I turn back to the others in the room with an approving smile, but they look back at me suspiciously. I guess they're wondering what the glances between Nina and me meant.
"Okay, I guess there's nothing else to discuss then! Gerard, you might want to let all the adventurers and guards surrounding this place know not to mess with us…I'm quite opposed to unnecessary bloodshed." (Mizuki)
I drop the silencing and forcefield spells I placed on the council room. Gerard is looking at me nervously.
"Mizuki, I'll do as you ask, but…it's a temporary fix. Though they weren't told why, those people outside were still urgently asked to apprehend you. Even after cancelling the request, they'll be curious why your party was wanted in the first place. As news of what you did in the Empire spreads, they'll draw their own conclusions. Those afraid of or loyal to the Empire may take matters into their own hands." (Gerard)
Hmm…Gerard makes a good point. With everything else on my plate, and the limited time I spend in Elmesia these days, I hadn't considered that…I'm getting sloppy. If I want Alto and Zara to be able to operate here safely without me, though, I'll need to address Gerard's concern.
"Then let's tell them a version of the truth. After hearing about our S-rank promotion and endorsement by the Elven Kingdom, Belmod summoned my party and claimed Nina and me as his subjects. Then, he tried to order us to help him invade Elmesia and claim it as an Empire city. When we refused and supported Elmesia as an independent territory, he tried to kill us, and we just defended ourselves." (Mizuki)
Zevy smiles mischievously at me.
"When the Empire's plan to subjugate your party failed, they sent us a letter ahead of you claiming that you attacked them unprovoked. They demanded that we capture your party for them upon your return, or else they'd justly wage war. However, that was their plot to weaken us before they invaded anyway, which we fell for by trying to apprehend you. Fortunately, you risked your freedom to warn us of the real danger, and your party promised to help us defend Elmesia. Now, we're a united front. What do you think?" (Zevy)
Realization dawns on Gerard's and Theresa's faces, and Gerard shakes his head in what could be exasperation or amusement. I smile at Zevy approvingly.
"I'm impressed, Zevy, that's a great story. It makes it clear to everyone that it's in their best interest to not harass us. It's also quite close to the truth, so the Empire should have a very hard time providing contrary evidence. It'll just be our word versus theirs. Is everyone okay with that plan?" (Mizuki)
We all look around the room at one another, and everyone slowly assents. Perfect.
Zevy clears his throat and turns to Gerard.
"Ehem…it seems I've done my fair share of free labor here then. Now that we've settled everything pressing, it's about time I got back to my businesses. Gerard, can you please dispel the bloodthirsty people outside so I can leave?" (Zevy)
Gerard rolls his eyes at Zevy, but he nods, and they leave the room together. As the door opens, I see one guard watching me nervously before Gerard shuts the door behind him. I can hear a faint conversation through the door, but I can't make out any words.
I return my attention towards my party, preparing to move on with our day, but I notice Levi's party and Theresa staring at me expectantly. I give them a confused look.
"Uhm…I think that's everything I wanted to discuss, so you can leave. Do you all need something?" (Mizuki)
Theresa nods hesitantly.
"Yes…you may not remember, but the council asked to meet with your party some time ago to discuss a job opportunity. That was proposed by me. I was wondering…do you have a friendly relationship with the Elven Kingdom, such that you can visit it again?" (Theresa)
I groan internally. I hate being a political mediator, and this feels like it's going in that direction.
"Let me guess…you want information about or access to the Elven Kingdom, and you're hoping that I can facilitate it or provide an opportunity to make your plea to the elves directly. Is that right?" (Mizuki)
Theresa seems to become dejected by my dismissive tone, but she nods bashfully. Figures. I have a great idea to avoid being bothered by these kinds of requests, though.
I turn to Alto, and she's giving me an annoyed look already. I guess she knows I want to dump this on her.
[Hey, Alto, do you think you could oversee requests like this from now on? I'd just end up consulting you anyway. I'm not expecting you to negotiate on behalf of your country, just on behalf of our party when requests relate to your country. If you don't think it's a good idea for our party to get involved, you don't even have to mention it to me. What do you say?] (Mizuki)
Alto sighs and gives me an amused smile, then she nods her agreement. I give her a sheepish grin and nod appreciatively.
Alto turns to face a confused but hopeful Theresa, then she removes her cloak hood. I hear some excited murmuring from the direction of Levi's party.
"Hello, Theresa, my name is Alto. As you may have gathered, I'm an elf as well as a member of Mizuki's party. You can direct any requests relating to my country toward me." (Alto)
Theresa seems surprised, then gives a polite smile and looks Alto over intently.
"It's an honor, Miss Alto…you're the first elf I've ever met. Rumors of an elven adventurer in Mizuki's party have been circulating since his S-rank promotion, but your identity has been otherwise shrouded in secrecy. You have my word that I'll do my best not to cause issues for you here." (Theresa)
"Yes, I've tried to be discrete, so I appreciate that you're not going to undermine that. Shall we move elsewhere in the room to chat privately? It seems that Levi and his party wish to speak with Mizuki." (Alto)
Theresa nods her agreement, and the two walk off to the far end of the room. I notice Levi and his party walking towards me cautiously, and Nina and Zara move closer to me in anticipation as well.
I cast a quick silencing spell over our immediate area so that Theresa doesn't overhear anything.
As Levi and his party move into range, they make surprised expressions…I assume it's due to outside sounds disappearing as they enter the silencing spell. Sylvia looks towards Theresa in confusion, who is still talking, then back at me. She narrows her eyes suspiciously.
"Is this your doing, Mizuki? Why can't I hear those two talking?" (Sylvia)
"Yes, I cast a spell that prevents sound from traveling between us. We can speak freely." (Mizuki)
Their eyes widen in surprise, but Levi looks strangely relieved.
"So, the guards didn't come earlier because you used this spell, not because they were harmed in any way?" (Levi)
How merciless does he think I am?
"That's correct. Harming them was unnecessary, and they haven't done anything to deserve it." (Mizuki)
Levi nods thoughtfully, then looks at me seriously.
"Mizuki, can I ask…why would you kill the people guarding those elven slaves without warning, but try and spare the guards that worked for Belmod? That doesn't make any sense to me." (Levi)
What's so hard to understand about that? I give him a baffled look.
"Well, the slave guards were complicit in depriving others of their lives and free will – they clearly knew that they were guarding kidnapped elves and wolf-kin children. Belmod's guards were merely protecting their emperor at first, and I had no direct evidence of similar wrongdoing. However, after refusing my offer, and trying to harm my party members, they became the same as the slave guards to me." (Mizuki)
Realization dawns on Levi's face, and he becomes thoughtful for a while. His expression seems troubled, but he doesn't speak again.
"Now, what did your party want to talk to me about? I'm guessing it wasn't that." (Mizuki)
Sylvia quickly answers my question, and her voice is thick with sarcasm.
"Well, you bullied Elmesia's council into compliance and basically threatened to murder us if we interfered. You claim you aren't a tyrant, but you've certainly been acting like one. So, we just wanted to ask our new overlord some questions." (Sylvia)
I raise my eyebrows at her in surprise…that's quite the hot take, and she's got a real sharp tongue on her. She kind of reminds me of Helena, actually.
Levi looks like he's about to faint, and I sense rising anger from Nina. Oh boy…
"I suggest you watch your tone with my mate if you've enjoyed your life so far, human. I'm not as tolerant as Mizuki." (Nina)
I groan internally…could that dragon just avoid casual death threats?
I smile in amusement.
"Nina, she's allowed to say mean things about me, even if they're misguided. Please do me a favor and refrain from any violence. Sylvia, all I did today was warn you how I would react if people tried to unjustly harm me or my party. Otherwise, I attempted to cater to your wishes. I can't agree that qualifies as bullying." (Mizuki)
Nina clicks her tongue in response to my comment about violence, but she doesn't argue. Instead, she just glowers at Sylvia.
Sylvia looks a little nervous, but more than anything she looks surprised. She looks at me thoughtfully and mutters absentmindedly.
"I'll be damned...an Elder Dragon really is doing what you ask." (Sylvia)
I give Sylvia a surprised expression, and she realizes I heard her.
"I suppose I agree. You haven't committed or threatened any more violence than I would have in your position. Although, your actions seem manipulative, and your nonchalant attitude is annoying." (Sylvia)
I can't help but smirk at Sylvia over the last comment…I find the insult a little funny. I don't sense amusement from Nina, unfortunately, so I decide to move on before she turns homicidal.
"Well, wonderful…it seems like you're trying to test me somehow, but I don't really care. I'd rather hear why your party wants to talk to me? That question still hasn't been answered." (Mizuki)
Levi is still shaken by Sylvia's behavior, and Sylvia seems stunned by my response. Leo responds to my question while studying my face carefully.
"We wish to discuss why you asked us to join your party. I'm assuming Sylvia's testing that you noted was to gauge you as a leader. She was probably curious about your dynamic with Nina and how you'd handle criticism. Also, that dumb look on her face tells me that her insult was meant to get a rise out of you." (Leo)
Oh, so that's what it is? That's somewhat clever of Sylvia, but intentionally trying to provoke an Elder Dragon and her mate is incredibly reckless. I can't help but question Sylvia's judgement.
Sylvia cuts a menacing glare at Leo, who seems unfazed.
"Tch…it's not very smart of you to call my face dumb when I'm standing right here, Leo." (Sylvia)
Leo snorts at Sylvia
"I won't accept criticism about my intelligence from a meathead who antagonizes an Elder Dragon and her lover as a test, as if either of them couldn't easily kill you." (Leo)
Sylvia rolls her eyes at Leo.
"I bet I could take Mizuki one-on-one, though I agree that Nina is a different story. Still, she wouldn't kill me unless Mizuki okays it, and he seems too patient to snap over a couple of insults. I think I gained more than I risked…wouldn't you agree, tactician Leo?" (Sylvia)
Sylvia calls Leo a tactician sarcastically, obviously trying to belittle him. However, Leo seems completely oblivious to her sarcasm – he interprets her words literally.
Leo nods thoughtfully.
"Yes, I'd agree with that assessment now, but you had no way of knowing that before you antagonized them. So, you're still a reckless meathead. Also, I disagree that you could handle Mizuki alone. Elder Dragons' distaste for weak creatures is well-known, and that includes you. So, Mizuki must be far stronger than you to be Nina's mate." (Leo)
I sense amusement from Nina, and glancing at her, I see a smirk on her and Zara's faces. Sylvia gives an incredulous look to Leo, but Rikard makes a rare interjection.
"I don't know Leo...Elder Dragons normally don't interact with humans, and Miss Nina went out of her way to destroy the Empire's army in the past. So, it's safe to say she's not like other Elder Dragons. There's no need for Mizuki to be so strong…can't she just like him? He's handsome enough, and he seems like an interesting guy." (Rikard)
I give Rikard a surprised look and he smiles back sheepishly. Oh Rikard, you sweet man…I had no idea your strong and silent persona was hiding so much innocence. He must be protected at all costs.