“Why would anyone be bothered by acceding to these small demands?” I asked, allowing my confusion to flit across my face. “The arrays were easily obtained, the Pavilion constructed using another array and a few building materials.

“In all, I don’t think it took more than a few hours to source the materials and arrays we needed and complete construction. If I could manage as a newly elevated Baroness, I’m certain people on the mainland could as well.”

“It isn’t a matter of capability,” Wu Chen replied, “but one of tradition. And if the Hindel are demanding these small changes now, what might be next?”

“Respect? Tradition has forced the Hindel into a lesser position when bargaining. They have been forced to accommodate the Elves before even the meeting has even commenced. Why wouldn’t they see that bargaining and trading have left them at a disadvantage because of ‘tradition’?” I asked.

“If they want us to meet in locations that are easily accessible by both sides, that only seems sensible and fair. Elves will not require some bulky mechanical device to enter the ocean’s water. It is politically and socially wrong not to adapt. The Hindel have made concessions as to the location for millenniums; it seems only fitting that we try to demonstrate some measure of balance after all of this time.

“Why did we even spend the time researching and inventing the environmental array if not for this purpose?” I pointed out.

Wu Chen stared at me thoughtfully. I hadn’t really wondered why the environmental array had been created and not used until this moment. I’d only just thought of that question, but the decision not to use the array did dovetail with my earlier assumption that Elves considered the Hindel inferior, even insignificant.

Bigotry existed. Or at least a belief in the superiority of our own race was pervasive. I wasn’t sure there was a difference. But now that I’d pointed out what we could have done to make our meetings with the Hindel easier, Prince Wu Chen seemed conflicted and was honestly considering the question.

“My understanding is that the environmental arrays were created to sustain cultivators in some of the more hazardous Mystic Realms,” Wu Chen finally replied.

“There are Realms where the air is saturated with poison, others where radiation blankets the ground, even a few that open to underwater areas. A cultivator can survive in those areas without protection, relying on their cultivation by cycling their Qi, but the arrays give them respite. A place to meditate, cultivate, and refill their Qi.

“That the array is a perfect solution for hosting meetings with the Hindel is a coincidence. Perhaps one that we should have taken advantage of,” he mused thoughtfully.

“Of course, we should have,” I said, not bothering to temper my words. “Why do you think the Hindel have placed me in such esteem? They recognize that what I did was a means to show respect for them as a people. That I considered them equal.

“The goodwill I gained from something so easily accomplished came with real benefits. The coral reef that I contacted for help in healing is thriving. They helped me test the communication tokens my people created, as well. We now know that distance and obstruction do not affect signal strength or degradation.

“The devices work no matter how far a Hindel has traveled. And nothing, not the ocean, not the vast cave system they can access, will interfere with the devices’ ability to connect to each other.

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“They have been tireless in their effort to help my staff understand and test the communication tokens. They have agreed to staff an embassy that I will build off the coast of my Capital. And they have done this simply because I was willing to meet them where they were more comfortable.”

“Feeding them curry didn’t hurt either,” Wu Chen said, his joke demonstrating that he was not bothered by my conclusions or agreed with them.

“Why did you even think of feeding them something like that?” He asked curiously.

“It seemed only to make sense,” I replied, wondering how that bit of trivia had gotten disseminated. “I wasn’t sure if the Hindel had taste buds that worked like ours. As ocean-dwelling creatures, their diet consisted of raw fish, seaweeds, and kelp; I thought to offer food that might expand on that, dishes that contained fish but had been elevated.

“I offered a buffet rich with raw fish, as well, but I had my chefs prepare a few dishes from my home that I could share—an exchange of culture.

“I was as surprised as the Hindel were at how delighted the Alpha was, how gluttonous she acted when she sampled the curry. We have made sure to include a dish with spice and heat in any meeting we have had between our people since.

“You do realize that you have engendered some ill will from some very powerful people, and some people will believe that you are playing the game of politics?” The Prince asked. “They will believe that you will use your new friendship with the Hindel to bargain with the Empire.”

“I don’t see why,” I answered, trying to project confusion. “The Hindel are their own people; if they decided to model any future endeavors between our two races based on my meetings with them, that is their decision. If we build bonds of friendship because we treat each other as equals, then there is nothing stopping any of us from treating them the same way.

“And why would treating people decently engender ill will?

“The costs to reproduce and adapt my methodology is trivial, a one-time expense for an underwater Pavilion and environmental arrays. As for the food? Why not offer local favorites? For Elves, raw fish is wonderful in small measure, but there is no reason not to include well-prepared hot dishes in tandem.

“I’m sure the diplomats or trade negotiators would welcome the change to the menu, even if they have to exert a bit of effort to keep their clothing dry before they enter the environment array.”

I knew my words could be taken for arrogance, but that wasn’t my intent. I was expressing my belief based on a moral foundation that had been formed in my previous life. Things like slavery, bigotry, and inequality were evil, and the way the Hindel were treated smelled of discrimination.

I didn’t think my opinion and moral compass were that far afield of the average Elf. My parents would agree with how I had approached the Hindel. They entertained guests, clients, and customers similarly. They would have been appalled that the simple courtesies I had offered might offend those in power.

Appalled and angered.

Perhaps that was an affectation that they were allowed to indulge in because Flowing Water Sect practiced a similar morality. The Sect had problems with nepotism and favoritism, certainly, but that had been limited to internal practices. And even there, it had been limited to only a few individuals. When they met with guests or ventured to the town that supported the Sect, they demanded their members treat non-cultivators with respect and deference.

“As long as you are aware there might be repercussions; there is nothing more to be said,” Wu Chen responded. He seemed to believe I would be embroiled in conflict with his response. I wasn’t sure if that anticipation was for how those in power would deal with me or how I would deal with them.

As isolated on the island as I was, there wasn’t really much they could do. Indeed, they could make trade more difficult, but I would be introducing unique items into the market, items that could not be easily reproduced. I would have a monopoly on communication tokens. I had made sure of that.

The coral required to make the communication tokens work had been mixed into the flux needed to inlay the runic details of the arrays. The amount required was so insignificant that you’d never notice unless you knew to look for it. Even if discovered, it would be hard to source the material in quantities large enough to make a difference.

There might be some who try to punish me by embargoing my trade goods, but too many other people would be willing to ignore that embargo for it to gain any traction. When the Emperor himself is using your product, no other actual inducement or advertisement is necessary.