Chapter 21.3 – Murder in the Elven Palace

"Well, it seems your intuition about not casting such a spell here was spot-on, Alto! I appreciate your continuing caution." (Mizuki)

Alto shakes her head at me in bewilderment.

"Mizuki, with me knowing what you are…I just can't believe it. How were you so nice to her just now? It was like watching a puppy getting kicked and enjoying it. Except, the puppy could actually destroy the world." (Alto)

"Fufufu…her? I know someone that makes her look downright pleasant. Plus, I kind of get a kick out of playing the village idiot, and she was a good stage partner for it. Anyway, I take it she scares you? You seemed awfully nervous about her showing up." (Mizuki)

Alto nods solemnly.

"Her prejudice against other races she considers inferior, especially humans, is well known. She's also a dark class with a lightning spell affinity, which makes her a formidable combatant. When it comes to potential acts of aggression towards you, she is my prime concern." (Alto)

Oh?

"You really think she'd escalate to trying to harm me? Even knowing Lady Nedonera's attachment to me?" (Mizuki)

"I can't rule it out. It would depend on how she sees your relationship. She thinks all humans inherently want to bring harm to elves. If she thought that you had some kind of sway over Lady Nedonera's decisions, even as a subordinate, she would probably assume that you're an indirect threat to elves just because you're human." (Alto)

"Well…good to know. Thank you, Alto, I'll keep that in mind, I promise. Now, let's hit the books!" (Mizuki)

After that, Alto and I turn our attention to combing the library for a couple of hours. Ultimately, the only relevant information we find is that elves were one of the earliest non-human races to come to Azura, and allegedly settled the land that is now the Elven Kingdom when no other sentient races inhabited it.

By contrast, the demons were the last sentient race to come to Azura, and they settled in the minor continent because it was pretty much the last unsettled area that was habitable. I found no official history of altercations between the two races, or any other apparent motivator for the invasion.

After our research, Alto and I head back to our rooms, and I relax on my bed for a while. Glancing to the window in my room, I notice that the sun is beginning to set. Just as I'm thinking that my meeting with the royal family is due soon, I hear a knock on my door.

"Mizuki, it's Princess Ilina. At my queen's request, I've come to escort you to our gathering." (Ilina)

Well then…I guess it's time. I think about what new drama this meeting will bring, and I smile broadly.

I walk with Ilina through the palace hallways, while Klaus follows behind us silently, and I notice how nervous she is. I doubt her nerves can be helped, but I'll try.

[If that glum face of yours is from worrying about me or my behavior…don't. I remember the promise I made to you very clearly. Plus, I already met your older sister a couple of hours ago. She's a real piece of work, by the way, but even Alto was surprised by how nice I was to her. So, don't worry!] (Mizuki)

Ilina looks surprised by my message, and she nods appreciatively. However, her mood doesn't improve much.

We arrive in front of a set of double doors with two royal guards, and they open it to reveal a very cozy conference room. There are couches with something like coffee tables between them, and the smell of herbal tea hits my nose.

Inside the room are Elira, Alara, Dargo, the Queen's two bodyguards from our first audience, a maid, Alara's dagger defender from the library, and now us. The rest are already seated on the couches drinking tea, and they look our way curiously as we arrive. Dargo is the first to stand, with a smile on his face.

"Ilina, sweetheart, it's good to finally see you outside of that stuffy throne room. Please, come and tell us all about your travels! Mizuki, thank you for joining us. Would you like some tea?" (Dargo)

"It's good to see you, too, Father, I hope you've been well." (Ilina)

"Of course, King Dargo, I am humbled by the invitation. Thank you as well, Queen Elira, for extending it. If it's not an imposition, some tea sounds delightful." (Mizuki)

Ilina and I make our way to empty spots on the couch next to one another and take a seat, and Klaus takes up a position along the wall with the other guards. The young maid comes and pours me a cup of tea.

"I appreciate it, Miss, I'm sorry for troubling you with the extra work." (Mizuki)

I give a light nod to the maid as thanks. She seems surprised, but she continues her work without further reaction. Honestly, I'm sure she doesn't like humans either, but I always thought it was important to be kind to servers back on Earth.

Elira and Alara look surprised by my comment as well, but Dargo just wears a vaguely smug smile for some reason.

"Well, daughter, now that you're here, please tell us about your trip! We can discuss you flaunting our border security later when Mizuki isn't around to suffer my lecture. For now, let's hear about everything outside of our country." (Elira)

Ilina nods nervously as she meets everyone's expectant gazes.