Everyone in the room looks to me in shock, while Nina just ponders the question neutrally for a moment.
"Hmm…nothing really, I don't think. They wouldn't all drop dead, for example. However, the remnants of their devotion to him would likely make them hostile afterwards. I'm not sure they'd peacefully share the continent with the demons." (Nina)
Well, there goes that plan. However, I think I have another that Nina would enjoy even more.
"Nina…do you think that Veyron would agree to a wager, if you taunted him for being weaker than you? One where you face him in single combat, and if he loses, he and his dragon-kin are forced to never set foot in the demons' territories or be hostile to them again?" (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…yes, I think it would be quite easy to bait him into such a duel. As I said, he's arrogant and has a fragile ego. He would ask for something truly humiliating in return if he won, I'm sure, but I wouldn't let him win." (Nina)
"If he lost, do you think he'd actually hold up his end of the deal?" (Mizuki)
"I can't say for sure, but…yes, I think so. A similar wager of strength was made between Veyron and Cerilia several millennia ago, and his loss meant that he'd never be allowed on her ice continent again. Naturally, she soundly defeated him, and he has upheld their agreement to my knowledge." (Nina)
Hmm…so it's not certain, and it's not necessarily forever, but the demons could be fine for generations at least. I'll take those odds. I turn to Dez, who is looking at me expectantly, and give him a reassuring smile.
"Alright, I guess that's what we'll do then! Dez, I'm going to return you to your camp now, and I'll reinforce the barrier around it so your people will be safe. Tomorrow Nina and I will come take care of Veyron, and then you guys can go back to your semi-normal lives. Is that fine with everyone?" (Mizuki)
Everyone except Nina is staring at me like I'm nuts, especially Dez. Elira is the first to react.
"Fufufu…sure, whatever you say, Mizuki. We'll leave it to you. It doesn't sound like the Elven Kingdom needs to be concerned about an imminent attack regardless." (Elira)
"Mizuki…with all due respect, even another Elder Dragon is not guaranteed victory over Veyron. I'm sure you are a strong human, but they are on a different level than us. I'm not sure you'd make much difference. Trust me, I've seen the evidence of Veyron's strength firsthand." (Dez)
Nina starts laughing at Dez.
"Fufufu…silly demon. As far as Mizuki and I can tell, I'm currently stronger than Veyron. I'm unlikely to lose. Still…you seem to have misunderstood our powers. Mizuki is much stronger than I am, and Veyron would stand no chance at all." (Nina)
Dez shoots me a bewildered gaze at Nina's comment, and I nod my agreement patiently. He then turns to the elves in the room questioningly, and they all nod their assent with exasperated expressions. Dez turns to look back at me with considerable fear in his eyes.
"S-Sure, Lord Mizuki, we graciously accept your help, and we will await your arrival eagerly tomorrow." (Dez)
That's a hilarious change in attitude, it's 'Lord' now, is it? Oh well, I don't really care to correct him over something like this.
"Terrific, let's depart then." (Mizuki)
I teleport Dez and I back to his tent, then reinforce the barrier over their camp. Afterwards, I remove all the spells on his tent and teleport back to the palace conference room.
The whole process takes under a minute, and as I leave, I see Dez staring at me in amazement and fear.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
It's afternoon by the time Ilina, Klaus, and I make our way out of the palace and into the city square to begin socializing with the city's residents. Nina was going to come along initially, but decided she'd rather go to the hot spring at the last minute, so I dropped her off. Klaus is hanging back to watch us, and Ilina is walking to my side in front of him.
Around the square are close to a dozen little vendor stands selling all kinds of food, souvenirs, clothes, and jewelry. Past the square, a main street can be seen extending down into the heart of Avalon, and it's lined with several other shops.
Looking over at her, I see Ilina watching the people in the square fondly, and she gives a small wave to an onlooking group. I can't help but smile warmly at the sight.
[You know, Ilina, this could be considered like a first date for us.] (Mizuki)
I direct the thought message at her with an amused smile, and I see her eyes widen some as she blushes.
"So, Il…err, Princess Ilina, is there anything that you recommend for me during this visit? I am in your care." (Mizuki)
Ilina rolls her eyes at my forced formality, then smiles and nods. She gestures to one of the food stands in the square.
"I'm quite fond of kur'kes, they're small, crisp sweet breads that are common to the Elven Kingdom. Would you try one for me, Mizuki? I think you'll like it." (Ilina)
I smirk at her and nod my agreement, and she smiles back genuinely and leads us over to the food stand with the kur'kes.
A 50s-looking elven man is tending the stand as we approach, and his eyes go wide in surprise as he sees Ilina. A huge smile breaks out on his face, and he's not even looking at me.
"Princess Ilina, to think that you'd visit my little food stand…I'm deeply honored! Please take whatever you want free of charge. Just to know you are enjoying my food is payment enough!" (food stand elf)
Wow…these people, like, really love Ilina. I know Alto said as much, but this is nuts. I wonder what they think of Alara.