Mushoku Impact

Feeling it would be rude to leave after eating, Paul accepted Gustav's invitation to spend the evening in Doldia Village. He didn't sleep, but he enjoyed the crisp evening air, the sounds of the forest, and the pristine, unpolluted sky.
Sitting next to him, or, more accurately, curled up at his side, Ghislaine abruptly muttered, "You didn't have to do that..."
Understanding that Ghislaine was referring to her nomination as the Delodia Tribe's Representative, a faint smile developed across Paul's face as he softly replied, "I don't 'have' to do anything, muscle cat. I 'choose' to care for the people closest to me..."
Though Ghislaine had yet to reach the 'muscle mommy' status she was known for in the Mushoku Tensei community, she still had an eight-pack, pronounced obliques, and well-defined back and shoulder muscles. As a result, Paul had taken to affectionately calling her muscle cat, albeit only when they were alone.
Catching Paul a little off guard, Ghislaine abruptly questioned, "Want me to suck your dick...?"
"..."
As enticing as the offer was, Paul eventually replied, "Not right now. Let's just stay like this for a bit..."
Nodding her head, Ghislaine issued an affirming "Nn..." before snuggling a little closer to Paul. She still wasn't very good at ascertaining what people wanted from her, and Paul almost always carried at least a subtle scent of arousal. Not because he was constantly in the mood for sex but because he was surrounded by beautiful and sometimes voracious women...
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Early the next morning, Paul found himself witness to the iconic yet incredibly awkward situation of Ghislaine's brother, Gyes, lying on his back in a submissive posture. He had an exceedingly reluctant look, but he forced himself to say, "I was wrong...please forgive me..."
Though she was tempted to stomp on her brother's stomach, indicating she didn't forgive him, Ghislaine ultimately crossed her arms and looked to Paul before replying, "Whatever..." in a dull monotone. She didn't truly forgive him, but she was willing to accept his apology to avoid making things difficult for Paul.
Climbing back to his feet, Gyes glared at Ghislaine with clenched teeth before averting his eyes when she turned to meet his gaze. The tensions between them were palpable, but the beatdown Ghislaine had given him was enough to dissuade Gyes from seeking further conflict. Instead, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "How did you get so strong...?"
Narrowing her eyes, Ghislaine briefly considered remaining silent. She didn't share Paul's sentiment of helping others grow as giving power to those outside your control invited misfortune unto others. However, as Gyes was her brother, she eventually answered, "Find something you want to protect and train with the notion the most powerful people in the world are planning to take them away from you..."
Directing his gaze to Paul, a frown marred Gyes's face as he asked, "Are you protecting this man...?"
Shaking her head, Ghislaine answered, "It's different for me. I got strong to fill my belly. Paul seeks strength to protect those closest to him and to ensure everyone, regardless of their race, has the opportunity to succeed. His potential is far greater than mine..."
As he couldn't tell how strong Paul was, Gyes had a look of incredulity on his face as he asked, "Seriously?" in a disbelieving tone.
Nodding her head, Ghislaine left her father, brother, and even Paul at a loss for words as she casually revealed, "I'm not even in the top ten of Paul's subordinates. I consider myself fortunate to be able to stay at his side..."
Smiling wryly, Paul remarked, "That sentiment goes both ways. There's only been a few instances where I wasn't grateful to have you at my side. And even those were enjoyable in their own way..."
Though it took her a moment to understand what Paul was referring to, Ghislaine's ears perked up and twitched once she did. He was obviously alluding to her behavior when she was in heat, so a faint red hue colored her cheeks as she looked away in embarrassment.
Seeing his sister with such a 'maidenly' expression, Gyes's mouth opened in disbelief. In his mind, Ghislaine was all muscle, no brain. She only knew how to lash out and take what she wanted, so he wouldn't have been able to fathom her looking embarrassed if he hadn't seen it personally.
Noticing her brother's reaction, Ghislaine raised her right fist and asked, "What the fuck are you gawking at?" with her teeth bared.
Furrowing his brows, Gyes thought, 'there's the Ghislaine I know' as he replied with a faint, "Nothing..."
Snorting through her nose, Ghislaine muttered, "Whatever..." before turning to Paul and saying, "I'll be waiting at the edge of the village..."
Before Ghislaine could take off, Paul shook his head and said, "We'll go together." He didn't have much else to say, so the impromptu sibling spat was a reasonable excuse to hasten their departure. Thus, after a few parting words with Gustav, Paul bid the cat-eared duo farewell before climbing atop Ganyu and having her race back to the convoy's campsite...
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As Ganyu had returned the previous night to inform Dimsaul they would be returning early that morning, the convoy was packed up and ready to depart the moment Paul's party arrived. They had picked up an additional thirteen children by then, bringing their total count to twenty, but the Beast People within the convoy were doing an excellent job keeping them in line using food prepared by Xiangling.
Though the Beast Race had its own unique cuisine, a lot of the meat they consumed was either raw or lightly smoked to kill parasites. Their staple foods were fish and fruit, so many of the children collected by the convoy had never eaten a cooked meal in their entire life. Xiangling took this into account, preparing sashimi, sushi, and other fish dishes, but the quality was so far beyond anything the children had experienced that many burst into tears.
After exchanging recipes with the current Food God, Demon Lord Bagura Hagura, Xiangling's cooking had risen to another level. The piggish Demon Lord even offered to take her in as an apprentice, but she refused on the grounds she was Paul's personal chef. The notion of preparing human and demon meat also wasn't particularly appealing to her, so most of their recipe exchanges occurred when Atofe invited Bagura and other Demons over for a meet-and-greet with Paul.
With direction and oversight from Xiangling, even the simplest dishes prepared by and for the convoy were comparable to the meals served to high-ranking Nobles and Kings. More importantly, any dish Xiangling had an active role in preparing carried various effects, the most useful among them being Lesser Regeneration and Stamina Recovery. This even applied to the roughage she prepared for the horses, allowing the convoy to cover much greater distances than a typical procession.
On average, convoys escorting multiple carriages and stagecoaches traveled around 13km/h. Thanks to Xiangling, their marching pace was closer to twenty kilometers per hour, and they could travel upwards of fourteen hours a day compared to the usual ten. As a result, a journey that typically took other groups around a month only took the convoy escorting Paul seventeen days. Considering they had picked up a total of 73 children during the journey, it wasn't an exaggeration to say Xiangling's influence on their progress was immense, borderline god-like...
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Staring up at the vast Blue Dragon Mountain Range, named as such due to their distinct cobalt hue, Paul felt a sudden urge to ascend the tallest peak. Ganyu sensed this, asking, "Would you like me to carry you up?" but Paul promptly shook his head, replying, "Some other time. Besides, there wouldn't be much meaning in ascending the peak if someone else carried me to it..."
Adopting a slightly apologetic expression, though it was difficult to tell due to her animalistic features, Ganyu replied, "I see..." in a muted tone. Her reaction caused Paul to feel a pang of guilt, but rather than changing his mind, he gave her a firm pat and said, "Don't worry. The two of us will eventually explore this entire world once we begin actively spreading the Teleporation Network. For now, let's focus on the road ahead."
Feeling better, Ganyu responded with a happy-sounding "Understood~!" before proceeding forward with a discernible pep in her steps. They were coming up on the checkpoint separating the Great Forest from the Holy Milis Kingdom, but Ganyu remained chipper even as the sights of a dozen anti-wyvern ballistae came to bear on her.
Fortunately, while the tensions at the checkpoint could be felt from more than a kilometer away, none of the soldiers manning the ballistae opened fire. Dimsaul had dispatched a herald to announce Paul's arrival, so there was even a reception waiting for him, led by a golden-haired man bearing the plate armor and sigil of the Holy Knight Order.
Waiting until Ganyu had approached within twenty meters, the golden-haired man abruptly shouted, "That's far enough! Dismount your beast and approach on foot...!"
With Ganyu turning sideways to allow him a better vantage of the man and his troops, Paul's expression soured as he said, "I'll get down, but I don't appreciate you calling my companion a beast. The next time you do, don't expect me to be courteous..."
Though Ganyu was technically an Illuminated Beast, Paul knew the man was attempting to denigrate her as if she were some ordinary pack mule. His navy blue armor and the clasp keeping his cape in place denoted him as a Captain in the Order of the Temple, but Paul wasn't going to tolerate him being racist or xenophobic towards anything that wasn't human.
Narrowing his eyes, the Captain remained silent as Paul slid down from Ganyu's back. When the latter abruptly transformed into her human form, a fierce glimmer flashed across his eyes, but he held his tongue since Milishion and the Asura Kingdom were currently allied. Seeking trouble with their Envoy, especially one bearing the title 'King's Greatsword,' was a good way to cause an international incident.
Waiting until Paul was within speaking range, the golden-haired man caught him a little by surprise as he stated, "My name is Rudigan Latreia, Captain of the 22nd Order of the Temple. I have been tasked with seeing your group safely to Milishion."
Raising his brows, Paul questioned, "You're from the Latreia Household...?"
Nodding his head, Rudigan stood a little straighter as he replied, "I am the Third Son of Ralkan Latreia, the current Head of House Latreia."
Though he couldn't recall the specifics of the Latreia Family, even after researching them in his youth, Paul had heard of Ralkan Latreia. He was a Company Commander of the Order of the Temple and had been given the status of an Honorary Bishop for his service. His efforts had raised House Latreia from a mid-tier family to one of the most powerful in Milishion, but Paul only remembered him because he was Zenith's Grandfather...
Adopting a practiced smile, Paul remarked, "I've heard of your father. His accolades have even reached the rumor mill of the Asuran Nobility. If the opportunity presents itself, I would like to meet him."
Feeling marginally less confrontational, Rudigan adopted a practiced smile of his own as he replied, "I am certain that can be arranged. For now, please cooperate with our customs officers so they can get you through the checkpoint as swiftly as possible."
Though he could pressure the group to let him pass with only a cursory inspection, Paul nodded in affirmation before exchanging a few parting words and returning to the convoy. Just as Rudigan didn't want to cause an international incident by overly antagonizing him, Paul wanted to avoid a confrontation with Milis. He was planning to stay there for several days, if not weeks, so getting into a skirmish at their border probably wasn't the best idea.
So long as the other side didn't start it...
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(A/N: Praise the muscle cat...!)

Though he was charged a steep tariff for transporting 'merchandise' through the checkpoint, Paul wasn't exactly hurting for money. He could always use more, but he(Ningguang) had enough to bankroll the creation of an entire nation if he wanted.
Fortunately, while it was clear the members of Rudigan's Order weren't enthused about escorting a bunch of non-humans, they avoided saying or doing anything to antagonize Dimsaul and his people. Things were pretty tense, but they managed to reach the outskirts of Milishion without any major incidents or mishaps.
Seeing the so-called 'most beautiful city in the world' from a distance, Paul had to admit there was some truth to the claim. He knew with certainty that Milishion was nearly as corrupt as the Kingdom of Asura, but it looked like a city of cobalt blue and white from a distance.
Floating on a massive lake that dominated the city's center was the White Palace, a structure exceeding even the Silver Palace in terms of scale and grandeur. Surrounding it, separated by a large body of water and linked by numerous bridges, was a ring of buildings that served as the estates of various Noble families. Further outward, separated by an even larger body of water, were the city's seven districts, each constructed around massive white obelisks that served as catalysts for the city's world-famous barrier.
With the exception of the Adventurers District, the southernmost region of the city, entering the other districts required filling out paperwork, passing a lie detector test, and paying a hefty fee. Millishion was a city of law and order that considered itself the bastion of humanity, so they were strict to the point of conducting random checks on locals and publically executing anyone deemed to be 'suspicious.'
To Paul's surprise, Rudigan wanted them to enter the city through the northernmost Residential District before guiding him and three of his 'servants' to the Royal District at the city's center. Since he was a foreign dignitary and something of a celebrity, the Crown Prince and King Regent wished to meet him before he continued on his way.
Similar to the Asura Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom of Milis was a veritable cesspool of nepotism and corruption. The previous King had been killed less than a year after his inauguration, so until his son was old enough to wear the crown, the Kingdom was being governed by a representative of the Church. Many believed the Church had disposed of the previous King for being 'too progressive,' so it wasn't difficult to imagine the true reason Paul was being summoned for an audience.
Due to his philanthropy and ever-increasing accomplishments, Paul was considered one of the most 'progressive' people in the entire world. Many believed he was ushering in a new era, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say he was one of the greatest threats to the Milis Religion and its iron grip on the faith of humanity.
With the most common cause of death in the various Knight Orders being assassination, Paul chose Ei, Ganyu, and Yae to accompany him during his stay in the White Palace. Rudigan tried to insist he select someone other than Ganyu and Yae to accompany him, but Paul effectively told him he could fuck off if it was going to be a problem, albeit using marginally more polite language.
Since he didn't have a say in the company Paul kept, Rudigan had no choice but to begrudgingly escort a 'demon' and 'beast person' into an area typically reserved for humans. The Knights at each checkpoint made it clear they didn't want Ganyu and Yae entering the Royal District, but they also had no choice but to allow it as Rudigan was escorting them under Royal Ordinance. As a result, Paul, Ei, Ganyu, and Yae eventually found themselves in a large, lavishly decorated room where they were expected to remain until their audience.
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While lying on his bed and reclining against Ganyu's plush body, Paul lazily remarked, "This is starting to get on my nerves..." with a deadpan expression on his face. He knew they would be compelled to wait before being permitted an audience, but it had already been ten, going on eleven days.
Raising her head from Paul's lap, Yae, in her adorable kit form, playfully mused, "You could always get Ei to perform a dance or play the Koto..."
Hearing Yae's remark, Ei ceased knitting the scarf she was working on, a disproving frown marring her face as she stated, "While I am willing, it's not proper to volunteer someone for something you're perfectly capable of doing yourself..."
Stretching out her body like a cat, Yae responded, "I'm pretty comfortable right now. Besides, this is an excellent opportunity for you to improve our Master's favorability of you. It's not often we get to have him to ourselves for such a lengthy period."
Though she knew Yae was being lazy and passing responsibilities to her, Ei couldn't refute her words. It was true that Paul was often 'preoccupied' with other women, so the past ten had been fairly pleasant, at least from her perspective. She enjoyed peaceful, quiet, and unchanging settings, so she wouldn't mind if things remained as they were a while longer.
Seeing through Ei's thoughts, Paul adopted a wry smile and said, "We'll be sure to take it easy once we reach the Capital. With the amount of info we collected on the Demon Continent, no one will be able to complain about my designation as a Special Envoy. Not without risking censure."
Following his words, Paul annoyed Yae by leaning forward and picking her up from his lap. It was clear at this point that the King Regent, or whoever was pulling his strings, just wanted to flex their authority. He had far more important things to do, so he set Yae aside before getting up from the bed and saying, "We're leaving." in a decisive tone.
Returning to her human form, Yae asked, "Are you sure that's wise? We've already waited this long. What's a few more days?"
Shaking his head, Paul replied, "A person can yield their pride in just a few seconds. We've waited long enough. At this point, they're either 'trying' to piss us off or simply looking down on us. Regardless, I've completely lost interest in this little 'game.'"
Finished with what he had to say, Paul approached the door to the room, ripping it from the hinges. The door locked from the outside to keep them from wandering around the palace, but his physical strength had reached the point where he could even trade blows with Atofe. Unless they were made from Adamantine or concrete mixed with powdered dragon bones, few doors could stop him.
Reacting to Paul's vandalism, the veritable platoon of heavily armored Knights in the hallway readied their weapons. Paul was famous as the youngest Water King in history, so there were no less than fifty Knights out in the hall, more so as a deterrent than anything else.
Representing the group, a surprisingly beautiful woman with golden hair and blue eyes stepped forward to question, "What is the meaning of this? If there is something you require, we will bring it to you."
Unlike the heavily armored Knights, the golden-haired woman was garbed in a cloak and what could best be described as a white bodysuit. It was comprised of two distinct pieces of fabric, but there were golden clasps and a zipper at her waist, fusing the skin-tight outfit into a singular piece. It was quite the sight to behold, especially with her voluptuous figure, but Paul's attention was primarily focused on the lance-like staff in her right hand.
Adopting a faint smile, Paul remarked, "I wasn't aware that the Order of the Temple employed Mages. In fact, I'm fairly certain they string people up for practicing anything other than Healing, Detoxification, and Barrier Magic..."
Though others might not be able to sense it, Paul's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception allowed him to perceive the woman's Mana as a bluish, flame-like aura radiating from her body. A faint bluish color would have denoted her as having a natural affinity with Water Magic, but her aura was more a deep, sapphire blue. Based on Mana's density, Paul suspected she was at least a Water Saint-Ranked Magician.
Furrowing her brows, the golden-haired woman replied, "I am Ophelia Laskaris Leos, Sub-Commander of the 3rd Order of the Temple, Oracion. House Leos has been permitted by His Holiness to research and practice Magic as a countermeasure against Demons. Do not insult me by lumping me in with those who practice the mystical arts for personal gain..."
Angering Ophelia further, Paul made a show of clapping his hands as he replied, "I'm happy for you. Now, mind showing us the way out, or do we need to find it ourselves...?"
Frowning deeply, Ophelia's expression and tone hardened as she said, "You are presently a guest of the Crown Prince and King Regent. Leaving before you've been permitted an audience would be a grave insult to both the Church and Crown..."
Adopting a deadpan expression, Paul asserted, "Your people have been insulting me and my people since you intercepted us at the Blue Dragon Mountain Range. His Majesty, the King of Asura, is awaiting my arrival, so I would appreciate it if you got out of my way. I didn't come here to have a dick-measuring contest with the Holy Church, nor do I give a rat's ass about currying favor with the Pope."
Leveling her lance-like staff at Paul's face, Ophelia shouted, "You dare speak of His Holiness in such a manner!? Such brazen disregard cannot be overlooked...!"
In response to Ophelia's outburst, the platoon of Knights charged forward with swords in hand. When the Knight closest to him aimed for his throat, clearly intending to kill rather than capture him, the emotion drained from Paul's face and an icy glimmer flashed across his eyes.
As the strongest among the group was merely Advanced-Ranked in the Sword God Style, Paul's body appeared to flicker, leaving behind a series of afterimages as he zig-zagged through the Knights faster than most of them could perceive. Ophelia was one of the few that could, but she had made the mistake of approaching him before the skirmish broke out. For a Mage without Teleportation, that was tantamount to a death sentence.
Interrupting Ophelia's chant, Paul sliced through one of the three Lines of Death that denoted her lance as a fairly high-ranking Artifact. The number of Enchantments applied to it would have been enough to finance several estates, but Paul cut through it like soft tofu before leveling the tip of his sword at Ophelia's throat, stating, "Your men just tried to murder a Special Envoy of the Asura Kingdom. Is it the will of His Holiness to start a war...?"
Recovering from the shock of losing one of her family's heirlooms, Ophelia glared menacingly as she asserted, "You may be a Special Envoy, but there are many in the Asura Kingdom who oppose that status. Do you honestly believe your King would go to war against us to avenge such a volatile individual?"
Catching Ophelia off-guard, Paul instantly replied, "He would." before spartan kicking her several tens of meters. He held back to avoid killing her, but she would be nursing at least seven broken ribs and a bruised sternum until someone showed up to heal her.
Turning around, Paul regained his smile as he saw Ei standing amid the unconscious bodies of the fifty Knights. He had knocked out several of them when he initially passed through, but the rest were dealt with by Ei, with a little help from Yae. Their Electro Energy was remarkably effective at disabling people without killing them.
Extending his hand to the purple-haired beauty, the corners of Paul's smile curled upward as he asked, "Shall we~?" in an overtly casual tone. His actions were bound to have tremendous fallout, but anyone not a part of the Milis faith knew they had it coming...
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(A/N: Nb4 Milis accuses Paul of being the resurrected Laplace, causing Perugius to come for him...)

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...)

Chapter 204: Rapid Progress