Eventually, Ilina sighs lightly and shakes her head, giving me an annoyed smile.
"My flaw is...I'm emotional." (Ilina)
Once again, I'm immediately incredulous. Even though I joke about her being a yandere, and about how prone she is to random violence against me, I firmly categorize that as playful banter in our relationship...performative drama. At no point would I have described Ilina as truly 'emotional'.
She was calm when she first met 'Nedonera the Elder Dragon', she was calculating when I was trying to throw her off my scent in the early days, and she was ruthlessly effective as she manipulated the entire elven ruling class yesterday at the nobles' meeting. Somebody I consider emotional would never be able to operate so admirably in those high-stress situations.
I'm jarred from my thoughts by the sound of Ilina chuckling, and I glance over to see a playful smile gracing her beautiful face.
"Fufufu...you're doubting me? Probably thinking something along the lines of how someone emotional would have never accomplished everything that I have?" (Ilina)
I freeze, more than a little unsettled by the practical mind-reading. Seeing my startled expression, Ilina's smile widens, and she nods knowingly.
"You're doing it again...focusing on the outcomes instead of my thought process. You're admiring how I navigated those situations, because you appreciate my intelligence. But, consider why I was in those situations in the first place. For example, I managed to find my way to a reclusive Earth Dragon and return with aid for my people, but I first snuck out of my country and put myself in danger all because I hated feeling useless.
"I managed to trick you into revealing your pre-existing relationship with Nina, back when you first took Klaus and me to meet her, but only because I'm deeply competitive and I was invested in our little game of cat and mouse. Sure, I forced my parents and the nobles to accept you as my husband, but that's only because I'm impatient and I loathe hiding our relationship.
"When you look at it from that perspective, it's clear. I'm emotional, Mizuki, and I'm learning that's especially true where you're concerned." (Ilina)
Her grey eyes study me intensely in the aftermath of her admission, holding a mix of anxiety, embarrassment, and...something that looks vaguely hopeful. I smile, pulling her against me in a hug as I whisper in her ear.
"That's fine...I love you." (Mizuki)
PAH!
I'm jarred from the potentially touching moment by a sharp flick to my forehead. I pull back, frowning accusingly at my assailant. Ilina's staring back at me, wearing a mildly annoyed expression. She doesn't leave me confused about the reason for long.
"I already know that you love me, jerk...I love you, too. What I would rather hear is some self-reflection about how your carefree approach to interacting with other women affects me. I've just told you I'm emotional, which means you shouldn't assume that I won't get insanely jealous just because I logically trust you not to drop your pants around other women. Understand?" (Ilina)
I stare at her silently for several seconds, contemplating my recovery approach.
"Is this about Cara?" (Mizuki)
Murderous intent flashes in her eyes.
"I am literally lying on top of you, naked, pouring my heart out...why are you thinking about that woman right now?" (Ilina)
I feel a cold sweat forming on the back of my neck. On one hand, I think I'm finally starting to understand Ilina what Ilina is saying about being emotional. On the other hand, despite that progress in our relationship, I currently have no idea what the next words out of my mouth should be to reduce my likelihood of dying in the nude.
I smile at her nervously, ready to gamble it all.
"Uhm...I guess it just randomly crossed my mind how much less attractive she is by comparison?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's gaze stays locked on me at full intensity for several seconds. Then, her lips twist into a warm smile as her earlier hostility evaporates. She gently reaches out to pat my head, causing me to tense up.
"Very good...you're learning. See, I know that you're lying, but I don't care. Becauseeee...?" (Ilina)
She cocks her eyebrow at me expectantly, waiting for me to fill in the blank, I guess.
"Uhm...because...you're emotional? So...I shouldn't assume that just because you logically know that I'm lying, that you don't like hearing it anyway?" (Mizuki)
Her expression darkens.
"Wrong...the correct answer is that you weren't lying." (Ilina)
Gods, this...is going to be a rough adjustment.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
The next morning...
I teleport to an area just outside the wolf-kin village, making sure to arrive invisible and suspended high in the air.
After my conversation with Ilina last night, I teleported Zara back to her village like she requested before going to sleep. Strangely, she requested that I teleport her outside the village, into that clearing where I once fought her brother and the other wolf-kin warriors. That's the same clearing I'm floating above now. Looking down at the village below, I think I finally understand the reason for her strange request.
In the weeks since Zara became Elder, the wolf-kin 'village' has ceased to exist. Metaphorically, of course.
What once was a haphazard congregation of huts that melded with the surrounding landscape, is now a clearly defined settlement bustling with coordinated activity. Below, I can see several basic but modernly built structures. Most of them are large, dorm-like buildings that I assume are for communal housing. They're focused in the center of the settlement, while the significantly reduced number of tents have been pushed to the settlements outskirts, likely until there are enough dorms for everyone.
In addition, I can see some smaller structures that appear to be designated for certain critical trades, like blacksmithing. And indeed, now that I look more carefully, I can see that many of the wolf-kin milling about are wearing basic armor. The most striking change to the wolf-kin settlement, though, is its borders. As in, they have them...in the form of a modest, wooden defensive wall that encircles everything. On the south side of the settlement, I can see a large entryway in the wall, guarded by several armored wolf-kin.
As I observe the sweeping changes to the area, I can't help but gawk.
Fuck me...I guess Zara wasn't screwing around about getting her people to modernize. Assuming that these buildings weren't started until the wolf-kin returned from helping in Eden, the rate of progress is jarring. They must have been working full-time on this, all hands on deck.
Shaking myself from my stupor, I slowly fly down to the – I guess I can't call it a village anymore, so...town, entrance. After all, it'd be rude to just ignore their wall and enter their home directly, after all this effort they obviously went through. I land a few meters away from the guards and drop my invisibility spell, giving them a smile and a casual wave.
"Hey guys, looks like you've been busy!" (Mizuki)
The reception is...not what I expected.
"Intruder! One human, potentially hostile!"
One of the guards closest to the gate yells out, and my eyes widen in surprise. In the span of a few moments, numerous armor-clad wolf-kin organize around me, pointing spears at me from all sides. There are six guards in total – a mid-30s guard that appears to be in charge, and five guards that look suspiciously young, like the oldest is 18 at most. All but one of them are male.
The apparent leader of the guards – the one who first called out – steps forward, brandishing his spear threateningly. Naturally, I've already donned by magic armor...just in case.
"State your name and business...humans are no longer allowed to freely enter our village." (head guard)
I raise my eyebrows, giving him an amused smile.
"Just out of curiosity, is this some kind of new protocol you're trained to stick to, or did Zara actually not tell you guys that I was coming?" (Mizuki)
I see a flicker of confusion in some the eyes around me, including the head guard. Then, it's all business again.
"Name and business..." (head guard)
So...that tells me all I need to know. This probably is some kind of new protocol, but at the same time, it's clear that Zara did not explicitly tell them that I was coming by this morning. The question is...why? Testing them? Testing me? Did she just drink to much last night and forget? Who knows...
Guess I'll play along, though.
I smirk at the wolf-kin guard.
"My name is Mizuki, maybe you've heard of me? As for my business, I'm meeting with Zara this morning. We have a little trip planned." (Mizuki)
Hearing my name, I see most of the guards around me freeze. They begin exchanging nervous glances. I have to suppress the urge to laugh. It seems they definitely know who I am. Honestly, this is a refreshing change of pace.
Though they don't break their formation, the head guard's tone changes drastically. It's quite deferential now...to put it lightly.
"Honored Mizuki, we apologize for the inconvenience, but we weren't informed of your visit. Our standing orders are to stop any non demi-humans at the gate, no exceptions. Could you please wait while I go and inform Elder Zara of your arrival?" (head guard)
I raise my eyebrows.
If I wasn't sure before, I am now. Zara definitely set these guys up. That's so mean. She's visited her village a couple times since the last time I was here, so it's clear she's also used those opportunities to arrange for training and protocols to be hammered into them. It's....impressive.
Obviously, I'm not going to cause problems for these guards, but...I can't resist to see how seriously they're taking her 'standing orders'.
I smile at the head guard.
"Out of curiosity, if I was impatient and decided that I was just going to walk into your settlement how I pleased, what would you do?" (Mizuki)
The young guards all tense up, tightening their grips on their spears, beads of sweat visible on a couple of their foreheads. Interestingly though, the head guard only looks briefly confused before a knowing look flickers across his face. He nods at me resolutely, an almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.
"In that case, Elder Zara's orders are clear. We would attempt to stop you by force, if necessary. Although, I'd kindly ask that you not scare the young warriors here that much. Your power is the stuff of nightmares among the wolf-kin, and it'd be very embarrassing for them to faint in their first fortnight on the job." (head guard)
I chuckle internally. Nightmares, huh?
I nod at the older guard.
"Very well, I don't mind waiting here while you follow whatever your new procedures are." (Mizuki)
The head guard nods appreciatively, then turns to the young guards. To my surprise, he seems to hone in on the youngest, smallest one present – a wolf-kin girl of 13 or 14 years. His tone is neutral but firm when he speaks.
"I'll find Elder Zara. You know what to do...Lyla is in charge." (head guard)
All of the young guards nod, then the little girl – Lyla, I presume – steps forward. Her face is twisted into an overly serious expression, like she's trying to look stern. It contrasts hilariously with her somewhat high-pitched voice as she speaks to the two oldest teenage boys specifically.
"You two, resume normal gate duties." (Lyla)
To my surprise, despite looking a good four years older than her, neither of them bats an eye. They just nod and move to the gate, taking a stance on either side of it. As they walk away, Lyla turns to the other two.
"You two with me, weapons at ease." (Lyla)
Before they can even respond, she turns on her heel and fixes her gaze on me. I see a brief flash of anxiety as our eyes meet, but it's quickly replaced by a resolute expression. She steps forward in front of me, nodding respectfully.
"Please, Honored Mizuki, follow me." (Lyla)