"Wait, Mizuki, I'm sorry but we can't support this! I don't believe for a moment that Lady Nedonera would agree to this! Furthermore…Ilina fighting Alara like this…truthfully, it'd be pointless. She stands no chance." (Dargo)
"No, I'd like to do it." (Ilina)
Everyone turns to Ilina in bewilderment, and Alara cackles with excitement at the proclamation. However, Ilina just stares forward with a fiercely determined look.
"Ilina…" (Dargo)
"No, Father, I'm serious. I insist, actually." (Ilina)
Elira directs a rare smile at Ilina, seemingly proud of her in some strange way. After, Elira sighs deeply.
"I'd allow such a match between these two, Mizuki. However, I still agree about Lady Nedonera. We won't accept an eventuality where you die, knowing how she is likely to react. Perhaps we could agree to the same wager without your deathmatch, but instead with you and Lady Nedonera forgiving Alara's transgression without further incident." (Elira)
"No, I refuse. I won't waste my time in a pointless battle with Ilina unless I know I can kill that human if I win." (Alara)
That's right, Alara, just keep making it easier for me.
At this point, Nina calmly walks into the conference room with a charming smile, and everyone turns to her in surprise.
"Mizuki, dear, you asked me to come, yes? What do you need?" (Nina)
Dargo and Elira look between us in confusion. I stand up and give a deep bow to Nina.
[Alright, Nina, get ready to listen to my plea and grant my request. Make sure they believe that you'll grant it, though.] (Mizuki)
"My Lady, to be brief, I have proposed a wager with the royal family. If I lose the wager, I have agreed to a deathmatch with Princess Alara. If I were to be killed in this deathmatch, the wager would demand that you not retaliate, and that you handle Veyron for the elves. I believe winning this wager is the best route to your goals, and I beg that you agree to these terms." (Mizuki)
[Fufufufufu…Mizuki, that's mean even for you. You're letting that elf think she has any chance of surviving.] (Nina)
Nina looks like she's thinking it over, and Queen Elira has gone pale. She looks like she wants to protest, but Nina cuts off her opportunity.
"Very well, I trust Mizuki to be clever enough to win the wager. If he does not, and is slain in the following deathmatch, I will honor his final wishes to aid you against Veyron and not retaliate for his death." (Nina)
Elira and Dargo seem stunned at first, but then they look at each other seriously. After a moment, Elira nods to Dargo, and Dargo turns to me.
"Very well, Mizuki, Her Highness will support this wager to its conclusion. Whatever that may be." (Dargo)
As Dargo voices his and the Queen's approval, Alara squeals with delight. However, Dargo stares at me apprehensively, like someone who suspects they've walked into a trap, but doesn't know how to avoid it either.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Sometime later, those of us from the conference room are in a secluded outdoor training area at the back of the palace. The two royal guards and Klaus were given a strict lecture on not discussing what they saw, and nobody else was allowed in.
Ilina and Alara are standing in the training grounds about fifteen meters apart, and the rest of us are sitting on benches outside the arena. Queen Elira walks onto the grounds between them and speaks loudly.
"Per the previously proposed wager, to address Mizuki's attempted murder by Princess Alara, I decree that Princesses Alara and Ilina will engage in combat here until the point of incapacitation or surrender. As your Queen, I absolutely forbid lethal force. If Princess Alara prevails, she will earn the right to engage Mizuki in a deathmatch. If Princess Ilina prevails, Alara will be forced into a nobility, and Ilina will become heir apparent to the throne. Is this agreed?" (Elira)
[Fufufu…Mizuki, the poor elf would be much better off losing! Do you really intend to kill her if you end up in a deathmatch?] (Nina)
Nina's question rings clearly in my head.
[Definitely. Her relationship with Ilina earned her leniency the first time she tried to kill me, but that's not going to happen a second time.] (Mizuki)
Elira looks between Alara and Ilina, waiting for their agreement. Alara nods viciously, and Ilina nods as well, the picture of focus. They've both agreed to the match and its terms.
Honestly, I'm a little worried about Ilina, knowing that Alara has a lightning affinity. As soon as Ilina pins Alara with gravity magic, it will be over for sure. Ilina has the element of surprise, but lightning casting is probably fast and accurate. Ilina must either land a decisive blow first or be able to tank lightning until she can get her spell off.
Either way, I don't see this fight lasting long.
"Very well, you may begin when ready!" (Elira)
Alara wastes no time, and she begins muttering an incantation as she walks towards Ilina. Blue lightning begins to crackle around one of her hands as she raises it towards Ilina with a murderous smile.
"Now little sister, try not to die in one hit!" (Alara)
Crap…Ilina couldn't activate her spell quickly enough. I slow time to observe everything better, and I see blue lightning arc off Alara's hand towards Ilina in slow motion. When, it's only a few meters from Ilina, she still hasn't moved.