"Still seems like a wuss solution to me. Whatever works though." Violet shrugs and adds more unnecessary fuel to the fire.

"Anyway, if you're done arguing over the D, I'd like to abuse your chef. I have several customers this evening, and food for the fuckers would be nice."

Kiku's eyes go wide, but she stands up.

"Um... straight away? Aren't you going to... um... test me?"

"Girl, I run an inn known for food. I practically have residents sat around like grintoads with open gobs waiting for fatflies. Do I look like I fucking have time and ingredients to waste like that? This... this is the test you dozy bitch."

"I... well shit." Kiku rubs her forehead, sighs, and gives me an eye for a second. Perhaps she is worried about losing ground after the ratification of the treaty.

Violet cackles, clearly enjoying herself.

"Wash your hands, bandage your dumb head, do your damn hair back up, and meet me in the back. Chop chop!"

"Eh...! Ah-aye ma'am!" Kiku jumps and dashes up the stairs.

Kiku must really want this.

Violet slinks off as well, cackling to herself.

"We need to speak to the mercenary guild anyway. Kiku's food will give us incentive to come back fast, right?" Seria illustrates.

She's right. We can meet up with Yuuzu and Kurono again as well. They were due to sleep like us and then meet us there to hand in that skull. I'm happy to give them the credit, as only Aria and Kiku among us are even known as mercenaries. Ah... and Kaede I guess? And Kali? Well... whatever.

...

...

...

The streets outside are still lively.

Unable to otherwise come to an initial decision on who's first, I decided that it should be a rotation based on the order I met the girls.

So... right now, Aria is linking arms with me, and the others are following behind.

Rishya appears dissatisfied with this, as does Kali. Kiku seemed happy before we left. Unfortunately, there's no way to please everyone, is there? It's the problem with executive decisions in general.

I did consider some mad ideas for the changeover though, even rock-paper-scissors, if I can instruct the girls on that.

"Err... Aria?"

"Onii-chan...?" She tilts her head sweetly. My nose wants to do a volcano impression.

But I restrain myself. "Err... I know that... you want this... but is it... is it a good idea in the big city like this? Won't somebody recognise you?"

"They probably will. Not many silver haired people." She nods.

"And especially none as cute as you." I add. Easy compliment chance get!

"Hehe..." she blushes.

"But... honestly... its fine, Elijah. Its... irresponsible of me... but in some ways... I was already a useless princess. Cadence and Melody had suitors lining up outside the castle drawbridge. Me? Not so much. A few recently because I'm now the pity pick. The best option was almost insulting though, just some country Marquis."

"And Viscount Remus." Rishya adds from the back.

Aria narrows her eyes and looks back at her.

"He would take a female pit snake, if it was below a certain age, Rish. He's always after you too."

"Hmmmph... he's the worse kind of lolicon pervert!! Dad wouldn't allow it!"

Oh... suddenly their behaviour at the gate makes sense.

"Worse than me?" I jest.

"Ugggh... don't even go there, Elijah. You have no idea. He looks like a sweaty grintoad, and he is notorious for molesting underage girls in Hal-Castemour."

She shakes her head.

"You... you... at least... you're well... pure, almost? There is no malice... you-you're just a nice pervert."

"A gentleman and a pervert." I add.

All the girls laugh.

"Sure whatever... hehehe" she agrees.

Actually, that fills me with happiness to finally get that acknowledged! I grin and she rolls her eyes.

"But... why is he still in power here, then?" I query.

"Unfortunately, he is an amazing administrator, and otherwise relatively honourable and competent. Most of the people here just... turn a blind eye to his gluttony and lust. Err... some foolish girls even try it on... and I think... they get compensated for their silence when they are inevitably... ah!"

She is blushing whilst simultaneously looking disgusted. It's a weird look.

Hmm... I thought this would be an actual incident of the disgusting idiot noble archetype and that there was just a complex political web preventing Legato from making a move. But, in this case, it's a difficult position.

Personally, I hate this man already for ignoring the cardinal rule of 'Yes Loli, No Touch.' (even though I realise that's a tad hypocritical given my current situation...)

But if there's even invitations and a public blind eye being pulled... and he is otherwise a good man and competent ruler... I guess his foibles would have be overlooked by the king.

Still... how vexing.

Ah! Here the mercenary’s guild. I look up. They're always imposing buildings with lots of banners, eh?

We should go inside and find Yuuzu.