"...he doesn't want any innocent elves to die." (Alto)
I feel my entire body tense, and a squeal of surprise escapes my throat as I look at Alto in bewilderment.
"Alto, what are y-" (Mizuki)
Before I can finish my question, I'm interrupted by a familiar, sweet voice.
"Alto, what do you mean? Why would innocent elves die?" (Ilina)
I snap my gaze to Ilina in confusion, but she's looking at me neutrally. Calmly. Her eyes are meeting mine, as if trying to communicate that I should be silent. Is this still part of her plan? Is that what she's trying to tell me?
Seeing the intense exchange, and being obviously thrown by the talk of dead elves, the others in the room look between Alto and me suspiciously. Alto just nods at Ilina, acknowledging her question.
"I mean that the noble houses in question would inevitably abuse the trains they were gifted, resulting in the spilling of elven blood. In essence, Mizuki is trying to protect the common elves from any nobles' arrogance and entitlement." (Alto)
My whole body floods with relief. I can tell from her phrasing that, once again, Alto's perfectly riding the line between truth and misdirection. Still, while she didn't explicitly mention Azazel or his rules, she didn't exactly provide a detailed justification of her statement either.
I see several of the nobles grow visibly angry, but a couple just look confused. Elira, for her part, is starting to look nervous. If I had to guess, that's at least partly because she knows that Alto wouldn't bluff about danger to elves like this. Jorah and Tessa, the angry ones, share different thoughts, though.
"Preposterous! You're implying that a human needs to protect elves from me!? I...that's...how dare you..." (Jorah)
"My, how ironic of you to call us arrogant, while thinking you have the right to speak to us in such a way. I'm quite sure I'd do nothing quite so negligent as you describe." (Tessa)
Alto gives them both a piercing look.
"Is that so? What if you were given the trains under the clear condition that you could never use them other than how they were intended? No studying the train, no trying to replicate it...nothing but using a gift you were given, exactly as instructed. In addition, what if Mizuki told you that this was because such unintended tampering could kill dozens, maybe hundreds of elves? Would you heed his warning? Remember, Lady Nedonera can determine if you're lying." (Alto)
Tessa's expression is briefly one of surprise, then she narrows her eyes angrily, but stays silent. However, I also see...frustration...in her expression. In other words, she knows full well she'd ignore such a warning. Jorah has a similar reaction, but is fuming more obviously.
Elira looks at me in concern following Alto's assertions.
"Mizuki, is this true?" (Elira)
I hesitate briefly, as all of the nobles in the room turn their mostly skeptical gazes towards me. I also notice Alto staring at me, and when she catches my gaze, she gives a subtle, encouraging nod. So...she's leaving it in my hands to give everyone a detailed explanation of her statement, huh? Terrific.
Still, what Alto said is technically true. Not just because breaking Azazel's rules could cause me to kill elves. But also, the control plates themselves are dangerous to tamper with. Activate the forcefield plate outside of its slot on the train, and you could very well shear apart anything or anyone in its area of effect.
The same goes for the acceleration plates – you and others may get flung into a wall at breakneck speed without shielding. Even activating the acceleration plates in their slots without the forcefield active could damage the railcars or railway. In essence, any tinkering – the very basis of them studying it – would be dangerous.
I guess, if I'm going to give them an explanation, such a half-truth would be best. Eventually, I nod to Elira solemnly.
"What Alto says is true, but I saw no point in giving such a warning. Lord Jorah and Lady Tessa don't trust that I have the elves' best interests in mind, or believe that the elves could be out of their depth where magic is involved. So, they'd just meddle with the trains as they saw fit. Lady Helena would do the same out of pure, unbridled curiosity about an Elder Dragon's special item. The trains are perfectly safe, when used as intended, but..." (Mizuki)
I give Elira a serious look. No sense in holding back now.
"Such abuse would, at least, kill the handful of elves instructed to study them. At worst, the trains' normal function could be compromised in a way that caused the train to crash while in operation, potentially killing hundreds of innocent elves who had no part in such meddling. I won't be complicit in something like that. Besides, even if we told you how the trains work, you're incapable of replicating it. That part is true, too." (Mizuki)
Elira looks away thoughtfully, and Tessa is staring at me intently. Jorah is looking angrier by the second, and I'm expecting another outburst, but raucous laughter snaps everyone's attention to the corner of the room. Apparently, Helena Izthil finds something funny.
"Hahahahahah! Ohhhhh....Mizuki, you've got the number of everyone here, don't you? Fufufu...oh yeah, I can see it now. Jorah might do as you predicted out of pure distrust that anything you say could be true. Tessa, of course, doesn't believe for a second that a human might understand something better than elves. Even me...I'd probably be more cautious, only tinker with the damn thing myself, but.....yeah, I might get myself killed. Hahahahahah!" (Helena)
I just stare at her in bewilderment. Honestly, the more I'm around Helena, the more I think that she's kind of unhinged. Still, she's one of my favorite nobles. Comedic value aside, she can look at herself and others objectively and own up to it. I respect that. However, Jorah does not share my amusement.
"And why shouldn't I, Helena!? It is only natural to distrust him!" (Jorah)
While Helena and Jorah bicker, I see Darak turn towards me in confusion. He clears his throat, and the others in the room quiet down and direct their attention towards him.
"Ehem...Mizuki, I can't help but notice that you left me out of your examples. May I ask why you don't think that I could be trusted to handle a train responsibly?" (Darak)
I sigh internally. I'm sure he's not going to take this well, and he won't be the only one. I nod sympathetically to Darak. But before I can respond, a soft voice rings out from behind him.
"It's because of Vena...right?" (...)
Everyone turns to the source of the voice – a 20-looking black-haired woman with piercing blue eyes. She's locking eyes with me, and there is a sympathetic expression on her face. It's Darak's other daughter, the one I rescued from the slave trade. Vena, who is standing next to her, frowns disapprovingly.
"Tch...you're not supposed to talk here, Linnea." (Vena)
Realization dawns on Darak's face.
"Quiet, Vena. I appreciate Linnea pointing out what I should have realized myself. I'm glad that someone in the Zardo house made it clear that we're aware of the problem. So, Mizuki, I take it that my daughter is correct?" (Darak)
Darak looks at me with an exasperated expression, as though he already knows what I'll say, and is irritated with his daughter over it.
"Yes. I meant what I said before, Lord Darak. I don't hold your daughter's actions against you personally. However, the trains are not only a matter of trusting you, but also your entire house's power structure. Lady Vena has already demonstrated that she's impulsive and distrusting of me, and more than capable of circumventing you. In addition, she is your heir, and would one day inherit full control over any train we provided to you." (Mizuki)
Darak nods glumly, and I see Vena clench her jaw at my assessment of her. That's not my concern, though. I turn to Linnea and smile, then give a light bow, and she gives me a polite nod in return.
"Also, I'm sorry that we never got to speak before, Lady Linnea. I'm glad to see that you're doing well." (Mizuki)
Linnea smiles admonishingly.
"I think that was no fault of yours. We were distrustful of you given the situation, and you were clearly just trying to give us the space we needed to feel at ease. Also, just call me Linnea, please. Lady Alto, it's good to see you again as well. I trust that you've been happy with your life since we parted ways?" (Linnea)
Linnea turns her gaze to Alto at the end, who gives a small smile and nods.
"Immensely, Lady Linnea." (Alto)
Linnea smiles genuinely in return.
"I'm glad to hear that. After this, you all should visit so that we can catch up. I know that I wasn't your friend before or even during the outreach trip....and I heard you lost those that were. I'm sorry that I.....the attack...uhm. I hope you know that...you looked after all of us until Princess Ilina arrived, and...I appreciate it. We all did." (Linnea)
Linnea loses steam halfway through her statement, and I see both shame and gratitude mixed into her expression. It's obvious that she feels guilty about something that happened on their outreach trip, but I don't know what that is. Regardless, it's probably something that Alto wouldn't want her torturing herself over.
The touching moment is interrupted by the sound of Tessa clearing her throat.
"Ehem...I'm sure what you ladies went through was truly unfortunate, and I hope you have time to talk about it later, but this is not the place for such a discussion. We need to get this meeting back on track. However...I would like to hear about these 'actions' of Vena's that Mizuki mentioned. What happened?" (Tessa)
Tessa directs a suspicious gaze towards me, but Helena piles on before I can respond.
"It should be obvious that Vena did something foolish, and got taught a lesson by Mizuki. Can't you see her face right now? So, forget that. What I want to know, Mizuki, is why you're worried about her succession so far into the future? It may be twenty of your lifetimes before then. Hell, even my grandchildren may be dead by then. There's little reason in worrying about something like that...it makes no sense for you." (Helena)
I see a few more of the people in the room eye me curiously, expectantly. I sigh internally. It's just one random question after another with these people. That said, Helena's question about why I'm so invested in the long-term is fair. Obviously, it's because I won't die of old age, and I have no intention of letting any heirs abuse the trains later on either. Still, Ilina made it clear last night that now is too soon for me to answer questions like that honestly.