Chapter 19: A speech by a politician, less than 600 words long?!Ci Tylord Pov

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  I was born in Bruk, raised in Bruk and taught to lead Bruk. When my father passed away two years ago, I assumed his mantle as the city lord. I always believed that I was doing a good job. Everyone I saw was happy. But the battle yesterday was a wake-up call. I was overconfident, believing we had it in the bag already. I assumed the wall I had my mages build would defeat the rest of the wolf pack.

  And yet the wall was used by the opponent instead. Worse yet, it became a ramp that the opponent could use to jump directly onto the city wall. Father always told me never to underestimate my opponents, and yet that is exactly what I did. But the worst thing of all is that, when a saviour came and killed the wolves, I was scared of her. I thought of her as a monster only because she was drenched in blood. Father always told me to return grudges twofold and gratitudes tenfold, and yet all I could do was look at her while being scared.

  Luckily, someone in the crowd knew her. It was the guild receptionist of the adventurer's guild. She told me about the little girl. She told me how the little girl registered as an adventurer, and that she was the one who summoned the little girl. I asked her if she could bring the little girl to me, and she said she would try. Then, today, a day ter, they actually came.

  The moment I id my eyes on the girl, I felt as if a thousand wolves were hungrily eying me. Somehow, I was able to make it through the conversation. But I was unable to keep a clear head during it. All the eloquent talking I trained so much for was useless. All I did was say whatever came to my mind. Then, when I thought it was finally over, she turned around and asked me to build a pce for the orphans. Yet, I actually refused! Didn't I swear to repay the gratitude?! And yet I refused. Luckily, she tried again, and this time I didn't refuse outright.

  After she left, I could hear my heart pumping as if it had to pump the water of a whole river. Then I prepared for the speech.

  Two days pass, and it's finally time.

  Tens of thousands of people have gathered in and around the town's square. Solemnly, I ascend the stairs to the ptform that was built exactly for this occasion. When I reach the top, I take a deep breath and start speaking into the microphone, an amplifying stone pced atop a stick.

  "Three days ago, we were all living our lives without a clue about what was about to happen. Three days ago, a massive army of wolves attacked us. Three days ago, many died to stop the army, and three days ago, we were saved by what can only be a miracle. And I must admit. I am guilty.

  "I am guilty of not keeping a close eye on the forest. I knew that a dragon had nested there, and that there was a possibility of monsters attacking people on the road. I knew that there was a slim possibility that the monsters would gather and attack the city together. And yet I underestimated the possible scale of the attack. I assumed that the wolves would kill each other, and that only stragglers would run out. I did not monitor the forest closely enough. For that, I offer my deepest apologies."

  I bow down to everyone.

  "I am guilty of more. I underestimated the leader of the pack. I was overconfident. I made the mages build a wall to topple, and in the end, it was toppled in the wrong direction. For that too, I offer my deepest apologies."

  I bow down once again.

  "But as much as I failed, we made it through. We defended the city. We prevented the monsters from killing everyone. We survived! It is only through the brave efforts of the warriors and mages that we were able to make it through. It is only through their never-ending fighting spirit that we live to see another day.

  "And yet many still died. Many warriors and mages gave their noble lives to stop the wolves. Every battle demands casualties. And yet that does not make them any less valuable. Every single defender is a hero of this city. Every single defender was vital to our defence, and I don't pn on diminishing any of them.

  "But there was one thing that, in the end, was what truly gave us victory. Without the little girl at the end, none of us would have lived. I shudder to imagine what would have happened had the little girl not appeared. I shudder to imagine what would have happened without the adventurer Lunar Rabbit!"

  I point in the air. At that moment, a line etches itself in the air. A line that all of us defenders are all too familiar with. Soon, the air is opened, and a girl steps out. Shorts and a shirt, all too unfitting for the situation, and a blindfold. For some reason, she is now wearing a blindfold. And somehow I'm not that scared of her anymore. I snap out of my thoughts and continue talking.

  "It is only because of her," I gesture to Lunar Rabbit, "that we survived. So let us all give our thanks with a massive cheer!"

  At my words, the whole square blows up. Everyone thanks and cheers towards Lunar Rabbit. Even the defenders, who looked on in apprehension at first, slowly join in. In the end, there are even explosions in the air, turning into hearts and stars. Above us, Lunar Rabbit jumps through the air and sparkles fall off of her while she is chuckling like a little girl having fun.

  After everybody calms down, I continue talking. "I also have an announcement to make. At the request of Lunar Rabbit, I will be building what I will call orphanages. There, orphans will be able to live without paying anything. Additionally, you will be able to bring your children there before work and take them back after work."

  Another wave of cheers follows. Then I leave the ptform.

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