"Ehem…well, over the course of a few months, Klaus and I made our way to the independent city of Elmesia, just inside the Delmura Forest's border. We began a search for adventurers to help us venture into the forest to find Lady Nedonera and plead for her help, but after a week we still hadn't found willing escorts. Around that time, we met Mizuki outside a tavern and he offered his help in locating Lady Nedonera." (Ilina)
"Wait…what was Mizuki doing in Elmesia? Also, why would he offer to help you find his master?" (Elira)
"I'm registered with the guild and frequent there to keep tabs on the city for Lady Nedonera. I overheard about their search for my Lady from another adventuring group, so I offered my help. I wanted to learn for my Lady why they sought her. Eventually, taking them to her was the only way to learn that." (Mizuki)
Dargo and Elira nod appreciatively for the clarification, then Ilina continues.
"After that, Mizuki took us to Lady Nedonera, and I made our plea for aid. I gave her some details of the impending demon invasion, and she said that she would need time to think about her decision. After that, we planned for them to find me again when they'd made their decision, and I went to Cedonia to investigate the rumors of elf slaves." (Ilina)
Ilina pauses for a moment to gauge everyone's reactions, but nobody has any questions, so she continues.
"Not long after we arrived in Cedonia and began to investigate the elven slave rumors, Mizuki and Lady Nedonera also showed up. He sought information from me, hoping to free them, but I'd learned very little about where they were being kept. So, he and Lady Nedonera located and freed the elves on their own, then got back in touch with me when they were safe." (Ilina)
Everyone's eyes go wide in surprise, and Elira asks a question first.
"Mizuki…that's quite the feat. How did you manage to locate and free the elves when Ilina failed to even locate them?" (Elira)
"I am sure Princess Ilina would have done so with time. Naturally, we only managed it because Lady Nedonera assisted us when I pleaded for her to. Elder Dragons are even more capable than I think the world at large realizes." (Mizuki)
Ilina, looking nervous about my least truthful outburst yet, quickly continues her story before questions can be asked.
"After their efforts to free the elven slaves, I once again asked about their decision to aid us. When they were still hesitant, I asked them to elaborate. That's when it became apparent that they would need to know more about the circumstances surrounding the war. Feeling that they'd earned some trust from the elves, I invited them here as guests to answer their questions. I thought it the best way to secure their aid." (Ilina)
Everyone seems to be taking in the information of Ilina's journey, and Alara narrows her eyes at me and speaks first.
"You're telling me that an Elder Dragon went all the way to a human country and freed some elven slaves she'd never met, just because her servant asked?" (Alara)
I shrug and give her a bewildered expression.
"I won't pretend to understand why my Lady indulges any concerns of mine, I'm just happy to serve such a generous master." (Mizuki)
"Wait, Mizuki and Ilina, I'm a little confused by the timeline here. Ilina said it took a few months to arrive in Elmesia, but she's been gone less than four months in total. How could that be?" (Dargo)
Yeah, no surprise that he's the one to notice that. I nod at him approvingly.
"Your deduction is correct, King Dargo, my Lady can travel quite quickly when she wishes. In her dragon form, she can fly from Elmesia to Cedonia in under an hour! Carrying a few people is not difficult for her either. She also has ways of avoiding detection when she flies, so as not to alarm cities below." (Mizuki)
"That's absurd! Why would an Elder Dragon act as a carriage for elves and servants!? Do you mean to tell me she did this simply because you asked as well!?" (Alara)
Alara interjects shrilly. Not good, based on what Alto thinks of her. I can't have her thinking that Nina just caters to my whims.
I shake my head.
"No, Princess Alara, of course I'd never make such a request of my Lady. You see, she was just impatient to move on with her plans, and she didn't want to wait for us to spend months traveling. I was in no position to refuse, you understand." (Mizuki)
That seems to calm Alara some, but she still appears flustered. At this point, Elira eyes me curiously and poses a question.
"I hope you won't mind me asking, Mizuki, but Elder Dragons are known to be rather apathetic about weaker races. That applies to pretty much all of us. Even if you're just a servant, am I correct in assuming that you must be quite formidable for her to treasure you so much?" (Elira)
I shake my head, but before I can answer, Alara starts laughing hysterically.
"Hahahaha…no, Mother, you're mistaken. This worthless human has no magic abilities at all, I saw it myself on his guild card. An Elder Dragon finding him useful is truly inexplicable." (Alara)
Elira is quick to react.
"Alara, silence! Mizuki…I offer you my sincerest apologies on behalf of the royal family for Alara's rude comments." (Elira)
Elira and Dargo stare at me tensely. It's clear that they're deeply frustrated by Alara's behavior and concerned about how I'll react. Glancing at Ilina, she's staring at me fearfully and appears to be in a cold sweat.