Elira looks at me like I'm an idiot.
"As far as I know, it's my only explicit favor from you. I don't plan to use a favor from the most powerful being on this planet so rashly. I'd rather save it for something where my country is in crisis." (Elira)
"Fufufu…suit yourself, just thought I'd ask. Speaking of not wasting favors, is there any way you'd be able to arrange for a library as nice as the palace's or the Elven Magic Academy's to be installed in Alara's new family home after it's built? We'd pay for the cost, obviously." (Mizuki)
Elira wears a dumbfounded expression, and stares at me for several moments.
"No…Mizuki…not a chance. It's not even a matter of money or royal clearance, most of the books are just that rare." (Elira)
Damn…it was worth a shot. I sigh deeply.
"That's too bad, but don't worry about it. I'll take care of it then – I was just hoping to avoid using a favor. I had another question. Could you royally sanction Alara hiring a short-term wolf-kin labor force for development of her territory, and one dwarven friend of mine? We don't want funds or travel arrangements – I'll just teleport them directly to her territory. We just need your approval so they're here legally and can work with other elves." (Mizuki)
Elira looks surprised and then conflicted for a few minutes.
"Very well, if you personally guarantee that the wolf-kin won't set foot in the Elven Kingdom outside Alara's territory, I'll quietly sanction whatever numbers you need. Also, I'm shocked you have a dwarf friend willing to come work for you, but maybe I shouldn't be." (Elira)
Sweet. I don't know what's so surprising about my relationship with Percivil, but that's whatever. I'm sure everything about me is weird to elves. I flash her an appreciative smile.
"Thanks, Elira! I'd say I owe you one, but you're obviously keeping count." (Mizuki)
Elira smirks at me.
"Yes, yes I am. So, what will you all be doing now?" (Elira)
"Well, first I thought I'd show Alara the hot spring within her new territory. Then maybe go back to Elmesia and buy a house for my party to live in. While we're there, I should probably check in at the guild to finalize this S-rank promotion. I also need to talk to my dwarven friend. Still, I'll be dropping back by the palace regularly to see Ilina." (Mizuki)
Elira and Dargo go stiff, then glance at Alara. Oh…right…crap. Alara looks at me in bewilderment. Meh, it's probably fine.
"Mizuki, what are you helping Ilina with that you need to return to the palace so regularly?" (Alara)
Alara stares at me in confusion. I'm…at a loss. That was a rare slip up for me, and I realize that it's not my place to unilaterally lie to Alara or reveal the truth. No matter how confident I am that she'll remain quiet.
I direct a thought message to the royals.
[Uhm…guys, I slipped up just now. Alara won't repeat anything. I'm sure of how scared she is, but it's not my place to decide what to tell her on my own. If anyone has an idea for what to tell her, I'll just follow your lead.] (Mizuki)
Elira and Dargo give me annoyed expressions, and they seem to be thinking frantically. Ilina just smiles and walks over to kiss me abruptly. Then, she turns to Alara with an amused smile.
"Does that answer your question, Alara?" (Ilina)
I'm still in shock along with pretty much everyone else except Nina. Alara is just staring at Ilina, like her brain can't fully process what it just saw. Surprisingly, after a few moments, realization dawns on her face and she sighs deeply. She looks troubled but accepting.
"So, you're the reason Mizuki didn't punish me more harshly after I tried to kill him, aren't you? At first, I thought it was because he was worried about inconveniencing Mother or Lady Nedonera, but I've been confused again ever since I learned about his real power. I guess I owe you, Ilina, so the least I can do is remain quiet about this." (Alara)
I love it when my screw ups all work out. Elira and Dargo look surprised, but relieved.
"I appreciate it, Alara. Just so you know, Mizuki has no interest in being our King or anything. We just want to be together." (Ilina)
Alara's face seems to become less troubled after hearing this, and she looks to me expectantly. I nod my agreement, and the relief on her face becomes more obvious.
"Well, that was bold of you Ilina, so why don't I leave you to discuss it alone with Elira and Dargo. Alright, have fun! Everyone else, come close to me for travel!" (Mizuki)
Ilina gives me an expression of betrayal, but it's too late. Everyone closes in on me, and Zara pulls Alara with her, then I teleport us to the hot spring.
When we arrive, Alara stumbles away in bewilderment. I give her a nonchalant smile, then I walk over to the southern face of the mountain and gesture towards it proudly towards the valley below.
"So? What do you think, Alara?" (Mizuki)
Her eyes are sparkling curiously, and I hear her gasp as she walks over to the edge of the mountain where I am.
"Mizuki…it's beautiful." (Alara)
I nod my agreement as I smile. We can feel a light breeze blowing at the mountain's edge, and the sun can be seen low in the sky off to our right. The sunlight gives the waves of grass in the valley below a golden color, and the large lake towards the back of the valley shimmers brilliantly. It's an isolated paradise, surrounded by mountains – perfect for a new city.
"How far are we from Avalon?" (Alara)
Hmm…that's a good question. I use magic sense to look for a cluster of high elves, and I sense one about 700 km eastward.
"Probably 5 days travel by horse. I don't know the terrain between though, so it could even be longer." (Mizuki)
Alara looks at me in shock.
"Mizuki, how are we going to make it desirable for people to come all the way out here just for a hot spring!?" (Alara)
I've been looking forward to this reveal, and it's going to be the most groundbreaking thing I've done since I came to this world. A huge grin spreads across my face.
"I'm going to make you something that, using a normal person's magic power, can transport dozens of people at a time from Avalon to here in half a day or less. It will be so exciting that people might come here just to experience it." (Mizuki)
A bullet train powered by magic. I have an idea to personally lay all the tracks. After that, I just need to work with Percivil to build the railcar. The most important part will be learning how items get enchanted – I need to make items that will imbue my gravity and forcefield-like spells onto the rail car to move it along the track.
Alto nearly loses it upon hearing my claim.
"Mizuki!? Are you going to make a plane!?" (Alto)
Everyone else looks confused, since Alto has been the only one keenly interested in the specific technology of my old world.
"No, Alto, a plane would be too magic intensive for normal people. Furthermore, please remember who our present company is, and avoid those kinds of outbursts." (Mizuki)
Alto seems to snap back to her senses, and she looks around nervously. It's just a nonsensical word to them, so I think it's fine, but this can't become a habit.
[I know you're excited about the idea of flying, but that might not be in the cards given our constraints with Azazel and with normal magic levels. I'll keep thinking on it, though.] (Mizuki)
Alto nods apologetically, and everyone else seems to gather that a 'plane' is something we won't be discussing. Alara is intensely curious.
"Mizuki, that's incredible…can you tell me how this item you want to make works?" (Alara)
"Essentially, we're going to build a small house that moves along the ground on a type of road. The tiny house is going to be enchanted with a series of special spells that control when and how the house moves, and it will be able to go very fast. I can't give you anything more specific than that. I'm also going to make sure the elves won't be able to replicate or study it. It will be my personal gift to you, so I expect you to respect my wishes." (Mizuki)
Alara looks deeply conflicted, but eventually she nods reluctantly. Good.
"Alright! Is everyone ready to head back to the palace? After, I'd like to head back to Elmesia briefly to officialize our S-rank promotion. I suspect we might need your help, Alto, so do you mind coming as well?" (Mizuki)
Everyone nods their agreement. Good, I'm excited to see what Gerard and the guild have been up to in our absence.