"I'm sorry; that's impossible."

The knight-type backed away from us waving both his hands.

He was the 30th one to say no to us after hearing the circumstances. It seemed the very concept of fighting the dragon of doom was anathema to most of these people; and we could only skirt around the issue so much.

Aria looked exhausted. Considering she’s had to do the same sales pitch for three hours its not surprising. People were initially falling over themselves to get a chance to party with her; but each one fled in the face of this fool’s errand.

I was also feeling anxious. No matter how powerful i could personally get, it would mean nothing if my flanks and backs weren't covered. Those were the basics.

"Those are all the people I know that are reasonably strong. I could widen it to newbies...but..." Aria notes.

"If the veterans are saying no, our chances aren't good."

"Hah...That’s right."

"Is there anywhere else? A mage college?"

"That is for old men who talk about magic; they wouldn't go outside..."

This is the first time I've seen Aria truly furious. She really doesn't like those guys, huh? Well maybe there is a...

"Um, excuse me?"

I receive a prod in my spleen. I turn around and see a crimson knight’s visor at chest height.

Below the visor, which is clicked up at the moment, is a rounded cute face of another young girl. Today really is a good day!

I give her a radiant smile and she recoils from me. Hmm. Maybe that was creepy. I tone it down a notch.

"How can I help you, jou-chan?"

"Oh... um you were looking for party members on the board? I have to tell you that... um... that... your request has been withdrawn... um... too many rejections..."

The girl in front is quite a mumbler. I glance across to Aria. She just looks tired and says:

"The guild has rejected the request, then?"

Two green pigtails protrude from her half helm; and shake as she nods affirmative.

Aria sighs and turns to me. "This is to be expected, Elijah. We will have to move on."

"I guess fighting the demon leader is a pretty tall order for these guys." I reply.

"Um..."

"Yes, it’s why you're such an idiot, accepting this just because of me. Its suicide; you should be at least a swordsmaster to think about standing up to Cultivator. I hope you have a good plan..."

"Um, excuse me... I..."

"Yeah... I know. I'll have to figure out something else."

"Oi! You punks! Listen when I'm talking, bitches!”

I'm momentarily startled as I look around in confusion. What the heck was that?

"Yes, you! Get your eyes looked at, I'm right here!"

Oh my; it was pigtailed helmet girl. She actually has quite a potty mouth when she gets over her mumbling? I also realise the entire guild has gone silent and is staring at us.

"Um... I mean... if you're ok with it... I would be sort of interested in..."

Woah, and the meek is back in a flash. The guild goes back to normal as if nothing happened. This is quite interesting.

Aria clicks her fingers as if realising something and wanders up to stand right next to me.

"You... would you be the daughter of Kane Arnas?"

"Um... ah... yes... I am Kiku Arnas."

"She important?" I suddenly whisper sensually into Aria's ear. Aria gets a spine straightening shiver and blushes whilst glaring at me, but answers the question as she shuffles away, realising her earlier mistake in standing so close.

"Yes. Kane Arnas is the current, 36th head of the guild. She and her older sister are a bit like celebrities here."

"Um, that’s not true... I'm just a normal girl."

I study her in detail. That statement is certainly untrue. She is wearing a chest-plate over a leather leotard; all in crimson, with matching gauntlets and greaves, and several belts. She has short green pigtails and big emerald eyes. And she has two shortswords at each hip?! I also use identify on her...

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

KIKU ARNAS

MERCENARIES DAUGHTER

LEVEL 9 TRI-BLADER

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

HP>> 60/60 (=STR+END)

MP>> 26/26 (=INT+PER)

13 YEARS OLD

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

Strength 12

Agility 13

Endurance 18 (+30)

Intellect 9

Perception 17

Charisma 13

> (Trained since infancy in the use of blades, she has a transcendent level of mastery few can hope to attain, +10 bonus Strength and Agility when using a sword)

> (Excellent understanding of group tactics and military strategy, gains a bonus +10 Intellect for this specifically)

> (Gruelling martial training regime for years, gives a +30 bonus to Endurance)

> (Expert at the interception of blows. Bonus +6 Agility and Endurance for this.)

> (Skilled at throwing Light Blades, +3 Agility to do so)

> (Martial Skill, Instantaneous Movement, costs 6 MP)

> (A culinary professional. Gains +4 to all stats for purposes of food preparation)

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

Oh my; she's... a parry tank? Nowhere near Aria’s pure brute strength or heal support, but I bet she’s a sight to behold. What's a Tri-Blader? Does this setup mean that she can throw her short swords? That’s pretty whack...

"I think you're anything but normal; Miss Kiku. Why would you want to join us?"

Kiku looks around as if paranoid for a moment and whispers under her breath...

"It... um... I want to... I want to be cool... like Kako..."

"Kako?" I inquire

"She's a royal knight, Elijah. The older sister I mentioned. Kako Arnas is a famous flower of the battlefield and one my dad’s right hand men." Aria enlightens me.

Kiku nods feverishly as if happy about this description.

"I...um... I want to be powerful like sis. Dad says I should go on a long job to be a proper mercenary. Big demon king… dangerous... but I... um... I think it might be fun."

'(Swords) Girl’s just wanna have fun' plays in my head.

"Well... I don't have a problem with it." I say.

Kiku grins sheepishly and looks happy.

Aria looks between us and sighs.

"Of course you don't have a problem with it... you're a lolicon pervert."

Man... Cat’s out of the bag... I've already been typecast.