Later, we all assemble in the roundtable conference room for our final meeting. It's to discuss what, if any, additional rewards and Elven Kingdom access we'll be given. We're the last to arrive, and we take up our normal positions. Zara walks over to the empty space behind Alara and assumes a watchful stance near the wall.
Seeing Zara, everyone looks between her, Alara, and I in surprise. Cara seems the most curious.
"Great Dragon, Mizuki, does one of you mind explaining this?" (Cara)
The other nobles all mumble their assent, along with Elira.
"Certainly. It was our understanding that Lady Alara will need protection as she begins her new role as nobility. Good help is hard to come by, and the undeveloped lands are probably a dangerous place. With my Lady's blessing, Zara offered her services for the near future while Lady Alara establishes herself." (Mizuki)
Looks of surprise abound in the room. Presumably that we'd be willing to send one of our own people to help Alara, and that Alara would want Zara's help. I'm surprised by the first person to comment – Vena Zardo.
"Lady Alara, surely you'd want someone more capable? You were offered the opportunity to hire a royal guard into your service. While I'm sure the wolf-kin girl is useful, she couldn't compare to their protection." (Vena)
Darak seems to be developing a migraine out of nowhere, and he looks at Zara apologetically. Ilina, now Elira's guest, is the one to address Vena.
"Fufufu…she is an adult according to wolf-kin laws, Vena, and her name is Zara. Also, I'd refrain from implying that she's inferior to the elven royal guard. Klaus might take personal offense if he heard such a comment, since Miss Zara here regularly bests him in sword fights." (Ilina)
Vena's eyes go wide in surprise, and she looks back to Zara from Ilina. Zara is smirking, though it's thankfully subtle. Darak sighs deeply.
"Vena, I can see that you still haven't learned your lesson about underestimating Lady Nedonera's subordinates. Don't speak up again unless I tell you to do so – that's an order. Miss Zara, I apologize for my daughter's rude behavior." (Darak)
Zara smiles and gives a polite nod.
"It's no problem, Lord Darak." (Zara)
How graceful of you, Zara. Vena is giving me a bitter look, and when I meet her gaze her jaw clenches. Yeah, she's the type to hold a grudge. Elira takes the opportunity to get everyone back on track.
"Ehem…let's move on to today's discussion. Additional rewards were suggested for Lady Nedonera and her party at our first meeting. I have several that I approve of already. Other nobles may make suggestions as well. All proposed rewards that I approve of will be put to a vote with the nobles, and majority will decide whether the reward is issued. In the event of a tie, I'll decide the appropriate course of action. Is that clear to everyone?" (Elira)
Elira looks around the table sternly, and there's a round of assent. She nods her agreement.
"Very well. As we learned on the first day, Mizuki is registered with the adventuring guild in the independent city of Elmesia. He leads an adventuring party there, and it was proposed to issue him and the members of his party recommendations for S-rank promotion. All in favor?" (Elira)
Alara, Cara, Darak, and Helena raise their hands, then Tessa does as well. What…why!? Jorah shares my surprise.
"Lady Tessa, why would you support our Queen and country raising that human's status to such a degree!?" (Jorah)
Tessa sighs and eyes me bitterly.
"Jorah, try to be rational. Our kingdom doesn't use the adventurer's guild, so an S-rank promotion would only increase Mizuki's demand in other countries. Approving this reward could only serve to reduce the time he spends in our kingdom." (Tessa)
That's clever. It hadn't occurred to me. Elira nods approvingly.
"Approved. Mizuki, see me after this meeting. I will give you the official document endorsing you and whoever your current party members are for S-rank promotion once guild requirements have been met." (Elira)
I nod my acknowledgement, and Elira continues.
"Next there was the proposal of monetary compensation. I believe that three platinum coins divided among Lady Nedonera's party as she sees fit is appropriate. All in favor?" (Elira)
Jorah looks like he's about to protest, but the votes of Cara, Darak, Helena, and Alara cut him off. We really don't need the money.
Before Elira can confirm the vote, I interject.
"Queen Elira, it is my Lady's wish for any such money to instead be distributed to charitable works in the Elven Kingdom. Orphanages, necessary city renovations, or whatever else you see fit, as long as it helps elves in need." (Mizuki)
There's a round of surprised glances towards me, including from Elira.
"Uhm…very well. Great Dragon, I assume that Mizuki speaks with your full authority?" (Elira)
Nina smiles with amusement.
"Fufufu…as always. Money is of little use to me anyway." (Nina)
Elira nods.
"Very well, I'll do as Mizuki suggested then. Finally, there was the proposal for independent land to be granted to Lady Nedonera and her party. I would approve giving them undeveloped land one tenth the size of Alara's territory, to be treated as an independent city-state. All in favor?" (Elira)
Darak, Cara, and Alara raise their hands, but nobody else. A stalemate. Tessa flashes a satisfied smile, while Jorah glares at me with a smug expression. Helena just shrugs apologetically, while Elira sighs deeply.
"Hmm…an even vote…so it's my decision after all. I'm sorry Lady Nedonera, Mizuki, but I can't approve such a drastic action with only half the nobles' support." (Elira)
I just smile at her and gesture placatingly.
"That's no problem, Queen Elira. Alto is an elf, and we have your travel crests, so it's already legal for her to purchase land in any territory, indefinitely host us, and conduct business on our behalf. We have no real need for an independent territory." (Mizuki)
Elira and every other elf in the room is stunned speechless. Tessa is the first to speak.
"Absurd! I'm sure you're mistaken, and that we have policies against a common elf just purchasing property and conducting business on any traveler's behalf as though they were citizens." (Tessa)
Dargo looks a little pale, and he shakes his head.
"Actually, my Queen, Lady Tessa is mistaken. I'm shocked to say that I can think of no policy against what Mizuki described. We've never had any reason to make such policies. Mizuki's assessment of their options via Miss Alto is correct." (Dargo)
Elira looks at Dargo in shock, then back at me. She sighs deeply. Tessa is dubious for a moment, then she begins staring at me angrily.
"Well, I have no obligation to decree new policies just to address that. So, Mizuki's adventuring party will simply receive the S-rank recommendation from me, and that will be all. Are there any further topics for discussion before we settle this matter and properly conclude the royal announcement?" (Elira)
Tessa is now frantic.
"M-My Queen, I request that you consider a new decree to…" (Tessa)
Elira doesn't even wait for her to finish.
"Denied. Anyone else?" (Elira)
Darak stares at me, deep in thought.
"My Queen, I'd like to propose a vote for making Lady Nedonera's party full citizens of the Elven Kingdom." (Darak)
Tessa jumps up out of her chair, as does Jorah, and they both begin shouting at once.
"Have you finally gone senile!?" (Jorah)
"Darak, what is the meaning of this!? That simply won't do!" (Tessa)
Elira, Helena, and Alara are staring at him dumbfounded, but I see Cara smiling in amusement. So, she knows his angle, too, huh?
"I agree with Lady Tessa…we must decline. We appreciate your consideration, though, Lord Darak." (Mizuki)
Everyone except Cara and Darak looks to me in confusion. Tessa is especially bewildered. Cara chuckles.
"Fufufu…Darak, surely you knew they wouldn't fall for that?" (Cara)
Darak sighs deeply and shrugs.
"Well, there was nothing wrong with trying, Cara." (Darak)
Everyone else is still dumbfounded, glancing back and forth between the three of us. Elira seems annoyed at being kept in the dark. Dargo, realizing the situation, steps forward.
"My Queen, Mizuki recognizes the benefits of their existing access to our country. From his perspective, becoming full citizens only serves to make them liable for taxation and increase their obligations to the Elven Kingdom. He likely sees nothing to gain. By contrast, Lord Darak had the same realization, and he probably felt that we could only benefit by offering them citizenship." (Dargo)
Helena finally makes herself heard.
"Fufufu…you three are birds of a feather, aren't you? These talks have been the most fun noble meetings in my lifetime." (Helena)
I smirk at Helena.
"Lady Helena, I'll take that as a compliment." (Mizuki)
Elira rests her head in her hands for a moment, then looks up at me in exasperation.
"Let's consider this meeting and this royal announcement concluded. I hope to not have another one of these for centuries, at minimum. Are there any objections?" (Elira)
Everyone glances around the room in silence. Yup, we're done here. Elira sighs in relief.
"Wonderful, meeting adjourned. Lady Nedonera, your party may stay behind for a moment to collect the recommendation letter. Everyone else except my guests and Alara can depart." (Elira)
The room empties at Elira's direction, then Dargo closes the door behind them. I cast a silencing spell on the room for good measure, then I flash everyone a smile.
"Well, I think we can all agree that went better than expected! Elira, your nobles were interesting. Darak and Cara were especially impressive, and Helena was entertaining. Tessa was troublesome, though, and Jorah was just plain boring. No character depth, you know?" (Mizuki)
Elira rolls her eyes at me and answers sarcastically.
"I'm glad you had so much fun, Mizuki. I hope it's enough to last you the rest of my life, because I never want to put you in a room with them again. The trouble that all your scheming and games caused…I'm really going to make you pay for it with this favor you promised me." (Elira)
Oh…I forgot about that. I grin at her sheepishly.
"Well, that's fair I suppose. Any idea what you want?" (Mizuki)