Chapter 97: Nira and Tanaka Meet Again

The door creaked open as Tanaka pushed it open and walked into the meeting room.

He expected to see a group of diplomats, but not someone he was so surprised to see again. Nira’s eyes met her familiar friend’s and for a few moments the two just stand there in silence. Tanaka stopped walking and looked directly at Nira.

"Ni...ra?"

Her face lit up.

"Tanaka."

The room faded away around them as Nira casually walked up to him. Tanaka barely had the time to react before Nira threw her arms around him in a hug. "You came."

Tanaka stood there for a moment unmoving before smiling and returning the hug. "You actually came." Nira pulled away and surveyed him. "You sound surprised." "I am." "Why?" "Because the last time we saw each other you went back to your land." "I told you I would find you again," Nira replied. Tanaka scratched the back of his head. "I thought you meant eventually."

Nira let out a soft laugh. "I did."

Her eyes scanned his body. "You look different." Tanaka glanced at himself. "I’m still a slime." "That’s not what I mean," she chuckled. "You just feel different." Tanaka remained silent, knowing full well what she meant. He was different. Eldoris was different. His power had grown, and the world had started turning towards him.

Nira took a step away and smiled. "I wanted to see your face when you realized who it was." Tanaka smiled. "You succeeded."

The room suddenly became busy and a loud voice called out to them.

"Excuse me I believe we were supposed to be having a diplomatic meeting."

Tanaka turned around and saw the representative from Darveim standing at the table. "Of course," he replied. Tanaka turned to Nira. "You were part of the delegation ?" "Yes," she replied with a smile.

"I am the princess of Darveim." She said. Tanaka was shocked. "You didn’t tell me." She giggled. "I wanted it to be a surprise. It was worth it. Your face really cracks me up." Tanaka then glanced around the room to see who exactly he would be talking to. Three delegations: Darveim, Syrathen, and Valeria. The envoys of the latter stood quietly enough on the far end of the room and Tanaka knew little about them save for their strange clothing and symbols.

Tanaka took his seat at the table and the meeting commenced. The envoys introduced themselves and the first order of business was Darveim. "We are here to establish a diplomatic relationship with Eldoris Dominion and discuss future plans of cooperation with regard to trade, travel, security, and regional affairs." Tanaka nodded. "That is welcome news to hear."

The representative from Syrathen followed suit. "Our purpose is similar. The empire wishes to establish formal contact with Eldoris."

Tanaka’s expression remained passive. "After the war?" The representative didn’t avoid the question. "The empire recognizes that the previous conflict changed our understanding of Eldoris." "Changed it how?" The representative hesitated before speaking. "Your nation can defend itself."

"That is a rather simple way of putting it."

A few people around the table shifted uncomfortably. The Valerian envoy decided to speak before the tension grew. "Valeria wishes to avoid another war entirely. We believe that trade and regulated travel would benefit everyone. The Kingdom of Valeria also wishes to understand Eldoris and determine whether a peaceful relationship can be established."

Tanaka nodded, "That is what I want too."

Tanaka leaned back slightly. "So all of you came because Eldoris stopped being something you could ignore." Nobody spoke. The silence was answer enough. Tanaka smiled. "Then we understand each other." Nira watched from her seat as he was not the same young man she knew in Rosen City. Though the composed look in his face and strange way of seeing the world remained, there was something else in his eyes.

He was no longer the slime who survived by the skin of his teeth or the slime who ran from the world. Tanaka placed his folded hands on the table. "I have no interest in starting another war." The envoy from Syrathen nodded. "Neither does the empire." Tanaka fixed his gaze on the man.

"Then that is easy enough to agree upon."

The envoy hesitated. "There is one matter we must address." "I expected as much," Tanaka said. "The Great Verdant Forest." Tanaka’s expression darkened. "What about it?" "The forest contains resources, monster territories, and several locations of strategic importance."

Tanaka looked the envoy directly in the eyes. "The forest belongs to no one." The man shot a glance at his colleagues before replying. "There are regions that have been traditionally used by human adventurers."

"Adventurers are still welcome." "So Eldoris won’t restrict access?" "Not completely." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "But anyone entering our territory must abide by our laws." The envoy frowned. "We need access to the region." "You need permission." The answer came so quickly that several diplomats glanced at one another. The envoy remained composed.

"And if Eldoris refuses?" Tanaka looked directly at him."Then they stay out." The envoy from Syrathen nodded. Valeria’s envoy leaned forward. "What kind of laws?"

Tanaka did not hesitate. "No attacking monsters who have done nothing to you. No stealing resources from Eldoris. No entering restricted areas without permission. No military expeditions. No attempting to capture or enslave our people." The last part was enough to silence the room. Tanaka continued. "Anyone who abides by those rules is free to visit."

The envoy from Valeria spoke. "Lord Tanaka, I understand your position, but completely restricting access to the forest could have serious consequences. Many human settlements depend on resources gathered there." "I am not restricting the forest." Tanaka shook his head. "I am restricting people who believe they can enter our territory without answering to anyone." He gestured toward the window. "Eldoris is inside this forest. My people live here. We built those roads. We built those walls. We defended this land with our lives." His expression hardened. "So anyone entering our territory will follow our laws." The Valerian envoy considered his words.

"And those laws would apply equally to every nation?" "Yes." "Even Syrathen?" "Especially Syrathen." The Syrathen envoy’s eyes narrowed. "You distrust the empire."

"Your soldiers marched into my territory." Tanaka growled. "We believed we were dealing with mindless monsters." Tanaka’s voice became colder. "And now you know better." The statement struck the room hard. Nira looked at Tanaka. He was still calm, but she could see the weight behind his words. He was no longer discussing whether Eldoris had the strength to survive. He was discussing whether the other nations would respect its existence. The Syrathen envoy took a breath. "The empire will not accept a situation where one newly established nation controls access to such a large region." Tanaka’s eyes sharpened. "You misunderstand." The envoy waited. "I do not control the Great Verdant Forest."

Tanaka pointed toward the map. "Eldoris controls Eldoris." He tapped the table. "If you want to hunt in your usual areas outside our territory, do it. If you want to trade with our people, we can discuss it. If you want to send soldiers into Eldoris because you think the empire has the right to do so, that ends differently." The room fell silent again. The Valerian envoy looked between them. "Then perhaps we should establish clear borders immediately." Tanaka nodded. "That is reasonable."

The Darveim diplomat added, "Darveim supports that." The Syrathen envoy hesitated before giving a reluctant nod. "Then the empire will discuss it." Tanaka relaxed slightly. "Good." The conversation moved toward trade agreements, official travel permits, and the exchange of diplomatic representatives. Tanaka answered each question in turn. He never gave away more information than necessary. There were things about Eldoris that the world did not need to know - not yet. The true extent of his power. The abilities of his people. His own evolution.

The strange blessing that had reshaped his nation. None of those things were his to bargain over. Then, the envoy from Syrathen asked the question that had been on everyone’s mind. "What about the True Dragon?" A heavy silence fell over the room. Tanaka fixed his gaze on the man. "The True Dragon is not a diplomatic matter." The representative swallowed hard. "Of course."

"Then don’t ask about him." Nira shot Tanaka a knowing look. She knew he was hiding something. But she also knew that he had good reason to do so. The envoy from Valeria deftly changed the subject.

"What about future agreements?" Tanaka nodded.

"That is something we can discuss." The meeting stretched on for some time. In the end, no alliances were made. No great treaties were signed. But three nations had formally recognized Eldoris Dominion. That, in and of itself, was a victory. As the meeting broke up, the diplomats filed out of the room. Nira lingered behind. Tanaka noticed. "You’re staying?" "I came to see you." "Just me?" "Mostly." Tanaka smiled. "I knew it." The two walked outside together as the sun sank below the horizon. Eldoris was still bustling with activity.

Monsters wandered the streets. Citizens went about their daily business. Children played near the residential district. A group of Moonhares passed by and bowed to Nira.

She returned the gesture with a smile. "This place really changed." Tanaka looked the city over. "It still has a long way to go." "You always say that?" "Because it’s true." Nira looked him over. "Are you happy?" Tanaka blinked. "Why are you asking?" "Because I wanted to know." He pondered the question for a moment. Then, he smiled. "Yeah." Nira smiled as well. "Good." The two walked on in silence for a while. Then, Nira spoke up.

"I was worried that you would forget me." Tanaka looked at her. "Forget you?" "You met so many people after I left." "Nira."

She looked up at him. "I didn’t forget you."

Her gaze softened. "I know." They stopped near one of the bridges that overlooked the waterways of Eldoris. A warm breeze rustled the leaves. Nira looked out over the city. "I’m glad I came." Tanaka smiled. "So am I."

She turned to face him. "Then I’m staying for a while." Tanaka was stunned. "Wait, what?" Nira laughed. "I’m not going back right away." "Your father agreed to that?"

She smiled. "I convinced him." Tanaka groaned. "That sounds dangerous." Nira lightly punched his shoulder. "You haven’t changed at all." Tanaka chuckled. "Neither have you."

Behind them, the building where the meeting took place remained busy.

The envoys of Valeria, Syrathen, and Darveim were discussing the future of their nations. But for Tanaka and Nira, none of that mattered at the moment. They had found each other again. And this time, Nira wasn’t planning on leaving so soon.