Ch.183Big Catch (2)

As previously mentioned, Phiren Gerrit Stormwalker’s political career spans over hundreds of years. He has held significant influence in the Senate since before the Racial War until now, and during that time, he has gone through various experiences.

There were times when factions divided the Senate and choices had to be made, and times during the Racial War when the Senate’s worst decisions put their very existence in jeopardy.

But each time, Phiren barely managed to overcome the crisis. His methods of overcoming these crises were diverse.

Sometimes through fabrication and instigation, sometimes through truth and explanation, and occasionally through underhanded tricks that no one knew about.

Based on these methods, he maintained the Senate that had been driven to crisis until now, and eventually rose to the position of delegate, gaining tremendous power.

The pure beliefs he held when joining the Senate in the distant past have long been tainted by power, and all that remains is greed and arrogance. Once someone tastes power, they cannot escape it, like being addicted to drugs.

Constantly keeping the kings of Alfheim in check and bringing them down whenever possible is part of this. The stronger the royal authority becomes, the weaker the Senate’s interests become.

Throughout his life, various crises have come his way, but each time, Phiren was able to overcome them smoothly by fully utilizing his experience and improvisation.

But now, the crisis of his lifetime has come again.

“These criminals attacked Xenon on the orders of the Senate leader, Phiren Gerrit Stormwalker!”

Arwen shouted with a compelling, resonant voice. The echo reverberated throughout the square due to the voice amplification magic.

As if that sound had swallowed all other sounds, when the echoes all disappeared, the square became deathly quiet. A great silence settled, so profound that even someone’s cough could be heard clearly.

The fact she stated plunged the citizens gathered in the square and foreign dignitaries into tremendous shock.

“What… is she saying?”

“Surely… she said Delegate Phiren, right?”

“Are those criminals over there saying they harmed… Xenon?”

As the crowd began to stir at this unbelievable revelation, the citizens of Alfheim knew well what the Senate was and who Phiren was.

The Senate had silently stood as a symbol of Alfheim for hundreds of years, so it would be strange not to know. Moreover, during the Racial War, the Senate’s terrible atrocities had led Alfheim to defeat, so their reputation could hardly be called good even in polite terms.

But here, Arwen was not just fanning the flames but pouring oil on the fire.

“D-Delegate Phiren? What on earth is this…”

“…”

Like his bewildered aide, Phiren was equally shocked. No, beyond shock, he felt his heart sink.

Where had it all gone wrong? The oath was not false, and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Karlas.

It’s even ambiguous to conclude he was a spy. He had met with Karlas face to face for decades, and seeing him captured like a criminal and brought onto the platform, he was certainly not a spy.

So somehow they had noticed Karlas’s crime, but he couldn’t grasp how. No matter how much he searched the past, nothing came up.

While Phiren was in extreme confusion trying to organize his thoughts, Arwen, who had dropped the bombshell statement, continued. Her voice and tone were firm, unsuited to her small frame.

“These criminals did not consider the grace Xenon bestowed upon us and harmed him simply because he possessed dangerous knowledge! They brutally damaged the right hand of Xenon, who had bestowed immeasurable grace! They committed this act unilaterally without even hearing my opinion as Queen of Alfheim!”

Despite Arwen’s shouting, there was no appropriate response. This was understandable given how shocking the matter was, and crucially, there was a lack of ‘evidence.’

Although her speaking ability had been proven before, this time the scale was too large, seriously so. One wrong move could subject Alfheim to pressure from neighboring countries, and in the worst case, war could even be declared.

Instigation based on falsehoods requires a large amount of evidence to disprove once people are swayed, but that’s what makes instigation difficult. Despite the current public opinion favoring Arwen, the citizens were not easily swayed.

“How do you view the Senate? Do you truly believe they are working for the development of our Alfheim? Due to the Senate’s atrocities, we suffered the humiliation of defeat in the Racial War, and furthermore, they have suppressed many fields simply because we are elves! Now they are even trying to suppress our brilliantly shining culture!”

So Arwen began to slowly sway them by pointing out one by one the atrocities the Senate had committed until now. The Senate is well-known to the public, and its harmful actions are widely known as well.

Occasionally, minor wrongdoings could be covered up by the Senate’s manipulation of history, but as seen with the Racial War, major atrocities cannot be covered up. As stagnant water rots, the citizens of Alfheim are clear on this one thing.

That the Senate is a group full of corrupt power. Yet it continues to be maintained solely because of its symbolism.

Not only the new generation of elves but even the old generation acknowledges the Senate’s achievements while being reluctant about it. They support it simply because it is a ‘symbol’ that has shared history.

“The world is changing rapidly! Yet they ignore this rapidly changing world and only care about their current comfort! Not for the comfort of Alfheim, but for their own comfort, they are suppressing beautiful culture! But will they only suppress Xenon? When you are building beautiful culture piece by piece, if the Senate doesn’t like it, they will harm you like they did to Xenon! And they will shatter that culture completely!”

“Y-yes, that’s right. Xenon was hiding his identity.”

“Would we be any different?”

“Those Senate bastards… they’ve caused trouble again…”

Originally, instigation works well when a plausible story emerges. Just like now.

If the Senate’s usual conduct had been righteous and clean, it might have been different, but given what they had done so far, the crowd began to agree one by one.

Even Xenon, who lived hiding his identity, was harmed—would they be any different? Could they freely express their art in this country?

Even if they moved to another country, if the Senate didn’t like it, they would pursue them to the end like they did with Xenon—would that be possible?

It’s impossible. As long as the Senate exists, it’s obvious they will suppress not only culture but also negative speech and actions toward elves.

Like ripples forming when a stone is thrown into a calm lake, the hearts of the crowd were also greatly agitated.

After confirming that the crowd was somewhat agitated, Arwen immediately shouted at Karlas and his group.

“I ask the criminals! Is it true that you harmed Xenon on Phiren’s orders?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“Xenon never harmed you. Then why did you do it?”

“Because the knowledge Xenon possessed… was dangerous.”

Karlas answered quietly, but thanks to the voice amplification magic, the crowd could hear everything. With his testimony added, the crowd became increasingly agitated.

But one final blow was missing. Arwen shifted her gaze toward Phiren for that final blow.

Phiren maintained an outwardly calm expression, but his pale complexion showed he was mentally on the defensive. Seeing this, Arwen opened her mouth in a quiet voice.

“As the criminal has named the Senate’s delegate, Phiren. Delegate Phiren, come up to this platform.”

“…”

“If you do not come up, I will have you forcibly brought up.”

With those words, elf warriors began to approach Phiren’s side with determined steps. They showed no hesitation, as if this had been discussed in advance.

“Get away! I will go up myself!”

“…”

But Phiren, perhaps out of pride, firmly refused their escort. The elf warriors said nothing and headed toward the platform in a way that provided an escort.

Eventually, Phiren straightened his slightly disheveled clothes and advanced to the platform where Arwen stood. Even as he went up, the murmuring of the crowd did not subside at all.

Finally, the Senate’s delegate, Phiren, stood on the platform with the Queen. Before facing Arwen, he glared at Karlas and his group, who were kneeling like criminals.

Just a few days ago, Phiren had praised him, but not now. He saw him only as the culprit who had failed to clean up the aftermath and put even himself in crisis.

If he survives this situation, he plans not only to expel him from the Senate but also to pressure his family. The Senate’s prestige will diminish further because of this incident.

“…Your Majesty. Your joke has gone too far this time.”

Phiren spoke to Arwen, trying to maintain as much composure as possible. However, the cold sweat running down his cheek immediately revealed his nervousness.

Arwen immediately noticed this and smiled inwardly. She still had one more blow to deliver but was waiting for the right timing.

“A joke, you say? I merely spoke the truth.”

“Truth? I don’t know who those people are.”

“You don’t know? Your name was mentioned by those criminals, and you still deny it?”

“I can’t say I know someone I don’t know, can I?”

Phiren continued to lie in an attempt to escape somehow. Their conversation was being broadcast live through magic.

“How interesting. After making such a fuss to me about finding Xenon… are you really going to deny it? If you honestly admit your crime, I will give you the highest courtesy as a delegate of the Senate.”

“It seems you disliked me so much that you’re creating non-existent crimes. If I had committed a crime, wouldn’t there be evidence? The testimony of a criminal alone is not enough.”

“Evidence… Yes. Evidence. As you say.”

Snap!

As soon as the keyword ‘evidence’ was mentioned from Phiren’s mouth, Arwen smiled and lightly flicked her finger. Instantly, a wave of mana formed something rectangular near the platform.

It was the size of what Isaac would consider a movie screen, and it was clearly visible not only to Phiren but also to the crowd watching from afar. All eyes turned toward the screen.

And what the screen was showing…

[So, have you found Xenon?]

It was Karlas and Phiren having a secret conversation in a mansion. Phiren’s face turned pale instantly upon seeing this.

[Of course. As expected, humans are nothing special. Especially the publishing company president, who was an incompetent human, making him easy to track.]

[Oh. That’s impressive. I thought Xenon would have hidden his identity by borrowing the power of another race. For example, like a demon.]

As the conversation progressed, Phiren’s complexion became more and more wretched, and the crowd fell silent in an instant.

Who could argue when clear evidence was unfolding before their eyes, not just instigation? While recording magic might allow for editing, it absolutely cannot be fabricated.

However, Arwen excluded the part where Xenon’s identity (though fake) was directly revealed. Even if it was a fake identity, it could cause confusion.

[By the way, I’m curious if you persuaded him well.]

[Well, as you expected, Delegate, persuasion didn’t work. Rather, he rejected us, saying he didn’t want to be part of those who censor precious culture. Isn’t that typical of artists?]

[It is a characteristic of artists. So?]

[I took some measures to ensure he never thinks that way again. When I told him I would make it so he could never write again, he quickly begged, crying.]

[Hahahahaha! Very good. I’m curious about what kind of measure it was, can you tell me?]

[Well… I broke his fingers so he couldn’t write for a while.]

The crowd had similar thoughts watching this scene.

That it made them want to vomit. That they’d seen enough and please stop.

Some tightly closed their eyes, while others covered their mouths in disbelief.

Originally, it was impossible to gauge the extent of Xenon’s suffering, but the more they heard their conversation, the more they could imagine.

How painful it must have been. How humiliating it must have been. How difficult it must have been.

An artist’s pride and beliefs were completely shattered because of these greedy individuals; it’s remarkable he didn’t commit suicide.

[I’ve brought something else that will satisfy you, Delegate Phiren.]

[This is…]

[It’s an oath contract.]

[An oath contract?]

To make matters worse, the crowd was shocked to learn they had even made an ‘oath.’ As elves skilled in magic, they understood what kind of magic an oath was.

Once made, one can only act according to what is written in the oath contract. This means that Xenon can no longer write the stories he wants when publishing his biography.

In other words, because of that greedy elf, the development of Xenon’s biography has been completely ruined.

[Thanks to this, our Senate will be able to exert power.]

With Phiren’s words, the evidence ended there. But neither Phiren nor anyone else dared to step forward.

The evidence Arwen showed was enough to shake not only Alfheim but the entire world.

As a long, deep silence settled over the venue…

“What an absolute bastard!!”

Starting with someone’s vehement cry, the crowd exploded.

“Cut off that damned man’s head right now!!”

“I’m ashamed to be the same race as him!”

“Abolish the Senate quickly! Otherwise, there’s no hope for our country!!”

The crowd began to denounce Phiren with one heart. Beyond denunciation, criticism, curses, and words too terrible to utter came like a storm.

Arwen looked at Phiren while listening to these sounds as if her ears would go deaf. Phiren wore a dumbfounded expression, as if he couldn’t believe this reality.

“I, the Queen of Alfheim, command.”

“…”

“Arrest the Senate’s delegate and criminal, Phiren Gerrit Stormwalker!”

As soon as her order fell, Phiren’s senses returned. But it was already too late.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

The elf warriors who had somehow approached quickly subdued him. First, they made him kneel and held his arms so he couldn’t resist.

Again, Phiren is a politician, not a soldier. Moreover, he’s aged enough to have wrinkles all over, so he couldn’t possibly resist the warriors.

“Let, let me go! How dare you…!”

“It seems you still haven’t come to your senses. Delegate Phiren, no, criminal.”

“You…!”

Phiren had now abandoned all formality and even dropped honorifics. Arwen smirked as she saw Phiren looking at her with blazing eyes.

The Senate can no longer maintain its existence. The situation was already precarious, and now that the final stamp has been put on it, all that remains is for it to disappear into history.

“Do you think you can govern Alfheim well without us! A novice queen who doesn’t know how we, the Senate, have ruled Alfheim until now!!”

“I know well. But one cannot maintain rotting limbs, can one?”

Despite Phiren’s shouting, Arwen responded clearly. Naturally, Phiren could only be furious.

“Cut off his head right now!!”

“Your Majesty! Please remove that filthy face! He’s a disgrace to elves!”

“You dare harm Xenon, whom even the gods acknowledge?! If Alfheim falls, it’s all your fault!!”

Meanwhile, the voices of the crowd grew louder. Occasionally, some who couldn’t control their anger stepped forward, but they were quickly restrained by the warriors.

As countless curses were hurled at him, Phiren’s spirit began to weaken, yet he gritted his teeth as if he couldn’t end it here. Arwen noticed this as well.

But she remained still. She had a pretty good idea of what he was about to reveal.

Then Phiren made a determined expression and shouted not at Arwen, but at the crowd.

“Listen, everyone! That man’s name is Xenon Cloud!”

“…”

“He’s an old human living in the Hask region of the Kingdom of Teres! A neatly bearded man with white hair and blue eyes!”

Phiren began to reveal Xenon’s fake identity, as if he couldn’t die alone. But it was far from enough to quell the exploding crowd.

Of course, those who wanted to listen would, but it didn’t matter. Since it was all fake anyway, it didn’t matter whether it was revealed or not.

As Arwen was about to gesture for him to be taken away, Phiren blurted out a bombshell declaration.

“And he’s the lover of Arwen Elidia, who’s acting like a queen and doing absurd things!!”

“…What?”

What nonsense is this now? Both Arwen and the crowd were shocked by this bombshell declaration and paused their anger.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? I suspected from the moment I heard he gave you a speech! Unless you were lovers, could you have been in contact all this time and done something like this?”

“W-what are you saying…! Take the criminal away immediately!”

Arwen hurriedly gave the order, unable to hide her bewilderment. However, Phiren didn’t stop struggling even as he was being dragged away by the warriors.

“You will be recorded in history like this! As a dark ruler who ruined state affairs because she was captivated by a mere human lover! What will you be able to do after that human dies!! I will watch it all! All of it!! With these eyes!!”

“…”

After that, Phiren was taken down from the platform, but…

“The Queen is… dating Xenon?”

“Is that true?”

“What’s this about giving her a speech?”

The crowd began to whisper for a different reason.

“Wait. Come to think of it, Xenon couldn’t be with an elf, so he included that story in his book.”

“Really? Then…”

“It all fits together perfectly?”

As usual, villains continue to exert influence until the very end.