"Ah, so that's a no. Well, the royal family had reason to believe that's the case. Ilina arranged, without the royal family's knowledge, to sneak out of the kingdom and travel all the way to Delmura Forest to ask for Lady Nedonera's help to protect you all against Veyron. She put her own life on the line, so I don't think there can be any doubt of her devotion to your kingdom. Your people are very lucky." (Mizuki)
Kudra has a very conflicted expression for a few moments.
"That's…troubling…to think Princess Ilina would risk her life so freely for us. No elf would have asked such a thing of her, though I can't deny that we all cherish and appreciate her. Still, while I thank you for telling me this, I think it's best if you don't tell others about it, Mizuki. You can ask your next question." (Kudra)
I nod at him, then lean over and lower my voice. He raises his eyebrows at me.
"Very well, I'll take your advice. My next question is…what do you and the other elves think of Alara versus Ilina as potential rulers for your people? Naturally, I'm sure this is a sensitive thing for a common elf to discuss, so I promise not to repeat it." (Mizuki)
Kudra's eyes narrow suspiciously at me, and he looks quite nervous. However, I stare at him patiently for a few moments, and he sighs deeply and nods to himself.
"Truthfully, I worry that Princess Alara doesn't care for all elves equally the way that some of the other royals and nobles seem to, and I worry how common elves will be treated when she comes to power. In general, the people are respectful towards Princess Alara, but don't really admire or love her. By contrast, Ilina is practically worshipped by the people, and has been for almost a decade now. Some even…" (Kudra)
Kudra seems to trail off fearfully and glance around, then decides to stop speaking altogether. So, I guess that's all he'll admit like this. After a moment, he redirects his gaze to me.
"I was more concerned about your comments on Princess Ilina at first, but now I'd like to ask about you. Can you tell me about the situation of you freeing elven slaves? How did you learn of them, how did you help them, and why did you involve yourself against humans to help elves?" (Kudra)
Oh? I thought he'd ask about me being an advisor to Nina for sure, or about an Elder Dragon being here.
"There are some specifics of how it was done that I can't discuss, but I'll answer what I can. Essentially, I got a tip that kidnapped elves might have showed up in a human city's underground slave trade, and I was asked to confirm their location and number. I hate slavery, so instead I located the slave house, killed every human I found that was involved, then I freed all the slaves there. I don't care about race, social status, or anything else…all people have the same rights, and those who violate them forfeit their own. End of story." (Mizuki)
Kudra looks at me with his mouth open in shock, and a trace of disbelief in his expression.
"Y-You…really killed your own people to free elves you'd never even met?" (Kudra)
That's…technically a second question, but whatever.
"I don't consider those low lives 'my people', but yes, I killed other humans to free elves and wolf-kin. If I had to kill a dozen guilty humans just to free one innocent demi-human that they enslaved, I'd do it without losing a minute of sleep. Humans don't get the right to mistreat other races just because I was born a human. Also…that was a second question, but I guess I can let it slide." (Mizuki)
Kudra is giving me a strange expression that I can't quite place, but he seems to believe my statements. I continue with my inquiries.
"My next question is, what do you think of me, Kudra? Are you afraid of me, and if so, why?" (Mizuki)
Kudra seems to consider the question carefully for several minutes before responding.
"I don't have any concerns that you're a danger to myself or other elves anymore, but I wouldn't say that it's like I trust you as a person either. Your personality is so clear yet inexplicable that I feel like I can predict your actions but not understand your feelings, if that makes any sense. So, I don't fear you, but I'm unsettled by your nature." (Kudra)
I nod appreciatively to him with a polite smile after he answers. Kudra notices, and he doesn't wait for me to speak before continuing.
"Mizuki, I only have one final question. You've told me that you serve an Elder Dragon who is currently visiting our kingdom, that a different Elder Dragon may intend to wipe us all out, and that you'll readily kill people regardless of who or what they are. As much as all this information baffles and scares me, I also don't get the impression that you'd lie to me. So, my only question left is…what, if anything, should an old elf like me be worried about in the foreseeable future?" (Kudra)
That's a great question. I smile at him reassuringly.
"That's clever, Kudra. I'd say the outcome of the royal announcement in ten days. You don't need to worry about the actions of the demons, Veyron, Lady Nedonera, me, or any other races. Instead, you should be concerned how your nobles and commoners will react to the information they receive. From my perspective, that could lay the foundation for millennia of unprecedented peace and advancement for your kingdom, or millennia of turmoil and regression. I'm sorry, but I can't say more than that." (Mizuki)
Kudra looks surprised, but then he nods solemnly.
"I admit…that wasn't the answer I expected. It was only just announced by the palace, and while I was curious about the reason for it, I wasn't concerned. I suppose I'll need to pay close attention and hope I and other elves make the right choices when they present themselves. Do you have any other questions, Mizuki?" (Kudra)
"Yes, just one. If I told you that my most genuine desire is for your people to be comfortable with my presence in your kingdom, and with my familiarity with Princess Ilina, what advice would you give me towards that end?" (Mizuki)