After teleporting to the elven palace, into Nina's old room as requested, I begin making my way through the halls towards Elira's magic signature. To my surprise, she is in the couches conference room that we used early on. Two guards I don't recognize are guarding the door. Hmm…how do I let her know I'm here, but tactfully?
I use magic sense to focus on her general location behind the door, then I try telepathy directed towards her this way.
[Hey, Elira, I'm outside the conference room door. I'm sure you're busy, I just wanted to give you a warning about something. I'll wait in the library for when you're less busy!] (Mizuki)
I smile at the guards, who are looking at me expectantly, then turn to walk towards the library. Before I can move very far, however, I hear a shrill voice.
"Mizuki!? Thank goodness you're here!" (Elira)
That doesn't sound good. Elira comes barging out of the room frantically, then grabs me by the wrist and pulls me inside the conference room. Once inside, I see Ilina, Dargo, and an unknown royal guard sitting on the couches.
Cayla, the maid, and Klaus are also in the room, and I see them shoot me sympathetic glances. Elira drags me over to sit next to Ilina on one of the couches, then returns to her spot next to Dargo. The guard looks at me curiously.
"Ehem…uhm, what's with the urgency, Queen Elira?" (Mizuki)
Elira glares at me like I'm an idiot.
"Why didn't you warn me that yo…err, Lady Nedonera…would be adding the road the same day you mentioned it!? Also, how can you even call that a road!? It's just weird, shiny lines sticking out of the ground!" (Elira)
"Well, I did say that it would be soon. You just told us to go ahead and build it, then let you know when it was finished. My Lady sent me here to let you know that it was finished, per our agreement. Also, I told you that it would be a 'special road', so naturally it's not what you expected. Is it causing issues?" (Mizuki)
Elira places her face in her hands, then groans loudly.
"Mizuki…when you said soon, I thought you meant a few days at least. I thought I'd have time to make a preemptive announcement to the people, but now it's here and they weren't warned. The people just noticed it earlier, and a crowd has formed around the structure. The strange metal has also attracted several of our blacksmiths. This is the captain of our city guard, Taj, and we're discussing how to deal with everything. Is there anything we need to know?" (Elira)
Ah…she makes some good points. The crowd doesn't sound good.
"Ah, yes, I should have been clearer, sorry. First, I'd recommend getting people away from that structure, called a railway, immediately. Do not let anyone damage it or touch it, including the blacksmiths. Currently, my Lady and Lady Alara are on their way here using that railway. If people are standing around it, or if the railway gets damaged, people could be hurt when they arrive. The integrity of that railway is critical for safe travel." (Mizuki)
Elira's eyes go wide, and she barks an order at Taj. He bows and takes off in a hurry. Then, Elira turns to me with a tired look on her face.
"How long until Ladies Nedonera and Alara arrive? Also, can you fix this so-called railway before then if it has been damaged?" (Elira)
"About an hour, and yes, I should be able to do that covertly if the damage is minor. I will wait a short time before I leave, so your guard can secure the railway and check its integrity." (Mizuki)
Elira breathes a sigh of relief.
"Good, I'd appreciate that. You mentioned that they were on their way, but why?" (Elira)
"Oh, two reasons. The first was so people could see this mode of transportation, called a train, being used safely by them. The second was to recruit elven workers for construction back in Alara's territory – we're building a city. We want to find people skilled enough and willing to make use of the wolf-kin as an unskilled labor force during construction and later development efforts. Do you have any recommendations?" (Mizuki)
Elira gives me a surprised look.
"Mizuki, you're really not wasting any time developing her territory, are you? As for workers…I can connect Alara with some people, but she'll have to pay their high fees. They won't have an issue with wolf-kin as a race, but they may not like having to train new people, so I won't guarantee that they will accept the job." (Elira)
"Thanks, Elira, that's all we could ask for. Regarding my timeline…you're correct, it's meant to be fast. I promised her that I'd try to build a self-sustaining city within a year, and there's a lot of work to do!" (Mizuki)
Elira gives me a wry smile, and we fall into a comfortable silence for some time.
"Fufufu…I really hope my people learn to accept you more openly, as one of their own. If you can produce a thriving city out of nothing in under a year, one full of wonders like this train, I'd really hate for our prejudice against humans to deprive my country of your influence elsewhere." (Elira)
Wow, where did that come from? I give her a reassuring smile.
"Relax, Elira, even if the situation never improves, I'll do what I can to help…within reason." (Mizuki)
Elira nods, but she seems wistful. As I'm thinking of what else I might say, I see someone moving towards me out the corner of my eye. I turn in time to meet Ilina for a kiss that lasts several seconds, then she pulls away from me with a disapproving look.
"We've been here together this whole time, sitting next to each other, and you haven't even said hello to me, Mizuki. What do you have to say for yourself?" (Ilina)
Elira looks surprised, but amused, and Dargo is just smirking at me. Uh oh.
"Uhm…I was intimidated by your beauty and grace, and trying to think of an appropriate greeting to match it? Plus, there was someone outside our inner circle here at first! I didn't want to seem too familiar!" (Mizuki)
"Tch…if that's the best defense you have, then you're not as clever as I thought." (Ilina)
Ouch…message received. Ilina likes to be acknowledged with priority when we see one another. I sigh deeply.
"Alright, I apologize. I've learned my lesson, Ilina. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" (Mizuki)
Ilina gives a devious smile.
"Yes, there is. You can visit me tonight for a date, just the two of us. Make sure to clear it with Nina and tell her I said 'please'." (Ilina)
I groan internally, but I nod at Ilina supportively. She gives me a satisfied smile, a quick kiss on the cheek, and then sits back normally next to me on the couch. Elira and Dargo are both poorly hiding their amusement.
Before I have a chance to admonish them about it, the conference room door opens and Taj returns. He bows to Elira and then addresses all of us.
"I have stationed some of my men to keep people away from the railway – there were several people and children climbing on the structure when we first arrived. It appeared that one of the blacksmiths was also preparing to try and break off a piece of the metal, but we stopped him. I personally assessed the railway for damage, and it seemed fine." (Taj)
Well, that's good news at least. Elira seems to agree, and she breathes a sigh of relief.
"Well then, Queen Elira, I'd next recommend that you make a statement to the people about the origins and purposes of the railway and approaching train. That way, they hopefully know how important it is to stay away from it and not damage it." (Mizuki)
Elira nods her head.
"Yes, I agree. Especially if Ladies Nedonera and Alara will be arriving soon. If you'll excuse me, Mizuki, I need to go take care of this and the matter of the city construction experts that Alara wanted to hire. Please take care." (Elira)
I bow goodbye to her and return my farewells. Then, Elira, Dargo, Taj, and Elira's guards all depart, leaving Ilina, Klaus, Cayla, and I alone. Whelp...no time to waste! I turn to those remaining with a smile.
"Alright, I have another meeting to get to as well, so I'll be going now. Ilina, I'll see you tonight. Cayla, don't freak out." (Mizuki)
Cayla gives me a puzzled look, and then I teleport away in front of her for the first time. I'm sad that I won't get to see her reaction, but Ilina can tell me about it tonight.
Now, I need to go deal with the wolf-kin. I hope Zara has been successful in convincing them.