"Haaaaah, what a pain!" (Mizuki)
After my meeting with Lobe, I return back to the mansion and flop down on the couch in our family room. Though it was after midnight in the Empire, the sun is just starting to set here in the Elven Kingdom.
I ultimately decided that Lobe was my best bet for setting up a negotiation meeting with the Empire. After all, I don't even know who is in charge of the country now, much less have a way to peacefully get in contact with them. Meanwhile, Lobe was probably personally interrogated by them after my little stunt with Belmod, and he can probably get a message to them.
Unfortunately, not only did he seem traumatized and scared shitless of me, but he seemed quite hesitant to get on their radar once more. It wasn't hard to surmise from there that he probably feels like they're just waiting for a reason to kill him.
However, that also meant that all it took to convince him was a few promises of giving him a new life outside the Empire if he successfully arranged a meeting consistent with my demands. He'd already bore witness to our slaughter in Belmod's palace, and I revealed some of my magical abilities to him just to arrange out little chat, so he was already primed to fear ignoring my orders.
After my offer to get him out of the country safely, he was quick to oblige my request. He told me about the two military leaders and three Dukes that currently represent the major de facto leadership in the Empire. After hearing about them, I ultimately told him to pass along my request for them to meet with me two weeks from now to negotiate. I had him convey that all they needed to do was be present in the palace's throne room at noon, and I'd come to greet them.
I also impressed upon him the importance of keeping what he saw of my abilities to himself.
I'm not sure whether the Empire's leadership will do as I asked. However, I'm certain that someone will be waiting for me there, and that most if not all of those leaders will at least be nearby within the city. That should be a good enough starting point for me to take care of the rest.
I let out a deep, contented sigh as I sink into the plush couch, and I prop my feet up on the coffee table. After what feels like only a few seconds, I hear footsteps approaching me, and I look up to see Alto walking in with a curious smirk on her face.
"So, did he agree to arrange the meeting?" (Alto)
I let out a wry grin.
"Eventually...yeah. What about Alara...what did she say about Alyse joining us here in Eden? Also, where are Nina and Zara?" (Mizuki)
Alto nods her acknowledgement and walks over to take a seat on the couch next to me.
"Nina and Zara wanted to spar while you were gone, after all the 'boring talking' today. As for Alara, she was quite pleased with the news of Alyse joining us. I believe she intends for her to take Zara's place as her bodyguard and right hand." (Alto)
I nod approvingly as Alto settles into the couch beside me. Then, to my surprise, she turns her body to lay her legs over my lap, and leans in to hug me as she rests her head against my chest. She doesn't say a word, she just cuddles against me and lets out a small sigh.
I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Uhm...Alto, is everything okay?" (Mizuki)
She doesn't raise her head to meet my gaze. She just remains silent for several moments, then she speaks quietly into my shirt.
"I just feel like everything's changing so fast, Mizuki. Putting you at the center of the elf-Empire conflict, revealing your nature as a Nephilim, publicizing your engagement to Ilina, and agreeing to build trains for all the nobles. If anything goes wrong with any of that, disastrous consequences lurk around every corner.
"I trust you and us to handle it, but the risk isn't all I'm worried about. I'm excited that we're finally making moves to improve the world I live in, and I know this is selfish, but...I fear that throwing you into the center of attention will destroy the new life I've already come to appreciate. How will our lives change once everyone is clamoring for your time and attention?
"I cherish the others in our group, Mizuki, but I also recognize that I'm somewhat apart from them. They all have people and things to focus on outside our group – Alara has Eden, Zara her tribe, and Ilina her rise to power. But all my old friends are dead, I cut ties with my parents before I even met you, and my only notable hobby is...research with you. Will you even have time for that anymore? I'm sure you'll struggle just to make time for your wives..." (Alto)
My eyes widen involuntarily as I'm taken aback by Alto's words. Their sincerity, their vulnerability...their truth. I hadn't considered before now how drastically my new public image among the elves may affect my free time, nor how Alto feels about it.
I instinctively wrap my arms around Alto as I pull her into the hug tighter. I expect her to chide me, to act embarrassed, or to otherwise resist the gesture, but she just buries her face deeper in my chest. Does she think...I don't value our friendship? That I'd let my obligations push her to the back burner, or that she isn't as important to me as Nina and Ilina?
I purse my lips in disapproval at the thought.
"Alto, I'm sorry if I haven't made this clearer before, but...you're important to me. Yes, Nina is my first love, and Ilina is my fiancé that I'll one day rule this kingdom with, but you're my best friend. You being the third exception to Azazel's rules, right alongside Nina and Ilina...that's not a coincidence. I cherish having you in my life every single bit as much as I cherish them. Don't every forget, our relationship means enough to me that I asked you to give up your mortality so I never had to lose it.
"Believe me when I tell you...if I wasn't going to let something as grand as time or death separate us, I'm damn sure not going to let fame or some minor inconveniences do it. I give you my word Alto, you will always have me, and I'll never abandon you. Come what may, I will still make time for you and for our research. Because while it may not be in the same way, I love you every bit as much as I love Nina and Ilina." (Mizuki)
I let my words hang in the air between us, watching Alto as she just continues to cuddle me in silence. She neither meets my gaze, nor says a word. Instead, I suddenly feel her hands tighten around me, her fingers knotting the fabric of my shirt as her nails dig into the skin beneath it, but I don't say anything.
I move my hand to gently rub her back, and I feel her begin to tremble slightly against me. Before I know it, I also feel a cool, damp sensation against my chest that I can only assume is Alto's tears. Still, I don't comment on her reaction or say a word, I just keep rubbing her back reassuringly as her trembling becomes more severe.
For more minutes than I can count, we sit like that in each other's embraces, until her sobbing finally subsides. After several more moments in silence thereafter, she readjusts her head on my chest, and finally speaks softly.
"I love you, too, Mizuki..." (Alto)
I smile as I process her response, and I just give her an affectionate squeeze. Shortly after, the tender moment is interrupted by the sound of paper rustling behind me. Throwing a curious glance over my shoulder, I notice that a new message has arrived in our MMC.
That's weird...who's messaging us at this time?
Not wanting to disturb Alto, I subtly use my gravity spell to float the paper message into my hand, then unroll and read it. As my eyes lazily scan its contents, a shiver soon runs up my spine.
Mizuki,
If you don't want to see everyone you care about die, investigate the threat within the Freden Kingdom. Start with the royals and nobility.
You must be discreet with your abilities – don't let the human countries discover that Mizuki the adventurer's magical prowess. Ask Levi to help you with your investigation.
No matter what, don't trust Alto...you'll regret it.
Sincerely,
One otherworlder to another
My eyes scan and re-scan the small scrap of paper, unwilling to come to terms with the implications of the letter. Meanwhile, endless thoughts race through my head as I reflexively fixate on one line of the message:
One otherworlder to another
Setting aside whether there is actually another transplant like me involved, the author's reference of me as an otherworlder is enough to shake me. After all, I can name every single person on this planet that knows the truth about where I'm from. That would be bad enough, but...the message also came through the MMC.
The only people with access to those currently are Levi's group, the Egris house, and the royals. Could one of them have really sent me this message? No...I admit that doesn't make much sense. There's little reason for any of them to do so. Plus, Levi's group doesn't even know that I'm an alien. However, if it wasn't Levi's group, Elira, Dargo, Cara, or Alyse, then that's even more terrifying...
Everyone else in the world who both knows about my true nature and has access to an MMC is in the elven royal palace right now. Even if one of the people who was in the nobles' meeting today had wanted to send that message, they'd have to both find out where the MMC was hidden in Dargo's office, and sneak their way through the most secure building in the country, all in the span of a few hours.
It just doesn't seem possible. Moreover, I have a hard time imagining any of the elves who were present today sending such a message. It's not their style, and they have nothing to gain. Besides, they know that such an action would have a small suspect list, and that I can merely ask them about the letter in front of Nina. There'd be no way to hide their actions...
That brings me to the terrifying part...there's someone out there, in either the Elven Kingdom or Elmesia, who knows everything about me while I know almost nothing about them. Worse, they seem willing and capable of infiltrating my friends' homes. Could the sender really be an otherworlder? If so, how do they know so much about me?
As for the contents of the letter, I have to assume that they know Nina's real identity, so why are they implying that she'll be killed too? Could there really be something in the Freden Kingdom that could threaten her? Why would it be targeting us, when we've never even been there? If that's all a lie, then what purpose does it serve?
None of it makes any sense, but it's also too concerning to ignore.
Then, there's the last part of the message...about not trusting Alto. The whole tone of the message makes it seem like the sender is trying to help me. And yet...warning me not to trust Alto only makes me think they have nefarious intentions.
As far as I'm concerned, Alto's trustworthiness is absolutely above reproach. She's my most trusted friend, and one of my most powerful allies. That's why I can only see such a warning as an underhanded tactic to drive a wedge between her and I. To either weaken me and my friends, or to isolate Alto so she's an easier target.
As if she can sense herself amidst my thoughts, Alto suddenly lifts her head from my chest and speaks in a concerned voice.
"Mizuki, what is it? What's that letter? Your whole body is tense, and I haven't felt you breath for over a minute." (Alto)
I glance at her in surprise, and I see her looking up at me with an earnest but concerned expression, her sapphire-blue eyes still puffy from crying. After a moment of contemplation, I purse my lips and hand the letter to Alto without responding.
She raises her eyebrows in confusion, but seeing the serious look on my face, she quickly takes the letter and scans its contents fervently. After a few moments, I see her face go pale. She looks back up at me with a shocked expression.
"Mizuki...did this arrive just now? Who sent this? This threat they mentioned, do you know what it is?" (Alto)
I shake my head solemnly.
"It just fell into our MMC while we've been sitting here, but I don't know who sent it, or anything about what the letter references. For all I know, none of it's true and they're just grasping at straws. However, I'm glad that you didn't feel the need to ask if I believed the part about not being able to trust you." (Mizuki)
Alto's expression darkens considerably, and her voice turns cold.
"Of course not...I'd never betray you, Mizuki. Never. That part was clearly a ploy to manipulate you into...something. To affect our relationship in some way." (Alto)
I sigh and nod, glancing off thoughtfully.
"I agree...that seems like the only reasonable explanation to me as well. If they already know about my abilities, then driving a wedge between us can't be meant to physically weaken me. So, they hope to either isolate and target you, or they're worried that you may help me overcome something that can't be solved with strength alone. If this is really about you, can you think of any suspects or motives?" (Mizuki)
Alto gives me a troubled expression, seeming to contemplate the question for a while. Eventually, she just shakes her head.
"No, Mizuki...I'm sorry. I don't have any other friends, much less enemies, and I'm not sure what help I'd offer you that someone would be so afraid of to warrant this. But I promise, I'll help you get to the bottom of the who and why of this letter." (Alto)
I give her a small smile.
"Great, I was counting on that." (Mizuki)
Alto's eyes seem to warm again, and she gives me a nod.
"So, what do you want to do? Are you going to take this supposed threat from the Freden Kingdom seriously? And how are we going to identify the letter's sender?" (Alto)
I purse my lips thoughtfully at her question. While I think it over, I also send out my magic sense across the Elven Kingdom, first searching for human signatures, then for non-elf signatures at the Egris mansion or royal palace, and finally for any powerful signatures in the country. Other than Nina, I don't get any hits.
I frown disapprovingly at the negative result. Either the message originated from Elmesia, which is outside my magic sense range, or the sender is a very well-connected elf.
Setting aside that problem for now, I turn to face Alto and shrug.
"I'm honestly not sure how to track down the sender, but I find it very unlikely that they're actually an otherworlder. From what Azazel told me, I'm the first one in centuries, so none of the prior human transfers should still be alive. That only leaves the Greater Spirits and the other Elder Dragons, none of whom know I'm an otherworlder.
"As for the alleged threat in the Freden Kingdom...I'm inclined to investigate it as the letter suggested, once we take care of these other matters with the elves and Empire. If it turns out to be true, I'll be glad we took it seriously. If it's just a ruse to further the sender's agenda, then I'm confident in my ability to protect myself, and I'll at least gather some clues about the sender's identity or motivations." (Mizuki)
Hearing my answer, Alto nods, then her eyes steel with resolve.
"Alright, then we'll investigate the Freden Kingdom. But I'm coming with you, Mizuki. I won't let you go there alone." (Alto)
I give her an incredulous expression, preparing to lecture her about how it's too dangerous. However, as though she can sense what I'm going to say, she narrows her eyes and raises her hand to cut me off.
"No, Mizuki, I'm coming and that's final. I know you're worried about me, but think about it. Either this person wants to isolate and target me, in which case the safest place for me is by your side. Or, this person wants to deprive you of my help, in which case the only way to undermine them is to keep me with you." (Alto)
I open my mouth to argue again, but...I realize she has a point. So, after a moment of begrudging contemplation, I let out a deep sigh and turn to Alto with a reluctant smile.
"Okay, Alto...you win. Whatever the sender of this letter has planned for us, we'll face it together." (Mizuki)
Alto finally gives me one of her classic smirks.
"Well, what a pitiable position this mystery person finds themselves in." (Alto)
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AN: That's it, the end of volume 6!
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you small, devoted group of recurring readers of my humble web-novel (you know who you are), and to make a few announcements about the future of Curiosity of God.
First, at this point I'll be taking a short (I promise) hiatus from the novel, no more than 4-6 weeks. In addition to some personal stuff as I prepare to make a big transition in my life, I also need this time to prepare an outline for V7-8 material for the novel. I've hinted before that the story will be taking a much darker, more serious turn as it progresses, and that time is upon us. However, that also means more work and forethought on my part. Hence, the outline and the hiatus.
Second, you're all surely (hopefully) aware of how long the novel's chapters have been so far. Upon reflection, I think that has been harmful in a number of ways. It's been harmful to you, the reader, because it drastically reduces chapter release frequency. It's been harmful to me, the author, because the infrequent releases (I've recently learned) drastically reduce the story's exposure via WebNovel's recommendation algorithms. Finally, it hurts the novel, because it clogs the flow of the story to bury multiple major events or even arcs into a single death scroll worth of writing.
So, from V7 onward, I'll be adopting the more classic 1000-1500 word length chapters and making my releases much more frequent. I doubt I'll be able to manage the 1-2 per day of most novels here – I do work full time, and I have a partner and other hobbies – but I'll do my best to publish at least two chapters per week.
Third, I'll be using this opportunity to change some other things about the novel. Mainly minor things, like its formatting. I'll make sure to clarify them with author's notes {AN} in-text, as needed.
Anyway, that's about it! Once again, thank you all for reading for this long, and I hope you stick with the story as it continues to grow and progress. I'm excited for what's on the horizon!
Best,
BosonConfidential