Chapter 208 - Chapter 59 – A Job You Can't Refuse

Following Tessa's uninformative response, several of those around her exchange puzzled glances, while Mizuki continues to stare at her expectantly. 

She can imagine what he's waiting for – clarifying questions from her, some kind of approval of the events that transpired in her absence, and above all else, an official decision about whether she'll support his marriage to Ilina. 

Unfortunately, her thoughts are racing too much to participate in such important discussions. 

{AN: From this point forward, when I'm doing another character's POV, I'll include their explicit inner thoughts inside single quotes, ''.}

'A Nephilim, like in the stories from when I was a girl!? The ancient, god-like mentors and benefactors of the first elves? The beings of legend whose blood is rumored to run in the veins of high elves to this day? It's absurd...completely absurd! There's no way that Mizuki is one of those Nephilim...'

She matches Mizuki's gaze with her own, searching his calm, green eyes as though they can confirm her thoughts. However, as she does, she doesn't feel skeptical or angry. All she feels is a sense of...foreboding...fear, even. Not fear of Mizuki himself, or his power, but of what he represents...a fear that her understanding of the world is in the process of shattering. That changes she can't fathom or control are on the horizon. 

In other words, it's a fear that she can only feel because, on some level, deep down, she thinks what he's saying is the truth. 

As she grew up, she eventually reached the conclusion that the Nephilim were either entirely made up, or their power was greatly exaggerated and they just died out. And yet, even if she assumes that Mizuki is lying about coming from another world, and about not being human, his power remains. He's living proof that the legendary power of the Nephilim isn't impossible.

More importantly, she sincerely doubts that he's lying about recently arriving here from another world. 

For one, she finds the idea laughable that he could have been born on Azura and not drawn attention to himself before now. Furthermore, she's always found it difficult to reconcile Mizuki's behavior, intellect, and personal connections with someone who grew up in one of the human countries. Finally, there's no denying that the items he's made for Eden, both magical and mundane, can only be described as otherworldly. 

And as far as she's concerned, as a resident of Azura, his power and otherworldly origins make him inhuman. Plus, there's his strange eyes, the fact that Nedonera has confirmed he doesn't age, and the way he has behaved since they met. So, at the very least, she believes that he's god-like non-human from another world. 

So, her biggest reason to oppose his marriage to Ilina has now evaporated.

He's proven himself reasonable, calm, and intelligent, he'll live long enough, he's an asset to the elves a hundred times over, and his race, whatever it is, has never harmed her people. If he can give Ilina an appropriate heir, Tessa is forced to admit that he might be the greatest candidate for King they've ever had. 

'In Mizuki's case, the two races he's most similar to are humans and Nephilim. According to Nedonera and elven lore, if either of those have a child with an elf, the result is most likely an elf. In the case of a Nephilim parent, the elf offspring are just more powerful and long-lived than normal. In other words, we have every reason to believe that, whatever his race, he'd give Ilina an heir that meets or far exceeds our expectations.'

And if he really is a Nephilim, which is seeming more plausible to her by the minute, every one of her instincts is screaming that she needs to support him. Because in that case, most of the legends about Nephilim are probably true as well. That would mean that she owes everything the elven race has come to take pride in – architecture, culture, history, magical knowledge, and more – to Mizuki's ancestors. In fact, as a high elf herself, it would mean that his ancestors' blood runs through her very own veins. 

All of these facts are the reasons for her sense of foreboding. The logical side of her mind is finally telling her that she should throw herself behind Mizuki's marriage to Ilina to help their kingdom prosper like never before.

But in so doing, she'd be changing every convention that she's comfortable with. Her whole world, the norms of the Elven Kingdom that she feels she's mastered navigating to her advantage, would be upended hilariously. How would she navigate a new reality where a virtual god walks among their people, a human-looking outsider marries their Queen, and his descendants rule in perpetuity?

As someone who has prided herself on always having the answers, that uncertainty terrifies her. What's more, supporting this new world order would also mean accepting that she's let her ignorance and bias thus far work against her people's best interests.

That's something that her pride is struggling with. 

She was always aware that she was biased against humans – feared and distrusted them as a rule, more than was rational. However, she also thought that, while her opinions and words were another matter, all of her actions and decisions regarding Mizuki were logical. That she was merely making the best decisions with the information she had. 

However, knowing what she knows now and looking back, she doesn't feel that way anymore. 

Sure, she could never have guessed that Mizuki is actually a Nephilim, or at least the next best thing. But at minimum, she shouldn't have acted on the assumption that he has to be a threat just because he's human. Her being unflinchingly skeptical of him because of the elves' history with humans, despite Mizuki's good personal deeds, is completely forgivable. But acting as though he was a certain threat, without evidence...

'My gods...I was going to have him killed! After the royal announcement, when I realized how much sway he had over Lady Nedonera. Then again earlier today, when he first revealed his power, I was still seriously entertaining the thought!

'Despite the fact that he'd never made any proactive moves other than to help the elves, that he'd already survived one assassination attempt from Alara, that he'd proven himself cunning and resourceful enough to outmaneuver me, and that Nedonera was obviously fond enough of him that she might've destroyed our cities out of spite if he died on our soil. 

'Despite all that, I was willing to risk it just to get rid of him.'

The recent revelations about him only convince her just how careless she's been until now. If she'd actually made a doomed-to-fail assassination attempt and he'd retaliated seriously...

She feels her blood run cold just thinking about it. 

Tessa is finally snapped out of her inner turmoil by the sound of Mizuki's voice. 

"So, Lady Tessa, I gave you quite a lot of information. Do you have any questions?" (Mizuki)

Hearing his question, and seeing him sitting forward on the couch staring at her seriously, Tessa has to force herself to remember the context of where she is and what's at stake. Then, she takes a few deep, calming breaths and nods. 

"Sorry, I had a lot to think about. Uhm...yes, I have questions, but not for you." (Tessa)

As Mizuki's face twists with bewilderment, she turns to face Jorah. He's currently sitting centimeters from Mizuki, as though they're long-lost friends, and he's staring at Princess Ilina with a dissatisfied expression. 

'I assume that Jorah is now supporting the marriage proposal, but...why exactly? And just how much? Even if he's completely evaluating Mizuki on merit as Ilina's potential husband, and taking everything he's learned at face value, marrying off our Princess to a non-elf is still something I never thought he'd support.'

She raises her eyebrows at Jorah. 

"Jorah, is it true that you're going to support Mizuki marrying our Princess?" (Tessa)

Startled by being suddenly addressed, Jorah tears his gaze away from Ilina with a surprised expression. As he seems to register the question, he waves dismissively. 

"Hmm...what? Oh that, yes. They have my blessing, and I promised to do everything possible to get the commoners to see reason." (Jorah)

Her mouth instinctively parts in shock, and she stares at him in stunned silence for several moments. When she responds, her voice is thick with disbelief. 

"And...you realize that, according to everyone who knows him, he doesn't age, right? If he marries Princess Ilina, given her preferences, he'll be the only husband she ever has. He'll give her immensely powerful elven children, outlive her, and probably act as a highly influential advisor and leader among the noble family...forever.

"Furthermore, he'll be our King. Even if he's stripped of the official duties and position, he'd still be our King in the people's eyes. You and everyone else would have to call him my King, or King Mizuki." (Tessa)

Jorah's face twists into an expression of horror, and she breathes a sigh of relief. 

'I see...the world still makes sense. Jorah's just an idiot who didn't think anything through.'

Jorah's voice is incredulous. 

"Why would we do something so incredibly idiotic!? I refuse! Stripping him of his official duties and position – it would be ridiculous! That's why one of the conditions for my support was that he has to become King, and accept all of Dargo's responsibilities." (Jorah)

Tessa yelps in surprise, the small semblance of calm she'd managed to regain shattering into a thousand pieces, as she fights the urge to relinquish her consciousness again. 

"Conditions!? You're telling me that you insisted that he be King!? Why!?" (Tessa)

Jorah raises his eyebrows at her, his face as though he's just been asked why drinking water is important. 

"Of course I did! Why would we waste the most powerful resource in our kingdom by freeing him from all of his obligations to us? You've seen how much he tries to avoid responsibilities, doing us favors, or just generally staying in one place! But as King, he'll help us as Princess Ilina directs, protect our interests, and he won't have enough unsupervised free time to go running off to other countries! Honestly...I can't believe that I'm the only noble who had the foresight to make his kingship a condition!" (Jorah)

Tessa blinks repeatedly, watching an annoyed expression cross Mizuki's face, which she can't help but feel like stems from him believing that everything Jorah just said is true. 

'That is...terrifying...all of it. The fact that Mizuki is actually that averse to being under obligation to us, the fact that Jorah of all people was the one to recognize and address it, and the fact that Jorah is suddenly so amiable towards Mizuki. Does anything in the world make sense anymore?'

Ilina's voice pierces the silence, her tone approving and heavily amused. 

"I agree that you showed great foresight, Lord Jorah, and that's why I've made sure that Mizuki agrees to your condition. I plan to make him as burdened by paperwork and the bureaucratic nonsense of nobles as I am." (Ilina)

Mizuki appears to sigh in resignation, a glassy, despondent look in his eyes. Meanwhile, Tessa watches as Jorah beams with pride at the praise, seemingly unaware that he's also been insulted and called a burden. 

"Why thank you, Princess. Now then, if you would just be so kind as to reconsider my other conditions I wo-" (Jorah)

Ilina's eyes and voice are cold enough to freeze air solid. 

"Denied. All of them. Denied." (Ilina)

Jorah frowns and grumbles something about people being unreasonable, while everyone else in the room seems either amused or bewildered. Tessa glances around in confusion. 

"What other conditions is he talking about?" (Tessa)

As she scans the faces around her, waiting for an answer, she notices that her daughter, Selena, has gone beet red and is staring at the floor like it holds the secret to eternal life. Nearby, Elira is stifling laughter while Ilina looks like she's about to murder Jorah. Mizuki, meanwhile, appears deeply interested in the contents of his tea cup. 

As for Jorah himself, he's staring at her as though they're comrades in arms, and his indignant voice quickly reveals the reason. 

"Yes, they're being quite stubborn, Tessa! Perhaps together we can make them see reason! All I requested is that Mizuki's seed be systematically spread to other elven women, so they can bear his children quickly. When that was refused, I merely asked that he expand his harem. 

"But for some reason, they even denied me that request! And mind you, it's not like I suggested that he take strangers into his bed, or even take more wives. I simply pointed out that Ladies Alto and Cara, you daughter Selena, and maybe Darak's daughter Linnea should be suitable concubines." (Jorah)

Tessa drops her tea cup and plate, shattering them on the floor. Her voice is practically a shriek, her righteous indignation helping to dispel some of the other overwhelming emotions that had been threatening to make her faint again.

"You did what!? What the hell were you thinking, you moron!?" (Tessa)

Jorah jerks back as though he's been slapped, genuinely shocked by her response. 

"Isn't it obvious? From what I've been told, Mizuki impregnating those women would produce elven children that are more powerful than Elder Dragons, and even their furthest descendants would be high elves of a new bloodline! Can't you see that such an arrangement needs to happen as soon as possible!? If we hurry, every territory could soon have an elf strong enough to single-handedly defend against armies! Our people would become the strongest race on Azura!" (Jorah)

All the violence that was bubbling inside Tessa a few moments ago is washed away, her mind unable to experience anything else but the sheer, unrestrained bafflement induced by Jorah's shameless and absurd reasoning. While she falls into slack-jawed silence, Ilina's significantly more irritated voice rings out. 

"Jorah, so help me gods, the next time you bring this up I am going to choke you to death myself! I am not sharing Mizuki with anyone other than Nina, got it!? No more wives, no concubines, and sure as hell no...seed spreading!" (Ilina)

Nina begins chuckling nearby, and smirks at Jorah.

"You'd do well to recognize that Ilina is more possessive of Mizuki than me, elf, because I don't sense that she's lying about her threat to kill you. Personally, I'm okay with Mizuki taking Cara as a mistress, but if Ilina isn't, she has my support on the matter. Fufufu...but don't worry, Mizuki and I are already working diligently on our first child." (Nina)

Finally embarrassed enough by the discussions to intervene, Mizuki clears his throat and desperately tries to change the subject. 

"Ehem...so, Lady Tessa, now that you know everything, I'd like to ask you again. Will you reconsider supporting my marriage to Ilina?" (Mizuki)

Hearing his question, everyone in the room falls silent, and a more serious atmosphere overtakes the gathering. Shocked from her stupor, Tessa's body jolts as she glances up at Mizuki, his words slowly sinking in. Her eyebrows knit together as conflicting thoughts fill her head, and her voice is strained. 

"I...it's...I don't..." (Tessa)

She trails off, unable to bring herself to voice a decision on the spot. 

The fear of the unknown once again grips her heart as she contemplates her answer. She's the last line of defense, as it were – if she says yes, everything changes. There is, of course, the fact that too much backlash from the public could undermine the marriage.

However, she's confident that if the commoners are first told the truth about Mizuki, with the unanimous backing of their nobility and royalty, they'll accept his marriage. That's especially true if they have a little bit of time between learning the truth about Mizuki and learning about his engagement to Ilina.

Having his protection in the midst of this threat from the Empire, having him publicly build the trains for them to use, learning about what it means for him to be a Nephilim – if it's paired with a public friendship between Ilina and Mizuki, Tessa wouldn't be surprise if the commoners started secretly wishing for the couple's engagement before its even announced. 

With everything going on right now, Mizuki is a beacon of hope to their people. Anyone, including the nobles, would be insane to not support his wishes after learning everything that Tessa has today.

And as that thought occurs to Tessa, her eyes widen involuntarily. 

'Have I been...manipulated? By the Princess?' 

The more she considers it, the more certain she is that it's true. The whole sequence of events for the meeting today and their emotional toll on her was too...perfect. 

How the nobles were first given the opportunity to beg, plead, and threaten to get their own enchanted items. How Nedonera conveniently snapped at them aggressively, then directed all their questions to Mizuki before they even knew the truth about him, just so he could turn them down emphatically.

At the same time, Ilina clearly demonstrated herself to be the only one who had Nedonera's ear, and eventually, the only one who could overturn Mizuki's flat refusal of building them trains. Those gambits ensured that one message would be clearly delivered – the King, Queen, and nobles don't have Mizuki's and Nedonera's trust, but Ilina does.

Then, came the reveal about the Empire's imminent invasion, and with it, the overwhelming fear of annihilation. Conveniently, of course, this organically led to the 'revelation' of Mizuki's god-like power, his admission that he'd already killed Belmod after trying to aid the elves with subterfuge, and his stalwart, detailed pledges to protect them from any subsequent invasion. 

In one fell swoop, Ilina got a second message across – the elves are in desperate, hopeless need of a savior, and Mizuki has proven himself the clear choice. 

Finally, just when they'd started to take that protection for granted, Ilina revealed her engagement with Mizuki, probably knowing full well that all hell would break loose and they'd get outright hostile with her over it. Naturally, Ilina was all too quick to point out the dire repercussions of every single alternate course of action to supporting Ilina's plans. That, plus her earlier reveals about Mizuki, made them feel the weight of the metaphorical axe on their necks as they searched desperately for a way out. 

Like any shrewd manipulator, after the stick was sufficiently brandished to make them think twice about one action, the carrot was dangled to draw their attention to the one she preferred. Yes...she offered them the trains and MMCs, simultaneously flaunting how she'd succeeded with Mizuki where they'd failed. 

Of course, Ilina probably knew that wouldn't be enough for Jorah and Tessa. That's why Ilina made sure the prolonged emotional turmoil would make Tessa doubt herself, regressing into cold, explicit logic. Then, it was merely a matter of getting Tessa to slowly voice every one of her lingering reservations about Mizuki, so that Ilina could drag out the process of countering them individually with new revelations – Mizuki's longevity, his ability to sire elven children, and so on. 

She kept pushing, until Tessa was exhausted from slowly, publicly making concessions, until she only had Mizuki's humanity as her last line of defense. Then, Ilina crushed that in the most clear, incontestable fashion possible. Even Tessa's own daughter could see Mizuki was a race beyond reproach for the elves – a Nephilim. And with that final card played, Tessa was overwhelmed.

From start to finish, the Queen, the King, the nobles, and especially Tessa – they all danced in the palm of Ilina's hand.

'And now, I'm the last one waiting to bend the knee...if only as a formality.'

Tessa glances up at Ilina, her incredulity and indignation at the storm of insight she's just had written plainly on her face. As though privy to Tessa's inner thoughts, Ilina slowly twists her lips into a small smirk, her eyes cold and victorious, like a wolf looking at cornered prey. 

To Tessa, it feels like the Princess isn't even bothering to hide what she's done. She may even want Tessa to know, like it makes no difference at all to her. Like Tessa knowing that she was manipulated is inconsequential. And Tessa knows why...

Because Ilina is right. 

Even if every single word out of Ilina's, Mizuki's, Nina's, and the royal's mouths today was orchestrated to perfection by Ilina with the sole purpose of breaking Tessa in every possible way. To lead her to this decision. Now that it's happened, and she looks at only the facts and the paths before her, knowing she was manipulated doesn't change a damn thing. 

Tessa lets out a long, defeated sigh, reflecting on the idea of Mizuki as the Prince and later King, and on her fear of the uncertain future that will bring her to. The more she does, the more she's reminded of her father's favorite words. 

Knowledge is power. 

And in this case, she's realizing that she's scared of the future he represents because she lacks knowledge. Knowledge about him, as a man and a potential leader. Knowledge about him on a personal level, of the variety that allows someone to know the heart and the mind of someone else and trust their gut about that person's actions. 

So, Tessa turns her attention to Mizuki, finding his calm, green eyes watching her patiently with a hint of concern and curiosity behind them. Then, she makes up her mind, organizes her thoughts, and steels herself to say what she needs to. 

"Mizuki...one way or another, it's clear to me that the answer to your question is yes. I want you to know up front that you have my support for your marriage to Princess Ilina, for your ascension to King and all that entails, and if you'll accept it, for the counsel you've requested as you continue to make decisions that impact us all. 

"However, I confess that I find myself...uncertain, about you. Especially in your role as our future King. In particular, some of what Jorah has said really rings true.

"You seem categorically opposed to leadership of any kind, yet you gift us these trains, insert yourself into international incidents, and insist on taking responsibility for the consequences. You hold almost absolute power and clearly very strong personal convictions, yet you're so hesitant to use that power to see anything meaningful through. 

"I guess what I'm saying is...I have no idea what you want. What goals are you chasing? And more importantly, if we make you our King and ask you to lead with Ilina instead of being a bystander, what kind of Elven Kingdom do you want to create? I can't even begin to guess your answer to those questions, and it honestly terrifies me." (Tessa)

Mizuki's eyes widen, seemingly taken aback by her straightforward support for the marriage, and by her unexpectedly deep question. Around the room, everyone grows still and silent, fixing their gazes on Mizuki with expressions that all contain some mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Many of them share Tess's feelings, and her curiosity. 

He furrows his brows, glancing off into space with a contemplative look on his face. Tessa feels time passing as though seconds are hours, her only measure of the true passing of time coming when she realizes that she's lightheaded from holding her breath. The seconds continue to pass in silence, but nobody dares to say a word. 

Eventually, Mizuki lets out a deep sigh, nods as though to himself, then returns his gaze to Tessa. His eyes seem cold and full of a resolve, devoid of any of the mischief or curiosity she's come to expect, and his voice is firm and clear. 

"To tell you the truth, you probably feel like my words and actions have lacked direction because it's true. You've been watching the actions of a man that things happen to, not that makes things happen. Like I said, I wasn't some world leader or other ambitious individual on my home world. I was resigned to being normal, and my personality didn't change the second I came here.

"I'm not dying to return to my birth world, I'm not on a quest for power, I don't seek enlightenment or immortality, I couldn't think of something more hollow than ruling for the sake of calling myself King, and I'm honestly not on some noble crusade to banish evil from this world. In fact, regardless of what others may insist based on my actions, I don't consider myself a good person.

"I'll kill when it aligns with my principles and convenience, and I don't lose a wink of sleep over it. Even though it'd be easy for me, I haven't spent my time running around adopting orphans, donating money to the poor, giving food to the hungry, standing up for the weak, or healing the sick and injured, except when I was involved in such a situation by chance. 

"All of these potential shortcomings of mine aside, I also can't pretend that I'm apathetic about everything. I absolutely detest slavery, or anything that robs people of the autonomy I think they're entitled to. Similarly, while I'm not rabidly pursuing the secrets of the universe, I am very...curious. I always have been. 

"It's why I love practicing magic, why I was so eager to meet new races when the opportunity arose, why I enjoy Alto's company so much, and even why I first built all the trains and MMCs. I didn't do it out of necessity, but for the unbridled satisfaction of overcoming an intellectual challenge, and seeing the sense of wonder and curiosity it in turn instilled in my friends, like Alto. 

"So, my point is that I'm not a man without wants, or personality, or emotions. I'm just a relatively unimportant guy from another planet who found himself suddenly consequential. That kind of long-standing irrelevance left me unambitious, and after I came here, I've been overwhelmed with all the vast unknowns and endless possibilities my life now represents. My first instinct hasn't been to insert myself into every problem and remake the world to fit my ideals. 

"In a word, since coming to your world I've been...aimless. I haven't had the foresight or inclination to think about a greater purpose, because I never thought I'd have one. 

"But my time on this world has changed me...I think for the better. Meeting Nina, Alto, Ilina, and many others, getting to explore how I feel about the weight of my actions here, and being honestly deeply moved by – rampant racism aside – how wonderful the Elven Kingdom is. It's people, its leaders, and more than anything, the elves genuine tenderness towards one another. All these people and experiences have given me a sense of what I want my life here to be. 

"So, I'm not aimless anymore, I'm inspired. If you want to know what my goals are...my purpose, I want to protect what this kingdom of yours represents. And though I won't force it on you as King, if you want to know what my ideal for your people is, then it's to turn this kingdom into the shining example that I see it as. 

"If I had my way, and life always went as I planned, I'd make this place so full of wonders that if a human were to catch a glimpse and tell others, they'd be discredited as having witnessed it in a fever dream.

"Then, after I did that, I'd help you be a catalyst for change for the rest of the world – to give them the chance for the same freedom and prosperity that your people have. Not by toppling corrupt regimes with force and projecting your policies and beliefs on others, but by acting as a beacon of hope. By inspiring people to change their own societies for themselves and follow in your footsteps. 

"But, none of that would ever happen unless you start interacting with other races, at least to some degree. So, ideally I'd want to mend the bridges between the races on this planet. After all, you're all surely aware of how much you'd personally gain from alliances with the demi-humans and especially the dwarves. Yet, despite having no hostilities with those races, you don't exactly welcome them as equals in your country.

"Now, I'm no idiot. I know it's not that easy. I know you have good reasons for shutting yourselves off from the other races, humans especially. Similarly, I have my own reservations about turning you all loose with every wonder-inducing enchanted item that I can imagine and craft. 

"But you asked me my ideals, and those are both things that I deeply wish could be happen one day. And remember that, as King, my power would change the way you need to evaluate things. For example, with my protection, you'd finally have the luxury of trusting other races more. No more need to cower behind your borders to feel safe.

"Still, my thoughts haven't changed on leading versus dictating...I wouldn't ever make drastic changes without unanimous support and a very well thought out plan. So, don't take these things as solid plans. I'm just answering your hypothetical.

"And there you have it. If you wanted an estimation of me as a person, Tessa, then I'd say that's it." (Mizuki)

Tessa, like all those present in the room, stares at Mizuki in open shock following his uncharacteristically long, candid personal confession. She imagines that they're silent for the same reason that she is – seriously considering his words. If it were anyone else, she'd scoff and call them an idealistic idiot for even mentioning goals like that, regardless of his preface about being a realist. 

However, Mizuki did make a point as jarring as it is obvious – his power matches his ideals. Aiming for his goals would be the definition of a god complex, if said person didn't actually have the power of a god. So, she and everyone else really do need to fundamentally change the way they evaluate the risks and benefits of their decisions if he's involved. 

Uncertain that she's capable of doing so at the moment, and now the definition of emotionally exhausted, Tessa just shrugs internally and turns her attention to Mizuki. 

"Well, I'm not really sure how to feel about everything you said in that excessively long monologue of yours, but I certainly feel like I know you a bit better. And that's all I wanted. 

"Hearing all that, I still support your marriage, and your role as Future King. Based on what I've seen and heard from you, I believe that you'll listen to what I and others have to say in good faith and not act against our wishes. Besides, we're still a matriarchy, and I'm certainly convinced that you don't have the gall to oppose your fiancé." (Tessa)

Tessa can't help but smirk at her last statement, eliciting a smile and a chuckle from Mizuki. 

"Fufufu...no. I wouldn't dream of anything so reckless. Believe it or not, she's incredibly scary when she wants to be." (Mizuki)

Alto snorts. 

"Mizuki, I assure you that, after today, every single person involved in our discussions is fully aware of just how terrifying Princess Ilina can be." (Alto)

There's a round of enthusiastic assent from everyone in the room, even those that have remained mostly silent, causing Mizuki to raise his eyebrows in amusement. Meanwhile, Ilina seems to finally be back to her more timid self, and her cheeks flush in embarrassment. She quickly interjects with an annoyed voice. 

"Well since you're all obviously on the same page now, I suppose there's no reason to continue with this side meeting. We should all meet up with the others, sort out the pressing details of my engagement, then officially put this long meeting behind us." (Ilina)

Feeling more than a little fragile after her reality has shifted so drastically in front of her, and unwilling to risk further world-altering decisions right now, Tessa nods her agreement with everyone else. Then, she rises from the couch and moves to leave the room. As the last of those present are exiting, she overhears Queen Elira. 

Her voice carries a sharp edge, telling of long suppressed frustration that's finally starting to leak out. 

"Oh, Ilina dear...you stay here. Or did you think that we'd have nothing to talk about after all your little surprises today? Mizuki...I'd appreciate your presence as well." (Elira)

Tessa can almost hear Mizuki's and Ilina's bodies go rigid with fear as they mumble their acknowledgement, and she feels a shiver run down her own spine at Elira's tone. 

'Ilina may have proven herself a force of nature today, but...she's still got a ways to go before she inspires the level of fear cousin El can.'

With that thought, Tessa washes her hands of those concerns, and closes the door behind her, sealing their fate. 

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

I watch Elira as she waits patiently for the last of those in the room to leave – including her few privileged staff – her face a carefully composed mask. Eventually, Tessa closes the door behind the departed, and the Queen, Ilina, Nina, and I are the only ones who remain. 

Elira stares at the closed door for a few moments before slowly turning to fix me with her stony gaze, my trepidation rising with every second. Her voice carries across the room, a low, eerie whisper. 

"Mizuki..." (Elira)

Fuck...she's pissed.

Honestly, I can't blame her. She's the queen of a whole country, and her daughter and I just threw its entire ruling class into disarray without even bothering to give her a heads-up first. Not to mention, Ilina was borderline threatening the nobles for a chunk of the meeting.

In retrospect, it might have been insubordination at best and high treason at worst. 

I raise my hands, ready to try and placate my ancient, elven mommy-in-law. Before I can word-vomit a heartfelt apology, however, Elira's expression suddenly twists into a mix of desperation and hopefulness. Just as confusion takes root inside me, she suddenly blitzes across the room and grabs me by the shoulders, her eyes searching mine with a glint of wonder, her face so close that I can feel her uneven breath on my cheek. 

Her voice sounds almost...scared. 

"...is it true?" (Elira)

I blink repeatedly in confusion, then it dawns on me and my eyes widen in surprise. 

"Just to be clear, are you talking about me being from another planet, or me being a Nephilim?" (Mizuki)

She shakes her head, her gaze becoming more intense. 

"I don't doubt that you're from another world, Mizuki. I'm asking – are you really a Nephilim, or is that just something you said to get the nobles on your side?" (Elira)

I'm a bit taken aback by her skepticism at first, though she's obviously justified in it. But then I notice the look in her eyes – that special blend of fear, desperation, and hope – revealing her true feelings. She doesn't doubt me, per se, she's just so desperate for it to be true that she can't allow herself to feel happy about the news until she's been reassured as thoroughly as possible. 

For a second, I feel a shred of guilt, wondering if it's best to just come clean with her. After all, I'm personally confident that my ancestors are not the Nephilim of the elves' fables. However, I notice Ilina shake her head slightly behind her mother, clearly signaling me not to do so. 

Thankfully, I don't have to lie to her to heed Ilina's advice. Well, unless you count lies of omission, which I don't. 

I shrug at Elira. 

"You tell me? Nothing that I've told you today about me or my people was a lie. However, that also includes the strange language barrier that prevents me from knowing if the Elvish word 'Nephilim' actually has the same meaning as human {English}. I'm just noting the undeniable similarities between the Nephilim of your fables and myself, and pointing out what I feel is the most obvious conclusion from those comparisons. Do you have some reason to interpret everything differently?" (Mizuki)

Elira's eyes seems to soften slightly, but her expression remains somewhat conflicted, as though she's been reassured but not entirely convinced. 

"So, your people making enchanted items that can travel to other worlds, having stories about them coming from a different planet, knowing about elves despite them never having coexisted with you on your current planet, and you being considered normal by your people's standards...that's all true?" (Elira)

Well...yeah. Incredibly misleading, but technically true. 

I nod. 

"If you want to sweat the details, then I guess that I'm considered smarter than normal for my race. But otherwise...yeah, everything you just said is true. You have my word." (Mizuki)

Elira relaxes as though an enormous weight has been lifted off her shoulders, then she breaks into a wide, blistering smile as her eyes shine reverently. Before I can even return the smile, she wraps me in a tight embrace and begins giggling like she's 17 years old instead of 7,000. 

"Hehehe! Oh gods, I really have a Nephilim as my son-in-law! Hehehehe! Oh Mizuki, you have no idea how much this news means!" (Elira)

My eyes go wide in shock at the sudden change in her personality, and her sudden clinginess. My eyes flash towards Ilina in bewilderment, and I see that she's also a little taken aback by her mother's behavior. However, her lips curl into a small smile as she sighs, her voice full of relief. 

"I'm glad to see you're happy, Mother. So, you agree that our marriage can proceed smoothly now?" (Ilina)

I feel Elira freeze as she's embracing me, her eyes widening at the sound of Ilina's voice, as though she forgot that her daughter was in the room with us. Elira's expression slowly becomes cold as she releases me and turns to face Ilina, her voice a chilling whisper. 

"Happy? No dear, I'm far from happy with you right now. In fact, I'm furious. If you weren't my daughter, I'd have you executed for the stunt you pulled today. As it is, Mizuki is the only reason I'm not confining you to a lavish prison cell to study Elven history and law for the next ten years. Because your complete ignorance on those subjects is the only reason I can think of for your actions earlier. 

"Not only did you keep secrets from me, but you knowingly defied your Queen's will by prematurely revealing your engagement to the nobles. If that wasn't bad enough, you blatantly threatened to abandon your duties and your people if the nobles didn't bend to your wishes. Tessa was out of line in saying so at the time, but she wasn't wrong...your actions today have been nothing short of traitorous. 

"However, that's not the main reason why I'm so enraged. I can't deny your results, and threats are not the same as actions, especially when those threats are only a means to an end to benefit our people. Under other circumstances, I'd even consider your ruthless, coercive tactics as personal growth.

"But...I'm furious that you worked behind my back. No including me in the discussion of your plans, or even warning me of your intentions. You just blindsided me, damaging my authority in front of our entire nobility. Mizuki's distrust I can understand, but you're my daughter. I expected more courtesy from you. No...more trust, than this.

"So, Ilina Ophelle, what do you have to say for yourself?" (Elira)

Though Ilina's expression remains relatively composed, I can see her tense slightly at her mother's sharp words. She remains quiet for a moment before responding, her voice betraying a forced calm. 

"I did what I thought was best. For myself, I admit, but also...for our people. I was confident in my plans, and I think the results speak for themselves. While I want you to know that I do trust you, Mother, I'm not going to apologize for my actions today either. Seeing the results of my decisions, despite how angry you are with me, I'd do it all again without hesitation." (Ilina)

Elira's head jerks back as though she's been slapped, her eyes wide and mouth agape in shock. Her voice is incredulous, betraying more hurt than anger. 

"Yo-...do you really see no issue with your actions? You achieved your goals, but what about your father and me? Deceiving and undermining us. Even that, you're saying you don't regret it? You'd do it again? Do you truly trust us that little? Have we not been supportive of you and Mizuki? Both before and today." (Elira)

Ilina grimaces slightly, her eyes and voice softening in response to her mother's pained questions. 

"Yes, Mother, you've both been immensely supportive – wonderful parents. And I want you to know that I do trust you. But, that also means that I know the two of you. If I'd explained everything to you two beforehand, your reactions wouldn't have seemed as genuine as I needed them to be to convince the nobles. It's the same reason I kept Mizuki partially in the dark about my plans today. But more importantly, I didn't warn you of my plans because you'd have fought against my actions today. 

"I only learned last night that Mizuki was willing to share the truth about his abilities and otherworldly origins with the nobles, which was the critical inspiration for this plan. Even if I'd come to you right after that and explained my intentions, and was able to convince you that we had a good chance of bringing the nobles to our side, you'd have insisted we postpone today's revelations until a later date. 

"Nervous about causing more trouble in the midst of the Empire's looming invasion, and being scared of making a rash decision you'd regret, you'd have clung to the impulse to wait months or years. To mull over my plan exhaustively before putting it into action. That's just how you two are, and I couldn't risk that...not with this." (Ilina)

Elira's eyes narrow, her voice raising indignantly. 

"That's because this was a rash decision, Ilina! You risked throwing our entire country into further crisis and inner conflict in the midst of an external threat, and you did so with a hastily formulated, half-baked plan! 

"What need was there to rush this!? To put your plans in action today!? Mizuki wasn't actually dying of old age – you two had all the time in the world to think this through. Even just a few years would have given us time to stabilize our country more and consider safer tactics. But instead, you endangered everything, practically on a whim.

"For...what? Just to be married sooner? Why? Because you can't hold hands with him in public? Because of those limitations Lady Nedonera put on your physical relationship until you're married?

"Ilina, you're barely three decades old, centuries younger than any other high elves would even consider being courted at all! Your...hormones...are no excuse for such emotional and reckless decision-making, nor for today's blatant disrespect towards me as both your Queen and your mother!" (Elira)

Ilina blushes profusely at the mention of her 'hormones' and Nina's sex ban, but I'm surprised to see her eyes glint with determination, her voice calm and full of resolve as she responds without hesitation. 

"It's true...my feelings played a role in my decisions today. I can admit that. But you're mistaken if you think that those feelings pushed me to be reckless or irrational, Mother. My emotions aside, I acted today because we may never have had a better chance to convince the nobles to support the marriage. 

"In retrospect, surely you have to admit that with the Empire closing in, truly involving Mizuki in our kingdom's defense was always going to require him revealing the truth about his abilities. At that point, revealing everything else about him only made sense.

"With all that information suddenly weighing on the nobles' minds today, Mizuki stood out as the elves' enigmatic salvation against an unexpected, existential threat to our people. His worth to and leverage over the nobles was at an all-time high. Who's to say that being too timid and overcautious wouldn't have made things worse? After all, Jorah and Tessa were only growing more hostile towards Mizuki with time. 

"Furthermore, even if you're right, and waiting 'just' a few years to announce Mizuki's and my relationship to the nobles yielded a modestly less risky plan – so what? Our plans today had a high enough chance of success, and we controlled all the information and variables. 

"Perhaps you think that my youth means it's perfectly acceptable to forego a more serious relationship for years, all in the name of patiently awaiting a better opportunity that may never come. Even I was once perfectly content to postpone romance for centuries or even millennia – to focus on my other interests and my duties as Princess.

"However, that was before I met Mizuki. It's one thing to avoid a relationship, but it's another to have already found someone you love, yet keep them at arm's length for others' reasons that you consider misguided. 

"So, call me childish, emotional, rebellious, hormonal, or whatever else you want. I may be all of those things. But yes, Mother, I'm tired of holding back my relationship with Mizuki now that he's in my life, and there are things my heart wants that I'm tired of depriving it of. 

"I want to walk arm-in-arm with Mizuki in the streets of Avalon and go on public dates. I want to freely claim him as my partner and vice versa, and flaunt it when it suits me. I want to stop relying on him in secret and be able to give him the credit he deserves. And, yes, I want to drag Mizuki into my bed and finally consummate our relationship. 

"Because I love him, and he's mine, and I'm sick and tired of treating our whole relationship like some dirty little secret. And if you think that's unreasonable of me, even after all my rationalizations, then respectfully, my Queen...bite me." (Ilina)

Ilina, despite being beet red all the way up to the ends of her long, pointy ears, maintains a steadfast glare at her mother as she finishes her rant. Elira and I, meanwhile, are stunned into silence by her bold and uncharacteristically disrespectful words.

Also, a corner of my brain can't help but ponder the reason for the phrase 'bite me' being known to her. Is that just some kind of rough auto-translation of a different idiom of theirs, or is it just a coincidental convergence in sayings? 

Before I can think it over too much, I hear the sound of raucous laughter behind me as waves of amusement wash over me through my connection with Nina. 

"Pahahahaha! How bold of you, Ilina! Talking about how badly you want to drag Mizuki into your bed and mate with him, right in front of your mother and me. Fufufufu, when did you get so shameless, hmm?" (Nina)

I didn't think it possible, but Ilina's face manages to get even more red at Nina's words. But then, her eye twitches as she snaps her attention to the laughing dragon, annoyance flashing in her grey eyes. 

"Me, the shameless one!? That's rich, coming from the horny dragon who always leaves the bedsheets a mess right before I come over! And don't even get me started on that time in the bath! You know you have an entire mansion worth of rooms, right!?" (Ilina)

Even though I'm not the one she's glaring at, I feel a surge of heat rush to my face. Yeah...Ilina kind of walked in on me and Nina having sex in the mansion's bath. In my defense, I would have immediately teleported Nina and myself away or covered us with a barrier when it happened. But, we were both really...close...at the time. 

So yeah, after Ilina watched the two of us orgasm right in front of her, the sleeping arrangements were more than a little awkward that night. Well, at least for Ilina and me...I swear that Nina slept with a smile on her face. 

While I turn red at the memory being referenced in front of Elira, and Elira herself goes pale, Nina just sneers at the increasingly annoyed Ilina. 

"Fufufufu...jealousy isn't a good look for you, Ilina. Don't worry, as soon as your relationship is public knowledge in this kingdom, Mizuki can mate with you in the bath as well. As for seeing me in the act with him – who cares? Do you expect us to keep our respective activities with him separate from one another indefinitely?" (Nina)

Ilina scowls and opens her mouth to respond, but Elira suddenly clears her throat very pointedly. We return our attention to the Queen, seeing her look more than a little uncomfortable, and Ilina's expression quickly becomes mortified. 

"Oh my gods, Mother, I'm so sorry...I don't know what came over me." (Ilina)

Elira regains her composure and nods, her eyes narrowing at Ilina as though she's annoyed. However, her voice carries a softer edge than it did before. 

"I see...so you do know how to apologize when you've been inconsiderate to your mother, hmm?" (Elira)

Ilina's eyes flit away guiltily as Elira continues to stare disapprovingly. After a few awkward seconds, I decide I've been silent long enough. 

"Elira, for what it's worth, I really don't think Ilina hid her plans from you because she doesn't trust you, or because she doesn't respect you. After all, she kept me in the dark about most of today's events, too. All I knew was that you'd all be learning the truth about me, that Ilina intended to lay the groundwork for our marriage, and that she thought the odds of success were higher if my actions weren't fully scripted. 

"Despite how much was at stake, I decided to accept that and trust her. Because she's shown me that she deserves it. In hindsight, seeing how this all played out, it's only solidified my faith in her. I know that you didn't have the same opportunity to give her your blind trust like I did, but I hope that you can also see that she made the right call. That she still deserves your trust. 

"At the very least, if you can't bring yourself to let go of your anger over everything that happened today, then please direct it at me instead of her. It's my secrets that were spilled, at my behest, and I'm the reason that our relationship has been such a problematic affair for your people. All Ilina has done is try to fix my mess." (Mizuki)

Elira stares at me in silence for several moments, her eyes full of inner conflict. Eventually, she lets out a long, deep sigh before shaking her head in exasperation. 

"Very well, Mizuki. Your points are well taken, and I honestly can't bring myself to be mad at you after everything I've learned today. Less so, given all that you've personally done for us, and have pledged to do in the future. However, can you promise me one thing?" (Elira)

I raise my eyebrows. 

"What might that be?" (Mizuki)

Elira smirks. 

"If you have any more world-shattering secrets, keep them to yourself for at least a decade. Or better yet, until Ilina is Queen and such things are no longer my problem. My old bones can't take any more of this...excitement, and neither can the kingdom. Normally, royal announcements happen once per century or so. But as it is, we've already had one, and we'll need to call for at least two more in the near future. 

"One of them immediately, to apprise everyone of the threat of the Empire, to formally introduce our people's resident Nephilim, and to announce how you'll be building trains between Avalon and the nobles' territories' capitals. Then, after the Empire is thwarted and our people have had some time to appreciate your presence, we'll inevitably need to schedule another to publicize your relationship with and engagement to Ilina." (Elira)

I chuckle and give her a small smile. 

"Fair enough, I'll do my best. Speaking of royal announcements and spilling secrets to the common people, are you implying that you want me to make a spectacle of constructing the trains? To demonstrate my power while bolstering my reputation with your people, so that they'll be more accepting of my engagement to Ilina when the time comes?" (Mizuki)

Elira's smirk transitions into wolfish grin, any lingering anger seemingly evaporating as her eyes shine with an approving glint. 

"I'm glad to see that you're already thinking like our King should. Yes, Mizuki, you're exactly right. It's important that they see firsthand how powerful you are, both to substantiate you as a Nephilim, and to make them feel secure in your ability to protect them from the Empire.

"Building the trains in front of an audience accomplishes both, while also showing our people firsthand how miraculous your presence is. So, can I take your tone to mean that you're on board with that plan?" (Elira)

I give Elira a small smile and nod. Now that I'm not trying to hide my power, I don't have any problem with that. The elves can't figure out how the trains work just by watching from a short distance away. All they'll see is different metals materializing around me. 

"Of course. As long as they keep a safe distance and don't interfere, you can make as much of a spectacle of it as you want." (Mizuki)

Elira nods approvingly. 

"Good, I will. And after you're done with that, and a bit of time passes with you in the public eye, we'll arrange for the public to start seeing you and Ilina spending time alone together. Something that makes it clear you two are friendly, and starts rumors about whether you might be romantically involved." (Elira)

I raise my eyebrows. 

"Let me guess. So that you can gauge the public's reaction to the idea ahead of an official announcement, and if necessary, use further spectacles from me to subtly drive them towards accepting such an arrangement beforehand?" (Mizuki)

Elira chuckles playfully. 

"Right again, Mizuki. Plus, who am I to deny my daughter spending time with you in public after her incredibly embarrassing rant just now? What was it...oh yes, she yearns to walk arm-in-arm with you through the streets of Avalon." (Elira)

Elira gives a pointed, amused look towards Ilina as she says so, prompting more blushing from Ilina. Surprisingly though, while she's clearly embarrassed by the comment, Ilina doesn't backtrack. She crosses her arms indignantly and returns Elira's mocking gaze. 

"G-good...I'm glad to hear it, Mother. Thank you." (Ilina)

I grin at Ilina, and make a mental note that I really need to carve out some more romantic date nights with her ASAP. While I'm happy to hear that she's so eager to spend time together as a real couple, it also kind of makes me feel like shit that I haven't already been doing more to make her feel like my beloved fiancé. 

Pushing those concerns away for now, I return my gaze to Elira. 

"So, Elira...when should I be available for this first royal announcement? I also need to make special trips to all the demi-human races' settlements, and to facilitate my negotiation meeting with the Empire's remaining leadership. This royal announcement is clearly a priority for me, but I still need to plan around those other obligations." (Mizuki)

Elira's expression becomes serious once again, and she nods understandingly. 

"We need to move quickly. I recommend having the royal announcement one week from now, and if possible, perhaps you could try and arrange your negotiations with the Empire to take place two weeks from now. Knowing your abilities, that should give you plenty of time to meet the demi-humans between now and the royal announcement, and to build your trains and MMCs between the announcement and the negotiations." (Elira)

I nod thoughtfully and shoot a questioning glance at Ilina. She gives me a small smile and nods. 

"I agree with Mother, Mizuki. You'll also need that time between these major events to prepare, and to deal with any other obligations that are bound to arise. Don't forget about opening Percivil's new store here, the inevitable meetings with the nobles, all the planned developments in Eden, or your offer to Alyse." (Ilina)

I purse my lips. 

I can see what Ilina means. That's not even including all the other things I've been waiting for time to pursue – studying the Greater Spirits' dilemma, replicating some of Earth's foods like pizza and caramel apples here on Azura, my research plans for proving that magic power is largely influenced by early life environment, and my promise to Alara to get her books for a grand library in Eden, which it now seems will require visiting Azazel.

The thought of how relentlessly busy I'm going to be for the next month is already giving me a headache, but...I'm also kind of excited. More so than I've been in quite some time. 

I nod at Ilina, then give her and Elira a confident smile. 

"Alright, I guess there's no time to waste then. Elira, have you forgiven me and your daughter enough for us to rejoin the other nobles and finalize all these plans?" (Mizuki)

Elira purses her lips as she glances between me and Ilina, then something seems to occur to her. She directs a questioning gaze at me. 

"I suppose so...although, I'm still a little hurt by the days' deceptions. Tell me, my sweet, Nephilim son-in-law, don't you think you two should try and make it up to me? I don't feel like you fully appreciate how understanding I'm being about all of your antics lately." (Elira)

As she poses her presumably rhetorical question, she casts her eyes down as though she's pouting and holding back tears. However, I can't help but feel like it's mostly for show, and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes. 

I guess you don't rule an entire kingdom and keep a gaggle of strong-willed elven nobles in line for millennia without being a bit of a ruthless opportunist yourself. 

I let out a wry smile as I shake my head in exasperation. 

"Make it up to you, huh? I suppose that's the least I can do for my sweet, Elven mother-in-law. Is there something you had in mind, Elira?" (Mizuki)

I would bet Dio's nigh-eternal life that she hasn't given it any thought at all. Yup, I'd stake his existence on this not being Elira's fishing expedition for a very specific favor. 

Hearing my question, Elira frowns thoughtfully like she's considering it for the first time.

"Hmm...oh dear, I don't know..." (Elira)

She pulls her hand next to her chest, and begins fiddling with her wedding ring. The gesture gives the impression of being just an absentminded tic while she thinks carefully, but...I can't help but notice how blatantly she's caressing her ring, as if she's begging for attention on its behalf.

I finally succumb and roll my eyes. 

Oh well...I guess it was only a matter of time anyway, and it's a small price to pay to make her quit holding today against us. 

I decide to play along, and direct a chipper voice at Elira as though something just occurred to me all on my own.

"Oh, Elira, I have an idea! Why don't I go ahead and enchant the wedding ring Dargo gave you? You know, so that you can physically enhance yourself like Ilina." (Mizuki)

As the words leave my lips, I see the corners of Elira's mouth twitch as her grey eyes glimmer with satisfaction. Then, she gasps in surprise and claps her hands together in front of her as she looks at me.

"Mizuki, you'd really do that for me? That's so thoughtful of you, dear! Yes, that would make me feel very appreciated. Here you go..." (Elira)

Without another moment's hesitation, Elira playfully presents her wedding ring hand towards me with a wide smile on her face. Smirking at her knowingly, I quickly reach out and touch the band of her ring. 

I alchemize the core of its band into copper, and enchant it with my physical enhancement spells. I make sure that the spells are enchanted such that more magic power into the ring boosts the strength of the enhancements, just like with Ilina's ring. Then, I release Elira's hand without a word. 

The whole process takes me less than two seconds at this point, and I can obviously do it without speaking, so to Elira it looks like I just grabbed her hand, glanced at the ring, then dismissed it nonchalantly. 

Understandably, she glances at me in confusion for several seconds before her expression turns annoyed. If I had to guess, she probably thinks I played another joke on her. 

I give her an amused smile. 

"Don't look so upset, Elira. I promise, I did as you asked. It's just not a flashy process. Go ahead and try the ring out for yourself." (Mizuki)

Her eyes widen in surprise, then she glances at the ring expectantly. After a moment, a giddy smile breaks out on her face, and she abruptly walks towards the door while calling over her shoulder. 

"Ilina, be a dear and go see to the nobles. I'll join you in a few minutes. I have...things...to do first." (Elira)

Without another word, she exits the room, leaving Ilina, Nina, and I alone. I glance between the two of them, and Ilina is just shaking her head in embarrassment at the display. Nina seems to find it amusing. As for me, I make a mental note to prepare more 'gift' ideas for Elira, should I ever need them in the future. 

If my mother-in-law is willing to take bribes...I can work with that. 

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Several hours later, inside the Egris mansion...

Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!

I stare back at Cara in awkward silence as she just taps her foot and glares at me expectantly. Her arms are crossed under her breasts, and there's a notable scowl on her face as her amber eyes study me disapprovingly. 

I sigh internally. 

After the nobles' meeting was finished for the day, I simply teleported everyone back to Eden – they all know about my abilities now anyway, even their escorts, so I didn't see the need for subtlety. Most of the other nobles decided to stay in the palace for the night, until Nina and I can quickly transport them back to their family homes tomorrow morning. 

I brought the Egris house's party along with us at Cara's request, then took them back to Wellick myself after dropping off everyone else at our mansion. After we arrived in Cara's office, she said she needed to talk to me and kicked out everyone except Alyse. Since then, she hasn't spoken another word. 

That's how I've come to suffer this awkward, angry silence. 

Eventually, when I'm contemplating just teleporting away, Cara's angry taps stop abruptly. Her scowl seems to soften slightly, replaced by slight hurt in her eyes. Her voice is low and quiet as she speaks. 

"Are we friends or not, Mizuki? Because I really thought you trusted me." (Cara)

I wince a little at the implicit accusation, seeing her amber eyes locked onto mine questioningly. I nod apologetically, and my voice is soft as I respond. 

"Of course you are..." (Mizuki)

The hurt in her eyes seems to lessen some, replaced quickly by frustration and confusion. 

"Then why didn't you tell me? Today I found out that I'm the only one close to you who wasn't told that you're both a Nephilim and an alien. I understand you when you said that you thought you were essentially human until recently, and I understand why you'd tell Lady Nedonera, the royals, Alto, and even Zara about your home planet before me. But...Alara? Really?

"Around the time you were convincing her to abandon your assassination attempts, I was already inviting you into my bed, for gods' sake! Also, you had my word that I'd never share anything you told me in confidence, and I know that you believed me! So why did I find out at the same time as fucking Jorah!?" (Cara)

Yikes...she's making it sound really bad. Now that I think about it, why didn't I tell her that I'm from another planet? 

After several moments of quietly contemplating that under her expectant glare, I realize that I don't have a great answer. So, I shrug and sigh deeply. 

"I'm really sorry, Cara. If I'm being honest, I'm not even sure why I didn't tell you. In retrospect, I don't think I was actively hiding it from you. I just...had no reason to mention it. I only told Alara because it came up in a conversation about the things I wanted to gift Eden with – she asked where I got the ideas from.

"Still, I recognize that you finding out this way is hurtful, and doesn't reflect well on the trust that I have in you. That's something I desperately want to fix. Is there anything I can do to convince you that I value and trust you like I say I do?" (Mizuki)

Surprise flashes across Cara's face. I guess she wasn't expecting me to just roll over and own up to it. 

"You're...offering me a favor as an apology?" (Cara)

I chuckle at her. 

"I mean, yes, I suppose that's one way to look at it. As long as the favor isn't absurd. So, what do you say?" (Mizuki)

Cara purses her lips thoughtfully, staring at me for several moments. Eventually, something seems to occur to her, and she gives me a small smile. 

"Okay, I accept. Can I tell you what I want right now?" (Cara)

I give her a curious look. 

"Sure, if you already have something in mind." (Mizuki)

Her smile grows a little wider. 

"If we're really friends, then I want to see you more. Let's say...once a week. Every week, for at least a couple of hours, I want you to visit me without your entourage so we can spend time together. The details of the visit don't matter to me, as long as I can count on you to show up and give me your undivided attention. That's what I want." (Cara)

I raise my eyebrows, my voice becoming incredulous.

"That's it? Hang out with you for a couple hours per week? I honestly thought you'd ask for an extra train, or a flying city, or something...more. You're sure about this?" (Mizuki)

Cara smirks at me and shakes her head. 

"Yes, I'm sure. I want a promise that my friend will make time for one date with me every week. No exceptions. So, can I assume we have a deal?" (Cara)

I narrow my eyes slightly at the use of the word 'date', but I quickly wave it off. I remember some of my female friends back on Earth would call eating alone with someone a 'lunch date', regardless of their relationship. So, Cara probably means it just as innocuously. She did refer to me as her 'friend' in the same breath, after all. 

I give her a small smile in return and nod. 

"Yeah, that seems reasonable. Consider it done. So...I'm forgiven? We're good?" (Mizuki)

Cara chuckles and gives me a beaming smile. 

"Yes, no hard feelings. Just don't leave me out of the loop like that again." (Cara)

I let out a sigh of relief and nod my acknowledgement. That's one problem fixed, at least. 

"Understood. Now then, Alyse...what's up?" (Mizuki)

I turn to Alyse, who's been quietly standing behind Cara with an expectant expression. When Cara kicked everyone else out of the room earlier, Alyse insisted on staying. She said she needed to talk to me. 

Hearing my question, she gives me an appreciative nod before quickly walking towards me. Then, before I can even register how confused I am, she draws her sword and presents it to me as she lowers her head and takes a knee. 

"Lord Mizuki...no, Nephilim Prince...I, Alyse Egris, eldest daughter of Evelyn Egris, hereby offer myself and my sword. Please allow me to serve you and your cause from this day forward." (Alyse)

I stare at her in open bewilderment for several seconds before I regain enough composure to glance at Cara for an explanation. However, she is also looking at Alyse as though her sister is batshit crazy. 

I return my gaze to Alyse, who is still staring at the floor with her sword raised towards me. I have so many questions. 

"Uhm...Alyse, you do realize that I'm exactly the same person you spoke to yesterday, right? Literally nothing about me has changed, and you already knew I was powerful. So please quit acting weird...we've already talked about this. I'm not a hero, there's no greater cause to serve, and I definitely don't accept servants. I make friends, and you don't kneel and make sketchy oaths to your friends.

Also, what's with you calling me Lord and Nephilim Prince? I told you that I was just an ordinary person on my home planet. Just call me by name." (Mizuki)

Alyse raises her head just enough to look at me, but she remains kneeled, her eyes full of uncertainty. 

"There is – quite literally in this case – a world of difference between knowing that you're powerful, and knowing that you are one of the legendary Nephilim. Please understand that, once our kingdom learns the truth about you, some elves might even worship you as a god. Now that I know what you are, and the full scope of your abilities, I'm...hesitant, to continue being so casual with you. 

"As for treating you like a friend, I also confess some reluctance. You obviously take your friendship with my sister very seriously. But unlike her, I don't believe I've earned the right to call you my friend. However, I'd like to accept the invitation you offered me yesterday. To join your group in Eden and help wherever I can be useful." (Alyse)

I purse my lips thoughtfully, still more than a little conflicted about her sudden change in attitude. I honestly liked her better when she wasn't so deferential. In fact, I'd like to tell both her and Cara that I don't really think I'm a Nephilim, to nip this behavior in the bud. Unfortunately, Ilina explicitly and emphatically told me to never deny my Nephilim nature to anyone going forward, and I'm not inclined to go against her recommendations. 

"If that's really what you want, it's not like I'm going to withdraw the offer. We're happy to have you. However, please...for the love of everything sacred to you...stop treating me like I'm your master or savior or something. I honestly preferred our dynamic before. Also, I think Alto really liked having someone else to make fun of me with. If you start acting all proper towards me now, she'll be really disappointed." (Mizuki)

Okay yeah, I admit that last part is manipulative at best, and an outright lie at worst, but...I really am not a fan of her current vibe. Nevertheless, I feel a pang of guilt as I watch Alyse's face suddenly become tense at my words. 

After a few moments of clear internal conflict, she nervously rises to a standing position and sheathes her sword. Then, she clears her throat and offers me her hand reluctantly. 

"Ehem...well, if that's what you prefer, then I guess it's for the best. Thank you for accepting me into your group, Lo-...err, Mizuki." (Alyse)

Breathing an internal sigh of relief, I give her a wry smile and shake her hand. 

"No problem, Alyse. Well then, how much time do you need to prepare? You can pack at your leisure, then have Cara send us a message by MMC when you want me to pick you up. If Alara finds an appropriate train operator before then, you can also just show up without notice and we'll take care of everything else." (Mizuki)

She shakes her head politely. 

"Actually, I can have all my things ready in a few hours, and I'd like to join you as soon as possible. Could you please bring me to Eden tomorrow morning?" (Alyse)

I smile at her approvingly. 

"Sure, that's no problem. Nina and I have some things to do in the morning, so I'll let Alara know to expect you, and I'll have Alto pick you up by train tomorrow morning and give you a tour of Eden. You don't mind spending a few hours alone with her, right?" (Mizuki)

I pose the last question to her with a wink and a teasing tone, and I'm more than a little amused to see her blush at the implication and avert her eyes. 

"Ehem...no, that sounds...fine. Thank you, Mizuki." (Alyse)

Just imagining how Alyse will behave towards Alto during this presumably awkward train ride, I can't help but chuckle at Alyse and nod. 

"Trust me...it's my pleasure." (Mizuki)

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Later; the Empire, city of Rodsgard, inside a nondescript tavern...

A man donning a dark cloak sits on a stool, hunched over the tavern bar. His eyes are unfocused as they seem to stare into the glass of hard liquor in front of him, his fingers slowly tracing the rim of the glass. After several moments, the man promptly brings the glass to his lips, tilts his head back, and downs the liquor like a shot. 

He slams the glass onto the bar with a pained grunt and a low growl. 

"Ungh...another!" (cloaked man)

Nearby, the bartender eyes the man warily, taking in his scruffy beard, disheveled hair, and bloodshot eyes. Nevertheless, he grabs a nearby bottle of liquor and refills the man's drink. After all, he doubts he'll cause any trouble - the man, albeit clearly disturbed, has been a regular customer for the past week. 

As the man lazily inspects his refreshed liquor glass, a mocking voice is heard from nearby in the tavern. 

"Better slow down there, friend...what if a big bad monster comes and wipes out the city while you're passed out drunk? Pahahahaha!" 

Rounds of laughter and jeering ensue from others nearby, but the cloaked man just grimaces and ignores the taunts. He's gotten quite used to this, ever since he started trying to warn people to release their slaves before they're killed and the city destroyed. He's aware it sounds insane, but...he knows all to well that every word of it is true. 

After all, he's none other than Lobe. The guard who escorted Mizuki and his party to Belmod, then bore witness to the uncontested slaughter of the Empire's elite forces. 

As he's reminded of that day...Mizuki's warnings...images of a smirking young boy standing inside a bloody throne room flash through his mind. He recalls the blood spilling in from every corner of the room, inescapably coating his hands and clothes, and the sight of Belmod's scattered limbs, his bloody, mangled torso placed on the throne with his face twisted in agony and madness. Most importantly, though, Lobe remembers the cold, detached look in Mizuki's eyes as the previously easygoing young man stood amidst the slaughter.

Despite the warmth and sweet numbness the alcohol had started to grant him, Lobe suddenly shivers as the flashbacks impose a feeling of inescapable dread. He hurriedly downs his next glass of liquor, his hands trembling uncontrollably as he places the empty glass back on the bar top. 

'How...how did my life end up like this? Where did I go wrong?'

Lobe has asked himself that question a lot lately. After all, he's always prided himself on making wise decisions - training himself in the right skills, befriending the right people, not unnecessarily antagonizing others - and it's served him well until now. It's how he's managed to climb so far in the Empire's ranks so quickly. 

Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Commander, Colonel, and General - these are the six ranks of the Empire's army. Lobe, at the ripe age of 22, is already a Major! The Empire being in the midst of peace timez only makes that achievement even more outstanding. As far as he knows, there isn't a younger Major in the whole army! Truly, he was destined for glory within the Empire's ranks...

Until he met him...that horrifying young man...Mizuki. 

Lobe reflects on and regrets that meeting quite a lot these days. It's when his whole life went awry. He clearly remembers the incredulity he felt when Mizuki's unassuming person came sauntering right up to Rodsgard's checkpoint. His polite smirk and amused, green eyes as he casually presented his golden, S-rank guild card. 'This is the S-rank party leader that the Emperor has taken a personal interest in making an example of!?', he'd thought. 

However, he'd quickly noticed that Mizuki was...off, to say the least. He practically taunted Lobe and his subordinates at the gate, threatening to ignore the summons from Belmod and walk away. He even seemed unfazed by Kurt blatantly threatening harm to their party. Honestly, Lobe thought the poor young man was completely oblivious to the dangerous nature of Belmod's summons – he thought guarding Rodsgard's gate for Mizuki's unlikely arrival was a fool's errand to begin with. 

Yet, not only did he show up, but after Kurt outright threatened him, he went so far as to suggest leading his party to the palace so that Lobe could call for backup. That was when the restlessness in Lobe's heart first took root. 

It wasn't just the absurdity of the suggestion, but how Mizuki said it. That light smirk on his face, his eyes that held equal parts curiosity and indifference – like whether Lobe yielded or not was just of passing interest to him. It made Lobe feel like...like Mizuki was tossing him a lifeline. 

It was unsettling. 

So, he led Mizuki's group to the palace personally. As he did...his unease only grew. It was clear to him that Mizuki was neither oblivious nor an idiot. But then, why did he remain so carefree as he walked towards what was likely to be his death? Why were his companions so calm? Why did they never question him? Why did they look so...amused?

These were the questions on his mind at the time. 

When they arrived at the palace, though, everything seemed to change in an instant. Gone was Mizuki's nonchalant, mocking demeanor – he was practically groveling in front of the Emperor. It was like Mizuki had two faces, and he'd swapped them at his convenience. Lobe was left wondering...which was his true face? 

On one hand, Mizuki's behavior in front of the Emperor was understandable...a finally natural reaction. He was surrounded by innumerable, powerful enemies. But on the other hand, the behavior felt...out of place. 

As Mizuki had continued speaking with the Emperor, Lobe's heart had only grown more restless, until he finally realized why. Mizuki's companions...they weren't scared or apprehensive, they weren't even cowed. If anything they looked annoyed, watching Mizuki expectantly every time that Belmod said something distasteful. 

Before Lobe could marinate in his confusion too long, however, he saw Mizuki's third face. 

Lobe didn't even catch what comment from the Emperor triggered it, but the next thing he knew, Mizuki was glaring at the Emperor with so much disdain that he was nearly unrecognizable. His deferential behavior was replaced with a cold and predatory aura. When Lobe saw that, he knew...he was glimpsing Mizuki's true self. 

Then came Mizuki's ultimatum – Belmod's life is forfeit, and guards should keep their swords sheathed if they want to live. 

Lobe watched as Belmod sneered at the claim, obviously filled with indignation. But Lobe...he'd only felt a sense of foreboding. One so profound that, even as the other guards drew their swords, he'd been too paralyzed with fear to follow suit. Then...

The next thing he knew was pain. 

The feeling of being crushed into the floor, like the world itself had been dropped on his soldiers. He felt so heavy...too heavy to stand, too heavy to breathe, and eventually, too heavy to even remain conscious. His last memory was of Mizuki walking towards Belmod with a slow, menacing cadence as his fellow guards' death screams echoed around him. 

When he eventually awoke, there was only darkness and terror. He thought he'd died and been cast into some void of an afterlife. But as if to taunt him for thinking that was the worst fate that could befall him, he was soon welcomed back into the light, only to find that Mizuki's first, carefree face was once again studying him. However, the context was all too different than before, and it only made his nonchalant attitude more horrifying. 

Lobe's senses had been assaulted with an absolute personification of slaughter. A throne room painted red with his comrades insides, the smell of piss, shit, and death heavy in the air, the sight of that madwoman, Nina, covered in blood with a heretical, loving smile on her face behind Mizuki, and finally, the mutilated, displayed corpse of Belmod. 

The seemingly sudden change in the throne room was so nightmarish to Lobe, so jarring, that he'd struggled to focus on all that happened next. He'd just conversed with Mizuki in a daze, doing his best to follow the young man's demands and revelations. All he could do was stare at Mizuki's amused, playful expression and try not to tremble.

'It's a lie...that smile is a lie...everything is a lie. He's not a boy, he's a monster. He'll kill me...I'm dead...he'll kill me...' he'd thought in a loop. But...Lobe lived. 

Before he knew it, he was left alone in the eerily quiet throne room. He's not even sure how long he sat there in disbelief before the silence was broken by the sound of him vomiting, then by the sounds of him sobbing uncontrollably. Many more moments passed as he hyperventilated on the floor, soaking in the morbid scene around him, trying to come to terms with all that had happened. 

Eventually, a couple of guards entered the throne room and found Lobe there, covered in blood, snot, and vomit, amid the macabre artwork that Mizuki had left behind. From there, Lobe's life began to change at a pace that gave him whiplash. 

First, there was the understandable interrogation by the Empire's nobility and military leaders. There was the leader of the army, General Tenzin, and the leader of the navy, Admiral Nemo, who where already present in Rodsgard at the time. In addition, Lobe was eventually interrogated by the three Dukes of the Empire's nobility – Lords Krandel Severus, Rey Palkin, and Torin Ironwill. 

Just being the sole survivor, Lobe's future after their interrogation was looking bleak, but having to be the messenger for Mizuki's demands only made things even worse. Of course, Lobe was smart enough to leave out the fact that he was spared because he never drew his sword. Instead, he said it was because Mizuki wanted a witness.

Still, several of the Empire's higher ups felt that Lobe should be executed on principle, considering his survival a clear sign of cowardice. Others, like the ever-insufferable Lord Krandel Severus, thought that Lobe should be tortured and killed publicly, then his head sent to Mizuki as a message. 

Fortunately, General Tenzin, the leader of the Empire's army, thought that was a waste, and reminded everyone that Lobe might be useful as bait or a show of faux compliance. Since the General holds the most power in the Empire by far now, the others were inclined to defer to his judgement. 

Nevertheless, that's not to say that Lobe was completely free from punishment. While he was miraculously spared from life in a prison cell, his career in the military persists only in name, and he knows that the Empire's ruling class has warned the city's guards that Lobe is not allowed to leave. He's effectively a prisoner in Rodsgard until those in power decide to kill him. 

Thus, he spends his days drinking in shithole taverns like this one, trying to forget about his miserable situation and the horrifying imagery of carnage that haunts him every time he tries to sleep. He's here for that, and to spread Mizuki's warnings.

Honestly, he's not sure why he even bothered...it's not like Mizuki can kill him more than the Empire is probably already planning to. And yet, the same sense of foreboding in his heart that kept him from unsheathing his sword that day, tells him that Mizuki's threat about destroying cities isn't to be taken lightly. 

So, even though it has earned him nothing but ridicule as a madman, and nobody seems to take him seriously, he decided to do as Mizuki asked. It's not much, but the vague sense that he might be saving lives makes him feel like his own won't be snuffed out in vain. 

Shaking himself from the depressing memories, Lobe looks down at his empty glass again and shudders...he's entirely too sober for such recollection. 

"Barkeep...anu-ther!" (Lobe)

He slurs out his request to the man behind the bar, who shoots him a disdainful look. Lobe feels a surge of annoyance at what he considers an unfair judgement, and prepares to lash out at the man. However, his thoughts are abruptly interrupted by a cold, amused voice. 

[My my...I must say, this is a rather pathetic display, Lobe.]

Lobe scowls at the presumptuous yet vaguely familiar voice. 

"Hey, fuck you!" (Lobe)

Lobe whips around, expecting to see someone behind him to attribute to the voice, but he sees only open space. What's more, the other people around the tavern are staring at him incredulously, as though he just started shouting out of nowhere. While the intoxicated Lobe tries to sort out the strange observation, he hears the voice once again. 

[Sigh...it simply won't do for you to remain in such a pitiful state, Lobe. I need you sharp so you can do the job I have planned for you.]

It's at this moment that Lobe finally realizes what's going on...nobody else can hear the voice, it's just in his head. At the same time, it sounds vaguely...familiar. It doesn't 'sound' like anything, per se, more so that the voice's word choice, cadence, and 'personality' give Lobe a sense of deja vu. 

When he finally puts together who the voice reminds him of, Lobe's eyes go wide as he begins to tremble in fear. 

'No...please gods...no, no, no, no, no...not him...'

Before he can say anything, a strange sensation washes over him. In practically an instant, it's as though all the effects of the alcohol he's been consuming all night disappear. The next minute, he's sharp-minded, cold, and...utterly terrified. 

[There...I've removed the alcohol from your system, Lobe. Now, come outside so we can chat. I'm a little disappointed that you haven't convinced everyone to take my threats seriously, but I'm going to give you a chance to redeem yourself. Don't keep me waiting...]

As the words in his head seem to confirm his worst fears, he feels equal parts dread and resignation wash over him as his bladder threatens to fail him. Almost subconsciously, Lobe begins to sob as tears stream down his face, and his body absentmindedly slides from his stool as his feet slowly drag him towards the tavern's door. 

Taking note of his sudden waterworks, several nearby customers start whispering amongst themselves. 

"For fuck's sake, just how much has that loser had to drink?" 

"Tch...looks like he's finally lost it. The barkeep should have cut him off and banned him from this place much earlier if you ask me." 

"Who gives a shit, guys. He's leaving now...good riddance."

Too shaken to care about their heartless comments, Lobe pushes the door open to outside, and he's assaulted by the cold night air and the pale moonlight. He looks around for a few moments in terror, but spots nobody in his vicinity. He feels his body relax slightly, and he begins to chuckle. Slowly and nervously at first, then a bit more manically. 

"Hehe...heheheh...hahahahahaha!" (Lobe)

'Oh gods, I'm really losing it. Drinking to the point of hearing voices...I need to get a grip.'

However, just as he starts to think he imagined Mizuki's voice in his head, a figure seems to materialize out of thin air next to him. As Lobe focuses on the figure's features, his whole body goes rigid as his blood runs cold. 

In front of him is a young man in a cloak. His face is barely visible under the hood, and he appears about 17 years old. Lobe can see a mocking smirk on the man's face, and a hint of cold amusement in his green eyes.

It's none other than Mizuki. 

As he recognizes the young man in front of him, Lobe begins to whimper as his legs buckle and he falls to his knees. His voice comes out as barely a tormented whisper. 

"N-no...no gods. W-why...why are you here? What do you want?" (Lobe)

Hearing the question, Mizuki gives him a briefly puzzled expression. But after a moment, it slowly twists into a huge, wolfish grin. Mizuki lets out a chuckle that would sound carefree and reassuring to the uninformed observer, but to Lobe feels no more pleasant that daggers being slowly dragged up his spine. 

Mizuki's eyes flash mischievously. 

"What do I want? Well, it's like I said, Lobe. I've got a job for you." (Mizuki)

Lobe feels his sense of foreboding grow stronger. 

"A...j-job? What k-kind?" (Lobe)

Mizuki smirks. 

"The interesting kind, naturally. You see, Lobe...you're going to arrange a negotiation meeting between me and the Empire's remaining leadership." (Mizuki)

Lobe's eyes go wide in shock. His lips speaking, almost automatically. 

"A...meeting? How...when...why?" (Lobe)

Mizuki's wolfish grin returns. 

"Here's all you need to know..." (Mizuki)