While I'm sorting through my existential crisis over her behavior, Tessa turns back to Ilina and nods approvingly. Ilina smiles and sweeps her eyes over the rest of those gathered.
"Well then, to summarize...Mizuki will do his best to arrange negotiations with the Empire to end their enslavement of the demi-humans. If successful, he will offer up to three pieces of information about our kingdom as collateral. Likely, our numbers, the location of our capital, and our military prowess, the latter two serving as disinformation. To verify this information, he will share an excerpt of the book Tessa has recommended, and a surveillance plan for the train on our coast. Are there any questions or points of concern about this short-term plan?" (Ilina)
I unconsciously give Ilina an incredulous look. Uhm...yeah? This hardly feels like a settled plan of action to me. Of course there are questions! Apparently I'm not alone in my sentiment.
"Ilina, dear...I'm not opposed to any of the details we've discussed, but that's quite a lot of unaddressed 'ifs', even in the short-term. What if the Empire doesn't want to negotiate with Mizuki, or tries to kill him on sight? It's my understanding that the humans are unaware of his or Lady Nedonera's true abilities. Also, should Mizuki involve demi-human representatives in the negotiations? What if the Empire asks for something or takes actions outside what we've discussed? Should we include more conventional defensive measures, now that we're under the threat of invasion? We have not considered any of this." (Elira)
I'm not too worried about most of Elira's concerns. I have an idea for how to arrange the negotiations that I think has a decent chance of success. Regardless, the Empire doesn't pose a threat to me, and I can always get heavy-handed, if needed. It's true that I'd prefer not to reveal my abilities to cow them, but I can always out Nina as an Elder Dragon as a half-measure.
I'm also sure that I can BS my way through any unexpected questions the Empire might raise. If possible, I'd phrase my answers to also reveal one of the types of disinformation we've just discussed.
Elira's question about involving other demi-human representatives...that's a good one, though. I'd hate to exclude demi-human leaders, but Zara will already be there, and their presence might prove troublesome. Depending on the timeline of these negotiations, it may be hard to explain how we initially escaped, rallied such representatives, and returned to the Empire so quickly. Similarly, it would limit our options if we needed to explain how we moved through their country undetected. That's all in addition to generic concerns about recruiting them, how they'd act at such a negotiation, and how I would ensure their safety.
Before I can share my thoughts with Elira and the others, Darak's voice rings out.
"I agree with our Queen. I'd also like to add that this situation will require ongoing, in-depth discussion among this council as new information is gathered. How will we facilitate that? Alara and Cara can be quickly reached by train, but the rest of us cannot. If we remain in Avalon for the next few weeks or more, that will hinder managing our own territories and preparing them for potential invasion." (Darak)
There's a murmur of assent from the others, and all eyes come to rest on Ilina. She pauses thoughtfully for a moment before responding, glancing at me.
"We should, of course, make standard defensive plans, which we can discuss in due course. As for potentially unexpected elements of Mizuki's arranging of the negotiations with the Empire, or their questions or demands during it...all we can do is make contingencies and trust Mizuki to handle any other surprises in the moment. Does anyone have any other eventualities they want to plan for?" (Ilina)
As Ilina scans the room for responses, she's met with silence and conflicted expressions. I glance at Jorah, expecting him to decry the implication that I be trusted, but he's just staring into space despondently. After several moments, Helena clicks her tongue and looks at me in exasperation.
"Well, do you have a plan for arranging these negotiations without the Empire trying to execute you on sight?" (Helena)
I give Helena a confident nod.
"I do. And if it fails, a demonstration of power should put them in a chattier mood. That can be done without exposing myself...by revealing Nina's identity, if necessary." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu...oh yes, I'd be happy to teach them some manners!" (Nina)
After glancing between us, Helena sighs deeply, then makes a conciliatory gesture. I guess that answer works for her. I catch Darak staring at me out of the corner of my eye, and turn to him questioningly.
"Mizuki, what do you plan to do if the Empire asks you for information that we haven't discussed?" (Darak)
"I'll freely provide any harmless information that's relevant, and I can always claim ignorance if it's believable. If at all possible, I'll infuse some of the disinformation that we discussed into these alternative answers in a way that doesn't arouse suspicion. However, it hopefully doesn't come to that. I intend to try and contextually steer them toward asking the questions that we discussed." (Mizuki)
Darak widens his eyes in surprise, and I hear Helena snort.
"Fancy yourself a master manipulator, huh, Mizuki?" (Helena)
Sarcasm? I guess I shouldn't be surprised...it's Helena. I direct a knowing smirk back at her...she really brings it out of me.
"Well, as I've been told by this council before, the elves' intelligence is vastly superior to humans', right? Since you all remained convinced that I was a timid, magic-less servant, believing every excuse I gave you and acting in accordance with my expectations, I'm sure I'll fare just fine against a group of dumb humans." (Mizuki)
Shock registers on the faces of most of the nobles following my snarky retort, and I see Ilina roll her eyes in exasperation. However, a sharp bark of dry laughter erupts from somewhere in my periphery, causing everyone to snap their attention towards the source. To my immense surprise, it's Tessa Uril.
She's looking down at the conference table with a bitter smile, shaking her head as she chuckles dryly. The sight is enough to make my jaw drop, and she seems to catch my incredulous expression.
"Don't look so surprised, Mizuki. I'm not so childish as to lash out when faced with my own errors. And that's exactly what my mis-estimation of you has been – a monumental failure in judgement. I'm lucky that such an oversight wasn't irreparably disastrous. I have no right to be indignant about your remark." (Tessa)
Well...I'm not sure whether to pinch myself or go straight to passing out. Judging by the others' faces, they feel pretty much the same way. Everyone except for Ilina, that is. As I glance at her following Tessa's comment, she's wearing a barely suppressed smug smile. If she expected this kind of behavior from Tessa, then she's even smarter than I gave her credit for. Personally, I'm downright disturbed by the way Tessa has been behaving since finding out about me.
Eventually, Ilina interrupts the shocked silence.
"Ehem...well, it seems that those concerns have been addressed. Darak, your concern about meeting logistics is simple to address. Mizuki, would you be willing to teleport the other nobles to and from their territories as needed for these meetings? I'd greatly appreciate it." (Ilina)
I raise my eyebrows at Ilina, confused by the showy wording of the request. Still, I nod agreeably, and Ilina returns an appreciative smile.
"Wonderful...does anyone have objections?" (Ilina)
Most of the nobles shake their heads, and we all eventually look towards Jorah. Naturally, we expect him to object to anything involving me. Astonishingly, not only has Jorah remained silent, but he seems completely oblivious to our stares, still looking off despondently. His son, Zakariah, notices everyones' gazes and steps forward with a light bow towards me.
"Lord Mizuki, you truly don't mind personally attending to something as mundane as transporting us to meetings?" (Zakariah)
I widen my eyes in surprise at his overly respectful attitude.
"Uhm...no, not at all. Princess Ilina is the one who asked, after all." (Mizuki)
Without missing a beat, Zakariah nods appreciatively, though my comment about Ilina raises a few eyebrows around the table.
"In that case, the Abel house gratefully accepts." (Zakariah)
After saying his piece, Zakariah retreats back to his position behind the still absentminded Jorah. Meanwhile, I try to pick my jaw up off the floor. Did homicidal rage towards humans skip a generation in the Abel household?
My shock is quickly interrupted, however, as Elira turns to face me.
"Well, I'm pleased to see that everyone is in such a cooperative mood today. After all, Mizuki has spent this meeting politely acting as a source of information for us, sharing his personal secrets, and graciously agreeing to most of our demands and suggestions. His group has even offered to protect our country from war, and now he's agreed to personally transport you all between the palace and your homes to aid our country's preparations. So, I think it's only fair that the elves return that spirit of alliance. Mizuki, is there anything that you'd like to ask of this council?" (Elira)
Everyone, especially me, looks at Elira in surprise, and Jorah manages to be stirred from his previously near-catatonic state. Even Ilina looks as though she wasn't expecting her mother's offer. I guess she's not omniscient after all.
I notice Elira watching me expectantly, and several of the others in the room soon join her. They're all obviously waiting for my answer. I bow politely at Elira.
"That's very kind of you, Queen Elira. I'd like to reiterate that our assistance isn't contingent on such a show of reciprocity from this council. However, we do appreciate the consideration. So..." (Mizuki)
I turn to Alto, who catches my gaze and raises her eyebrows questioningly. I can't really think of anything that I'd like to ask for, but Alto will know best if there's something that Eden might need.
"Alto, is there anything that you advise I ask about?"
Alto purses her lips thoughtfully for a moment, then nods.
"I believe that now would be a good time to discuss the matter of Percivil." (Alto)
My eyes widen in surprise. Of course, how could I forget about Percivil!? I told him I'd check with Elira to see about getting him some kind of work visa to open an enchanted item shop in Eden. Whoops.
I direct a grateful smile at Alto.
"Oh, you're right! Thank you, Alto, that slipped my mind in all the commotion." (Mizuki)
I return my gaze to Elira, who is watching me with an expectant but confused expression. I also notice Alara staring at me hopefully...I guess she's got an inkling of what this is going to be about.