Cara is staring at me expectantly. I sigh deeply and nod to her.
"Well, perhaps it's best to divulge some more information about our party to Cara, before we continue with the meeting. Alto, Zara, do you have any objections? Alara, I'd like to hear your opinion as well." (Mizuki)
I direct a follow-up thought message to Alara, Zara, and Alto.
[I just plan to tell her that I'm stronger than Nina, and that I'm not her servant. She already knows I can use magic, and she seems very serious about a promise she made to keep any secrets I ask of her.] (Mizuki)
Everyone looks to me in surprise. Zara gives a huge grin.
"Fufufu…no, this will make things easier." (Zara)
Alto looks more thoughtful.
"Hmm…I don't think she'll react negatively, and we won't be able to maintain the level of discretion we've enjoyed until now for much longer anyway. I don't object." (Alto)
I nod my acknowledgement, then turn my attention to Alara. She's looking at me with a bewildered expression. Cara is watching our exchanges quietly with a mix of curiosity, frustration, and confusion.
"Alara? Is everything okay?" (Mizuki)
Alara seems to compose herself and nods quickly.
"Sorry, yes, I'm just pleasantly surprised that you're asking for my advice." (Alara)
I smile at her patiently.
"Of course. We don't have the same rapport as I do with Alto or Zara, obviously, but I consider you a valued part of our group now. When possible, I'm going to trust you and help you, and I hope you do the same. So, Alara, what is your counsel?" (Mizuki)
Alara looks flustered, but she seems to be excited as well. She nods appreciatively.
"Thank you, Mizuki…that means a lot. Truthfully, if you're about to share the level of information I suspect, then I only see it benefitting you. I think it's worth the minimal risk to not have to be so secretive going forward, and to have another ally among the nobles." (Alara)
I nod at Alara appreciatively, then turn my attention back to Cara. She just looks annoyed at this point.
"Great, Mizuki, now that you're done talking about me like I'm not here, I'm all ears. I'm assuming that you're about to explain why your whole attitude just changed, and why you stopped saying Lady Alara and started talking to her like a subordinate." (Cara)
I smirk at Cara. I really want to make a joke about an elf using the phrase 'I'm all ears', but that would be immature.
"Yes, but first, I'd like to ask that you don't repeat anything from this meeting without permission. Is that okay?" (Mizuki)
I look to Cara expectantly, and she just nods impatiently.
"Yes, Mizuki, I swear. I have zero intention of breaking the promise I made you." (Cara)
I smile at her warmly.
"Great, thanks Cara. I'll make this quick. First, I am not Lady Nedonera's servant. I call her Nina, and we're actually lovers. Second, Nina is not the leader of our party…I am. Finally, if you're confused about why an Elder Dragon would be okay with either arrangement, it's because I'm much stronger than Nina. Consider yourself up to speed!" (Mizuki)
Cara is staring at me dumbfounded, and she remains speechless for over a minute. Eventually, she recovers enough to stutter out questions.
"M-Mizuki…I…don't know what to say. It's obvious you're the primary decision maker. Also, Lady Nedonera is clearly fond of you, so I guess I can believe she'd sleep with you. The last part though...are you really stronger than an Elder Dragon?" (Cara)
Cara is staring at me skeptically. I just smirk at her in return.
"Everyone, we'll return in a moment." (Mizuki)
Before anyone can react, I teleport Cara and I to Nina's old nest. Since we were both sitting, she falls into the dirt, and I gracefully catch myself.
Cara looks around frantically, then she seems to register her new surroundings. She turns to me with a bewildered expression.
"Mizuki, what happened!? Where are we!?" (Cara)
I gesture at Cara reassuringly and give her an amused grin.
"Relax, Cara, we're safe. We're currently in the center of the Delmura Forest, at Nina's old nest. I teleported us here using magic." (Mizuki)
Cara's face goes pale as she processes my statement.
"M-M-Mizuki…that's…absurd. You're telling me that you moved us to the opposite side of the world instantly, without even using an incantation or showing any fatigue?" (Cara)
I nod at Cara patiently, and she seems looks off into space with a troubled expression. After several minutes of silence, she still looks troubled, so I decide to interrupt her.
"Cara…we're alone now. That means I wouldn't lie to you if you ask questions." (Mizuki)
Cara looks back to me in surprise, and I just smile warmly towards her.
"Just…how dangerous are you?" (Cara)
Hmm…that stings a little…I thought she trusted me. I glance at Cara, and she's eyeing me carefully. She doesn't look scared, per se, just uncertain.
I sigh deeply and shake my head.
"Danger is contextual, I suppose. To you and your people, I'm effectively harmless." (Mizuki)
I reinforce my statement with a kind smile towards Cara, and she seems to relax significantly.
"What about to people like those slavers you rescued Zara and Alto from?" (Cara)
I nod seriously.
"I'm not a pacifist, Cara, and I don't do half-measures. I'll engage in absolute destruction if warranted. So, to people that provoke me beyond reason…I couldn't be more dangerous." (Mizuki)
Cara nods hesitantly.
"What would qualify as provoking you beyond reason?" (Cara)
I smile sadly.
"It's only ever happened once. Why don't we rejoin the group, and we can discuss that? Then you can decide if you still want to be my friend." (Mizuki)
I walk over to Cara, then extend my hand to her. She looks at it hesitantly for a moment, then she smirks and grabs it to pull herself up from the ground.
"I'm a pretty good judge of character Mizuki, so I'm sure I'll still want to be your friend. You won't be ditching me that easily." (Cara)
I give Cara an earnest smile, then I pull her into a hug. She is taken aback by the sudden gesture, and she becomes flustered.
"Uhm…M-Mizuki…" (Cara)
I teleport us back to the family room in the mansion, then I release her and return to the couch by Alto. I direct a smirk at Cara as she remains between the couches, dazed.
"Sorry, Cara, I just had to teleport us back. You're fine to move now. Everyone else, Cara is officially up to speed. So, we can get started." (Mizuki)
Cara glares at me as she returns to her seat, then Alara nods politely.
"Cara, I'm glad you're joining us in earnest. Mizuki, can you tell us what this nobles' meeting is about now?" (Alara)
I nod apprehensively.
"Sure, Alara, I'll be direct. It's to discuss an unfortunate occurrence that took place when we were gone the other day. My party and I were summoned rather threateningly by Emperor Belmod of the Ralzen Empire after our S-rank promotion. We heeded the summons, and he turned too hostile for me to ignore. So, we killed him and all sixty or so of his guards in the throne room." (Mizuki)
Alara and Cara go pale, and shock registers on their faces. While Alara just continues to stare at me, Cara nods thoughtfully.
"Mizuki, maybe you could tell us the whole story…specifically, what would provoke you to such an action?" (Cara)
"Sure, I'll start from the beginning." (Mizuki)
I recount for them the letter that I received, then our entire visit to the Empire from the time we arrived at the entrance gate checkpoint until I dropped us in the mansion bath. I do my best to detail everything, even my more brutal actions. I also emphasize the reasons for my actions, what Belmod threatened, and the demands for the Empire that I left Lobe with.
When I finish, Cara's face is grim, and Alara looks…simultaneously enraged and elated. She doesn't leave me confused long.
"Tch…what a disgusting human. I for one am quite grateful that Mizuki punished him as severely as he did. Alto, I'm truly sorry that you were subjected to that filth…you as well, Zara. Are you both okay?" (Alara)
Wow…Alara is…interesting. Her blatant human-hating feels familiar. Strangely, her simultaneous friendliness towards me just reinforces that she considers me a completely different species now. What I'm most surprised by, though, is how protective of Alto she seems. I guess she really does care for the elves.
Alto nods at Alara.
"Yes, I'm fine now, thank you. The emperor's unforgivable behavior pushed Mizuki to act without restraint. Now, he's decided he has nothing to lose from ending slavery by force. I don't think he would have taken such an approach otherwise. So, in a way, I can be grateful for the outcome." (Alto)
She's not wrong…I wanted to minimize my publicity if possible. However, I kind of asked for it when I accepted the S-rank promotion. For better or worse, my time operating in the shadows is coming to an end, so it's best to embrace it.
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Alara, but the threats of the weak don't scare me. I am fine." (Zara)
Whelp…guess I don't need to worry about Zara.
Cara finally directs a questioning gaze at me.
"Mizuki, how do you intend to enforce freeing all the slaves in an entire country? It's commendable, but I can't imagine that being anything more than a foolish ambition, even for you…no offense." (Cara)
I smile at Cara.
"I have the ability to determine the locations of every member of a particular race across extreme distances. I haven't tested it yet, but I think I can combine this ability with my teleportation. I might be able to stand at the edge of the Empire in wolf-kin territory, and systematically teleport every non-human in the country to my location. If so, they can't stop me from eventually freeing all the non-human slaves." (Mizuki)
Cara and Alara both have their mouths open in shock, and even Alto looks surprised. Zara just looks mildly impressed.
"You really think you can do that!?" (Alto)
Alto's voice is shrill, and I just nod patiently.
"Yes, I think so. I can already track wolf-kin, elves, and high-elves. However, I'll need to tune my ability to dwarves and the other types of demi-humans. I know where to find a dwarf and a bunny-kin around Elmesia, but for any other demi-humans I'll need to visit their territories to learn how to sense their presences." (Mizuki)
Alto looks off thoughtfully, while Zara is quick to interject.
"Mizuki, if you can truly free all of their people, I will be happy to introduce you to the leaders of the other demi-human tribes." (Zara)
I smile and nod appreciatively to Zara.
"Thanks, Zara! We should do that after the nobles' meeting in a week, and before the deadline I set for the Empire in two weeks. Would that be enough time for you to make arrangements with Alara and your people to compensate for your absence?" (Mizuki)
Zara nods quickly, but Alara interjects.
"Mizuki, that should be fine. All the key, city-owned construction in Eden should be finished in the next week or so, after which the wolf-kin can return home. Any remaining work can be handled by the elves. As for my personal protection, I'm capable of defending myself, so I don't mind letting Zara go for a short time." (Alara)
I raise my eyebrows at Alara in surprise, but she just smiles back approvingly. Wow…she's really being accommodating. I'll remember that.
I smile earnestly at Alara and Zara.
"Wonderful, thank you both! Then, we'll focus on getting Eden's key construction finished, then have the nobles' meeting, then visit the demi-human races' villages. So, are there any other matters that we should discuss?" (Mizuki)
I look around at the others expectantly, but nobody speaks up. Then…
"Mizuki…who else knows as much about you as I do now?" (Cara)
Oh, yeah, I guess she wouldn't know that. Good thing she asked.
"Aside from Nina, there's Ilina and her bodyguard Klaus, King Dargo, and Queen Elira. Percivil, the dwarven blacksmith, also knows quite a bit." (Mizuki)
Cara snorts in exasperation.
"Tch…so is that why Queen Elira seemed so invested in solidifying your position in the Elven Kingdom at our last set of meetings? She certainly seemed more interested in it than you." (Cara)
Hmm…should I mention my relationship with Ilina? I'm guessing that was the primary motivator for Elira at the time – she doesn't want her daughter leaving with me.
I shrug at Cara.
"I think that was a contributor at least, yes." (Mizuki)
Cara nods thoughtfully and falls silent. I'm glad that answer satisfied her.
Looking around the room, nobody seems to have anything else to say. Guess we're done here!
"Alright, well, let's adjourn this meeting then! Alto, do you have some time for us to do research today until Nina returns?" (Mizuki)
Alto's eyes light up excitedly and she nods quickly.
I let out a heartfelt smile…I'm glad to see that recent events haven't tarnished the happiness that research brings her.
"Perfect! Well then, you and I can go to Nina's old nest, and everyone else is free to go about their days. I really appreciate you all making time for this!" (Mizuki)
Cara gives me a curious look.
"Mizuki…now that you've told me everything, is this research something I can observe with you?" (Cara)
Ah…yeah, no.
I shake my head at Cara apologetically.
"No, unfortunately. I can't bring you with us for this. Is there anywhere I can teleport you to before Alto and I leave, though?" (Mizuki)
Cara looks disappointed, then thoughtful. She shakes her head.
"No, that's okay. In that case, I have something I want to take care of in Avalon today. I can take the train there, and if I'm not done by the time the last train returns, I can just get an inn room for the night." (Cara)
Hmm…should I ask? I guess if she wanted to tell me she would have.
I nod approvingly.
"Understood. Well then, let's go Alto! I'll see the rest of you later!" (Mizuki)
I've got a big research agenda today. I need to test my ability to combine other spells like teleportation with long-range magic sense, and I want to help Alto master invisibility. Besides…I'm looking forward to time alone with my friend to make sure she's okay.
Hearing my farewell to the others, Alto smiles and wraps her arms around me on the couch. I grin back at her, then I teleport us to Nina's old nest.
It's been a while since my last magic boot camp.