It took over two months for her and Klaus to journey here, and it may take another month or more just to find the dragon in the forest. It's unclear how long it will take to secure its assistance and exit the forest. She also has other matters she hopes to address on this trip, and then there's the long return trip to the Elven Kingdom.
Consequently, Ilina is hyper focused on preparing for her meeting with Mizuki in an hour. She considers it essential that they secure his help and locate the dragon as soon as possible.
She would spend the next hour formulating search strategies and resource management for their long-term search in the forest. Little did she know, the impatient Mizuki had already made arrangements that would turn her plans upside down.
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After leaving Nina, I teleported back to the forest's edge near the city, then applied body enhancement and concealment spells and sprinted my way to the inn that Ilina and Klaus were staying at. I ducked in a nearby alley to drop my spells covertly, then walked into the inn.
At reception, I requested a room with a bath for two nights. Like Ilina before, the receptionist eyed my clothing suspiciously and told me it'd cost one gold coin. However, when I produced the coin, she was all smiles. She gave me the key, and she asked if there was anything else I needed. I requested that some food be brought to my room ASAP and gave her a silver coin to cover cost and tip.
I'm currently soaking in a much-needed bath, enjoying my food. It's the same steak, potatoes, and veggies I ordered at the tavern recently. However, the quality is much better, and I'm having black tea with it instead of water.
Thinking about the last hour I spent with Nina, I smile unconsciously. Curious about our new connection, I use magic sense to locate her, and I estimate that she's roughly where she was before, a little over 300 km south of here.
I try and locate her through our connection, and I'm surprised by the responsiveness of it. Not only do I know exactly where she is, but I have a vague sense of her surroundings. The level of detail is such that I think I could safely teleport to her anywhere via our connection.
I also probe her current state of mind, and I get a sense of…excitement and satisfaction? I wonder what that's about.
[Hey, Nina! How are you doing? I'm getting a mix of smugness mixed with self-satisfaction from you. Anything I should know about?] (Mizuki)
I reach out to her via our thought connection to satisfy my curiosity.
[Hey, Mizuki! So, you're using our link to peep on me already, huh? Sorry, I decided to keep my clothes on after you left.] (Nina)
She responds back to me with a playful tone. I can tell that she's glad to hear from me, so I ignore the peeping comment. I can also tell that she's changing the subject by trying to fluster me.
[I think you might be in trouble, Nina. Now I can tell when you're trying to hide something from me, you know? You're not going to be able to distract me with your suggestive remarks anymore!] (Mizuki)
I feel a sense of amusement coming through our connection.
[Tch…you're no fun when you're comfortable with me. You caught me, though. I've been practicing something that I'm excited to show you later, but don't ask me about it for now, okay? I want it to be a surprise!] (Nina)
Well, that makes me more than a little curious, but I want her to feel like she still has privacy, so I need to practice boundaries for myself. Plus, she said she'd show me later, so I can wait.
[Alright, I guess I can wait then. I'm looking forward to it! Also, I'm about to go meet with the elves, so I'll be no-contact with you until I'm done. I promise to let you know afterwards what the plan is, though.] (Mizuki)
[Understood! Best of luck, Mizuki.] (Nina)
After her last message, I feel her emotions become serious. I guess she turned her attention back to whatever she's doing.
I sink deeper into the bath and take one last deep breath, then I mentally prepare myself for what's ahead.
"Alright. Let's do this." (Mizuki)