"M-Mizuki…you're talking about gods and other planets like you know they're real…Miss Alto as well. Are you saying the legends of the god Azazel bringing the non-human races here from other planets is true? How could you know such a thing?" (Theresa)
Wait…do the humans think those are just legends? I mean, I don't have room to talk, being an atheist on Earth – obviously, now reformed. Still, I feel like Azazel's influence has been much more apparent on Azura.
I'm not sure how to explain my knowledge about Azura's history to Theresa. Thankfully, Alto nods at Theresa and interjects.
"That is correct. What you consider legends are known as fact among the elves. We have historical records of arriving on this planet, and of Azazel meeting with the first elves. We even have statues of some of the first elves that came here from our original planet. Keep in mind that elves can live for millennia, so these events don't seem like ancient history to us." (Alto)
Oh yeah…that's a good point. Come to think of it, the only people I've heard talk about Azazel's world transplanting like fact are long-lived races – elves, Nina, and Percivil. I've never discussed it with wolf-kin or humans.
Theresa is staring at Alto in a haze…I smell an existential crisis. That's not good. If the information is that profound to humans, and they learn that the elves have such pristine historical records from dozens of millennia back…hmm.
"Theresa…you with us?" (Mizuki)
Theresa snaps back to attention, and nods at me.
"Good. Now, I'm sorry, but you can't mention that you were told all that by an elf, nor can you share anything that you've learned about the Elven Kingdom. I don't want to risk it enticing further exploitative efforts from human governments. Is that clear?" (Mizuki)
I ask my question to Theresa with a stern look, hoping she'll understand how seriously I'm taking the matter. She looks surprised at first, then becomes thoughtful. Eventually, she nods with a sad look on her face.
"Yes, you have my word." (Theresa)
Theresa's expression as she looks at me seems genuine, and I don't sense or hear anything from Nina…I guess she means it.
I smile and nod approvingly at Theresa.
"Great! In that case, I might be able to help you since the elves can't. I have ideas for how you could use magic to potentially cure things like rot, and maybe other illnesses too, but it will require some trial and error to figure out." (Mizuki)
Theresa's eyes fly open in shock.
"You can't be serious!? A cure…for rot!? You didn't even know what it was until today!" (Theresa)
Well…that's an understandable reaction. Still, if rot is cancer like I think…it's possible I can help. I'll need to come up with a way to detect cancer, then excise it safely and completely. Also, I doubt I can come up with strategies for all types of cancer, but…yeah, curing some types of cancer is plausible thanks to a blend of science and magic.
I shake my head at Theresa.
"Actually, I'm familiar with the illness you call rot, I just didn't know it by that name. As for curing it…yes, I think it might be possible for a fraction of people. Still, I can't make any guarantees." (Mizuki)
Theresa gives me an exasperated look.
"Mizuki…rot is a death sentence for everyone that develops it. The only thing that varies is how slow and painful it is for them. Even if you could cure only one in twenty people…the hope that would bring…" (Theresa)
Theresa trails off wistfully. I think I should wrap this up…I have a lot on my plate right now, and I wasn't expecting to spend so much time here today.
"Alright, well like I said, I will need to prepare before even trying to cure it or other illnesses. Plus, there's the impending threat of invasion by the Empire, and I have other obligations as well. So, it may be a while, several weeks even, before I can assist you. However, I promise to help when things are less hectic. In the meantime, just keep track of anyone with rot at your clinic, but don't give them false hope. How's that?" (Mizuki)
Theresa smiles and nods.
"That sounds more than reasonable…sincerely, thank you. In that case, I'll return to my clinic now. Normally we just give people with rot the bad news and send them on their way, so I need to set some changes in motion as soon as possible. Miss Alto, Lady Ne…err, Nina…thank you for speaking with me as well. I hope to see you all again soon." (Theresa)
With her goodbyes, Theresa bows lightly to us and departs from the council room. I don't notice any guards peeking in this time as she closes the door behind her…I guess we've finally been left alone.
I turn to face my party, and they're all looking at me expectantly. I kind of interrupted the whole reason we came to Elmesia today in the first place…letting Alto and Zara rank up.
I glance at Levi's party, and they still seem to be chatting behind the silencing spell. Good.
"Alright, I'm sorry for pulling you all away from what you were doing. I think I can take care of everything else if you three want to go finish your guild job. Where should I send you?" (Mizuki)
Zara smiles at me and shakes her head.
"There's no need to send us anywhere…we completed our job shortly before you contacted Nina. Alto and I were only one A-rank job away from being eligible for the A-rank exam. So, we would have returned to the guild soon anyway." (Zara)
"Fufufu…indeed, you summoned us at the perfect time. This has been an entertaining meeting…mostly." (Nina)
"I agree with Nina…I learned something interesting about my people thanks to coming here. Also, can I assume that the preparations you mentioned for treating rot will involve more research together?" (Alto)
Alto looks up at me with excited eyes as she asks her question. I smile and nod.
"Fufu…yes, I'm quite looking forward to it myself. It will involve the most experimenting I've done with magic since coming here. I suspect you'll find it very interesting as well…it will be different from our prior research together." (Mizuki)
Alto flashes a giddy smile my way.
"When can we start!?" (Alto)
"Woah…slow down there Alto! Have you forgotten how much crap we have to do in the next couple of weeks? Building two new railroads, the nobles' meeting, visiting the different demi-human clans, freeing the Empire's slaves, and then meeting with and maybe killing the Empire's leadership. Plus, defending Elmesia if necessary, and dealing with any fallout in Elmesia from this incident today. That research needs to wait a while." (Mizuki)
"Tch...you're such a tease, Mizuki! Will you at least make time for our normal research together? I want to learn that spell you use to talk without people hearing you, or the one you use to sense where Zara and I are when we're invisible." (Alto)
I smirk at Alto, but before I can prepare a sarcastic response…
"What!? No fair, Alto! Tch…at this rate, I won't even be able to put up a good fight in our sparring matches." (Zara)
I turn to Zara in surprise…it's not very often I hear her be so frantic. Wait…did she say that her and Alto sparred!?
I look back at Alto with a bewildered expression, and she seems amused. That damn elf…
"Alto…have you and Zara been sparring!?" (Mizuki)
"Oh yes, did I not mention that? We've had semi-regular sparring sessions for a while now. Don't worry, we never seriously hurt one another." (Alto)
"Honestly, I'm more interested in why you agreed to spar in the first place. It's not really your style, Alto. Did Zara tie a book to a stick and lure you outside?" (Mizuki)
Alto rolls her eyes at me, but then her expression grows serious.
"Jokes aside, Mizuki…I'm the one that asked Zara to spar with me. It's a good way to try out nonlethal combat spells. More importantly...I want to grow strong enough that I never again experience that helplessness I felt in the wolf-kin village raid. You always look out for us when we're together, but…I want to be able to handle important missions independently, so I can further our goals." (Alto)
I widen my eyes in surprise, and Alto just stares back at me with a determined expression. I…had no idea she felt so strongly about all this. Should I be doing more to help her get stronger? There are certainly more spells, very dangerous ones, that I could teach her.
I put on a serious expression and nod at Alto.
"Okay Alto, I understand. In that case, I'll make time to teach you those spells as quickly as possible. I admit that I'm hesitant to send my friends out on dangerous missions alone, but…it's not because I don't trust you. I'll do my best to help you all get as strong as possible, so that you can be as independent as you want." (Mizuki)
Alto gives a warm smile in return, and I sense a rush of affection and amusement from Nina.
"Fufufu…how sweet, Mizuki. Can I look forward to such adorable interactions between you and our children?" (Nina)
Children!? Plural!?
I look at Nina in bewilderment, and she just grins. I also sense her amusement intensify. Thankfully, Zara interjects.
"Mizuki, it appears that Levi's party wishes to speak with us." (Zara)
I quickly turn my attention to where we left Levi and the others. I see them leaving the silencing spell area and heading towards us. I remove the silencing spell as they arrive in front of us.
I smile at Levi's group and raise my eyebrows inquisitively.
"Welcome back, Levi and friends…have you reached a decision about whether you'll be joining my party?" (Mizuki)
Levi sighs deeply and nods.
"Yes, we're all in agreement…we'll accept the offer to join your party. However…" (Levi)
Levi looks at me apprehensively for a few moments, and I gesture for him to continue.
"…well, despite my protests, the others have a request that they won't budge on. They say they won't feel comfortable working for you unless you grant it." (Levi)
Oh? If it's just one, and that's all it takes to get them to join my party, I'm sold.
I smile eagerly at all of them and nod.
"That's reasonable…I don't mind. Color me intrigued, though – what's the request?" (Mizuki)
Sylvia flashes a mischievous grin.
"We want to see you fight – just you, sparring with me in single combat. Even if I beat you…and I fully intend to…we'll consider the request fulfilled and join your party. What do you say?" (Sylvia)
I can't keep the surprise off my face…that's all they want? That will only take a few seconds of my time, and I'll only have to show them a single spell.
I smile back at Sylvia, amused.
"If that's all you want, th-" (Mizuki)
Before I can respond, Zara interjects.
"Mizuki, please wait. I have a request." (Zara)
I turn to Zara in surprise, as do the others.
"Uhm…sure Zara. Let's hear it." (Mizuki)
Zara smiles at me and nods, then she turns to face Sylvia and smirks. Oh boy…
"Truthfully, I don't think any of you are worthy of such a duel with him. I think you should have to first beat me, the weakest member of his party, to earn such an honor. Mizuki, I ask that you allow me to fight them before you grant their request." (Zara)
Christ…her wolf-kin is showing. That's not like her, though…what's gotten into her?
I don't get the chance to tell Zara how unfair it would be to deny the singular request that an entire A-rank party had before agreeing to work for me. Before I can, Sylvia snorts derisively.
"I accept…let's see if you can back up that tough talk, little wolf." (Sylvia)
I won't lie, I'm quite surprised to hear her agree so readily. Still…that's going to be a problem.
"I'm sorry, to both of you, but that wouldn't be fair. I can't condone such a match." (Mizuki)
Sylvia looks at me, slightly annoyed.
"With all due respect, Mizuki, I politely request that you don't interfere. She may be a child, but we're going to be working together. So, while I agree that it's an unfair match-up for her, she needs to be accountable for such an insult. I promise not to seriously harm her." (Sylvia)
I shake my head apologetically.
"Sylvia, I'm sorry, but I think you've misunderstood me. I meant that you stand practically no chance of beating Zara in single combat. So, there'd be no way to grant your request if I let Zara have her way. That's the part that I believe is unfair…to you." (Mizuki)
Sylvia snaps her head towards me in bewilderment. She looks like she's about to argue, but Nina interjects with an amused tone.
"Mizuki, if I could make a quite entertaining proposal…why not have Zara fight their entire party at once? I think that would put the odds in their favor, and it would give us an opportunity to really challenge Zara without holding her back. She'd benefit from true combat practice while pressed to her limits." (Nina)
Sylvia's mouth is hanging open in shock at Nina's words. I, on the other hand, smile widely at everyone.
"Nina…that's a wonderful idea, and I quite like your proposal. Very well, I'll condone such a match." (Mizuki)
"Absolutely not, I don't need their he-" (Sylvia)
Sylvia's shrill outburst is cut off by Levi. He's wearing a grim expression while looking between Zara and me.
"Sylvia, that's enough. If you trust me as much as you say, then agree to the terms. I've got a feeling...you're going to be thankful for the help." (Levi)
Damn…he's as keen as ever. I really hope he tells me one day how he picks up on this stuff. It's kind of creeping me out, honestly.
Sylvia looks at him incredulously, but Levi's expression doesn't waver. After a moment, Sylvia's eyes go wide in surprise, and she looks back towards Zara suspiciously.
"Well, I'm not thrilled about it, but I'll agree to the terms. Levi's instincts are the scariest I've ever seen…I'd be an idiot to ignore them." (Sylvia)
Wow…given how riled up she was just a minute ago, her trust in Levi must be maxed out to do a complete 180 like that. They must have been through a lot together.
I turn my attention back to Zara, who is wearing a satisfied smile.
"Zara, is a one-on-four match against their entire party okay with you? I won't be imposing any restrictions on your abilities with such a lopsided fight. It should go without saying that none of you are allowed to harm anyone beyond what can be fixed by healing magic, or else I'll end the fight immediately." (Mizuki)
Zara nods at me politely.
"Of course, I'll respect your rules. Thank you, Mizuki. I'd like to ask…if I emerge victorious, could I have a second gift of my choosing?" (Zara)
She wants a second spell ring, huh? Hmm…I guess that's appropriate if she manages to single-handedly beat an entire A-rank adventuring party. More importantly, Alto already has two, and Zara can't be taught true magic, so that seems fair. Plus, I'll want her as capable as possible if she'll be doing missions without me later.
I smile and nod at Zara.
"Sure, I'll agree to that. Since you're all in agreement, we can depart shortly to the combat grounds…is everyone ready?" (Mizuki)
Rikard and Sylvia look more confused by my question than the others, but everyone in the room voices their assent.
[Nina…is it okay if we use your nest as the battlefield?] (Mizuki)
[Yes, Mizuki, it's fine. I don't know how many times I must tell you that it's not my nest anymore. Please feel free to use that place however you want from here onward.] (Nina)
I push amusement through our connection and smile at everyone. Then, I teleport us all to Nina's old nest. Naturally, I don't warn Levi's party.
It's just more fun that way.