After wrapping up the loose ends in Gerard's office, Zara and I left Sadhara with her sister, who now has some generous vacation time.
I also asked Levi to arrange for him and the others to regularly scout the routes between Elmesia and the Empire, and warn me by MMC at least twenty-four hours before any Empire forces would arrive. He said he could manage, and I left it at that.
After that, I teleported us back to the rabbit-kin to inform them of the situation. Of course, they were more than a little curious about how we'd already traveled to Elmesia and back, but I pointedly refused their questions, and they aren't exactly the insistent type.
Otherwise, they were ecstatic that Sadhara's sister is still alive, but less than pleased when I told them that Melena had no intention of returning to their settlement, and that Sadhara refused to part with her Big Sis. Naturally, it left some of them with the feeling that I'd basically kidnapped one of their children and was refusing to return her.
Thankfully, it seems my harsh, preemptive discussion with Quira about that exact possibility wasn't in vain, and we managed to smooth things over with the rabbit-kin with his help. All I had to do was promise that, if Melena and Sadhara requested it in the future, I'd safely return them to the village.
Now, Zara and I are flying east, the western plains having long yielded to woodlands below us. Our destination?
The easternmost of three major magic signature clusters in fox-kin territory – Central Tail.
Their other two cities, North Ear and South Paw (which caused me no shortage of internal giggles), are closer. However, not only is Central Tail the largest and most advanced of the cities, but it's even rumored to now allow human visitors. Given my history meeting new races, Zara and I thought that'd be the...safest choice.
As we close in on the city, I'm filled with equal parts anticipation and anxiety over what we'll find. Is there really an Otherworlder behind the fox-kin's meteoric rise? Did they send the Note? What are their intentions, and am I walking Zara and myself into a trap of their design?
More importantly than any of that, any support seems like it started centuries ago, so...are they still alive? If so, just how powerful must they be, and why has Azazel seemingly hidden their existence from me? The last question, more than any other, causes my blood to run cold.
At the same time, I remind myself that I'm not the only one who this trip is important to, and I cast a brief glance at Zara. I reflect on my conversation with Alto yesterday, resolving to try and be on my best behavior. I haven't mentioned the Note or my theories about the fox-kin's Otherworlder to Zara yet. For now, I'll keep it that way and collect more information discreetly during our visit.
Thinking of Alto's advice, I'm reminded of something else I should probably do sooner rather than later. I summon my item box and produce the katana-styled lightblade I made yesterday during my research session with Alto. The sudden action pulls Zara's attention to me, causing her to curiously eye the seemingly innocuous metal item.
"Is that...the hilt of your sword?" (Zara)
My lips twist into a small smile, offering her the lightblade.
"Good eye. Call it a parting gift...for my favorite swordsman. Try funneling magic into it." (Mizuki)
Surprise and something suspiciously close to embarrassment flicker across Zara's face, the faintest trace of some extra color in her olive-toned skin. She takes the lightblade from me, thankfully holding it faced away from us, and I see her brows furrow in concentration and curiosity.
After a moment, an azure blade of light erupts from the hilt, eliciting a soft gasp from Zara as she inspects its glimmering surface with wonder in her eyes. Eventually, she turns to me, her features uncharacteristically twisted in awe.
"It's beautiful...a sword?" (Zara)
I nod, deeply pleased by her reaction.
"It's called a lightblade, and it's...I can safely say, the sharpest blade in the world. I had Alto and Alyse do a little...uhm, test, and Alyse is down to one sword instead of two now." (Mizuki)
As for how it compares to Alyse's, I'd guess it's comparable if not slightly better. It is the 2.0 version, after all. So, I'm not lying about its ranking.
Zara's eyes widen as she returns her gaze to the lightblade, surveying its edge with a new wariness. After a moment, its blade disappears, and Zara deposits it into her own item box rather unceremoniously. I raise my eyebrows at the sight.
Before I can say anything about her apparent indifference, however, she's facing me once again. Now, there's an intense expression on her face, her eyes darkening in a way that sends a shiver up my spine. Her voice is low...shaky.
"Mizuki, I swear...one day, I'll be worthy of everything you've done for me." (Zara)
I stiffen, immediately uncomfortable with her words despite the clear goodwill behind them. It seems Alto was all too right to have that talk with me yesterday.
I study Zara's expression, and now that I'm looking for it, I can see the subtle emotions hidden in her steely, grey eyes. Resolve and sincerity, yes, but there's also...more. Hints of feelings that deeply concern me.
Devotion, guilt, frustration, fear...signs of her quietly struggling with feeling inadequate, and with fear of disappointing someone she clearly holds in far too high esteem. Why am I just now noticing? Did I ignore subtle signs because I assumed she'd rationally recognize there was no reason for her to feel this way? How long would I have remained oblivious on my own?
I sigh deeply, shaking my head in exasperation.
"That's complete bullshit, Zara..." (Mizuki)
Her face slackens in shock like I just slapped her, her jaw tightening with something heart-wrenchingly similar in appearance to shame. By the time I realize that she's taken it the wrong way, her voice has lost its normal steadiness.
"I...I know...but I'll do my best..." (Zara)
I swear at myself internally, grabbing her shoulders in my panic.
"No, Zara, I mean the idea that you need to become worthy of anything I do for you...that is what's bullshit. You're already worthy." (Mizuki)
Her eyes widen, studying me in stunned silence. It's as though she's looking for any indication that I'm lying, and I can't help but feel frustrated by that. I seem to be doing a poor job getting this point across.
I purse my lips.
"I mean it Zara. I'm not sure where you're hearing otherwise, but...you deserve everything that's happened since we met. How far you've come with your sword skills, what you've managed to do to the wolf-kin village, your ascension to Elder...it's nothing short of incredible, and it's not just because of me. You made those things happen, and I'm...proud..." (Mizuki)
I lose a bit of steam at the end, feeling ridiculous about saying I'm proud of her. I consider her a little sister, sure, but I'm also aware that talking to her like one may come off a bit...condescending. Not only are we not related by blood, but I only look two years older than her, and she's an adult by wolf-kin standards.
Zara's jaw tightens at my words, not in anger or disappointment, but simply with the tension of someone trying to remain outwardly composed. I also don't miss the way her fists clench at her sides, or how she suddenly needs to blink more frequently as she stares back at me in measured silence. Eventually, she speaks, her voice steady but softer than usual.
"Thank you, Mizuki. I'm sorry that I...I'm not better with my words. I can't express how honored or indebted I feel from your support." (Zara)
Oh motherfu-...you've got to be kidding me. I roll my eyes, sighing deeply.
"Zara, I appreciate that you feel honored, but you're not indebted to me. That's part of what I'm trying to get across to you here. We met, I took a liking to you, and I decided I wanted to see you succeed. I'm just...doing what I want. There's never been any expectation for you to pay me back...so, maybe quit trying? Please?" (Mizuki)
We stare at one another for several moments, me in expectant silence, and her with a conflicted expression. Eventually, her face relaxes, and I think I see the corner of her mouth twitch.
"I decline." (Zara)
I blink.
"Come again?" (Mizuki)
Her lips twist into a smirk, as though my reaction is entertaining.
"Your request that I stop trying to return the favor you've shown me...I'm denying it." (Zara)
I stare at her in stunned silence. Seeming to recognize the reason for my confusion, she only grows more amused. She shrugs dismissively.
"I still have my pride as a wolf-kin, Mizuki. Your reasons are not relevant – you showed me goodwill, and I don't intend to turn a blind eye to that. If I ever find out that you need me, however little help I would be, I'm going to be there." (Zara)
I stare at her disapprovingly for several moments, unsure how to handle this blatant defiance. However, Zara just meets my gaze without flinching, that smirk still plastered on her face. Eventually, I sigh in resignation.
"I suppose it'd be a little backwards of me to insist that you don't owe me anything, then try to control how you go about things..." (Mizuki)
Zara doesn't bother responding. She just gives me a faintly smug nod, acknowledging my point, then returns her gaze to the horizon in front of us. Just like that, the matter falls to the wayside, seemingly settled.
Less than an hour later, we arrive in the sky above a massive city. Zara mutters to herself as she scans it and the surrounding terrain below, her tone suddenly serious.
"This is it...Central Tail." (Zara)
I nod absentmindedly. It seems that it's finally time for us to introduce ourselves to the fox-kin.