Leaving behind the scary place, I feel like I have to ward off a thousand curses. I hid in the bathroom for a while to escape the gazes of the assembled mercenaries. Nevertheless, Kiku benefitted, and is now skipping along happily, clinking in her armour, so I suppose it's all fine.

Kaede was inaugurated as a mercenary without issues after a demonstration of her agility, and sales of the Crawler plates gave us five extra silver bounds to work with, after Kiku's repair and replacement costs.

Kiku said we could possibly get a better price negotiating directly with monster-smiths, rather than accepting the bounty price offered by the guild, but that would involve trawling the city and alot of haggling, which we don't have time for.

Kiku informed me that the sword malformed by me exploding the crawler would take a week or so to repair, so she left it with instructions to deliver it to her father on completion. She would be down one blade for a while. I guess that meant her clip size was reduced to three shots for the dungeon crawl. Hopefully that would be enough.

As the sun set, following some scrawled directions left by Aria, we ended up leaving the north gate of the city, which presented us many acres of histmunch vinyards.

It’s quite an interesting sight, and a contrast from heading up the hills to the forested east, where we went before. I'm no agriculturalist, but it looks like the vines are nicely blooming. Workers can be seen weaving in and out tending them.

From what I heard, much of the Mullight wealth was derived from these fields and the fine wines produced from them, making them one of Jeraldine's founding families.

Douglas apparently runs the fields like a company, paying a salary and offering cheaper housing in the city to those willing to do the commute each morning. Quite progressive.

Jeraldine apparently has a lot of quirks like this, making me wonder about the influence of other Etranger on it, given it was quite famous for summons. Or perhaps I'm overthinking it, and its just a happy circumstance of this world in general.

The manor wasn't far from the city. Kaede spotted it literally the moment we came out the gate. As its also on the coast, the entire distance is mostly just because of the capital being on the peninsula and having to walk around the curved cliff for a few minutes.

It imperiously overlooked its fields from a slightly higher spot just off the road, so we made it in good time... I'd say it was about an hour from the guild, which is fairly central in the city.

The manor proper is relatively modest, two stories, and I'd guess about twenty odd rooms total, arrayed in a squat inverse 'U' shape facing west, if viewed from above. Built around some kind of inner courtyard, in other words.

Kiku is gawking, and that is pretty adorable in its own way, whilst Seria and Kaede are as stoic as usual.

Passing through the grounds, I take the initiative to hammer on the door.

It is nary a moment before a gentleman in formal gowns similar to Douglas answers. He is more portly, with a flushed face and slicked back purple hair, but seems... strangely elegant.

"Good evening. Welcome to the Mullight estate, Ser Elijah. I am the housekeeper, Jorges. The ojou-sama has informed us of your arrival." He bows to let us inside, and we oblige.

I hope she hasn't informed them of too much. I don't sense any danger...

"Oni... ahem... Ser Elijah!"

Aria is sweeping elegantly down the central stairs, Rishya a step behind. They are both clad in noble dresses that match their eyes, and it is, frankly, a very beautiful sight; streaming light carrying them from the sunset, with elegant marble decor and green carpet framing this precious picture of silver-blue and golden-red ladies.

My heart is in my throat, which must be showing on my face, as Aria seems very happy at my reaction, adding a splendorous smile as she reaches the foot of the stairs.

Rishya is also smiling, which looks good on her. Very cute. She gave me a sharp look initially, but she seems happy that Aria is happy.

They both tap up to the rest of us.

"Um... woah... you look like a princess, Aria." Kiku nods.

"I AM a princess, Kiku." Aria gives her a flat look.

"Ahhh! That's not what I... um... I mean... you looked really... good?" Kiku panics.

"Ehehe... I know what you meant." Aria assures her.

"Hmmph... its good Aria is always so magnanimous." Rishya comments.

I can't help but leak a snicker at this whole exchange. Rishya does have a point, I've always thought it’s a blessing that Aria doesn't act too snooty.

"And what are you laughing at!? Have you gone mad!?" Rishya furrows her brow.

"When presented with jewels of the highest quality, such as you two, any man would feel madness." I swiftly counter, bowing slightly.

"Y-you are a t-terrible flatterer... hmmph!" She looks away.

"Rishya... you'll learn quickly that you can't win against Elijah's shamelessness." Aria says, grinning and patting her on the shoulder.

"Um... it's true."

"This is the case, yes?"

"Fufufu... he is a fool most shameless indeed..."

I feel like I'm getting ghostly ballista bolts in my back again, but all the girls burst into laughter except Rishya, who looks flustered and doesn't know what to do.

I wonder how this ojou-sama will slot in with this mad menagerie of girls?

It will be fun to watch, at least.