Helena raises her eyebrows skeptically, but Tessa interjects with a nervous expression.
"What kinds of measures?" (Tessa)
Ilina nods matter-of-factly, then turns to...Alto.
"Well, Alto...if you accompany Mizuki to such a negotiation with the Empire, and make a show of being surprised and outraged by his sharing of information, it will help sell our narrative. What do you think?" (Ilina)
Ilina raises her eyebrows questioningly at Alto, who seems unsurprised. I guess they've discussed this before. Alto steps forward and bows briefly towards Ilina, and I see a steely glint in her eyes when she raises her head.
"Of course, Princess, I'll help any way I can." (Alto)
Ilina nods appreciatively to Alto, but I'm not totally sold on the idea. Tessa seems to share my sentiments.
"With all due respect to Al-...to Lady Alto's acting skills, I hope you have more than that planned, Princess." (Tessa)
Tessa glances at Nina nervously as she speaks, and I have to suppress a chuckle. Even after all this, Tessa's still worried about Nina's warning to address Alto like an equal, huh?
"Surprisingly, I agree with Tessa, Princess. Also, didn't Mizuki threaten to destroy their capital if they attacked us? Won't they at least wonder why he would have done that if our military might is so formidable?" (Helena)
Personally, I hadn't considered Helena's point before now, but...it has merit. My prior actions might put this narrative about the elves' military capabilities in jeopardy. However, an unperturbed Ilina glances between Tessa and Helena with a thoughtful expression.
"Naturally, Lady Tessa, I won't rely on Alto's contributions alone. Lady Helena, as for your question...yes, you're correct. However, we could use that to our advantage. Mizuki could say that he made that threat knowing full well how formidable we are, and he merely wanted to prove to us that his party condemned such hostility from the Empire. He could say that he feared earning our ire if he was associated with any such attack from fellow humans." (Ilina)
My eyes widen in surprise, and the others seem similarly impressed by Ilina's proposal. Yeah...she's right, that could work as an explanation. However, that's only if they're otherwise convinced that the elves could be a threat. As if sensing my criticisms, Ilina continues on.
"Furthermore, Mizuki should tell them about the magic items known as trains, along with whatever other war-like items he decides to make up stories about, but say that we built them. If nothing else, that should serve as proof of our magic capabilities far surpassing theirs, and act as a deterrent to invasion.
"Of course, I don't expect them to take him at his word over something so remarkable. So, I suggest that Mizuki tells them the location of Alara's coastal train system, so that they can covertly surveil it by ship and see for themselves." (Ilina)
Almost every jaw in the room drops, including mine. Jorah is quick to voice his thoughts.
"Princess!? Are you suggesting that we practically invite the Empire to our shores!?" (Jorah)
I mean...normally I'm not on Jorah's side, but this is an exception. That certainly seems like what Ilina is suggesting, and I have to agree that it's kind of absurd. Ilina, however, manages to keep a straight face.
"Calling it an invitation is a little dramatic, but...yes. The Empire surveilling us by ship is nothing new – we deal with that threat constantly. In all likelihood, they'd eventually notice the strange metal railway on their own. At least this way, we get to control the narrative around the train. Hopefully, the train can serve as indirect evidence that an important settlement like the royal capital is nearby, and that our capabilities are far beyond their comprehension." (Ilina)
Huh...I guess I hadn't considered that the Empire might already be probing their borders by ship. In retrospect, it makes sense of course. The Empire has made it clear they've long wanted more information about the Elven Kingdom, and coastlines away from major settlements seem like an easy target. The better question is, how have the elves managed to thwart those efforts for so long? After all, roughly a quarter of their coastline isn't managed by any nobles.
My thoughts are interrupted by a shrill cry from Jorah. He's staring at Elira, whose brow is furrowed as if she's immersed in troubling thoughts.
"Whaaa!? My Queen, surely you aren't considering allowing such a course of action. I confess, while I don't agree with some of your other decisions regarding...Mizuki...today, I at least understand and accept my Queen's reasons. But inviting our enemies to our very borders, near a key secret such as the train...the danger seems incomparable to me!" (Jorah)
Elira's expression remains strained for several more seconds, then she sighs deeply.
"You're right, Jorah. It is dangerous..." (Elira)
Relief floods Jorah's expression, but it's short-lived.
"However, there's no escaping danger at this stage, given the Empire's movements. More importantly, the royal navy has had to keep dutiful watch over our coastline in the undeveloped territories, as have each of you over your own coastlines, and it's always been a struggle. At the very least, Ilina's proposal buys us time while the Empire sends ships to investigate, and it will let us know exactly where to expect their ships for once. Truthfully, I'm inclined to support this idea, risky though it may be." (Elira)
I'm expecting Jorah to immediately squeal in disbelief, as he usually does. Instead, I see his expression twisted with internal conflict, until a hand clasps his shoulder firmly – Zakariah, his son. Jorah looks over his shoulder in surprise, and the two lock eyes for a moment. Zakariah gives a firm nod, and Jorah turns away with a resigned look on his face, eyes cast down to the roundtable.
While I'm trying to process that unexpected emotional development of Jorah's, Tessa turns a piercing gaze towards me.
"And what do you think of this, Mizuki? What about your precious train near Alara's coastline? Are you not concerned that, once the Empire learns of its location and capabilities, they will make a move on it in some way? It's not as though it's heavily guarded." (Tessa)
Tessa studies my reaction intently, as all the others in the room turn their gazes to me. Yeahhh...I'm not thrilled about the idea of alerting the Empire to the existence of trains. However, it's not like they can do much. The elves will surely keep a watchful eye on the Empire's movements, and I can step in at any point if their actions become a serious concern. Still, I shouldn't entirely dismiss the potential drawbacks of Ilina's proposal...hmm.
After a few moments of contemplating Tessa's question in awkward silence, I notice Ilina wearing an expectant expression as she watches me. Well, based on our discussions last night, I can pretty easily guess what that's about...
I let out a deep sigh and shrug towards Tessa.
"I'm not thrilled about the idea, naturally, but Princess Ilina has my trust. If she thinks this is the best course of action, then I'll support it. Besides, if I'm not going to let you all tamper with the trains, then they're sure as hell off-limits for the Empire. You all can see to it that I'm warned if they target the train. I'd kill them down to that last witness, and explain away all the dead soldiers as the consequences of antagonizing the elves' military. Right, Princess?" (Mizuki)
I see a thin smile lingering on Ilina's lips as I turn and posit the last question. She directs a composed expression at me and nods politely.
"Yes, I think that's a fine idea. Of course, I appreciate your confidence in me, Mizuki." (Ilina)
Much to my surprise, Ilina finishes her statement with the slightest of bows. So formal, Ilina! I really hope I don't develop a kink for this...something tells me she wouldn't be into it.
As the room falls into a surprised silence after Ilina's deferential response, my less-than-noble thoughts about Ilina are interrupted by the sound of Helena clearing her throat.
"Ehem...so I suppose the train would serve as a kind of weak evidence for Mizuki's claims about our military capabilities and the royal capital's location, but what about our numbers? If we've been as careful as I hope, they shouldn't have a way to verify that info on their own." (Helena)
Ilina gives a conceding nod to Helena, then turns towards Tessa.
"Yes, you're correct. I think the best course of action is to provide Mizuki with a physical document verifying that information...ideally one that won't be inherently suspicious. Tessa, as the overseer of the Elven Magic Academy and its library, can you think of a book that would contain such information? One that is innocuous enough that Mizuki could have believably found it in a normal elven library and wanted to read it?" (Ilina)
Realization dawns on the faces of Helena and others, as they presumably deduce what Ilina is suggesting. Tessa nods hesitantly.
"Perhaps..." (Tessa)
She pauses briefly, wearing a conflicted expression.
"...however, it is an abridged history of the noble territories in the kingdom, including population growth. While that is innocuous enough for common circulation within our kingdom, it contains other information that we wouldn't want the Empire to have. I know of less sensitive books, like one that covers our people's changing flour production needs over time, but it would hardly make sense for Mizuki to have read such a thing casually." (Tessa)
Ilina purses her lips thoughtfully for several breaths before giving a decisive nod.
"That should be fine, I think. If needed, Mizuki can just show them an excerpt from the book that confirms our population size. There's no need for him to give them the book or reveal any of its other specific contents." (Ilina)
Following Ilina's declaration, Tessa turns towards me anxiously, and her piercing eyes lock with mine. The sentiment is clear...she wants confirmation directly from me that I can be trusted with something she deems to be sensitive. I nod at her calmly.
"Of course, Lady Tessa, it is exactly as Princess Ilina says. I will make absolutely certain that the Empire is only presented with the information deemed appropriate by this council." (Mizuki)
At my reassurance, Tessa seems to visibly relax. My eyebrows involuntarily jerk upward in surprise at the sight. Did she seriously just take my word for that? Tessa Uril? Is she...feeling okay?