After leaving the palace, I return to the mansion via flight so that I can survey the terrain I want to build rails through. Alara's hot spring valley is located just inside a western mountain range, and Avalon's western border has some minor forestland, but the land between is wide open plains. That makes my job a lot easier.
I'm standing at the eastern side of the hot spring valley, near a mountain pass that leads out into the plains. I think this is the best place to start the rails. I nod to myself – I think I know how I'm going to approach this.
When I will a thin layer of magic to repel any matter, I've taken to calling the resulting magic barrier a 'forcefield', which seems appropriate. I've noticed a few properties of these forcefields, some of which are going to be important for making the rails and running the railcars.
First, forcefields can remain fixed in relative position to some focal point when they are cast. I cast the magic barriers I use to protect camps with a particular area of land in mind, so they remain fixed around that area when I move. By contrast, I imagine my magic armor as a thin layer around my skin, so it moves with me, remaining relative to my skin.
Second, forcefields disperse physical force and momentum across the things they are relative to. Those cast relative to the earth seem to be able to reflect force without any effect on my body, while a forcefield around my skin disperses equally to all the molecules of my body at once. In the latter case, powerful hits would just send me flying instead of hurting my body, so long as the forcefield holds.
Third, forcefields seem to be frictionless surfaces. If I stand on a very slight hill and make a forcefield surfboard under my feet, I just start sliding. This was one of my coolest discoveries during my time spent researching magic with Alto, and it is very important for the railcar. It's also important for laying the rail.
I take up a surfing stance, facing towards the mountain pass, and I begin layering the multiple spells I'll need to make the railway. Essentially, I intend to use gravity, forcefield, and alchemy spells to surf along the ground, synthesizing rails behind me as I go.
First, behind me I focus on forming my magic into four I-beam cross sections for the rail synthesis. They are about two meters tall, 30 centimeters wide, and 10 centimeters thick, with rounded edges. They are divided into two railway pairs, with the outer beams being 7 meters apart and the inner beams 3 meters apart, and they are buried about 80% into the ground. I've decided on aluminum for the synthesis since it will be quickest, and it won't rust like iron would. It should still be strong enough for a train if the turns are gradual.
Next, I create a wind breaker forcefield ahead of me, a surfboard forcefield under me, and hold myself in place with a gravity spell. Then, I start the aluminum rail synthesis behind me, pulling matter from the earth on either side of the railway pairs to create border trenches. The cross sections are immediately filled in with shiny aluminum, so I begin moving forward with my gravity spell.
I start at a walking pace, watching the rail synthesis behind me, and it's going beautifully. I can see T-shaped rails being formed out of the ground. I gradually speed up as I make my way through the mountain pass towards Avalon, using magic sense targeted to Ilina as my guide.
Eventually, I reach a point where I'm going as fast as I can without risking the continuity of the aluminum synthesis – it's around 200 kph. It's way faster than I expected, and I think that's owed to the relative speed of synthesizing aluminum.
With my maximum pace determined, I focus on navigation. I'm still in the foothills, but the plains are in sight. I proceed along the path ahead, making sure to avoid any loose soil, uneven ground, or obstructions with help from magic sense. I remain wary of clearance above and beside the rails. After a few more minutes, I emerge into the plains – now it's just bodies of water and uneven ground I need to watch for.
Over the next few hours, I can feel my magic steadily draining. It's a sensation that is rare for me these days. If I had to guess, that magic drain is overwhelmingly from such large-scale alchemy. I think I'll still be able to make it to Avalon's border before I drain too much magic, but I'll be very tired when I arrive.
In the last leg of my journey, I slow down to navigate the forestland near Avalon. Thankfully, I'm able to find a winding path that doesn't come too close to any trees, pass over any fallen logs, or require too sharp of turns. Eventually, I see the western side of Avalon's defensive wall in the distance. At this point, the sun is low in the sky.
When I'm a couple of kilometers from the wall, I stop to rest and plan. From here on, I'll need an invisibility spell. Also, I want for these rails to be a continuous loop, so that if operators underestimate how long it takes to slow down, they don't hit a dead end and kill everyone. In that case, I'll keep synthesizing only one of the rail lines, then make a big loop back to the other rail line to connect them.
Comfortable with my plan, I rise to my feet and continue my synthesis of one of the rails, making sure to cast the invisibility spell first. I start with the southern rail, and make a very gradual turn to the right, then eventually start turning back left in a large loop. As I circle back towards where I left the northern rail, I start trying to align the two rails.
When I'm a few meters from connecting them, I slow down to a crawl, and slowly complete the connection. I stop my spells and walk around the connection point to inspect it. It looks slightly misaligned, so I use my alchemy and forcefield spells to smoothen the connection.
Once I'm satisfied that the railway turn is completed to my standards, I teleport back to the hot spring valley where I started the rails. There, I make a similar loop just inside the eastern edge of the valley to complete the full railway system. Now it's time for the first railcar.
I use an alchemy spell to synthesize a huge mass of aluminum from the surrounding earth in the likeness of a bullet train's lead railcar – the sloped nose, rounded body, and flat bottom. I make the body of the railcar about two centimeters thick, thirteen meters long, two meters wide at its base, and two meters high. I sigh deeply.
"Jeez…now for the hard part." (Mizuki)
I slowly levitate the railcar onto the southern railway, facing eastward, and proceed to align its bottom on the rails as best I can. Then, I synthesize four aluminum "clasps" that are about ten centimeters thick and fit loosely around the tops of the I-beams, with a several centimeter air gap between the I-beam and clasp on all sides.
I separate and align the clasps on the railway, then adhere railcar to the clasps. The result is a railcar loosely clasped to the railway at points about two meters from the railcar's front and back ends. Now, time for the more aesthetic touches.
I make a doorway in the right side of the railcar, just behind the nose, by using my alchemy spell to convert a door-shaped part of the aluminum body into oxygen. Then, I make long windows half a meter high down each side of the body of the railcar. Finally, I go to the nose of the railcar and create a small meter-high window that wraps in a 120-degree arc – a front view for the operator.
I climb inside the railcar and add a thin aluminum wall just beside the door to separate the operator's cabin from the passenger cabin, then I create a small doorway in the center of it for passage. Inside the operator's cabin, I make a basic aluminum chair and a seated podium in front of it, then connect both to the floor.
I use my alchemy spell to carve four square slots into the aluminum podium, then etch four pictures into the slots – a check mark, an up arrow, a down arrow, and a small sun. These will be where I place the enchanted items for adding forcefields, acceleration, deceleration or reversing, and headlights, respectively. I also etch the number '1' into the center of the podium. That's the railcar number.
I return to the passenger cabin and begin making basic aluminum chairs attached to the floor – two rows of twelve, with an aisle in the middle. I give a satisfied sigh out loud.
"Man, this is really coming together! All this grey is really tacky, though, we'll have to decorate it later." (Mizuki)
I move back to the operator's cabin and take a seat, then begin synthesizing four copper plates to go in the podium's square slots. I etch a matching '1' onto each one, then flip them and etch the matching symbols for the podium. Time to start with the enchanting.
I grab the forcefield plate and use the incantation I heard from Percivil to prime it, then place it back in its slot. I channel my magic through it and form a forcefield a few centimeters thick around the railcar and clasps like a skin. I feel the railcar lift and start sliding slowly. Perfect – the forcefield is causing a frictionless effect on the railway, and it's covering the windows and door, so they're sealed at high speed.
After the forcefield enchantment is done, I grab the acceleration plate and prime it, then focus my magic through it to cast a gravity spell that pushes the railcar and its contents towards the direction its nose faces. Since the forcefield isn't active, I hear a horrible screeching sound as the railcar lurches forward.
I stop once the enchantment is set, then I repeat the process with the reverse/deceleration plate. I focus on both enchantments having the property that magic input determines the force of the gravity spells.
Finally, I prime the headlights plate, then focus two of my white light ball spells through it. I conjure them just outside the railcar, above the viewing window in front of me. The sun is mostly set now, so I see the white glow from the spell ahead of me. An excited grin spreads across my face.
"Time to test this baby out!" (Mizuki)
I flow magic into the forcefield plate and feel the railcar lift, then I place my other hand on the acceleration plate and start flowing magic into it. The railcar starts moving forward along the track. I keep pouring more magic into it until I'm doing about 50 kph, then I let the railcar cruise for a few minutes. It's a smooth experience so far. I pour more magic into the railcar, and it gets up to around 300 kph.
At this speed, there's a slight humming in the railcar, but the ride is still comfortable. I wait another ten minutes at this speed, and I notice no issues.
"Okay, I think that's as good of a pilot run as I could hope for!" (Mizuki)
I make my way back to the hot spring valley in reverse, then park the railcar at the end of the loop. I pull the copper plates from the podium and toss them in my item box. As I'm gloating to myself over this solid day's work, I feel a message come through from Nina.
[Mizuki! Alto and I are ready to be picked up from the inn!] (Nina)
[Alright Nina, I'm on my way!] (Mizuki)
I can't wait to blow their minds with this tomorrow.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
I feel a rustling sensation on top of me as I come to my senses. I open my eyes, and I see Nina laying on top of me in our bed. We picked out one of the larger rooms in the mansion's second floor and moved our belongings in last night.
She still seems to be asleep…I look at her and smile warmly. Then, I feel the rustling sensation again. What the hell?
I look over to where I felt the sensation, and I see that Alara has crawled into our bed near me…she's looming over me with an intense stare.
"Good…Mizuki, you're finally awake! What is that silver structure down in the valley!?" (Alara)
I stare at her dumbfounded. Then, the absurdity of it sets in, and I'm a little miffed.
"Alara…get the hell out of our bed. We're not dressed, you know. You're in bed with a naked human. Should I tell your friends?" (Mizuki)
Alara's face becomes deathly serious.
"Tch…you're not even human, Mizuki, not really. Threats like this from you don't scare me either. How about I make one? If you don't take me down there right now, I'm going to climb under these blankets with you." (Alara)
What the actual shit!? I stare at her in bewilderment, and she smirks at me.
"I'm starting to think I liked you better when you were scared to death of me. Fine, you win – you're insane. Give me a few minutes to get dressed." (Mizuki)
Alara nods smugly, then climbs out the bed and…goes to stand in the corner of the room!?
"Alara, what the hell are you doing? Go wait outside the room, I need to get dressed." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…you got to see me the other day, what's the big deal?" (Alara)
Alright, time to quit playing around with her. I climb out of bed, paying her no mind, and Nina begins to stir. Alara raises her eyebrows curiously.
I walk over to her, and apprehension begins to appear on her face as well. I walk up, right in front of her face, and look her in the eyes – she becomes clearly nervous. I reach my hand out and place it on her shoulder.
"U-Uhm…M-Mizuki…I'm not…what are you…" (Alara)
I give her a vicious smile, then I teleport her away from me down to the valley below. I sigh in relief. I turn back to the bed, and Nina is sitting up groggily.
"Mizuki…were you talking to someone?" (Nina)
"Yes, Alara decided that it would be a good idea to crawl into our bed this morning. I got rid of her." (Mizuki)
Nina smirks.
"Fufufufu…good, that's what I like to hear." (Nina)
Nina and I get ready for the day, then collect Alto and Zara. We all teleport down to the valley together to meet up with Alara. When we arrive, Alara is climbing all over the railcar on the track. Alto, Zara, and Nina seem to register the new structure, and excitedly go to inspect the railway and railcar.
"Mizuki! What is this material!? It's so shiny, I quite like it!" (Nina)
She really is a dragon cliché, through and through. Alara comes running over to me frantically.
"Mizuki, I can't make it work! I thought you said anyone would be able to use it!?" (Alara)
I stifle my laughter, then let out a deep sigh and shake my head at her.
"I also told you that I'd make sure there were safeguards in place. Everyone, please follow me!" (Mizuki)
The group looks towards me, then I lead them into the railcar. I direct Nina and Zara to sit in the passenger section, then bring Alara and Alto with me to the operator's cabin. I take a seat in the operator's chair, then pull the control plates out of my item box.
"These are the enchanted items used to control this form of transportation, called a train. You place them in their corresponding slots as indicated." (Mizuki)
I place all the control plates into their slots on the podium. Then I gesture at the forcefield place icon.
"This is the first spell you have to activate. Alto, please swap places with me and activate it with your magic." (Mizuki)
Alto nods excitedly and does as I ask. There is a slight lurch in the railcar as it's lifted, and it slowly begins to glide forward on the uneven railway.
"Great, Alto, now you have to make sure that one stays supplied with magic while the railcar is moving. That's very important. Next, you want to supply magic to this one at the same time. The more magic you supply, the faster it will go!" (Mizuki)
I gesture to the acceleration plate, and Alto starts pouring her magic into it. The railcar begins to glide forward, faster and faster.
"Woooh! Mizuki, this is incredible!" (Alto)
"It's…incredible…we're going so fast!" (Alara)
From what I can tell, we're not going more than 100 kph.
"Alto, can you speed up as much as you can while still being able to maintain the magic consumption for a few hours? When you're up to that speed, hold it there and let me know." (Mizuki)
Alto nods and focuses on the control panel for a few minutes as we speed up.
"Okay, Mizuki, I think this is the fastest I could go and comfortably maintain it as long as you're thinking." (Alto)
The railcar is humming again like before. Hmm…magic sense says about 400 kph, that's wonderful! So, people with a magic power level of three can comfortably operate the railcar at a pace that completes this trip in a little over two hours!
"Wow, that's pretty good Alto! At this rate, we'd get to the palace in about two hours." (Mizuki)
Alara turns to me incredulously.
"What, that fast!? Mizuki, this is completely absurd! People from Avalon could make day trips deep into my territory!" (Alara)
I nod at her smugly.
"I know, I tried to tell you as much. If you charge a reasonable price to transport each person, like five coppers, you could earn a platinum per month from just transporting people. Even if you paid the operator of the railcar and a maintenance person one platinum coin per year each, you could still make eight platinum coins a year just from this railcar." (Mizuki)
Alara makes a disgusted face.
"Only five coppers, Mizuki? We could charge far more than that for something like this!" (Alara)
"Obviously, but that's not the point. You still make plenty of money from charging five coppers, and it allows more people to come to your territory. So many, in fact, that there will be a constant waiting list to ride this thing. Your railway and your hot spring will be the talk of Avalon for months. So, keeping the price low will ultimately draw subjects to your territory, instead of just having short-term tourism from wealthier elves." (Mizuki)
Alara looks surprised, then becomes thoughtful. I take the opportunity to finish instructing Alto.
"Alto, this symbol here is used to slow down the train, and this one here is just used to produce light in front of the train. So, you won't ever need it in the daytime." (Mizuki)
I gesture to the deceleration and headlights plates in sequence, and Alto nods her acknowledgement. Her eyes linger on the headlight plate…I'm betting she really wants to activate it. She's been struggling with radiation-based magic in our lessons. I return my focus to Alara.
"Alara, while we're here in the train, why don't you just continue on to the palace with Alto and Nina, and see if you can hire some elven workers to begin construction efforts? I'd focus on people who have design and skilled labor experiences for buildings. You can bring them back with you in this train if you want." (Mizuki)
I turn to address Nina before Alara can respond.
"Nina, make sure to take out these plates here and safeguard them when you arrive. Also, our cover story for this railway suddenly appearing is that you made it to thank the Elven Kingdom for welcoming us." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…anything for my fans, of course." (Nina)
I roll my eyes internally at Nina…at least she's acknowledging her job, though. Alara gives me a puzzled look.
"I feel like this is all moving very fast, Mizuki. Where am I supposed to find these workers? Why am I only focusing on managerial people? Also, what will you and Zara be doing?" (Alara)
"Well, fast is what I promised you, right? I'm sure Alto can help you find workers, and most Avalon commoners are probably familiar with the local construction people – just ask around. As for your other questions, Zara and I will go ahead and visit her village to recruit the wolf-kin as unskilled laborers. So, let any elves you hire know that they'll be working with them." (Mizuki)
Alto makes a conflicted expression.
"Mizuki, you said that I could hire as many elves for labor as I want, so why limit me like that now, and force the prioritization of the wolf-kin?" (Alara)
"I'm not limiting you – hire as many elves as you want, I just suggest starting with skilled ones and managers. The wolf-kin will already be back in your territory, and you can only carry twenty or so people at a time in this train. It makes sense to start with people that can make use of unskilled laborers like the wolf-kin. After that, you can go back to Avalon repeatedly and get as many elves as you want for work." (Mizuki)
That seems to placate Alara, and she becomes thoughtful. After a moment, she smiles and nods.
"Okay, Mizuki, that sounds like a good idea. Alto, Great Dragon, is that fine with both of you?" (Alara)
"Fufufu…yes, I'm excited to see how much my fans love the toy I built for them!" (Nina)
"Of course, I'm excited to start developing an actual city in your territory, so we're not so lonely." (Alto)
Great…that dragon is huffing her own fumes now. At least Alto is reasonable. Alara nods at them both appreciatively.
"Very well, Mizuki, I accept. Thank you. We'll meet you back at the valley later. Good luck with the wolf-kin." (Alara)
I nod at them all with a big smile, then turn to Zara.
"Zara, are you ready to see your village again?" (Mizuki)
Zara nods her agreement, but I can see a strange steeliness in her eyes. It's like she's hyper-focused on preparing for something. That doesn't bode well.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
I teleported Zara and I to the main campfire area I remember from last time I visited here. When we arrived, I applied a concealment spell over us. I have something I need to discuss with Zara first.
"Hey, Zara, I'm pretty sure they're going to make a big deal out of me returning here with you. How about I give you a little bit of time alone here to explain the situation and try convincing them? I'll go take care of something else, then be back in an hour or so." (Mizuki)
Zara looks surprised, then nervous, which is out of character for her.
"Mizuki…I'm concerned about their willingness to accept this opportunity. I will attempt to convince them on my own, but…I may need your help. You promise to return soon?" (Zara)
I'm not sure what I can do to convince them that she can't?
"Uhm…sure, though I doubt that they'll listen to me more than you. Still, you have my word that I'll return soon." (Mizuki)
Zara nods, seemingly more relaxed.
"Thank you. The wolf-kin are obsessed with personal strength, and that's holding them back, but at the same time…it may make them more likely to follow you." (Zara)
Ahh, so she thinks that if I just make some big show of force, they may follow my orders out of respect. That's ridiculous, but if it helps, I guess I don't mind.
"Very well, I'll keep that in mind. Don't count yourself out yet though, Zara, you're strong, too. Do your best, okay? I'll be back in a little while." (Mizuki)
Zara smiles and nods her agreement. Then, I drop the concealment spell and teleport to Percivil's shop. I did promise to pick him up this morning, so I shouldn't delay any longer.
I arrive in his back room and walk to the storefront. To my surprise, Percivil is just sitting in the front of the shop with a bunch of stuff around him, waiting patiently. He notices me and rises to his feet excitedly.
"Mizuki! Yah had this old man excited about taking a journey, so I might have been too eager to get ready this morning." (Percivil)
I make a dismissive gesture and smile at him.
"No worries, sorry to make you wait! I'm here now, though, so can you show me all the equipment you need to bring? I'll get it packed first." (Mizuki)
Percivil nods and takes me around the storefront to indicate what equipment he wants to bring. As he does, I use gravity magic to levitate the items into my item box, much to his surprise. He has quite a lot of equipment, but after a few minutes we seem to be finished.
"Aye, I think yah got it all!" (Percivil)
"Great, are you ready to go now?" (Mizuki)
Percivil nods nervously. I smile and walk over to place my hand on his shoulder, and he gives me a puzzled expression. Before he can say anything, I teleport us both to the reception hall in my party's house. Percivil becomes disoriented and stumbles away from me, then looks around in bewilderment.
"Woah, Mizuki, where are we!?" (Percivil)
"I teleported us to my party's house in the western edge of the Elven Kingdom. You want a tour?" (Mizuki)
Percivil's eyes go wide in shock, but he nods quietly. I give him a quick tour, and I show him to a guest room on the first floor. After he drops off his personal things, we head outside the mansion to the cliff's edge. Percivil looks down into the valley in amazement.
"Aye, it's a nice place yah got here Mizuki." (Percivil)
After a few minutes of admiring the view, he squints curiously towards the railway.
"Err, Mizuki, what is that over yonder?" (Percivil)
"Ahh, that's the transportation system that I mentioned. I got impatient and built it last night, sorry." (Mizuki)
Percivil gives me a look of pure betrayal…I'm sorry my dude. After a moment, he sighs deeply.
"Well, that is what it is. Just make sure yah show me how it works at least, I'm curious. If that's already done, what are yah having me build with yah?" (Percivil)
I give him a puzzled look.
"Percivil, you're going to help me turn this entire valley into a thriving city infrastructure, filled with things just as cool as that transportation system down there." (Mizuki)
Percivil wears a shocked expression and looks back at the valley, probably struggling to imagine its vast and empty land being filled with a city soon. After a few moments, he smiles.
"I'm excited, Mizuki!" (Percivil)
I smile back at him.
"Me too, buddy." (Mizuki)
After a comfortable silence, he speaks up again.
"Mizuki, can yah take me down there to that transportation structure? I also need to unload all my smithing equipment somewhere down there, if that's where we'll be building." (Percivil)
"Sure thing, hold on." (Mizuki)
I grab onto Percivil, and teleport us next to the railway. When we arrive, Percivil is quicker to recover from the teleportation. After a moment, he begins inspecting the railway curiously.
"Hmm…I'm guessing yah made an item that slides along these using magic? Probably attached by some clasps. That's a fine idea, Mizuki." (Percivil)
Wow…dude knows his stuff. That took him under a minute to surmise. He begins rubbing his hand on one of the I-beam rails.
"Can yah tell me what this metal is? I've never seen something made of metal like this." (Percivil)
"That's a metal called Aluminum. It's light, strong, and won't rust like iron from being outside. That's why I chose it." (Mizuki)
Percivil's eyes go wide, and he studies the metal more closely. I hear him faintly mumbling to himself.
"Fufufu…Percivil, I'm going to go set your equipment out on the east side of the valley, near the railway over there. You have fun inspecting your new toy." (Mizuki)
Percivil nods absentmindedly at my statement, and I head over to the southeastern edge of the valley, near the railway. I open my item box and begin unloading the equipment he brought, and I try to organize it like an actual workspace. After I'm done, I return to Percivil…he's still examining the railway. It's hard not to laugh at him.
"Hey, Percivil, I put your equipment over there. I need to go take care of some other things, so are you good here or would you like me to leave you back inside the house? In all honesty, if you'd like to use this time to come up with some ideas for the city, we'd welcome your input." (Mizuki)
Percivil turns his attention away from the railway to look at me in surprise.
"You're telling me I can just come up with ideas for this new city, that's being built from the ground up, then you might help me build those ideas into the city?" (Percivil)
"Well, yeah, obviously. I brought you here for your expertise. Money and resources aren't a limitation. We just need good ideas and people to bring them to fruition. Obviously, lodging and agriculture are priorities, but we'll also need to make devices that transport people up some of these mountains. What I've built here wouldn't work well, so I'm open to other suggestions." (Mizuki)
Percivil's eyes go wide, like a kid who was just told that he could run amok in a candy store for the whole day.
"Mizuki, then please take me back to the house! I need my paper, writing tools, and existing designs!" (Percivil)
I nod my agreement to him, then walk over and send him alone back to the house with teleportation. Hmm…I still have a little bit of time before I promised Zara I would be back. Is there anything else to do, or should I just go back early?
As I'm mulling that over, a pit forms in my stomach as I remember something.
"Shit…I really should have thought about that sooner. Elira's probably pissed." (Mizuki)
I told her that I'd be building a 'special road' soon, but I didn't give her any warning. That thing showed up near their western wall the same night I mentioned it to her, and I'm sure it's been noticed by now.
Alara and the rest of them will probably arrive in the next hour. I just assumed the elves would be chill, but what if they're loitering all around those dangerous tracks or damaging them?
"I guess I need to visit Elira." (Mizuki)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
After teleporting to the elven palace, into Nina's old room as requested, I begin making my way through the halls towards Elira's magic signature. To my surprise, she is in the couches conference room that we used early on. Two guards I don't recognize are guarding the door. Hmm…how do I let her know I'm here, but tactfully?
I use magic sense to focus on her general location behind the door, then I try telepathy directed towards her this way.
[Hey, Elira, I'm outside the conference room door. I'm sure you're busy, I just wanted to give you a warning about something. I'll wait in the library for when you're less busy!] (Mizuki)
I smile at the guards, who are looking at me expectantly, then turn to walk towards the library. Before I can move very far, however, I hear a shrill voice.
"Mizuki!? Thank goodness you're here!" (Elira)
That doesn't sound good. Elira comes barging out of the room frantically, then grabs me by the wrist and pulls me inside the conference room. Once inside, I see Ilina, Dargo, and an unknown royal guard sitting on the couches.
Cayla, the maid, and Klaus are also in the room, and I see them shoot me sympathetic glances. Elira drags me over to sit next to Ilina on one of the couches, then returns to her spot next to Dargo. The guard looks at me curiously.
"Ehem…uhm, what's with the urgency, Queen Elira?" (Mizuki)
Elira glares at me like I'm an idiot.
"Why didn't you warn me that yo…err, Lady Nedonera…would be adding the road the same day you mentioned it!? Also, how can you even call that a road!? It's just weird, shiny lines sticking out of the ground!" (Elira)
"Well, I did say that it would be soon. You just told us to go ahead and build it, then let you know when it was finished. My Lady sent me here to let you know that it was finished, per our agreement. Also, I told you that it would be a 'special road', so naturally it's not what you expected. Is it causing issues?" (Mizuki)
Elira places her face in her hands, then groans loudly.
"Mizuki…when you said soon, I thought you meant a few days at least. I thought I'd have time to make a preemptive announcement to the people, but now it's here and they weren't warned. The people just noticed it earlier, and a crowd has formed around the structure. The strange metal has also attracted several of our blacksmiths. This is the captain of our city guard, Taj, and we're discussing how to deal with everything. Is there anything we need to know?" (Elira)
Ah…she makes some good points. The crowd doesn't sound good.
"Ah, yes, I should have been clearer, sorry. First, I'd recommend getting people away from that structure, called a railway, immediately. Do not let anyone damage it or touch it, including the blacksmiths. Currently, my Lady and Lady Alara are on their way here using that railway. If people are standing around it, or if the railway gets damaged, people could be hurt when they arrive. The integrity of that railway is critical for safe travel." (Mizuki)
Elira's eyes go wide, and she barks an order at Taj. He bows and takes off in a hurry. Then, Elira turns to me with a tired look on her face.
"How long until Ladies Nedonera and Alara arrive? Also, can you fix this so-called railway before then if it has been damaged?" (Elira)
"About an hour, and yes, I should be able to do that covertly if the damage is minor. I will wait a short time before I leave, so your guard can secure the railway and check its integrity." (Mizuki)
Elira breathes a sigh of relief.
"Good, I'd appreciate that. You mentioned that they were on their way, but why?" (Elira)
"Oh, two reasons. The first was so people could see this mode of transportation, called a train, being used safely by them. The second was to recruit elven workers for construction back in Alara's territory – we're building a city. We want to find people skilled enough and willing to make use of the wolf-kin as an unskilled labor force during construction and later development efforts. Do you have any recommendations?" (Mizuki)
Elira gives me a surprised look.
"Mizuki, you're really not wasting any time developing her territory, are you? As for workers…I can connect Alara with some people, but she'll have to pay their high fees. They won't have an issue with wolf-kin as a race, but they may not like having to train new people, so I won't guarantee that they will accept the job." (Elira)
"Thanks, Elira, that's all we could ask for. Regarding my timeline…you're correct, it's meant to be fast. I promised her that I'd try to build a self-sustaining city within a year, and there's a lot of work to do!" (Mizuki)
Elira gives me a wry smile, and we fall into a comfortable silence for some time.
"Fufufu…I really hope my people learn to accept you more openly, as one of their own. If you can produce a thriving city out of nothing in under a year, one full of wonders like this train, I'd really hate for our prejudice against humans to deprive my country of your influence elsewhere." (Elira)
Wow, where did that come from? I give her a reassuring smile.
"Relax, Elira, even if the situation never improves, I'll do what I can to help…within reason." (Mizuki)
Elira nods, but she seems wistful. As I'm thinking of what else I might say, I see someone moving towards me out the corner of my eye. I turn in time to meet Ilina for a kiss that lasts several seconds, then she pulls away from me with a disapproving look.
"We've been here together this whole time, sitting next to each other, and you haven't even said hello to me, Mizuki. What do you have to say for yourself?" (Ilina)
Elira looks surprised, but amused, and Dargo is just smirking at me. Uh oh.
"Uhm…I was intimidated by your beauty and grace, and trying to think of an appropriate greeting to match it? Plus, there was someone outside our inner circle here at first! I didn't want to seem too familiar!" (Mizuki)
"Tch…if that's the best defense you have, then you're not as clever as I thought." (Ilina)
Ouch…message received. Ilina likes to be acknowledged with priority when we see one another. I sigh deeply.
"Alright, I apologize. I've learned my lesson, Ilina. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" (Mizuki)
Ilina gives a devious smile.
"Yes, there is. You can visit me tonight for a date, just the two of us. Make sure to clear it with Nina and tell her I said 'please'." (Ilina)
I groan internally, but I nod at Ilina supportively. She gives me a satisfied smile, a quick kiss on the cheek, and then sits back normally next to me on the couch. Elira and Dargo are both poorly hiding their amusement.
Before I have a chance to admonish them about it, the conference room door opens and Taj returns. He bows to Elira and then addresses all of us.
"I have stationed some of my men to keep people away from the railway – there were several people and children climbing on the structure when we first arrived. It appeared that one of the blacksmiths was also preparing to try and break off a piece of the metal, but we stopped him. I personally assessed the railway for damage, and it seemed fine." (Taj)
Well, that's good news at least. Elira seems to agree, and she breathes a sigh of relief.
"Well then, Queen Elira, I'd next recommend that you make a statement to the people about the origins and purposes of the railway and approaching train. That way, they hopefully know how important it is to stay away from it and not damage it." (Mizuki)
Elira nods her head.
"Yes, I agree. Especially if Ladies Nedonera and Alara will be arriving soon. If you'll excuse me, Mizuki, I need to go take care of this and the matter of the city construction experts that Alara wanted to hire. Please take care." (Elira)
I bow goodbye to her and return my farewells. Then, Elira, Dargo, Taj, and Elira's guards all depart, leaving Ilina, Klaus, Cayla, and I alone. Whelp...no time to waste! I turn to those remaining with a smile.
"Alright, I have another meeting to get to as well, so I'll be going now. Ilina, I'll see you tonight. Cayla, don't freak out." (Mizuki)
Cayla gives me a puzzled look, and then I teleport away in front of her for the first time. I'm sad that I won't get to see her reaction, but Ilina can tell me about it tonight.
Now, I need to go deal with the wolf-kin. I hope Zara has been successful in convincing them.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
"Wolf-kin, please, listen to what I'm telling you! If we remain this stubborn, and don't change, our people will continue to suffer at the hands of humans and nature. What I'm offering you is an opportunity for our people to grow and become prosperous like the elves! To be immune to the humans' mistreatment!" (Zara)
I return to the wolf-kin village to see Zara facing a large group of wolf-kin, yelling at them. As I approach, a few of them notice me and become surprised. Seeing their reactions, Zara turns back to face me, and I see relief wash over her face. So, I guess it's not going well. I wave at her with a smile, trying to be encouraging.
"Hey Zara, how are things going? Any volunteers yet?" (Mizuki)
Zara shakes her head bitterly.
"No, Mizuki, they refuse to learn anything other than what they already know." (Zara)
Uhm…does that…even count as learning?
I turn my attention to the wolf-kin crowd in front of me. I see Vardo, the elder, standing off to the side apprehensively, and Zoda, Zara's brother, standing in the middle of the crowd with an annoyed look on his face.
"To clarify, all Zara is asking is to come help my friends in the Elven Kingdom build a new city. It would require learning new skills that would be useful to you, and you would be paid very well for the work. May I ask why none of you would want to do that? The elves have been nothing but kind to your people from what I understand." (Mizuki)
There's a bit of murmuring among the crowd, and Zoda eventually steps forward.
"It doesn't make sense to you because you don't understand the wolf-kin. It's not about the money, or whether we like the elves, it's about wasting our time on useless things. The wolf-kin are strong, unlike the elves and humans, and do not need to rely on your ways. Our people are fine as they are." (Zoda)
There's a round of assenting grunts from the crowd. Wow…so that's really what they think, huh? Hmm…from what I've gathered of wolf-kin culture via Zara, my normal polite and encouraging approaches aren't going to work here. I'll have to change my tune.
I sigh deeply and dramatically.
"If you all really think that, then you're the dumbest and most incompetent group of people I've ever met." (Mizuki)
Zara's and Vardo's eyes go wide in shock, and I hear some angry grumbling from the crowd. Zoda's eyes narrow dangerously.
"What would a human know of what's best for our people? You think your ways are better because you're weak and you need them." (Zoda)
"You say that you don't need to rely on the ways of other races, because they're for the weak. Do I need to remind you that, even though you are individually stronger than humans, and even though you outnumbered them, humans were able to storm into your village and take your children unimpeded? Were you not the very definition of helpless then? Also, you should remember that I, a human using human ways, am the only reason those children returned safely. How is that not relying on another race's ways?" (Mizuki)
I sense a lot of anger from the crowd now, but nobody voices an objection to my statements. Zoda is more than a little frustrated. Vardo is practically pale, and Zara is just looking at me in confusion.
"Those humans were only able to do such a thing because they used weapons and armor, wouldn't confront us directly, and attacked with no warning!" (Zoda)
"It seems that I was wrong. You know exactly how and why you were humiliated and taken advantage of, but you still do nothing to fix it. In that case, you're even worse than stupid. You're all selfish cowards, weak at your cores." (Mizuki)
The crowd becomes silent, and I can feel a bloodthirst emanating from them. Zoda is practically foaming with rage.
"You…how dare you…the wolf-kin are brave and strong, and we look after our own more than humans ever have. Take back your words or pay for them with your blood." (Zoda)
Now we're getting somewhere. I shrug and wave my hand at his comment dismissively.
"No, because I don't see you that way at all. You know what I see? You're selfish, because you would let your own children be kidnapped and exploited, rather than swallow your pride to grow more effective at protecting them. You are cowardly weaklings, because you lack the courage or the strength of will to change, even when it benefits you and the ones you love." (Mizuki)
The crowd's bloodlust is still clear, but I also see self-doubt on some of their faces now. Unfortunately, Zoda isn't one of those faces. He's fully murderous. Though, to his credit, he's shown a lot more restraint towards me this time versus my last visit. I'm guessing I earned some leeway.
"You talk a lot, human, but it's just words. The wolf-kin live our principles, and we won't listen to you run your mouth about our weakness without proving to you otherwise." (Zoda)
Perfect, that's what I was hoping for. I give him a smirk, and it seems to enrage him even more.
"Very well, no more words then. How about a wager of strength, me versus the wolf-kin? If you win, I'll admit that I was ignorant, that your principles are the correct ones, and I'll submit myself to whatever punishment you deem appropriate. I'll even pay every person here the wages of working for three months like Zara asked. If I win, your tribe will swallow its pride, and follow Zara's orders from now on. Tell me, will the wolf-kin back out of a wager of strength, or live by your principles?" (Mizuki)
Zara finally seems to realize what I've been aiming for, and her face is a very clear mix of amusement and gratitude. Zoda seems a little wary of my proposal, but a quick roar from the crowd to accept my challenge boxes him in. His face becomes resolved and excited.
"Let's hear this wager of yours human, and we'll see if it is truly a test of strength for you." (Zoda)
"My wager is this – I want you to gather every single combat-ready wolf-kin in this whole village. Anyone who doesn't join will be admitting they are a weakling. Then, you're all going to attack me at once. I, using no weapons, wearing only the clothes you see, not evading you, and telling you exactly how I plan to attack you, will defeat you all singlehandedly with overwhelming force. If even one of you manages to draw blood from me, we'll say you win the wager. Otherwise, I'm the winner." (Mizuki)
Zoda and the crowd are stunned silent, then they erupt in laughter. After a few minutes, they calm down, and Zoda responds.
"Fufufu…you'd die, human, and the wolf-kin would never pick on the weak like that. One of our warriors should be more than enough." (Zoda)
I shake my head.
"I've given you idiots my wager, and you freely admitted that it's not unfair to you. No more talk, no more boasting, and no altering the terms of the wager. Get your people like I asked and fight me, or back out like the cowards I know your people to be." (Mizuki)
The crowd goes dead silent, and the bloodlust is thicker than ever. Zoda directs a serious glare at me.
"So be it, human, but we won't just draw blood, we'll kill you for the way you've insulted us today." (Zoda)
Vardo becomes quite concerned and looks like he wants to intervene, but Zara quickly grabs him and shakes her head firmly. He looks between her and I frantically, but Zara seems to convince him of something. He sighs dejectedly and speaks out.
"As Elder, I will support the terms of the wager, if our people will it." (Vardo)
I look back at Zoda and smirk.
"Looks like we're all on board then. I'll be over there, a little way from the village. Come find me when you're ready, but don't make me wait too long. I have more important things to do after this." (Mizuki)
I wave to Zoda and walk outside the main area of the village, where nothing will get destroyed. Once there, I store my katana and dagger in my item box as promised. Then, I wait.
After fifteen minutes or so, wolf-kin start migrating over to where I'm standing. As they file in, they slowly begin to form a large circle around me. About thirty minutes after I proposed the wager, there is somewhere north of six hundred wolf-kin encircling me. They all look very angry.
Eventually, Zoda walks out towards me from the mob and stops a couple meters away. He's wearing quite the smug expression.
"Last chance, human, before we kill you. This is every single wolf-kin in the village that considers themselves a warrior, and you've angered them all with your insults. There are almost a thousand of us here. Now that you see our strength, will you apologize for your arrogance and submit to our punishment?" (Zoda)
I shake my head at him.
"No, I honestly thought there'd be more of you. This will suffice, though, I guess. Rejoin your fellow wolf-kin and let's begin the wager." (Mizuki)
Zoda snorts and walks back to where he came from.
"Alright human, you said you'd tell us exactly how you were going to attack us, so let's hear your last words!" (Zoda)
There's a round of cheers from the wolf-kin. I just smile at them.
"I'm going to stand right here until you all rush to attack me. Then, I'm going to crush every last one of you into the dirt. After you can all taste it in your mouths, I'm going to calmly walk over there, drag Zoda's face through the dirt, and then slap some sense into him until he submits on your behalf. We can start whenever you're ready." (Mizuki)
As I speak, I maximize my body enhancement, then apply full magic armor just to be safe. Veyron himself couldn't even make me flinch when I did this, so these guys don't stand a chance. Then, I use magic sense to give myself all-around tracking so that I notice when the wolf-kin charge me.
After I finish responding to Zoda, I hear a round of yells from the wolf-kin. After a moment, the first of them start to charge towards me. When the closest one is over halfway to me, I activate a strong gravity spell over the entire battlefield. Every wolf-kin, without exception, is slammed into the dirt mercilessly like I promised them, and their screams of pain can be heard from all around.
I lighten the spell just a bit, until most of the screams stop, then I walk over to Zoda. He sees me when I'm a few meters away, and his eyes are full of confusion and fear. He doesn't seem to be able to move his limbs.
I grab him by the back of the head, push his face into the dirt, and then drag him like that all the way to the center of the battlefield.
As I drag him, his muffled screams can be heard. I release the gravity spell from our region of the battlefield, then pick him up by the neck and hold him like that in front of me. He's a bit taller, but every time he tries to put his feet on the ground, I just kick his legs out from under him.
Eventually, he tries to scratch me with his claws, and even bite me, but it all reflects off my skin like it's nothing. He keeps this up for over a minute without giving up, so I give him a hard slap across the face. He's briefly stunned out of his attacks, but then continues.
At this point, I begin a cycle of slapping him, asking him if he submits, giving him a few seconds, then slapping him again. With each cycle, I increase the force of the slap. All the other wolf-kin just watch in horror, still pinned to the ground, and I smile at them the whole time. When it looks like Zoda's face is too swollen, or he's about to lose consciousness, I heal him and continue my cycle.
After about twenty minutes straight, he's on the verge of tears, and he finally screams out.
"Alright, we surrender! The wolf-kin yield to you!" (Zoda)
Thank god…that was ridiculously stubborn of him. Twenty minutes feels like an eternity when you're just slapping someone repeatedly. The wolf-kin are absurd to their cores.
I smile at Zoda and heal his wounds. Then, I set him gently on the ground, and I release the gravity spell on the others.
"I accept your surrender. Now, please go see if any of the other wolf-kin need me to heal them. I'll be waiting by Zara." (Mizuki)
Zoda nods begrudgingly, then climbs shakily to his feet and makes his way over to his people. They all slowly begin standing now that I've lifted the spell, but they are obviously shaken.
I make my way back towards Zara in the village, and as I come to the wolf-kin blocking my way, they quickly avert their gazes and part to allow me through. Good…they all accept the loss.
As I approach Zara, Vardo is standing next to her, and he's gone completely pale. Zara is just smiling ear-to-ear.
"Zara, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're the only one who actually enjoyed Zoda's beating. Even I didn't want to do that, you know? I much prefer compromises to brute force, but your people are stubborn." (Mizuki)
Zara shakes her head and directs a blistering smile at me.
"I'm not enjoying the fact that he was hurt, I'm enjoying that you won the wager. I know it's barbaric, Mizuki, but this is what the wolf-kin understand. This was the only way. Now, thanks to you I can properly help my people grow. You have my gratitude." (Zara)
I smile back at her warmly.
"Zara…don't even mention it. I'm just fulfilling a promise to my friend." (Mizuki)
Zara and I fall into a comfortable silence, and I glance back over at Vardo. He's still shaken and looking at me fearfully. I sigh deeply.
"Vardo, in case it wasn't obvious, I'm not going to harm your people. I never would. In fact, I only insulted them so much to goad them into this wager, so that Zara could help them later. I was never actually upset, nor did I even want to insult or fight them. It was just a means to an end, with only your people's best interests in mind." (Mizuki)
Vardo seems to nod meekly, and slowly calm down.
"M-Mizuki…your strength…it was terrifying. What are you, truly?" (Vardo)
I roll my eyes at Vardo.
"Vardo, we've been over this. I really am human, I promise. I'm also Zara's friend." (Mizuki)
Vardo looks at Zara skeptically, and she nods calmly. Eventually, he nods and gives me a forced smile. Eh…I'll take it. I smile back at him.
After a few minutes, a short line of about a dozen wolf-kin make their way over to me to be healed. They look extremely wary, so I make sure to smile warmly as I heal them.
After I'm done, they accumulate in front of Zara. Zoda makes his way to the front and stands before Zara. He glances at me cautiously, then nods. I guess that's his way of saying there are no hard feelings, so I nod back.
"Zara, in accordance with our wager, we will now submit to you as leader of our tribe from this day until your last, on the honor of the wolf-kin." (Zoda)
Zoda kneels in front of Zara, then the rest of the wolf-kin repeat 'on the honor of the wolf-kin' and kneel as well. Vardo smiles fondly at Zara, then follows their lead. After a moment of them kneeling, Zara speaks.
"I, Zara, accept the responsibilities of leader of our tribe. I vow to lead you with strength, to strive only for the prosperity of our people, and to never dishonor the wolf-kin. I swear it, from this day until my last." (Zara)
All the wolf-kin shout 'Elder Zara' in unison, then rise to their feet. Then, they look to her expectantly. Zara scans their faces with a resolved expression.
"My first order as Elder will be for half of our able-bodied wolf-kin warriors, and any non-warriors that volunteer, to accept Mizuki's offer for temporary jobs in the Elven Kingdom. I charge you all to swallow your pride and use this opportunity to learn their ways. Make their techniques our own and use them for the prosperity of the wolf-kin when we return. Go spread the word across our village – all who wish to join me should meet here in one hour, ready to travel. Vardo will be left in charge of the village while we are gone." (Zara)
Yells of assent ring out from the wolf-kin warriors. Though some do it begrudgingly, their obedience is clear. Zara is finally in charge.
I wait with Zara for around an hour, since I have nothing better to do. By the end, there are around four hundred wolf-kin standing with their travel packs. Seeing that the crowd has mostly stabilized, Zara steps forward to gather their attention.
"Wolf-kin! We will now travel to the Elven Kingdom. My friend, the human Mizuki, will facilitate our travel. I command all of you to remain silent about what you know of his abilities. As far as the elves and humans are concerned, he is weak and without magic – let them continue thinking that. Mizuki, please tell us what you need." (Zara)
I nod my appreciation to Zara, and the other wolf-kin can be heard murmuring about the elves and humans thinking I'm weak. I step forward to address them, and they all go silent.
"What I need from you for our travel is simple! In a moment, following Zara's lead, I need everyone to close in as tightly around me as possible! Then, stay still! Zara, whenever you're ready!" (Mizuki)
Zara nods and moves in to hug me. The wolf-kin look puzzled but start complying. After a few minutes, there's a huge crowd pressed in around me.
I close my eyes and focus on teleporting the whole group, just like with the house. It's a strain, and probably uses half of my magic reserves, but I'm able to teleport all 400+ of us safely to the valley in Alara's territory.
Following the sudden scenery change, there is a murmur of fear among the wolf-kin, but they don't move. I take pity on them.
"We have arrived in the Elven Kingdom, so you may now move freely within this valley!" (Mizuki)
Hearing me, the wolf-kin begin to disperse eagerly. I walk over to Zara and give her a smile.
"When they calm down, have them start setting up their camp in the northeastern border of the valley. Alternatively, they can camp close by but outside the valley if they want. When Nina returns, she can help with short-term shelters for them. In the meantime, make sure they avoid the railway I built." (Mizuki)
Zara nods her acknowledgement, then walks off to start corralling the wolf-kin to their base camp area. I grin to the empty air in front of me.
"I love it when a plan comes together." (Mizuki)