"Y-you lolicon pervert!" squeals Aria.

I get a fist to the solar plexus and cough up something dramatically. I think I catch Legato and the ninja maid smirking wryly as I go down; as if to say this is a fairly normal occurrence. Also; most surprising is that this world has an equivalent word for lolicon. That or Translation-function-san is really enjoying its job. I hate you. I don't think I'll talk about you in the future.

I black out, and wake up some undetermined time later. I am on a sofa in the study from before and the light from outside hasn't changed; so it wasn't too long. Aria is still here; stood over me and glaring with puffed out cheeks. The others have gone. Legato obviously has kingly things to do.

‘Bonus! 1 skill point awarded! (Survival of lethal attack bonus)’ suddenly dings in my ear. Holy shit, Aria, do you not understand holding back?

Shaking my head in a groggy fashion; I grin to Aria and say "I apologise. I appear to have said something I couldn't control again..."

"W-what’s up with this stupid vitality!? I d-didn't need to worry..."

Hmm, that’s right. I imagine this is the result of 'Lolicon EX' as well. I certainly felt the impact, it was like a one-punch; but here I am feeling fine now. I didn't get to test this skill in my life; nor was I aware of the benefits; but it’s nothing if not useful when dealing with emotionally unstable girls with power like this. Going by the description, I also look more handsome to her right now.

Let’s test that, shall we? I pull my best attempt at a hand-kissing bishounen prince type.

"I'm truly sorry. I said something embarrassing, right? My filth should not have sullied the ears of one so pure and beautiful. You probably hate me, so if you want me to go..."

"NO! I... it’s not... agh! It kinda made me feel wan... WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU MAKING ME SAY!?"

Another gut smash; but it wasn't as bad as the last one. Too easy. Dangerous, though. Just how strong is this girl? I get up from my impromptu breakdancing and see damage numbers briefly flash along my vision (70! CRITICAL! -59 SKILL).

Hmm. If I have stats like this all the time, then... what about good old appraisal-san? That’s another common one in these kind of... Yep, found it with the search function straight away: Identify Other.

>

Suddenly, Aria gets a stat readout in my retina.

----------------

ARIA JERALDINE

LVL 7 PALADIN

THIRD PRINCESS OF JERALDINE

----------------

HP>> 59/59 (=STR+END)

MP>> 11/11 (=INT+PER)

12 YEARS OLD

----------------

Strength 15 (+20)

Agility 16

Endurance 14 (+10)

Intellect 4

Perception 7

Charisma 21 (+6)

----------------

> (Explosive strength gain unbefitting of actual physique, +20 bonus Strength)

> (Long martial training regime, gives a +10 bonus to Endurance)

> (Expert with polearms, +5 Strength and Agility when using them)

> (Can use Light Magic, Healing Magic, and Blessing Magic using Charisma rather than Intellect as key statistic)

> (Healing Magic, costs 6 MP, Heals 25 HP)

> (Blessing Magic, costs 10 MP, negates the next physical impact on the target entirely)

> (Grants Silver Hair, Indigo Eyes, +6 Charisma)

> (Has mostly failed/refuses to learn etiquette. -12 Charisma in noble settings.)

> (No Boost- Requires Higher Affection)

----------------

As Legato said, she’s quite a musclehead, huh? I got hit with a 35 Strength attack I guess, doubled by the critical hit. If I didn’t have a certain bonus, it might have insta-gibbed me. This girl is pretty insane. Talk about Warrior Princess Archetypes. Her at-odds with her power prettiness is also right there in the numbers.

Funny, it felt like time slowed down for a moment whilst I got a stat-readout. This is really like a game in some ways. I was a little worried I was going to go ‘Nai wa’ upon getting this and finding it telling me a spoon is a spoon or something, but this version of identify seems pretty solid; gives you almost all the information I get on my own one, and even time to take it in and think about it.

Still, I wonder if it will help in fighting the great Cultidragon. I’ve committed to this quest for better or worse now, so I hope I can get more help than a certain shield did. I guess that’s a big question on my agenda now. I’ll ask Aria.

"So what's next? Do I get any help in going to fight the demon leader?"

Aria stared at me with an incredulous expression. As if to say I was a fool.

"You're really seriously doing this? You could die."

Her fathomless blue eyes looked directly into mine. I chose my words carefully.

"I understand. But it is really quite simple from my view. I'm a fool that can't leave a crying girl alone."

Well, there was no lie in those words. But wow, I never thought about it; but don't I have a harem protagonist’s usual sense of justice? It's probably real suspicious sounding though... no one will...

"Okay. I believe you. Though you are an idiot."

Pot, meet kettle. Black is the new black. I forgot this girl is also an idiot for a moment. Still...

"Thank you for believing me, Aria." I say.

"If I can't trust the hero I wished to the world for... what can I trust? I just chose to believe in myself." She replies with a sheepish grin.

Again I was premature, it seems. She put some thought into it after all. She stood up and took on a prideful posture, and rubbed her nose.

"Well then... I will come with you. I may not look it; but I am good with a spear. You will need all the help you can get!"

I actually already knew that. But…

"Didn't you say you were the last princess, though? Isn't it bad to allow the heir to go?"

She looks mystified for a moment, then puts a fist to her palm in realisation.

"Oh right! Father didn't mention big brother; because only girls can do the summon-thing. He's the heir now. He was between Melody and me and he's annoyingly smart."

So he took the share meant for you? How greedy. Don't worry Aria, your density increases your gap-moe. Although I can't talk.

"I'm sure you're smart Aria."

She smiles ruefully and looks depressed again.

"No I'm really not. I can't stand books and tutors and dances. I'm a useless princess. But...but..."

She’s really is a bit self-destructive and lacking in confidence, eh?

"Butt? You have a nice butt."

"Eh?! C-can't you go ten minutes without being a perv; j-jeez..."

She blushes and mutters under her breath. Mission success! Her violent tsundere is falling away pretty rapidly and it looks like I can still abuse this confusion she has over dirty jokes and compliments for the greater good. That’s what I'm doing here, got it?

"A-anyway! Let’s get more help from the mercenaries guild, that’s what’s next."