I'm currently sitting in the couch-style conference room of the Avalon palace, waiting on Elira and Dargo to join Ilina, Nina, and me. It's the day after my massacre in the Empire, and I'm preparing to apprise them of the situation. Honestly, I'm dreading this much less than warning Elmesia.
Ilina has yet to be updated. I just told her that I needed to speak with all of them ASAP, then we came here.
She's giving me a slightly apprehensive look. Normally, I'd reassure her, but that doesn't seem appropriate this time, given what I'm about to reveal to them. Nina decides to break the tension…in the worst way possible.
"Fufufu…so, Ilina…have you been enjoying my little pearls of wisdom?" (Nina)
Ilina turns to Nina in shock, and her face turns red.
"N-Nina!? Why would you ask something like that at a time like this!? Actually, why would you ask me at all!?" (Ilina)
A perfectly reasonable question, I think.
Nina smirks, and I sense amusement from her.
"Just curious. Fufufu…I thought you deserved something in return for always sending Mizuki to me with so much enthusiasm." (Nina)
Ilina begins to look a little annoyed, but she composes herself quickly.
"Well…I wish you'd told me sooner, but…I have been enjoying your suggestions." (Ilina)
Ilina gives an amused grin back to Nina, and they chuckle together. I…do not like this development in their relationship.
Before I can interrupt their discussion, the conference room door opens, and Elira and Dargo enter with her two guards and the maid, Cayla. Elira and Dargo seat themselves on the couch opposite us three…they both look apprehensive.
"Okay, Mizuki…the last time you asked us both to meet with you, we got a train. What is it this time?" (Elira)
Ilina looks at me expectantly as well. Hmm…best to just rip the band aid off.
"I'll get right to the point. I just wanted to let you know that Emperor Belmod of the Ralzen Empire is dead, along with about sixty of his royal guard. I don't think they'll direct hostilities towards your kingdom right now, but I'd remain cautious." (Mizuki)
Everyone is silent for a moment. Elira and Dargo seem confused at first, then they go pale. Eventually, Elira speaks up hesitantly.
"M-Mizuki…was that…your doing?" (Elira)
I meet her gaze without flinching.
"Yes, it happened yesterday." (Mizuki)
Elira nods solemnly, while Ilina looks at me in bewilderment. Dargo gives me an apprehensive expression.
"May I ask why?" (Dargo)
I nod politely.
"We merely heeded his summoning of my S-rank party, and I was extremely polite to him. That is, until he proudly proclaimed his intent to torture, enslave, and possibly rape Alto…to my face. I wasn't going to let him live after that." (Mizuki)
Dargo looks like he's going to be sick, and he begins to tremble slightly. Elira grits her teeth and swallows, then questions me cautiously.
"Is there…anything else we should know?" (Elira)
I nod thoughtfully.
"Yes. Since the chance for subtlety was lost, I left one person alive to give them my demands. They are to abolish slavery permanently and return all slaves safely to their home countries within half a month, or I will execute all the de facto rulers that ignored my demands. Also, I told them that if they try to invade the Elven Kingdom or Elmesia, I will wipe out their army and destroy their royal capital, Rodsgard." (Mizuki)
Elira's eyes go wide in shock.
"Do you think they will agree to such a thing?" (Elira)
I shrug.
"It doesn't matter – my demands will be met, one way or another. If they refuse my terms regarding slavery, I'll liberate every single slave in that country by force. If they try to invade your kingdom, I'll annihilate their army myself. After that, I'll make good on my threats. The messenger was just a courtesy." (Mizuki)
Elira and Dargo go silent, and Ilina speaks up. She has a concerned expression on her face.
"Mizuki…are you okay? This doesn't seem like you at all. What about all the people that just live in that country?" (Ilina)
I sigh deeply.
"I told my messenger to also spread my intentions directly among the Empire's citizens. The only way they'll be harmed is if they don't evacuate Rodsgard following an attack by the Empire, or if they knowingly hold onto their slaves against my orders. I think that's more than fair. If you have an alternative plan that's more humane, I'm happy to hear it." (Mizuki)
Ilina looks conflicted.
"Why not just thwart any invasion attempt? Why must you destroy their city? Innocent people's homes are there, too. Surely after seeing that they are outmatched, they would submit without further issue." (Ilina)
I shake my head.
"Maybe, but those in charge, and perhaps even the citizens, would be attempting to harm other people at the expense of their own soldiers being slaughtered, without risking anything themselves. So, I think it's important that there are consequences much closer to home. However, I'll limit the destruction to just the Rodsgard castle and supporting structures, if that would ease your mind." (Mizuki)
Ilina nods solemnly.
"It would…still…" (Ilina)
To my surprise, Alto interjects.
"With all due respect, Princess Ilina, I don't think you know what they're like. You briefly traveled through the Empire, but you were masquerading as a human. When Zara and I were there, this last time and after our kidnapping...even the average citizen seems to view us as things to be exploited. Mizuki, your actions have my complete support." (Alto)
Ilina directs a shocked expression at Alto. Before she can respond, Zara interjects.
"I agree with Alto. What's more, your people may be looked down on by those humans, but they have not suffered at their hands as mine have. While not everyone in the Empire is directly responsible, most of them certainly condone the mistreatment of non-humans – the citizens aren't wholly innocent. Mizuki, I'm also happy to pledge myself to this cause." (Zara)
Without missing a beat, even Nina jumps in, though she uses a softer tone.
"Ilina, it was the same several centuries ago when the fey sent representatives to the Empire to dissuade them from encroaching on our forest. There is a long history of anything non-human being treated as lesser there." (Nina)
Ilina's face turns red with embarrassment, and she looks down at the floor for several moments.
"I'm sorry…I…guess I didn't consider that. I was so concerned about Mizuki's behavior seeming erratic...I didn't stop to think whether or not it was for the best." (Ilina)
Ilina looks at me apologetically, but I shake my head and gesture reassuringly.
"I'm not offended Ilina, I promise. I want to hear what my fiancé thinks, even if it's negative. I can understand this seeming erratic since I've never been provoked to this degree before. Still, it's like I told you when you asked me to visit your country during the demon crisis…if someone does something atrocious, the consequences should find them even in a palace." (Mizuki)
Realization spreads across Ilina's face, and she nods acceptingly. I smile at her appreciatively, then turn my attention back to Elira and Dargo.
They're both staring at me in bewilderment.
"Mizuki…what is this about Ilina being your fiancé!?" (Elira)
I stare at Elira with a dumbfounded expression.
Did Ilina…not tell them yet!? I told Alto, Zara, and Alara the night that it happened, and my whole party plus Alara had a private celebration in the mansion a couple of days ago. Alara has even been calling me her little brother as a joke!
I turn to Ilina with a shocked expression, and she just shrugs and grins at me apologetically.
"Ilina…it's been days and you haven't told your own parents!?" (Mizuki)
Ilina waves her hands dismissively.
"I wanted to wait and do it together, Mizuki! Besides, it's not official or public yet anyway!" (Ilina)
I stare at Ilina in shock, and I see Elira glaring at me out the corner of my eye. I sigh deeply.
"Elira, Dargo, I proposed to Ilina and gave her that platinum ring on her finger as a kind of vow. We aren't going to make our relationship public, or go get officially married anywhere else yet, so there shouldn't be any issues. Still, I'm sorry…I thought you knew. I hope you're not mad." (Mizuki)
Elira and Dargo shake their heads in exasperation.
"I'm not exactly mad, Mizuki, but we would have wanted to celebrate privately with our daughter and future son-in-law!" (Dargo)
Elira nods her head in agreement, and she seems to be glancing between Ilina's ring finger and me with an annoyed expression.
"Yes, it's as Dargo says! Also, Mizuki, if I were going to be mad about something, it would be that you used such an ordinary ring to propose to a future Queen! We know you can afford something more unique, so what were you thinking!?" (Elira)
Damn…that's rude…I guess she has somewhat of a point, though?
Ilina starts laughing, and Elira and Dargo snap their attention back to her with annoyed expressions. Noticing their glares, Ilina quickly interjects.
"Mother, please don't disparage my ring from Mizuki! It means a lot to me, and despite its basic appearance, there couldn't be a more unique ring." (Ilina)
Elira gives Ilina an incredulous look.
"Ilina, dear, I'm sure it feels very special since it came from the man you love, but a basic metal band, even if it's made of platinum, is not fit for a Queen. I'm sorry, but I'm allowed to want better for my daughter." (Elira)
Ilina shakes her head in amusement, then directs a smirk at Elira. Without explanation, Ilina reaches out with one hand and grabs the edge of the coffee table between our couches – it's very solid wood, and probably weighs over a hundred kilograms.
While smirking at Elira, Ilina slowly lifts the coffee table a couple feet into the air with one hand.
Everyone outside my party yelps in surprise, and Elira's mouth hangs open in shock.
"How…that's…" (Elira)
Ilina gives a smug smile to Elira, then sets the coffee table back down.
"Like I said, Mother, this ring is unique. Mizuki personally crafted it for me, and it lets me use multiple physical enhancement spells on myself at once without an incantation." (Ilina)
Elira's and Dargo's faces go pale, and they slowly turn to look at me. I just grin sheepishly for a few awkward moments.
Eventually, a very curious expression emerges on Elira's face, and her tone becomes suspiciously sweet.
"Mizuki, dear, do you think you could make your beloved mother-in-law such a ring…please?" (Elira)
A look of pure betrayal washes over Dargo's face, and he stares at Elira in bewilderment.
"My Queen!? What about…the ring you already have…the one I gave you?" (Dargo)
Elira sighs and makes a dismissive gesture towards Dargo.
"Dargo, my love, relax…I'll just wear two rings! Mizuki, what do you say, hmm?" (Elira)
Damn…Dargo…my condolences dude. That's brutal. I got your back, though, don't worry.
I put on a puzzled expression and direct it towards Elira.
"Elira, I'm confused…are you referring to that basic metal band that's not fit for a Queen? I could not possibly insult you with such a gift." (Mizuki)
I hear several people, including Ilina, snicker at my remark. Elira rolls her eyes and gives me an annoyed look.
"There's no need to dwell on the past, Mizuki. Obviously, I was too quick to judge, and I apologize for insulting the ring you gave my daughter. It is most certainly fit for a queen. Ehem…so, how about it?" (Elira)
Pffffft…the past, like thirty seconds ago? Well, at least she apologized.
Elira is staring at me hopefully. I let out a sigh, then give her an amused smile.
"I suppose, for my beloved mother-in-law, I could imbue the ring Dargo has already given you with a similar effect." (Mizuki)
Elira's and Dargo's faces both light up. Ilina gives me an incredulous look.
[Ohhh…don't worry Ilina. She's not getting off that easy, just wait.] (Mizuki)
I see a smirk appear on Ilina's face, but Elira just slips her wedding ring off and presents it towards me happily.
"Wonderful, Mizuki, I knew I liked you! Here you go, please...uhm, enchant it...whenever you are ready!" (Elira)
Without taking the ring from her, I smirk at Elira.
"I said I could do it for my mother-in-law, Elira, but we have no such relation yet. Don't you remember? Once you've helped Ilina and I get officially married, I'll be happy to grant your request." (Mizuki)
Ilina and Nina burst out laughing.