Mushoku Impact

Just as the silvery-haired Cambion was about to answer Paul's question, a heavily scarred man with red leathery skin, devil-like horns, and pointed ears walked over to say, "Aye, what do we have 'ere? A young lhrd and his lasses? Eider way, it's ten scraps an hour 'n wan iron fhr de night."&nbsp;
Looking toward the fork-tongued man, Paul briefly noted the scars on the man's face, the severely worn quality of his thief-like attire, and the series of knives poorly concealed beneath his overcoat. His right eye and part of his right horn were missing, but the feature that stood out the most was his smile. The man had incredibly sharp-looking teeth, but, unlike Kishirika and Kishirisu, the man's resembled yellow, severely stained needles.
Understanding who the man was, Paul's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he inquired, "Are you this woman's handler?"
Brandishing a devilish smile, the man replied, "Aye, dat is chrrect. Now, do we have a deal hr what?"
"Hmmm..."
Instead of responding to the man, Paul returned his gaze to the Cambion woman kneeling with her body hunched over. Compared to her front, her back was a latticework of scars. Several still had scabs and oozed puss, but, as fucked up as her situation was, helping her wasn't necessarily the best course of action. After all, everyone outside of his 'knowledge' was a potential plant by Hitogami...
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, Paul ignored the annoyed-looking handler, kneeling in front of the woman to ask the same question he had asked many others, "Tell me...what is your dream? If you had the power to achieve anything, what would you do with it...?"
Aggravated by Paul's behavior, the devilish-looking man flicked his forked tongue before hissing, "Oi! This isn't a social, mate! If you're not 'ere to do business, den piss awf with yh...!"
Reacting to the man's words, a few other Demons began surrounding Paul and his group. The quality of their equipment made the thugs more than a little hesitant, but they couldn't just ignore someone behaving brazenly on their turf.
Realizing that the Cambion was too scared to answer him in the presence of the people exploiting her, a faint sigh emanated from Paul's throat. The woman's behavior indicated that she had resolved herself to her fate. She could still change, but she lacked the willpower and determination to rise without assistance.
Rising to his feet, Paul pretended not to notice the men surrounding him as he eyed the other women and children lining the streets or peering out from alleyways. The Cambion was far from the only person who needed a helping hand, so, as much as he wanted to help, there were limits to what he could do without taking drastic action.
Just as Paul was about to turn around and tell the devilish man and his goons to move aside, a faint, almost inaudible voice reached his ears. He couldn't make out the first few words, but as he half-turned to stare down at the emaciated Cambion, he could hear her weakly reply, "I would make sure none had to suffer as I have..."
Hearing the woman's words alongside Paul, the devilish man sneered as he said, "What d'yh mean, suffer? Me 'n me boys've been takin' good care of yh fhr years!"
Standing between the man and the kneeling Cambion, Paul's expression hardened as he said, "Enough." Then, before the red-skinned man could react, he pulled out an Asura Gold Coin and flicked it with enough force to graze the man's ear and embed it into the building behind him as he said, "Take that and piss off."
Though a few of the surrounding thugs were tempted to escalate things when Paul revealed he had gold coins in his possession, none were daring enough to make the first move. Not even the red-skinned man whose ear had been cut dared to complain, as, the moment Paul turned around to flick the golden coin, his eyes briefly shifted to his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Realizing that Paul wasn't someone he should mess with, the red-skinned Demon cupped his hands together and bowed like a greedy merchant as he said, "Thank you fhr yhr business." An Asuran Gold Coin was more than he would make whoring out the Cambion woman every night for six years, so, as far as he was concerned, Paul had just purchased damaged goods off his hands at a premium.
After retrieving the gold coin from the wall behind him, the red-skinned man gestured for his men to follow him, 'pissing off' as Paul had advised. The man knew he was pushing his luck when he initially confronted Paul, so he didn't want to be around when the latter realized just how damaged the goods he was purchasing were.
Ignoring the man's retreat, Paul extended his hand toward the Cambion woman, asking, "Can you stand...?" in a soft tone.&nbsp;
Though she could sense Paul's aura, the Cambion woman couldn't make out his stretched hand. As a result, she kept her emaciated body hunched as she replied, "Forgive me, milord..."
Shaking his head, Paul replied, "It's fine..." before looking to Ganyu and asking, "Can you treat her?"
Adopting her characteristically gentle smile, Ganyu replied, "I could cast Healing Magic on her, but she lacks the stamina and nutrients to support the regenerative process. For now, I suggest we take her someplace safe and start her on a proper diet. Healing Magic is at its most effective when the target is healthy."
As he was well acquainted with the banes and boons of Healing Magic, Paul just nodded in response to Ganyu's explanation before taking a knee in front of the Cambion and asking, "Do you mind if I pick you up...?"
Surprised that Paul would even bother asking, the Cambion woman didn't immediately respond to his question. When she did, her voice was audibly trembling with emotion as she replied, "Thank you..."
Interpreting the woman's words as assent, Paul habitually nodded before picking up her heartbreakingly thin and light body in a princess carry. She was fairly petite, only around 156cm, but her weight made her feel much, much smaller. Paul didn't know her precise weight, but she couldn't have been more than 35, maybe 36kgs...
Sparing one last look at the others lining the street, Paul shook his head, suppressing his guilt as he turned to Ei and Ganyu, saying, "Let's go." in a firm tone. Even helping the Cambion woman was already going against his usual policy, but his intuition was telling him she had the potential to be a significant person in the future. At the very least, he intended to give her a chance...
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"Have you gone soft in the head? Fort Necross isn't a daycare or a place where you can invite outsiders to stay at your leisure. Just how badly do you want to piss my men off?"
After hearing Paul's report, Atofe couldn't help staring at him with a hint of disdain in her ruby-red eyes. She knew Paul was a busybody, but bringing a prostitute to Fort Necross and expecting the troops within to protect her was beyond laughable. Many already resented him for keeping a group of powerful and beautiful women to himself; keeping a legitimate prostitute from them was crossing the line.
Understanding Atofe's concerns, Paul pulled out a large pouch containing one hundred Asura Gold Coins, stating, "The supplies I've provided to you and your men should be more than enough compensation. However, if the concern is a lack of female 'personnel,' this should be enough to obtain and accommodate hundreds. My only request is that they be treated well, not as pieces of meat."
"..."
Accepting the rather hefty bag of gold, Atofe briefly considered her words before remarking, "This will undoubtedly go a long way toward appeasing my troops. However, it isn't the lack of females that gets men riled up. It's the thought that others are keeping the 'best' women for themselves..."
Shrugging his shoulders, Paul replied, "Yeah, and? It makes me sick just making this kind of arrangement. If I didn't respect your position, do you think I would waste my time trying to appease asshats who view women as some kind of trophy to be obtained?"
Not wanting to argue, Atofe set the bag of gold aside and said, "I'll have Bhathia take care of it. Just try not to pick up any additional strays during your stay in the fortress. I realize it's in your nature, but you aren't here to play Hero. Finish your training, and then you can do whatever the hell you want."
As he could understand how his actions put Atofe in a difficult position, Paul nodded his head and replied, "I intend to do precisely that. Meeting and helping Falina was pure happenstance. I don't intend to make a habit of it."
Though she was tempted to point out that 'happenstance' was probably the greatest threat to Paul's ambitions, Atofe didn't feel like lecturing him. There were far more productive things they could be doing with their free time, so, after a moment of silence, she adopted a mischievous smile and asked, "What are you doing after this...?"
Adopting a smile of his own, Paul replied, "Well, if it will keep you from harping over my decisions, I suppose the most pertinent response would be 'you.' At the very least, that was my intention..."
Understanding what Paul was trying to imply, Atofe narrowed her eyes as she asked, "So, what you're trying to say is that the penultimate decision is mine to make? Is that it...?"
Nodding his head, Paul answered, "While a bit of forcefulness can be a good thing, consent supersedes everything. Even if I had the power to take you by force, nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from knowing a strong and competent woman desires you in equal measure..."
Though she was the type that believed the strong should take what they want, Atofe would be lying if she said Paul's words didn't give her a slight sense of gratification. Having a partner that exceeded her in strength but treated her with respect didn't sound all that bad...
Spreading her legs in an unladylike yet alluring manner, Atofe narrowed her eyes even further as she mused, "You talk too much. At moments like this, actions speak louder than words..."
Exhaling through his nose, Paul's smile revealed a trace of helplessness as he kneeled in front of Atofe and placed his hands on her knees. She could grant herself functionally infinite pleasure, but stimulation was only one aspect of sex. There were also psychological aspects, so, instead of trying to 'conquer' Atofe like some kind of hentai game protagonist, Paul plucked at her heartstrings by willfully demonstrating some of the service techniques Lisa had ingrained into him.
As much as Atofe enjoyed forcing people against their will, her heart fluttered the most when otherwise proud and assertive people treated her tenderly. Most men only cared about themselves, so Paul's meticulous yet passionate ministrations amused and excited her to no end...
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Though she couldn't see it, Falina, the Cambion woman rescued by Paul, trembled as she 'stared' at the contents of the bowl she had been given. Most people within the Demon Continent would be lucky to eat meat even once a month, but here she was with her second bowl of meat stew, some of the most delicious she had ever eaten.
Noticing Falina's hesitation, Ganyu adopted a sad smile and stated, "This is not a dream. Please, continue eating. You'll need to regain your strength if I am to use Healing Magic on you."
Shifting her 'gaze' toward Ganyu, Falina's voice was tettered on a sob as she inquired, "Why me? Surely there are people more deserving than I..."
Shaking her head, Ganyu insisted, "Everyone deserves to be happy. You have simply been given a chance to obtain it ahead of others. If you feel obligated to repay our Master in the future, do so by obtaining happiness and helping to better the lives of others. Attempting to repay him through dedication or service will only encumber him..."
Though she didn't grasp the broader meaning of Ganyu's words, Falina nodded her head to imply her understanding. She knew she was beyond fortunate to have been picked up by someone willing to feed and nourish her, so, even if Paul discarded her the moment she was healed, she would never, ever forget his kindness...
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"We refuse."
After hearing Paul's request to restore Falina's eyesight, Kishirika and Kishirisu immediately shot him down.
Furrowing his brows, Paul asked, "Why? With your ability to grant Demon Eyes, restoring someone's vision shouldn't be difficult."
Exchanging glances, Kishirika and Kishirisu silently determined which of them would speak before looking back at Paul, the latter explaining, "You said it yourself. That Cambion woman exists outside your foreknowledge, so there is a chance she's part of Hitoshit's plot. We don't mind you taking people under your wing, but it should never directly involve us."
Understanding where the duo was coming from, Paul didn't attempt to argue. In matters concerning Hitogami, it was always better to be safe than sorry. More importantly, Falina had been born blind some seventy years prior, so while vision would doubtlessly aid her, it wasn't something she couldn't live without.
After rationalizing things within his mind, Paul gave a slight nod and said, "I should be able to figure something out from my end. Sorry for troubling the two of you."
Mirroring one another, Kishirika and Kishirisu frowned, the former going on to state, "It isn't so much that you're troubling us. We do want to help. It's just...you know..."
Nodding his head a second time, Paul replied, "I know. I just figured I might as well ask. It's not like I expected you to comply. Rather, I knew from the start that you would probably refuse."
Since the duo had made it very clear they didn't intend to take action until Hitogami had been defeated, Paul wasn't even remotely surprised by their refusal. However, it was often better to ask and be told no than to assume a negative response.
Finished with what he had to say, Paul prepared to depart the duo's room, stating, "Well, I promised Ghislaine we would cuddle a bit. She going into heat soon, so she's been feeling increasingly agitated."
Though they were a little annoyed that Paul was leaving them to spend time with another woman, Kishirika and Kishirisu had gradually come to terms with the fact they couldn't monopolize him. Before he could leave, however, the former called out to him, stating, "Badi has been spotted in the capital. He was last seen entering the underground with an unknown human girl."
Interrupting Paul's response, Kishirisu appended, "We already informed Zhongli and had her reinforce the passage connecting the castle to the underground labyrinth. We just wanted to let you know. Whether or not you decide to track Badi down or await his arrival is up to you."
Furrowing his brows, Paul inhaled a deep breath before exhaling to utter, "It's just one thing after another..."
Exhibiting no sympathy, Kishirika remarked, "This is the natural course of events. Unless you isolate yourself from the world and have no interaction with the outside, there will always be individuals seeking to undermine or take advantage of you. It is through overcoming these obstacles that you obtain true power. Now, run along. You shouldn't keep your kitten waiting."
"..."
Though he got the impression Kishirika was trying to get him to stay, Paul only hesitated for a moment before bidding the twin Empresses adieu. He had already promised to spend the afternoon with Ghislaine and Lynette, so, as much as he wished he could just create a bunch of shadow clones to spend time with everyone, he had to prioritize those he made promises with.
Being in a relationship with fifty-odd women didn't exactly permit Paul the luxury of favoritism and sentimentality...
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With the expectation that Badigadi could appear at any moment, Paul spent all of Winter and most of Spring on high alert. His primary focus was his daily training, but he also coordinated with Ningguang to overhaul and strengthen the castle's security. This primarily involved sending over personnel and resources, but she also took time out of her busy schedule to come over and check things out for herself.
Paul initially believed that Kishirika and Kishirisu would disapprove of Ningguang's traveling to the Demon Continent to oversee the changes to their castle. Instead, the duo embraced her with open arms after a single private conversation. This wasn't too surprising, as Ningguang was 'very' charismatic, but Paul was still a little caught off guard when he arrived at Kishirika's and Kishirisu's chambers to find Ningguang waiting alongside them, naked as the day she was summoned.
Contrasting their resentment toward Zhongli, Kishirika and Kishirisu were genuinely impressed by Ningguang's wisdom and disposition. When Paul asked the reason, they explained it was a matter of age. Zhongli was over six thousand years old, so while she possessed tremendous knowledge, that was to be 'expected' for someone her age. Ningguang, inversely, was only around 34 years old. Her knowledge was comparably limited, but her insight and queenly disposition gave people the impression she could rule the entire world.
Though they pinned most of the blame on Hitogami, Kishirka and Kishirisu had long come to terms with the reality they weren't suited to ruling over others. More accurately, they had come to realize that those with strong ties to the past were unsuited to rule over people in the present. Societies prospered when their people had their sights set on the future. Monarchs that ruled for hundreds, if not thousands, of years without introducing any meaningful changes were just holding their people back.
With the twin Empresses' support, Ningguang brought in a staff of over one hundred people to help maintain Kishirika Castle. What surprised the two Empresses was that most of the personnel Ningguang brought over were Elves, Dwarves, and other long-lived species. Paul had informed her of Kishirika's and Kishirisu's intention to remain hidden until Hitogami's defeat. Hence, most of the people Ningguang brought over were prepared to spend upwards of a hundred years within the castle.
While most humans would shudder at the notion of being 'trapped' within a castle for a hundred years, it was considered a tremendous opportunity by those Ningguang brought over. The vast majority were slaves that had spent decades in the service of mankind's insatiable greed and desire, so a hundred years to establish a community outside of humanity's influence was a dream come true. They were expected to assist with Albedo's and Sucrose's experimentations, but their primary duties involved maintaining a self-cleaning castle, preparing meals, manufacturing magical items, and practicing Magic...
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With Atofe giving him the day off to celebrate his birthday, Paul elected to spend the early afternoon supervising Klee as she played with a group of Dwarf and Elven 'children.' Most of them were several decades, if not over a hundred years old, but they didn't mind humoring Klee as her bright and sunny disposition reminded them of happier times.
Seeing through Paul's thoughts, Lilia inquired, "Are you thinking about the Young Master and Mistress?"
Though he nodded his head, Paul replied, "Not just them. I'm also worried about Amalie, Esme, and the triplets. The longer Badi remains hidden, the more I regret not sending Ei and Zhongli to hunt him down..."
"Mmm..."
Not sure what to say, Lilia just closed her eyes and leaned against Paul's shoulder. She hadn't given up on becoming stronger, but she had come to terms with the fact she would never reach the level of Paul and his many Spirits. Thus, rather than throwing herself mindlessly into swordsmanship training, she spent an increasing amount of time reinforcing her skillset as a Governess. She didn't know if Paul would ever settle down and focus on raising his children, but if he ever did, she would be prepared.
Looking down at the burgundy-haired beauty using his left shoulder as a headrest, Paul couldn't help smiling affectionately. She might not be able to compare to literal Goddesses, but Lilia's attractiveness increased with each passing year...
Lowering his gaze even further, Paul internally remarked, ("It isn't just her beauty that's increasing...")
Sensing the subtle shift in Paul's intent, a faint smile developed across Lilia's face as she whispered, "It is your birthday...if there's anything you would like me to do, you need only ask..."
Though she would agree to Paul's requests on any day of the year, Lilia didn't mind making an 'extra' effort on his birthday. She generally did her best to remain in the background, permitting Paul's many other women to enjoy his attention, but that didn't mean she had given up being with him. Rather, the more Paul accomplished, the more confident Lilia was about her decision to serve him.
As tempting as Lilia's invitation was, Paul didn't hesitate to reply, "Let's wait until tonight. If I'm not here when she's finished playing, Klee won't be happy..."
Instead of feeling disappointed by Paul's response, Lilia's smile became noticeably more prominent. A promise from Paul was worth its weight in gold, so she could look forward to a passionate and exhilarating evening. The only question was whether or not they would be alone or attended by several others...
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Staring at the outfit Ningguang had asked them to change into, Kishirika and Kishirisu couldn't help exchanging looks, the former asking, "Is this really necessary? I thought humans only celebrated their fifth, tenth, and fifteenth birthdays?"
Without missing a beat, Ningguang readily replied, "Now, now, Kishirika. It's essential that Paul knows how grateful we are for his efforts. He might be selfish at times, but he's doing his utmost to create a better world for everyone. Actions such as this are what give him the strength to continue pushing forward."
Though she could see where Ningguang was coming from, a deadpan expression formed on Kishirika's face as she eyed the outfits prepared for her and Kishirisu. Nearly everyone had been given a bunny suit, but the variant assigned to them appeared to be inverted. They were given heart-shaped stickers to cover their nipples and crotch, but everything else that was supposed to be covered was on full display.
Amused by the twin Empresses' hesitation, a playful smile developed across Ningguang's face as she explained, "The two of you frequently wear outfits even skimpier than these bunny suits. I also reasoned that you would want to stand out from the rest of us, so I had those specially prepared for your Majesties."
Unable to refute Ningguang's words, Kishirika and Kishirisu exchanged glances before exhaling in mock exasperation. They honestly didn't mind wearing the outfit Ningguang had prepared for them. What bothered them was that they would be wearing them among a group of more than twenty other women. If Paul ended up choosing to spend his evening with others despite their 'sacrifice,' they would lose a lot of face.
Looking around at the other girls present, Kishirika's and Kishirisu's eyes briefly locked onto Xinyan. Unlike the majority of women present, Xinyan was wearing a black loincloth and a top that barely covered her breasts. It resembled a dancer's outfit from the Begaritt Continent, but it covered significantly less than the traditionally scant garb.
Noticing the duo's gazes, a layer of pink spread through Xinyan's cheeks as she covered her modest breasts with one hand and her Pyro Crest with the other. She usually wasn't bashful, but being surrounded by dozens of beautiful and voluptuous women made her feel a little self-conscious.
Clicking their tongues, Kishirika and Kishirisu were half-tempted to bully Xinyan into skipping out on the surprise party but quickly suppressed the urge. They had been doing their best to get along with the members of Paul's extended harem, so, even though they felt Xinyan was 'cheating' by behaving in a manner that contrasted her appearance, there wasn't much they could do about it. Besides, Xinyan was far from the greatest 'threat' present...
Shifting their gazes to one of the only other girls not wearing a bunny suit, Kishirika and Kishirisu deadpanned as they observed Diona napping in a diamond-shaped halter top, white stockings, and panties that had a paw print on the front. Her outfit was fairly plain compared to everyone else's, but that, combined with her small stature, made her stand out more than if she had been completely naked...
Oblivious to the stares directed at her by the two Empresses, Diona lazily scratched the pale blue crest pulsating on her lower abdomen. She didn't doubt that Paul would invite her back to his room, so, while everyone else was making preparations for the party, she was getting as much sleep as possible...
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After slicing his way from one side of the ravine to the other, Paul looked back to observe the destruction he had wrought. Hundreds of bodies now littered the ground, and while they were all monsters, it was still a jarring sight to behold.
Before Paul had time to reflect on his actions, Atofe dropped down next to him with a hero's landing, cracking the ground with her right knee and fist before rising to her full height and remarking, "Well done. An A-Rank Party would have taken days to clear out this many monsters, but you managed to cut your way from one side to the other in under two hours."
Shaking his head, Paul countered, "That's because they would need to set up a defensive encampment to collect materials and burn corpses...what I did amounts to little more than a pointless slaughter..."
Adopting a faint smile, Atofe replied, "You're not wrong. However, it wasn't entirely pointless. The snakes you killed utilized this ravine as a breeding pit. The females can lay up to three hundred eggs in a single clutch, so we have little choice but the cull their numbers before things get out of hand. Failing to do so would result in a monster wave."
As it wasn't uncommon for certain breeds of monsters to reproduce very, very quickly, Paul wasn't surprised by Atofe's words. In response, he just closed his eyes, regulating his breathing and deactivating his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. They required very little Mana to keep active, but his brain would eventually feel as though it was vibrating, followed by intense feelings of stress and anxiety.
Waiting until Paul had calmed down, Atofe revealed, "Your equipment is with that goat woman. Once you've cleaned yourself up, make your way Eastward to the town of Makris. I informed the Guildmaster that you and your Party would be dealing with the annual snake extermination, so he'll be waiting to hear your report. If he gives you any crap, feel free to rough him up a bit."
Finished with what she had to say, Atofe gave Paul an unnecessarily firm pat on the shoulder, snickering as she said, "See you tomorrow, Mr. King's Greatsword..."
Without another word, Atofe spread her wings and took to the sky like a missile, her laughter briefly echoing through the ravine until she reached a distance where it was no longer audible to Paul. Shortly after that, Ganyu and Ei descended into the ravine, both appearing to defy gravity as they landed silently and gracefully next to him...
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Contrasting how they initially treated one another, Kishirika and Kishirisu now got along exceptionally well. Both were borderline egomaniacs, but as they were technically the same individual, they got off on teasing and fooling around with each other.
After spending part of the morning helping Sucrose set up her lab in the atelier previously used by Laplace, Kishirika and Kishirisu returned to their shared chambers for some bonding time. It was difficult for them to focus on things like research for prolonged periods, so, with people like Sucrose more than happy to delve into Laplace's research on bio-alchemy, the duo spent most of their time lazing about and getting to know one another.
Though she had people like Atena, Azura, Vahka, and Vashti to keep her company, being trapped within her castle for four hundred years hadn't been easy on Kishirisu. There were times when minor disputes would lead to her and the Guardians not speaking to each other for years, so, in many ways, she had lived a life even more isolated than Kishirika.
As stressful as being ignored by her people was, the presence of other races meant Kishirika almost always had someone to speak to or interact with. Several had attempted to take advantage of or enslave her, but she was generally able to outsmart them and escape before things could get too out of hand. Thus, while she was isolated among her people, she was able to live relatively free and unfettered despite the curses Laplace had placed on her.
Fortunately for Laplace, though she still intended to give him a piece of her mind, Kishirika had already forgiven him for cursing her. Both had the objective of defeating Hitogami, so while she was still a little salty about being treated as a distraction, Kishirika no longer resented him. Instead, she directed all of her hatred and frustration toward Hitogami, the being responsible for manipulating Badigadi into killing her, destroying half the world, and fracturing the original Laplace's soul...
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Interrupting Kishirka's and Kishirisu's naked skinship, Fayde appeared out of thin air, her expression a cold deadpan as she informed, "Your Imperial Majesties, there is a matter I must report..."
Though they were more than a little annoyed by Fayde's interruption, the two violet-haired Demonesses sat up, stating, "Out with it." with identical timing.
Snorting through her nose, Fayde made a show of rolling her eyes and crossing her arms as she revealed, "One of my familiars has spotted Lord Badigadi entering an underground passage alongside a young human girl. Just thought you should know..."
Understanding the significance of Badi traveling with a human, Kishirika and Kishirisu narrowed their eyes, the former remarking, "That big dumb oaf never learns..."
Though she felt the same way, Kishirisu attempted to ease tensions by stating, "Even if Hitoshit is guiding them, they shouldn't be able to enter the castle. Laplace personally restructured the underground pass to only allow passage in one direction. Unless he retrieves the Golden Armor and the Sword of Aldebaran, Badi shouldn't be able to penetrate the castle's defenses on his own."
Shaking her head, Kishirika retorted, "But he isn't alone. That girl he's with likely has an ability that will allow him to enter the castle. If not, she must be important in some other way. We need to figure out how."
While she could see where Kishirika was coming from, Kishirisu shook her head and said, "I disagree. With Hitoshit's foresight, it's better if we stay off his radar and leave things to Paul. We know he can't see what's going on in the castle, so we should resolve ourselves to stay inside until he has been defeated."
Shifting her gaze to Fayde, Kishirisu added, "Inform Zhongli to meet us in the throne room. We'll be there in 20-30 minutes."
With a somewhat begrudging expression, Fayde lowered her head and replied, "As you will..." before disappearing using her unique teleportation method. Her standoffishness gave the impression she might betray the duo at any time, but neither Kishirika nor Kishirisu were concerned. After all, few resented Hitogami more than the Spirits.
Following Fayde's departure, Kishirisu turned to Kishirika and said, "We have already entrusted this matter to Paul. I understand your desire to help, but anything we do could be playing right into Hitoshit's plans..."
Rolling her eyes, Kishirika lamented, "I am well aware of that..." before regaining her smile and asking, "Now, where were we...?"
Adopting a smile of her own, Kishirisu reached between Kishirika's thighs and replied, "Somewhere around here~?"
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Staring at his updated Guild Card, a somewhat melancholic smile marred Paul's face as he remarked, "Even though I just ran through a horde of B-Rank monsters on my own, it doesn't feel like I should be A-Rank..."
Disagreeing vehemently, Ei stated, "Were it not for the Guild's regulations and requirements, you would be S-Rank by default."
Exhaling a light chuckle, Paul placed his Guild Card away as he replied, "I suppose you're right. It just feels weird to receive credit for completing a bunch of quests without accepting them..."
Shaking his head, Paul did his best to suppress his usual negativity as he turned to Ei and Ganyu, smiling as he said, "We still have a bit of daylight to burn. I know it's a little out of the blue, but would the two of you like to accompany me for a date?"
Without needing to consider their responses, Ganyu and Ei both smiled, the former answering, "Of course," while the latter replied with a curt, "It would be my honor."
Ignoring the looks of jealousy he received from a few random bystanders, Paul extended his arms to the two girls. Then, for the better part of three hours, they just walked around aimlessly sampling food and purchasing a few souvenirs. There wasn't much to do in the Demon Continent besides getting drunk or larking about in the Red Light District, but that didn't stop the trio from enjoying themselves.
Fortunately, while many gave Paul the stink eye during the impromptu date, no one attempted to harass him or the girls. The equipment they wore drew considerable attention, but it also served as a warning to any who would dare to accost them. After all, while anyone could wear high-quality equipment, only those with genuine strength would dare to traipse about without a care in the world.
While Paul didn't consider himself strong, he suffered from the pitfall of only comparing himself to people who were stronger than him. He was so far beyond the standards of an ordinary person that he might as well be a monster. However, with people like Ei constantly surrounding him, Paul couldn't help feeling like he was climbing a mountain that curved away from its face, effectively forcing him to ascend upside down as he aimed for a peak he could barely even fathom...
Though he was a little distracted, Paul could sense when people were paying attention to him even without a heads up from Ganyu or Ei. As a result, he could sense the gaze of someone locking onto him. However, when he looked over, he found a severely scarred woman with a slender frame, silvery-white hair that framed her face and flared outward above her shoulders, pointed ears that had sustained numerous cuts, and short black horns that curved away from her head.
Due to the extreme conditions of the Demon Continent, it wasn't rare to encounter people with disabilities or downtrodden individuals suffering from homelessness. Many Demons became Adventurers at a very young age, so, as unpleasant as it was to imagine, there were many towns where the number of orphans living on the street exceeded those living in actual orphanages.
Though it frequently made him feel like a bag of dicks, Paul had learned to ignore the plights of others unless they were under his care or jurisdiction. He would occasionally hand out alms, but he understood that most of the money he handed out ended up in the hands of the people exploiting the children behind the scenes. Thus, unless they were in dire need or under attack, he would generally turn a blind eye to the many Demons suffering from extreme poverty throughout the Demon Continent.
While the woman's physical condition garnered Paul's attention, the thing that held his intrigue was the fact she was 'staring' at him despite a black, severely tattered blindfold covering her eyes. There was a chance it was thin enough to see through, but the line of dirt between the woman's face and the fabric implied it was rarely removed.
Seemingly recognizing that Paul, Ei, and Ganyu were staring at her, the silvery-haired girl lowered her head and body steeply as she muttered, "Oh, great ones...please have mercy..."
Though such appeals weren't uncommon, Paul only hesitated for a brief moment before making his way over to the kneeling woman and asking, "Are you blind...?"
Without raising her head, the woman replied, "I have never observed the world's splendor, but I have been able to discern the presence of others since I was small..."
Providing some clarity to the woman's statement, Ganyu revealed, "She is a Cambion, a cross between a Succubus and a Human. Most Succubi only give birth to other Succubi, but there are cases such as this where a child is born with the traits of both parents."
In response to Ganyu's words, the silver-haired woman began to tremble, her body visibly tensing as if she was prepared to be hit or stomped upon. The countless cuts and scars covering her body made it apparent she had good reason to be frightened, but harming her was the last thing on Paul's mind as he asked, "What's your name?"
...
..
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Chapter 193: MI193: Stray