Zevy, the merchant whose general store I frequent in Elmesia, smiles at me in amusement and shrugs.
"Fufufu…a good merchant always plays his cards close to his chest, Mizuki. If you'd been a little more discreet yourself, perhaps I wouldn't be in the unfortunate position of losing one of my best customers." (Zevy)
"You run your mouth too much for me to tell you something personal like that. Levi, did you confiscate his weapons?" (Gerard)
I roll my eyes at both of them, and I turn to watch Levi's response with an amused smile. Levi looks at me hesitantly for a few seconds, then turns to answer Gerard's question.
"His sword and dagger have been removed from his person, but I wouldn't assume that he's helpless." (Levi)
Oh ho? He's not mentioning the magic…that's good to know. Levi gets a few surprised glances from his party members, but they remain silent. Gerard simply nods his acknowledgement.
I turn my attention towards the third council member in the room. It's an early-30s woman with dirty blonde hair and calculating brown eyes. She seems to be wearing a set of white robes, and I'd guess she's a nun if I wasn't aware of the distinct lack of religion on Azura.
"Who might you be, Miss?" (Mizuki)
The pseudo-nun studies me intently for a moment before responding with an even tone.
"I'm Theresa. I run the healing clinic in Elmesia." (Theresa)
What!? This is the first time I've met someone who's Azura's equivalent of a doctor! Honestly, I have so many questions about the interface of magic and medicine – it's been practically unexplored in my own research with Alto.
I lean forward and address her excitedly, and her composed expression shatters into one of confusion.
"Oh, that's wonderful! Tell me, Theresa, do healing spells work for illnesses?" (Mizuki)
Theresa responds to me in a stupor.
"Uhm…it depends on the illness. In general, healing spells only repair damage to the body. With something like a sickness or poison, that can help keep the person alive or ease their symptoms during natural recovery. For more severe illnesses like rot, healing magic doesn't do much good." (Theresa)
"Hmm…what is this 'rot' you're referencing? Can you describe the symptoms? I've never heard of it." (Mizuki)
Theresa gives me a bewildered expression.
"I've never met anyone who doesn't know about rot. It's a sickness that is more likely to appear in those of older age, and it comes in many different forms. The body develops these foreign masses, and they can spread throughout the body until it stops functioning." (Theresa)
Huh…that sounds like cancer. I guess it's a menace to humans of every world.
Based on what I know of the elves, they must have a natural resistance to it, given how long they live in good health. That would explain why I haven't heard about it yet. I wonder if I can use my magic and biology knowledge to help with cancer treatment for the humans in this world. Hmm…
My thoughts are interrupted by Gerard.
"Ehem…not to interrupt this incredibly boring discussion, but I assume this isn't what you bothered us all to discuss, Mizuki. This meeting is costing you your freedom and probably your life, so please get to the point." (Gerard)
Damn man, that's harsh as hell! Although, I did get pretty distracted there for a minute…I forgot how serious this matter is supposed to be.
I shake my head at Gerard in exasperation, then smile at the council members and sigh heavily.
"Very well, I'll get straight to the point. You have no reason to yield to the Empire's demands regarding my party and me. Not only did they fully intend to invade you regardless, but my party's actions and presence here only reduce the overall invasion risk. I politely request that you cease your hostility towards us." (Mizuki)
Unsurprisingly, they all stare at me like I'm an idiot.
"I know you think that you're hot shit, Mizuki, but we're not about to back you against the entire Empire. I sincerely doubt they're scared of you either." (Gerard)
"I agree, you're a bad investment, Mizuki. Perhaps you're right, and they might still invade if we turn you over to them. However, they'll definitely invade if we don't." (Zevy)
Well, it was worth a shot…I'll have to up the stakes. However, one of the three musketeers is tellingly silent. Theresa is staring at me nervously.
"Mizuki…I'm curious…why did you kill Emperor Belmod? In the letter, we were told that you were summoned by Belmod, then turned violent and slaughtered him and his subordinates. I'd like to hear what happened from you." (Theresa)
I narrow my eyes at Theresa. Why does she want to know? There shouldn't be anything she can learn about my motivations that would possibly change their decision, right?
"Sure. I don't think it will make much difference, but I'll tell you..." (Mizuki)
So, I tell them the story of our visit to the Empire, and how I freed the elven slaves and returned them to the Elven Kingdom. I make sure to emphasize how I was constantly deferential to Belmod, and what caused me to change my tune.
I leave out the demands that I gave to Lobe afterward. Telling them about those will lead to questions that I'm not ready to address yet.
After I'm done with my recounting of events, the room is silent. Theresa looks conflicted, but the others are unfazed.
"Yeah, that's a sad story, and Belmod was an ass, but nothing important has changed." (Gerard)
"Agreed…investments shouldn't be made emotionally." (Zevy)
I notice Theresa casting an appalled expression at Zevy and Gerard. However, after a moment, she seems to silently come to terms with their answers and looks back at me sadly.
I shrug and smile at them all.
"No hard feelings, I figured as much. I was just humoring Miss Theresa. So, you're saying that you won't refuse the Empire's demands because you're afraid of them retaliating?" (Mizuki)
Everyone falls silent for a moment.
"Yes, that was the nature of our decision when we received that letter, Mizuki. I'm truly sorry." (Theresa)
Well, that's not a hard fix…so long as I'm willing to expose my ability and intentions to thwart the Empire.
I sigh deeply and shake my head.
"In that case, I guess I have no choice. If you promise to cease hostilities against my party and carry on as normal, then my party and I will protect you from the Empire. If they try to invade, we'll wipe out their army if it comes to that. You won't need to risk any other lives." (Mizuki)
Everyone stares at me with a pitying expression. The exceptions are Levi, who looks strangely hopeful, and Sylvia, who looks intensely curious. Leo and Rikard look skeptical.
Gerard snorts at me and shakes his head.
"Mizuki, the Empire has half a million well-trained soldiers in its army. Nina may be the most formidable human to ever exist on this planet, but even she can't take on the Empire alone. I'm sorry, but our minds are made up." (Gerard)
I groan internally. I guess there's no room to be subtle anymore.
I quickly cast a silencing spell and forcefield over the whole room. Then, I stand up and smile.
"Well, I guess you're forcing my hand." (Mizuki)
Everyone immediately stands up nervously, and Levi's group visibly tenses. Levi is obviously sweating bullets.
"Mizuki, there are A-ranked adventurers and city guards all around this place. If your party were with you, that incident with Belmod makes it clear that you would be able to fight your way out of here. However, you're alone. Don't make this hard on everyone…there's no way out." (Gerard)
"Fufufu…you misunderstand, Gerard. I'm not going anywhere yet…I have other ideas. Levi…you and your party stay right where you are for now. I suggest the rest of you stay calm as well. I mean you no harm." (Mizuki)
Everyone falls dangerously silent, and I can feel them deciding how to respond. Time to make my move.
[Hey, Nina, can I bring you three to my location? Something came up, but please tell everyone to arrive calmly.] (Mizuki)
I recognize that's a huge understatement…things have really spiraled here since we parted ways. I don't want to immediately set her, Alto, and Zara on edge though.
I sense surprise from Nina, then amusement.
[Fufufu…sure, Mizuki. We're ready.] (Nina)
I reach out to them through magic sense and my connection to Nina, then promptly teleport Alto, Nina, and Zara into the council room with me.
As they appear, several squeals of surprise ring out in the room, and the council members jump back from the table. Gerard's eyes narrow at Nina, and recognition and fear flash across his face.
"Guards!" (Gerard)
His cry rings out and fades into silence, and I notice Alto and Zara frantically move their hands to their weapons. No guards enter the room, however, and confusion flashes across everyone's faces. I smile at Gerard.
"No guards are coming, Gerard. There's no need to worry, though, I just want to continue our private chat." (Mizuki)
Everyone else freezes at my words, but I see Sylvia's hand move to her sword handle. I direct a thought message specifically to Levi's party.
[Sylvia, stop right there. I'll give you four the same warning that I gave Belmod's guards. If you keep your weapons sheathed, you'll be fine. If you turn hostile towards us…] (Mizuki)
Levi and his party go pale, and Sylvia's face contorts in shock. Her hand slowly moves away from her sword. Good.
I turn back to my party and see Alto looking at me with concern. Meanwhile, Zara just looks confused, and Nina seems incredibly amused. I sigh heavily as Nina meets my gaze and gives me a dazzling smile.
"Fufufufu…oh my, Mizuki! What fun have I stumbled into here?" (Nina)
"Hey Nina, thanks for coming. Allow me to introduce you to the council of Elmesia. It seems the Empire told them that they could capture us or face invasion. This council decided that it would be best to capture me while I was alone and send me to the Empire as a prisoner to lure the rest of you there." (Mizuki)
To my surprise, Zara begins laughing hysterically. Really? Is it still that funny the third time? I fight the urge to roll my eyes at her ill-timed outburst.
The council and Levi's party all turn to stare at Zara in confusion. Hearing my explanation, Nina seems more disappointed than entertained now. She casts a condemning glare towards the others in the room.
"Zara is right to laugh…you are all incredibly foolish. I expect this kind of stupidity from Gerard, but I'm disappointed to see you here, Levi." (Nina)
Levi looks away, embarrassed, and he remains silent. Gerard looks annoyed by her comment, but it's overshadowed by his concern about Nina's sudden appearance. Zevy, Theresa, and the others are just frozen in fear.
"Nina, that brings me to why I asked you here. I tried to reassure them that we'd take care of the Empire's army if they invaded. However, Gerard told me that the Empire has over half a million soldiers in its army, and he's convinced that you couldn't handle them on your own. What do you think?" (Mizuki)
[No need to hide your identity anymore, Nina. I don't see us being able to operate freely in human countries from here on without revealing at least that much to them.] (Mizuki)
Nina's eyes go wide in surprise, and she turns to me expectantly. I just nod my acknowledgement. Nina turns back to face the council with a wicked smile on her face.
"Hahahaha…Mizuki is correct, Gerard. I could easily destroy their army. After all, it was no problem for me a few centuries ago." (Nina)
Everyone else remains confused by Nina's statement, but realization flashes across Gerard's face after a few moments. He looks at me questioningly and begins to tremble.
It makes sense that he's the first to decipher Nina's comment. He is probably the only one who knows that Nina's magic power is even higher than her guild info says. Plus, he saw the Elder Dragon scales that we provided him.
I grin viciously at Gerard.
"That's right, Gerard. Allow me to formally introduce everyone. Nina's full name is Nedonera...you may know her better as the Elder Dragon of earth." (Mizuki)