"Kara…uhm…I'm not sure about the answers to your questions. There are affordable houses already built, but I have no clue if you'd like them. Truthfully, if you were willing to move and take this job, I'd give or build you a house of your choosing with high priority as a job perk. I thought you'd want to stay in the house you just bought, though? Would you really upend your lives for a job and city you may not even like?" (Mizuki)
Kara looks shocked, then a little sad. She shakes her head and gives me a polite smile.
"Mizuki, I think I know what you're asking – can I really leave the house that my husband and I just bought? My husband never saw the house we're in now because I bought it after he left…as a surprise. I was so excited to show it to him, and I spent all that time thinking about living together in it. Now…his absence from it is just a constant reminder of what I lost. Truthfully, I've wanted to move and start over somewhere new with Cera since you gave us the money." (Kara)
That is, like, the saddest shit I've heard since I came to this world. I glance at Alto, and I see tears welling up in her eyes. She'd eat me alive if I don't try to help them. Even Nina is looking at me expectantly. I honestly don't know if they'd be happy in Eden, though. There's barely anything there right now, and there definitely aren't any people.
"Well, in that case the only thing you'd need to do is decide if Eden is actually somewhere you want to live. I'd make sure your house and Cera's caretaker are covered. In the meantime, let's finish the interview though, okay?" (Mizuki)
I see a focused expression overtake her face, and Kara nods her acknowledgement.
"It's of paramount importance to my Lady that the train she built is only used as-is to transport elves and cargo – she forbids any exploitation or attempts to study it. So, my only question for you is…as an operator of the train, what would it take for someone to convince you to violate that policy and let them abuse your role as operator?" (Mizuki)
Kara's eyes go wide in surprise, and she looks conflicted for several minutes. Then, she sighs dejectedly and looks at me sadly.
"I see why you are paying so much for the job, Mizuki. I wouldn't do it for money or anything else, but if I thought that Cera or I would get hurt, I would betray your policy without hesitation. I'm sorry to say that I might not be who you're looking for." (Kara)
[She meant every word, Mizuki. You should trust her, I think.] (Nina)
Kara seems somewhat bitter, but I can't stop grinning. That's exactly the kind of answer I want from train operators, and Nina endorsing her is just icing on the cake.
Kara sees my expression and becomes puzzled, so I just shake my head at her.
"On the contrary, Kara, I think you're the perfect person for the job. That would be the right decision. In that case, you tell us as soon as you can, and we will make sure that you and Cera are safe, and those people are punished severely. I promise you…there's not a place on this planet that my Lady couldn't track someone down and deal with them." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…Mizuki speaks the truth!" (Nina)
Kara gives a dumbfounded look and glances between us for several moments.
"So, you're saying…" (Kara)
I nod at her and smile.
"That's right, the job is yours if you want it, Kara – assuming you would move to Eden. As for whether you'd want to, how about we find out? Go collect Cera and some light travel supplies and meet us at the train in an hour. We'll take you both back to Eden with us as our guests and show you the whole city. It's not much to look at right now, so we'll also show you all the remaining construction plans. We'll even let you see how the train is operated on the way back. Then, decide for yourself." (Mizuki)
Kara's face lights up, and she looks like she's about to cry. Instead, she just hurriedly stands up from the couch and gives a deep bow.
"Thank you so much, Mizuki. You as well, Great Dragon. I won't let you down! I'll go get ready immediately!" (Kara)
Without another word, Kara scrambles out of the room with a huge smile and an honest to god spring in her step. It really tugs at my heartstrings. Now…about that babysitter.
"Hey Alto…it may take a while to find a reliable caretaker…" (Mizuki)
I don't even finish my question before Alto cuts me off.
"Let me watch over Cera while Kara works, until we find someone trustworthy to replace me." (Alto)
She's staring at me intently, and it's clearly not a request. I smile at her and nod approvingly.
"I'm sure he'll be in good hands, Alto, and his father would appreciate it." (Mizuki)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
A couple hours later, we are all on the train back to Eden, including the other workers that Alara hired. Alara spent some time earlier showing Kara how to operate the train and emphasizing the importance of the control plates and always keeping them under watch. After, Kara was allowed to operate the train for our return trip.
Kara was very frightened of the train's speed at first, but after twenty minutes of Cera screaming 'faster mom' from the back, and Alara assuring her that the train was safe to go that fast, we got up to the same cruising speed as Alto normally uses.
Satisfied that Kara is fine, Alara joins me in the passenger section. The workers are in other railcars, and Cera is with Alto towards the back of this one, so we can speak freely.
"Mizuki, I'm glad you agreed to hire one of them. Honestly, I was scared that you'd reject them both. Her especially, being a single mother with a young child. Apparently, you know each other, though, which was the only reason I ignored that detail. I figured that, at worst, we could use her to cover missing shifts, so long as you trusted her." (Alara)
Ah, so Alara did learn about us through her earlier interview process. It seems she didn't mention our involvement to Kara, though.
"Yes, we're acquainted. That helped a little bit, but she still had some work to do to convince me. I was also worried about her being a single mother and balancing that with a job that requires punctuality. However, we worked out an agreement. I promised to ensure a full-time caretaker for her son while she works, but only if they both moved to a house in Eden permanently. Are you okay with them living there?" (Mizuki)
Alara looks surprised.
"Just like that? You already convinced someone to move to my city? I don't mind at all, especially if they're going to be working for me as well. Where do they want to live?" (Alara)
"Well, I wouldn't say it's guaranteed. I'm worried the city might not be quite developed or populated enough yet to appeal to them. That's why they're here, to look around, listen to the city's development plans, and decide. I don't know where they'd want to live exactly, but I'm sure you can talk to them about it. Tell them about the normal costs for land, houses, and construction, and I'll cover any expenses if they move here." (Mizuki)
Alara nods her head thoughtfully.
"Understood, and yes, I agree. It's not very appealing until we have shops and people already here from the tourism, at least. That's why I'm prioritizing merchants and business owners tomorrow and touring them around the city personally. Do you have any other suggestions to make this place more appealing?" (Alara)
Oh boy, do I ever. I grin at Alara.
"Definitely. The first is a school. Build a public school in the city-owned center land. Hold classes there for math, reading, writing, and magic…then make them free to every Eden citizen under twenty, and heavily discounted to those under fifty. People would flock here for such an education, even if it's only for their children." (Mizuki)
Alara's eyes go wide in shock.
"Mizuki, free!? That's absurd! Where did you even get such an idea!?" (Alara)
I sigh deeply, and I cast a silencing spell around us.
"Alara, what's your most burning question about me at the moment?" (Mizuki)
Alara looks deeply confused by the sudden topic change.
"Uhm…I guess why a human is so monstrously strong, why Lady Nedonera said you weren't from a human country, or why your behaviors and ideas are so strange. I'm assuming that at least two of those are related. What does this have to do with your school idea?" (Alara)
I nod patiently.
"That's right, all three are related in fact. Would you like me to answer them now? You'd never be allowed to repeat what you hear to anyone. Not a single word, under any circumstances, or I would react very poorly. If you still want to know, I've already cast a spell that lets us talk without being overheard." (Mizuki)
Alara's eyes go wide, but she doesn't even hesitate to respond. She's burning with curiosity.
"You have my word, Mizuki, I'd never even consider betraying your trust. Please…I'm dying to know the answers to those questions." (Alara)