When I wake up, based on the traces of light through the window in our inn room, it seems to be close to sunrise. I'm treated to the view of Nina laying on my chest, both of us still bare skinned from the night before.
She's already awake, looking up at me. When she notices that I'm conscious, she smiles, then leans over and kisses me. Was she watching me while I slept this morning, waiting to do that? Creepy move, Nina.
After a moment, she pulls away and lays back down on my chest. I sense deep contentment from her through our connection, and I can't help but chuckle.
"You know, we do still have a bunch of children to help this morning?" (Mizuki)
Nina groans in annoyance and wraps around me tightly.
"They're probably tired from escaping the slavers yesterday, I bet they'd want us to stay here a little longer and let them rest, Mizuki." (Nina)
Yeahhh…no, I doubt that. I guess five minutes wouldn't hurt, though.
Eventually, I usher myself and an annoyed Nina out of bed and we get prepared for the day. There's lots to do.
After we're ready, I teleport Nina and myself to the clearing at her old nest. It's a little after sunrise. Everyone seems awake now, and several elves including Alto are with the wolf-kin children, who seem anxious.
Leaving Nina, I walk over to the barrier I put up by the forest's edge. I was curious if it would stay up after I left the area and fell asleep, and it seems like it did, though it appears to have weakened overnight.
Good to know. So, spells can stay active for a while without my direct supervision, so long as I will it and pour excess magic into them.
I hold my hand out to the barrier and imagine the magic being disrupted and dissipating into the atmosphere, then I feel the barrier give way. I turn back to the freed slaves, and I see that Alto has noticed our presence and is coming towards me. I walk over to meet her.
"Mizuki! I'm glad you're here. The elves are patient in general, and having Princess Ilina here settles their nerves even more, but the wolf-kin are still scared and wondering when they'll go home. I told them that you would be taking them today, but I think it'd help if they heard it from you." (Alto)
I nod at her and direct my gaze over to the group.
"Sure, I don't mind. Let's see if we can give them some good news." (Mizuki)
Alto nods happily, and we walk towards the elf and wolf-kin. As we near them, I see Ilina and Klaus standing with the elves nearby and we wave at each other. Next to them is…Nina!? That's not good.
I subconsciously quicken my pace, and I've forgotten about the children for now.
Alto and I arrive by Nina and the elves, and some of the elves are staring at me with…confusion? Not contempt or distrust? That's refreshing.
I glance at Ilina and, seeming to sense my thoughts, she chuckles and responds.
"Hey, Mizuki! If you're wondering why they're staring at you, it's because I told them that we're friends. So, now they're more than a little curious about you." (Ilina)
Well, that explains it. Upon hearing Ilina call us 'friends', I glance fearfully in Nina's direction. Surprisingly, she's just meeting my gaze with a soft smile, and I sense nothing but calmness from her. What the hell is going on?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Nina chuckles and addresses me.
"Fufufufu…I like seeing you so flustered for once, Mizuki. Don't worry, Ilina and I had a little chat before you came over here. We were just discussing our trip to the Elven Kingdom and the return of the freed elves." (Nina)
The fact that Nina seems completely tolerant of, if not friendly with, Ilina, disturbs me. Still, everything Nina said is good news. Moreover, it explains why the other elves were asking Ilina about me – a human as a royal guest in the Elven Kingdom is surely a shock to them.
"Yeah, we should all plan that out later today. That's more complicated though, relative to getting the wolf-kin home. So, maybe we should save that discussion for when Alto and I return." (Mizuki)
Everyone looks at me in surprise, but Nina is the first to speak. I sense surprise and agitation from her.
"Mizuki, aren't you forgetting someone?" (Nina)
"Well, actually I think you should stay here with everyone else for protection. If you took them, I'd have to go anyway. That'd leave everyone here without protection. Ilina's abilities would probably be enough, but I'd like the reassurance since I've never seen her in combat. I can take them without you, and it will probably be faster, even carrying that many." (Mizuki)
Nina purses her lips in mild frustration, but she seems to agree with my assessment. Why is she being so reasonable this morning? In contrast to Nina, the others just look confused. Ilina responds first again.
"Mizuki, I thought you and Nina couldn't teleport unless you've been somewhere before. How do you plan to get there on your own faster than she can fly? Also, what makes you think I could protect us?" (Ilina)
Klaus and Alto nod their shared confusion about how I plan to travel. Well, it couldn't remain a secret for much longer anyway.
"Ah…well I can fly, too, and I'm faster than Nina. Speaking of which, Ilina, can you require a royal vow of silence or something from all the elves here regarding my abilities? I feel like I've had enough exposure, and it's in your best interests as well. Other elves in your country will already hate me just for being human, and if they also get scared of my abilities, I may be forced to defend myself." (Mizuki)
Ilina goes a little pale, then turns to the other elves and says something about any abilities they see being a secret of the royal family that they're never allowed to discuss. They seem scared of disappointing her, but they also went stiff when they heard what I said about defending myself. So, I don't think they'll spread the information.
Ilina turns back to me and nods, like 'we're good now'.
"As for why I assume you can protect them, I was able to measure your magic power. Other than Elder Dragons, you have the most power I've ever sensed from a person. Ergo, you're far from helpless." (Mizuki)
Ilina looks at me with surprise, but it seems to transition to bitterness, which she tries to hide. The hell? I'll have to follow up on that when I get back. Ilina says nothing after my remark, and Alto and Klaus seem to still be hung up on the same thing, which they voice in unison.
"You can fly!?" (Klaus, Alto)