"So, what did you think of Eden?" (Mizuki)
It's the morning of the grand opening for Eden, and I'm talking with Kara, Alara, Zara, Cera, Nina, and Alto in the family room of the mansion. Kara and Cera were given our other guest room last night, but they didn't return with Alara until late, so I thought it polite to let them rest.
Kara smiles happily, but Cera interjects before she can respond.
"Mizuki, the hot spring was awesome! Mom said we had to try it since we climbed all those stairs, but then she was scared because she thought there would be private areas, and she didn't want to be naked with other people around! But then…" (Cera)
Cera is blabbering uncontrollably, but Kara cuts him off with a horrified expression when he mentions her being naked.
"Cera! Don't say that!" (Kara)
Kara is obviously embarrassed and seems to have a hard time making eye contact with us. Alara is just looking at her, amused. Chill out, Alara, not everyone is as comfortable with nudity as you are.
"Fufufu…let me guess, Cera. Then Lady Alara showed you that there were those big circles called jacuzzi that you could sit in, and that they were enchanted to keep people from seeing you?" (Mizuki)
Cera nods his head furiously in excitement. Alto, who saw the jacuzzi and surmised they involved photon manipulation, looks envious. Kara, having recovered, eyes me with curiosity.
"Yes, that was so strange, Mizuki! If they didn't have the little mirrors, I wouldn't be able to tell when we're protected from view. Even still, I was so nervous, I had Cera check them from the outside to make sure. I've never seen any kind of magic like that, much less an enchanted item." (Kara)
Good, I'm glad that I thought to put the mirrors for peace of mind.
"Fufufu…I'm glad you both liked them. Yes, the strange magic was my Lady's work, like the trains. What about the city itself, though, would you want to live here? We have big plans, but right now it's just some nice streets with a train, inn, hot spring, and some basic houses – I wasn't sure it would appeal to you like this with so few people." (Mizuki)
Kara nods sympathetically.
"Yes, I was concerned about that as well at first. Lady Alara showed us the plans to add shops all along the main streets, and she told us that there are many merchants visiting today who might start their businesses there. She also said that you suggested building a school here and making it free for children that are citizens of Eden…is that true?" (Kara)
Kara is looking at me hopefully, and I smile warmly and nod in return.
"Correct, I suggested it and Lady Alara seemed receptive. I'm also suggesting that she construct a large building for indoor recreation, that we can fill with unique games for children and adults to both enjoy. There will also be a large section of valley next to the lake that's left as greenery and will contain things for outdoor recreation, called a park." (Mizuki)
Kara takes this all in, and her smile becomes warmer as she listens.
"If you're planning all that, the school especially, and this place is only a two-hour ride by train to Avalon, then Cera and I would like to move here. With you, Lady Alara, and Lady Nedonera all working that closely together, I'm sure we won't have to wait long before this is an envious place to live." (Kara)
Alara laughs and interjects.
"Fufufu…you are correct Kara, I am very motivated to make Eden somewhere worth living, and so are they. So, do you know where you'd want to move to within Eden, and when you can start working?" (Alara)
Kara nods.
"Yes, we'd like to have our own house built when possible – we're planning to just stay at the inn until then, if that's alright? I can start working today if there is someone to watch Cera, and if I'll have time later to go to Avalon and collect some of our things." (Kara)
Alto immediately looks at me hopefully…I think I know what she wants. I smile and give her an approving nod, and she turns back to Kara excitedly.
"Kara, we'd be honored if you'd continue staying with us in the guest room downstairs. We insist – there's no reason for you to stay at the inn. Also, I will be watching Cera for you until we find someone else trustworthy, and we can go collect your things this evening." (Alto)
Kara looks surprised and glances at Nina and me.
"Of course, Alto makes a good point. Fufufu…Cera can help me test out the new games!" (Nina)
"Fufufu…it's Alto's house, technically, so you don't need to ask us. Still, it's fine with me. You should know that there is only one large bath, though. If you want to use it alone, just let the rest of us know in advance and we'll respect your wishes." (Mizuki)
Kara gives me a puzzled look, and she becomes embarrassed. Cera has a confused look on his face, and shortly voices both of their thoughts.
"Mizuki, do you take baths with girls?" (Cera)
Kara turns red and begins averting her gaze. Alara is stifling laughter, barely, and Alto and Zara are watching me expectantly. Nina reeks of amusement.
Screw them for not explaining this! Why should I be shamed!? I was all for privacy, but they are so nonchalant about us bathing together…even Alto!
I thought for sure she'd have some boundaries, until she just climbed into the bath with me the other day. When I voiced my surprise, she just shrugged and called it 'research'! Research of what!?
"Uhm…sometimes, but not with everyone here. It's a really big bath, so it's more like we're at the hot springs together." (Mizuki)
'Not everyone here' at the same time, at least. I want to make it sound like Alara is excluded in case her being a noble would cause issues. Cera seems to think it over carefully…I'm way too nervous about this.
"Hmm…that makes sense!" (Cera)
Kara is staring between Cera and me in horror, like she's watching me corrupt her kid in real time. Don't look at me like that, Kara! I don't like lying to children! I quickly try to change the subject.
"So, I guess we all better get started with our tasks! Since Kara has accepted the job – her, Lady Alara, and Zara should probably leave for the grand opening of Eden. My Lady, didn't you have some orcs you needed to meet with?" (Mizuki)
Nina's eyes go wide, and Alara just smirks at me like she knows what I'm doing.
"Yes, thank you Mizuki! I must leave at once!" (Nina)
"Fufufu…Mizuki makes a good point, Kara, we should depart." (Alara)
I sigh in relief that they're backing me up. I wasn't sure they would. Nina eagerly leaves the room without another word, then the others stand as well, and we all say our farewells. When the room is empty, I'm alone with nothing to do.
"Hmm…maybe it's about time that I checked in at the guild. After all, it's been over a week since we made S-rank…I wonder what developments that has brought." (Mizuki)
I smile eagerly in solitude, then teleport to Elmesia.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
"So, you finally came back to inspect the shit-storm you kicked up? Honestly, I wonder why you even joined the guild, only dropping by once every week or two. It's not like you're taking jobs during that time." (Gerard)
I give Gerard a sheepish grin.
When I got to the guild, the other adventurers were quick to notice me, and I got swarmed with questions about our S-rank status and the Elven Kingdom. Safe to say, word has spread. Thankfully, Melanie frantically directed me to Gerard's office. Lately, it seems to be my only destination when I arrive.
"There's just other things my party and I needed to handle. Besides, if you ever need us to take certain jobs, you can just ask. I'll try to stop by once a week until things calm down in case you need to speak with us. On to why I came back…you're right on the mark. So, did anything interesting happen?" (Mizuki)
Gerard snorts, and he pulls a half-meter tall bundle of letters off the floor next to him and throws them at me on the couch.
"Fan mail? I'm flattered…did you write any of these?" (Mizuki)
Gerard ignores my question and shakes his head in exasperation.
"That's nothing, those are just the letters addressed to you. There's an entire room filled downstairs with the ones addressed to Nina. Hell, even Alto's stack of mail is bigger than yours – apparently an elf that willingly tolerates humans garners a lot of interest. Her presence in the S-rank party put a spotlight on her." (Gerard)
"Hmm…that's good to know. I'll also need to take Alto's stack of mail then. Those will probably be the most useful. My whole party can come back later for the rest. Across all our mail, was there anything I should be especially aware of?" (Mizuki)
Gerard gives a puzzled expression when I mention it being useful, but he nods in response to my question.
"Yes, that would be the letters that were sent to me personally with the express demand that they be read to the S-rank party. Here, there are four." (Gerard)
Gerard hands me a small bundle of very fine-looking letters from his desk drawer. I raise my eyebrows at him.
"Love letters in the fan mail? Are they from anyone I know?" (Mizuki)
Gerard rolls his eyes, and his voice becomes heavy with sarcasm.
"I don't know, ever had a wild night with the Elmesia council, the kings of Freden or Balzuth, or the emperor of the Ralzen Empire?" (Gerard)
I can feel myself stiffen…all of them!?
"Wow, Gerard, please try to take this seriously. Those are important people, you know. Anyway, what did they say? The short version." (Mizuki)
"Sorry, I assumed you were literate, but I guess I was supposed to tell you anyway. Short version is that the Kings of Freden and Balzuth invite you to come to their kingdoms and have an audience with them at your convenience, and the Elmesia council requests a meeting to discuss a job opportunity for your party." (Gerard)
"I'm swooning already. What about the Ralzen Empire?" (Mizuki)
Gerard ignores my very funny comment and directs a morbid expression at me instead.
"Emperor Belmod of the Ralzen Empire orders you to appear before him, your rightful ruler, a week from yesterday. Their capital city, Rodsgard, is deep inside the Kingdom, so I'd start traveling today if you want to make this deadline." (Gerard)
Wow…my ruler, huh? An order, too, not an invitation. That's a bold guy…I already dislike him. Obviously, I'm not worried about the timeline.
"Is Emperor Belmod as charming as he sounds?" (Mizuki)
Gerard nods solemnly.
"Even more so." (Gerard)
Gerard explains that Emperor Belmod acquired the throne less than a year ago, after the death of his father. Since, he's been on a real 'make the Empire great again' power trip.
He thinks the Empire should rule with an iron fist, and he doesn't recognize Elmesia's long-standing independence. In his eyes, they're still an Empire territory that's just been given too much leeway.
Similarly, he thinks the Empire has been too wary of the Elven Kingdom. He's not fond of non-humans and probably doesn't have any issue with the underground slave trade either.
There are many in the Empire who idealize the expansionist days of their history and consider him a welcome change in leadership. According to Gerard, it's only a matter of time before his ideals push the Empire to become even more antagonistic to non-humans and their countries.
"Alright, thanks Gerard. I should leave and figure out what to do about these developments. I'll be in touch!" (Mizuki)
I rise from the couch to leave Gerard's office. Before I make it to the door, however, he calls out.
"Mizuki, one last thing before you go." (Gerard)
I turn around and give him a curious look.
"Cedonia is in the Ralzen Empire, and elves are pretty isolated from humankind. If elven slaves are freed inside the Empire, and then within a couple of weeks a powerful adventuring party is endorsed by their kingdom, it's not likely to be viewed as coincidence by Emperor Belmod." (Gerard)
Yeah, I figured as much. Initially, I assumed that underground slavers wouldn't be inclined to spread word about their illegal activities. However, the loss of so many guards, the mysterious nature of my jailbreak, and the revelation that Emperor Belmod doesn't seem to condemn the illegal slave activities make me less confident that the emperor will be ignorant of the events.
"Understood…thanks for the warning, Gerard. Maybe I'll quit being a smartass since you're being this nice to me." (Mizuki)
Gerard gives me a rare, bewildered look.
"You don't actually mean that, do you?" (Gerard)
I give Gerard a stupid grin and shrug, then leave his office without another word. Just outside the door, I sigh deeply and mutter to myself.
"I have a bad feeling about this." (Mizuki)