Lyra leads me to an out-of-the-way area just beside the gate, then stops and stands at attention, spear at her side. Behind her, the two teenagers that she told to follow her do the same. Then, the three of them go completely silent, leaving me to raise my eyebrows at the awkward silence.
After a couple of minutes, I notice the two boys casting sidelong glances at me, curiosity burning in their eyes. Being the hater of awkward silences that I am, I catch their gazes and give them a small smirk.
"Do you two have something you want to ask me, by chance?" (Mizuki)
The two widen their eyes, seemingly caught off guard by the question. They exchange uncertain glances with one another, then one of them looks at me hesitantly.
"Uhm...is it true that you once beat all the village's warriors without even moving? We weren't around then, we only heard about it from Brother Zoda..." (teen guard 1)
Oh? Zara's brother is telling stories about me now, huh? I'm surprised...he was the head instigator of that fight, and I humiliated him pretty badly. Given the wolf-kin's pride, I assumed he'd keep that to himself as much as possible.
Also, what do they mean that they weren't around then? Adulthood is 16 in wolf-kin culture, and these two look like they're at least that old. If they're guards now, wouldn't they have been in the group I fought, or spectating at least? And speaking of age, why the hell is someone like Lyra assigned as a guard, much less given a leadership position? I make a mental note to grill Zara about these things later.
I shrug.
"I'm not sure if it was all the warriors in the village or not. All I remember is that it was somewhere between a few hundred and a couple thousand wolf-kin. But yes, much like I warned them at the time, they didn't stand a chance." (Mizuki)
The two boys go pale, but there's also a twinkle of awe in their eyes. Perhaps emboldened by his friend, the second boy decides to speak up, a trace of excitement in his voice.
"Honored Mizuki, is it true that you're married to an Elder Dragon?" (teen guard 2)
A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.
"Yes, that's true as well. You probably know her by the name Nedonera, the Elder Dragon of Earth." (Mizuki)
The second boy makes a 'woahhh' sound under his breath, his eyes fixed on me excitedly. Out of the corner of my vision, I spot Lyla finally casting furtive glances at me. I catch her gaze, giving her a knowing smile, and she looks away abruptly.
I chuckle internally, then address her in a nonchalant tone.
"Miss Lyla, is there anything that you would like to ask me?" (Mizuki)
The little girl freezes, then slowly turns to look at me. Her gaze is conflicted, as if she can't decide whether it's okay to take me up on my offer. Eventually, though, it seems her curiosity wins out.
"How...can I be like Elder Zara? She's the youngest and greatest Elder in the history of our people, and I heard she even managed to beat a demon general at sixteen." (Lyla)
There's an almost heretical level of reverence in the little girl's tone as she asks her question, and her gaze seems less focused on me than on something further away.
It seems that Zara has one hell of a fangirl.
"Hmm...how to be like Zara, huh?" (Mizuki)
I run my finger over my lips playfully, wearing my most thoughtful expression. Seeing me take her question so seriously, Lyla's gaze instantly sharpens as she gives me her full attention, and I also see the two boys behind her perk up. Lyla nods enthusiastically, reaffirming her question.
For a moment, I'm briefly reminded of my conversation with Alto about Zara, and how I should probably be doing more as her mentor to encourage her on the path she's on...to let her know I'm proud of her, in essence. This...seems like a golden opportunity for that.
I smile to myself.
Returning my gaze to Lyla, I make a 'hmm' sound as I fold my legs under me and activate a couple of gravity and forcefield spells...until I'm floating in the air, seated cross-legged. The three young guards eyes widen like saucers, but I maintain my nonchalant air. I've got to impart some gravitas onto my praise of Zara, right?
I nod at Lyla thoughtfully, as though I've finished considering her question.
"Well, Zara is an incredible swordsman...a prodigy, even by the standards of other races. And for the record, she didn't just 'manage to beat' that demon general, she destroyed him. Their sword fight wasn't even close." (Mizuki)
Lyla's eyes light up with an unconcealed fervor, and she turns towards me excitedly, breaking her 'at attention' stance. Her voice raises several octaves as she responds.
"Yes, she's amazing! She's already stronger than, like, everyone in our village! So, it's like I thought? Her secret is that I need to get strong!" (Lyla)
I shake my head.
"Nope, not at all." (Mizuki)
Lyla's expression falters, her little, fluffy ears twitching adorably in confusion.
"Wait...what?" (Lyla)
I smile.
"By all means, aim to get stronger. I'm just saying that alone won't make you Zara's equal...not even close. Her combat abilities are impressive, sure, but in my opinion, that's not what makes her special." (Mizuki)
Lyla stares at me blankly, disbelief etched into her features. One of the boys behind her speaks up, unable to contain his curiosity.
"What's her secret, then?" (teen guard 2)
I smile mischievously at them.
"Hmm...well, I have my opinion. But before I share it, I want to hear yours. Lyla says Zara is the greatest Elder in your people's history – why do each of you think that is?" (Mizuki)
I turn to the younger boy first, the one who just spoke, raising my eyebrows at him expectantly. He scratches behind one of his ears sheepishly, then gives me an uncertain look.
"Uhm...it's because she's, like, super smart, right? Even Elder-...err, Senior Vardo respects her opinion." (teen guard 2)
I shake my head.
"She's smart, but not enough to set her apart from all your other wolf-kin Elders. What about you...thoughts?" (Mizuki)
I direct the last question at the other boy, the older one. He just gives me a confused look.
"Isn't it just because of you?" (teen guard 1)
My eyes widen slightly, surprised, but before I can respond to him, Lyla interjects. There's a clear trace of anger in her tone.
"You take that back! That's not true at all!" (Lyla)
She's staring daggers at the boy, oozing bloodlust, but the young man just looks back at her calmly.
"Sorry, Lyla, I'm just saying, you know? Like, Elder Zara is awesome, for sure, but I heard that she's only our Elder because Honored Mizuki demanded it after Brother Zoda and the others lost their challenge against him. Plus, he's the one who helped make her so strong." (teen guard 1)
Doubt flickers across Lyla's face, and she turns to me, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions.
"Is he...telling the truth?" (Lyla)
I purse my lips thoughtfully. This is...turning less uplifting than I hoped.
"Well...kind of. I did help her grow stronger, and I did insist on her becoming your new Elder a couple weeks ago. But, I also agree with you, Lyla...I'm not the reason Zara is a great Elder. Don't forget, she was being groomed to take over as Elder even before her and I met. I just sped up the process.
"Plus, even if I gave her my support, do you think that I do that for just anybody? There are six people on this entire planet that are part of my inner circle, and Zara is one of them. You're not wrong to think there's something special about her, Lyla...that's how I feel, too." (Mizuki)
I turn to face the older boy.
"As for you, consider this. Earlier, when that older guard was forced to pick between fighting me, and disobeying Zara's standing orders, he didn't back down. If the wolf-kin only serve Zara as Elder because of my support, then how do you explain his decision?" (Mizuki)
Surprise registers on the boy's face, then he seems to consider my words thoughtfully in silence for several moments. I wait for him patiently, and eventually, he nods his acknowledgement. His expression turns curious.
"So, what's the real answer?" (teen guard 1)
I smile knowingly, then turn to Lyla, who seems less disheartened than a minute ago, but still decidedly less talkative than before.
"Lyla, we still haven't heard your answer. What do you think?" (Mizuki)
The two boys give Lyla curious looks, while she stares back at me uncertainly. For a few seconds, her brow furrows thoughtfully as she falls silent. Then, she gives me a hesitant look.
"Is it because...she found strength outside her claws?" (Lyla)
I tilt my head, thrown by the oddly phrased yet insightful answer. At the same time, I begin to wonder how much longer I'll have to wait here. Shouldn't Zara have been here by now?
Putting that aside, I narrow my eyes at Lyla questioningly.
"Can I ask, what do you mean by that?" (Mizuki)
Lyla averts her eyes nervously.
"Uhm...maybe that she's the first wolf-kin to master the sword? I'm...not sure, honestly. Elder Zara says that to me whenever I ask her how I can get strong like her – there's strength outside your claws, Lyla. Is that the right answer?" (Lyla)
I blink, then I can't help but chuckle. That's such a Zara thing to say. But...I can imagine how that answer might seem cryptic to a thirteen-ish year old girl.
Still, I'm pretty sure I know what Zara meant, and that realization leads to another one. A suspicion starts to form in my mind, and I return a curious look to Lyla.
"Fufufu...well, your answer is only half right. Zara's answer, though...it's exactly what I think the correct answer is. By the way, Lyla, are you really obsessed with fighting? And does Zara lecture you about studying more?" (Mizuki)
Lyla's eyes widen, her voice practically a squeak.
"H-How did you know?" (Lyla)
I smirk internally, then I shake my head at Lyla.
"Lucky guess." (Mizuki)
Starting to pick up on hints of a little conspiracy, I subtly activate my magic sense and sweep the area. After a moment, I turn my head in a particular direction and give the air an amused smile.
"So, you satisfied with this little setup of yours yet? If so, I have several questions that I'm curious about the answers to." (Mizuki)
Lyla and the two boys give me bewildered looks, but I ignore them, continuing to stare into the empty space near us. After a few more moments, a familiar wolf-kin girl materializes into existence and gives me a small smile.
"I didn't expect it to go unnoticed by you for this long." (Zara)