I shrug at Alyse.
"I don't just kill people based on whether they're an actual threat to me in the moment. Besides, they could have been a threat to my friends without me there. The only thing I cared about was that they had a choice, and the fact is they chose to spend the last few minutes of their lives harming my friends in service to a cruel emperor. Perhaps they would have surrendered after I demonstrated my abilities and Belmod was dead, but so what? It's hardly commendable to cease harming others only once persistence means failure and certain death." (Mizuki)
I hear Tessa clear her throat following my response, and I look over to see her eyeing me cautiously.
"Ehem...what was the point in fake-groveling to that disgusting emperor, and claiming you'd spy on us, if you had no intention of doing so? You obviously didn't value the guards' lives that much, and you could have easily crushed them and threatened repercussions from the start." (Tessa)
"Well, short of annihilating the whole city, which involves innocents, those actions had little chance of stopping the Empire itself from invading you. Belmod is just a leader who epitomized the problem, not the problem himself. I'd have preferred a non-violent information gathering stage, where the enemy wasn't so wary of me, then use what I learned to more permanently squash the threat. I'm sorry that it didn't work out that way. Besides, I could always go back and kill them, but I preferred to consult Queen Elira before taking actions that drastic. " (Mizuki)
Tessa's eyes narrow and she seems to study my face intently. However, Helena pipes up before she can speak.
"Well Mizuki's motivations are interesting and all, but...am I the only one fixated on the abilities he casually mentioned? Unseen barriers, invisibility...flying...and something that sounds suspiciously like the incantation-less magic that Princess Ilina demonstrated earlier today. Mizuki...is there a connection between you and Princess Ilina's new spells?" (Helena)
I groan internally...I was worried about someone connecting the dots on that after Ilina's little stunt. Oh well, that's why I came up with a half-true cover story. I see Alto and Ilina eyeing me nervously, and Elira and Dargo look curious as well. The latter two know that I can make spell rings and 'teach' people spells like mine, but they don't know the specifics of how. I nod at the expectant Helena.
"Yes. As you've likely guessed, I can bestow some of my abilities onto others, and they don't require incantations. However, there are limitations. I can only do it for a small number of people, and those people have to be...compatible...with the specific abilities I give them. Princess Ilina is someone I've entrusted with certain abilities. Let me be clear, though...I will not be handing out abilities to anyone else – I'm at my limit." (Mizuki)
I quickly direct a thought message to my inner circle, plus Elira and Dargo. Since she doesn't know about the spell rings, I don't include Alyse.
[Please remember – under no circumstances are the spell rings to be discussed with anyone that doesn't already know about them.] (Mizuki)
I single out Elira for an additional thought message.
[Elira, I haven't forgotten my promise to you. When the time comes, your spell ring will be an exception to my verbal statement.] (Mizuki)
I scan the room, taking in the mix of shocked and disappointed faces. I notice Alyse staring at me intently, and I'd swear there's a glimmer of hope in her eyes. What the hell is that about? She's kind of giving me the creeps. I'm interrupted from my thoughts by a shrill Jorah, and I look up to see him glancing around at the other people frantically.
"Forget these other concerns! Did nobody else hear that there is a human who infiltrated our country, and made it all the way to the royal capital!? A human with an invisibility spell is an alarming threat. I'm assuming that you know the whereabouts of this human?" (Jorah)
Jorah directs an accusatory glare at me for the last part. He wouldn't seriously...no, even Jorah's not that stupid. He's probably worried about an unknown element, which is fair. I didn't tell them about my relationship with Levi, just that I knew an adventurer in Elmesia and his history with the Empire. I might as well reassure Jorah. I've done enough antagonizing for the day.
I nod calmly at Jorah.
"Yes, and there's no reason for alarm. He has nothing but goodwill for the elves. As I said, he willingly faked his own death to avoid reporting back to the Empire. He couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to you because of him. I think it's fair to say that he might have saved you all. After all, if Belmod knew the specifics of your country, especially your low population, he'd probably have invaded you already." (Mizuki)
I see Jorah's face twist up in anger, but he manages to keep his tone relatively respectful as he responds. Still, I obviously did the opposite of reassure him.
"So you say, but we have no way of knowing that. He violated our laws by entering our country illegally as a human, and we have every right to his imprisonment and punishment. If you were serious about your claim that you'll support our country's laws and decisions, then you'd turn him over to us." (Jorah)
I feel a surge of immense anger at Jorah...is this guy seriously proposing that I turn over Levi to be imprisoned or killed? After what he did for them? All because of their racist 'no humans' policy? Also, he is grossly misrepresenting what I promised them. I'd be justified in telling him to go fuck himself, and state that any hostility against Levi will put the elves at odds with me. However...I should really try to seem civil at first. So, let's try this...
"I suppose I did say something to that effect, didn't I Jorah? Very well, why don't the nobles take a vote on whether the adventurer Levi should be apprehended and brought to you for punishment. All of you that agree with Jorah's position on this matter, could you please raise your hands?" (Mizuki)
I look around the room after my question, keeping my face and tone as neutral as possible. I see Alto's head snap toward me in surprise. Her eyes are full of concern. Honestly, I don't know if it's because she knows what I'm really up to, or because she thinks I'd actually hand over Levi. She did say that she respects him.
[Stay calm, Alto. They'll be punishing Levi over my dead body. I just thought this was a nice way to seem diplomatic while learning which of the nobles hate humans so deeply that they'd truly punish Levi after what he's done for you.] (Mizuki)
I notice Alto relax, then I turn to take stock of the nobles' responses. I see Jorah's hand go up promptly, while Cara shakes her head. Alara stares at me with a conflicted expression for a moment, then she shakes her head as well. Darak and Helena look thoughtful, but not conflicted, and they're glancing between me and Tessa. They give no sign of their decision.
Turning my attention to Tessa, I notice a frustrated and conflicted expression on her face. She glances at me, then purses her lips.
"I noticed from your story that Lady Nedonera doesn't need a spell to tell if people are lying. So, can I assume that you're sure whether this adventurer would do us harm?" (Tessa)
My eyes widen in surprise at Tessa's question.
"Correct. And yes, I'm quite sure that he means you no harm. However, I'm also surprised by your question, Lady Tessa – it implies that you trust that I'm telling you the truth. That's rather unexpected, I confess." (Mizuki)
Tessa ignores my comment about her trust, as her eyes continue to study my face.
"And you'd genuinely be willing to bring this human to us, if asked?" (Tessa)
I raise my eyebrows at her. Just bring him? Sure...if it were just to talk, as a favor, then return safely home. That's not what she means, but...details.
"I'd be willing to bring him here, yes." (Mizuki)
Under the right circumstances, which these would not be.
Tessa narrows her eyes at me and smirks, then shakes her head.
"I don't see anything to be gained by doing such a thing. I won't condemn the decision to apprehend and punish him if it's made without me, though." (Tessa)
Wow...color me surprised. I turn to face Darak and Helena, who look equally dumbstruck. Darak is studying Tessa intently. When he notices me staring at him, he shakes his head and waves dismissively. I look to Helena and she does the same. I guess that settles it then...almost.
I turn to Elira with a smile, and she's watching me nervously. I also see Jorah fuming to her side.
"Well, Queen Elira, your nobles have a near-unanimous decision. However, you are of course the Queen, and can override their decision if you chose to. So, does the Elven Kingdom want to punish the human adventurer Levi?" (Mizuki)
Elira shakes her head seriously.
"No, I support the nobles' decision. Furthermore, in light of this, and in recognition of his deference to our kingdom's safety, I hereby officially pardon the human Levi of any prior crimes." (Elira)
I smile back at Elira and give a small bow. Meanwhile, Jorah's face only seems to turn more red with anger.
"Very well, then I will support the elves' decision on this matter. I'm pleased to hear that most of you have no desire to punish someone who went to such lengths to protect you, simply because he is human." (Mizuki)
I sense amusement from Nina, but I hear Jorah grumbling. Honestly, I consider telling them all that Levi is under my protection, or having Nina lie-detect on Jorah to determine if he'd try something with Levi. But I don't think Jorah is competent enough for something like that...it's hard enough just getting elves to Elmesia safely.
"Ehem...now that we've gotten that out of the way, there's something I'd like to know, Mizuki. You mentioned these demands to the Empire...specifically, that they had three weeks or so to end slavery in their country and return all existing slaves home. You threatened that, if they didn't, you'd do it yourself and execute their leadership. Is that correct?" (Darak)
"Yeah, that's right." (Mizuki)
I look at Darak expectantly, and he just nods thoughtfully.
"Well...do you actually expect them to comply with that demand? More importantly, how exactly do you plan to carry through with your threats if they don't?" (Darak)
To my surprise, Tessa's voice rings out shortly after.
"I'm also unsure what your expectations are. I'm certain that slavery won't end just because you demanded it. You also can't expect to rescue all the slaves in a country on your own, no matter how strong you are. How will you even find them all?" (Tessa)
I look around at everyone, staring expectantly at me. I sigh deeply and nod.
"Well, no...I don't expect they'll end slavery the first time I ask. It's just a part of forcing their hand. About a week before the deadline I gave them, I'll just remove all the non-human slaves from their country. It should be quite noticeable. I'm hoping that, with all of their slaves already gone, and realizing what they're up against, they'll see the wisdom of just outlawing slavery. Non-human slavery, at least. As for how I plan to remove the non-human slaves..." (Mizuki)
I let a smirk come to my face.
"I have the ability to...sense...people based on their characteristics. It works over extremely large distances, and I can use other abilities on the people I sense. For example, I can locate all the wolf-kin or dwarves in the Empire through this 'sense'. Then, I can teleport them all to me, ten or twenty at a time, in a safe location. Depending on the number of slaves, it might take several hours, or even a whole day, but I don't mind." (Mizuki)
Most of the mouths in the room are now hanging open. Helena however, also looks absurdly curious, and she leans forward with her hands on the table.
"Wait, wait, wait...when you say 'based on their characteristics', what exactly does that mean? How specific are we talking? How much information can you get? Also, are you trying to say that, right now, you could use this sense on say...anyone in our country...from right here?" (Helena)
I nod firmly.
"Correct...the range of this ability is about the width of your country. As for what information I can sense, for people it's pretty much just race, magic power level, and spell class. I can also track objects of various types. For example, if parts of the trains I made were to ever be stolen...I could find them anywhere in your country, without fail. In case any of you were wondering." (Mizuki)
The way Helena is staring at me...I wouldn't be surprised if she asks me if I'm a god. It's making me very uncomfortable. I also see several faces go stiff. I assume it's over my not-so-subtle warning about tampering with the trains, but Tessa is quick to voice another concern.
"If this 'sense' of yours allows you to use your other abilities from afar, does that mean you could just kill anyone in our whole country on a whim? From anywhere, anytime? (Tessa)