It's the morning after the Note, as I've taken to viewing the incident. Alto has taken the train to pick up Alyse from Wellick, and I'm currently standing in a quiet room in the elven palace with Nina and Ilina – where I normally drop Ilina off in the mornings. I haven't really spoken to them since Alto and I parted ways last night – my mind has been occupied by the Note.
Shortly after we arrive in the room, Ilina glances at me, her grey eyes filled with concern.
"So, Mizuki...are you going to tell me what's bothering you, or are you going to keep it to yourself forever?" (Ilina)
I raise my eyebrows at her, and she rolls her eyes.
"What, you think Nina and I can't tell when our husband is acting strange?" (Ilina)
Nina snorts disapprovingly.
"Ilina dear, don't you mean your fiancé? I am his only wife at the moment." (Nina)
Nina turns her gaze to me, and her eyes soften.
"But I agree with Ilina, Mizuki...it's clear you've been troubled since last night." (Nina)
I smile at them both ruefully.
"Nothing gets past you two, huh..." (Mizuki)
Ilina raises her eyebrows.
"Are you just now realizing that? I'm disappointed. Anyway, what's going on? I'm guessing it was something that happened during your extensive time alone with Alto last night. Did she...err, did something happen? You know...between you two?" (Ilina)
Her voice and expression are vaguely suggestive as she poses the question.
Is she implying that something...intimate...happened between Alto and me?
I give her a bewildered look, and her expression becomes puzzled.
"What? No! You know Alto's and my relationship isn't like that!" (Mizuki)
Ilina smiles apologetically, but a conflicted glint remains in her eyes.
"I see...then, what's bothering you?" (Ilina)
I sigh internally...why do I feel like she doesn't believe me?
"Well...we received this in our MMC last night..." (Mizuki)
Putting aside the misunderstanding, I activate my item box and pull the Note from it, before handing it to Ilina. She accepts it with a surprised expression and begins reading, and Nina moves to look at it over her shoulder with a curious gaze. After several moments, shocked expressions register on their faces and they stare at me.
I nod at them.
"Yeah, that was my reaction, too..." (Mizuki)
I give them a brief recap of everything that happened last night after the Note came. The two of them are silent for several moments.
"Mizuki, do you think this could be another person from your world? That'd be rather exciting." (Nina)
Nina stares at me expectantly, totally calm, and I blink repeatedly.
Is she really not worried about the Note's casual, threatening contents?
Ilina gives Nina an incredulous glance as well before turning her attention to me.
"That seems unlikely, Nina. Someone else that strong wouldn't have gone unnoticed, especially by Mizuki. It also doesn't make sense for Azazel to have brought two people with such dangerous power and knowledge to Azura. Mizuki, do you really think this is from another otherworlder? And what's this about a threat in the Freden Kingdom, and Alto being dangerous? Is there anything else you haven't told us yet?" (Ilina)
I shake my head regretfully.
"No, you know what I do. I agree that this whole situation is...off. I can't imagine any of the known otherworlders being responsible for the Note, nor can I imagine Azazel hiding transmigrators from me. But I also don't know how to explain the level of knowledge the sender displayed. Right now, Alto's and my best theory is they're just posing as an otherworlder to throw us off.
"Naturally, my trust in Alto is beyond reproach, so I can only assume that this person is trying to come between us for some reason. That, at least, makes them a foe, not a friend. As for the Freden Kingdom threat...I'm not sure what to make of that part. Obviously, I can't take the word of someone I think is hostile to us, but I also can't afford to ignore it. I think it's best if I visit Azazel soon to get more information before we act based on the Note, since influencing my actions is obviously their goal." (Mizuki)
Ilina studies me thoughtfully, her voice quiet.
"I see...Alto's claims about having no idea who could have sent the Note makes this all the more strange. Nevertheless, I agree with you...we shouldn't act hastily. Are you planning to tell anyone else about this?" (Ilina)
I give her a puzzled expression.
Alto's claims? Why does it sound like she isn't sure about Alto's sincerity?
"No, I think it's best if this stays between the four of us for now. But Ilina...you aren't doubting Alto over this Note, are you?" (Mizuki)
After a moment of confused silence, Ilina realizes her word choice and winces. She gives me a nervous glance, her voice hesitant.
"I'm sorry...I wasn't trying to imply that you shouldn't trust Alto, Mizuki. Obviously, she's done nothing but support you, almost unconditionally. All of us, in fact." (Ilina)
I feel myself relax marginally, but my eyes narrow.
"Right. So...why do I feel like there's a but?" (Mizuki)
Ilina purses her lips apprehensively, seeming to ponder whether to respond for several moments.
"It's just...don't you find it strange that she has no idea who sent this? Not even one theory, one speculation. Isn't that unlike her? Also, whether this person is lying about Alto or not, doesn't the Note suggest they have more than a passing familiarity with and focus on her? It just seems strange that she wouldn't have enough of a history with them to have a name come to mind." (Ilina)
I shrug dismissively.
"Maybe the sender doesn't know her at all, and focused on her as a convenient misdirection. Our friendship has been on full display numerous times, and if this person wants to undermine my trust in my allies, then Alto is the only clear choice. My relationship with you isn't public, and if they know about my Dragon Bond with Nina, then they know I'm incapable of doubting her.
"All of that aside, even if I was willing to distrust Alto, I think she's too smart to try and hide relevant information like you're implying. She knows as well as anyone that she'd be exposed as soon as I asked her the wrong question in Nina's presence. " (Mizuki)
Ilina nods apologetically, and gives me a hesitant smile.
"You're right...it doesn't make any sense. Those were just the instinctive thoughts of my inner skeptic, and clearly it affected my word choice. I'm sorry. Obviously we shouldn't treat Alto any differently just because of this Note, and I know that." (Ilina)
I study Ilina for a few seconds before I nod, willing to drop the matter.
"It's fine...I understand your position. Sorry for getting worked up over a slip of the tongue." (Mizuki)
Before Ilina can respond, I hear a melodic giggle from Nina. Glancing at her, I see that her emerald eyes are studying me with an affectionate warmth that doesn't match the serious atmosphere. Seeing my baffled expression, she chuckles at me teasingly.
"Fufufu...what, can't I be happy when my husband casually mentions our special bond?" (Nina)
I raise my eyebrows.
"Well, I-" (Mizuki)
Before can say anything more, Nina closes the distance between us and throws her legs and arms around me in a koala hug before cutting me off with an especially passionate kiss. After several seconds, she unseals our lips and rolls her eyes.
"That's a rhetorical question, Mizuki. The only correct answer is yes." (Nina)
While I'm dazed at her little display, Ilina grumbles discontentedly.
"Horny dragon..." (Ilina)
Nina sneers at Ilina.
"I think you're just lashing out because your ears are the only pointy thing you get to see." (Nina)
Ilina's mouth twitches.
"No, I just expected you to show some restraint..." (Ilina)
Nina smirks.
"Restraint? I kept his clothes on, didn't I? If you're jealous, there was nothing stopping you from doing the same. Honestly, a Princess should have a little bit more backbone." (Nina)
Ilina grits her teeth and glares at Nina, and I decide I've been silent enough. I gently place Nina back on the ground, and she gives me a reproachful, pouty look, which I skillfully avoid. Ilina breaks into a smug grin at my actions, and I clear my throat nervously.
"Uhm...anyway, someone has obviously been watching us more than we've been watching them, and I'm not a fan. So, just be aware. Nina, I know you're strong, but I'm counting on you to take this seriously." (Mizuki)
Nina gives me a cold smile, her eyes becoming a touch more intense.
"I take this letter very seriously, Mizuki – trying to toy with my husband is a creative form of suicide. I just don't fear the Note's sender. As far as I'm concerned, this ant is just more informed than most, and it changes nothing. Their actions are those of someone afraid of us, and it's not worth your time worrying about them.
"If there's really something bothersome brewing in the Freden Kingdom, then it's just an excuse for a fun little vacation. If you're worried about Alto, Ilina, and me, then just spend more quality time with us. I won't complain. And if you want to make your power known in the human countries, then do it – we both know that nothing short of a god can match you. I wouldn't be surprised if the sender just fears you gaining influence there.
"We should do as we please, and crush anyone who gets in the way. I know that your past life has made you prone to taking everything seriously, Mizuki, but your situation is different here. Elder Dragons have moved in tune to our whims for dozens of millennia, angering entire countries, and yet nobody dares act against us. That's the privilege of absolute power, and one you need to accustom yourself to. If you start letting every insignificant being who sends a letter manipulate you like a pawn on one of your chessboards, you'll never know peace." (Nina)