Mushoku Impact

Though he knew Ningguang was pretty serious about the training of their personnel, Paul couldn't help exhaling a dry chuckle when he noticed the 'procession' awaiting him at the docks. The carriage she prepared looked more like an ornate, heavily armored train car than something pulled by a horse.
If the carriage wasn't eye-catching enough, the people that would be escorting Paul were lined up in a military formation, fully geared up and standing at attention. Their presence had drawn a rather large crowd, so Paul stood a little straighter and wore a practiced smile when it came time to disembark the ship.
Reacting to Paul's arrival, a raven-haired man with distinct purple eyes and slightly pointed ears shouted, "Attention!" prompting the entire group to give a knight's salute.
Approaching the group, Paul's icy blue and violet eyes glistened as he sized up the presumed leader of the convoy. The man had sharp features and exuded the aura of someone on the cusp of becoming a Saint, but the thing that stood out most was his attire. He was garbed in brown, red, and gold-trimmed armor, reminiscent of the Millelith from Genishin, but what caught Paul's attention was the presence of elemental energy emanating from each article of cloth and armor.
Interrupting Paul's thoughts, the raven-haired man lowered his head and said, "My name is Dimsaul Wanderwood, Captain of the Teyvat Trading Company's 2nd Escort Platoon. It is an honor to stand in the presence of the King's Greatsword..."
Recalling the social and etiquette training from his youth, Paul gave an approving nod as he said, "As personnel hand-picked by Ningguang, we have high expectations for you and your platoon, Captain."
Raising his head, Dimsaul adopted a faint smile as he responded, "It is a privilege to be entrusted with such an important task. Even if Sir Greyrat and his companions are more than capable of taking care of themselves."
Nodding in approval, Paul shifted his gaze to the oversized carriage that would be transporting them, asking, "Is this one of Albedo's prototypes? How did you get it here so quickly? It hasn't even been three weeks since I informed Ningguang of my intent to travel back via the land route."
Having anticipated Paul's inquiry, Dimsaul's smile became noticeably more prominent as he answered, "We have the venerable Lady Ping to thank for that. The carriage and boot(the luggage compartment of a carriage) can be shrunken down when not in use. At their absolute smallest, they can fit in the palm of one's hand."
Resisting the urge to slap his forehead, Paul replied, "Of course. I should have suspected Lady Ping's involvement..."
Changing the topics, Paul asked, "How soon can we depart? Given your current arrangement, I'm assuming preparations have been completed?"
Bowing his head slightly, Dimsaul answered, "We are ready to move at Sir Paul's command."
"Then let us be on our way," said Paul. "We only have two months before the Rainy Season begins. The flooding might not impact us much, but I'd like to reach the Blue Dragon Mountain Range within three weeks."
Though it typically took around a month to travel from Zanto Port to the Blue Dragon Mountain Range, Paul was confident they could complete the journey faster since the carriages manufactured in Teyvat didn't require horses or other animals to draw them. They still had them, but their actual power source was a prototype magi-electric engine developed by Albedo, Thoma, and Kusanali.
With his orders received, Dimsaul gave a steep bow, responding, "As you will, Sir Greyrat," before raising his head, doing a prompt about-face, and shouting, "Prepare for departure!" in a firm, authoritative tone.
Saluting in concert, the members of the 2nd Escort Platoon responded, "Sir, yes, sir!" before neatly dispersing to perform their assigned duties. As for Paul, he gave one final nod to Dimsaul before returning to the girls, standing off to the side in a large, exceptionally eye-catching group...
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"You've got to be kidding me..." muttered Paul.
Though he had high expectations based on the exterior, Paul was still taken aback by the sheer 'extravagance' of the carriage Ningguang had prepared.
At 18.5m in length and roughly 6m wide, Paul's new carriage was second only to the King of Asura's in size. Its furnishings and amenities, however, placed it in a league of its own. The primary cabin could comfortably seat eighteen people, and there was ample space to get up and walk around if you wanted. More importantly, there was a small kitchen, two showers, a toilet, and a suite-like bedroom, complete with a king-sized bed. In other words, it was more like a Motorhome than a proper carriage.
"Wow, this must have cost a fortune," remarked Venti, her eyes glistening as she ogled the kitchenette's wine rack. Most of the bottles on display were for cooking, but there were a few with the label of the Notos family and a tiny, cat-like paw print.
Placing his hand atop Venti's head, Paul's voice was lower than normal as he whispered, "Don't go setting any bad examples..."
Instead of evading Paul's head, Venti exhaled one of her characteristic laughs before responding to him with a playful wink. She knew better than to act out when Klee was present, so she would at least wait until the tiny Elfette had fallen asleep before cracking open a bottle...
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Once everyone had made themselves comfortable, Paul emerged from the carriage, mounting Ganyu before giving the order to set out. He had no intention of spending the next 6-10 months sitting inside a carriage all day. Instead, now that he had reached a point where he was comfortable standing out, he openly rode atop Ganyu.
Though he was most famous for his swordsmanship, those at the top of various nations knew Paul to be a 'master of spirits.' His fame wasn't yet at the level of someone like Perugius, but it was becoming increasingly common knowledge that most of the people around him were mid to high-ranking Spirits. In actuality, they were closer to Great or Ancient Spirits in terms of power, but such a notion was too unreasonable for most people to consider, much less accept as reality...
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Thanks to the Holy Sword Highway, a well-maintained road constructed by the Holy Country of Milis that spanned the entire Continent and kept beasts at bay, it wasn't long before Paul's convoy reached the outskirts of the Beast Territory, the northernmost region of the Great Forest.
With the Rainy Season fast approaching, several camps had been set up on the outskirts of the forest. Now was the time of year when stray Beast People and unwanted children were expelled from their villages, so there was a disheartening number of people on standby, ready to snatch them up for a quick profit.
Spotting a few cat, dog, and rabbit people in chains, Paul's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception activated of their own accord. Slavery was common in the world of Mushoku Tensei, but it irked him to see people in high spirits as they robbed others, particularly children, of their freedom.
Sensing Paul's agitation, Ghislaine, having joined him a few hours prior, flatly remarked, "Most of them would die if left alone. At least this way, they have a chance at life."
While continuing to glare at the group of men pulling along a daisy chain of children, causing each of them to feel as though there was a blade at their throats, Paul replied, "That may be the case...but can you really call that living? I would rather die than become a slave..."
Shrugging her shoulders, Ghislaine surprised Paul by asserting, "That's because you have dreams and ambitions. Most Beast People only think about their next meal or performing the duties assigned to them by their superiors. So long as they aren't purchased by a terrible Master, most of the children here will have a more meaningful existence as a slave than a stray..."
"..."
Though he was unable to refute Ghislaine's words, Paul continued glaring at the group of slavers from more than a kilometer away. Ningguang had set up a secret organization that was slowly subsuming the international slave trade, but he had never been the type to turn a blind eye to those in need.
Having made up his mind, Paul pulled out a coin purse, tossing it to a visibly unsurprised Ghislaine as he said, "Go and purchase them at one Asura Gold Coin a head. If the slavers try to hike up the price or refuse to sell, break the legs of their leader."
Without hesitation, Ghislaine responded with a curt "Understood." before leaping off Ganyu's back and sprinting toward the group of slavers with the swiftness of a tempest. Her actions garnered considerable attention from the convoy, prompting Dimsaul to come over, so Paul apprised him of the situation, apologizing in advance for the trouble.
Unsurprisingly, though Paul couldn't help smiling wryly when Dimsaul revealed the truth, Ningguang had already anticipated his actions. She had entrusted Dimsaul with several extra carriages, and all of the Beast People in the convoy were experienced with children. There was also a group waiting to receive the children once they reached the outskirts of Milishion, so it didn't matter if Paul picked up a handful or even a hundred strays during his brief journey through the Great Forest. Rather, when he brought it up, Dimsaul handed him an envelope, within which was a letter encouraging him to meet with the leaders of the Beast People, presenting them the option of sending any of their unwanted or burdensome children to Teyvat.
Though others could only dream of reaching such a beneficial agreement with the Beast People, Paul was one of the few that might be able to pull it off. Ghislaine may have become a stray, but she was still the daughter of the current Chief and a descendant of the Beast God. Her lineage may not have mattered if she was weak, but the only thing preventing her from calling herself a Sword King was the fact Gal was the only one qualified to assign such titles.
If Ghislaine wanted to, she could easily vie for the position of Chieftain, becoming the de facto representative of the Beast Tribes occupying the Great Forest. She had no interest in entertaining such a notion, but there was meaning in her having the capabilities. Beast People revered strength nearly as much as the various Demon Tribes, so no one would complain or accuse her of being an outsider as long as she could prove herself worthy of their respect.
With Ghislaine's support, combined with the fact he could probably defeat anyone within the Great Forest, Paul would have an easier time convincing the Beast People than most. After all, sending their children to Teyvat was infinitely better than simply abandoning them, condemning them to either die or become slaves.
While Ghislaine's remark about Beast People lacking dreams and ambition wasn't necessarily false, there were always exceptions. Not every Beast Person was content with spending their entire life within the Great Forest. Such people would benefit from being able to learn about other cultures in a controlled environment rather than having to wander about aimlessly, being taken advantage of by countless people before adapting, becoming a slave, or dying...
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Rather than accepting Ghislaine's offer outright, the slavers taunted her by proposing she become their slave in exchange for the children's freedom. In response, Ghislaine not only broke the legs of the group's leader but the legs of everyone who snickered at the proposal. Afterward, she carefully counted out seven Asura Gold Coins, placing them on each of the children's heads to ensure she got the number right. Once she was certain she got it right, she flung the coins with all her strength toward the horizon, telling the men they could go collect them before ushering the group of hungry, starry-eyed beast children back to the convoy...
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(A/N: MI in the morning, EPIC in the evenings.)

After instructing Dimsaul to make camp, Paul, accompanied by Ganyu, Ei, and Yae, headed deeper into the Great Forest with Ghislaine as a guide.
Though it had been nearly a decade since Gal abducted her, Ghislaine had no trouble leading Paul and company to her former home. She didn't actually recall the route, but the scent of her kin was something she could never forget. Thus, by moving in the direction where the scents gathered, it wasn't long before the group found themselves near the outskirts of one of the Beast Race's largest villages, a series of tree houses built into giant oaks that were upwards of 300m in height and 50m in diameter.
While marveling at the massive trees, a wonder that could only be found in a fantasy setting, Paul sensed several presences fast approaching their location. Moments later, a middle-aged man with bronzed skin and ashen-grey hair, accompanied by several others, surrounded him and his group. Not all of them had grey hair, but those that did possessed cat ears and a tail.
Before Paul could greet the group, an ashen-haired youth around his true age stepped forward to ask, "Why have you returned? The Dedoldia Tribe no longer welcomes you."
Recognizing the youth as her younger brother, Gyes, Ghislaine crossed her arms in defiance, frowning as she asserted, "That isn't your decision to make..."
Gritting his teeth, Gyes looked like he was about to attack before the middle-aged man at the front of the group said, "Stand down. Even if we were to attack together, we would not be her match..."
Surprised by the man's words, Gyes's mouth briefly hung open before he flared up, shouting, "We can't know that without trying...!"
Adopting a mocking grin, Ghislaine raised her chin and mused, "Hoooo~? You want to go, little man...?"
Without waiting for permission, Gyes bared his fangs and charged toward Ghislaine with surprising swiftness.
Though Gyes was much stronger and faster than the average Beast Person, possessing physicality on par with an Intermediate Swordsman, he was nowhere near the level of Ghislaine. She allowed him to get close, but the moment he was in range, she utilized one of the unarmed skills of the Water God Style, grabbing his wrist, flipping him over, and slamming him into the ground before sitting on his back and asking, "Had enough?"
Despite having his face planted in the dirt, Gyes wasn't willing to admit defeat after a single exchange. In response to Ghislaine's taunting, he pushed against the ground with more than enough force to propel both himself and his elder sister into the air. He then attempted to twist around and kick Ghislaine mid-air, but the moment he did so, he found his view obstructed by her fist, connecting with his face and sending him crashing back into the ground.
Demonstrating that Ghislaine wasn't the only one to inherit their great ancestor's strength, Gyes flipped back to his feet and launched himself at his sister despite his waning consciousness. This time, however, it wasn't Ghislaine who smacked him down. Instead, it was the middle-aged man, Ghislaine's and Gyes's father, Gustav Dedoldia.
Seeing his son on the verge of going berserk, Gustav decided to intervene before the situation could deteriorate any further. He was no longer in his prime, but he was still the Chieftain and representative of all Beast People within the Great Forest. His peak strength and agility were comparable to a Saint on the verge of becoming a King, so stepping in and knocking out his son was a simple feat.
Throwing Gyes over his shoulder, Gustav turned to Paul's group, meeting the aforementioned's gaze as he said, "You must be Paul Greyrat. Rumors of your skill and achievements have reached even the depths of the Great Forest. We don't have much, but the Dedoldia Tribe welcomes you..."
Adopting a light-hearted smile, Paul responded, "It's an honor to meet the Chief Warrior and Chieftain of the Dedoldia Tribe."
Though he could tell Paul wasn't simply paying him lip service, a frown marred Gustav's face. He couldn't get a good sense of Paul's strength, but he 'knew' there was a vast disparity between them. Being honored by someone younger and stronger than himself was as perplexing as it was uncomfortable.
Turning his attention to the group of warriors that had accompanied him, Gustav said, "Show our guests to my home. I will take Gyes to the prison and see that he receives a suitable punishment..."
Without waiting for a response, Gustav turned around and carried off Gyes like a sack of potatoes. In his wake, one of the warriors stepped forward, addressing Paul but avoiding eye contact as he said, "Follow me." in a curt yet subdued tone.
Nodding his head, Paul maintained a cordial smile and demeanor as he replied, "Lead the way."
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Though the Beast People had occupied the Great Forest for more than ten thousand years, their culture hadn't developed beyond tribalism. Most of the men walked around bare-chested, showing off their muscular bodies, while the woman wore simple yet form-fitting garments made from animal skin and fur.
As someone with a deep fondness for breasts, the smile on Paul's face became more prominent as they made their way through the village of Doldia. The average female Beast Person had C-Cup breasts, and their outfits barely covered more than a traditional two-piece swimsuit. As a result, their breasts bounced and jiggled as they walked. Combined with their 'exotic' features, it was quite a sight to behold.
After guiding Paul's group up a wooden staircase that spiraled around a massive tree, the cat-eared person leading them said, "This is the Chief's house," while gesturing to a thatch-roofed cabin built into the side of the tree. The outer walls and support beams were logs that had been stacked up and wedged together without the use of nails, and the floor was made from worn planks. Simple wooden furniture decorated the interior, but the cabin's most prominent features were the lack of a front door and the fact the outer walls barely came up to Paul's waist. Two beds formed from hay could be seen within, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say the people living within had no privacy.
Seeing the disbelief on Paul's face, a slight frown marred Ghislaine's as she said, "The standards of Humans and Beast People are different. Here, in the Great Forest, the Beast Tribes choose to live alongside nature as a singular community. Those who seclude themselves or behave selfishly are viewed as outcasts and eventually kicked out of the village..."
Though he couldn't agree with such an extreme response, Paul just gave a curt nod and accepted Ghislaine's explanation at face value. Dissidence and seclusion were poisonous to any community, but they were especially cancerous in a society where everyone was expected to work together to survive...
Seizing the initiative, Ghislaine was the first to enter her former home, picking up a tiny bone sculpture that vaguely resembled a woman with cat ears. It was assembled from the remains of Ghislaine's deceased mother, so it carried a nostalgic aroma that brought a rare smile to her face as she brought it up to her nose and gave it a whiff.
Interrupting Ghislaine's reminiscence, Gustav appeared next to Paul and company, having leaped up nearly seventy meters from the ground below. The action placed a tremendous strain on his aging body, but he managed to appear composed as he said, "I apologize for the delay. Now, please enter and make yourselves comfortable. I sent some of our tribe's women to fetch meat and wine, so you can tell me the reason for your visit while they prepare a feast..."
Nodding his head, Paul entered Gustav's cottage before taking a seat on one of the wooden platforms he assumed functioned as cushions. Four of them surrounded a small circular table, so it made the most sense.
Following Paul, Ei and Yae made themselves comfortable at his flanks while Ganyu, still in her Qilin form, sat behind them to serve as a kind of cushion. The latter's presence inspired a sense of awe in every Beast Person who saw her, but Gustav managed to conceal it as he sat across from the group, his eyes briefly shifting to Ghislaine before returning to Paul and awaiting an explanation.
Earning the attention of his ashen-haired companion, Paul started things off by saying, "If you've heard about me, you've doubtlessly heard about Ghislaine as well, correct? She has yet to receive the title, but she is one of the youngest Sword Kings in history. I would like you to reinstate her as a member of the Dedoldia and permit her to serve as a representative between the Great Forest and the outside..."
Surprising the stunned Ghislaine even further, Gustav closed his eyes and gave a curt nod, responding, "I understand. Such a responsibility typically falls to the Chieftain, but my knowledge of the outside world is shallow. It would benefit our people to have someone more experienced serve as the bridge between our communities..."
Nodding in affirmation, Paul remarked, "Wise decision. Ghislaine may not be the most intelligent among the Beast Peoples, but she has connections to some of the most powerful and influential people in the entire world. If you're willing, I'd like to discuss the possibility of an alliance between the tribes of the Great Forest and the burgeoning nation of Teyvat. Its ruler is willing to provide you with food, resources, and-"
Interrupting Paul's pitch, Gustav stated, "I am familiar with the 'Tianquan' of Teyvat. Her representatives have reached out to us several times, but we refused their offers as they were too good to be true..."
Exhaling a tired sigh, Gustav went on to explain, "We have since come to see the error of our ways after witnessing the explosive growth of the Elf, Dwarf, and Hobbit races. They have benefitted greatly from cooperation with Teyvat, so we have been waiting for someone like yourself to appear. Though, I never anticipated someone of your status to appear, much less accompanied by my daughter..."
Shifting his gaze to Ghislaine, a glimmer of affection tinged Gustav's gruff and hardened exterior as he said, "You've grown..."
Furrowing her brows, Ghislaine crossed her arms and looked away from her father without saying anything. She had stated several times that she didn't care for her people or returning to the Great Forest, but the swaying of her tail told a different story.
While Yae narrowed her eyes in amusement at his side, Paul contained a soft chuckle, suppressing the urge to tease the muscular cat woman as he said, "I'm not certain what changes Teyvat's influence has brought about in the other races, but I can assure you the sanctity of the Great Forest will be respected. In exchange, I ask that you cease abandoning your unwanted children and allowing them to be taken advantage of by slavers. Teyvat may be a burgeoning nation, but it promises freedom and opportunity to all who dwell within..."
Nodding his head, Gustav replied, "I have heard tale that the previously barren Strife Zone is gradually becoming a vast and fertile plain. You also have a reputation for emancipating slaves, so I will trust in your promise and pass your message to each of the tribes inhabiting the Great Forest. It will take some time, but we'll do our best to meet your expectations..."
Shaking his head, Paul said, "Don't do it for me, but for the future of the Beast Race. The world is changing rapidly, so the Beast Race would have been imperiled if you attempted to remain isolated. My ideal world is one where everyone can coexist without divisions based on race. To that end, I intend to do away with slavery for profit, starting with the trafficking of non-human species..."
Adopting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Gustav responded, "A truly noble goal. I pray that one day you can achieve it."
As slavery had been commonplace for thousands of years, the notion it could be abolished was something only romantic scholars and idealists took seriously. Gustav was sincere when he said he would pray for Paul's success, but he didn't honestly believe it was achievable, at least not in his lifetime.
Though he could see through Gustav's thoughts, Paul didn't press the matter further. He had already fulfilled the primary purpose of his visit, so he decided to make small talk until the feast was ready...
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(A/N: Gyes? More like gyet rekt...)

With less than a year remaining until the debuts of Aiden and Aria, Paul was finalizing his preparations to return to the Milbots Region. He initially intended to wait for Badigadi to appear, but it had been close to two years since the six-armed Demon's disappearance. Even Clairvoyance couldn't uncover his position, so Paul focused on improving himself rather than fretting over future events.
 Fortunately, though her presence brought him a fair amount of pain and suffering, the appearance of Murata ushered in a 'new era' as far as Paul's training was concerned. The red-haired Archon was on par with Atofe and Reida in terms of dynamism and her thirst for battle, so Paul rarely had an opportunity to rest unless she was out on a 'campaign.'&nbsp; With the blessings of the twin Demon Empresses and Atofe, Murata had been spreading her influence through the Demon Continent by defeating some of the more problematic Demon Lords. As a result, she had earned herself the epithet and title of 'Flame Demon King,' as, despite appearing human, everyone she encountered viewed her as a Demon. Paul was no exception. Not because Murata was particularly harsh during their training but because she was a monster in the bedroom...&nbsp;
 Though he managed to talk her down from building an army from their progeny, Paul couldn't escape Murata's desire for children. From her point of view, the strong and capable had an obligation to reproduce as much as possible. She hated how it was almost the complete opposite in most human societies, so, back in the world of Teyvat, she took it upon herself to build one of her own.&nbsp; To dissuade Murata from doing the same thing in the world of Mushoku Tensei, Paul challenged her to raise their son, Iskandar, to be powerful enough to take on his other children. He argued that quality was always better than quantity and that if their children ended up weak, there was no difference between them and ordinary humans. Murata didn't like that one bit, so she intended to train Iskandar personally once he was mature enough to wield a sword. Until then, he was predominantly left in the care of Ganyu, Noelle, and Lilia. Paul also tried spending time with him, but, as could be expected from someone descended from the Greyrats, Iskandar wanted very little to do with him. He clearly wasn't a reincarnator, but his fondness for big-breasted women had been evident from day one...
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Staring cross-armed down at the large, fortress-like complex being constructed a few hundred meters from the base of Fort Necross, Atofe couldn't help frowning as she asked, "Are you sure about this? It seems like a waste of time and resources..."&nbsp; Nodding his head, Paul replied, "People from all over the world already come to the Demon Continent in search of strength, wisdom, wealth, and many other things. Given time, the Necross Academy will become one of the most prominent institutions in the entire world. Then you won't have to kidnap people and hold them against their will..."&nbsp;
 Scratching the back of her head, Atofe groaned, "If you say so..." before looking up at Paul and asking, "So, when are you planning to leave? If you don't depart soon, you won't be able to traverse the Great Forest on foot."
Adopting a wry smile, Paul replied, "It's complicated...I want to travel the world and experience what it has to offer, but too much is at stake for me to risk my life sightseeing. Right now, I'm stuck between deciding if I want to form a convoy or if I want to travel incognito..."
"Ah, I see what the issue is..." remarked Atofe, a teasing smile developing across her face as she added, "You can't decide which of your little pets you want to accompany you."
Shaking his head, Paul explained, "Nah, I'm well past that point. Whoever wants to travel with me is welcome to do so. I'm more concerned with how the countries we pass through will respond. At this point, the leaders of every major nation should be aware of my affiliation with Ningguang and the burgeoning nation of Teyvat. If we travel in a large group, it will make a lot of people 'very' nervous..."
Raising her left brow, Atofe retorted, "Yeah, and? Humans are always fretting over one thing or another, especially if they feel their positions or livelihoods are at stake. As the Special Envoy of the Asura Kingdom, you 'should' throw your weight around. Making concessions for the weak will only undermine your position."&nbsp;
 Though Atofe's words sounded tyrannical, Paul understood there was considerable truth within them. The mighty could only be so 'humble' without inviting disaster upon themselves and the people they wished to protect. People would likely never cease attempting to assassinate him, but he could prevent his dissidents from openly maneuvering against him by demonstrating the consequence of such actions...
Nodding in affirmation of how own thoughts, Paul's expression hardened as he asserted, "Then that's what I'll do. I'll need to talk with Ningguang first, but I doubt she'll mind having the focus pulled away from her for a few months."&nbsp;
 Adopting a toothy grin, Atofe gave Paul a firm punch in his arm, nearly knocking him off balance as she teased, "There he is. I was wondering where the man who was brazen enough to waltz into the center of the Demon Continent went. It's too bad he couldn't best me in single combat these past two years..."
Recalling his promise to defeat Atofe and make her 'his,' Paul's furrowed brows creased further. Despite mastering his Visions and developing the traits of various Demons, making him functionally immortal, he could not defeat Atofe in a 'serious' bout. More frustratingly, his swordsmanship had stagnated on the border between the Saint and King Ranks as his focus was split between mastering his Visions, developing his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, spending time with the girls, and fathering his newest child...&nbsp;
 Discarding such thoughts from his mind, Paul stared into Atofe's crimson, black-sclera eyes and said, "The next time we meet, I'll be sure to make you mine..."
Though she snorted through her nose, Atofe maintained a grin as she retorted, "Whatever you say, brat. Just be glad I didn't make you mine."
Looking past Paul, Atofe narrowed her eyes at Ei and Ganyu, his usual entourage. If not for their presence and the circumstances surrounding Paul, specifically his relationship with the two Kishirikas, she would never permit him to leave...
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With his mind made up, Paul discussed his intentions with Ningguang, who, as expected, readily approved his decision. In fact, predicting his actions, she had even prepared a boat to transport him between Wind and Zanto Ports, several carriages to carry supplies, and a contingent of sixty people to act as an escort.
Though he felt Ningguang's actions were a bit much, Paul didn't contest them as it wasn't uncommon for landed Nobles to travel with an escort of three-to-five-hundred people. To compensate for this, Ningguang made sure the lowest-ranking person within the convoy was at least Advanced Rank in terms of skill. This placed them above the average Royal Guard in the Asura Kingdom, so, despite being relatively few in number, they could be considered a batallion(1000 people) in terms of military might.&nbsp;
 As impressive as this sounded, what truly distinguished the individuals in Paul's escort was their unprecedented diversity. Everyone wore matching outfits, armor, or robes(depending on their role), but there were Humans, a variety of Demons, Beast People, Dwarves, and even Elves. They were a veritable menagerie but exuded a sense of unity and purpose comparable to the Holy Knight Order of Milis.
Due to Paul's actions as a child, combined with a healthy amount of propaganda, nearly everyone affiliated with the burgeoning nation of Teyvat viewed him as a savior-esque figure. Many of them were former Slaves or from groups of people suffering extreme hardship, so they had all but given up hope before being liberated by Ningguang. Now, they had been given purpose and the means to rise above themselves, becoming a part of something much greater...
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Following a sleepless evening in Kishirika Castle, Paul was preparing to depart with Jean, Eula, Ei, Yae, Venti, Xinyan, Xiangling, Lynette, Shinobu, Ghislaine, and Lilia atop Ganyu when Klee abruptly appeared, shouting, "Klee wants to go with Big Brother! Please, please, please, please, please take Klee with you~!"
Though he was initially surprised, it didn't take long for Paul to adopt his usual smile as he replied, "That's fine with me, but we're not going to play around, Klee. If you're serious about coming with us, you'll need to listen to Jean and be on your best behavior."&nbsp; Seemingly ignoring the latter half of Paul's statement, Klee jumped up, shouting, "Yaaaaaaaay~!" before skipping over and leaping into his arms. She hadn't changed the slightest since the moment she was summoned, so Paul carried her like he would one of his children before giving a curt nod toward Fayde and climbing atop Ganyu's back. Kishirika and Kishirisu weren't much for goodbyes, so neither had shown up in person. However, he could sense them using Clairvoyance to observe him, so he adopted a smile and used his free hand to wave at empty space before giving Ganyu permission to take off...
&nbsp; Following Paul's party with her eyes, Fayde waited until the group had fully disappeared before adopting a somewhat pouty expression and muttering, "Good riddance..." in an irritable tone. Her efforts to seduce Paul had borne fruit, but his refusal to contract and impregnate her had left her feeling...frustrated.&nbsp; Tracing her glowing blue nail across her abdomen, Fayde exhaled a tired sigh before returning to the interior of Kishirika Castle, now resembling a lush garden. It was also completely saturated with Elemental Energy, so Fayde found a thick branch to lie upon before dozing off under the rays of an artificial sun...
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Even with Ganyu pacing herself, it only took around five and a half hours to travel from the Capital of Rikarisu to the southernmost tip of the Demon Continent, Wind Port. Another half an hour and they could have reached Zanto Port on the Milis Continent. However, as they comprised nearly half the Demon Continent's active S-Ranks, they had an obligation to check in with the Adventurer's Guild before departing.
Upon learning of Paul's intentions, the Guild Master of Wind Port's Adventurer's Guild did his best to convince them to stay in the Demon Continent. The loss of a single S-Rank Adventurer was a heavy blow to the Guild, so the prospect of losing eleven made the middle-aged retiree sweat. After all, most of the A~S-Rank Quests posted over the last two years were dealt with by Paul and his companions.
Unfortunately, while he empathized with the Guild Master's plight, Paul was many other things before he was an Adventurer. In this particular instance, he was the Special Envoy of the Asura Kingdom, so, with that as an excuse, he bid the Guild Master and his staff farewell before departing to board the massive galleon Ningguang had charted for them.
Though the sea between Wind and Zanto Port wasn't particularly wide, it was still infested with sea monsters and rogue members of the Sea Race. Any ship that looked like an easy mark would simply disappear during the crossing, so the vessel Ningguang procured had a total of thirty cannons and a giant harpoon strapped to the front. Its hull was constructed from the bones and scales of the many sea beasts it had felled, so, other than Klee getting a little seasick, Paul's group had no issues traversing the narrow stretch of sea...
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(A/N: It may not surprise you to learn that Iskandar's nickname is fated to be Alex xD...)

Chapter 202: Setting Out