I direct a curios gaze at Quira, our rabbit-kin liaison, an unexpected edge finding its way into my voice.
"Quira, did the fox-kin ever mention to your people what exactly happened to them? Why they isolated themselves so suddenly? How they progressed so quickly? What caused their culture to shift so drastically?" (Mizuki)
Quira gives me a puzzled look, before consulting the other rabbit-kin with more speed whispering. Meanwhile, Zara gives me a curious glance, clearly picking up on the shift in my demeanor. Quira turns back to me with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, Mizuki, but we have not discussed such things with them. We did not care to ask." (Quira)
I nod, disappointed but not surprised. Seeing that I don't intend to ask anything further, Quira returns his gaze to Zara, and once again offers her a nervous smile.
"So you see, Elder Zara, I'm afraid that we have little reason for large-scale trade with the wolf-kin, because of our relationship with the fox-kin." (Quira)
Zara purses her lips thoughtfully, then shakes her head.
"I believe you do, actually." (Zara)
Quira's brows furrow in confusion.
"We do?" (Quira)
Zara nods.
"The fox-kin don't protect you from any dangers within your territory. They only safeguard your eastern border from humans, who could still venture into your lands from the south, if we don't actively prevent their passage through our territory. Plus, there are still local, non-human threats. For example, would I be correct in assuming that this was not the first time that dragon came here?" (Zara)
Quira saddens, then reluctantly nods.
"Yes, we've lost almost a dozen of our people to it in recent weeks. Though, this was the first time it actually breached on of our shelters." (Quira)
Zara sighs sympathetically.
"I'm sorry to hear that...but that's what I mean. It's not like the fox-kin have their people here protecting you, likely because they don't want to spare the manpower. In fact, if this has been going on for weeks, then I can assume that they also refused to help you deal with the dragon – probably because they can't.
"However, I'd be willing to station a unit of wolf-kin here to provide you with full-time protection. We could rotate them out with trade shipments, so they'd double as guards for traded goods. If you're okay with it, we can even have the wolf-kin guards help out with your farming while they are stationed here. Does that sound appealing?" (Zara)
Quira's and several other rabbit-kin's eyes widen in shock. As for me, I have to suppress the urge to giggle or smirk. Zara's remark about having the guards 'help' with agricultural endeavors will probably seem like a selfless, generous offer to the rabbit-kin. However, I'm sure that Zara sees it as an opportunity for her people to get a free agricultural education, so they're even more independent. It's a clever little ploy.
After a consultation that seems longer and more heated than normal, Quira gives Zara a thoughtful look.
"We think this is worth putting to a vote with our people, but we're not sure it will pass. Many of us here think that we don't need more protection, as generous as it is. We have never had humans venture onto our land from the south, and our underground shelters protect us from any other predators.
"The dragon was an exception, and we are grateful for your help, but...now that it's gone, we don't think we are in any further danger." (Quira)
I try not to wince at the surprisingly blunt assessment...I thought their skittishness would drive them to be danger averse to the point of overcautiousness, but they're quite shrewd.
Surprise briefly flashes across Zara's expression, before being replaced with a contemplative look. I'm impressed she isn't letting herself get too discouraged, but I'm curious what she plans to counter with. She sighs, as though sharing a heavy burden.
"I wouldn't be so sure. The humans may not have bothered you before, but that's because my people beared most of their exploitation. Now, though, we are changing, much like the fox-kin once did. They will no longer have their way with my people, and that could turn their attention to the other races...like yours. Also, Mizuki has news about the human's Empire...something that may change how you feel." (Zara)
A dozen pairs of rabbit-kin eyes find their way to me, full of surprise and anxiety. I sigh regretfully and nod.
"To keep it short, I have it on good authority that the Ralzen Empire may already be planning a full military operation to invade the Elven Kingdom, and I doubt that the demi-humans would be spared from those conquest efforts. The Empire has a well-known disdain for your races, after all." (Mizuki)
I don't see any reason to complicate the issue by mentioning Belmod's death, or my part in it. I doubt that he was the only influential member of the Empire's ruling class that craved conquest, and the fact that his death was linked to my non-human companions may even inflame the Empire's bloodlust.
Of course, I have plans in motion now to dissuade them from invading the elves, and to hopefully end demi-human slavery in their country. However, even if both of those come to pass, that doesn't technically bar the Empire from conquering the demi-humans, and turning them into wage slaves under the law and poverty of their new rulers. In fact, realizing that invading the elves isn't tractable may turn the Empire's gaze to the demi-humans instead. So...
The threat I learned of remains.
Hearing my warning, there's a rush of especially panicked discussion between the rabbit-kin. As it's going on, however, the little rabbit-kin girl that's been staring at me so intensely breaks from the conversation. She fixes her gaze on me again, her voice soft yet inexplicably audible.
"Where do you come from?"
Her words carry an unexpected weight, breaking through the surrounding conversation, and blanketing our entire group in silence. To my surprise, neither Quira – the ordained spokesperson – nor any others rebuke her interjection. I study her curiously, weighing my words.
"I'm...not from anywhere, really. I travel a lot. But I'm not aligned with the humans, nor do I hold any prejudice against demi-humans, if that's what you're worried about. In fact, I currently consider the Empire my enemy." (Mizuki)
Zara, clearly sensing wariness from the girl, is quick to interject, her voice firm.
"Mizuki is an ally of the wolf-kin, and my friend. You can trust what he says." (Zara)
The little girl's face scrunches up with an adorable mix of skepticism and confusion, glancing between Zara and me. After a moment of silence, Quira speed whispers to her, and she responds, causing the rabbit-kin to fall into a seemingly heated discussion. Eventually, Quira returns his gaze to me with an apologetic expression, his voice growing hesitant. The other rabbit-kin watch us intently.
"Some of us are...curious. Who you are. Where you came from. How a human could do what you've done today. What it is you want. Your relationship with the wolf-kin. It's all...strange." (Quira)
Well, that's as unsurprising as it is inconvenient.
With the Note's warning lingering in my mind, leaving public connections between my true abilities and my Adventurer identity troubles me – it's connected to people I don't want targeted. However, I don't think the rabbit-kin are any more likely to spill the beans about me than the wolf-kin, who already know just as much. But, that doesn't mean I have no secrets left to keep from either, and how I respond to this point of apprehension of theirs is critical.
I look human, but the rabbit-kin have already seen me turn invisible, fly, and effortlessly knock a dragon around with my bare hands. Fortunately, they were too busy cowering inside their broken shelter to see me teleport myself or the dragon, so that's at least safe. However, they clearly have seen enough to question the fundamental nature of my existence. That leaves me at a crossroads about how to answer their questions.
On the one hand, telling them I'm a Nephilim and sticking more or less to the truth drastically simplifies things, and they're probably more likely to trust me. Especially since it will highlight my connection to the elves. On the other hand, if news did spread about me being a Nephilim as a result, it could be problematic.
It would certainly draw attention to me and make human countries wary. However, not any more so than Nina the human adventurer. Without seeing contrary evidence with their own eyes, they wouldn't see a human as more than a potential city-level threat – undeniably dangerous, but easily handled with a few thousand well-trained soldiers. Rulers and other major players would be much more inclined to react with such a show of force, which I can see and handle.
However, if potential threats learn of me and my feats as Mizuki the Nephilim, a legendary being of untold power from elven lore, then they won't assume brute force is sufficient. They may strike without warning from the shadows, which leaves me less equipped to identify and stop them before someone I care about gets hurt. Unlikely as that possibility may be, it exists, and the benefits of publicly embracing my Nephilim title among the vulnerable demi-humans doesn't warrant that risk. Maybe I'd privately entrust a king or queen with that truth, but not the rabbit-kin's entire democratic population.
I glance at Zara as I purse my lips thoughtfully, seeing that she's just watching me with an expectant expression. Clearly, she fully intends to let me answer those questions at my discretion, and back me up as needed.
I nod at Quira.
"I'm afraid that I don't have satisfactory answers for everything, but I'll try. My name is Mizuki, I'm the only living member of my family, and I was born outside the human countries. I move around a lot, so I don't really come from anywhere, but lately I've spent most of my time in the city-state of Elmesia. It's near the Delmura Forest, and it welcomes both humans and demi-humans.
"My relationship with the wolf-kin started a couple months or so ago when I rescued Elder Zara, along with elves and other wolf-kin, from slavery in the Ralzen Empire. That's also when her and I became friends. As for what I want...right now, it's just to help Zara with her dream of uniting and protecting the demi-human races. As for why I'm so strong, that's just how I am...how I was born." (Mizuki)
A story that's true enough, just laced with lies of omission and alterations that are functionally comparable. It's a story that should give them some sense of me as a person, without inflaming my concerns or undermining Zara's negotiations. Hearing it, understanding flickers in Zara's eyes, while the rabbit-kin discuss my words among themselves.
Eventually, the little rabbit-kin girl glances at Zara.
"Is all that true?"
Zara nods without hesitation, her expression calm.
"Yes. Mizuki's not someone who pretends to be a friend when he's not, and he takes his promises very seriously. It's why he's here helping me, and it's why you can trust that he doesn't mean you any harm." (Zara)
Quira raises his eyebrows, looking between us both nervously.
"So...does Elder Zara's protection that she mentioned also include your assistance?" (Quira)
He watches me hopefully, and Zara wears a conflicted expression, both looking expectant.
I sigh internally, then shrug at Quira.
"If there was an impending threat that Zara's people couldn't handle on their own, and Zara asked me to intervene, then yes, you could count on me personally protecting you. However, I'm afraid that I can't commit to simply sitting around here 'just in case' like the wolf-kin guards she suggested. I have too many other important obligations." (Mizuki)
While Quira falls into contemplative silence, the rabbit-kin girl speaks up almost immediately.
"What about your favor...you said you needed one?"
My eyes widen at the question, surprised that she remembered.
"Ah, that's...hmm. We expect that we may encounter some enslaved rabbit-kin in human territory soon. So, I wanted permission to bring you any rabbit-kin we free, and I need one of you to volunteer to let me use a spell of mine on you. It's nothing dangerous or painful, it just makes it easier for me to help any rabbit-kin I encounter in the future." (Mizuki)
The little girl studies me in silence for several moments, intense but with clear apprehension. Then, she nods meekly.
"You can use your spell on me...if you promise it won't hurt. Our people will vote on everything else."
Several of the other rabbit-kin glance at her in surprise, and exasperated speed whispering soon spills from their mouths. I can only assume that they don't approve of her statements, and I'm equally surprised that she even made them. However, the girl's eyes steel in response to their rebuttals, and she whispers back at them with just as much insistence. After several minutes of back and forth, the debate seems to die down, the girl nods with a satisfied look, and Quira turns to me with a tired and resigned expression.
"We will bring your offer before our people for a vote. Sadhara's decision to volunteer for the other request is personal." (Quira)