"An Elder Dragon…seriously? I saw Nina's guild profile, and she has a power level of 5. While that's certainly remarkable, it's only a few times greater than some of the human heroes in the guild's records. That's hardly at the level of an Elder Dragon." (Leo)
After several moments of silence following my big reveal of Nina's identity, someone finally speaks up. Leo, a member of Levi's party, is looking at Nina skeptically. Surprisingly, Gerard addresses him before I can.
Gerard wears a terrified expression, and he speaks softly.
"According to the guild receptionist that performed the assessment, Nin…err, Lady Nedonera's true power couldn't be determined. A power level of 5 was just recorded because that's the device's maximum. What's more…you all should know that Mizuki's party has procured Elder Dragon scales before. I think...we're being told the truth." (Gerard)
Really, it's Lady Nedonera now? I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at Gerard's sudden change in attitude towards Nina.
Leo's eyes go wide in shock upon hearing Gerard's statement, and he falls silent. Zevy is staring at me in bewilderment.
"Mizuki…but…I thought you two were lovers. You...even bought lingerie in my store." (Zevy)
I stare back at Zevy dumbfounded. What the hell!? Hasn't he ever heard of store-customer confidentiality!?
Nina seems less bothered, however, and flashes a beautiful smile at everyone as she walks over to wrap her arms around me.
"Fufufu…that is true, and we very much enjoyed your wares." (Nina)
Several people look away uncomfortably at Nina's response, and the tension in the room seems almost comically broken. Still, there's no shortage of bewildered and concerned expressions around us. Theresa is staring holes in me.
"Uhm…M-Mizuki…what are you? You've got an Elder Dragon as your lover and subordinate, you didn't know what rot was, and you've got inhuman eyes. So, not human, obviously." (Theresa)
I smile at Theresa and shake my head.
"You're incorrect, Theresa, I am most definitely human. That's all you need to know, though." (Mizuki)
Theresa isn't convinced, but she doesn't press me for more information. Oh well, I don't really care what species people think I am anymore. It's not like it affects anything.
While Theresa takes my rebuttal in stride, Gerard isn't pleased. What happened to his whole timid routine after learning Nina's identity?
"Mizuki, that's not going to cut it. I've seen no less than three examples of inexplicable magic from your party today. In addition, it's clear that at least Nina has been flagrantly deceiving the guild about race, background, and ability. Finally, the very idea of an Elder Dragon following someone's orders is beyond ludicrous. You owe us an explanation for all of this." (Gerard)
I barely manage to avoid laughing in Gerard's face at that ridiculous statement. I owe them...really? After what they tried to pull here? I don't think so.
I narrow my eyes menacingly at Gerard, and he seems taken aback by the uncharacteristic hostility from me. Honestly, I'm surprised, too…I wasn't expecting his comment to irritate me so much.
"I strongly suggest that you reel in your entitlement Gerard…I don't owe you shit. If you've got a problem with any alleged deception, then you can ban us from the guild. However, I only share personal information with my friends, and it should be obvious from your actions today that none of you are my friends." (Mizuki)
A tense silence falls over the room, and even my own party members look at me in surprise. Yeah…I might have lost my cool a bit.
Why, though? I've been subjected to much worse without batting an eye. After a moment of reflection, I realize that I might be a little hurt by Gerard's actions today…we're not friends, but I did consider us friend-ly. At the least, I didn't expect him to turn on me like this without warning.
I feel myself getting frustrated with my behavior. It was naïve of me to assume a closer relationship than we had, and childish of me to lash out when my naïve assumptions were proven untrue. With the abilities I gained in this world, I can't afford to act so emotionally. My slip up may have been small this time, but…
Gerard seems to collect himself, and he responds to me hesitantly.
"Well, at the very least it seems like you're asking us to back you against the Empire. I was merely pointing out that doing that requires trust, and we're finding it hard to spare that towards you. How else do you expect to convince us to join your side? That's the point of this meeting you requested, right?" (Gerard)
From Gerard's vantage point, I think he's being completely reasonable. Unfortunately, he's mistaken about how I view the nature of this meeting.
I shake my head at Gerard.
"Sorry Gerard, that's not quite right. The point of this meeting is to give you information. In essence, to let you know your options going forward…so you can make informed decisions. I think one of those options clearly benefits you the most, and I'd also prefer that outcome, but I'm not about to treat it like a personal favor." (Mizuki)
Gerard becomes apprehensive and falls silent. Theresa takes over after a few moments.
"So, what are our options, as you see them?" (Theresa)
I nod appreciatively to her.
"Essentially, if you want us out of Elmesia, we'll leave voluntarily. Alternatively, we can continue as we were before. That's it. Since the Empire is retaliating because of us, we'll be thwarting any invasion force regardless. Similarly, you stand no chance of capturing us…it'd just result in senseless slaughter." (Mizuki)
Sylvia gives me a bewildered expression.
"You're saying that you'd peacefully leave Elmesia if asked?" (Sylvia)
I nod patiently.
"Yes…I've only engaged in reactionary violence until now. I have no interest in acting like a tyrant. However, I don't think you stand anything to gain by banishing us. If you are unable to turn us over to the Empire, their invasion won't be made more likely by us residing here versus leaving. Still, that's not for us to decide." (Mizuki)
Those are my true feelings. While I'd be bummed if they asked us to leave, I'd comply. Still, I doubt they will now that everything is out in the open. There really are no downsides for them, after all.
Sylvia gives me a surprised expression, then looks off thoughtfully. Gerard seems to realize something as I answer Sylvia's question, and his eyes narrow at me suspiciously.
"Mizuki…I've been wondering…do you know what happened to Kent?" (Gerard)
I'm caught off guard by the question…where did that come from? Gerard is watching me carefully, and I notice Levi and his party gauging my reaction as well.
Hmm…I don't really see any point in keeping it a secret anymore. They have an inkling that I'm not weak now, and it's not like I was unjustified in killing Kent.
I nod to Gerard and shrug.
"Yes. He and two of his party members ambushed me in the woods and tried to kill me, hoping Nina would join his party if I was out of the picture. Apparently, it was a common strategy of his, and he'd killed innocent adventurers before. The other two were complicit in these acts as well. So, I killed all three of them." (Mizuki)
A shocked silence falls over the room. Eventually, Gerard responds with a somewhat accusatory tone.
"Are you openly admitting to the guild master that your party murdered three fellow adventurers?" (Gerard)
I roll my eyes at Gerard and shake my head. I can feel myself getting irritated again.
"Clean out your ears, Gerard. First, I killed them in self-defense…that's not murder. Second, nobody else in my party was involved." (Mizuki)
"You're telling me that you killed three A-rank adventurers on your own?" (Gerard)
I nod patiently, and after a few moments of scrutinizing my expression, Gerard sighs deeply.
"Well, even if I believe that, do you have any proof that it was self-defense?" (Gerard)
I fight the urge to snap at Gerard…I'm not a fan of this barbaric logic on guilt versus innocence. I prefer the innocent until proven guilty idealism I'm used to back on Earth.
As I'm thinking of a less sarcastic retort, I hear Levi and Sylvia speak up.
"I saw Kent and two of his party members covertly follow Mizuki out of the guild around the time they went missing…their behavior certainly seemed predatory and suspicious. Although, I can't confirm anything else." (Sylvia)
"Gerard, I can confirm Sylvia's testimony. Also, this isn't the first time that Kent has been accused of using force to get his way with party members, even if none of them became official guild complaints." (Levi)
I glance at them briefly in surprise, and they just nod politely in response. I turn back to Gerard, and he seems thoughtful.
"Very well…I guess there's no reason for me to consider Mizuki's actions criminal at the moment. However, even if killing them was justified, hiding their deaths was not…we will need to discuss that later." (Gerard)
Wow…
"Isn't that nice. Well, if we can all agree that Kent has taken up enough of our time…let's get back to deciding about my party's presence in Elmesia. Does the council want to just take a vote and wrap this up?" (Mizuki)
I look at Theresa and Zevy in turn, and they just nod their heads absentmindedly. I guess I'm giving them whiplash with all this information and decision making…that's fair.
I turn my attention to Gerard, and he stares at me with an annoyed expression for a while. Eventually, he just sighs deeply and nods.
"Great! Then, all in favor of going on with your lives as if this hurtful attempt to imprison my party never happened…" (Mizuki)
I look around at the council members questioningly as I trail off.
"Aye…no need in hurting my bottom line for nothing." (Zevy)
"Aye…and…I'm sorry that circumstances forced us into taking these actions in the first place. I hope your party can forgive us." (Theresa)
Theresa looks at us with a conflicted expression on her face, but I get the sense that she genuinely feels bad about how things turned out. To my surprise, I hear several responses from my own party.
"Seeing all of your terrified reactions when we showed up was penance enough. I see no reason to hold a grudge." (Nina)
"I think the Empire is the real problem, so I won't hold your previous decision against you. After all, none of you were hostile to us before this." (Alto)
"Fufufufufu…I only feel pity for those that antagonize Mizuki. There's no room to be angry." (Zara)
I give my party a surprised look, but they all just smile back at me amused. Glancing at the others in the room, they seem relieved. I turn to Gerard and give him a questioning look…he still hasn't cast his vote.
Meeting my gaze, Gerard rolls his eyes.
"Aye…not that you needed the third vote. I've decided that the guild will be overlooking the inconsistencies in your party's member information. I also advise the council that we don't reveal Lady Nedonera's identity to anyone outside this room, and keep referring to her as Nina, if that's okay?" (Gerard)
Gerard directs the last question to Nina nervously.
"Fufufu…yes, you may all keep calling me Nina as long as I am pretending to be human." (Nina)
Gerard nods appreciatively, then looks to the others in the room. There's a round of assent, and I internally sigh in relief.
However, I'd be an idiot to take their cooperation at face value. These people have every reason not to be honest under their current circumstances, after all. While Nina's identity as an Elder Dragon is a strong motivator for them to fall in line, it's not a guarantee, and I need to know who to watch out for.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. Now, I have one final question, and everyone in the room just needs to answer with a simple yes or no. Are any of you still contemplating the capture or harm of any member of my party?" (Mizuki)
Most of the people in the room just give me a confused expression…probably wondering why I think that someone would admit that just because I asked. Unsurprisingly, they all say no in sequence. Then, they stare at me expectantly.
I smile at them then turn to Nina. She's already looking at me with a smirk.
[Nina, any liars?] (Mizuki)
Nina shakes her head.
[I sense no deceit from any of them, Mizuki. It seems you properly convinced them to side with you.] (Nina)
Huh…I'm not going to lie, I thought at least one of them would still be mulling over the possibility. Leo and Zevy were my top suspects, and Rikard is hard to get a read on either way. I guess I was just paranoid.