time hearing the orc’s voice . After becoming an honorary citizen, Enyanis learned that Crockta had been unable to speak due to Silence magic .
“What is Elsanad like as a mayor?”
Then Alsein looked at Crockta . Why was an orc asking about the mayor of this city?
Enyanis burst out laughing . “It is funny that you are asking me this when this friend is right in front of you . Maybe it is because of the disturbance that happened yesterday…”
Enyanis pointed to Alsein . “He is the mayor’s secretary . ”
Crockta looked at Alsein . Alsein greeted him lightly .
Enyanis said, “For the answer, I’m not saying this as his friend, but I personally think she is wonderful . Everyone’s opinion is different, but I respect Elsanad . I don’t believe Ilya’s words . ”
“Do you know Ilya?”
“I know . Alsein, did you come because of Ilya?”
Alsein nodded .
“I know that he once worked with Elsanad . I heard that after Elsanad first became mayor, he caused trouble and was fired… He is probably spreading these rumors due to that . ”
“That’s right, it’s absurd . The mayor selling citizens? It isn’t funny . ” Alsein’s voice was ferocious . Enyanis said, “However, there are rumors that Elsanad ran away from him . The fact that she didn’t deny his claim on the spot has left the citizens shaken . ”
“……”
“You should’ve been there . Why did you do that?”
“That…”
Alsein sipped his tea . “Cough . That…she shouldn’t have to deal with such a person . There might be problems if she responds too quickly . It obviously isn’t true, but it is a betrayal for the people who believe it . ”
“Regardless, an explanation is needed . Not responding will make the rumor more pervasive . ”
“I know . ”
Alsein thought about it . Then he looked at Crockta . “Crockta, it is nice to meet you . You have become an honorary citizen . Enyanis told me about your excellent behavior the other day . ”
“It isn’t a big deal . ”
“As a citizen who works with the mayor, I can say that the mayor absolutely isn’t such a person . Of course, there are other things but… Thanks to these unusual aspects, she has done a good job . Arnin is prospering thanks to her . ”
“I understand . ”
“If you have any more questions, then I will answer them now . Is there anything else you are curious about?”
Crockta was troubled . “Well…how about the mayor’s daughter?”
He heard the other day that the mayor was worried about her daughter not listening to her .
Alsein’s face hardened for a moment . But then a smile appeared on his face . “Hahaha . You are interested in her daughter . ”
“I am just curious . ”
“She is beautiful like the mayor . She wants to keep working as a guard…that is the worry but…there are no problems . She is just young . ”
“Yes . ”
“If you continue to watch, then you will see that everything is fictional . Anyways, welcome to Arnin . I need to return to the mayor . ”
Alsein rose from his seat . Enyanis said, “Are you going already?”
“I forgot that the mayor called me . I’ll come back next time . ”
“Yes, thank you . ”
Alsein left this place with large strides . Crockta was deep in thought as he looked at Alsein’s back . As the door to the drawing room closed, Enyanis sipped his tea and said in a quiet voice .
“Crockta . ”
“Yes . ”
“In fact, I have something to say to you . ”
“What is it…?”
Enyanis coughed . Crockta listened closely . “The Arnin Plains’ Rescue Unit, inspired by Crockta, is very responsive . The reaction is explosive . So it makes sense…”
“……”
“Can I draw a portrait of you? I’ll also create a nice invitation for you and frame it… Hanging them side by side… Hmm hmm, it will go down in Arnin’s history . I know a great painter…”
“…That’s okay . ”
“Just think about it once…”
“…It’s okay . ”
“Still…”
***
Elsanad looked up . She was in her office . Her desk and appliances were neatly arranged and all in harmony . The whole room looked like it was made for her . It was all Elsanad’s vision .
“Alsein?”
“Mayor . ”
Alsein stood in front of her .
“Didn’t you get today off?” She asked .
“I have something to say to you . ”
Elsanad took off the glasses that she was using to look at the documents . Her vivid green eyes stared at Alsein . “What is it?”
“There are some people who believe Ilya’s words . ”
“……”
“The election is upcoming . It would be better to take care of this at once . ”
Elsanad nodded . “If Alsein says so . Ilya still seems to have some complaints against me . I will personally explain it to the citizens . I’ll ask Ilya about the rumors that are stirring up the citizens . ”
“Yes . ”
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“And…”
“And?”
“It is about Elwina . ”
Elsanad cocked her head . “Elwina?”
“Yes . Hasn’t Ilya started acting? It might be dangerous for Elwina to go around like this . ”
“She is careful . ”
“Mayor . ”
“I understand . I’ll tell her . I’ll explain it to her properly . ”
“Thank you . ” Alsein nodded and bowed .
“Then let’s go . ”
“Huh? Where…?”
“Didn’t Alsein say it just now?” Elsanad got up from her desk and wore the coat that was hanging on the wall . The cloth was the colour of the sky, making her white skin shine . Elsanad dressed up and smiled at Alsein . The whole room seemed to light up from her beautiful smile .
“I’m going to see the citizens . ”
“Now?”
“Of course . ”
Elsanad passed by Alsein . “It won’t be beautiful if they keep on talking . I need to get rid of it quickly . ”
“I understand . ”
Alsein nodded .
Due to Elsanad’s beautiful appearance, people often thought that she was gentle or weak . But she absolutely wasn’t . Rather, it was close to the opposite .
Elsanad was strong . She had difficult standards . The things that didn’t meet those standards would be thoroughly excluded . She didn’t care about contrary opinions . She just wanted to accomplish what she desired . In that sense, she was closer to being heartless than being gentle .
Her beautiful appearance and attitude didn’t reveal her essence . It was fortunate that her dream was Arnin’s prosperity .
After thinking this, Alsein spoke to Elsanad, “I’ll prepare the carriage . Where are you going?”
“The square . Everyone should be there . Prepare a podium . ”
“I understand . I will let the citizens know .
“Please . ”
Elsanad, Alsein, and her attendants headed towards Arnin’s central square . Crockta and Ilya were also there .