Mushoku Impact

After a lengthy discussion, the moment of truth came as the sun slowly crept over the horizon. If Paul's speculation were correct, there would be no need to rush their departure from Sharia. If he was wrong, the sooner their departure, the better.
With everyone else choosing to wait outside, Paul made his way into the Intersection of Fate to find Katheryne standing in her usual place behind her counter. Beidou was nowhere to be seen, but that wasn't too strange as the Intersection of Fate demanded payment for all of its functions.
Raising his hand in a gesture of greeting, Paul said, "Hey there, long time no see." as he approached Katheryne's counter. He had been pretty the past couple of weeks, so he hadn't been checking the IOF as often as he should.
Adopting a professional smile, Katheryne crossed her hands over her abdomen before bowing as she said, "Ad Astra Abyssosque. It's good to see you, Master Paul. To what do I owe the pleasure of tonight's visit?"
Returning a smile of his own, Paul explained, "I came to resurrect Beidou. Do you know what I need to do?"
Nodding her head, Katheryne gestured towards the summoning circle at the center of the platform, explaining, "Place your hand on the stone dais and express your intention to resurrect a fallen ally. The base cost is 1000 Asura Gold Coins, increasing depending on the number of Constellations and whether or not said person is an Archon."
Though he had fortunately never gained any of Beidou's Constellations, Paul couldn't help hissing when Katheryne reminded him of the base cost. Many would pay ten times that amount to resurrect their loved ones, but, as he had always been aware of his ability to revive his summon, Paul had a slightly more 'objective' view on the matter.
Exhaling a tired sigh, Paul muttered, "Whatever...let's get this over with..." before making his way over to the summoning circle. When he expressed his intention to revive someone, the pattern making up the circle gained a crimson red hue, but Paul didn't mind it as he slotted in a thousand AGC.
"I swear, woman...if it turns out you were the one to pick a fight with Gal, I'm pounding your ass until it becomes leather..."
Following his petty utterance, Paul placed his hands into the oversized grooves before shouting, "Confirm!" as per usual. Katheryne had never specified that he had to say the person's name, and, as far as Paul knew, Beidou was the only person to have died since he gained access to the Intersection of Fate. As a result, he was more than a little surprised when a blood-red 'hole' opened in the ground, followed by a naked, voluptuous woman with dark blue hair and dark skin slowly rising up from some kind of carmine fluid.
Though she had changed drastically since the last time he saw her, Paul immediately recognized the woman's identity, slapping his forehead as he muttered, "You've got to be fucking kidding me..."
As the eerie red light faded away, followed by the woman being lowered to the ground, Paul's suspicions were confirmed when she opened her dichromatic, gold-blue eyes and teased, "Hey now, is that any way to speak to a beautiful woman you haven't seen in years? And here I was looking forward to our reunion..."
Intensifying Paul's feelings of discomfort, the woman gave him a quick once-over before licking her lips in an overtly seductive manner. Then, with a slightly predatory look, she added, "We've both grown quite a bit, haven't we~?"
As much as he disliked the woman's personality, Paul's eyes naturally gravitated towards her naked form. She was shorter than he imagined, somewhere between 155-160cm, but her proportions could even give Ghislaine a run for her money.
Noticing Paul's wayward gaze, the blue-haired beauty promptly struck a pose, body bent slightly and hands placed behind her head as she asked, "How do I look? They get in the way at times, but I'm quite proud of how this body has developed. If I were still a man, I might not be able to hold back."
Exhaling a sigh, Paul shook his head before peeling off his overcoat and handing it over to the woman, Kaeya, as he questioned, "How did you die? I haven't heard anything from Ningguang."
Though she would have preferred Paul to have a more 'honest' reaction, Kaeya accepted the offered coat as she answered, "Truth be told, I have no idea. The last thing I remember was trying to collect information at a less than respectable pub. I'm confident nobody slipped anything into my drink, so I have no idea how I ended up here."
Furrowing his brows, Paul didn't immediately respond to Kaeya's words. She wasn't the type of person that would lower her guard around others, so it didn't make sense for her to be killed off without, at least, knowing how it happened.&nbsp;
Seeing Kaeya struggling to button up his overcoat, Paul's expression lost some of its severity as he flatly remarked, "Seriously? Just how big have your tits become...?"
Adopting a cheeky smile, Kaeaya puffed out her chest and replied, "I'm shorter than I would have liked, but my breasts and butt are both around 86cm. How about it? Want to cop a feel...?"
Though he was more than a little tempted, Paul managed to shake his head and reply, "Nah." in an unconvincing tone of voice. He was slowly overcoming his apprehensions about sleeping with people the IOF had genderbent, but Kaeya was akin to the final boss in that regard. She had a very 'open' and bro-like personality, so Paul couldn't help regarding her as a perverted man piloting a woman's body.
Shrugging her shoulders, Kaeya mused, "Suit yourself." before placing a hand on her hips and taking a look around. She was a little surprised to see Katheryne at her kiosk, but as Paul had made it clear she wasn't the person he intended to revive, she eventually asked, "So? Who else kicked the bucket? Judging by how relaxed you are, it shouldn't be anyone from your usual entourage...I'm guessing Childe?"
Shaking his head, Paul surprised Kaeya by answering, "It was Beidou. She had a run-in with the Sword God."
Making no effort to conceal her surprise, Kaeya uttered a genuine, "Holy shit." before subsequently frowning as she added, "Damn...that makes my death appear even more pathetic..."
Though he didn't disagree, Paul decided not to comment as he bent down and began slotting more gold into the summoning circle. Kaeya offered to lend a hand, but Paul shook his head and told her to ask if Katheryne had some clothes she could wear. She did, but they evidently cost 100AGC as the materials originated from their world.
Since he was already spending 2000AGC, Paul only hesitated for a brief moment before allowing Kaeya to make the purchase. They purportedly functioned similarly to the maid outfits each of the girls came equipped with, so they could change apparently size and even self-repair so long as Elemental Energy was supplied.
With Kaeya changing into a female version of the outfit Paul now vaguely remembered from the game, the two of them stood next to each other as he activated the summoning circle. Another eerie red portal opened in the ground, but the thing Kaeya and Paul took notice of was the fact that Beidou had emerged fully clothed, albeit with a massive tear across her abdomen.
While Paul's expression became grim, Kaeya managed to crack a smile as she commented, "That's ominous..." in a playful tone. Paul was tempted to smack her upside the head but restrained himself as Beidou had opened her eyes and was currently staring at him.
Breaking the tentative silence, Beidou adopted her characteristically dauntless smile as she said, "Damn, I knew I shouldn't have tried to fight with an ordinary weapon. That scar-faced bastard cut cleanly through my sword."
Noticing the state of her wardrobe, Beidou traced her finger along the exposed part of her abdomen, adding, "And evidently the rest of me..."
Feeling that Beidou wasn't taking the situation seriously, Paul revealed, "Most of your fleet has either been wiped out or seized. Ningguang sent Ganyu to have me resurrect you as soon as possible, but it's been nearly fourteen hours since your death."
Maintaining her confident demeanor, Beidou insisted, "Those flat-footed monkies wouldn't be able to seize a single one of my ships if they weren't willfully handed over or abandoned. So long as my crew remains, it's only a matter of time before we rebuild."
Without giving Paul a chance to respond, Beidou shifted her attention to Kaeya, her wine-red eyes squinting ever so slightly as she said, "I didn't expect to see you here. Don't tell me you also got done in...?"
Spreading her arms and shrugging helplessly, Kaeya replied, "What can I say? The people of this world can be pretty crafty when they put their hearts into it."
Snorting through her nose, Beidou was tempted to chastise Kaeya in place of Ningguang. Instead, she returned her gaze to Paul and said, "You've grown a lot since I last saw you. I can tell you're still a little wet behind the ears, but you're starting to mature into the man we need you to be. Ningguang will be relieved."
Furrowing his brows, Paul resisted the urge to ask how he was still wet behind the ears. He knew better than anyone that he still had a long way to go, so he just inhaled a steadying breath and asked, "What led you to crossing paths with the Sword God?"
Though it was only for a brief moment, the veneer of Beidou's confidence cracked as she recalled the moments leading up to her death. The simple truth of the matter was that she didn't know that the man in question was the Sword God. All she knew about the man was that he had blue hair and a scar on his cheek, traits that weren't all that uncommon in their present world.
Exhaling a faint, inaudible sigh, Beidou eventually went on to explain, "He was wandering around the port like he owned the place. I didn't approach him at first, but I couldn't stay silent after I witnessed him cutting off one of my men's hands. After that, well, we wouldn't be here discussing things if everything went smoothly. It turns out the Sword God is a pretty strong guy."
Recalling the moment Gal unsheathed his sword and sliced through her in a literal instant, a layer of goosebumps promptly spread across Beidou's body. She had never feared death but experiencing it was never pleasant.
Since Beidou rarely wore a bra, both Paul's and Kaeya's eyes lowered as two conspicuous protrusions made themselves known beneath the piece of cloth covering her breasts. Beidou followed their gaze, but instead of reacting bashfully, she adopted a challenging smile and said, "Men are so helpless." before pulling down the cloth to free her puppies.
As Paul and Kaeya became slack-jawed, Beidou's smile became markedly more prominent as she asked, "Why are you just staring? Come, show me just how much you have 'grown' since our previous encounter. You're not a little boy anymore. Be more daring."
Inhaling a deep breath through his nose, it took more restraint than Paul knew he had not to push Beidou down and take her in the middle of the summoning circle. Unfortunately, at least ten other women were waiting for him back in his room, so he couldn't afford to dally for too long.
As a sort of compromise, Paul walked forward to pinch Beidou's already perky nipples, his expression a mask of calm as he said, "That'll have to wait till later. I don't mind carrying you, but I imagine you'd like to be able to walk out of here."
Understanding the meaning behind Paul's words, Beidou's smile stretched to its limits before she suddenly burst into laughter. The last time she had seen Paul, he was still actively avoiding her since she wasn't afraid to take the 'initiative' in their relationship. Seeing him try to act brazenly was both refreshing and amusing.
Ceasing her laughter just as Paul was about to ask why she was laughing, Beidou abruptly pulled his face into her bosom with a bit of force, willfully smothering him as she said, "I'm looking forward to it..."
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After forking over another hundred gold to get Beidou a copy of her outfit from the game, Paul emerged from the Intersection of Fate alongside her and Kaeya.
Surprised by the presence of an additional woman, Roxy was the one to ask, "Did something happen? You only mentioned bringing back a single person."
Though her question was directed at Paul, Roxy's eyes were fixated on the breasts of Beidou and Kaeya. Their busts were around the same size, but the nearly twenty-centimeter difference in their heights made Kaeya's appear much, much larger.
Noticing where Roxy was staring, Kaeya's smile curled at the edges as she leaned forward, further accenting her breasts as she asked, "Who's this little cutie? She's quite a bit different from your 'usual' tastes..."
Resisting the urge to smack Kaeya's admittedly tantalizing ass, further accented by a pair of form-fitting trousers, Paul maintained his cool as he replied, "She's Roxy Migurdia. You should have already heard about her."
Recognizing the name, Kaeya rose to her full height as she said, "It does ring a bell. I just never expected you to recruit her so early. Well, the more the merrier, I suppose."
Before Kaeya could say anything further, Paul drew Roxy's attention and said, "Be mindful of this one. She is even more of a pervert than I am..."
Furrowing her brows, Kaeya was about to defend herself when Jean spoke up, asking, "What is the meaning of your presence here, Captain Kaeya? I find it difficult to believe that someone with your particular set of talents was killed without notice."
Acting as if she had just noticed them, Kaeya's expression lit up as she chimed, "Well now, if it isn't the Reconnaissance Captain and Grandmaster Jean! How wonderful it is to see you! And is that Deaconess Barbara I spy there in the back? You three are looking as beautiful as ever."
Adopting a stone-faced expression, Jean looked towards Paul and asked, "Master, do you mind if I take the Cavalry Captain somewhere where she and I can speak in private?"
Trusting that Jean would be able to get the truth that Kaeya was clearly keeping a secret, Paul nodded his head and said, "Sure. Just try and keep the noise down. The kittens are asleep."
After nodding her head in understanding, Jean shifted her cerulean eyes to Kaeya. The latter already knew what she was going to say, so she just shrugged her shoulders and lazily replied, "After you, my fair and beloved Grandmaster..."
With Eula following after Jean and Kaeya, the overcrowded room became marginally less crowded as Paul passed his gaze over Ghislaine, Barbara, Beidou, Ganyu, Xiangling, Ei, Fischl, Razor, and Roxy. Beidou was currently explaining the situation to Ganyu, so Paul decided to focus on the rest, his eyes meeting with Barbara's as he expressed, "Things have gotten rather lively, haven't they?"
Believing she understood the hidden meaning of Paul's words, Barbara supplied a playful wink as she said, "Indeed they have. It reminds me of our time back at the Estate."
Recalling the liveliness of the East Wing, Paul couldn't help nodding his head in response to Barbara's words, saying, "Hopefully, things can return to normal in the next couple of years."&nbsp;
Turning his attention to the rest of the group, Paul playfully supplanted, "For now, I guess I'll have to settle for being surrounded by capable and beautiful women. Woe is me~."
Since he had already removed his overcoat, Paul began to unbutton his blouse and undertunic as the eyes of each girl focused on him. Xiangling began to appear nervous, but it was Roxy who questioned, "What are you doing?" with a deadpan expression on her face.
As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Paul answered, "Some of us will be parting ways in the near future. Until then, I intend to make the most of the time we have left. Time for some naked socializing."
Believing Paul was proposing an orgy, Roxy's face became noticeably red as she questioned, "Can you even manage, what, twelve women? I think you may be overestimating yourself..."
Instead of refuting Roxy's words on the merits discussed, Paul raised his brows and said, "I never said anything about having sex. I just figured we could all hang out, drink some wine, and play some party games. The rest will sort itself out naturally."
Peeling off his shirt, Paul tossed it to the red-faced Miguardian before bouncing his pecks and teasing, "Besides, I'm sure you enjoy seeing me topless as much as I enjoy seeing all of you."
Unable to refute Paul's words, Roxy just stared down at the shirt in her hands, willfully suppressing the urge to press her face against it. At the same time, Barbara, demonstrating her ongoing effort to remain a central pillar within Paul's harem, raised her hand and shouted, "Party time~!" in a happy, sing-song tone of voice. Her outburst interrupted the conversation between Beidou and Ganyu, a prominent grin developing across the face of the former as she said, "Now we're talking."
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"So what really happened? Based on Master Paul's reaction, you must not have told him the truth."
Understanding that Jean wasn't going to let her off without revealing at least a little of what really took place, Kaeya exhaled a tired sigh before answering, "It's complicated, okay? You know our bodies are comprised of Elemental Energy, and not all of us are able to 'resupply' as readily as you and your sister. Without a Vision, I need to do 'something' to stay in tip-top condition..."
Exhaling a sigh of her own, Barbara crossed her arms more so as an expression of self-comfort than disproval as she said, "I understand. Just don't get carried away, okay? Master Paul is sensitive to things like this..."
Rolling her eyes, Kaeya countered, "No kidding. Why else would I tell him I was done in so easily? He's already uncomfortable around me as is. I'm not trying to make things even more awkward between us."
Inserting herself into the conversation, Eula attempted to alleviate the growing tensions by asserting, "It's only a matter of time until Master Paul summons the Cryo Archon. Why not lie low until then? I highly doubt Lady Ningguang is 'forcing' you to take on as many missions as you do."
Leaving her contemporary Knights speechless, Kaeya retorted, "Because it feels good? We all have wants, needs, and urges, and unlike you girls, I can't just go wagging my breasts and butt in front of our Master whenever I need a top off. Trust me; I've tried."
Running her fingers through her hair, Kaeya did her best to regain her cool despite a painful, numbing sensation originating from the icy blue crest on her abdomen. They had all agreed to keep it a secret from Paul, but there was a 'reason' they were all given female forms. It was to make anchoring their spirits to a foreign world easier.
Though they could bleed, experience pain, thirst, and hunger, the people summoned through the Intersection of Fate weren't truly alive. They were closer to Elemental Spirits in nature, their bodies comprised and sustained by Elemental Energy. They could sustain themselves with food, water, and some assistance from off-elemental Archons like Zhongli and Kusanli, but the most practical method to keep their physical conditions stable was to, unsurprisingly, have sex with Paul.&nbsp;
Seeing the genuine duress in Kaeya's eyes, any anger Jean may have been harboring towards the dark-haired blunette promptly disappeared. She had also suffered quite a bit during her stay at the Sword Sanctum, so she couldn't even imagine how difficult things must be for someone in Kaeya's situation.
In an effort to alleviate her former subordinate's apparent suffering, Jean proposed, "I could try talking to Paul. He is a very considerate man. If we appeal to his sensibilities, he may be able to overcome his apprehensions. He managed to do so with Razor."
Blinking in surprise, Kaeya asked, "Seriously? He actually did it with that pretend wolf girl...?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Jean explained, "During his stay at the Sword Sanctum, Master Paul would periodically come to pay us a visit in the Intersection of Fate. Since he felt guilty about leaving her out, Razor was eventually allowed to join us."
Too busy imagining Paul going to town on Razor, Kaeya wasn't paying full attention as Jean gave her explanation. Had she known it was so 'easy' to crack Paul's defenses, she wouldn't have needed to suffer all these years.
Catching Jean and Eula by surprise, Kaeya abruptly asked, "How is he? I mean, how 'big' is he? Based on what he was packing as a kid, I imagine our Master has become quite the beast in his maturity~?"
"..." x2
Suppressing the urge to put Kaeya in a headlock, Jean surprised the dark-haired blunette in turn by answering, "Just under 28cm..." in a serious tone of voice.
With eyes nearly as round as saucers, Kaeya briefly recalled the existence of Roxy as she remarked, "That's...pretty impressive..."
Misinterpreting the ruddiness of Kaeya's expression as anticipation, Jean suppressed a sigh as she said, "It will probably take a day or two for us to convince him. For now, try to remain patient. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, I'll find a way to...procure some of our Master's semen. I'm not sure how effective it is second-hand, but it should tide you over until we can come up with a more permanent solution."
Seeing a crimson hue develop through Jean's face, it took every ounce of Kaeya's willpower not to tease her. She was initially planning to sneak out and visit Sharia's rather prominent red-light district. If Jean was willing to go to such lengths to 'help' her, there was no way in hell Kaeya was going to pass on such an opportunity. The notion of scooping semen out of the perpetually serious Grandmaster's vagina made her own tremble...
Though she did her best to conceal her lascivious thoughts, Kaeya was unable to prevent a lecherous smile from developing across her face as she revealed, "I'm not sure if it's because I was unable to get my rocks off before death or because the resurrection process left me feeling drained, but my abdomen feels as though there is an army of ants crawling around inside of it. I was originally planning to head into town, but I'm more than willing to behave if the two of you can bring back some of the good stuff."
Since Eula was also present, Kaeya shamelessly decided to loop her into their little scheme. Back in their previous lives, the two Knights were the most coveted women in all of Mondstadt. Though she typically played it cool when they were present, Kaeya would be lying if she said the notion of claiming both girls hadn't crossed her mind. That time had passed, but she could still leech some benefits from their 'beloved' Master.
Ever the dutiful woman, a faint blush developed through Eula's cheeks as she replied, "Very well. Our chances of success go up if there are more of us, so I'll do my best to assist the Grandmaster in her endeavor. However, if you get out of hand or behave uncouthly, don't blame me for meting out a just punishment..."
Unconcerned with Eula's threat of vengeance, the smile on Kaeya's face threatened to tear at the muscles of her cheeks and jaw. She hadn't been this excited in a long time, so, as macabre as it sounded, she was glad to have died. Picking up and getting picked up by random men got old pretty quick...
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Though he had been present during the events that led up to his current situation, Paul couldn't help feeling as though he was trapped in a dream as he watched Beidou ride up and down on his cock. Somehow, a 'casual' game of truth or dare had turned into a competition to see who could get him to cum. With the singular exception of Xiangling, who had gone to the kitchen to make everyone snacks, everyone was taking turns sitting in his lap and riding him at various intensities for sixty seconds. It was a strange turn of events, but Paul was enjoying every last moment...
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"Master...shall I wash your back...?"
Having already made himself comfortable in the square-shaped bath, big enough for five people, Paul shook his head and said, "Maybe in a bit. For now, why don't the two of you take the seats next to me...?"
Since Barbara had entered alongside Ganyu, Paul made sure to address both girls to avoid any future problems. Barbara's mentality had improved during her stay at the Sword Sanctum, but there were still moments when her jealousy flared.
"Excuse/Pardon me..."
With Barbara sitting on his right and Ganyu sitting on his left, Paul wasn't entirely sure where to direct his gaze. As a result, he kept his eyes closed, head reclined against the thick padding that surrounded the tub.
Shattering Paul's false meditative state, Ganyu leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered, "It's been a long time since I've bathed with Master. I've missed it..."
"Mmm..."
Wrapping his arms around the shoulders of both girls, Paul pulled them a little closer, silence lingering between them for several seconds before he asked, "So what brings you to Sharia? Not that I mind, mind you..."
Though she didn't respond immediately, her eyes focused on the profile of Paul's face, Ganyu eventually replied, "Beidou has been killed. Most of her fleet has been destroyed, and the remaining ships seized..."
Snapping open his eyes, Paul immediately became more alert as he sat up straight and exclaimed, "What the fuck?" followed by, "Who killed her?" in a much more severe tone.
Nodding her head, Ganyu went on to reveal, "We don't know the specific details as of yet, but we do know she was attacked and defeated by the Sword God, Gal Farion. When we received notice of what had happened, Lady Ningguang immediately ordered me to come to you."
Understanding why Ningguang would send Ganyu rather than waiting for an investigation to be conducted, Paul's expression remained serious as he said, "I'll open the Intersection of Fate tonight. We'll find out the truth from Beidou directly."
Satisfied that Paul had understood Ningguang's intentions, Ganyu's faint smile became more prominent as she nuzzled her head against him and whispered, "Until then, please let me remain at your side..."
"..."x2
Feeling guiltier every time Ganyu spoke, Paul eventually forced a smile as he said, "You know...you could always stay with me. I'd have to be an idiot not to want you around..."
Understanding that Paul was expressing his sincerity, Ganyu's expression melted into a dreamy smile as she uttered, "I'd like that..." before adopting a marginally sadder look and asking, "But what about Lady Ningguang...?"
Answering in Paul's stead, Barbara pointedly remarked, "I don't see the issue here. Paul was the one chosen as our Master, not Ningguang. If he wants you at his side, you should stay."
Though she appreciated Barbara's support, Ganyu kept her focus on Paul, clarity gradually returning to her painting-like irises as she whispered, "If only things were that simple...isn't that right, Master...?"
Exhaling a weary sigh, Paul wanted to refute Ganyu's words but couldn't. As much as a part of him wanted to hide away and indulge himself in a life of lust and sensuality, he just couldn't. The past him might have been able to, but the moment he transcended death and reincarnated into a fantasy world, an ever-expanding list of things he wanted to do had formed in his mind.&nbsp;
Paul had already wasted one life...he couldn't waste another...
Shaking his head, Paul's expression and tone softened as he said, "Forget about that. For now, the only thing that matters is that we're together like this..."
Though his words were a response to Ganyu, Paul made sure to squeeze both her and Barbara before trading kisses with both of them. It had been years since the last time he saw the mesmerizing blunette. He didn't want to waste even a moment fretting over the few negative aspects of his life.
With a beautiful woman in both arms, even reasonable complaints would come across as whining to those envious of his position...
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After lingering in the bath for so long that the water had become cold, Paul led Ganyu and Barbara upstairs to find Jean, Ei, Eula, Razor, Fischl, Roxy, Xiangling, and Ghislaine waiting for them to arrive. Paul had asked Ghislaine to retrieve everyone before getting into the bath, so he gave her a pat on the head while Roxy remarked, "She's beautiful..." in response to seeing Ganyu for the first time.
Feeling a little more confident now that everyone had gathered, Paul playfully retorted, "You all are." before punctuating his statement with a wink. His words and actions managed to elicit a faint blush from the petite Migurdian, but she quickly recovered to ask, "Is it true she can transform into a white beast?" while scrutinizing Ganyu from horn to toe.
Though Ganyu would have readily demonstrated her ability to transform, Paul answered, "Questions like that can wait for later. For now, we need to discuss the reason for Ganyu's visit and our plans for the future. As much as I've enjoyed our stay in Sharia, there is a much larger world waiting for us."
With everyone's attention focused on him, Paul took a moment to make himself comfortable next to Ghislaine before directing Ganyu to sit next to him. Barbara had already taken the initiative to sit next to her sister, so he didn't have to worry about choosing between them.
Once he had made himself comfortable, Paul briefly exchanged glances with everyone around the table as he revealed, "The Sword God has killed Beidou and assisted in the destruction of her fleet. We'll know the specific details once I resurrect her, but-"
Hearing Paul mention resurrecting people, Roxy couldn't help exclaiming, "One moment. What do you mean, 'once I resurrect her.' Resurrection is a God-Ranked Healing Magic."
Though she had been given some insight into the Intersection of Fate and the nature of Visions, this was Roxy's first time hearing about Paul's ability to resurrect the spirits he had summoned. If he were telling the truth, that would put him in a similar category as Perugius, one of the most powerful and influential people in the world.
Before Paul could provide some clarification to counter Roxy's outburst, Ghislaine suddenly squeezed his hand and asked, "Do you intend to fight against the Sword God?" in an audibly nervous tone. She had started to believe that Ei was even more frightening, but Ghislaine still had a deeply rooted fear and respect for Gal's strength. He was, after all, Rank 6 of the Seven Great Powers.
Putting Ghislaine's heart and mind at ease, Paul didn't hesitate to answer, "There's no way in hell I'm fighting Gal at my current level. I might be able to pull it off in five to ten years, but even that's up for debate..."
Though he briefly shifted his gaze to Ei, Paul didn't point out that she was his countermeasure against people on Gal's level. Instead, he went on to add, "Besides, I'm not entirely sure Gal is our enemy, at least not in the truest sense. He's the type of person that only truly cares about fighting against strong opponents. Unless he was ordered to by the King of Asura, I can't see him going out of his way to track us down..."
As much as Paul was lauded as a 'prodigy' by the masses, Gal was one of the few people who knew the truth. Paul could imagine the man hunting him down, but, similar to Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter, the battle-crazed swordsman would wait until he had fully matured before seeking him out.
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, Paul straightened his back a little before hypothesizing, "If I had to guess, Gal was ordered to investigate the Shirone Kingdom where he ultimately encountered Beidou. She isn't the type of woman to back down from a fight, so it isn't unreasonable to think that she was the one to provoke him. After that, well, there's no way in hell the Shirone Kingdom wouldn't take advantage of the situation..."
Having suffered several bruisings due to Beidou's bodacious nature, Paul could easily imagine her picking a fight after Gal called her weak. It would also explain why Ningguang had dispatched Ganyu to ascertain the truth. There was no way she would have been ignorant of Gal's movements, so she was probably the most surprised by Beidou's sudden death.
Imagining the vexed expression on Ningguang's face, Paul couldn't help adopting a faint smile as he went on to explain, "Regardless of the truth, it doesn't change the fact that we need to depart Sharia. If we stay here for much longer, it's only a matter of time before the Nobility begins trying to pressure or tie us to them."
As both Count Schmidt and the Principal of the Ranoa Magic Academy had extended him invitations to attend various galas and other forms of social gatherings, Paul knew he was treading on thin ice. The longer he stayed in Sharia, the more vulnerable his position would become. He was already regarded as the 'Big Boss' of the Western District, so it was only a matter of time before someone risked leveraging their well-being against him.
Nobles would never allow a power beyond their control to prosper in their territory. Not without some extreme benefits.
Directing his gaze to Roxy, Paul's expression and tone became serious as he asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Pardon...?"
Though she wasn't as confused as she was letting on, Roxy wanted to hear what Paul had to say before giving her response. In truth, she had already decided to remain in Sharia and apprentice under Lisa, but she could always change her mind if Paul insisted she come with him.
Deciding to be honest, Paul explained, "You're a competent woman, Roxy, but the Nobility is filled with opportunistic fiends and complete bastards. I don't plan to stay for too long, but there is a good chance you would be jeopardized and harassed if you followed me to the Capital. Depending on how things develop, you may even end up being labeled an international criminal."
Suppressing the part of her that wanted to insist she could take care of herself, Roxy exhaled a muted sigh before answering, "I have also come to realize how weak I am compared to the other members of your Party. Even your cook is at least Saint-Ranked in Fire Magic while I'm struggling to reach the Advanced Rank..."
Before Paul could attempt to console her, Roxy shook her head and said, "Don't. Even if you were being sincere, I wouldn't be able to interpret your words as anything more than pretense. I understand that it's my fault for being weak, so just be prepared. If you don't write frequently, I'll...I'll hunt you to the ends of the world once I become stronger..."
Though she did her best to appear resolute, Roxy began to falter near the end of her statement. The eyes of nearly everyone present were focused on her, so she could feel her face and body heating up as a sudden urge to pull her cap over her face swelled from the back of her mind.
Making things significantly worse for the petite blunette, Ganyu couldn't help remarking, "You don't have to worry. He tries to behave casually, but Master is a very possessive man at heart. Even if you didn't come for him, he would eventually come to you."
With everyone around the table offering some form of acknowledgment to Ganyu's statement, Roxy wasn't the only one feeling embarrassed. He did his best to appear relaxed, but everyone could see that Paul's smile was a little forced as an awkward chuckle emanated from his throat...
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Chapter 94: MI94: Brazen