As we pass into the large reception hall, I see several elves walking past – they're dressed like service staff. A couple of them take notice of us and give quick bows towards Cara before continuing with their duties. As I'm looking around, I notice something even more interesting – Alyse has followed us in. She's at the back of our group, right behind me.
Catching my surprised and inquisitive gaze, Alyse smirks and whispers to me.
"Is there room for a second outcast in your tour group?" (Alyse)
Her tone has a trace of amusement, and I think she's implying that I'm the first outcast. Strangely, I don't sense any animosity from her in the statement.
I chuckle and give her an amused smile, then I nod my acknowledgement – I don't mind her joining us. My response causes her face to twist briefly in confusion, then she narrows her eyes at me thoughtfully.
So, that wasn't the reaction she was expecting, huh? I smirk at Alyse before returning my attention to Cara, who is now leading us towards the stairs.
As we ascend, Cara is describing the layout of the mansion, and some details about its history, but I'm not really listening closely. Truthfully, something else has been invading my thoughts today when I let my mind wander too long, and it's getting harder to ignore. Unfortunately, it's not the Egris family drama or caramel apples – it's the nobles' meeting tomorrow.
There are some discussion points that I consider unavoidable, like the Belmod massacre and the train system between Avalon and Eden. And, I'm uncertain how much information to give the nobles regarding those topics. Moreover, many of the nobles are clever, so I worry how many problematic questions they'll ask surrounding those events, regardless of what information I give them.
First, it was never made clear to the nobles that Nina is part of my adventuring party. If they don't already have basic intelligence on the Belmod massacre, they will soon. They'll realize that someone powerful beyond normal elf and human limits must be in my party. It will be even more damning if they manage to acquire my party's guild registration info.
They'll either infer that Nina is the party powerhouse, which will beg the question why an Elder Dragon is masquerading as a human adventurer and my subordinate, or they'll assume it's some unknown human in my party, which will incite all kinds of concerns from the human-wary elves. Of course, it's also possible that they'll be suspicious of my abilities.
The question, naturally, is which reasonable interpretation do I preemptively support? I'm leaning towards just copping to Nina's presence in my party and saying that she killed most of the Empire soldiers – it has the benefit of being the truth. That strategy will raise more questions about her anomalous dynamic with me, but the only real alternative is just outright telling them how strong I am, which is at least as problematic.
On the other hand, Darak may already know about me. After all, his daughter was one of the elves I rescued, and I wasn't as concerned about disguising myself at the time. So, she saw no shortage of magic from me, and Nina and I weren't acting like master and servant. Ilina asked for their discretion, but what are the chances she's kept it from her own father? She obviously didn't tell Darak about me in her letter to him before the royal announcement, but there could be many reasons for that. In fact, I might as well assume that Darak will know some of my secrets now.
Next, while there's nothing hostile or illegal about the trains we built, I'd be shocked if we weren't pressed to provide more of that magic technology elsewhere in the kingdom. Naturally, I'm opposed to the idea.
I'm not really worried about the elves using the trains to harm people – they are so docile that it strains the imagination. There hasn't even been vandalism of the existing train system. My bigger concern is the magic components of the trains being studied, and elves learning something about magic that forces me to start executing people in compliance with Azazel's rules.
If it weren't for that one uncertainty, I'd already feel comfortable making a network of trains in the Elven Kingdom. However, that lingering concern is a hard one to overcome. So, I'm not sure how to address the nobles' inevitable requests to get trains of their own. Declining them with little justification will probably raise tensions – Jorah and Tessa will no doubt see it as a somehow hostile action on my part.
Finally, there's the overarching question of my plans for the Elven Kingdom and the Empire. The nobles will inevitably be concerned about how my party's actions, both towards the Empire and in developing Eden, are going to affect their country and people. I can't pretend they're not entitled to some input on those matters.
My recent decisions, unexpected though they were, have also made me responsible for massive impending changes in the lives of people in the Empire, Elmesia, the Elven Kingdom, and the various demi-human territories.
I already knew it before, but my recent discussion with Ilina made it clear…I don't know the first thing about the nuances of ruling over a country or even a city. That's why I've avoided large-scale influence so far.
Honestly, even if they weren't somewhat entitled to input on how I handle our current predicament, I might need the nobles' additional counsel on how to best move forward. Unfortunately, that would require being more honest with them about my plans and abilities. They can't make informed, and therefore useful, suggestions otherwise.
For the most part, I've tried to keep a low profile and hide my abilities since coming to this world. Initially, that's because I was scared about the hazards to my health if I stood out too much. However, as I've learned to use my magic more effectively, the fear that normal people can hurt me is now almost nonexistent.
My lingering desire to hide my origins and abilities derives at least partly from a concern that it will be detrimental to the few friends I've made here. Logically, however, I know that my recent actions have already put them in the spotlight. Keeping my abilities secret probably isn't protecting them anymore.
In that case, might it be best to just come clean to the nobles about myself and my plans? Objectively, that's what it seems like. After all, Darak may already know the truth. If so, I'd earn goodwill without truly exposing myself. It'd also make the other matters we need to discuss simpler, though not necessarily easier.
However, the very thought of publicly revealing my power…it fills me with dread. As for why…I can't quite put my finger on it. If I can't think of a logical reason for the dread, though, perhaps my feelings shouldn't be a factor in the decision. Maybe the best course of action would be to discuss it with my inner circle and see what they think, then go from there. If they all thi-
"Mizuki?" (Alto)
Alto's concerned voice snaps me from my reflection, and I look around to see everyone's expectant faces. I also sense confusion from Nina. Did someone ask me a question?
"Uhm…sorry, Alto, did you say something?" (Mizuki)
Alto shakes her head, and Cara interjects.
"No, it was me. I was letting you know that this is my office. I spend a decent amount of time here, writing letters, signing official documents, and taking meetings. Would you like to see?" (Cara)
Cara gives me a pointed look, glancing briefly toward Alyse's unexpected presence. Between that and her emphasis on writing letters in her office, it's clear what she's trying to convey. She wants me to install the MMC in her office, and she is probably wondering what to do about Alyse. That's partly my fault; distracted by my thoughts, I encouraged her to tag along.
"Sure, that sounds great! Sorry for spacing out, Cara." (Mizuki)
I direct a follow-up thought message to her and the members of my party.
[Cara, just tour us around the office a bit, and indicate covertly to me a blank area on the wall where you want the MMC. After that, just find an excuse to talk with Alyse outside the office and leave us alone in there. I'll take care of the rest.] (Mizuki)
Cara smiles appreciatively and nods, then leads us into the room. I guess I understood the assignment.
As far as offices go, it looks most like Dargo's. There's a desk, a couch for visitors, and lots of shelves around with papers and other official looking items lining them.
Directly behind Cara's desk, there's a massive red cloth banner hanging on the wall. It has a white emblem on it – a downward pointed sword with a snake wrapped around it.
After walking us around the office briefly, Cara stops near the banner. She gestures toward it and smiles over her shoulder at us.
"This is the Egris family crest…keeping it hung behind the desk here is traditional, even though it covers all this perfectly good wall space." (Cara)
Cara gives me a knowing look as she finishes her statement. Oh? Aren't you clever!
I smile at Cara.
[Got it. I'll build the MMC there, so that it's hidden behind the banner.] (Mizuki)
"It's a lovely crest, so I'm sure the wall space isn't wasted." (Mizuki)
Cara smiles back and nods her acknowledgement.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." (Cara)
MMC location – confirmed. Unfortunately, Alyse is looking between us like we're deranged, following that admittedly odd exchange. Cara and I won't be getting any Oscars for that performance.
"Seriously, Cara? You're boring them with our family crest now? I can't believe you implied that my behavior was inconsiderate to them...this is painful to watch." (Alyse)
Cara sighs and looks at Alyse like she's annoyed, but I detect faint signs of relief from her.
"Alyse...dear sister...could I speak to you outside? Lady Nedonera, please feel free to make yourselves comfortable here, I'll just be a moment." (Cara)
No wonder she seemed relieved…that was the perfect impromptu reason to drag Alyse out of here.
Without waiting for a response from Nina or Alyse, Cara walks towards the office door, then gestures towards Alyse to follow her. Alyse reluctantly obliges, and Cara shuts the door behind them as they exit. That's my cue.
I cast a silencing spell over the room, then quickly begin installing an MMC for Cara behind the family crest banner. I intend to include messaging capabilities to both Avalon and Eden.
As I'm working on the MMC, I sense…curiosity…from Nina. She doesn't leave me guessing for long.
"Mizuki, I felt an unnatural amount of apprehension from you earlier, when you were too distracted to notice Cara talking to you. Is everything all right?" (Nina)
I turn to Nina in surprise, and I notice Alto staring at me as well.
"I was also concerned about your state of mind, Mizuki. I may not have Nina's connection to you, but I know you well enough to see that you were troubled by something. Is it anything I can help with? If so, remember that we're a team." (Alto)
I can't help but smile at their remarks…especially Alto's. I guess it's not really that surprising that they noticed...after all, they're good friends. I nod at them thoughtfully as I continue my work.
"Let me ask you both – at this nobles' meeting tomorrow, do you think that I should tell them the truth about myself? The things that don't violate Azazel's terms, that is. What you felt earlier was me pondering that question." (Mizuki)
I sense shock from Nina, and Alto looks troubled by my question as well, but they're both silent for a few moments.
"Mizuki…where is this coming from?" (Alto)
Yeah, I guess that does seem like a rather extreme and sudden thing to discuss seriously. I give a conceding nod to Alto.
"I've set events in motion that will impact whole races and countries, including the Elven Kingdom. I don't feel right making further decisions about their futures alone. So, I wonder if it's best to solicit the nobles' counsel. But it'd be pointless if I keep them in the dark about me. Besides…after what we did in the Empire, and what I'll still do if they fail to heed my warnings, my anonymity is probably doomed anyway." (Mizuki)
Alto looks off into space and nods absentmindedly, then she turns her gaze back to me. She looks rather conflicted.
"For argument's sake, I don't think knowing the truth about you would worsen your relationship with them. Tessa and Jorah may grow more distrustful, but I don't think they'd be more antagonistic – they're not idiots. Well, Tessa's not, and Jorah would follow her lead. That said, if this knowledge spreads – unlikely, but possible – then it could cause fear among elves that are less familiar with you. I think you should ask Princess Ilina for her opinion." (Alto)
Yeah…that's pretty much as I already suspected. I don't blame her for kicking the can down the road to Ilina. I nod appreciatively to Alto, then turn to Nina, who is wearing an intensely thoughtful expression.