Chapter 20.2 – A High-Speed Trip to Avalon

The guard goes pale and breaks out in a cold sweat. He furiously tries to answer.

"N-N-No, Great Dragon, that won't be necessary! We are deeply humbled by your visit to our country, and we eagerly grant your passage!" (elf guard 1)

[I'm glad to hear it, very well then.] (Nina)

Nina returns to her human form in a flash of light and returns to our group. The guard turns to me curiously.

"Is this one also a dragon disguised as a human? I confess, I was not aware that was possible, so I apologize." (elf guard 1)

I put on my most respectful tone, and I give a polite bow to the guard.

"No, sir. I'm human, but I'm also a loyal servant and advisor to Lady Nedonera. I can assure you, her orders are absolute, and I won't cause any trouble in your country." (Mizuki)

The guard glares at me with barely contained disgust. Jeez…what'd I do to you man?

"Be that as it may, humans are not permitted in the Elven Kingdom. You will have to remain here or turn back, but the rest of your party may enter." (elf guard 1)

Nina speaks out first. As she does, she walks toward the elven guard and fixes him with a stare so menacing that even I feel a little uneasy.

"Is that so? He's responsible for saving every elf here including your princess, he's the one who convinced me to potentially aid you, and he even has your princess's blessing to enter. If you're telling me that your prejudice for an entire race is so absolute that you'd ignore this and deny me my most trusted escort, then I will be returning home immediately. I will not be going anywhere without him, even if I have to leave your people to die by the demons' hands." (Nina)

Needless to say, the guard looks absolutely terrified.

"G-G-Great Dragon, I meant no disrespect, it's just…" (elf guard 1)

Before he can finish, Ilina steps forward to back Nina up.

"Guard, I offered them my protection and safe passage, and I won't have the value of my word denigrated by turning away a member of her escort. More importantly, there is no elven law that says the ban on human travelers extends to royal guests. I'm not asking you to give him passage, I'm ordering you as your Princess, and I won't tolerate any further delays. Is that understood?" (Ilina)

If the guard was thinking about resisting before, the stern lecture from Ilina destroys those thoughts. He starts frantically bowing to Ilina and screaming at the other guards.

"Entry is permitted for all party members! Do not impede their passage! Please be advised, this is a royal status group!" (elf guard 1)

Ilina and Nina make their way back to the group, and Ilina lets out a deep sigh and gives me a strained smile. I send them both thought messages.

[Very impressive you two, remind me never to get on your bad sides. Nina, I thought the sarcasm about the earthquake was a nice touch! Ilina, I promise to be on my best behavior for you, friend.] (Mizuki)

Ilina's smile becomes a bit more genuine, and Nina responds with a thought message.

[Fufufu…that wasn't sarcasm.] (Nina)

That's…not what I was hoping to hear.

We make our way through the gate, which just feels like a formality. A few guards inside the wall glare at me suspiciously, but nobody says anything. After we're through the gate and away from the wall some distance, I speak up.

"Ah, Lady Nedonera, perhaps now is an okay time for you to take us to Avalon?" (Mizuki)

Nina smiles and squeezes in close to my side.

"Everyone, please prepare for travel to Avalon!" (Nina)

The group immediately gets the message and squeezes in close to me. After they're settled, I cast a concealment spell and teleport us to Avalon's outer wall.

When we arrive, I wait until I'm sure we're free from observation, then I drop concealment.

"Lady Nedonera, Princess Ilina, we will follow your lead like last time." (Mizuki)

They both nod and start making their way towards the entrance gate. When we arrive, a similar scenario plays out, just a bit friendlier.

"Hello travelers, welcome to Avalon. Please state your party's bus…Princess Ilina!?" (Avalon guard)

Once the guard recognizes Ilina, his face contorts in shock and excitement.

"Good morning. I'm returning to the royal palace with these elven women, who have been freed from the human countries' slave trade, and these royal guests of mine." (Ilina)

The guard seems very happy to hear this, but he looks surprised when he sees Nina and me. Honestly, that's polite for elves, I'm noticing.

"Oh, Princess Ilina, welcome back from your travels! Good to see you, too, Klaus! We're happy you've returned home! That's unfortunate that these poor girls had to endure that, but I'm happy they are safe and in your care. Err…may I ask why those two seem human? Are they prisoners? Perhaps the slavers responsible for these poor girls' kidnapping?" (Avalon guard)

"Thank you, I'm touched by the warm welcome. This woman is Lady Nedonera, the Elder Dragon of earth from the Delmura Forest, and the other one is her subordinate. She's here as my guest to discuss offering us aid in the event of a demon invasion. As you may know, we recently learned of Veyron's potential involvement, so her help is critical. I'd appreciate you treating them with the same respect you'd show me." (Ilina)

The guard's eyes go wide in surprise, and he glances at Nina. Nina seems to interpret that as skepticism on his part. 

"Fufufu…I assure you, it's true. Your guard at the eastern border insisted that I show him my dragon form to prove it. I don't recommend demanding that here unless you want a mess, though." (Nina)

Damn…brutal Nina. The guard hurriedly dismisses the suggestion.

"No, no, please don't! Once is quite enough, and you're Princess Ilina's guest. We will not hold you up further. Please enjoy your time in our kingdom, Great Dragon. We're honored to have you and your escorts visiting." (Avalon guard)

With that, the guard steps out of the way, and waves us through.