Mushoku Impact

After what felt like the longest and shortest eleven days of his life, Paul exited the comparably humid and aromatic interior of his coach, a smile developing across his face as he inhaled the crisp, frigid air outside.
Stepping down after Paul, even though they should have exited before him, Zhongli's, Xiangling's, and Jean's eyes wandered the frost-covered grounds of the estate. As horrendous as the culture of the Asura Kingdom was, the world of Mushoku Tensei was still a remarkably beautiful place.
Just as Xiangling was about to ask if they could explore, Jean drew her attention with a faint cough before inclining her head towards the rather buxom, luxuriously dressed woman hurrying towards them. Xiangling was a little confused at first but quickly fixed her posture when she noticed Jean and Zhongli standing ramrod straight with their hands crossed over their laps.
Knowing what was about to transpire, a wry yet genuine smile developed across Paul's face as the woman, his mother, raced over to embrace him. This meant having his face forced into her cleavage as she squeezed his head and whispered, "My beloved Little Sun. You finally returned to me..." in a tender, loving voice.
Nodding his head, Paul gave his mother a firm hug of his own, answering, "It's good to see you, Mother..." the moment she released her grip on his head.
Surprising Paul beyond measure, Valentine suddenly planted a chaste kiss on his lips. He knew it was meant to be a sign of affection, but it still made his body tense as Valentine tittered at his expense and remarked, "You're such a mature and conscientious young boy...tell me, is it these girls that forced you to mature so quickly? Oh my..."
Though she had heard about Zhongli and Xiangling through Paul's letters and the Headmistress's bi-weekly reports, Valentine was still surprised by their appearance and bearing. Xiangling still had a long way to go, but she was only five, maybe six years old. As for Jean, Valentine knew absolutely nothing about her. If she weren't wearing a Maid outfit and standing with the other two, she would have assumed the remarkably stoic-looking girl was the First Daughter of an Upper-Middle Noble House...
With Valentine acknowledging their presence, Zhongli and Jean offered polite bows. Xiangling quickly followed suit, but her movements were less refined than the other two. Not that Valentine minded; in truth, she found Xiangling's comparative clumsiness cute.
"You must be Zhongli, Xiangling, and...?"
Offering a flawless curtsy, Jean coolly replied, "My name is Jean, and it is a pleasure to behold your esteemed countenance, Lady Valentine."
Squinting her pale-green eyes, a playfully mischievous smile developed across Valentine's face as she asked, "Are you the one who made my little Paul a man...?"
Answering in Jean's stead, Paul's expression appeared helpless as he softly muttered, "Mother...please don't say such things. Zhongli, Xiangling, and Jean may be my Attendants, but they are also my trusted friends and companions. Once I have come of age, I intend to nominate each of them as my official Retainers."
"Hmmm..."
Though she could tell Paul was being serious, Valentine knew things that were bound to derail her son's plans. Rumors regarding the capabilities of Zhongli and Xiangling had already spread throughout the Milbots Region. During their most recent Audit, the Tax Official from the Silver Palace had even inquired about Zhongli directly. A five-year-old with Advanced Earth Magic and spearmanship exceeding even Intermediate users of the Water God Style wasn't something that went unnoticed.
Cupping her son's cheeks, Valentine's expression and tone softened as she said, "Things don't always go according to plan, Paul. To not have any regrets, make sure to live each day to the fullest. Even if you make terrible mistakes, it's better to follow your desires and be hated than lament what could have been..."
Punctuating her words, Valentine pulled Paul into another full-breasted hug. If it were up to her, she would send Paul someplace far away from the Asura Kingdom. He might be a prodigy, but he was far too kind and considerate for a Noble. As his reputation and achievements continued to increase, there would be no end to the number of people seeking to take advantage of him. First and foremost being the Royal Family...
Waiting until his mother had released him, Paul found it difficult to conceal the concern in his expression as he tentatively inquired, "Has something happened?"
Shaking her head, Valentine gave Paul's cheek one final caress, saying, "Not yet. I just want you to be prepared..." before rising to her feet and adding, "We should hurry along. Your Father has been waiting to speak with you."
Suppressing his sudden and intense urge to run away from home, Paul nodded his head, answering, "Understood." before accepting his mother's outstretched hand and allowing her to guide the way. It made him feel a little awkward, but he was still only five years old. If his mother wanted to lead him by the hand, Paul didn't have the leeway to refuse...
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*tok* *tok* *tok*
"Father, it's me, Paul. I've returned."
Hearing his son's voice, a faint smile developed across Amarant's usually stern countenance before promptly vanishing as he answered, "Enter." in an authoritative tone.
Following his Father's command, Paul pulled open the thick, magically reinforced wooden door before stepping inside and offering a courteous bow as he said, "It pleases me to see you in good health, Father. I take it the harvest was good this year?"
Without rising from his desk, Amarant rhythmically tapped the top of his desk as he said, "Sit down, son. We will have plenty of time to discuss the affairs of the Region when you accompany me during the execution of my duties. From now on, whenever you return from the Academy, you will be shadowing me to learn how to manage the territory."
Understanding it wasn't a matter up for discussion, Paul just nodded his head before sitting in the seat his Father had prepared in advance. Under normal circumstances, no one else was allowed to sit in his Father's office. Even for Paul, this was a first.
Waiting until his son had finished getting adjusted, Amarant's expression hardened as he asked, "Paul...I'm asking you this as both your Father and your Lord. Where did those girls come from?"
Blinking in surprise, Paul opened his mouth to speak but found himself at a loss for words. He didn't know exactly what his Father had heard, but it was clear he wasn't going to accept the pretense that Xiangling and Jean had been acquired through the Slave Market. Zhongli's origins were a little easier to explain, but only if his Father believed he had somehow acquired a tool that allowed him to conjure Elemental Spirits.
Instead of immediately answering his Father's question, Paul asked, "Can I have a moment to compose myself...?"
Nodding his head in approval, Amarant linked his fingers together before closing his eyes and saying, "Very well..."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Paul also closed his eyes in an attempt to block out other stimuli. He had a very important decision to make right now. He could attempt to deceive his Father, conceivably undermining the trust he had built over the years, or he could tell him a version of the truth. Having his Father's support was pivotal to his plans. However, if Hitogami were to realize his intentions, Amarant might be manipulated to become one of his greatest enemies. The wicked God had an aura that made all native-born humans believe anything he said, so revealing the truth was exceptionally dangerous...
Deciding on a compromise between the two, Paul opened his eyes and said, "I'm ready." in a firm and resolute tone.
Opening his eyes, Amarant kept his fingers linked together as he said, "Proceed." in his usual, authoritative tone.
"First and foremost, I have a question of my own. As one of the Four Great and Noble Houses, our family should be in possession of Truth Serum or a Truth-Telling Artifact, correct?"
Furrowing his brows and squinting his eyes, Amarant asked, "Do you mean to tell me you can't reveal the truth without such measures?"
Doing his best to appear confident, Paul answered, "Believe me, Father. I want to tell you the truth. However, doing so would place my life and the lives of everyone I care about at risk. That includes you, mother, and the inhabitants of the Milbots Region."
Closing his eyes, Amarant appeared to be considering Paul's words. To the latter's considerable surprise, however, he revealed, "The chair you are presently seated in serves a similar function. Were you to lie; it would cause you to experience a sudden and intense increase in pressure. Not enough to injure you, but enough to expose that you are lying..."
Though he couldn't help feeling a little betrayed, Paul nodded his head in understanding, asking, "Shall I demonstrate my previous words weren't a lie by telling a falsehood...?"
Instead of answering his son's question, Amarant opened his eyes and waited. Paul interpreted this as a silent agreement, stating, "I like girls with tiny chests."
As if a mountain had crashed into him from above, Paul found himself pressed to the chair with such force that the legs creaked beneath him. He didn't know if the pressure increased depending on the gravity of the lie, but he currently couldn't even breathe.
Seeing beads of sweat form on his son's forehead as he struggled to draw even a shallow breath, Amarant said, "I forgive your deceit."&nbsp;
Feeling the pressure disappear, Paul gasped for air as he reached for the edge of his Father's desk for support. In response, his Father said, "Take your time. Breathe..." in a faint yet audibly concerned voice.
As Paul did precisely that, his Father rose from his desk to grab a bottle of brown liquor and two glasses. There were no age restrictions on alcohol in the world of Mushoku Tensei, so Amarant didn't even hesitate to pour his son a small amount before filling his glass more than halfway.
Staring at the scotch-like liquid, Paul breathed a few steadying breaths before picking up the glass and downing the contents in a single go. His Father expected him to have a coughing fit, but, having been a rather avid drinker back when he was working as a Game Developer, Paul was used to the burn of much stronger drinks.
Exhaling a hot sigh, Paul muttered, "Thanks...that helped..." before fixing his posture and asking, "I trust that was enough proof? I'd rather not have to experience it again."
Losing a bit of his usual bearing, Amarant sampled the contents of his glass before leaning back in his chair and saying, "Proceed..." in a somber tone. He didn't know what his son was about to reveal, but it apparently jeopardized the lives of everyone in the Milbots Region. Assuming his son was telling the truth, that was more than enough justification for Amarant to dismiss with his usual facade.
Though he was a little surprised by his Father's behavior, Paul adopted a severe expression as he explained, "I cannot reveal the specifics, but I have gained a power comparable to the Armored Dragon King's ability to summon Ancient Spirits. Zhongli, Xiangling, and Jean are not slaves. They are my allies, people who have vowed to protect and fight alongside me."
Hearing Paul mention the Armored Dragon King, the being responsible for the current Era's name and dating system, Amarant's pupils shrank to the size of pinholes. If Paul was telling the truth, and he appeared to be, even revealing this much was incredibly dangerous. If the Royal Family learned of his ability, they would either force him to become a Consort of the First Princess or enslave him using one of their many mind-control artifacts...
Feeling that his glass wasn't nearly full enough, Amarant filled it to the brim, nearly spilling the contents of the bottle due to how shaky his hands had become. As loyal as he was to the Royal Family, he would never allow them to take away his son. Things might have been different if Paul were ordinary, but he was so far beyond exceptional that Amarant couldn't help feeling as though his son were fated for something great. He couldn't just throw him to the wolves...
Downing nearly the entire contents of his 12oz glass in a series of large gulps, Amarant ignored the sudden feeling of weight that had descended on his mind, his expression and voice firm as he demanded, "Tell me what you need."

"Your da-I mean, Lord Notos really gave you all of this...?"
Seeing the medium-sized chest a group of burly servants had brought to Paul's private quarters, Xiangling couldn't help staring in disbelief. It was far from the largest chest she had seen, but it was filled to the brim with neatly stacked Asura Gold Coins. She didn't know how deep each stack was, but there were thirty-five across and twenty wide.
Guessing what Xiangling was thinking, Paul explained, "There are 70,000 Asura Gold Coins within this chest. It was initially intended to be used as funds to furnish my annex, hire personnel, and purchase books. Now, my father has given it to me to spend as I please..."
Despite his relatively calm tone, Paul was staring at the contents of the chest with even greater bewilderment than Xiangling. 70,000 Asura Gold Coins were enough to bankroll 700 consecutive 10-Pulls. Even if he only acquired a new ally every 70 pulls, he would have ten more people in his entourage. The question was whether or not that was a good thing...
Noticing Paul's hesitation, it was Jean who asked, "What are you thinking about, Master Paul? If you talk with us, we may be able to help."
Adopting a wry smile, Paul closed the lid of the chest as he explained, "I was just wondering if it was a wise decision to sink all of this gold into the Intersection of Fate. While I'm eager to acquire new allies and help each of you get stronger, I feel like it will completely derail my original plans..."
Since he had only ever discussed such plans with Zhongli, Paul exhaled a sigh before turning in the direction of the three girls and adding, "I'm just going to be honest with you. Before I gained access to the Intersection of Fate, my intentions for this world weren't entirely pure. There are people I intended to track down, befriend, and if the opportunity presented itself..."
Averting his eyes from Xiangling in particular, Paul muttered, "I intended to sleep with them..."
Surprised by Paul's revelation, Jean looked to Zhongli, asking, "Were you aware of this?" in a calm yet forceful tone.
Nodding her head in affirmation, Zhongli answered, "Indeed. However, if you listened till the end, you would discover that Master Paul's intentions were not as impure as he makes them out to be. Our Master intended to track down the companions of his original self to ensure their fates were not worsened as a result of his presence in this world. Sleeping with them was never his primary objective; it was merely something our Master took into consideration when he was planning his future."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Jean looked towards Paul, an sincerely apologetic expression on her face as she bowed her head and stated, "I owe you an apology. I should not have assumed the worst..."
Raising his hands, Paul shook his head and said, "No, you're not wrong. I mean, Zhongli isn't lying, but...well...it's complicated..."
Scratching the back of his head, Paul contemplated how best to convey his point. In his stead, Zhongli attempted to explain, "Our Master intends to track down six people, each an outcast in their respective tribes. The first is a woman named Ghislaine. Without-"
Raising his hand, Paul interrupted Zhongli's explanation, saying, "I have it all recorded in a journal. It's best not to discuss this type of thing aloud..."
As Zhongli adopted a faint smile and nodded her head, Paul regained a bit of composure, explaining, "All that really matters is that I intend to set out on a journey shortly after my twelfth birthday. If we acquire a lot of allies, I fear I may be too distracted with planning and other matters to focus on my training. I'm also concerned that certain people from your world might not be all that enthused about being summoned as a child..."
Though being summoned as children gave them more time to train, Paul couldn't imagine a female version of Diluc or Xiao being happy with such an arrangement. At the very least, Paul would hate having to go through puberty as a girl and experiencing what it was like to have a period...
Speaking out in the silence that followed Paul's statement, Zhongli stated, "While I can understand your apprehensions, I believe they are baseless. You seem to be under the impression you need to interact and get along with the people you summon through the Intersection of Fate personally. In actuality, you are free to travel, team up with, and generally do as you please. You appear to have forgotten this, but you have the authority to tell anyone that has accepted the Gods' Contract what to do. If you gave us the order to attack an enemy or venture to the other side of the world, we would have no choice but to comply."
Blinking in surprise, Paul could feel a nervous tremor building from his abdomen as he asked, "What do you mean?"
Squinting her eyes and crossing her arms, Zhongli's voice became even more resonant than usual as she said, "You are well aware of the meaning within my words. I suspect you have been since our first conversation."
Unable to meet the gazes of the three girls staring at him, Paul hung his head, his voice barely a whisper as he said, "It isn't right..."
As Zhongli had implied, Paul understood how much power he possessed ever since they first 'discussed terms.' Simply put, anyone he summoned through the Intersection of Fate had no choice but to obey him. It didn't matter if he ordered them to their deaths or commanded them to gratify him sexually. His orders were, very nearly, absolute.
Instead of refuting Paul's words, Zhongli nodded her head, saying, "That may be. However, for the sake of our restoring our world, each of us has agreed to obey the Champion. You need not make use of your authority, but you should not forget it exists. As for whether or not you should make use of the Intersection of Fate...well, let me ask you this. Do you think you can reach a level that exceeds even we Archons on your own...?"
Though he would like to pretend like he had some kind of plot armor that would allow him to exceed even the Gods if he worked hard, Paul wasn't so naive. Even with the means to increase his Mana pool, the odds of him exceeding the Rank of King in Magic or Swordsmanship were slim. A mere week of training with Jean had proven that...
"So what? I sit back and let everyone else do all the heavy lifting while I indulge myself in carnal pleasure...?"
Losing her composure for the first time since Paul had known her, Zhongli exhaled a sigh, hand caressing her forehead as she groaned, "Our Master really knows how to see the worst in every situation..."
Shaking her head, Zhongli quickly regained her impassive expression as she answered, "The important thing is that you're doing what you 'want' to do, not what you think you 'need' to do. If you want to go on a journey, then do so. You need not dedicate your entire life to our cause. By merely staying alive and summoning us into this world, you are supplying us with the means to help ourselves. It is for that reason we serve you. If not for your efforts, we simply wouldn't exist."
Hanging his head a third time, Paul's expression revealed a deeply rooted melancholy. Before he could wallow in self-doubt or depression, however, Xiangling surprised him with a hug.
"Xiangling...?"
While squeezing Paul with as much strength as her slender arms could manage, Xiangling said, "You're a good person, Paul. Though I don't agree with all the things Zhongli said, there is one thing I do know. You deserve to be happy. Please stop making such a scary expression...okay?"
Since he couldn't see his own face, Paul could only assume his furrowed brows and pessimistic gaze appeared scary. Fortunately, Xiangling's hug made him feel a lot better. She was a lot softer than he expected, but the thing he noticed more than anything else was the warmth that seemed to radiate from the very core of her being.
Reciprocating the petite blunette's embrace, Paul's expression and tone softened as he muttered, "Sorry..." before following it with a sincere, "And thank you..."
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After calming down and discussing the matter with a less negative point of view, Paul ultimately reached a similar conclusion as Zhongli. While not exactly baseless, most of his concerns were rendered invalid by the many benefits that came from accessing the Intersection of Fate.
One of the things that had slipped Paul's mind was his mother's chronic illness. She wasn't bedridden, but she would generally spend upwards of ten hours a day resting in her room or in the garden his father had built for her.
If Paul were able to summon someone like Albedo or Sucrose, they would be able to treat his mother's illness with relative ease. If he told him what he knew about things like Penicillin, they might even be able to introduce Antibiotics into the world of Mushoku Tensei. Either way, Paul would only benefit from their presence.
For that, and several other reasons, Paul waited until nightfall before he, Zhongli, Xiangling, and Jean entered the Intersection of Fate. He had no intention of using all 70,000 Asura Gold Coins, but he figured he could at least roll until he had seven allies, a 5-Star Weapon, or achieved 'pity' at 90 consecutive rolls.
Starting things off, Paul was pleasantly surprised to see the first set of meteors transition into a deep shade of purple before splitting off. Even a 4-Star Weapon would be an absolute win in his book, so he was looking forward to seeing what popped out.
What Paul never expected was for Xinyan, one of the most beloved and hated characters in all of Genshin Impact, to appear.
"Alright~! Let's get this party started...!"
Though she currently resembled a six-year-old girl with a black, red, and white maid outfit, Xinyan struck a pose and held up her hand in the almost universal symbol for rock-and-roll. She had basically pioneered the genre back in her world, but what made her stand out was her dark skin and the overall 'wild' vibe she gave off due to her fiery amber eyes and her stylish yet flame-like twin-tails.&nbsp;
Suppressing his shock, Paul adopted a friendly smile as he crossed his hand over his chest and said, "Welcome to the world of Mushoku Tensei, Xinyan. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Sizing Paul up, a somewhat 'scary' smile developed across Xinyan's face until she realized he wasn't the only one who looked like a child.&nbsp;
"Well, that's no fun. Didn't think I'd plop into this world as a brat..."
Shaking away her disappointment, Xinyan returned her gaze to Paul, hand raised in a friendly gesture as she replied, "Yo. You must be Paul. Nice to meetcha. The name's Xinyan, but you apparently already knew that."
Maintaining his smile, albeit with a bit of difficulty, Paul nodded his head, explaining, "Back in my previous world, when I believed you were just a game character, I managed to get you to Max Constellation. I'm not sure how your particular style will mesh with this world, but I would be lying if I said it couldn't use a musical renaissance. Dancing to the same handful of tunes has gotten old..."
A little surprised by Paul's words, Xinyan remarked, "Wow, you must have really liked my character if you managed to awaken all my Constellations. You're making me blush."
Though her face didn't have so much as a hint of a blush, Xinyan cupped her cheeks and pretended like she was a bashful maiden. Paul's lack of a reaction made her lose interest, however, so she stopped and asked, "So? What now...?"

"Master Paul, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Seeing the Headmistress of the Milbots Academy waiting alongside the group of coaches prepared to escort him back home, Paul's brows raised as he asked, "Mrs. Greenbull? I didn't expect to see you here. Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
As a gesture of respect, Headmistress Rumina performed a polite curtsy, her hands raising the hem of her thick, winter robes as she said, "As the Headmistress of Milbots Academy, it would be remiss of me not to send the First Son of our greatest patron off personally."
"I see. Your consideration is duly noted. And worry not, as I will be sure to inform my father that the Academy is in reliable hands. These past ten months have been an overall pleasant experience. For that, you and your staff have earned my recognition."
Since it wouldn't be 'proper' for him to express his gratitude, the highest compliment Paul could give the aging Headmistress was his recognition. In many ways, this was better than something as 'base' as gratitude, as it virtually guaranteed the Academy would be receiving a sizeable donation in the future.
Relieved by Paul's words, a smile that made her appear ten years younger developed across Rumina's face. Her family had been responsible for the Milbots Academy for generations. If she somehow managed to offend the next Lord of the Region, the consequences would be disastrous.
Offering a much steeper curtsy, Rumina's expression and tone softened as she said, "I wish you and your attendants a safe and expedient return. The Milbots Academy will always welcome you, Master Paul."
With Paul promptly gesturing for her to rise, Rumina directed a curt nod toward Zhongli and Xiangling. The two were among the best students in the Academy. Their standing as Servants made it difficult for Rumina to recognize them outright, but she had great expectations for their future.
Noticing the almost otherwordly beautiful Jean standing next to the two girls, Rumina also supplied a curt nod to her. She had no idea who Jean was, but everyone around Paul possessed a remarkable talent. Given her close proximity to Paul himself, Rumina had no doubt princess-like youth would become yet another prodigious student of the Academy...
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Though it was generally considered improper for Servants/Attendants to ride inside the carriages intended for members of the Nobility, Paul broke custom and insisted that Zhongli, Xiangling, and Jean be allowed to share his same coach. A few of the Soldiers and Adventurers had been looking forward to teasing the trio of girls, but none were bold enough to try and challenge Paul's decision. Thus, without any significant delays, the eleven carriage convoy departed the Milbots Academy...
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"This is a lot more boring than I expected..."
Having never been the type to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time, Xiangling was beginning to feel restless less than an hour into the journey. It didn't help that the interior of the cabin had been eerily quiet since their departure.
Nodding her head in agreement, Jean appended, "The journey will be even more arduous if we just sit in silence for eight to ten hours a day. Perhaps we should play a game? I'm not particularly well-versed with such forms of distraction, but I'm confident I can learn."
Though she would have preferred to read in silence, the books Jean was most interested in were something only a handful of female nobles could enjoy. She could ask Paul to help her acquire one, but the mere thought of such an exchange was enough to make her ears turn red...
Voicing her thoughts on the matter, Zhongli calmly replied, "Yes. I believe that is a splendid idea. Moments such as this are an excellent opportunity to strengthen our bonds as Master, Servant, and companions."
Exhibiting her comparative naivet&eacute;, Xiangling tilted her head to the side, asking, "What do you mean...?"
Adopting a faint yet discernibly sly smile, Zhongli explained, "Without any cards, dice, or board games on hand, our options are limited to wordplay, debate, and riddles. In my spring days, before I was the Lord of Geo, one of the games people played was known as the Whimsy of the Adeptus. It was originally played using alcohol, but that aspect was lost as it became popular among children."
As a native of Liyue, Xiangling was well aware of the game Zhongli was referencing. As a result, she began to fidget about, her cheeks turning a fair shade of red as she asked, "Are you sure that's a good idea...?"
Before Zhongli could convince Xiangling to go along with her antics, Paul interjected, asking, "What are the rules of this game? I can't help thinking it's something along the lines of Truth or Dare..."
Raising her hand, Zhongli held up her index finger, explaining, "Since we are lacking in cards, turn order is decided by each player concealing their hands before revealing between one and five digits. The combined value determines who is the Adeptus for that round. After that, the Adeptus has the authority to command players to reveal a secret. If the player refuses, they are given a value of Negative Karma. If they accept, they are allowed to request a prize of equivalent value from the player playing the Adeptus. &nbsp;If the Adeptus refuses to comply, they receive two Negative Karma. Once a player accumulates ten Negative Karma, they are obligated to serve the other players for the remainder of the game."
Surprised by how comprehensive yet balanced the rules were, Paul found himself at a momentary loss for words. The Whimsy of the Adeptus was similar to games like Truth or Dare and the King's Game from his previous life. It was just fairer, as could be expected from a game created in Liyue, the Nation that worshipped the God of Contracts.
Since he was also tired of just sitting idly in increasingly awkward silence, Paul paused for a moment before saying, "Very well. However, I'm placing a prohibition on any requests that are overtly immoral or obscene. For the sake of transparency, I'm just going to be as straightforward as I possibly can. I have absolutely no interest in 'playing around' with children. Even if we all possess mature minds, the thought of laying my hands on the body of a child makes me sick to my stomach."
Though he hadn't seen through Zhongli's intentions, Paul had the sinking suspicion she had been trying to 'entrap' him for the past few months. It was seriously starting to disturb him, so he wanted to put his foot down before they reached the Notos Estate.
Having been anticipating Paul's response for quite some time, Zhongli simply nodded, her expression unchanging as she said, "Very well. With that in mind, shall we begin the first round?"
Feeling as though he had just asked the Sun to stop shining overhead, Paul deflated in his seat. For a brief moment, he seriously considered asking Zhongli if her head was filled with gravel. Before he could, Jean offered him an ornate canteen, saying, "Here, drink this. You'll feel better after you've quenched your thirst."
Exhaling a sigh, Paul accepted the canteen, muttering a soft, "Thanks..." before removing the cap and downing several large gulps. Fortunately, the contents of the canteen were nothing but ice-cold water. Given the situation, Paul wouldn't have been surprised if it was filled with alcohol.
As Jean had attested, Paul felt a lot better by the time he was finished downing nearly half the canteen. He even regained a bit of his smile as he asked, "So, how do we start? Do we hide our hands behind our back or something...?"
Nodding her head, Zhongli explained, "The traditional method has the participants conceal their hands in their sleeves, but that should suffice. Now, for the sake of clarity, we will make Master Paul number 1, myself number 2, Jean number 3, and Xiangling number 4."
Since her Maid outfit lacked long sleeves, Zhongli concealed her hands by placing them in the pits of her arms. Everyone else followed her example, Paul included. A tense atmosphere immediately enveloped the interior of the carriage until Zhongli softly chimed, "The fates favor..." before she and Xiangling threw out their hands to reveal three and four fingers.
Following the Liyue duo's example, Paul and Jean threw out a single and all five fingers, respectively. This brought the total count to thirteen, so Zhongli completed her previous statement, declaring, "Master Paul as the Adeptus."
Though he couldn't help feeling as though the three girls had teamed up to ensure he was chosen as the Adeptus, Paul forced a smile as he asked, "What're everyone's favorite colors...?"
Raising her brows, a faint smile developed across Zhongli's face as she mused, "Ah, a safe and straightforward question. As for me, my favorite colors are, perhaps unsurprisingly, brown and gold. The color and aroma of fertile soil have always had a calming effect on my mind, and the luster of gold has a natural allure that makes it impossible to ignore."
Following her words, Zhongli shifted her attention to Jean, explaining, "It is customary for players to take their turns in the order assigned."
"Ah, okay..."
Not expecting Zhongli to address her so suddenly, Jean's mind drew a momentary blank before she ultimately revealed, "My favorite colors are green and white. I only wear blue because it matches with my eyes and ribbon...it's also my sister's favorite color..."
Remembering her sister, Jean briefly cast a sidelong glance at Paul. She knew he didn't have any control over it, but, if possible, she would prefer he didn't summon Barbara to such a cruel world. She already struggled a lot back in their own; the world of Mushoku Tensei was too much for such a kind and caring person.
Interrupting Jean's thoughts, Xiangling chimed in to say, "My favorites are the color of boiled dumplings, the brown of braised meat, and the golden-brown of Guoba's fur. After that, I like pretty much every other color but black. I always feel like I can smell something burning whenever I see it."
Seeing Xiangling list off her likes with a radiant smile, Paul couldn't help adopting one of his own. Her answer was just so wholesome.
Unfortunately, just as Paul's mood was on the rise, Xiangling gave him a quick look over before pointing at the third button of his vest and saying, "I want that button."
"Pardon...?"
Answering in Xiangling's stead, Zhongli explained, "Rule number three, players who have revealed their secrets to the Adeptus are permitted to request a 'prize' of equal value. Since the question Master Paul asked was relatively tame, the-"
Before Zhongli could finish her explanation, Paul interrupted her, his left brow twitching as he asked, "Do you mean to tell me this is a game where the end goal is to strip the other players?"
Without so much as a single change in her expression, Zhongli answered, "Not exactly. It depends on the questions and the familiarity the players have with one another. Given our status, there are very few things we can 'reasonably' request from our own Master."
"..."
While reaching up to massage his temples and forehead, Paul couldn't help muttering, "This is going to be a long trip...". Then, after a moment of deliberation, he removed the button from his vest and added, "I draw the line at undergarments..."
Though she blushed upon hearing Paul's words, Xiangling accepted his button with a smile. It was formed from solid gold and had the emblem of House Notos engraved on its surface. Xiangling realized her request was a little unreasonable, but she had always wanted one of Paul's buttons for her collection. Thus, with an 'innocent' smile on her face, she slipped the golden trinket into the pouch at her waist before lowering her head and saying, "This lowly one thanks the Adeptus for their favor."
"Right..."
Shifting his attention to Jean, Paul's deadpan expression morphed into a slackjawed expression when she inquired, "This may sound imprudent of me, but might I ask you to hold my hand? Just for a short while..."
Believing the game was a method Zhongli had come up with to facilitate her mission, Jean suppressed the fluttery feeling in her chest as she held out her hand. She was surprised by just how nervous she was but quickly concluded it was a good thing when Paul nervously averted his eyes and asked, "Are you sure...?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Jean extended her hand towards Paul, a faint smile gracing her face as she softly replied, "I'm certain..."
Swallowing the knot that had formed in his throat, Paul resisted the urge to wipe his hand against his trouser leg. Instead, he stared at Jean's hand for a moment, his heart beating in his throat as he extended his hand and linked his fingers through hers. It was far from the first time he had held a girl's hand, but there was 'something' about Jean that made Paul feel like a legitimate child experiencing his first crush...
Just as a smile developed across Paul's face, the perpetually calm and resonant tone of Zhongli broke him from his reverie as she extended her hand and said, "I would like to make a similar request."
Regaining his deadpan expression, Paul turned to meet Zhongli's gaze, answering, "I'll take the negative karma..." in a flat and emotionless tone.
Amused by Paul's reaction, a faint smile developed across Zhongli's face as she lowered her hand and remarked, "That's a shame.."

Chapter 18: MI18: Trust