Mushoku Impact

With introductions complete, Paul and Ningguang spent a bit of time discussing the matter of Princess Andromeda before parting ways. Paul was mentally and physically drained after ten days in a carriage, so, even though it was only 4:15 PM, he decided to turn in for the night.
Since Jean, Barbara, Xiangling, and Xinyan had other things to take care of, Paul half-expected to be able to sleep alone for the first time in nearly a year. Instead, Ganyu followed soundlessly behind him, and the moment he entered his room, Paul found one of the three missing people from the Maid lineup waiting for him.
"Welcome home, Master Paul..."
Like when she first greeted him, Ei was kneeling on the ground, the tips of her index fingers touching to create a 45-degree angle as she bowed low enough to have her bangs touch the floor. More surprisingly, at least from the perspective of Paul, was the fact she was wearing a lavender kimono with accents of dark purple.
Recovering from his momentary stupor, Paul adopted a faint smile as he said, "It's good to see you again, Ei. How have you been these past ten months...?"
Raising her head, Ei maintained a neutral yet uniquely resolute expression as she cooly replied, "Though I have become increasingly indebted to our comrades, I have been well. Thank you for asking."
Nodding his head, Paul took a moment to look around his room. It hadn't changed much in the past ten months, but he noticed a very distinct smell present within. His bed was also a mess, a tell-tale sign that someone had been sleeping in it while he was away.
Inhaling the flowery aroma, Paul could feel his body beginning to warm up as he tentatively inquired, "Have you...been staying in my room all this time...?"
"Guh..."
Lowering her head in shame, Ei begrudgingly explained, "Since I can't do much else, I was given the duty of protecting Master's chambers...please forgive me..."
Shaking his head, Paul said, "It's fine..." before stepping forward to help Ei stand. The aroma that had permeated his room was a bit overbearing, but it wasn't unpleasant. It reminded Paul of the greenhouse he and his father maintained in his previous world. His mother, before her death, had really enjoyed gardening. After her passing, his father filled the greenhouse with all of her favorite plants and flowers, dutifully maintaining them even after two decades...
Feeling nostalgic and a little lonesome, Paul's expression softened as he looked between the two budding beauties as he asked, "Care to join me for a nap...?"
Answering before Ganyu, Ei thumped her chest with a bit of conviction as she practically exclaimed, "It would be my honor!" As for Ganyu, she had noticed the melancholy within Paul, so, even though she already had the intention of acting as his hug pillow, her smile became particularly tender as she replied, "Of course..." in a soft, soothing tone.
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Shortly after parting with Paul, Ninggung elected to take a brief respite in her office. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy conversing with Paul, but it often left her feeling fatigued. She wasn't used to prioritizing others or having to restrict her actions in accordance with another's views, so, every now and then, she needed a moment to decompress.
Though she imagined it would trouble Paul quite a bit, Ningguang reclined in her custom-made chair and took a long drag from an expensive, white and gold pipe. The bowl was predominately packed with processed hemp, but it had been laced with trace amounts of opiates and a few stimulating herbs to help keep her focused.
Exhaling a long and thin line of hazy smoke, the tensions in Ningguang's body gradually relaxed as she sunk deeper into her chair. Now that Paul was back, many of the plans she had been drafting could finally be set in motion. This was a good thing, but, at the same time, it meant she would be away from the estate for nearly two months.&nbsp;
While two months might not sound like an exceptionally long time, it may as well be two years from Ningguang's perspective. She was a genius at delegating responsibilities to others, but her burgeoning operations were nowhere near the level where she could place others in charge. All it took was a few people spreading negative sentiments and refusing to put in an honest day's work for an irreversible chain reaction to start...
"I need Keqing and Yanfei here...Zhongli is reliable, but she lacks common sense. And I can't leave everything to Ganyu and Xingqiu..."
Inhaling another lungful of smoke, Ningguang held it for a moment before exhaling through her nose and muttering, "At least Paul is sensible enough to give me free rein...his father though..."
Thinking of 'Lord' Amarant, Ningguang couldn't help rolling her eyes. The man wasn't nearly as bad as he could be, but the 'common sense' of the Asura Kingdom was deeply ingrained into the core of his being. He wasn't much of a 'threat' at the present moment, but Ningguang had noticed him observing even her with a thoughtful yet libidinous gaze. Had she and the others appeared in their original forms, it wasn't even a question whether or not he would harass or assault them.&nbsp;
Though she had no intentions of killing him, Ningguang knew she had to get rid of Paul's father sooner rather than later. Paul's sensibilities made him troublesome to deal with, but they also made him remarkably easy to convince. He would also have no choice but to travel in the future, so, as long as she could deal with Amarant, the entire Milbots Region would fall under her control.
"The problem is convincing my darling fiance to fulfill his responsibility at the appropriate time..."
Though she both understood Paul's and had apprehensions of her own, Ningguang would prefer they tie the knot and get to 'baking' as quickly as possible. Unless he ran away from home, jeopardizing everything she was currently working on, Paul's family would never allow him to travel before he had produced an heir.
One of the things Ningguang was currently worried about was Paul using their marriage as an excuse to delay things until he believed they were of an 'appropriate' age. That would severely inconvenience both of them, so even if Paul were against it, Ningguang would find a way to 'convince' him.
Fortunately, as much as she disdained them, Ningguang had the laws and culture of the world on her side. People also seemed to mature quite a bit faster than in her previous world, so much so that she had mistaken many 10-12-year-olds as 14-16-year-olds. Lilia was an excellent example of this, as, despite being just over seven years old, certain parts of her body were already beginning to fill out while others had started to contract.
*tok* *tok* *tok*
"Hmmm...?"
Since it was pretty rare for anyone to knock on her door, the faces of four people crossed Ningguang's mind before she called out, "Jean...?" without attempting to hide her pipe.
Leaving Ningguang feeling a little delighted, the door opened to reveal a somewhat surprised Jean standing outside, asking, "Were you expecting me?"
Before answering Jean's question, Ningguang inhaled from her pipe one final time before capping it off and placing it within a long silver container. Then, as if a switch had been flipped within her mind, the haze faded from her eyes as she cooly replied, "Of course. While I consider myself and the Archons to be the most dedicated to our cause, you are inarguably one of the most dutiful within our group. I would have been far more surprised if you hadn't sought me out to give a report."
Though she took a moment to observe the thick cloud lingering near the ceiling, Jean didn't say anything about it. Instead, she made her way over to Ningguang's desk before producing a small journal, explaining, "This is a record of events that took place at the Academy. While there are bound to be a few gaps, I believe it should suffice for your purposes?"
Accepting the journal, Ningguang took a moment to peruse some of the pages before nodding her head in approval and saying, "To be perfectly honest, this is beyond my expectations. I presumed the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius to be capable, but the concise yet detailed nature of your reports is beyond exemplary. If you didn't have such an important mission, I would have wanted to make you my Secretary..."
Setting aside the journal, Ningguang gestured for Jean to take a seat as she asked, "Speaking of which, how are things progressing between you and our Master? I assume you've written about it, but I've come to find that certain matters are better discussed in person..."
Having anticipated Ningguang's inquiry, Jean only hesitated for a brief moment before answering, "It's difficult to put into words...while I have developed a definitive affection for Master Paul, there is also a certain feeling of distance between us. I initially thought I was simply jealous of his burgeoning relationship with other girls, but the most recent incident with Princess Andromeda has caused me to reevaluate many things..."
"Oh? And have you reached any conclusions...?"
Though she was interested to know the specifics of Paul's encounter with the Princess, Ningguang was far more interested in Jean than some stray Royal from another country. Jean, at least in her eyes, was worth at least three, maybe even five Crown Princesses...
"I think we underestimated Master Paul's convictions...I'm not sure if it's because of something we did or because his confidence is increasing, but he appears to be changing into someone...different than the man I initially considered him to be. There is now a certain...gravitas about him...an aura that both distinguishes and elevates him above normal people..."
Blinking in surprise, Ningguang took a moment to look back on her most recent interactions with Paul. She had also noticed he was a bit strange, but, perhaps due to him deferring to her on nearly every matter, she just interpreted it as him becoming more mature.
"Do you think it will become a problem...?"
Though she wanted to shake her head, Jean's brows furrowed for a brief moment before she answered, "Perhaps...while I also believe it's a good thing, Master Paul's growing confidence and desire to help people might jeopardize our mission if he acts recklessly. I don't think it will happen any time soon, but I can imagine him declaring war on the Asura Kingdom at some point within the next ten to twenty years..."
Catching Jean by surprise, Ningguang remarked, "Oh, is that all? Then it shouldn't be a problem. The Asura Kingdom was bound to try and meddle with us. Master Paul's beliefs and convictions have no meaningful impact on that fact. So long as he doesn't go storming into the Royal Capital on his own, it's okay if he develops a bit of a hero complex. In fact, that's one of the reasons I decided to keep Minne. Once Master Paul matures, I plan to have him escort her back to the Great Forest. By the time he returns, I should have everything in place to either take over the Asura Kingdom or start our own..."
Overwhelmed by Ningguang's assertions, Jean found herself with her mouth agape and a completely stupefied expression on her face. She had heard rumors about Ningguang back in their world, but she never thought the woman was so...ambitious...
"It's no wonder Master Paul so readily placed you in charge..."
Squinting her eyes in satisfaction, Ningguang playfully mused, "You're going to make me blush..."
Contrasting Ningguang's words, her complexion was precisely as fair as it had always been. The only three things to ever make her blush were the first time she saw two dogs having sex, the first time she visited a public bathhouse, and the time Keqing walked in on her when she was feeling a little gassy.
Simply put, with very few exceptions, Ningguang only showed people the expressions she wanted them to see. Jean and Paul were no exception...
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Waking early the following morning, just after 1 AM, the first thing Paul noticed was the top of Ganyu's head. Even without him asking, she had reverted to being his squishy and fragrant hug pillow of her own accord.
Unfortunately, the inevitable had finally happened as Paul's little brother had awoken before him. Ganyu didn't seem to notice or care, but Ei was currently poking at it with a curious look on her face.
"Don't even think about asking if I need help with it..."
Hearing Paul's words, Ei briefly startled before quickly regaining her calm and asking, "Are you sure? Even if this form prevents me from serving you properly, there are other-"
"Ei..."
Cutting Ei off, Paul made a come hither gesture before spreading his arm so that she could nestle against him. When she did, Paul surprised her by asking, "Do you want to kiss...?"
"Eh...?"
Not expecting Paul to make such a request, Ei's mouth and eyes widened as a surprisingly prominent blush spread through her cheeks. If it was for the sake of her duty, she was willing and prepared to provide virtually any service. However, when it came to intimate acts such as kissing or holding hands, she was wholly unprepared...
Taking advantage of Ei's surprisingly adorable stupor, Paul relaxed, closed his eyes, and muttered, "There is an order to everything..." before trying to fall back asleep. This wasn't the first time he had awoken in this particular predicament, so he no longer reacted as if he had done something wrong. It was still pretty embarrassing, but it wasn't like he could will himself not to have morning wood.
Seeing Paul lay back his head and try to sleep, Ei couldn't help feeling as though she had somehow failed him. However, instead of saying anything to try and redeem herself, she exchanged glances with Ganyu. Neither of them actually required sleep, so the two of them had been awake most of the night.
Returning a faint smile, Ganyu demonstrated what Ei should be doing by simply closing her eyes. When Ei saw this, a scant pout developed across her face as she thought Ganyu was ignoring her. Fortunately for the latter, Ei didn't want to disturb her Master, so, after staring at Ganyu for several seconds, the petite Archon just nestled closer to Paul before closing her eyes...
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After waking up at 2-3 AM every morning for the better part of a year, Barbara was up and out her door by 2:28 AM. She immediately made for Paul's room but found the path blocked by her elder sister, Xinyan, and Xiangling.
"Good morning, Barbara. It seems you're the last to arrive."
Though Jean didn't mean anything by her words, Barbara couldn't help furrowing her brows as she asked, "The last to arrive for what? Are we not going to train today...?"
Both surprising and upsetting Barbara, Jean shook her head and said, "We have spent the past 323 days at our Master's side. Unless he approaches us, we should let him enjoy his holiday and spend some time with the rest of our companions."
Believing she knew Paul better than her sister, Barbara asserted, "That is for Master Paul to decide. If we suddenly distance ourselves from him, he might misunderstand and feel hurt. Move out of the way."
Brandishing her wooden, rapier-like sword, Barbara was fully prepared to try and force her way through if Jean attempted to block her path. Before she could, a raspy yet girlish voice startled her, loudly inquiring, "What do you think you're doing!?"
Spinning around, Barbara pointed the tip of her sword at the comparably petite girl with pink hair, cat ears, and a tail standing behind her. Despite this, the girl didn't so much as flinch as she placed her hands on her hips and sternly advised, "This isn't a training hall or a sword dojo. If you want to swing your sword around, do it outside. A lot of people work their butts off to keep this place clean. Don't you go messing it up...!"
"Diona...?"
Feeling a combination of embarrassment and shame, Barbara promptly returned her sword to her hip before bowing apologetically and stating, "Sorry, Diona...I should have been more considerate..."
Crossing her arms, Diona nodded her head and said, "You're right; you should have. Now, what's got the two of you squabbling so early in the morning? Don't you know that people are trying to sleep...?"
"Uh..."
Despite drawing her sword on her moments prior, Barbara looked to Jean for a way out of her present predicament. Her previous actions aside, she wasn't very good at dealing with confrontation.
Restraining a sigh, Jean closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and saying, "We typically wake up around this time to start training with our Master. What about you, Diona? What has you out and about at this hour...?"
Losing much of her bravado, a faint blush developed across Diona's face as she averted her eyes and said, "That's...that's none of your business..."
Unable to resist, Xinyan jokingly remarked, "She probably had to poop."
Reacting like a cat that had its tail stepped on, Diona seemed to forget how early it was as she loudly hissed and shouted, "Your face is made of poop!"
Since racism wasn't really a thing back in Liyue and Mondstadt, Xinyan just raised her brows in response to Diona's words, smiling as she asked, "Did you get it out of your system~?"
"Gnuuuuuuu....!"
Annoyed by Xinyan's remark, Diona stomped her foot on the ground a few times before storming off in the direction of her room. She only made it a few steps, however, before Paul opened his door, poked his head out, and asked, "What's going on out here...?"
As Diona froze in place, Barbara seized the opportunity to slip past Paul and ask, "Did you want to take a rest today, or do you want to continue practicing our swordsmanship...together?"
Noticing Paul was topless despite the frigid temperatures, Barbara's eyes wandered from his face to his torso. He lacked the charm of an older boy, but Paul's body was already showing the tell-tale signs of developing into a veritable palace of muscle.
In an attempt to justify her roving eyes, Barbara asked, "Aren't you cold?" before raising her head to meet Paul's gaze.
Offering a wry smile, Paul replied, "I wasn't. Now that I'm out of bed, it is starting to feel a bit nippy."
Interpreting Paul's words to mean they had woken him up, Barbara hung her head in shame. However, before she could apologize, Paul extended his hand to gently raise her chin, asking, "What's the matter, pipit...?" in a tender, ostensibly concerned tone.
Regaining her smile, Barbara answered, "It's nothing. I just didn't know whether or not we would continue our training. I'm also...well, it's been a long time since I had to sleep alone..."
"Ah..."
Opening his door a bit wider, Paul left everyone in the hallway feeling at a momentary loss for words as he said, "Feel free to come inside and make yourselves at home. As for training...let's talk about that in the afternoon. Right now, I just want to relax and cut loose for a bit."
Though she waited for Paul to finish speaking, Barbara wasted no time before slipping into his room. Besides training and spending time with Paul, she didn't have much else to do. Since that was bound to change in the relatively near future, so she intended to spend as much time together as possible.
Seeing Barbara enter into Paul's room, Xinyan met Jean's gaze and gave a dismissive shrug, saying, "I mean...he did invite us..." before hurrying over. Before entering the room, however, she stood on the tips of her toes and gave Paul a quick peck on the cheek.
Exhaling a sigh, Jean turned to Xiangling to find the petite blunette staring at her with a wry smile on her face. Jean could tell she was about to offer an apology, so, before that, she softly muttered, "It's not like I was trying to force everyone apart..."
Offering a marginally more sincere smile, Xiangling made things a little easier for Jean by grabbing her wrist and whispering, "Let's go together." before promptly pulling her along. This left Diona as the only person left in the hall, her back still turned as she clutched the fabric of her dark blue, three-layered skirt.
Noticing the petite cat girl, Paul tarried for a moment before calling out, "You coming inside...?"
As if liberated from a spell of petrification, Diona turned around and said, "Hmph! I suppose if you're this desperate to have me enter your room, it would be rude of me to refuse."
Scurrying over to the entrance to Paul's room, Diona kept a close on his hands as she slipped past him and into the interior. Paul had tried to pet her without permission the previous day, so she ended up biting his hand. She had been feeling a little guilty since then, so the actual reason for her being up so early was because she wanted to wake him up and apologize before slipping into his bed. After all, she didn't actually mind him petting her; she just didn't like people touching her without asking...
Noticing the 'predatory' look Diona was giving his hand, Paul raised both to make it clear he wasn't going to try and touch her. Diona's tear-shaped brows furrowed in response, but as she would never request someone to pet her, she just poutily skimmed past him with another cute, "Hmph...!"
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Though he had intended to arrive a few days before his son's return to the Estate, Amarant had been delayed for various reasons. Inclimate weather was one, but the other was the red-headed woman seated silently across from him.
"While this was unexpected, you should regard it as an opportunity. My original intent was to source a wet nurse from the neighboring cities. Now that you are pregnant, you will share my wife's burden. In exchange, I will ensure both you and your child are properly cared for..."
Without so much as a single change in her expression, Flute respectfully lowered her head, answering, "I am honored by my Lord's consideration." in a calm, almost emotionless tone. In truth, she wanted to correct him by pointing out it was 'their' child, but such a faux pas could end disastrously for both her and her unborn child.
Exhaling a sigh, Amarant pinched the bridge of his nose as he muttered, "I have told you three times you need not bow to me in private quarters..."
Before Flute could attempt to apologize, Amarant dismissively waved his hand, saying, "No matter." before following it up by asking, "Do you feel ill right this instant...?"
Though she was tempted to lie and say yes, Flute's face began to heat up as she shook her head and softly replied, "No, my Lord...I am presently in good health..."
"Mmm..."
Opening the metal slot that allowed him to peer outside, Amarant did his best to estimate the time remaining until their arrival based on the familiar geography. He hated riding in carriages. Not only was it boring, but due to the rugged terrain, his lower back and bottom ached. Fortunately, he had discovered a 'life hack' several years prior...
Unfastening his belt, Amarant's expression and tone became severe yet impassioned as he said, "Come..."
Exhaling a hot sigh, Flute used the walls of the carriage to keep herself steady as she moved closer and turned her back to Amarant. In response, he hiked up her ankle-length dress to reveal a pair of expensive, cream-colored silk panties. They were something Flute would never be able to acquire under normal circumstances, but Amarant had her wear them as his model for Ningguang's product line.
Seeing the rather large stain on Flute's panties, Amarant offered a gruff but approving, "Excellent..." before pulling at the strings keeping them in place. When Flute's rear was exposed to him, he stopped to knead it for a few moments before opening his trousers to reveal his pride as a member of the Notos Greyrat family.
Feeling a familiar heat pressing against her, Flute's jaw began to tremble as Amarant guided her to sit on his thick, nearly 28cm long penis. The life hack he had discovered was using the bumpy road to passively increase the stimulation he and his partner experienced during intercourse. It was impractical during the Spring and Summer months, but with a thick layer of snow outside, it was an excellent way to stay warm and pass the time...
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"Jesus H. Christ, Ningguang. Are you for real...?"
Though she had no idea who he was referring to, Ningguang giggled in response to Paul's words before asking, "Did I do well~?"
Seeing a diverse range of hundreds of people lining the hallway, each bowing respectfully as he, Ningguang, and Gany passed through, Paul had few words to describe what he was feeling. Ningguang mentioned purchasing a 'few additional hands' in the letters she periodically sent him. In actuality, she spent just under 9,000AGC to procure more than three-thousand Slaves. The ones lining the hallway were merely those helping to refurbish and maintain the estate.
"Just what have you been using them for...?"
Though she was a little disappointed that Paul hadn't praised her a bit more, Ningguang readily explained, "When they're not helping around the estate, those you see here are learning to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic. I'm planning to start a trading company in the next few years, and they will be instrumental to its success. As for the rest...well, I'm sure you've noticed my outfit...?"
Turning his head, Paul gave Ningguang another once over before asking, "You started a fashion line...?"
Before answering Paul's question, Ningguang stated, "I'm going to have Ganyu teach you how to compliment women. When a lady draws attention to her hair or clothes, it's a sure sign they're fishing for compliments. Keep that in mind from now on, okay...?"
"..."
Without waiting for Paul's response, Ningguang went on the explain, "One of the most valuable exports of Liyue was its silk. Upon learning that most of the silk in this region was imported from the Demon Continent, I asked your father if he could help me acquire a few domesticated Silkies, a type of spider-like fae. Ganyu has a natural affinity with all creatures, so it only took us a few months to have a production line set up. That is one of the reasons for your father's late return. You see..."
Pulling Paul a little closer to her, Ningguang stood on the tips of her toes to whisper, "We specialize in the production of women's undergarments, specifically high-quality brassieres and undertunics..."
Instead of being flustered by Ningguang's words, Paul muttered, "That explains how you convinced my father."
Exhaling a faintly exasperated sigh, Ningguang remarked, "I'm starting to regret not traveling with you to the Academy. You're no longer as easy to tease..."
Turning the corridor connecting to Paul's mother's room, Ningguang took a moment to organize her thoughts before adding, "Though our silk line is currently the most profitable, we're slowly ramping up the production of a more robust, polyurethane line. There is currently very little demand for it, but I imagine it will take off splendidly once people realize how versatile it is compared to cotton and wool."
Stopping mid-step, Paul looked towards Ningguang as if he had just heard she was pregnant, questioning, "Polyurethane? How the hell did you come up with that...?"
Turning her eyes up, Ningguang gave Paul a gentle pat on his forearm as she teased, "Patience, darling. We can discuss the details when we're in a more...comfortable setting. For now, there are far more pressing matters to attend."
Since Paul had stopped outside his mother's door, Ningguang gave Ganyu a curt nod. In response, the chubby Qilin girl bowed low before scurrying around the corner and disappearing into a servant's hatch. A minute or so later, the door to Valentine's room swung open as Ganyu, breathing a little heavily, welcomed them inside.
Resisting the urge to ask if such a performance was necessary, Paul made his way into his mother's room to find Valentine sitting atop a sofa in front of the room's hearth. She was wearing considerably more layers than he was used to, but the thing that stood out the most, at least to Paul, was her small yet noticeable belly bump.
"Mother..."
Though she noticed Paul's arrival, Valentine waited for him to call out to her before adopting an affectionate smile, looking over, and whispering, "My Little Sun...you've come back to me..."
Deciding to give Paul and his mother a bit of space, Ningguang offered a silent bow before she and Ganyu closed the doors and made themselves comfortable in the antechamber preceding the bedroom.
Hearing the sound of the doors closing, Paul took a moment to look over his shoulder before turning back to his mother and stating, "You're even more radiant now than the last time I saw you..."
Covering her mouth, Valentine stifled a melodious laugh before patting the cushion next to her and saying, "Come, take a seat. I can't see you properly in this lightning."
Unable to refuse his mother's command, Paul made his way over before taking a seat next to her on the sofa. When he did, she promptly pulled his face into her noticeably larger bosom, gently caressing Paul's hair as she said, "You've grown so much in just a single year..."
Without attempting to break free from his mother's hold, Paul nodded his head. His height had increased by nearly eleven centimeters since the last time he was home. He still had considerable room for improvement, but Paul was just happy to be taller than Jean and Ningguang...
"Paul...there's something I need to tell you..."
Releasing Paul from her embrace, an anxious look developed across Valentine's face as she prepared to tell him about her pregnancy. Due to the unique traditions of House Notos, many firstborn sons became angry or upset upon discovering they would have to 'share' their mothers with someone else. Valentine knew Paul was very mature for his age, but she still viewed him as her baby.
Seeing through his mother's concerns, Paul surprised her by placing his hand on her stomach and revealing, "Ningguang already told me...I can't even begin to describe how happy I am for both you and father. Truth be told, I was starting to get a little worried that I might become an old man before the two of you produced a baby brother or sister for me..."
"Mischievous scamp..."
Giving her son a light swat, Valentine attempted to adopt a chastizing look but failed due to the smile adorning her face. Then, with a naturally sultry look that caused Paul's throat to feel tense, she placed her hand overtop his before lowering it to the very base of her belly. Before, Paul's hand had been closer to her diaphragm, so Valentine repositioned it just above her womb as she said, "I know you'll be a wonderful older brother, but promise me-"
Interrupting his mother's appeal, Paul shook his head before adopting a serious expression as he said, "No matter what, I will always protect my family. You have my word..."
Feeling a mixture of relief and profound love, Valentine began to tear up as she whimpered, "Oh, Paul..."
Though he was prepared to comfort her if his mother started to cry, Paul became stock-still as she grabbed his head and pulled him in for a chaste yet passion-filled kiss. There was nothing like physical attraction or lust in the exchange, but Paul couldn't help feeling his heart racing as Valentine held her lips against his for nearly thirty seconds. Then, instead of letting him go, she held him to her bosom and cradled him for several minutes longer...
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After his mother released him, Paul was finally able to return to his wing of the Estate. When he did, Paul couldn't help feeling as though he was stepping into an all-girls school or a female dormitory. Nearly every room on the first and second floor was now occupied by ten or more girls, the vast majority of whom were in their tweens.
When Paul asked about it, Ningguang explained, "I might not surprise you to learn that the vast majority of younger slaves are female. Families who cannot afford their taxes or villages that are suffering from scarcity often sell their youngest children for a pittance. I also didn't think it would be a good idea to have pubescent boys working around a bunch of young and already exploited girls, so I converted the unused sections of your estate to a female dormitory. As for the boys, some are learning how to become soldiers and escorts, while those who managed to pass a few tests were entrusted to Kaeya and Rosaria for more...specialized training..."
Though he was distinctly aware that Ningguang was essentially training a child army, Paul didn't attempt to criticize her. The fate that awaited most slaves was much worse, so much so that it wasn't an exaggeration to say that Ningguang had saved them. Thus, even though he felt like they were approaching a very dangerous line, Paul allowed her to do as she saw fit. At the very least, he could trust her to make sure the people she acquired were both educated and adequately compensated for their services.
After making his way up to the third floor, Paul was pleasantly surprised to find everyone he had summoned lined up along the halls in their Maid outfits. There was also Lilia and a few girls he didn't recognize, but they were located closer to the end.
Taking advantage of Paul's silence, the two rows of Maids all bowed in concert as they said, "Welcome back, Master Paul~!" in contrasting yet melodious tones. The sight and sound were so pleasant to the ears that Paul couldn't help grinning like a fool as he replied, "I'm home."
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Though Paul had half-expected something like a welcome home party, most of the girls returned to their duties shortly after greeting him. The only people who stayed back were the group that had accompanied him to the Academy as well as Ningguang, Ganyu, and Ei. There was also a group of 'young' girls present, one of which Paul recognized.
"It's been some time, Lamilette. I was sad when my father initially told me you were sent to help harvest ore in the mountains. Welcome back."
Bowing her head steeply, the auburn-haired Dwarfette replied, "I cannot express how great an honor it is to be in Master Paul's employ once again. The days I spent as your attendant were among the most cherished of my days as a slave..."
Wincing at the reminder that Lamilette was, in fact, a slave, Paul looked to Ningguang as if she was the solution to all his problems. Fortunately, she had predicted this, readily explaining, "I have already made the necessary arrangements with your father. Though I anticipate most of them staying with us, most of the people we have contracted will have their autonomy restored once they have completed ten years of service."
Regaining his smile, Paul replied, "Great." before shifting his attention to the other three girls present, asking, "And these three are...?"
In response to Paul's acknowledgment, the three girls, two of which were nearly identical, bowed their heads. At the same time, Ningguang casually explained, "The twins are Rowena and Riannon. They are members of the Migurd Tribe, so, despite their adolescent appearances, they are well into their twenties. As for the girl with cat ears, her name is Minne, and, as you can very clearly see, she is a member of the Beast Race."
Immediately following Ningguang's explanation, the three girls chorused, "It is a pleasure to be of service to Master Paul."
Gesturing for the girls to raise their heads, Paul surprised them slightly by saying, "Glad to have you." before returning his gaze to Ningguang. When he did, she dutifully elaborated, "Rowena and Riannon were hired to help care for the Silkies. The Migurd Tribe has been rearing them for hundreds of years, so I reasoned they would be the most suited for the task. As for Minne, she is an escaped Slave that was discovered by Diona while trying to steal grapes..."
Thinking she was about to be punished, Minne's face and body tensed until Paul surprised her a second time by asking, "Have we tried getting in contact with someone from the Great Forest? Most of the Beast Race are enslaved illegally, so we should try and return her home."
Surprising Minne a third time in quick succession, Ningguang nodded her head, answering, "We have. However, due to the rainy season and several other factors, I'm not expecting a reply within the next year or two. That's the reason I decided to have her stay and apprentice under Diona. Due to the distance between Milbots and the Great Forest, it simply isn't feasible to hire someone to escort Minne home..."
Nodding his head in understanding, Paul shifted his attention to the grey-haired cat-girl before adopting an apologetic smile and saying, "Please be patient with us. It might not happen within the next few years, but we will eventually reunite you with your people. Until then, this place will be your home."
Since most of the younger members of the Beast Race could barely speak their own tongue, much less human language, Minne couldn't understand everything Paul was saying. She could, however, tell he was being sincere and kind, traits most humans seemed to lack. Thus, after staring blankly for several seconds, some rather large tears began to well in the corners of her eyes before she began bawling at the top of her lungs...
...
..
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Chapter 37: MI37: Decompressing