AI: Artificial Isekai

The two beastfolk track our server with almost disturbing attention, smiles growing on their faces, and somewhat spoiling the surprise. The word 'Rain' reveals thick pieces of steak. They are blood red and drizzled with an even redder sauce. Small crystal-like garnish dots the dish. I separate a bite with just my fork, the meat flaking off with ease. The freshwater fish is fatty and salty. The red wine reduction adds sweetness. And the blue crystals cut everything with explosions of zesty sourness. While I am still enjoying my first bite, the other three have made substantial progress.

Elisa makes a satisfied sound of approval, finishing up her third glass of wine for the night. "Your Majesty," she says and waits for Rak'Na to give her full attention. Once the sovereign is looking at the elf, Elisa continues, "You said we've made our conclusions, about your and Her Highness' situation, but I'd rather not act on assumptions and best guesses."

Rak'Na regards the elf with scrutiny, weighing something in her mind. She makes a subtle nod at one of the beastfolk security. Then, without making any movements, her mana springs forth, forming an invisible bubble around the table, blocking off any sound from escaping, distorting our forms for any and all outside observers.

Khi swallows nervously, glancing briefly at her mother. The sovereign picks up her glass and takes a sip, simply waiting.

"What can I expect for Lucius?" Elisa asks. "I quite like him, so I'd rather not have to find another one."

Before Rak'Na can react, I interject, "Teacher... That's not funny." Elisa ignores my statement, refusing to lose the staring contest.

Rak'Na's tail bends around the open chair, landing in her lap. The beastfolk starts brushing at the golden fur with her fingers. "There have been credible threats against my daughter."

"Why?" Elisa questions again.

"The beastfolk principalities aim to unite."

"All of them?"

Rak'Na smiles. After a final brush, the tail flicks back to its previous place. "No."

"Are you the holdout?"

"Indeed I am. So, why bother with me, when the next sovereign of Querin is right there, ripe for the taking."

I cautiously speak up, looking at Khi, "But... Your Highness, you don't want to help them, right?"

Rak'Na answers for her now somber daughter, "It doesn't matter, Mr. Doe. Truth can be spun. Lies can be believed. My enemies want her. Either to control her and thus unite us once again under one Ruler or remove her and leave Querin with its royal family pruned. Whichever is easier."

Elisa asks, "Who?"

Rak'Na sighs and then says, "The Sovereign of {'Veyrin' (Translation: 'Fangs of the Ruler')}, Sha'Myr. He has the support of {'Serin' (Translation: 'Eyes of the Ruler')} and {'Ahrin' (Translation: 'Tail of the Ruler')}. {'Lohrin' (Translation: 'Heart of the Ruler')} opposed the unification. As I do."

"They don't anymore?" Elisa asks.

"They were not given any other choice." Rak'Na extends her arm, placing her hand on Khi's shoulder. Khi flinches, not expecting the surprise contact, but the touch soon relaxes her strained muscles, soothes her burning thoughts. "The situation is fickle. The populace is not as keen as my enemies hoped. Only a united front will give them their greatest chance for a smooth unification."

"Why do you oppose the unification?" Elisa asks.

"Because Sha'Myr does not care about people. He only wants to consolidate his power."

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"And you think he'll try and get to Her Highness here?"

Rak'Na gently slides her hand down Khi's arm, reluctant to break the contact, but doing so in the end. "I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

Elisa hums. "I see."

"Will you be forbidding Mr. Doe from continuing his assignment, Archmage?" Rak'Na asks, prompting Khi to turn her unsure gaze to me.

"No," Elisa answers. Khi lets out a relieved breath. "He's old enough to make these decisions for himself. Aren't you, Lucius?" I affirm. "There you have it."

Rak'Na nods. "I am grateful to you both. Thank you. And please, keep looking out for my daughter." The sovereign glances at Khi again, then after seemingly steeling herself, adds, "If I may ask one final thing, will you be visiting Councilor Alcia soon?"

Elisa thinks for a moment. "I will be, yes."

Rak'Na nods once more, dispelling the privacy barrier. "Good. That's good."

As the ambient sounds of the restaurant return, so does our server, levitating dessert. It's Elisa's turn to track his approach hungrily.

The server places four small bowls in front of us. Instead of a singular word, we get a whole sentence, "The droplets evaporating, cooling your bare skin."

Each bowl contains shaved ice, liberally drizzled with thick purple sauce.

Elisa practically inhales the frozen treat. Then, entirely unaffected by any side effects of the swift consumption, continues her discussion about spellcasting with Rak'Na. I do have to agree with the elf's assessment, though. The sweet sauce, made out of some dungeon fruit, really fits the texture of the ice. Refreshing.

[<ELISA>: Her heart's not really in it.]

[<ELISA>: Shit. Maybe you really do have that effect on people. *person shivering in terror*]

[<ELISA>: Like someone combined a puppy and a kitten. A terrifying mix of disarming cuteness and a contagious urge to spoil.]

[<LUCIUS>: I should feel offended, but don't for some reason.]

[<ELISA>: See!]

[<ELISA>: It even works on yourself...]

[<ELISA>: *narrowed eyes* *quarantine symbol* *person in hazmat suit*]

[<LUCIUS>: You'll never take me alive.]

[<ELISA>: *laughing*]

[<ELISA>: What do you think. Are we good for tonight?]

[<LUCIUS>: Yes. You did amazing.]

She clears her throat, sipping on the last drops of wine left to disguise the reaction.

[<ELISA>: Told you.]

[<ELISA>: All those tedious lunches and dinners finally paid off.]

[<ELISA>: Now... I believe we have something to settle. What should my payment for having to endure another such dinner be... *pay me gesture*]

[<ELISA>: What are you doing tomorrow?]

[<LUCIUS>: No... You wouldn't.]

[<ELISA>: Answer the question, buddy.]

[<LUCIUS>: A few missions.]

[<ELISA>: Wonderful. Do them early. *evil laugh*]

[<LUCIUS>: Please, I'll do anything.]

[<ELISA>: *nodding* You already know what that anything will be.]

[<LUCIUS>: ...Very well, Teacher.]

[<ELISA>: And stop calling me 'Teacher'.]

[<LUCIUS>: No.]

[<ELISA>: *person groaning*]

When everyone else has finished up their desserts, Sovereign Rak'Na washes away the sticky sweetness of the syrup with a few sips of water. "Thank you for the lovely time, Archmage Elisa, Mr. Doe. But if I want to get some sleep, I should get going," she says. Then, after a chuckle, she continues, "If you ever want to do this again, Querin will welcome you with open arms. And hopefully, my daughter will be able to join us by then."

"Thank you as well, Your Majesty," Elisa says. "I would very much like to see Querin again."

Rak'Na smiles in response, standing up. Elisa and I follow, standing up too.

"Have a good night, Your Majesty," I say.

Khi leaps up from her chair and approaches Rak'Na. "Goodbye, Mother," she says.

"I'll see you soon." With a crackle, the sovereign is gone.

Khi turns to Elisa and me. "Thank you for coming. It was a pleasure, Archmage. And, Lucius, I will contact you to schedule a delve in a few days, but I don't think I'll be going out much otherwise."

"Okay, Khi," I say. My return to casualness eliciting genuine relief from the princess.

"I do hope we meet again, Your Highness," Elisa says. "Good night."

Khi nods. Kor'To returns to motion once more, approaching the table, and directing a subtle nod our way, too.

In the next moment, we are back at Elisa's home. The elf teleported us directly in her living room.

She crashes down on the couch there and kicks off her shoes with a sigh. "Is it bad that I kinda liked Rak'Na?"

I join her on the couch, sitting down next to her. "No. I never said that she was a bad person. Simply... misguided."

Elisa sighs again, much deeper this time. "Misguided my ass. Yeah, never mind. I don't think I like her anymore."

"People are complicated, Elisa. Don't throw out judgement before the conclusion."

"A conclusion that will happen only because of you," she counters.

I smile at her. "That's not how it works, and you know it."

Elisa leans against me. She then softly says, "Yeah." After a few moments, she continues, "Do you want me to drop you off?"

"No. I'll walk."

"Alright. But don't go just yet."

"Of course."