Ilina pauses again to see if there are any questions, and Helena turns to Nina with her eyebrows raised.
"Is that true, Great Dragon? The part about not helping us unless Mizuki condoned it." (Helena)
All eyes in the room turn to Nina, and she just snorts in return.
"Honestly, do you elves even listen to me? Of course it's true. Every good thing that we've done for you, you owe to Mizuki. However, your tone seems to imply that Mizuki would have stopped me from helping you, which is untrue. I just had zero interest in doing so. Do you get it, now that you know the truth about him? How ignorant you've all been? How ungrateful? Do you have any idea how many times I've wanted to murder some of you for disrespecting my mate, but Mizuki has stopped me from doing so? Truthfully, it's been so frustrating." (Nina)
Goddammit Nina....did you really have to talk about murdering them? We were just starting to calm them down! I sense annoyance from Nina as she finishes her rant, and I see a number of eyes widen in fear around the room as it falls silent. I sigh deeply.
"Nina, I can sympathize with your frustration, but was it really necessary to mention wanting to harm them? Honestly...we're trying to keep things civil here. Everyone, please rest assured that we will not be murdering any of you." (Mizuki)
Nina gives me an agitated look.
"What about Jorah, though? He was going to have guards try and kill us.....if he's rude again, can I maim him a bit? That's fair, right? I think you've been entirely too tolerant with him." (Nina)
I sense a wisp of hopefulness from Nina, while Jorah goes completely pale and starts backing away from the table. I shake my head at Nina in exasperation....what the actual hell is the matter with her? Is she not even trying to hide her bloodlust now that they know about me? My voice grows kind of shrill as I respond to her.
"Absolutely not, Nina! What kind of question is that!? Do not harm any of them, even Jorah! I don't care how annoying he is!" (Mizuki)
I freeze...I let my true feelings slip out there. I forgot to call him Lord Jorah, and I called him annoying. I slowly glance back toward the nobles. Jorah is glaring at me with an indignant expression, but he's obviously too terrified to say anything. Meanwhile, I see Darak staring at me with a.....smile!?
"Fufufu...so even you slip up sometimes, huh? That's okay, we all feel the same way. Besides, after what I've just witnessed...it's strangely reassuring to see. Perhaps we should move on, though. Princess, I believe you were about to explain why we were not informed about Mizuki sooner?" (Darak)
Everyone's gazes hesitantly return to Ilina, obviously still shaken by Nina's brazen declaration. Ilina, who was watching the interruption patiently, nods to Darak.
"Yes, though I think that should also be obvious. First, Mizuki requested our discretion. I believe that's justification enough for not telling you, given how much he's done for us. However, we also shared Mizuki's concern that seeing such a powerful human could only spark fear, and incite problematic animosity from elves. With all due respect, Lord Jorah and Lady Tessa, you two are perfect examples of this. We thought it would be better to first let our people get to know Mizuki in the absence of the fear his power would elicit." (Ilina)
I see Tessa glance at me briefly before staring down at the table with her jaw clenched, but she raises no objection against Ilina's words. Jorah, however, does decide to protest, albeit weakly.
"W-Well, Princess Ilina....I don't think it is unreasonable of me to be cautious of someone so...dangerous. I am only thinking of the safety of our people." (Jorah)
Ilina narrows her eyes at Jorah.
"Your actions have not been focused on our people's safety Jorah, they have been blinded by your hate for humans. If you're truly and objectively thinking of our people's safety, you would be respectful and deferential to those who represented our only hope of survival against Veyron at the time, and who'd done nothing but help the elves. That is what I did – emotions and prejudice have no place in decisions that affect the safety of our people. So, do not try to pass your prejudice off as protective instinct to me." (Ilina)
Ilina's tone comes out harsh and reprimanding, and Jorah shrinks away from her and falls silent. After a moment, Ilina nods and a smile returns to her face.
"Now then. I understand that this revelation about Mizuki has gotten us off-topic, but let's remember that we were discussing a threat from the Empire beforehand. That threat remains, and must be discussed. So, if any of you have lingering questions about Mizuki or his party that are critical for your peace of mind, please ask them now so that we may move forward." (Ilina)
All eyes return to me, and everyone begins glancing between one another, as if wondering who might ask a question that's on all their minds. I see Alyse step forward suddenly, and she nods towards me.
"Mizuki, I have a question that I think everyone would like answered. A lot of what makes you scary now is – we don't understand the nature of your power. The threat of an Elder Dragon, for example, is familiar, though their abilities are unique. But we do not know the extent of your power, and the abilities you've shown us are completely unfamiliar. Also, we're both wary from our history with humans, and unsettled by how unlike them you are. You're...a mystery...and we fear the unknown. So, can you...set our expectations some?" (Alyse)
There's a murmur of sheepish assent from the others in the room, and I see Helena raise her eyebrows at Alyse briefly. Darak also cuts a look at me.
"Huh, I don't know when Alyse got so eloquent and formal, but...yeah. We don't know what to make of you, Mizuki. I'd feel a lot more at ease if I knew what we're dealing with." (Helena)
"I confess, Mizuki, even I'm unsettled by the unknowns surrounding you. You had us under the impression that you couldn't use magic, and even showed us the results of a magic assessment. So, the developments of the last hour have left us.....uneasy." (Darak)
Helena stares at me expectantly, as does the rest of the gathering. So, they want to know what I'm capable of, and why my abilities are so strange? I think I can manage that in a way that will complement Ilina's plans. I smile sympathetically and nod to everyone.
"I understand...allow me to explain. Like Elder Dragons, the nature of my abilities is...distinct. Consequently, Darak, magic tests are not capable of detecting my affinity for magic. I can use all classes of spells that you are familiar with, I do not need incantations, and I have many other abilities that there are no known spells for at all. As for the actual extent of my power..." (Mizuki)
I pause for a moment, taking in the wide eyes around the room.
"...I don't know, truthfully. However, it dwarfs even the Elder Dragons. Though I would never do so, I could kill everyone on this continent. Probably only Azazel himself could stop me. I'm not telling you that as a threat, or to scare you, I'm telling you because you asked for an honest assessment. If you want to know what you're dealing with...well, that's it." (Mizuki)
The room falls deathly silent. Surprisingly, Jorah speaks up next, and it's not entirely hostile or ignorant. He watches me with a gaze that's mostly wary.
"Abilities that monstrous...how did a human acquire them? Even if you say that you mean us no harm, and even if we believe you, I shudder at the thought of another human like you existing. We need to know how to stop one from emerging, or to acquire power of our own to defend against it. I won't feel at ease until I know that." (Jorah)
I nod at Jorah.
"This is simply the way that I am, and I know of no way to give an elf power that could match mine. However, I'm quite confident that another human like me won't pop up – I'm a one-time anomaly. Still, if I turn out to be wrong, and someone like that comes and tries to conquer your people, I promise to do my best to stop them." (Mizuki)
Although, if my theories about magic power are correct, and Azazel has learned his lesson with me, then nobody with my abilities is ever showing up here again. If they did, and they were brazen enough to wipe out an entire country as peaceful as the elves, they're probably also going to elicit Azazel's wrath.
Jorah looks dissatisfied with my answer, and looks away bitterly. Wow, thanks dude. I see what I get for offering to put my neck on the line for you. I scan everyone else's faces, and I see Tessa staring at me hesitantly, like she wants to ask something. When I meet her gaze, I nod encouragingly. She seems to make up her mind.
"I have many questions for you, Mizuki, but I suppose there's only one that's truly pressing. If we're going to openly discuss something like our country's defense, weaknesses, and possibly war strategies with you, then I want to know why. Earlier you implied that, regarding the Empire, you also need our help. If you're as strong as we're being led to believe, then what could you possibly need from us? If you really want to protect the Elven Kingdom, then could you not just subdue any army yourself before they reach our borders?" (Tessa)
Tessa eyes me expectantly, her expression equal parts suspicious and confused.
"Sure, I could do that, but that's not for me to decide. My recent and future actions will affect your country and others on a scale so large that I no longer feel comfortable with unilateral decisions. In other words, within reason I want elves deciding what happens to the Elven Kingdom, not me or anyone else. If I'm being honest, I also need the...counsel...of everyone here." (Mizuki)
Everyone's eyes fly open in surprise, except Ilina, Nina, and Alto. Tessa's skepticism transitions to full-blown confusion. She's giving me a bewildered expression, like I just told her that my birthday's next week and I'd like a blue unicorn.