I take the opportunity to do a quick magic sense around this part of the palace. Thankfully, after sensing so many people's power levels, I've gotten pretty good at converting the 'feeling' from my magic sense into the guild's numeric power level.
Dargo is maybe a 2 – average by adventurer standards. I also sense three enormous signatures elsewhere, all of which are high elves. Two that are high 3's, and third that is a low 4 – almost five times more magic than the other two. I'm guessing the Queen and First Princess, and then Ilina. There are also several guards that range from mid 2's to low 3's. So, nobody we really need to worry about. Nina is a about a 7, and who even knows what I am.
Feeling a little more secure, I turn back to the others. I cast a silencing spell since we're still in the hallways.
"Well, I think that went well, all things considered!" (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…the King is quite a clever elf. I'm guessing you like him, Mizuki?" (Nina)
"Oh yes, he's quite interesting, but he could be troublesome. I don't really sense any prejudice from him, so even if he ends up being antagonistic towards us, I'm sure it will be for a relatively agreeable reason. Overall, I find him quite admirable." (Mizuki)
Alto smiles wryly at me.
"As usual, you've made a good estimation of him, Mizuki. Ilina's wit and empathetic nature are no surprise to those that know her father, King Dargo." (Alto)
Zara is looking rather frustrated, and she speaks up at this point.
"Mizuki, I'm sorry that my behavior seemed to give that man so much information. He truly saw right through me. This is not something I'm used to worrying about, and I have a lot to learn. I'll try to not give so much away in the future." (Zara)
"That's okay, Zara, the important thing is that you're already aware of it and see the value in learning from the experience. That alone is impressive to me. As for Dargo, I don't think he completely dismissed the observation, but he seemed to consider my explanation plausible enough that it significantly dimmed his curiosity. We'll both just be more careful in the future." (Mizuki)
Zara seems to feel a little better as she nods her agreement, but it's clear that she's being hard on herself. I should help take her mind off it.
"You know, Zara, we'll probably be in this palace quite some time without too much for you to do. Ilina's personal guard, Klaus, is quite skilled in the use of a short sword. Perhaps if you asked nicely, he'd agree to train you. He could accept your request under the guise of helping cater to Lady Nedonera, and of gauging the strength of non-elven visitors in the palace." (Mizuki)
Zara's eyes light up with excitement at the suggestion, and Alto chuckles again.
"Mizuki, do you have any special offers to placate me with?" (Alto)
"Naturally, Alto. I was hoping that as my fellow academic, and expert on elven culture, you'd accompany me as much as possible during my research here. I'm sure they have a royal library that's truly magnificent, and you'd probably get to spend a lot of time there with almost unrestricted access. Does that interest you?" (Mizuki)
Alto responds like she's annoyed, but she can't hide that sparkle in her eye.
"Tch…you're truly a troublesome human, Mizuki. Very well, though. If you need me, then I don't mind babysitting you." (Alto)
Nina decides that it's her turn, and her amusement is washing over me in waves as she speaks with a smirk.
"Hmm…and what of your 'Lady', Mizuki, whom you live to serve diligently? What shall you do for me?" (Nina)
"Well, I promise to return to your side by sunset and be solely at your service after that. I also figured that we'd take a trip together to the minor continent at some point for covert surveillance on Veyron and the demon situation." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…how romantic. Your Lady approves." (Nina)
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She's enjoying her character way too much. Instead, I nod appreciatively at her.
"Alright, let's all get settled then! Zara and Alto, feel free to room together or separately, whatever suits you. I think it's unlikely that you two would be targeted while we're here. I will take a room separate from Lady Nedonera to keep up appearances, but I will covertly move to her room at night so that neither of us is without protection." (Mizuki)
Everyone nods their agreement, and we depart to our respective rooms to settle.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
"He's quite interesting. Perhaps elves have underestimated humans even more than I've previously warned." (Dargo)
King Dargo of the Elven Kingdom mutters this to himself, following his brief chat with Mizuki. He'd first questioned some of the royal guards who'd met Mizuki, and he was now on his way to meet with the Queen, his beloved Elira.
His most important job, as he sees it, is to gather information and advise her on the matters of the kingdom. They have a relationship with a solid foundation of trust, and his loyalty to her is absolute. So, she often leaves important matters to him covertly, and values his opinion.
Their close relationship is why, earlier when the Queen invited Mizuki to join her private reunion with Ilina later, then delegated to Dargo something as trivial as chaperoning them, he knew immediately what his beloved wanted. She had flagged Mizuki and perhaps others in the Elder Dragon's party as people of interest, and she wished for him to gather more information on them.
He knows that this was not necessarily because she considers Mizuki a threat, just that certain aspects of her interactions with them likely fell outside her expectations. She generally dislikes surprises.
Of course, both her and Dargo understand Nedonera herself to be immensely dangerous, and that an Elder Dragon cannot be defeated by the forces within Avalon. However, this would only concern them if she was hostile, which seems unlikely without serious provocation.
Dargo approaches a door far back in the palace, and he nods to two guards in front of it. Seeing him, they bow their heads deeply and open the door for him.