Mushoku Impact

Though he was planning to frequent the Guild a lot in the near future, Paul searched for places on the opposite side of Sharia to stay. He didn't want to share an abode with other Adventurers, so, rather than searching for an Inn closer to the town center, he investigated the small, comparably cozy hostels along the periphery.
In the process of searching for a place to stay, Paul's progress was halted by a young girl wearing a winter frock and carrying a basket of bread. Her black, cat-like ears made it pretty obvious she was a member of the Beast Race, but, unlike Ghislaine, she had a black, button-like nose reminiscent of an actual cat.
"Nya? Strong-looking big sis! Are you looking for a place to stay, nya~?"
Instead of acknowledging anyone else in Paul's group, the black-haired cat girl zeroed in on Ghislaine as if she were the only person present. In response, Ghislaine simply nodded her head, answering, "Yes." in a curt tone.
Thumping her chest, the tiny cat girl replied, "Great, nya! Follow Esme! Esme will show you a good place, nya~!"
Demonstrating a bit of her gullibility, Ghislaine allowed herself to be pulled along by the diminutive cat girl without a fuss. She did look back at Paul for confirmation, but, seeing him smiling wryly, she made no attempt to break free as the five, maybe six-year-old girl dragged her to a building that was more like a rundown bakery than a hostel.
"Mooooomnya~! Esme found customers, nya~!"
"Nya~?"
Demonstrating where Esme had acquired her verbal tick, a considerably more mature cat girl with long black hair, black eyes, and a plump figure emerged from what Paul assumed to be the kitchen. Her black tail looked as though more than two-thirds had been cut away, but her most notable trait, at least for the time being, was the fact she was pregnant.
Seeing the large group of people, Esme's mother gave her daughter a helpless look before meeting Paul's gaze and saying, "There seems to be a misunderstanding, nya. We have two rooms available, but I planned to rent them out to members of the Beast Race. They aren't really furnished for humans, nya..."
"Nya? Did Esme make a mistake, nya!?"
Before Esme's mother could respond, Paul surprised her by asking, "Mind if my companions take a look at the rooms while we discuss terms...?"
Since he could tell the bakery-like domicile was a bit worse for wear, Paul couldn't help wanting to lend a hand to the clearly struggling mother and her child. Members of the Beast Race typically had around three children, yet Esme was the only one present. The residence was also too small to have more than two proper bedrooms, so Paul assumed the woman and her daughter were sleeping in the pantry while leasing out their rooms to guests. Either way, they weren't doing well.
Though she exhaled an exasperated sigh, Esme's mother didn't refuse Paul's request. She really was at her wit's end, so, after giving Ghislaine's and the other girls a once-over, she eventually nodded her head and said, "Very well...Esme, please show our guests to the rooms upstairs, nya."
"Leave it to Esme~! Follow me, nya~!"
Grabbing Ghislaine's hand a second time, Esme dragged the much taller cat woman upstairs while Eula and Xiangling followed after them. Ei was Paul's defacto bodyguard, so unless he specifically told her to go away, she would linger around him like the Kagemusha she once was.
Once everyone else had gone upstairs, Esme's mother offered Paul and Ei a loaf of freshly baked bread before saying, "Forgive my manners, nya. My name is Amalie, nya. I am Esme's mom and the owner of the former Cat's Tail Bakery."
Seeing a rather potent melancholy in Amalie's expression and eyes, Paul was very tempted to ask what had happened. Instead, he offered a polite nod and said, "My name is Paul. This remarkably beautiful woman next to me is Ei. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Amalie."
Returning a half-nod of her own, Amalie hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why do you want to stay here, Paul? Though we could use the help, humans don't usually involve themselves with the troubles of the Beast Race..."
Since she could somewhat sense that Paul intended to help her, Amalie wanted to know his reason for doing so. She wouldn't mind sleeping with him if he was just curious and willing to pay, but he already has a member of the Beast Race traveling with him. He also didn't give off the smell of a man in heat, so Amalie genuinely had no idea what he wanted from her.
Shrugging his shoulders, Paul maintained a friendly smile as he answered, "I just like helping people. Since your daughter called out to us, I consider it fate that our paths crossed like this. It has nothing to do with your race. If I can help someone without having to compromise myself or my beliefs, I see no reason not to."
Punctuating his statement, Paul pulled out an ornate pouch filled with a few Asura Gold and Silver Coins, adding, "My companions and I intend to stay within Sharia for around 4-6 months. I believe this should suffice as payment?"
Since the pouch was relatively large, Amalie expected it to be filled with a few dozen Large Copper Coins. When she saw the smallest denomination of currency was a Silver Coin, roughly what she earned in an entire month of operating the bakery, she removed her hands from the bag as if it were a hot stove, exclaiming, "I can't accept this!" in a panicked tone.
In an attempt to allay the woman's concerns, Paul revealed, "Everyone in my Party is at least Saint-Ranked in Swordsmanship or Magic. We earn a lot more than this through the Guild, so don't worry and accept it without a fuss. If not for yourself, then your children."
Nodding his head towards Amalie's rather prominent belly, Paul made it clear he wasn't just helping her. He knew about the Beast Race's habit of culling their weaker offspring during difficult times, and while he could understand their reasons for doing so, he would rather not have to live with the knowledge that Amalie had to kill off one or more of her children just to get by...
Though she was still reluctant, Amalie ultimately accepted the pouch with visibly shaky hands. She genuinely believed Paul was out of his mind, but she also really needed the money.
After pocketing the unnervingly heavy bag, Amalie lowered her head as far as her pregnant belly allowed, saying, "Thank you very much. If there is anything you require during your stay, anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask, nya..."
Understanding that Amalie really did mean anything, Paul's smile became slightly wry as he replied, "I'll keep that in mind...for now, how about you show me the kitchen? I wouldn't call myself a baker, but I'm familiar with the process."
Regaining her smile, Amalie happily replied, "Of course." before gesturing towards the kitchen and saying, "Follow me, nya~."
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Matching Paul's expectations, the rooms being leased out within Amalie's house were the master bedroom and what he assumed was a refurbished nursery. Only the former had an actual bed, while the latter was filled with surprisingly comfortable furnishing resembling large beanbags. According to Ghislaine, such beds were the norm back in the Great Forest, so Amalie hadn't been lying when she said they weren't really furnished for humans.
Since Eula wasn't too enthusiastic about staying in what was effectively a kennel, Paul gave all the girls the option of resting within the Intersection of Fate during the evenings until he could refurbish the place. The month or so he had spent with Ghislaine during the Mating Season had bolstered his resistance to stench and odors quite a bit, so he didn't mind the smell nearly as much as they did.
Though Xiangling and Ei did their best to put on a front, they eventually retreated to the Intersection of Fate after failing to fall asleep. This gave Paul and Ghislaine the bed to themselves, so, with her no longer being in heat, the two just cuddled for the first half of the night. That was around when Lynette snuck in through one of the second-floor windows, briefly alerting both Paul and Ghislaine until they realized who it was. After that, the three of them snuggled up together until around 3 AM, the time when Paul had to release the rest of the girls from the IOF...
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While Xiangling helped out in the kitchen, Paul left Amalie feeling at a loss for words as he discussed refurbishing the entire residence. He wanted to rebuild the bakery from the ground up, not just to make it more habitable for himself and the girls but to give Amalie the chance to resume business once they left.&nbsp;
After counting the amount of money Paul had given her, Amalie regarded herself, the bakery, and pretty much everything in her possession as his property. Even if she were to sell herself into slavery, she might not earn more than 5 Asura Silver Coins due to her age and damaged tail. Paul had given her eighteen Asura Gold Coins and thirty-seven Asura Silver Coins. If he hadn't asked them not to, she and her daughter would be referring to him as Master.
"Is it okay if I use the money you gave me to hire a Carpenter I'm familiar with? This year's Winter was especially harsh, so there are a lot of people in need of work and money."
Causing Amalie to feel even more fretful, Paul pulled out another pouch, this one filled with two hundred Asura Silver Coins, as he explained, "The money I gave you was for food, lodgings, and hospitality. You can use this to purchase new furniture, a larger stove, and have a bath installed. As for who you hire, that's ultimately up to you. I'm new to Sharia, so you're a lot more familiar with these kinds of things than I am."
Since Paul had practically shoved the pouch into her hands, Amalie had no choice but to accept it as she lowered her head and muttered a meek, "Thank you, nya..."
Shaking his head, Paul said, "Don't thank me. I'm being pretty selfish by imposing on you like this. Offering adequate compensation is the least I can do."
Though she wanted to refute Paul's words, Amalie assumed that anything she said would be futile. Their community was also in desperate need of assistance, so she didn't want to say or do anything that might offend her new benefactor. Instead, she just bowed her head, her large, cat-like ears twitching due to a combination of frustration and excitement.
Resisting the temptation to give Amalie's head a pat, Paul interrupted the sudden silence by saying, "I'm going to leave Xiangling back to help look after things. The rest of us are going to the Adventurer's Guild to meet up with an informant and take on some Quests. We should be back by lunch, but there's a chance we'll be back much later. Don't feel the need to wait up for us, okay?"
Nodding her head in understanding, Amalie was about to say something when Xiangling emerged from the kitchen with a far more fragrant loaf of bread than the ones she usually prepared. The diminutive yet buxom chef was familiar with far more advanced baking methods than those typically available within the world of Mushoku Tensei, so Paul was going to have her teach Amalie a few tricks to turn the bakery into one of Sharia's future hotspots. That way, she would never have to worry about money again...
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With Ei, Eula, and Ghislaine following close behind, Paul headed toward the center of Sharia, the location of the Adventurer's Guild, a number of Magical Tool shops, and several other high-profile businesses.&nbsp;
Though he was somewhat interested in checking out the clothing stores with the girls, Paul reasoned there would be plenty of time for dates later. For now, he needed to meet up with his 'informant' and have Ei, Eula, and Ghislaine registered with the Guild.
As could be expected from a Guild located in such a populous city, the Adventurer's Guild of Sharia was extremely busy and filled with people from various races. The building was five stories tall, the first floor serving as a tavern and general gathering hub, while the second and beyond were restricted to Adventurers of a certain Rank.
Seeing Paul enter alongside a bevy of beautiful women, a lot of gruff-looking Adventurers immediately shifted their attention over. Paul was half-tempted to teach everyone in the hall a lesson, but, as powerful as he had become, he doubted he could best nearly a hundred Adventurers in such confined quarters. Ei could presumably pull it off, but that would invariably result in the deaths of everyone present.
Fortunately, while Adventurers weren't exactly saints outside the Guild Halls, they knew better than to cause trouble inside. The Guild had a no-nonsense policy in regards to rule breakers. If someone was found to be in breach of the Guild's Code of Conduct, not only would they have their license stripped away, but everyone in their Party would have their Rank reduced or reset to F-Rank.
With promotion from F-Rank to A-Rank taking anywhere between 60 and 600 jobs, nobody wanted to have to claw their way up from the bottom a second time. Thus, at least while they were inside the Guild Hall, Paul and the others didn't have to worry about anyone going out of their way to try and harass them. Once their reputation grew beyond a certain point, most people 'should' just let them be...
Looking around the Guild Hall, specifically at the Receptionists standing behind the counters, Paul briefly considered asking for assistance when a deep and feminine voice sounded out from the second floor, saying, "Up here, darlings. We have a private room prepared for you in the back."
In response to the sultry voice, the first-floor tavern area became eerily silent as nearly everyone, not just Paul and Party, raised their heads to find a voluptuous woman with brown hair and emerald green eyes leaning over the second floor's hand railing with an innately seductive smile on her face.
Voicing the thought that had crossed Paul's mind, one of the Adventurers nearby muttered, "It's Mistress Lisa...who could she be talking to?" in an audibly enchanted, equally covetous tone.
Making it clear precisely who Lisa was addressing, Paul adopted a wry smile as he raised his hand and said, "We'll be right up."
Realizing that the person their Goddess had called out to was the man they had previously been eyeing with envy, the gazes directed at Paul became a lot more hate-filled than before.&nbsp;
With few exceptions, nearly every male Adventurer in Sharia had tried to seduce or ask Lisa out at some point. A few had even attempted more forceful methods, but, without exception, they had all been turned down or left in a near-death state after being electrocuted. Lisa was one of the most playfully seductive women they had ever met, but there wasn't even a rumor of her having a relationship outside of work.
Following Paul's group as they made their way up to the second floor, the tensions on the first increased to a near-palpable level. There was even a fair amount of bloodlust mixed in, prompting Ei to squint her eyes and ask, "Master...shall I cut these fools down...?"
Shaking his head, Paul answered, "It's one thing to cut people down bandits and Slavers outside of town. Killing the middle of the Guild will just have us labeled as criminals..."
"Mmm...I see..."
Since she couldn't kill them, Ei directed her electric purple eyes to one of the groups glaring at Paul. When she did, their complexions immediately paled, as, even compared to someone like Sword God Gal, Ei's bloodlust was on a level of its own.
Drawn to the sounds of people falling from their chairs, many within the Guild's tavern area looked over to find the group Ei had glared at on the ground and with their eyes rolled toward the backs of their heads. A few were even frothing at the mouth as a very prominent aroma of urine and feces filled the area...
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After guiding Paul and the rest to one of the conference rooms reserved for discussing private commissions, Lisa couldn't help issuing an amused giggle as she noted, "Master Paul has become even more charming since our last encounter...I get the feeling I won't be able to tease you without consequence any longer..."
Shaking his head, Paul adopted a wry smile as he countered, "I'm not that much of a pervert. I mean, I am, but I would never force someone against their will..."
Adopting a somewhat scary smile, Lisa left Paul feeling at a loss for words as she mused, "Have I ever implied that I was unwilling?" Then, as if to set the kindling within his heart aflame, she leaned forward in a way that emphasized her ample assets as she appended, "This room has amazing soundproofing..."
Voicing his thoughts aloud, Paul softly replied, "You're playing with fire..." before leaning forward to stare directly into Lisa's emerald green eyes as he added, "I would destroy you..." in a heated tone.
Enflaming Paul's passions even further, Lisa 'trembled' in response to his words, her arms wrapping around her body as a glaze developed across her eyes. Paul was pretty sure she was acting, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to pounce across the table and push the overtly seductive woman down...
Confirming Paul's suspicions, a teasing smile developed across Lisa's face as she remarked, "It seems you've to abandon your self-control entirely..."
Shaking his head, Paul left Lisa at a loss for words next as he refuted her claim, saying, "You're wrong. I just have my priorities in order. Once we're finished talking and getting everyone registered with the Guild, I wouldn't mind giving you a taste of what's to come..."
With a tiny bead of sweat forming on her left cheek, Lisa remarked, "Oh, my..." in an unpretentiously nervous tone. She had bathed with Paul a few times before Ningguang deployed her to the North. He had already been showing signs of his 'immense potential' by the time he was eight, so she had no doubt he had become even more...impressive as an adult.
Shifting her attention to the other girls in the room, Lisa was surprised to Ei and Eula visibly flushing. Before she could say anything or try to tease them, however, Paul interjected, asking, "Where's Fischl? When I received Rosaria's report, she told me the two of you had joined the Guild to gather information on the Triumvirate and the surrounding regions."
Sighing at the mention of Fischl's name, a sad smile developed across Lisa's face as she explained, "This world is too cruel for a girl like Fischl. Before becoming a Surveyor for the Guild, helping to determine the Rank of certain subjugation Quests, she was nearly taken advantage of several times. If not for Lynette and Rosaria shadowing her, I fear the worst might have havened..."
Squinting his eyes, Paul asked, "Are they still alive?" as his hands balled into fists.
Shaking her head, Lisa answered, "Though Fischl petitioned for some of them to be spared, there is no way Rosaria and Lynette would allow such people to continue living. Unfortunately, the people in this world are more superstitious than sensible. Even though she did no wrong, Fischl became a pariah within the Guild, wholly incapable of joining a legitimate Party..."
Exhaling a sigh of his own, Paul rubbed his face and temples as he asked, "Where is she now? Out on a mission for the Guild...?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Lisa explained, "There is a community of Beast Race people located a few hundred kilometers East of the Dragon's Head Mountains. Since many of their women become pregnant during the Fall, Slave Merchants tend to try and take advantage of them during late Winter, the period where they are most vulnerable. Fischl is there to make sure there are no Adventurers taking part in the hunting..."
"Jesus H. Christ..."
Though he was well aware of the preponderance of slavery in the world of Mushoku Tensei, the notion of Slave Merchants deliberately gathering to take advantage of pregnant women made Paul want to punch a fucking wall.&nbsp;
Shaking the murderous thoughts from his mind, Paul asked, "Why aren't Rosaria and Lynette with her?"
Anticipating Paul's question, Lisa readily explained, "Rosaria just recently returned from an assassination mission in the Basherant Dukedom. As for Lynette, she helps maintain public order within Sharia by moonlighting as a vigilante. The people around here know her as the Hoodwink Killer since she uses illusions and trickery to make her targets experience despair and helplessness before killing them..."
"Mmm...sounds about right..."
Though Lynette was a very reticent girl, she was a famous Assassin even in her previous world. More notably, she and her then-brother had been agents of Varuna, the Hydro Archon and Goddess of Justice. As a result, anyone who touched her bottom line was bound to experience suffering comparable to what they had imposed on others.&nbsp;
"Any idea when Fischl will be returning? I want to be here to greet her when she gets back."
Adopting a sincere smile, Lisa remarked, "I'm sure she would like that. As for when she will be returning...I imagine around the beginning of Spring? It's difficult to say for certain."
Clicking his tongue, Paul sat a little straighter before crossing his arms and asking, "Have you put together a list of Quests we can do to fast-track our promotion? I want to reach at least A-Rank before setting out for the Strife Zone."
Nodding her head in affirmation, Lisa rose to her feet to retrieve a parcel containing dozens of job postings. It was generally frowned upon for the Guild to show favoritism to any particular Party of Adventurers, but Paul's group was a bit of an exception. Not because he was an exiled Noble, but because he was publically viewed as an apprentice to both the Water and Sword Gods. He was also the youngest Sword Saint in history, so it was only natural that the Guild attempted to curry favor with a future S-Rank.
"So long as you can complete higher-ranking Quests consecutively, you could reach A-Rank within six months. The only thing I foresee being an issue is the IOF. I know they're related, but I'm not sure how you receive credit through the IOF for completing Quests with the Guild."
Shrugging his shoulders, Paul suggested, "We could try taking one of the job listings into the IOF. Either that or we could just complete one and see if that triggers something. Got any fetch Quests lined up...?"
Pulling out a few E-Rank Job listenings, Lisa explained, "As I'm sure you're aware, most E and F-Rank Jobs involve collecting herbs, hunting ordinary animals, or performing services around town. This year's Winter had been especially harsh on the more underprivileged residents, so there is no end to the demand for wild game and high-quality pelts. With a member of the Beast Race in your Party, you should have no trouble tracking down a few wild boars, bears, and wolves. Just be sure not to ruin the pelts by slicing them into ribbons."
Noticing the Job was listed as repeatable, Paul understood why Lisa had suggested it. If they prepared a wagon and decided to camp out for a few days, they could leap from F to D-Rank in a single go. The reason other Adventurers didn't do the same was because the reward couldn't cover the cost of renting, much less purchasing a wagon. Carrying a 300kg bear several kilometers wasn't something most people were willing or capable of doing, so, while the option existed for everyone, only the wealthy could afford to exploit repeatable hunting quests for rapid advancement...
"Pay to win for the win..."
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After parting ways with Revaan and the rest of the former slaves, Paul made his way to a brick building that resembled a miniature bastille. Like the rest of the Academy, it was constructed from a combination of Magic-proof bricks and rudimentary concrete that could resist up to Saint-Rank Magic. The exterior was predominantly red, but there was an ashen-grey trim around the base, while the expensive glass windows were shielded metal bars and bright green awnings.
Passing through the invisible, Saint-Ranked Barrier that surrounded the property, Paul was slightly startled when Lynette attempted to pounce on him. Unfortunately for her, Paul's training at the Sword Sanctum had made him a lot more difficult to surprise. The moment she attempted to jump on his back, he promptly spun around, startling the petite and lithe-looking cat girl quite a bit as he caught her in his arms.
"Well, hello there..."
Since she had intended to ride on Paul's back, Lynette's legs ended up locking around his waist as his hands supported her bottom. Her usually impassive expression remained so, but her face became beet red as she averted her amethyst purple eyes and muttered, "I didn't say you could touch my butt..."
"That just makes me want to enjoy it even more..."
Contrasting his words, Paul released Lynette's butt from his grasp and hugged her as he said, "I know I've already said this, but I missed you..."
"Nn..."
Though she promptly released her leg lock, Lynette made no attempt to escape Paul's embrace. It had been more than two and a half years since their separation at the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw, and, while she had never come out and said it, Lynette was rather fond of Paul. Her original reason for getting close to him was to incentivize him to summon her sister. It was only after seeing how tirelessly he worked to achieve his goals that Lynette began viewing her interactions with Paul as something more than just a means to an end.
He also smelled nice...
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After his brief reunion with Lynette, Paul made his way into the Bastille-like residence to find a young, silver-haired girl waiting for him. Unlike the others present, including a very mature-looking Rosaria, Andromeda had not benefitted from the near-death experience that caused Paul and the others to mature. She looked much older than twelve, especially around the chest, but she still had a lot of growing to do.
"Welcome back, Master Paul, Lynette..."
Though Paul had lost his status as a Noble, the time Andromeda spent at the Notos Estate had opened her eyes and fundamentally changed her worldview. She believed it was only a matter of time before Paul regained his position or attained an even greater one, so she had no qualms about referring to him as her Master. Everyone else seemed to.
Returning a smile, Paul said, "Sorry for the delay. I had to meet with the Principal and grease his palms a bit. How have you been, Andromeda? I trust the Academy staff have treated you well...?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Andromeda answered, "Thanks to your Lord Father's recommendation and the contributions of Lady Ningguang, my life at the Academy has been nothing but pleasant. My only regret is that I could not prepare a more fitting abode. I had not expected Master to visit the North personally..."
While waving his hand dismissively, Paul sat on the luxurious sofa across from Andromeda and said, "It's nothing to fret over. It's not like I enjoyed having to travel more than a kilometer just to move between the wings of the Notos Estate. So long as they have the essential amenities, I actually prefer cozier residences such as this. Now, about your schooling..."
Lowering her head, Andromeda expected Paul to admonish her since she had been slacking off ever since reaching Saint Rank in Earth, Water, and Fire Magic. Instead, he adopted a friendly smile and said, "Principal Georg was full of praises about you. When he discovered I was your Benefactor, he even attempted to return my bribe."
Exhaling a silent sigh of relief, Andromeda raised her head and was about to reply to Paul's words when he caught her off guard, asking, "Have you given up on your revenge? Where's the Vision I entrusted you?" in a much more severe tone.
Swallowing hard, Andromeda raised the silvery chain wrapped around her neck to reveal a nearly inert Geo Vision. She hadn't given up her revenge, but, after living the relatively peaceful life of Ranoa Magic Academy's top student, she no longer cared as much about the affairs of the Kingdragon Kingdom.&nbsp;
Surprising Andromeda yet again, Paul nodded his head in approval rather than shaking it in admonition as he said, "Good. Living solely for the sake of revenge isn't healthy. If you've found happiness here in the North, you should pursue it. I heard you received a marriage proposal from the First Prince of the Neris Kingdom...?"
"Yes...I would not be the Queen, but he has promised me a position as his Court Mage if I accept..."
"Mmm...well, as long as he isn't pressuring you, I have nothing else to say on the matter. Just do what you believe is necessary for your happiness. I know I am."
Hanging her head, Andromeda began to feel ashamed of herself as she asked, "Is it okay for me to be so selfish? After everything Master Paul and Lady Ningguang have done for me...I feel as though-"
Raising his hand, Paul said, "Just stop. If you'll recall, I never once asked you to become a weapon or fight at my behest. When I granted you that Vision, it was to provide you with the opportunity to seize your destiny by the reins. If you truly wish to respect my and Ningguang's intentions, then live your life to the fullest without compromising your integrity and beliefs. That is the essence of Geo."
Seeing the Vision around Andromeda's neck regain a bit of its luster, Paul nodded his head in approval before rising to his feet and saying, "I'll be on my way, then. I wouldn't want to cause a misunderstanding or jeopardize your standing with the First Prince. I'm also not a student of the Academy, so it wouldn't exactly be proper for me to stay here."
Without waiting for Andromeda to recover from her stupor, Paul turned to depart, adding, "Take care of yourself, Princess." before gesturing for the others to follow.
"W-Wait a moment! Please wait just a moment, Master Paul...!"
Feeling more than a little panicked, Andromeda rose to her feet and tried to block Paul's path. She couldn't just kick her Benefactor out of his own home. Sure, she may have been using it for the better part of four and a half years, but the miniature castle was still Paul's. If he checked into an Inn while she was allowed to continue occupying a dwelling he had paid for using his own money, she would have no face left to give.
Surprising Andromeda for the umpteenth time, Paul plopped his hand atop her head as he said, "We were able to have this place constructed because it was a donation to the Academy. You owe me nothing, kiddo. Just keep doing your best to be happy...okay?"
"..."
Taken aback by Paul's words and actions, Andromeda found herself at a loss for words. A part of her wanted to insist they stay together from now on, but, just as when they were kids, Paul's existence was too large, too free to be held down by someone like her. She was constantly looking to make her life as comfortable as possible, while Paul never stopped trying to pursue something...more...
With her head hanging low, Andromeda's voice was barely a whisper as she said, "I wish I could go with you...I just...I don't have the strength..."
Adopting a wry yet affectionate smile, Paul wrapped Andromeda in his arms, gently caressing her back as he said, "Don't worry about me, kiddo. I have plenty of people walking this path with me...don't feel guilty about walking your own..."
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After bidding farewell to the teary-eyed Princess, Paul, accompanied by Ei, Eula, Xiangling, and Ghislaine, departed the Academy grounds to find a place to stay in the surrounding city.&nbsp;
The City of Magic, Sharia, was one of the largest cities in the Kingdom of Ranoa, as it had to cater to the more than 10,000 students attending the Ranoa Magic Academy. It also had to accommodate the people that had failed to enroll in the Academy, so there were hundreds of Inns, a thriving marketplace, and a massive Adventurers Guild.
Since they would be staying in the city for at least four months, Paul was planning to make some headway on his Adventurer's Rank in the weeks to come. For now, however, he just wanted to find a place where he and the girls could stay without disturbing others or being harassed.&nbsp;
One of the biggest downsides to traveling with beautiful women was the amount of attention they drew. Even when he had just been traveling with Reida, Paul had to fend off innumerable goons and scumbags. He thought things would improve once he matured, but, despite possessing the face and body of an Adonis, Paul could rarely enjoy so much as a walk without someone glaring at him or trying to hit on his women.
"Hey, what are you lasses doing with this baby-faced punk? How about ditching the kid and coming to experience what it's like to be with a real man?"
Though they were both wearing winter clothing, the beauty of Ei and Eula was such that other people couldn't help staring. Ghislaine and Xiangling certainly had charms of their own, but the aura of elegance and nobility exuded by Ei and Eula put them in a league of their own.
With Paul raising his hand, more so to stop Ei from cutting the men down than to prevent anyone from speaking, everyone else remained silent as he adopted a 'friendly' smile and said, "Each and every single one of us is a Sword Saint or higher. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
While Paul's words sounded like absolute nonsense, they were more than enough to sober up the group of half-drunken men. The strongest person within their group was merely Advanced Rank in the North God Style, and, while that was nothing to scoff at, it couldn't compare to a Sword Saint.
Looking Paul and his group over, the party of drunkards realized that their would-be quarries were outfitted with exceptionally high-quality weapons and armor. Only Paul's and Ghislaine's weapons showed any signs of wear and tear, but the size of Eula's Whiteblind was enough to give the group a reason for pause.
Realizing they may have bitten off more than they could chew, the man at the front of the group forced a smile as he said, "We may have had a little too much to drink. Sorry for bothering you, lad..."
Catching the men off guard, Paul flicked an Asura Gold Piece toward the group, saying, "The next few rounds are on me. Just make sure you get to bed without causing anyone else any trouble, understood? The next time something like this happens, I won't be nearly as friendly..."
Though they were a little stupefied by Paul's offering, the group of men promptly thanked him before making way and disappearing into a nearby tavern. This nearly tempted a few other groups to block Paul's path, but after hearing him mention how everyone in his party was at least a Sword Saint, they promptly decided against it...
...
..
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Chapter 67: MI67: Helping Hand