"So, for proper introductions, I am Yuzuurial Ashensalve. I am, as you have likely ascertained, Rishya's elder cousin. I am also a cleric and user of light magic, but my speciality is conjuration, rather than healing."

I shake her hand, keeping my eyes on her face rather than her exceptional figure.

The new girls have lined up to introduce themselves. Kali and Kurono still look unsteady on their legs.

"Kurono, do introduce yourself." Yuuzu says, nudging her.

"Hmmph... Kurono Cairne. I am an archer and user of void magic. I dislike men."

Very much to the point. She especially emphasises the last part to me whilst glaring.

Yuuzu sighs with a 'haah...' and shrugs with a smile to me. Kurono just goes 'hmmph' and wanders off, her duty complete.

"I apologise for her rudeness... and this is..." She starts.

"Kali is Kali. Call me Kali! Kali is from Verania! Kali be training to be strong girl to be trader and leader!"

It feels like she's about to leap and nuzzle me again as I warily shake her gauntleted hand, but she thinks better of it.

"Her full name is actually 'S'tavi Kaliasta Meenaora'." Yuuzu explains.

"Not all name. Silly Yuuzu. Is Kali's home, Kali's name, and Kali's school of fighting! But Kaliasta too much. Call Kali Kali."

"I see. Nice to meet you, Yuuzu, Kurono and Kali." I say. "My name is Elijah, and I am an Etranger. I have been summoned by the Princess Aria to defeat the Demon Lord, Cultivator."

I point her out, and she nods.

Yuuzu nods, curtsies, and says 'your majesty' to Aria, entirely unfazed. Kurono, at the back, looks startled at this, and hurriedly also grabs her long black trousers and curtsies. Kali bows.

"Hehe... I don't need anyone to scrape. This isn't the place... and no one ever seems to realise I'm a princess of Jeraldine anyhow... hahaha..." Aria has her arm behind her head, looking embarrassed.

"This girl is Kiku Arnas." I continue. "She’s a swords-girl mercenary."

"Um... nice to meet you... and thanks for saving me back there, Miss Yuuzurial." Kiku chitters, blushing at being introduced.

"This is Kaede Murasaki. An assa..."

"A rogue, yes, nii-sama?" She interrupts. She sure is becoming more brazen recently.

"...A rogue and... our party scout?"

She nods.

I suppose calling her a killer or an assassin is not going to set a good impression. I should indeed be careful...

"Ahem. This is Seria Sesshouin. The Sage of Thunder."

This makes both Yuuzu and Kurono go wide eyed. Seria cackles like the old woman she secretly is. No one expects such a young looking girl to be a Sage.

"And I probably don't have to tell you about our party healer, Rishya."

Yuuzu smiles wryly.

"You sure got yourself into quite the pickle, Rishya. Helper to an Etranger? Uncle Doug must be beside himself in worry. But... you always wanted to be with Aria, didn't you?"

Rishya folds her arms over her chest and nods.

Yuuzu then blushes slightly as she looks back at me.

"Um... as you are wearing my engagement present, does this mean... umm...?"

Oh shit! I forgot about that!

"Ahhhh! No way! Dad was being a douchebag! You! You can't marry Elijah, Yuuzu!!!" Rishya answers for me, balling her fists.

Yuuzu looks at her, and at me, and back to her, then smiles wryly again.

"You have a tough road ahead of you, Rishya. Good luck." She says.

That has such nuanced meaning to it.

"W-w-what are you t-talking about! It's not like I... Ahhhh! R-rude! I hate you, Yuuzu!" She denounces.

Aria starts laughing, and everyone joins in, even Rishya herself after a delay. Although… not Kali, who has been studying each of the girls as I introduced them. Scoping out her competition?

Yikes... that's not the sort of thing I ever expected to say about a girl in my old, mediocre life. It's actually quite disconcerting that I've come to almost just accept this as the norm.

After the laughter dies down, Kali opens her mouth.

"Yuuzu. Kali is very sorry. But Kali wishes to go with this man. Is Kali's saviour." She looks determined.

This causes an uproar. Aria sighs dramatically, Kiku face-palms and clangs her own visor, Kaede narrows her eyes, Seria smiles terrifyingly, and Rishya has a sharp intake of breath before going 'hmmmph!' and looking away.

Yuuzu sighs as well.

"I expected as much. If he will have you, do as you will."

Wait, I get a say in this? It feels to me she'll just stalk me if I refuse.

"Another troublesome one... will it never end?" Aria whines, apparently already resigned to me approving this decision with a tired look.

"WAIT! You mad Veranian bitch! You can't... we haven't settled anything! And I..." Kurono pipes up, apparently surprising Kali.

"Ah! Kali is sorry, Kuro-chan, but Kali likes men!"

Kurono deflates and it's almost like Kali directly punched her in the gut with her gauntlets.

"My... my paradise is already falling apart..." she groans, staggering backwards.

Yuuzu face-palms with a smack. Her eye twitches.

"Kurono... we already discussed the fact that I am not that way..."

"Nononono! I'm not listening! It's always men that ruin it all! Ahhhh!"

She dashes off, attempting to escape reality. I feel somewhat sorry for her. A lesbian harem is surely a noble goal... I wonder just...

Aria chops me on the shoulder with an unimpressed look.

Yep... gotta be careful. Dangerous thoughts are dangerous.

Welp... looks like I've gained another source of trouble.