Chapter 626: Unexpected Addition

"We still have quite a bit of time before the agreed meeting time," Marilyn answered. "We’re waiting for one more person, though. But while we wait, let me introduce you."

"Missing wh—"

Elion barely got the words out before the unfamiliar pair stepped forward.

"Actually, why don’t you two introduce yourselves?" Marilyn said. "Elion, you can do the same."

The man stepped forward first.

He wore something vaguely similar to Elion’s bodysuit, though his looked more like a cheaper leather variant.

"Hello. Name’s Cole." He stretched out his hand. "I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Elion."

Elion shook it with a nod, feeling the guy’s oddly loose grip.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Hope we work well together." From Elion’s own observations, Cole was probably an agility-focused fighter.

The man had four daggers on him.

Two were strapped to either side of his waist, while another pair rested against his chest inside fitted sheathes.

Considering the profiles of those in the group he was already familiar with, Cole would fit in quite well, if Elion’s assumption about his specialty was right.

Appearances could be quite deceiving, after all.

Cole nodded before stepping back.

The girl came forward next.

She was quite easy on the eyes.

Loose ginger curls framed her face, while a scattering of cute freckles ran across the sides of her nose.

Her clothing was fairly conservative as well.

She wore light armour over a green top and tight brown leather shorts, with a belt securing everything around her slim waist. Matching high leather boots protected her legs.

She seemed momentarily stunned by Elion’s appearance. Actually, he had noticed her staring at him ever since he arrived.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Given how calmly the others brushed off her flustered state, Elion assumed that perhaps she just had a shy, reserved persona.

"H-Hello." She cleared her throat lightly. "You can call me Nora."

Despite her flustered expression, she managed to keep her greeting surprisingly lighthearted as she extended one hand toward him.

Elion smiled and accepted it.

"Nice to meet you, Nora." Nora seemed to fall into a daze just then.

Her lips parted slightly, her eyes widening as though she had only now realised how absurdly handsome he was.

Then, just as quickly, she pulled her hand away.

Elion blinked.

’Did I do something?’ Before he could think any further, the System interface suddenly flashed before his eyes.

[Host, keep clear of this woman. You can’t fix this one]

’Huh?’ Elion frowned inwardly. ’What do you mean?’

The System didn’t answer.

Instead, another window appeared.

[Love Metre: 500%]

Elion nearly choked on his own breath.

’What the actual fuck!?’

Before he could dwell on it, Nora had already retreated toward the back of the group as though nothing unusual had happened.

"Oh, there she is," Marilyn suddenly said, turning toward the sound of hurried footsteps.

Elion looked over as well.

A familiar swordswoman was running toward them at full speed, her face visibly flushed from running.

Mayumi came to a stop directly in front of the group and immediately bent forward, planting both hands against her knees.

"Haa... haa..." Her breathing came out in heavy wheezes. "I-I hope... I didn’t keep you guys waiting too long..."

"Haaa... haa... haa..."

She took several more deep breaths before finally straightening. She looked at everyone with a bright, happy smile.

"Mayumi!?" Elion exclaimed in shock. "You’re coming with us?"

Mayumi nodded enthusiastically.

"I sure am."

"Wait, what?" Elion quickly did the numbers in his head just to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.

Him, Maya, Uta, Yaana, Manfred, Cole, and Nora.

’That’s seven...’ His eyes drifted back toward Mayumi. ’With her, that makes eight of us.’

"But that makes eight of us now," Elion said.

Mayumi frowned.

"What? You didn’t want to see me here?" One of her brows rose accusingly.

"It’s not that," Elion replied quickly. "I thought we only had seven spots."

"If that’s what you’re worried about, then there’s no problem," Marilyn said from the side. "Manfred won’t be joining you guys."

"Huh?" Elion’s expression immediately turned confused. His gaze shifted toward Manfred. "What do you mean?"

"Hmph. I knew it. You didn’t want me here after all."

"Haha..." Elion laughed wryly before glancing toward Marilyn for help.

He had really only been asking a simple question, but Mayumi had somehow taken offense. Luckily for him, Marilyn provided the escape he needed.

"You may not realise it, but Manfred here is quite a bit older than he looks. He can’t enter the Legacy World because of the age restriction, so just like me, he is just an escort today."

"What, really?"

Elion had never actually bothered checking the swordsman’s information before. Curious, he activated his eyes, and sure enough...

Manfred was well into his fifties.

Elion almost facepalmed. His gaze shifted suspiciously toward Yaana and Uta.

’Wait... don’t tell me these two aren’t actually teenagers either.’ A quick check brought immediate relief.

They really were teenagers.

"It’s an effect of the martial technique I use," Manfred explained, seemingly noticing Elion’s confusion, though he didn’t say any more than that.

"Right..."

Elion nodded slowly.

Thinking back to when Marilyn had first explained everything after he signed his contract with the Triad Alliance, he must have misunderstood Manfred’s role in the group.

"The other member whose spot Mayumi is taking disappeared," Marilyn continued, her expression becoming slightly more serious. "He never returned from the mission he was assigned to. I only realised something was wrong when I discovered that he hadn’t been training alongside Nora and Cole like he was supposed to."

Elion’s expression changed slightly.

"We haven’t heard from him since."

"Well, that’s unfortunate," Elion mused. Once again, Mayumi glared at him sharply

Elion quickly raised both hands. "I mean unfortunate for the guy who went missing!"

Mayumi’s eyes narrowed.

"The poor guy could have met a terrible end somewhere out there in the world!" Elion defended himself with almost suspicious urgency. "I wasn’t talking about you taking his spot!"

Mayumi stared at him for another moment.

"Hmph." She looked away.

Elion quietly let out a relieved breath.

’Why does everything I say sound wrong to her today?’