Ilina's face is a mix of embarrassment, nervousness, and curiosity. She's obviously having a hard time with this conversation.
"Even if that's how you feel, and polyamory is more common here, I can't see Nina being okay with it. I may joke about her, but she's important to me, and I'd never pursue a romantic relationship with you at her expense." (Mizuki)
Ilina nods and continues, looking somewhat dejected.
"That's fair enough, and I could accept that. Like I said, I'm not even sure of how I feel yet. All I'm saying is that I can't go telling Nina that I'd never pursue anything between us. Her concerns aren't completely unfounded." (Ilina)
Ilina's words hold a certain finality to them, like we both know exactly where the other stands now. I agree with that sentiment. I'm not sure there's anything more to be said. Ilina needs to decide how she feels, and I need to process how to navigate this in the future. In that case…
"Alright, it sounds like there are still too many things we both need to figure out before we'll know what our dynamic will be like going forward. I won't ask you to have a heart-to-heart with Nina, that's fair. In the meantime, shall we just agree that we're friends and proceed from there?" (Mizuki)
I give her a warm smile, and she nods lightly. After a moment, she smiles back at me happily.
"Yes, that much I can be sure about. We're at least friends, and I'll trust you going forward." (Ilina)
After that, a pleasant silence settles over our area for few minutes as we both process the unexpected turn in the conversation. Ilina is the first to break it, and she addresses me with a forcibly playful tone.
"Well, now that the lighthearted stuff is out of the way, I had one more serious question." (Ilina)
Oh? I raise my eyebrows at her curiously, but she just meets my gaze with concern in her eyes.
"Go for it." (Mizuki)
"I asked Nina for help with defending my country, but especially knowing what you are now, I'd like your help as well. Honestly, I can tell that she'll go if you do, but I don't know about the other way around. So, where do you currently stand on giving me a decision? Which way are you leaning, and why? If you are truly uncertain about what to do, then what things are weighing on your mind?" (Ilina)
Well, it's clear she wants some serious insight, and she can't imagine why I wouldn't want to help her. Especially if we're friends.
"If I told you that I'd been in this world less than a month when you first asked me that, would that clarify my reservations?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's eyes shoot open in surprise, but then she thinks about it and seems to come to a realization.
"So, it's that you feel like you have no right to get involved, or that you just don't know anything about this world?" (Ilina)
"I'm not so neutral as to avoid influencing this world on principle. It's mainly my lack of information holding me back. What are the demons planning, and why? Do they want your land, your extermination, or are you just in the way of another goal? Is it greed, or is it desperation? Are they seeking aid or compromise and the armed forces are just insurance, or are they resolved for war? How would the elves respond to the answers to these questions?" (Mizuki)
Ilina seems to be mulling over my words solemnly, so I continue.
"Honestly, even if I found out that they intend to come and take over part of the Elven Kingdom, even at the cost of your lives, I'm not sure that's all the information I need to take a side. For example, what if they can no longer survive on the minor continent, and this is their last option? If that were the case, and the elves weren't willing to compromise when the demons were, I don't see the elves as the clearly moral side. I wouldn't feel justified in helping you wipe out the invading demons." (Mizuki)
Ilina appears conflicted, I think between understanding my points on some level, and a fierce loyalty to her people.
"Can you imagine a scenario where answers to these questions make you think that the right choice is to join the demon's side of the war? Or are you basically deciding between protecting us and noninterference?" (Ilina)
Hmm…that's an insightful question.
"I might help the demons by trying to eliminate their reason for war. For example, if the reason was a food shortage, I might lend agricultural aid. In the extreme, if the reason was the elven government abducting and/or experimenting on demon children, I might execute your country's implicated leaders and liberate the children. Still, based on what I know, nothing would make me join an all-out war against the elven people." (Mizuki)
Ilina is shaken by my example of executing elven leaders. She appears contemplative for a few minutes, then looks at me like she's resolved about something.
"Then…can I ask a favor? It's also somewhat of a promise." (Ilina)
Oh? I direct a look of curiosity at her, and I nod my agreement.
"Come to the Elven Kingdom as my guest and let me use my influence to help you find the answers to your questions. If you ultimately think you couldn't aid us in a war unless we tried some other action first, then I'll help you pursue those alternatives. I'll do my best to make you feel like we'd be the correct side of the war to join if it came to it. Based on what I know about you and my people, I think this could only benefit us." (Ilina)
I'm sure the shock shows on my face.