Rishya seemed rather frustrated, and was puffing out her cheeks whilst giving me a death glare.

I had been forcibly dressed by the manor maids in a new tunic with studded leather shins and bracers along with the new breastplate and a nice dark green cloak. The whole setup felt surprisingly weightless, and the fabric was pretty exquisite. It felt like velvet or something equally comfortable. And it had alot of nice pockets sewn in too. Practical, comfortable and mildly protective.

"Hehe... um... you really look like a mage mercenary now, Nii." Kiku complimented my new look, smiling with a nod.

Kaede was looking away, and Aria had her arms crossed, nodding sagely as if to say 'I was right!'

I know they say 'the clothes make the man', but as someone who was often stuck in a business suit for work, I grew to resent that idea slightly. Nevertheless, being admired (mostly) like this does have its merits.

I bashfully put my hand behind my head. At least I'll look a bit less like a vagabond kidnapping a bunch of young girls. Probably...

We still have some time before the evening when we have to return to the castle, so I ask the girls if there is anything else we need to buy to fill up the rucksack.

"That will not be necessary." Rishya pronounces. She had also been ambushed and yanked off to be changed by the maids.

I notice that she has a tote bag to go with her new adventuring getup, which includes long stockings, a small skirt, a hat resembling a beret, tough leather boots and gauntlets, and a collared, segmented top with both a neck scarf and a flowing cloak. Her entire outfit is themed in matching navy blue with silver accents. I think she is well aware that dark blues look really nice on her. But there is a slightly weird thing... her top neatly accents her shapely chest, and then seems deliberately cut short, exposing her midriff.

"Wh-where are looking, you beast!?" She crosses her arms protectively over her chest.

"Didn't you deliberately choose the new styled cleric look to show off, Rishya? Didn't you actually ~want~ to show him? Hmmmmm?" Aria taunts her mercilessly with squinted eyes, and a hannya face, patting Rishya's shoulder with a clawed hand.

"A-absolutely not! I am purely conscious of being fashionable I'll have you know! Hmmph!" She denies, pulling away.

Kiku titters in O RLY mode.

"Oh... is that so?" Aria turns back to face me. "Well, onii-chan, she is a rich girl and a supporter. Carrying a void bag with the supplies is one of her jobs in a standard party."

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Oh... it’s like a bag of holding then? Are those something to do with Void Spirits that Seria talked about? It seems a little 'all the eggs in one basket' to me to have the supporter be the supply chain as well as a healer, but I guess its allowing the others to be more mobile, right? More mobile... Wait a minute...

"So... Aria, you mean to say that had we gone to the school the first day, and found Rishya, I wouldn't have had to carry the luggage?" I smile.

She goes wide-eyed as she looks away. This girl...

"P-please forgive me" she says as she tries a cute 'tee-hee' pose.

I chop her on the head.

...

Sometime later, after we leave the manor and I thank Douglas profusely for all he's done, we are strolling towards the castle. Seria had left a message for us to arrive by the afternoon, saying her original 36 hours estimate had become 28 for some reason. I guess she recovered even quicker than expected. That was fine, arriving at the Sandy Shore Temple before dark was good.

It's hard not to notice the fact I am now getting looks from people. Being at the vanguard of four beautiful young ladies will do that.

We are let into the castle without incident, and Aria leads us down to the deep summoning chamber. Waiting outside the large doors is the ninja maid, Leanne, and Kako, Kiku's knight sister.

I feel it prudent to let Kiku say her goodbyes, and follow the others inside.

Much like before, the room is awash with energy, and floating motes of light. This time, for some reason, I become conscious of the fact that there are clearly arcs of electricity rolling off Seria's hands, and particles swirling around those zaps.

Are these thunder spirits? Does my harrowing allow me perception of them? Interesting.

I also notice that Smith and Jones are here as well, assisting in the magic. Haven't seen them since I arrived, but their grouchy old man look hasn't changed.

Kiku dashes into the chamber, and we all form a hex shape with Seria, now with one more than before.

This time, I'm not sure if an agreement had been made prior, but Kiku and Kaede shuffle up next to me and offer their hands bashfully. Aria's hand has already been snatched up by Rishya and she is puffing out her cheeks.

Well, no matter... dungeon crawl, here I come! I can't help but be excited even though real life is the most merciless kind of rogue-like game.

A snap noise resounds through the room as Seria closes her eyes.