Ch.105The Third Entanglement – Clichy and Ragtime (4)

“We need something to defeat the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn… Forgive my rudeness, but I wish it contained the Forest’s Firstborn’s head. Judging by the size and smell, that’s probably not it.”

Should she be angry? The reporter decided not to mention that she was Charles Clichy’s daughter, so she swallowed her words. She didn’t feel her father had been insulted.

No, that’s not right. This is just another form of denial. The reporter reminded herself that her father was indeed the Forest’s Firstborn. This was a fact she couldn’t deny.

It wasn’t as simple as two sides of a coin—it was more like a canvas with all sorts of colors mixed together. She had only seen the good parts, while missing the complete picture.

She took a slow, deep breath. Once again, she pushed forward with the truth. People lie. Everyone does. But there are some people in the world who chronically can’t or shouldn’t lie.

“Unfortunately, it’s not my father’s head. What’s inside is just a snack to boost your energy.”

The orc who had been about to open the envelope looked up. Was it fear, or hatred at the possibility that this fragile elf before him might represent the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn? Probably the latter.

The reporter was glad she felt more than just fear. Hatred always accomplishes something. It might be good, it might be bad. But at least it doesn’t make you hide in a corner like fear does.

“When you say father…”

The orc broadcaster began making a gurgling sound. Paulina reached out to stop him, but the reporter caught her arm.

She normally only used words like hatred and disgust when cursing the detective as a villain, but not now. There needed to be at least this much hatred and disgust toward injustice.

“Because I am the Forest’s Firstborn’s daughter. But don’t worry. I dislike that fact as much as you do, and I’ve come here because I want to change that reality as much as you do. I’ll tell you this, which is more important than anything else I could say: I want to put the two elves who survived the train attack on your radio show.”

No matter how much this orc flexed his muscles or gurgled, he wasn’t as big as Giuseppina or as imposing as Mother Noll. There was no reason to be afraid.

At least he didn’t seem to be taking the Forest’s Firstborn’s side, as he sighed and leaned back against the sofa. As if wanting to calm himself, he took a piece of baklava from the gift package.

“This is crazy. Last time I nearly got killed by the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn, and now a woman claiming to be the Forest’s Firstborn’s daughter… Fine, let’s say I believe you. Why would the people who attacked the train want to be on my broadcast?”

Fortunately, the reporter had a plan this time. Her impulsive nature hadn’t changed, but people can change even if their nature doesn’t.

“Well, those two didn’t fire a single shot and ran away, so with a good lawyer and if they can touch the jury’s hearts, they might get away with just a year or two in prison. They’ll go on your show and apologize tearfully to show their sincerity…”

The orc broadcaster interrupted her. His expression suggested that while her story was plausible, she was overlooking reality.

“Hundreds of Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn will gather in front of the station, screaming. They’ll throw stones. Last time, a sound engineer got his head cracked open by a stone that broke through a window. Still want to do this? And am I supposed to believe those two didn’t fire a single shot?”

There was no need to lie, but she needed to take control of the conversation. This orc was certainly capable—he was just hesitating because he wasn’t sure if he should use his abilities.

The reporter decided to try the detective’s approach. She needed to shake and strike. What could shake her? She recalled how the orc feared the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn who had attacked the train.

“Well, I was on that train. I saw fifteen Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn—thirteen were shot dead, and the other two fled. I can be certain of this. Paulina.”

The reporter reached out to her lawyer, who placed a gun in her hand—one that still showed clear signs of having been fired and never properly cleaned.

Rose confidently placed the gun on the reception table. She pushed it toward the orc broadcaster as if to say, “Take a look if you want.”

The orc looked somewhat flustered, but he didn’t seem shaken enough to strike. She needed to say more. Or perhaps the detective’s methods weren’t right for her.

“I have people who can hunt down those two fugitives—who fled without even a destination in mind—all night and throw them in front of you by morning, cleaned up like well-prepared fish. For now, Madam Gremory will protect them, but if that’s not enough, I’ll assign the operative I hired for this job to you as well.”

The orc’s expression became more serious as he realized the elf before him was acting quite methodically. Her attempt to shake him seemed to have actually removed his anxiety.

“So an elf really wants to fight the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn… But if you mess with them, there will be retaliation. I have to be realistic. Half the elves in the police force cooperate with them, and even if not, I should be prepared for my house to be set on fire. Can you take responsibility for that too?”

“While I’m here, I can help you, and after I return to New York, Madam Gremory will assist you. Madam Gremory, what would you do if someone tried to silence a person here who speaks the truth that you appreciate?”

With an innocent expression, Gremory watched the reporter as the smell of ozone—magic reacting with air—spread around her, and water droplets began to float around her.

It was the same motion she had made when boiling tea, but this time the droplets began to rotate. Soon, they were spinning thinly, making a sound like a hydraulic stone cutter.

“This might sound familiar too… I’ll show you why this tearful, fragile woman is a great demon. I promise you protection, Nina.”

Safety was now guaranteed. Gremory clearly had negative aspects, but she was someone who could create something good if she had good people around her who were loyal.

Since the persuasion seemed almost complete, the reporter looked directly at the orc, who had quickly devoured all the baklava she had brought as a gift. Fear was no longer visible in his eyes.

“And our operative is preparing something. He’s going to show how weak the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn who gather to protest the broadcast really are… He’ll expose their true faces. Weak, feeble, pathetic true faces. Then maybe no one will fear the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn anymore. That’s what I want.”

It was both an idealistic and realistic statement. She wanted to see a world where people didn’t judge and fear others based solely on their race. And breaking the authority of the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn, which was barely maintained through fear, would make it easier to stop her father. Her feelings were incredibly complex.

Yet, she conveyed that complexity in her voice. After thinking for a moment, the orc nodded enthusiastically.

“Can you bring them to the station by evening? I mean… I’ll join in too. Nothing to lose and much to gain. I’d be called a fool if I passed up an opportunity like this.”

The plan was proceeding smoothly. The house had been so dark with all the curtains drawn that it felt like midnight, but now the orc pulled back the curtains, letting in sunlight—slightly more intense than in New York.

“The broadcast starts at 8. If you’re bringing them, you should arrive by 7… I’ll leave that to you. All I know how to do is talk. Is that okay?”

The orc broadcaster, Nina, extended her hand to the reporter. It was too large for an elf to grasp comfortably, but the reporter took it with both hands and shook it vigorously.

“We’re all just doing our part. I’ll bring them by 7! Thank you for trusting me!”

The orc’s clay-colored face showed a hint of embarrassment at her continued honesty. Such expressions seemed awkward for orcs, who valued stoicism.

Seeing the orc looking for some reason behind her behavior, the reporter smiled slightly.

“There are plenty of reasons. Madam Gremory is here, and I came here with a plan… So just nodding is enough.”

Finally, the orc nodded with a comfortable smile. The broadcaster had been recruited. Her father must feel like he’d been dealt a blow.

After all, his original target, his operative, and his unsuspected daughter were now working together against him. Was this what Gremory meant by the end of childhood? She couldn’t be sure.

Even Paulina no longer looked at Rose as if she were a child abandoned by water. She had worked for Rose for a very long time, but lately, she was constantly seeing new sides of her.

The group returned to Gremory’s mansion in her car, which had a camel-shaped ornament on the hood instead of a brand logo. The detective’s car was already parked in front of the mansion.

“Michael! So, we’ve recruited the radio station! Oh, what were you out doing? I think we only made broad plans before leaving…”

Hearing the reporter’s words, the detective opened his trunk and pulled out a blue waterproof sack, tossing it on the ground. Whatever was inside made a dull sound as it hit the ground, suggesting it wasn’t alive.

“I think Madam Gremory knows what I did. I handled it just like last time. I blocked the road, ambushed them, took care of the guards with my gun, and disposed of the branch leader without a trace to make it look like he was a traitor. The Pennsylvania branch leader is gone, and rumors of a traitor within the organization will spread, which should shatter their organizational strength.”

To the reporter, the blue sack looked like the blue envelope she had given to the orc. It seemed identical in that it contained something that would defeat the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn.

This time, even Gremory didn’t shed tears. She simply pointed quietly to the back of the house.

“There’s an incinerator for burning household waste in the back. Dispose of it there.”

The detective picked up the sack easily and headed to the back of the house. The detective’s methods were always certain and clear, but… almost never right. Still, the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn had brought this upon themselves.

It was the result of their continued evil deeds until they hired someone who would stop at nothing. The waterproof sack burned in the incinerator along with the household waste, without producing smoke. The smell wasn’t too bad.

The detective returned, still wearing gloves. The fact that he wore gloves meant this wasn’t as bright and hopeful a matter as she had thought. Now she could understand.

Still, the work had to continue. The reporter cleared her throat and said:

“Anyway! We need to take those two to the station by 7 tonight. You said you’d be raising a false flag, so you’ll be outside the station, and we’ll be inside. Is that enough?”

“They’ll be throwing stones, so don’t stay near the windows. And yes, that should be enough. Let’s get those two ready and prepare to leave.”

She could have offered to assign Paulina to the detective, but he was the type who worked better alone. Even while talking with Madam Gremory, he was cleaning his gun by himself.

She went to find the two elves who had attacked the train to inform them of the plan. Since Gremory had provided them with rooms, they were enjoying luxuries they had probably never experienced before.

“Ah, so… the Forest’s… um, hmm. Reporter. What is it? Is it time for us to leave…?”

The reporter briefly glared when she heard “the Forest’s…” as she could guess what would follow, but it didn’t last long. Both of them seemed ready. This method was best for them too.

“You know you’re going to a famous orc broadcaster in Pennsylvania, right? We’ll leave by 7, and since Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn will be gathered there, we’ll probably take a detour.”

When she emphasized the word “orc,” one of the elves began to tremble slightly. The other elf patted his back a few times, and he recovered, but still.

The elf who had comforted his trembling companion slowly spoke up.

“This friend was once beaten by orc security hired by his boss when he protested being unfairly fired from the factory where he worked. His head was cracked open. Is… is this orc okay?”

Everyone has wounds, misunderstandings, and prejudices. That must be why they found reassurance. Just this once, she decided to speak like the Forest’s Firstborn.

“Raise your heads. Look at me. I’ll vouch for you. You’ve seen the Forest’s Firstborn in me, haven’t you? I won’t make you cheer or shout… but I can help you. I’ll give you a reason to feel secure. Can you trust me?”

She decided to calmly acknowledge the fact that she resembled her father with these words. There is no good or evil in one’s nature. There is no good or evil in genetics. Only people can choose between good and evil.

The elf who had barely found stability nodded vigorously at her words. He was about to speak with joy but cleared his throat.

“The operative also said he wouldn’t kill us. So… th-thank you. That’s all…”

The preparations were complete. Soon, Nina’s advertisement played on the radio in Gremory’s reception room, announcing that she would return and that there would be something that would deal a major blow to the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn.

The detective was also checking his gun. It seemed smaller than his usual 1911 pistol—something that would fit an elf’s hand better than a human’s.

Was he preparing it to disguise it as having been fired by an elf? She had thought the detective wasn’t someone who sought truth, but at least someone who looked for evidence, but it seemed he sometimes created evidence too.

The bell rang, announcing 6 o’clock. It was time to leave. The two elves rode in Madam Gremory’s car, while the reporter and Paulina rode in the detective’s car as they headed to the agreed-upon broadcasting station.

The roadside was already filled with masked elves. These individuals, wearing green masks with branches wrapped around their heads like crowns, were all shouting.

Their cries were purposeless, like animal howls. They were sounds meant to show off their collective strength. Feeling embarrassed about being their kin was now familiar to her.

They seemed to be out of control. Some wearing more elaborate masks were shouting something, trying to calm the Followers of the Forest’s Firstborn, but most of the followers were in an almost uncontrollable state.

Worrying about hearing calls to kill the orc was foolish. All that could be heard from inside the car were the sounds of unleashed beasts.