After leaving the guild, I teleport back to Avalon and take a scenic flight around the Elven Kingdom to clear my head.
From what I can tell, the terrain of the central and eastern territories is mostly plains, with some forestlands scattered throughout – I see no evidence of large deserts, marshlands, swamps, or mountain ranges. So, hot springs might be uncommon in the developed parts of this country. That's nothing but good news for us!
After my joyride, I arrive in Eden with just a short amount of time remaining until the arrival of Eden's first guests. I am currently walking with Alto and Cera through the empty streets of Eden, towards the train station.
"So, what did you do today?" (Mizuki)
Cera beams at the question.
"We did lots, Mizuki! Miss Alto made me some food, and she read books to me in the library, and we played hide-and-seek in the mansion, and…" (Cera)
Cera continues for a minute or two, and he seems excited about it all, but I'm sure Alto was struggling to keep him entertained in this place as-is. I smile at her approvingly.
[Nice job Alto, he seems like he had a really good time!] (Mizuki)
I see Alto's expression become happier, and a light smile forms on her face. After Cera finishes his summary, I nod excitedly and agree that he had a very good time and that I am very jealous. Then, I recall that there was something I wanted to ask Alto.
"Alto, are there any other natural hot springs that the elves regularly use? Most of the terrain east of here seems to just be plains and forestland." (Mizuki)
Alto shakes her head and smiles.
"No, this will be a first in our country. We have artificial hot springs – essentially large stone baths that are built outside. There are also some adventurous elves that will make trips into Gelrod's Pass, where there are hot springs. There's nothing like Eden's natural hot spring that's easily accessible." (Alto)
Perfect…something that we have a virtual monopoly on. I wasn't expecting that when I suggested it to Alara over a week ago. As I reflect on our good luck, we arrive at the train station. There are already a few hot spring and inn employees stationed as guides for the commoners.
After some time, a shiny object can be seen down the railway – the train is almost here. Eventually, the train slows to a stop in front of us.
Alara and Zara are the first to step out, then about a dozen other passengers follow them off to the side – the invited guests. After, dozens more people pour out of the train and begin walking around excitedly.
After several minutes, the common passengers make their way in a couple of directions at the behest of the workers, and the train begins its return to Avalon for the second group of passengers.
I smile and wave as we walk over towards Alara and her group. When I get closer, I freeze in shock.
"Kudra!? I didn't know you'd be coming here as an invited merchant!" (Mizuki)
Kudra, the kur'kes seller I first met while touring Avalon with Ilina, is among the attaché with Alara. Hearing my statement, he smirks, but Alara is the first to speak up in surprise.
"Mizuki, how did you come to know Avalon's most successful businessman?" (Alara)
I direct a bewildered glance at Alara, and then Kudra. He never said he was such a big deal! Why was he personally running a tiny ass stand outside the palace like some nobody!?
"Yes, I wondered that as well."
I turn in surprise to the sound of another voice to find…a beautiful red headed elven girl – Cara Egris. My eyes go wide in surprise when I see her. She should be at least a four-day journey away from here right now.
"Lady Cara!? How are you here?" (Mizuki)
Cara narrows her eyes at me suspiciously.
"Ah, so you did make plans knowing the nobles would be in an information lag as they traveled. Fufufu…I bet the other nobles are kicking themselves right now. It's a good thing I hung around Avalon for a couple of days, just in case." (Cara)
Oh, I'm busted…time for a subject change.
"So, Lady Cara, Kudra, did you enjoy the train? Lady Cara, why didn't you bring any guards with you?" (Mizuki)
Kudra nods thoughtfully, while Cara snorts at my blatant evasion. Alara is still looking on in confusion, and the other businesspeople seem keenly interested in the unfolding events.
"It was splendid, Mizuki, truly a marvel of transportation. My only complaint is that it was all gray with hard seats. Would some decoration or softer seating have been too much to ask for?" (Kudra)
That's actually not a bad idea…I should talk to Percivil.
"I assumed I'd be safe here, and I wanted to speak to you in private. As for the train…yes, I didn't think such fast travel could exist. It seems that it was built only a day after we parted ways, Mizuki, but was never mentioned in our meetings. Care to explain?" (Cara)
Hmm…
"Of course, Lady Cara. Aside from the fact that our meetings were not supposed to discuss such things, my Lady had no intention to build this train when you and I last spoke." (Mizuki)
That's all technically true. I see Cara gearing up to say something troublesome again, so I change the subject.
"Lady Alara, to answer your question, Kudra and I became acquainted when Princess Ilina showed me around Avalon. He was just running a small kur'kes stand personally, so I had no idea of his business standing. Kudra, I'll speak to our craftsman about making the train more comfortable – I appreciate the feedback." (Mizuki)
"Tch…you're still doing that, Kudra? Shouldn't someone your age consider retiring?" (…)
I hear a woman's voice ring out, and I turn my attention to its source – a mid 30s-looking elven woman, with brown eyes and shoulder-length dirty blonde hair. While her words sound harsh, her face has a playful smirk, and Kudra doesn't seem offended.
"What are you rambling about, Ulta? That stand was my very first business venture, and I will periodically operate it until the day I die. Regarding my age, I'm sure Mizuki considers you ancient as well. Maybe you should retire, hmm?" (Kudra)
Huh, so that's why he does it? That's kind of wholesome. Ulta turns to me with her eyebrows raised, and she is eyeing me with slight annoyance.
"Is that so? You think that I'm old, Mizuki?" (Ulta)
I put on the most charming smile I can and bow, then shake my head politely.
"I could never call someone as beautiful as yourself old, Miss Ulta, regardless of the difference in our life experience." (Mizuki)
Ulta's smile transitions to one of amusement, and I see Alto, Zara, and others raising their eyebrows at me. Kudra looks like he's stifling laughter.
"Fufufu…my, quite the flatterer, aren't you? Can all the elven women here expect your empty compliments?" (Ulta)
"Actually, Miss Ulta, I spent several evenings with Mizuki, and he never called me beautiful." (Cara)
Cara is speaking to Ulta with an annoyed tone, while glaring at me. Alara is staring at me curiously.
"Agreed, I've never received such an unsolicited compliment from Mizuki." (Alara)
Ulta looks back to me in surprise.
"Well then, it's nice to meet you, Mizuki. Since I already know about the infamous human serving an Elder Dragon, I'll return the favor. I'm a chef, and I run a few restaurants in Avalon. I even have one in Lady Cara's capital city." (Ulta)
I smile appreciatively.
"If your restaurants span multiple territories, and you're so familiar with Kudra and Lady Cara, I can only assume that you're quite talented. In that case, I hope you'll look favorably on your tour of Eden, and particularly Lady Alara's vision of its future. It'd be an honor to have an esteemed chef open a restaurant here." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…well your shameless flattery is certainly a good start. Will you be joining us on this tour?" (Ulta)
Ulta looks at me expectantly, but I have other concerns. I look past Ulta towards Alara and her other invited guests.
"I'm certainly happy to do so if nobody here objects. I won't be offended if you don't want a human accompanying you." (Mizuki)
There's a mix of surprised and confused expressions among the guests, but nobody says anything negative. That's much better than I expected, and I'm sure the surprise shows on my face.
One elven man appearing mid 50s steps forward from the invited guests, and he ushers a 20s-looking elven man along with him – the young man looks a little apprehensive. The older one speaks out.
"Hello Mizuki, I run a number of farms around the kingdom. My name is Toki, and this is my youngest child, Koda. I was hoping to purchase some land in Lady Alara's territory to develop into a new farm. This would be for Koda to learn our trade and some responsibility by assisting with it. If you don't mind, we'd appreciate it if you joined our tour." (Toki)
That's surprising…I can't deny that I'm curious. I nod at Toki and turn to Koda with a curious smile.
"I'm happy to help if I can. Mister Koda, it's nice to meet you." (Mizuki)
Koda looks bewildered by my direct comment at him. Toki rolls his eyes and gives Koda a light nudge on his back.
"N-Nice to meet you Lord Mizuki…you don't need to call me Mister, just Koda is fine." (Koda)
Wow…Lord? I guess I don't have to worry about this poor kid being hateful towards me.
"Fufufu…very well, Koda. You should also just call me Mizuki. I have no honorifics…I am just a servant." (Mizuki)
I see Alara suppressing a smirk, and Cara rolling her eyes, following my designation as a servant. Koda looks surprised, but he doesn't say anything.
"Well, now that we've settled the introductions, can we get started with the tour, Lady Alara?" (Cara)
As she says this, Cara walks forward from the other guests and loops her arm through mine. Several shocked glances can be seen from the other guests, including a dumbfounded stare from Koda. Alto and Zara both smirk at me.
I groan internally, and I catch Alara chuckling.
"Fufufu…of course, Lady Cara. Everyone, please follow me this way!" (Alara)
Alara leads our group west along the street. As she does, she explains the general layout of the city. This includes noting that almost every piece of street-adjacent space will be dedicated to private businesses, which the guests seem interested in. After hearing it, they begin observing the layout of the city more closely, as if scouting the most desirable street-side locations.
When the inn comes better into view, she identifies it and explains that the land it's on, enclosed by the street, will be reserved for city-owned buildings.
"At present, we have plans for at least two other buildings in this area. One will be a school for reading and writing, basic magic, and basic to advanced math. The other will be an indoor recreation center, which will include a plethora of new forms of entertainment not seen in the kingdom before – we expect it to be quite the attraction once it's finished." (Alara)
One of the guests gives a skeptical expression. He's a 30s-looking elven man, tall with a somewhat pretentious vibe.
"Lady Alara, I can understand everything else, but how do you plan to recruit someone qualified to teach advanced math? There are only a few elves in the entire kingdom who've mastered such topics, and they are all at the prestigious Elven Magic Academy. Even those who have successfully completed their classes only number around a dozen – I was one myself." (…)
Alara looks taken aback by the sudden challenge…I'm guessing she hasn't considered how she was going to explain that yet. Her eyes glance at me pleadingly. I groan internally.