After several minutes with a thoughtful look on her face, Alto responds with a bitter tone and expression.
"Mizuki…I'm sorry. Once again, I jumped to conclusions, and I ignored my own prejudices. As you implied, I also intended to exclude others that didn't meet my standards. It seems my only disagreement with you was whether elves can be generally trusted. In retrospect, it's incredibly naïve to assume that they can, and elves are just as capable of abusing the knowledge." (Alto)
I shake my head at Alto.
"You don't need to apologize to me, Alto. I have the utmost respect for your willingness to criticize your own preconceptions, and I think you are anything but naïve. Your words have increased my respect for you, not tarnished it. Does this mean that we're on the same page, and my favorite research partner will continue with me on my travels?" (Mizuki)
Alto looks like she's going to tear up, and for once she doesn't deflect with sarcasm.
"Yes, Mizuki, we're on the same page. Please, let's keep on as we have." (Alto)
While Alto is convinced, Elira is not.
"Mizuki…with all due respect to you, I think you're being naïve about the impact your knowledge could have on the world. I've lived over seven millennia. Threats come and go, and the short-lived races always fret about such developments. However, time marches on, and the world finds peace without ever changing as drastically or suddenly as they fear." (Elira)
I laugh in Elira's face, and she looks surprised.
"Hahaha…well with all due respect, Elira, I think you're overestimating the wisdom that your age brings you. It wouldn't matter if you'd lived a hundred millennia in this world…you lack perspective. With the strongest spells you know of, the strongest person in your lifetime could maybe wipe Avalon off the map with preparation. What if I told you that I know a spell, that even Alto could cast, that can wipe half your country off the map in one go?" (Mizuki)
At the start of my lecture, Elira looks tremendously annoyed, but after she hears the last part, her face goes pale. She stares at me for several seconds, waiting to see if I'm bluffing.
I'm not.
My rough estimates tell me that someone like Alto has just enough magic power to overcome the activation energy for nuclear fusion. In other words, she can detonate magic nukes and let nature supply the destructive energy.
"Mizuki…you're not bluffing, are you? You're genuinely certain that such a spell exists?" (Elira)
"Elira, I know for a fact that there's even ways to do that with no magic at all. This can't be fixed by not teaching certain spells, either. I can't teach the basics of magic theory, as I know it, without also providing someone with the tools to stumble across such applications. So, do you still think that my decision is naïve?" (Mizuki)
Elira shakes her head solemnly. Dargo is also wearing a face of begrudging acceptance.
"No, Mizuki. If what you say is true, then it truly might be unprecedented and catastrophic to share your knowledge. I'm sorry that I presumed to lecture you like a child just because you'll only live a few decades." (Elira)
Breaking her long silence, Nina finally speaks up.
"Fufufu…actually, Mizuki will outlive all of you. I forgot to mention that!" (Nina)
Wait…what?
"Nina…what the hell are you talking about?" (Mizuki)
"Nina! You haven't told him yet!?" (Ilina)
Ilina knows about this!?
"One of you better start talking right now, because I don't like two of my friends knowing something about my own life that even I don't know." (Mizuki)
"Mizuki, dear, I'm your lover, not your friend. Please do not group me in with Ilina." (Nina)
"Nina, quit dodging my question. Also, you may be my lover, but you are still my friend. One label doesn't disappear because of the other. Ilina, start talking right now." (Mizuki)
I turn my attention from Nina to glare at Ilina, who has suddenly become very nervous.
"W-Well…according to Nina, it seems that you've stopped aging for some reason. She thinks you don't have a natural lifespan anymore, so you should even outlive me." (Ilina)
That's…ridiculous...right?
"Nina, your turn. Explain yourself." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…it is as Ilina says, Mizuki. I didn't notice it until recently, but you exude the same presence unique to ageless beings. It may be because, as part of our contract, you acquired this trait from me. If I had to guess, you'll stop outwardly changing in your mid 20s, and you'll just look that way until something comes along that can kill you." (Nina)
Wow. I mean, I feel like I should be in an existential crisis about this but…I'm pretty excited. Nina will be around as long as I am, so I won't be lonely. If I get tired of life, I can still kill myself – there's no afterlife. I'm seeing no downsides.
I break out into a huge smile.
"Oh, if you're right about that, Nina, then that's awesome. I won't even have to spend it completely alone because you'll live as long as I do! Also, Alto, you hear that, you old lady? We can spend your entire life doing research together and I'll still look like a spring chicken when you croak! Isn't that an ironic twist of fate?" (Mizuki)
I laugh wholeheartedly.
"Mizuki…I want to make a joke about you being sick in the head, but I can't really bring myself to do it." (Alto)
To my shock, Alto leans over and hugs me tightly across the couch.
"I'm so glad that I won't have to live the last 90% of my life without you around." (Alto)
Alto is very obviously tearing up while hugging me.
"Woah, Alto, the tears are ruining your cold and calculating reputation, you know? Other elves might start to think you enjoy my company if you're not careful." (Mizuki)
Alto pulls away and dries her tears. Then gives me a half-hearted smirk.
"You're right, we wouldn't want that." (Alto)
Nina rejoins the conversation at this point.
"Fufufu…yes, Mizuki, I'm so glad you understand! You have no idea the relief that I feel that my mate will survive by my side indefinitely. Why do you think that I stopped fretting over Ilina? I don't mind sharing you with her for a few millennia if we have an indefinite amount of time." (Nina)
That's where her change of heart came from!? At this point, I realize that the King and Queen have been awfully silent, and I glance over to see them staring at me in bewilderment with mouths agape.