"I think it is now more important than ever to investigate the disturbance in Sandy Shore Temple." Simon states.

"But this a problem now. I cannot spare a large contingent to investigate, in case the king begins a draft of the..."

"So, you are attempting to get us to return, are you not, boy?" Seria interrupts.

Simon sighs.

"I am that easy to read for the Sage, it seems."

"You are, boy." She affirms.

I grimace. I suppose we came here to train me up further. The heightened difficulty should actually be a boon to me; as surely it will provide me more experience, even quicker. Not to mention... I've got this nagging feeling that the Skull Beast attacking the front lines is related to the one we encountered. Aria and Kaede said there was a large expanse leading further down. We should go back.

"Though I'm not especially fond of the place, with some support, I guess it's still not a bad..." I start.

"No way." Yuuzu suddenly says.

"Eh? Yuuzu...!" Rishya exclaims.

"Sorry Rishya. But I do not want to return there. I nearly met my end." Yuuzu has a sad looking expression.

Simon steeples his fingers and sighs.

"That is... unfortunate, but understandable." He says.

"Naturally I go where Yuuzu does." Kurono affirms her allegiances, nodding with her eyes closed.

Rishya looks crestfallen and conflicted.

I put my hand on her shoulder. She looks up at me, teary eyed.

"Rishya, if you want to go with Yuuzu then I..."

Suddenly she looks furious.

"No! You idiot! I will protect you and Aria! You need me! Stop your casual touching as well!"

I give her a wry smile because she hasn't recoiled or moved away from me despite telling me off for touching her.

"You'd even protect me now, huh?"

She goes wide eyed and NOW she backpedals, with a weird smile and complicated expression, looking at her feet.

"Well, I'd like that." I assure her.

"O-of course you would. Hmmph!" She turns away and stomps off to the window.

I look up and see Yuuzu has covered her face with a hand and is grinning behind it.

"Well, onii-chan, you're going, so of course us lot will, right?" Aria states, also wielding a strange expression.

All the other girls nod.

"Will you be reforming your party, Miss Yuuzurial?" Simon asks.

"Quite so. Kali has been poached by this man from me. I'll be advertising that today."

"I see. We can arrange that. I believe the guild can certainly give you all a raise in rank as well. In fact, I will personally inaugurate each of you as B rank mercenaries, if you wish. The princess and miss Arnas will be promoted to A rank as well. Not to mention the bounty on the Skull Beast is 45 Myriads, to be distributed between the nine of you."

Well... that nicely divides to five a piece. I believe it's quite a sum of money too.

"That's generous of you, ser." Aria says, blinking.

"Not at all. It is the standard bounty for Class 7 threat. You have saved several lives..." Simon nods.

"Oh... Though I will be postulating the investigation as a request by the guild, I clarify I WILL certainly not send you by yourself. I will recruit some S-ranks or A-ranks who are familiar with Sandy Shore to go with you, of course. So, you can relax in the city for a few days." He continues.

Well, we do have at least two days lodging...

...

...

After we sort out the paperwork and get paid our bounty, it's early evening and we return to The Furious Stallion.

The place is absolutely heaving. What the hell?

Guards, mercenaries, nobles and commoners. All in the same room. And stuffing their faces.

Violet is lounging behind the bar, smoking a pipe and stroking the vicious cat from earlier. She looks satisfied as she watches some women run around, filling up drinks and waitressing. I guess they're hired for the busy period.

"Ah... you're back." She grins. The cat bounds off the bar.

"Go and use the staff table at the back unless you want to eat off the floor." She beckons behind her.

We squeeze past her through a curtained off area, and go in.

Kiku is face down on the table, and has a ghost coming out of her. Her green hair is untied and splayed all over the table, and she certainly looks like a corpse.

"It's a murder scene!" I exclaim, joking.

Aria chops me on the head.

"Tough first day, Kiku?" Aria asks, with a wry smile.

The zombie rises. She is wearing a loose red shirt and hot-pants, with an apron. It's nice to see her casual for a change. Pretty.

"Um... y-you have no idea..." she splutters.

"H-how the holy fucking sods does she do that by herself!? The Smoking Horse had busy times... but... but this is pissing nuts! I've never had to sous chef for hundreds! What the hell!"

Violet wanders in and snorts.

"Kekeke... it becomes rote after a while. I told you that you made the wrong turn earlier... fwahaha!"

Kiku jumps up.

"There's more orders!? Fuck!" Kiku curses.

"Sit the fuck down. It's your break. I'll do it. It's actually been a lot easier than usual today."

Kiku doesn't hesitate in falling back down and leaning back in her seat, so we join her at the table.

I can see her small cleavage and pale collarbone when she sits like that. Nice.

Aria is clearly getting psychic because she chops me on the head again as she sits next to me. I go a bit swirly eyed.

"Um... how did it go then?" Kiku asks.

We explain the proceedings.

"I'm an... A-Rank now!?!? Holy crap!" Kiku shouts.

"You and me both." Aria affirms.

"W-wow... I'm really nearly at Kako and Dad's level... that's... that's fucking amazing!" Kiku looks joyous again.

She smiles happily at me, blushing, and grabs my hand.

"Everything is really thanks to Nii... to Elijah. I never thought... hahh... I've moved so far in such a short time."

Her adorability factor soars through the roof and I have restrain a nosebleed again.

The other girls merely laugh.

Though...isn't the treaty already in tatters with this?

I guess there will have to be exceptions made at times.