Chapter 9.6 – Ilina’s Surprise Request

"Right, Nina, so about the meeting with the elves." (Mizuki)

Without opening her eyes, she makes a 'mhmm' sound, suggesting that I continue.

"We agreed that tomorrow morning I will escort the two of them to meet you. I guess we will arrive about an hour or two after sunrise. Like I said before, I'll be teleporting them to you. I'll make sure to warn you about five minutes or so before we arrive via thought communication. So, do you know what you'll be doing when we arrive?" (Mizuki)

She opens her eyes and looks at me with a confident smile.

"Yeah, don't worry! I'll be in my dragon form, and I'll do my standard intimidation routine about who dares approach me, but I won't attack them. After, I'll pretend to notice how you arrived, and I'll mention the pretty item that brought you straight to me. Then, after they ask me what they want, I'll first insist that they hand over that item. I will also pretend that you and I have never met." (Nina)

What the hell? I thought for sure I was going to have to explain this to her multiple times, but she remembered all that from yesterday. She's reliable…I'll have to give her more credit in the future.

Apparently, I'm surprised enough that my feelings leak out to her through our connection.

"Hey, Mizuki, I'm offended that you're so surprised! I'll have you know that I'm responsible for a dragon. I'll let it slide this time since I felt you appreciating me afterward, but you better make up for that insult." (Nina)

She directs a smirk my way as she says this. Yup, guilty as charged. This connection sure is a double-edged sword. I hold my hands up in fake fear.

"Hey, hey, you caught me. I'll make sure to repent for the error in my judgement." (Mizuki)

I make sure to flash her a smile as I say the last part, and she nods with satisfaction and slides deeper into her bath. Then, her face changes like something occurred to her, and she turns her gaze back to me.

"By the way, Mizuki, did you ever find out what they want?" (Nina)

"Ah, yes, to some degree. Ilina, the princess, claims that the Elven Kingdom is in danger, and they want to ask for your help with whatever it is. Out of all the dragons, any idea why they chose to ask you? I thought there was even another Elder Dragon in the Delmura Forest." (Mizuki)

I feel a slight spike in Nina's apprehension, but it passes as quickly as it surfaced. She makes a 'hmm' sound as if pondering my question.

"You're correct, the Elder Dragon of wind, Halzar, also lives in the forest. As for why they'd ask me for help, I can only guess that it's because I killed those humans a while back. Most of the Elder Dragons avoid interfering in the affairs of other races on this planet. Even Halzar didn't plan on stopping those humans unless they directly antagonized him. Since I chose to go out of my way and punish those humans, the elves you speak of might think I'm the most likely to get involved in their affairs." (Nina)

Well, that's news. I guess that's consistent with what I read in my Azura history book, but I didn't know that Elder Dragons are so hands-off about world affairs. Apparently, Nina is the only hothead?

"And do you? Plan to get involved, that is." (Mizuki)

"Eh, not really. I'll wait and make up my mind when I have more details, but I can't imagine anything that interests me being revealed. Besides…" (Nina)

She looks at me nervously while continuing.

"From what I recall, the elves distrust humans above all other races. If I went to their county to help them, we likely wouldn't be able to see each other. Thanks to you, today has been the most fun I've had in a long time…and…our contract has only increased my desire for your company." (Nina)

As she explains her position, I sense a rise in her apprehension again.

"I see…well, I would understand if you wanted to go. That said, I'll be happy to keep enjoying your company if you decide to stay."

Those are my true feelings. I offer her a warm smile as I respond, and she seems happy about it. At that moment, I also remember Ilina's comment about securing Nina's help at all costs. My face turns serious, and Nina seems to notice the change in my expression.

I use magic sense to quickly assess Nina's power and compare it to Ilina's nearby. I sigh in relief. As I thought, Ilina would be hopelessly outclassed if she tried to attack Nina. That probably would have been the case before our contract, but it's definitely true now – Ilina doesn't even have 1% of Nina's power.

"Nina, just so you know, Ilina has no plans to take 'no' as an answer from you. I don't think she wants to attack you, or is even likely to do so, but I can't completely rule it out. So, just be careful. I told her in no uncertain terms that if they try to attack you unprovoked that I won't stop you from killing them. I don't think they're any threat to you, but if your life was endangered, I promise that I'd step in and stop them." (Mizuki)

Nina's eyes go wide, and she opens her mouth in shock. The apprehension I've been sensing from her quickly lessens. I've been avoiding pressing her to bare her soul about that, but it might be time to ask about it.