Mushoku Impact

After playing around to her heart's content, Klee zeroed in on Paul like a homing missile, her expression and tone notably tired as she spread her arms and declared, "Big brother, Paul~! I'm done playing."
Having already risen to his full height upon noticing Klee's approach, Paul returned a smile as he picked up the petite pyromaniac and inquired, "Did you have fun?"
Nodding her head, Klee replied, "Uh-huh~!" while nestling against Paul and gripping his overcoat with her left hand. She was much too young for Paul to consider doing anything to her, but the ruby-red crest carved into her lower abdomen wasn't concerned with such sentiments. Things were manageable for the time being, but Klee would feel lonely to the point of sobbing if Paul didn't hold her for a short while each day.
While caressing the petite blonde's back, Paul exchanged nods with her youthful-looking playmates. The youngest was an Elven girl in her early sixties, but, similar to Klee, she appeared to be between the ages of ten and twelve. It would be another hundred years before her body reached full maturity, and, based on Klee's non-existent development over the last year, it was safe to assume they had similar growth rates.
Interrupting Paul's thoughts, Klee muttered, "Hold me tighter..." in a soft, somewhat dull tone. The smile on Paul's face visibly cramped, but he only hesitated for a moment before giving her a firm squeeze.
"Nnn..."
Feeling a little better, Klee exhaled a lukewarm sigh as she relaxed into Paul's embrace. A strange, aching feeling permeated her body, but the longer Paul held her, the less prominent it became. If she didn't know it would inconvenience him, she would want Paul to continue squeezing her tightly the entire day.
While continuing to caress Klee's back, Paul, accompanied by Lilia, carried her to the reinforced bedchamber she shared with Yoimiya. The two had a similar fondness for explosions and fireworks, so they had been sharing a room ever since Ganyu brought them over.
After around twenty minutes, Paul reached the outside of Yoimiya's room. Lilia immediately took it upon herself to knock in his stead, but there was no answer as most of the girls were preoccupied with preparations for his 'surprise' party.
Though he didn't know exactly what the girls had planned for him, Paul had been aware of the surprise party for weeks. Klee wasn't particularly good at keeping secrets, and neither was Yoimiya. The latter had told Klee not to inform him, but the petite pyromaniac didn't even last twenty-four hours before spilling the beans. After all, except for Jean and Albedo, Paul was effectively Klee's 'most favorite person in the entire world.'
With no response coming from the interior and Klee already fast asleep in his embrace, Paul gave Lilia a nod, prompting her to open the door. When she did, a prominent smell of gunpowder permeated the corridor, but Paul didn't bat an eye or scrunch up his nose. Klee and Yoimiya were among the first to come and visit after he took up residence in the castle, so he frequented the proverbial powderkeg daily.
Prompted by the smell of gunpowder, Klee abruptly opened her eyes and looked around excitedly. The aroma of gunpowder was among her very first memories, so even though she knew Alice had yet to be summoned, she couldn't help looking around in search of her mother.
Realizing she was just in her room, Klee's elf-like ears visibly drooped as she muttered, "Awww...Klee doesn't want to go to sleep yet..."
Suppressing a chuckle, Paul asked, "Then what were you doing just prior to looking around?"
Staring up at Paul, Klee didn't immediately respond to his question. When she did, she left him at a loss for words, stating, "Big brother smells really good..."
Smiling wryly, Paul replied, "So I've heard..." before carrying Klee over to her bed. A disheartened expression appeared on her face as he set her down, but, as a 'big girl,' Klee did her best not to complain or plead for him to continue holding her.&nbsp;
Understanding what the petite blonde was thinking, Paul gently caressed Klee's head and said, "Good girl." in a gentle, soothing tone. He always felt guilty whenever they had to part ways, but he knew it would cause all sorts of problems if he gave in and started pampering her.
Retracting his hand from Klee's head, Paul turned to Lilia and asked, "Can you look after her for a few hours? At least until dinner time."
Without any hesitation, Lilia cupped her hands over her lap and offered a polite bow as she replied, "Certainly. Please, leave it to me."
Resisting the urge to reach out and caress Lilia's head, Paul nodded his own in approval, stating, "Thanks. I can always count on you, Lilia."
Adopting a clearly gratified smile, Lilia bowed her head even lower as she replied, "Of course." in an audibly pleased tone of voice. Paul would never be able to understand it, but few things made Lilia happier than being told she could be relied upon by someone as 'great' as he.
Suppressing his mild discomfort, Paul forced a casual-seeming smile as he met Klee's unblinking stare and said, "Be a good girl and listen to Lilia, okay? I'll see you at dinner."
Nodding her head, Klee responded with a faint, "Okay..." before hanging her head and staring at the floor, clearly disheartened. She really wanted Paul to stay with her, but, much like her mommy and daddy, she knew he had responsibilities outside of playing and looking after her...
Seeing Klee's disheartened reaction, Paul couldn't help feeling agitated. He didn't know if it was because of his past life or because he hadn't been the best of fathers, but there was something about seeing children in low spirits that made him feel restless and annoyed.
Noticing the conflict in Paul's eyes, Lilia deliberately placed herself between him and Klee, a faint yet supportive smile blossoming across her face as she mouthed the words, "Don't worry. She'll be okay."
Forcing a smile, Paul returned a nod before promptly turning around to depart the room. He knew it was insensible to beat himself up over Klee's predicament, so, rather than lamenting over things he could change, Paul began thinking of excuses to turn his surprise party into a gacha spree...
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"You've done well, Hilda. With this, our future and the future of House Boreas are all but secured."
Though he rarely exhibited his affection for his wife, Philip couldn't help smiling as he watched Hilda, still fatigued from the delivery, cradling their most recent child in her arms.
Furrowing her brows, Hilda retorted, "So long as you do not succumb to your brother's schemes..."
Instead of taking offense to his wife's words, Philip responded with a curt nod. At this point, they had the backing of his father, House Notos, and, to a lesser extent, the Royal Family. The only person that could mess things up at this point was himself.
Opening his eyes ever so slightly, Philip stared at the newborn in Hilda's arms, asking, "Have you chosen a name?"
Suppressing a sigh, Hilda stared down at the little girl in her arms and muttered, "I was considering Discordia or Eris...though it is her destiny to be sacrificed for the sake of our family, I hope she will become a strong and unyielding woman. Someone who won't just roll over and accept the fate that has been thrust upon her..."
As the name Discordia was a little too on the nose, Philip smiled as he mused, "Eris Boreas Greyrat...that's a splendid name. I believe Sir Paul would also approve; both of the name and its meaning."
Since Paul had made it transparently clear he would annul the marriage agreement if their daughter were against it, Philip didn't mind giving his wife a bit of freedom to express herself. It would benefit his position if Eris and Paul married, but it wasn't necessary for securing his status as the next Lord of House Boreas. He had already succeeded his brother as Heir Apparent, so he simply needed to avoid being assassinated until his graduation.
Though she was a little annoyed by her husband's remark, Hilda didn't say anything. The truth was that she didn't resent Paul nearly as much as she outwardly projected. If anything, she was a little envious of her daughter, as, even now, she regretted not pushing harder for Paul's attention...if she had managed to leave an impression on him during their first meeting, she would have had a handsome and free-spirited fiance with the prospect of attaining Godhood...
Oblivious to his wife's innermost thoughts, Philip stared pensively at the sleeping infant in her arms. He had made a concerted effort to ensure she was born around the same time as Paul, but he never imagined she would be delivered on the exact day, seventeen days ahead of schedule. He was a little worried this would have an adverse effect on her temperament, but so long as she matured into a beauty, it shouldn't matter too much...
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After traversing the relatively short distance from Klee's room to his own, Paul was unsurprised to find Ghislaine posted outside in a black brassiere and her usual trousers. She immediately noticed his presence, but instead of making way, she adopted a defensive posture and said, "I can't let you pass..." in her usual, husky monotone.
Though he was confident he could get her to stand down if he made it an order, Paul wasn't too insistent as he said, "Just tell Ningguang that I need to speak with her. It's not an emergency, but it's important..."
Since she hadn't been prohibited from passing along messages, Ghislaine nodded her head and replied, "One moment..." before turning around and knocking in a distinct rhythm.
After a very brief moment of silence, the door to Paul's room opened to reveal Ningguang in a stylish white, black, and gold overcoat.
Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly, Ningguang remarked, "You're early." while staring into Paul's as if she could see the thoughts behind them. To demonstrate this wasn't far from the truth, she immediately appended, "I don't particularly mind if you want to go on a summoning spree, but does it have to be tonight? There are plenty of rooms to go around, but it takes time to get everyone up to speed and properly settled."
Stepping out into the corridor, Ningguang shut the door behind her as she asked, "Has Klee's condition deteriorated? I can send Albedo over to give her some medicine..."
Shaking his head, Paul clarified, "She hasn't deteriorated...I just feel like she would be less lonely if her mother were around..."
Though she nodded her head in approval, Ningguang gave Paul a reality check by stating, "Absolutely. However, even if you were to expend all of your resources, there is no guarantee you will summon Klee's mother. I'm all for expanding our ranks, but you would stress yourself out if you went into the IOF and failed to obtain the specific person you were looking for."
Understanding that Paul's turmoil couldn't be resolved with words alone, Ningguang punctuated her words by embracing him and placing her head against his chest. He was the type that couldn't remain irate when others expressed their concern physically, so the moment she wrapped her arms around him, Ningguang could feel Paul's tensions relaxing.
Exhaling a sigh, Paul returned Ningguang's embrace and buried his face into her fragrant, ivory-colored hair. He knew she was right, so while he still intended to go on a summoning spree, he was willing to wait until the following evening. Until then, he intended to enjoy the 'surprise' everyone had gone out of their way to prepare...
Though it was a little early, Ningguang didn't want Paul to wander off and lose himself in his thoughts. Thus, once he had sufficiently calmed down, she released her hold on his body, grabbed his hand, and purred, "I doubt anyone will mind if we start the 'festivities' a little early..."
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"Holy sh-"
"Ah, ah, ah...language."
After gently chastizing Paul, Ningguang turned to address the gallery of beautiful and scantily clad women present, stating, "Our beloved Master has decided to grace us with his presence ahead of schedule. Get in your positions, everyone."
While most everyone began moving around in a hurry, Ningguang guided Paul over to where Kishirika and Kishirisu were seated, musing, "I'll leave him in your care."
Though they were as surprised as everyone else by Paul's sudden arrival, Kishirika and Kishirisu didn't show it. Instead, they adopted near-identical smiles and replied, "Oh, but of course~." in singsong tones.
With the two Demonesses pulling him between them, the smile on Paul's face became slightly awry as he remarked, "Rather than a birthday party, it's starting to seem like I've died and gone to Heaven..."
Drawing their lips to Paul's ears, Kishirika and Kishirisu briefly traced their ruby-red tongues around the interior before whispering, "If you'd like, we can take you pretty close..."
Punctuating their words, Kishirika began to undo the fastener of Paul's trousers while Kishirisu unbuttoned the tunic beneath his overcoat. Their actions earned them a slightly disproving look from Ningguang, but they largely ignored her. So long as Paul permitted them to do as they pleased, no one could protest their actions.
With everyone walking around in bunny suits or incredibly skimpy attire, Paul couldn't be blamed for assuming the surprise party was basically an orgy. He was severely outnumbered, but so long as they didn't line up to take turns, he was fairly confident in his ability to endure.
Interjecting before Paul could be led astray by the twin temptresses, Diona practically shouted, "What do the two of you think you're doing!? That kind of thing is supposed to come 'after' the party! Don't think you can sneak a head start...!"
Prompted by Diona's outburst, everyone in the room directed their gazes toward Paul, Kishirika, and Kishirisu. Not even the two Demon Empresses could endure such an intense pressure, so they immediately ceased their overt seduction attempt, Kishirika smiling wryly as she said, "We were just teasing him a bit. You know, to try and lighten the mood?"
Snorting through her nose, Diona retorted, "Likely story!" before stomping over and planting herself atop Paul's lap. Her actions earned her deadpan stares from Kishirika, Kishirisu, and several others, but Diona just crossed her arms in defiance, declaring, "Don't look at me like that! I'm only sitting here to prevent further misconduct!"
Though Diona's words weren't even remotely compelling, everyone returned to what they were doing beforehand when Ningguang clapped her hands together and appended, "Now, now, we still have a show to put on. Everyone into position."
With everyone turning away from her to complete their respective tasks, Diona couldn't help flashing a faintly triumphant smile. A part of her felt ashamed of what she had done, but she also believed she had done the right thing by preventing Kishirika and Kishirisu from ignoring the plan and doing as they pleased.
Noticing the expression on Diona's face, Kishirisu narrowed her eyes and remarked, "This cheeky cat..."
Prompted by Kishirisu's remark, Kishirika was about to supply a barb of her own when Paul interjected to say, "Relax. Now is neither the time nor the place for an argument. Besides..."
As he already had his arms wrapped around the two Empresses, Paul reached up to grope their nearly naked breasts as he added, "We don't need to have sex to enjoy our time together..."
Punctuating his statement, Paul planted a kiss on Kishirika's lips before turning to Kishirisu a few moments later. He was keenly interested in the preparations being made just meters away, but he knew where his focus was required.
Though they were still a little annoyed by Diona's behavior, Kishirika and Kishirisu promptly discarded the notion of petty revenge. Neither of them was particularly fond of the petite cat girl, but the drinks Diona prepared were enough of a reason to forgive her.&nbsp;
Seeing Paul concentrating his attention on Kishirika and Kishirisu, Diona couldn't help feeling a trace of envy. However, before she could voice a complaint or start grinding against the sizeable bulge poking against her bottom, Paul tilted her head back and proceeded to kiss her. At the same time, Kishirika and Kishirisu began caressing her abdomen, causing Diona to frown until Paul whispered, " It's okay... " in a soothing tone.
Though she felt differently, Diona resisted the urge to protest and instead reached up to hook her left hand around Paul's head and neck. She didn't enjoy others touching her body without permission, but she was willing to endure it so long as Paul continued kissing her...
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With their preparations finished, the mana crystals casting light within Paul's room began to dim, imposing a sense of stillness in the previously chaotic room. Then, just as complete silence had descended, the sound of a lyre began to echo around the room as Venti emerged from behind a partition in a green and white bunnysuit, albeit without the ears.
Noticing Paul staring directly at her, Venti supplied a playful wink as her fingers danced gracefully across the silvery strings of her lyre. She had been designated as the MC(Master of Ceremonies) for the night's events, but she simply couldn't resist giving a performance of her own.
"My heart is like a singing bird~ whose nest is in a watered shoot. My heart is like an apple tree~ whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit. My heart is like a rainbow shell~ that paddles within a halcyon sea. My heart is gladder than all of these~ for my love has come to me~."
Just as it was beginning to seem like Venti's performance would end without incident, the mischievous Archon abruptly tore away the fabric of her bunnysuit to reveal her voluptuous, nearly naked body. She had been 'inspired' by the costumes of Kishirika and Kishirisu, so, when no one was looking, she donned a pair of pasties over her nipples and crotch with the intent of punctuating her performance with a surprise.
As everyone was used to Venti's behavior by now, the principal response from the crowd was a series of sighs. Seemingly oblivious to the reactions of everyone else present, Venti performed a sensual pose with her hands raised, her face red and eyes narrowed as she practically purred, "Happy Birthday, Paul. I hope this evening carries with you for the entire year that follows..."
Returning a smoldering smile, Paul playfully replied, "It's certainly left an impression thus far..."
Though Paul's expression and words caused beads of sweat to begin forming on her body, Venti suppressed her growing urges and did her best to execute her duties as MC, broadcasting, "Then let's keep the excitement going with our first performer, the ever-illustrious Yun Jin~!"
Immediately following Venti's words, the room briefly became pitch black until Yoimiya illuminated the improvised stage with a mana-powered stage light. Lightbulbs weren't really a thing in the world of Mushoku Tensei, but magic crystals were a convenient, albeit very costly, substitute.
Contrasting virtually everyone else, Yun Jin appeared on stage in her usual gothic attire. She took her performances 'very' seriously, so, while she had on a pair of 'special' undergarments, her outerwear and makeup were impeccable, much like her singing voice.
While he wasn't able to understand much of what Yun Jin was saying, primarily due to the fact she sang and spoke in different languages, Paul enjoyed her performance quite a bit. There was something mysterious about the way she enunciated each word, and, thanks to the efforts of Shenhe, Xinyan, Ganyu, and Shinobu, the performance benefitted from the distinct sounds of a zither, shamisen, flute, and drums.
Though the song lasted less than two minutes, even Kishirka and Kishirisu were practically enchanted by Yun Jin's performance. Theatre culture and performance arts had yet to take off within the world of Mushoku Tensei, so unless a musician or a theater buff transmigrated over, there were very few developments in that regard. There was a Bard's College in the Holy Capital of Milishion, but only the most dedicated of Minstrels were willing to fork over the exorbitant entrance fee.
Unable to contain themselves, Kishirika and Kishirisu joined in after Paul initiated a brief ovation. Yun Jin wasn't particularly fond of clapping, but she still performed a flawless curtsy before making her way off the stage and disappearing behind the partition set up as a backstage area. She still had two more songs to perform, but they would be at the middle and end of the other performances.
Directly following Yun Jin's departure, Venti, now wearing a mantle that Ningguang had forced upon her, stepped out to announce that Xinyan would be up next. This immediately got Paul excited, not because he felt Xinyan was a better singer than Yun Jin, but because he had helped her write a number of songs based on those he could remember from his past life.
With a shamisen that had been modified to sound identical to an electric guitar, Shinobu on the drums, and Hu Tao on the bass, Xinyan was able to perform a remarkably faithful rendition of the pop-rock song 'Girlfriend' by Avril Lavigne. They even used a variation of Voice Magic, taught to them by Ghislaine, to amply their voices, similar to a microphone. As a result, the trio gave off the impression of a legitimate punk-rock band, complete with wild hairstyles and an abundance of spiked accessories.
Though the performance only lasted three and a half minutes, Xinyan was out of breath and caked in sweat by the song's end. This was far from her first 'live' performance, but singing her heart out while wearing little more than a bikini top and loincloth increased her excitement ten, maybe even a hundredfold. The content of the song also sounded like she was issuing a challenge to every other girl present, so Xinyan needed to be supported by Hu Tao to avoid passing out after their collective bow...
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After several additional performances, ranging from traditional songs to elegant dances and stripteases, the crystals within Paul's room gradually regained their luminance. He was a little reluctant to have things end, but Ningguang promptly reminded him that he was expected at dinner. Klee and Sayu hadn't been permitted to participate in the birthday celebration, so he was supposed to be eating dinner with them, Lilia, and a few others.
Though he was still a little reluctant, Paul would rather deprive himself of a good time than see Klee in a depressive state after he failed to show up for dinner. He also knew an exhilarating night waited for him upon his return, so, after a quick romp with Yae and Ei, primarily to get his boner under control, Paul took a bath and hurried over to the main banquet hall.&nbsp;
Having calmed down a bit after their previous separation, Klee was in high spirits by the time Paul burst into the hall, followed closely by Ganyu. She was one of the only people not actively partaking in Paul's not-so-secret birthday party, as, compared to most of the other girls from the IOF, she spent a considerable amount of time at his side.
Adopting a smile that could rival the Sun with its radiance, Klee shouted, "Big brother~!" as she dropped out of her chair and sprinted over to him with her arms spread like wings. Sayu, Lilia, and Falina were also present, but they elected to stay in their seats and observe the scene with varying degrees of a smile.
Since she had run headlong into his knees in the past, Paul bent down to receive Klee with open arms. His efforts were rewarded with a headbutt to the chest, but the pain disappeared almost immediately as Klee buried her face into the fabric of his tunic, stating, "I missed you..." with as much sincerity as she could manage.
Wrapping his arms around the petite pyromaniac's body, Paul replied with a faint, "I missed you as well..." before picking her up a few moments later and carrying her back to the table...
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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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Chapter 195: MI195: Teetering