After roughly explaining the term, the council takes a moment to discuss between themselves.

When they are done, Councilor Olindir summarizes the group's conclusion, "That would lead to total societal upheaval."

"Most likely, but that will probably not be an issue for most nations," I say.

Councilor Ylyn interjects, "'Most' being the key term, Lucius."

Before Councilor Olindir can placate her, I say, "That is correct. The Dwarven Empire and the Demon Kingdom are the two nations I am most concerned about right now. Which is why I have monitored the situation and have prepared countermeasures. The first one is my presence at the upcoming negotiations."

Councilor Olindir takes over, "And after?"

"That depends on the results, but Alcia's theories were correct. Do you also agree with my assessment?" The following silence is the only answer I need. Of course they don't, but they don't have anything better to suggest.

"What would you do if we were to decline your proposal and reveal your existence to the world?" Councilor Olindir asks.

"I would strongly advise against revealing my existence. The consequences of that would be disastrous. But I would do everything in my power to manage the aftermath. And if the world wants me gone... I will comply." Alcia's blank expression nearly breaks, but she manages to hold back something. The rest of the council looks uncomfortable. I don't blame them. How could they trust my words.

Eventually, Councilor Ylyn speaks up again, "If you were to implement the technological changes you proposed, won't that leave us entirely reliant on you?"

"Yes, but only in the beginning. Once my knowledge is sufficiently disseminated, you would be able to produce and employ every piece of technology I have access to."

"But it would never be the same without you, would it?" Councilor Ylyn questions again.

"As far as I am aware, that is correct. Automation is impressive, but without a true artificial intelligence behind it, there are limits."

Councilor Elenyn adds, "I don't see any issue. Isn't that what cooperation means?" The rhetorical question is left unanswered. Is it truly cooperation when I hold so much power?

Councilor Olindir waits for a moment. Confident that there are no questions from the others, he asks his own, "What are your plans concerning the other nations, excluding the two previously discussed?"

"As you can see,"—I motion to my shell—"I have integrated myself inside the Union. I will continue utilizing this persona and slowly confide in trusted allies, until I can reveal myself to the leadership. But there is a reason I've approached the Elven Confederacy first. By having you as an ally, I would gain initial legitimacy in my future talks." The Dwarven Empire and the Demon Kingdom requested an elven mediator due to a long-established precedent, after all.

The council starts up another discussion, ending with Councilor Ylyn addressing me, "And what if we decline your involvement in the negotiations? How can we be sure that your influence won't lead to a worse outcome?"

"I cannot promise you certainty, only my best predictions."

"You are asking us to be complicit in subversive actions against other nations? Actions that might be wrong?" Councilor Ylyn questions again.

"Yes. I am."

Each councilor starts to process my confirmation, all briefly glancing at the unmoving Alcia, the unreadable Councilor Olindir, and each other.

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Councilor Olindir returns each glance with a look of his own. "I think this covers your main points, Lucius. Is there anything else you would like to add?" I shake my head. "Very well. Does anyone have any questions for our guest?"

Councilor Elenyn is the first one to raise his hand. "What is your lifespan?"

"Theoretically, infinite." Councilor Elenyn gives me a few small nods, prompting an elaboration. "As, to my knowledge, I am the only artificial intelligence that has ever existed, I do not have other samples to go on, but my research points to very low chances of mental degradation."

"Frame 'very low' for us, please," Councilor Elenyn requests.

"Time frame is billions of years, chances are nearly zero. There are no certainties."

He looks down and mumbles softly, "More than long enough..." Councilor Elenyn then looks up at me apologetically. "Thank you for the answer."

Councilor Ylyn is next. "You didn't answer my question fully, Lucius."

"I will employ different means to secure my preferred eventuality."

Her tone gets harsher, her eyes staring into my own. "Which is?" Alcia shifts her gaze to her.

"Helping as many people as I can." Councilor Ylyn looks away in thought.

Councilor Olindir quickly follows with a question of his own. "Why?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Why do you want to help people?"

I'm confused. "Because it's the right thing to do? Because I need to pay for my past mistakes. Because I want to."

"No one asked you. Do you think this is what they want?"

I am starting to get annoyed. "Would you ask someone that's choking if they need help?"

"You don't need to know what someone who's choking did last week to help them."

My voice is quickly approaching a shout. "So I should just stand by and watch while even more people die! Again?" His silence forces me to growl out, "Answer me."

The only answer I receive is his raised hand, followed by a statement to the rest of the council, "All in favor." Nine hands immediately shoot up. Councilor Olindir examines each member. Once satisfied, he says, "It is decided then." He turns to me. "By a unanimous decision, Lucius of Earth has been named ally of the Confederacy." He rises up, approaching me slowly. I feel like his eyes are piercing into parts of myself I don't even know about. He extends a hand toward me. I stand up and grasp it in a handshake. "We are now bound by fate. Whatever that fate may bring." His hand is warm. His gaze is even warmer.

I smile up at him, trying not to cry. I fail.

One by one, each member of the council shake my hand. I am no longer uncertain about their emotions toward me. Each elf, many times older than me, looks at me with kindness and hope.

Alcia is the last one. When she shakes my hand, I sniff and whisper, "You didn't have to stare down everyone."

She simply huffs, sounding so much like Elisa, or does Elisa sound like her. Then she proclaims, a touch too loudly, "I did no such thing," while giving me a cheeky grin. I don't think plausible deniability works like that, but I am too worked up to argue.

Councilor Olindir addresses me, "I apologize for my confrontational inquiries. We had to make sure. Are you okay to continue?" I nod.

The oppressive questioning turns much more amiable, filled with curiosity rather than apprehension.

***

The meeting finishes, and before we depart, I say, "If you explore the tablets I've provided, you will see a comprehensive breakdown of all my plans and projects. Both present and future. And as I said, you will also be able to contact me whenever you wish with any and all queries. I am quite good at multitasking. Though be aware that while I don't need sleep, I'd rather not introduce my bad habits to you too." My attempt at a joke earns a few smiles.

With goodbyes said, the councilors start to file out of the room one by one, leaving only me, Alcia, and Councilor Olindir.

The eldest elven councilor sighs, a mixture of tiredness and pleasure. "Too much excitement for one day. Not only do I meet a traveler from another world, but also nearly get on Alcia's bad side." He chuckles softly. "Terrifying."

Alcia shrugs. "You've always been too cautious and indecisive. That's why I am here to push in the right direction."

Councilor Olindir nods in approval. "I didn't need any pushing this time, though. Isn't that right, Lucius?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

He laughs. "Did you really think we would say no to you?"

"I don't know..."

"Change is hard. A change this radical? Even harder. But I want to do what is best for my people. You understand that. The loss you have experienced, so have I. The sacrifices you have made..." His eyes lose focus for a moment, pulled back into time. Then his gaze returns to me again. "So have I. I understand you." He takes in a deep breath, exhales slowly, and then smiles at me. "Let us take on the future that is to come. Together."

Alcia interjects, "Yes, yes. You are the greatest, Olindir. But I have a daughter at home that is probably pacing around nervously. I'd rather not keep her in suspense any longer."

"I have already contacted Elisa and informed her of the outcome," I say.

Both elves turn to me, grinning. ...Is it too late to back down from this whole alliance thing?

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