We reclaim our confiscated items, and complete some release paperwork. Turns out we were locked away for a good seven hours.

"I didn't realise you were a noble, miss Kurono." I state.

"Hmmph. It's not something I publicise. I'd rather not bother with the whole mess, but unfortunately I'm the only surviving member of my lineage."

It sounds like there's a story there. Actually, if I'd have thought about it, the signs were there: the standoffish attitude, the fact she was snappily dressed even in a dungeon, the whole demeanor in general.

"Well, in any case, you have my sincere thanks." I say.

"I don't want your thanks. Eww. I was doing this because Kaliasta came and asked me a favour. Now stop talking to me." She states.

Kali did? Huh...

"I guess there are some Elijah-proof women..." Aria snickers to herself.

I sigh.

"Aria, it's not like I'm trying to get every girl I see." I say.

"Could have fooled me, ~onii-chan~" she smirks.

I pinch her nose and she giggles.

"Ugh... can you please restrain your flirting until we're outside. Gods." Kurono berates us.

I shrug to Aria.

But we make it out the main doors at last, guards saluting to Aria.

It's kinda weird that one of the towers is used as the place of governance here.

It’s bright from the rising sun as we exit, making me squint, but I guess I should have anticipated a glomp from Kali.

"Aniki!" She nuzzles me.

Aria sighs and rolls her eyes, but seems to allow it.

"Ugh... you too Kali?" Kurono groans.

Kali detaches from me and glomps Kurono.

"Sorry Kuro-chan! Was relieved. But muchly thanks! Have a kiss!"

She pecks Kurono on the cheek and then leaps off her.

"Ah... well... I-I guess you can be forgiven... hmmph!" Kurono blushes.

She has it bad, huh? I snicker.

...

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...

...

After thanking Kurono again, we leave her and start to walk back to the inn. Apparently the others decided to stay put there.

"Did you take out the demon, Kali?" Aria asks. "I'm fairly sure I did some serious damage to it, but I had to let it go to save Elijah."

"Kali like credit, but honest it be Kae-chan. She tracking across city and stab? Asks her better." Kali responds, shrugging.

Kaede, huh? She assassinated the assassin? Ironic.

"Where is she, by the way?" I query.

"Left whilst waiting for Aniki?" Kali shrugs again.

Hmm. I wonder where she went? That reminds me of something else, though.

I stop and re-identify Aria.

ARIA JERALDINE

LVL 11 PALADIN

THIRD PRINCESS OF JERALDINE

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HP>> 63/63 (=STR+END)

MP>> 14/14 (=INT+PER)

12 YEARS OLD

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Strength 17 (+20)

Agility 18

Endurance 16 (+10)

Intellect 5

Perception 9

Charisma 22 (+6)

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<> (Explosive strength gain unbefitting of actual physique, +20 bonus Strength. This bonus is +40 when Reverse Etranger Protection Bond is active, but also replaces all other active and passive strength bonuses in so doing.)

<> (Long martial training regime, gives a +10 bonus to Endurance)

<> (Great expertise with polearms, +7 Strength and Agility when using them)

<> (Can use Light Magic, Healing Magic, and Blessing Magic using Charisma rather than Intellect as key statistic)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 6 MP, Heals 25 HP)

<> (Blessing Magic, costs 6 MP, negates the next physical impact on the target entirely. Constant use has improved efficiency.)

<> (Light Magic, costs 11 MP, Imbues spear with power of light spirits. Explodes on impact to deal additional radiation effects.)

<> (Grants Silver Hair, Indigo Eyes, +6 Charisma)

<> (Has mostly failed/refuses to learn etiquette. -12 Charisma in noble settings.)

<> (Level 2 Bond- Love for Elijah allows her to borrow his statistical enhancement as the reverse Etranger protection bond, giving her +15 to all stats. Consumes 1 MP per minute.)

Woah. Talk about changes... her spearmastery and base stats totally went up and she levelled for sure, and got that new light spear skill. But borrowing my stat bonus? That's what it does. No wonder she became powerful all of a sudden.

But the real crazy is her updated super strength in that mode: I mean... she probably loses, what... up to 22 strength as it replaces the other bonuses, but then its plus frickin' 40. So she is at triple power at that point!

Not to mention, if we assume 10 is fairly average (I apparently had 7 before and I was missing the gym alot in my old life), then that 57 total is bonkers. That's like world's strongest man level. All packed in a gorgeous petite woman.

She looks at me with a shudder.

"El-li-jah... you need to stop peeking on girls like that!"

"Oh, oops... I didn't think you felt it before." I smile bashfully. "I wanted to confirm what you did before with the demon. You're borrowing my stat bonus, and it also doubles your strength!" I exclaim.

She goes from mad to shocked to contemplative.

"Doubles...!? Sendervil's mercy. That... no wonder I could crack its skull by just... squeezing. I... hah... but doesn't this make me some kind of monster?"

Her eyes water, so I hug her again, making Kali pout.

"You're no worse a monster than me."

I kiss her viciously, and she swoons as I release her.

"Pahhh! J-jeez... you really want to make me even more sticky, don't you?"

But then she snickers under her breath as I take liberties in rubbing her affectionately.

"Well... let us be monsters together then, onii-chan." She grins.