I widen my eyes in surprise at Nina's unexpectedly serious words, and Ilina gives her a baffled glance as well. After several moments, I realize – Nina's words are surprisingly insightful.
I don't think I should wholly ignore the threat the Note represents, but she's spot on about my flawed mentality. I'm used to being a largely irrelevant person, and treating all my interactions with people seriously as a result. But now, I've thrust myself into the public eye, influencing global events, and that's bound to bring its own baggage.
If I'd been a celebrity or a politician in my last life, wouldn't these kinds of anonymous, vaguely manipulative letters be commonplace? Would I take every one of them so seriously, letting it derail my life?
What if I'd been someone wielding incredible power and resources, like the President? I'd probably take these things even less seriously. Because real threats don't bark, they bite.
I mean...who'd attack a powerful leader whose strength or resources they can't hope to match? Nobody smart enough to craft and send that letter, that's for sure.
As if she can read my mind, Ilina sighs deeply at Nina's comment and gives me a cursory glance.
"I don't share her 'might makes right' mentality, but...I actually agree with Nina about how we should respond to this letter, Mizuki. Though it's exceptionally rare, there have been cases where the elven royal family's decisions have elicited enough backlash for threatening letters to occur, and it's important to address such things from a position of strength. I don't know how things worked on your own planet but...here, as a King, once people know you can be cowed, you only invite more threats." (Ilina)
I blink repeatedly.
I...honestly didn't expect Ilina to be the one saying something like that. Though, I suppose she makes a valid point.
Maybe it's about time I stopped making decisions guided by fear of the unknown, solely trying to avoid every possible danger, and instead start setting clear boundaries that danger should avoid me and the people I care about. Maybe there's really something to the idea that responding to threats carefully and reservedly only invites more threats.
After all, was I not constantly subjected to ridicule and harassment in both Elmesia and the Elven Kingdom while I pretended to be docile and held Nina back from retaliating? Didn't it only stop when I got Elira to officially threaten death to any nobles that targeted me? When I made a show of force with the Elmesia council, and snapped that young adventurer's neck in front of the entire guild? I haven't had any serious issues with either group since.
As I continue to reflect on the idea, despite myself, I even begin laughing. Here I am, all the power in the world, and I'm worrying so intensely about something that most people infinitely weaker than me would brush off with their morning breakfast.
Ilina raises her eyebrows at my reaction, but Nina smiles in amusement, presumably understanding some of my feelings through our Bond. I smile apologetically at Ilina.
"Sorry, Ilina, I'm not laughing at you or losing my mind or anything. I'm just...realizing I agree with you two. I just can't help but find it a little funny that careful, calculated actions may very well invite more risk than solving things with an iron fist. It's...a new reality for me. I was prepared to respond to the situation as though I'm still on Earth, but it's naive of me to keep applying those rules to my situations in Azura." (Mizuki)
Ilina nods understandingly, but Nina wears an excited grin, and I can feel equal parts surprise and satisfaction washing over her.
"Fufufu...wise decision, Mizuki! So, does this mean you'll let me start acting as I please when people disrespect you?" (Nina)
Nina's voice carries an expectant, almost bloodthirsty cadence, and I'm immediately struck with apprehension. My face nearly pales. I still think her threshold for 'disrespect' is a little too harsh, and her impulses a little too severe.
"Uhm...I'm only saying I understand your perspective more. I'd still like to avoid maiming and killing people over their words." (Mizuki)
Nina frowns, and her excitement dims considerably.
"So, nothing has changed. When idiots disrespect my mate, I just have to sit quietly and watch." (Nina)
I can feel her annoyance and frustration, so I wave my hands defensively.
"Well, wait a second, I'm not saying that! If someone really upsets you, I won't ask you to treat them with respect. If their words are egregious, you can even threaten them a bit if you want. I just don't want us dropping bodies over minor slights...too much fear mongering is still bad." (Mizuki)
Nina brightens once again. Her hands clap together excitedly and she squeals before giving me a quick kiss.
"I accept this compromise! Fufufu...the next time we're out in public is going to be so much more fun!" (Nina)
Ilina glances at me in alarm.
"Mizuki...you know you're going to regret that, right?" (Ilina)
Nina gives her a dirty look. To avoid their conversation going downhill again, I suppress the shudder running through my body, give them both a forced smile, and interject with as much confidence as I can muster.
"Err...no, I think it will be fine. I trust Nina to not do anything that would ruin my reputation. Right, dearwife?" (Mizuki)
I glance at Nina, shamelessly layering as much honey into her favorite term of endearment as I can. Unsurprisingly, she beams back at me, full of pride.
"I swear, I will leave their hearts beating and every one of their limbs intact!" (Nina)
My face immediately pales. Why does she make it sound like they're better off being killed?
But...I can't quite stand to backtrack on my vote of confidence towards Nina, especially not with that adorable expression she's making. So, I give her a nervous smile, and Ilina just stares at me with a deadpan face.
Alas, this is officially Future Mizuki's problem.
"Whelp...now that that's settled, let's go meet up with your mother, Ilina. We have some elven nobles to fly home." (Mizuki)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Half an hour later, the three of us are standing near one of the private palace exits with Elira, Dargo, and the nobles other than Alara and Cara. We're also accompanied by Darak's daughters, Vena and Linnea, Tessa's daughter, Selena, and Darak's son, Zakariah. The rest of their escorts will be finding their own ride back.
I've just finished briefing the nobles on the flight plans.
"So, to summarize – Nina and I will split up and fly you back to your homes in two initial groups. Since I'm faster, I'll take two of you, drop each of you off, then meet up with Nina at her first stop via teleportation and continue on to the last city together. Remember that we're not revealing my identity to your people until the royal announcement, so this all has to be done discreetly, only involving those you trust. In the future, I'll just transport you via teleportation.
"Also, make sure you point out to me where you want your train stations to be located. You can go ahead and start construction for them after we leave, and I recommend just following the design for the one here in Avalon. Any questions?" (Mizuki)
Tessa gives me a hesitant look.
"What about the MMCs?" (Tessa)
I shake my head.
"I won't install them today. For now, just decide on a suitable area like we discussed, and I'll stop by as soon as I can." (Mizuki)
Tessa nods, but her questioning gaze seems to linger on me, as though she wants to say more. I raise my eyebrow at her, and she seems to find the courage.
"What about the eastern border gate within my territory, the one that is the primary access point to our kingdom...will you also install an MMC there?" (Tessa)
My eyes widen in surprise. This is the first time I'm hearing this request.
I glance at Ilina in confusion. She seems surprised by the question as well, and after a moment of contemplative silence, she nods apologetically.
"Well...now that she mentions it, with the threat of the Empire looming, I think such an arrangement would be for the best, Mizuki. Removing the communication delay from our border would give us almost a day extra to mount a defense against any invasion force. I know it's a more exposed location, so I can personally take responsibility for all the details of ensuring the MMC's security and access. And for the...repercussions...should it be abused." (Ilina)
I raise my eyebrows at her solemn expression, knowing fully how seriously she takes that promise. She's basically saying, if anyone violates Azazel's rules, she'll take responsibility for executing who she needs to.
"You're sure that's what you want?" (Mizuki)
Ilina gives me a small, resolute smile and nods. Leaving it at that, I turn back to an expectant Tessa.
"Okay then, Tessa, I'll also install an MMC at your border gate and leave the details to Ilina. Naturally, it won't be today, though. Any more questions?" (Mizuki)
I glance around and notice Jorah looking at me. Seeing his expectant expression, I immediately let out an internal groan. Whatever he wants to ask, chances are it'll be annoying.