Mushoku Impact

With time to kill until Barbara's day off, Paul decided to spend time with the girls, taking advantage of the fact they were located near the center of the Commercial District.
As the name implied, the Commercial District was where most merchants had set up shop within Milishion. This included blacksmiths and tailors, so Paul set out with Jean, Eula, Klee, Xiangling, and Ganyu to have their non-Vision-based equipment repaired and to purchase local ingredients.
"Big brother, over there~! Klee wants to go there next...!"
With the spirited Elfette leaning against the back of his head and pointing in the direction she wanted him to go, Paul, with Klee riding his shoulders, made his way over to what could best be described as an old-fashioned toy store. There were objects such as wooden rocking horses and hand-whittled animals on display, the former of which was powered by a Magic Stone that allowed it to sway back and forward of its own accord.
Seeing how expensive even a simple wooden top was, Paul couldn't help frowning. The shop clearly catered to the nobility. However, considering most peasants, serfs, and slaves didn't really have time to play around, it wasn't too surprising.
"Do you want me to buy you a toy?" asked Paul. "The ones you make are much higher quality than anything on display here."
Catching Paul a little off guard, Klee giggled before saying, "Silly, Big brother. Klee isn't a little kid anymore. Klee wants to buy presents for all the children working at the Auction House. Big brother always says it's important to play as hard as you work, so Klee wants to reward them for working super hard~!"
Piggybacking off of Klee's words, Jean explained, "Several of the Beast Race children we picked up have chosen to apprentice with the Teyvat Trading Company. They wish to repay the favor of having their lives spared, so they're currently learning basic arithmetic alongside speaking, reading, and writing the Human and Demon God languages."
"Ah..."
Recalling how much the average Beast Person struggled with reading and writing their native language, a wry smile marred Paul's face. Members of the Beast Race weren't exactly stupid, but they were less reliant on verbal and written communication than other races. Their communities were also socialistic and extremely hierarchal in nature, so they didn't rely on things like currency to denote the value of goods. Everyone was given a purpose based on their capabilities and often dedicated their entire lives to the job assigned to them by their respective Chieftain. Thus, with few exceptions, most members of the Beast Race simply had no need for things like math, reading, and writing. They just did as they were told.
Believing it would be good for the children to have something to distract them during their off time, Paul, Klee, Ganyu, and Xiangling made their way into the store while Jean and Eula remained outside as a deterrent. The duo was serving as Paul's escort, so their attire was nearly identical to the Knightly Maid attire worn by Noelle. The latter had become the de facto uniform the girls wore while on duty, so Paul gave off the impression of a 'proper' Noble to anyone that happened to be observing his group's foray through the Commercial District.
Reinforcing this sentiment, the clerk within the toy store enthusiastically greeted Paul's group with a stooped posture the moment they stepped inside. It was a little unorthodox for a Noble to walk around in public with someone riding their shoulders, but the aura surrounding Paul's group and the quality of their clothes and equipment made it apparent they were, at the very least, exceptionally wealthy.
Before responding to the somewhat fat, incredibly nervous-looking man, Paul removed Klee from his shoulders, allowing her to look around with Xiangling while he conversed with the owner. He had little interest in most of the items on display, but those powered by Magic Crystals and Stones were worthy of attention.
Making the portly store owner tense, Paul asked, "Are you responsible for creating these trinkets? I noticed several of them are enchanted. Are you a Mage?"
Instead of answering Paul's question, the store owner took out a cloth to wipe his brow, asking, "Are...I mean, is the esteemed gentleman affiliated with the Order of the Temple?"
Understanding the man's concerns, Paul adopted a relaxed smile, shaking his head as he answered, "Be at ease. My companions and I hail from the Kingdom of Asura. I was just curious as I never expected to encounter a Magic Craftsman conducting business within the Holy City. You must have quite the backing to avoid persecution from the Templars."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, the store owner adopted a broad, yellow-toothed grin as he happily revealed, "It's all thanks to Her Grace, the Venerable Lady Fontaine. She will not hesitate to punish those who persecute and oppress others, so businesses like mine have managed to gain a foothold beneath the banner of the Demon Acceptance Faction. Members of the Demon Expulsion Faction occasionally come around to cause trouble, but they aren't nearly as brazen as they used to be."
Recalling how Varuna had threatened to kill him if he failed her test, Paul didn't need a detailed explanation to understand what happened to those who wielded justice and faith as weapons to oppress others. The moment Varuna learned of their tyranny, she would have slain them without mercy.
"I see," said Paul. "It appears Milishion is on the verge of a much-needed change. I hope your store continues to thrive in the far future."
Adopting an even bigger grin, the store owner mused, "The esteemed gentleman's business would go a long way toward ensuring that. I can confidently state you won't find a broader selection of magical trinkets and baubles in all of Milishion, so you would be remiss to leave without purchasing anything."
Directing his gaze to Klee, the store owner's eyes glistened a bit as he mused, "They say you can't put a price on a child's happiness. I'm sure the esteemed gentleman wouldn't want to make his younger sister sad by departing empty-handed~."
Exhaling a faintly amused snort, Paul remarked, "You're not wrong," before pulling out a billfold filled with Yen-like banknotes. The pale green variant, known as a General Note, was valued at around a single Asura Silver Coin, while the pale pink denomination, known as a Holy Royal Note, was worth around half an Asuran Gold Coin. Paul's billfold was stuffed with the latter, so the store owner's eyes became as round as saucers as the smile on his face strained the muscles of his cheeks.
Interrupting and simultaneously stoking the man's greedy thoughts, Paul stated, "I need seventy-three toys suited to Beast Race children. I expect a reasonable price and a matching quality. If you attempt to scam me with inferior goods...well, let's just say things won't end well."
Though Paul didn't exude his aura, the narrowing of his eyes was enough to send shivers through the store owner's plump body, prompting the man to raise his hands and exclaim, "I wouldn't dare!" in a fearful tone.
Adopting an approving smile, Paul remarked, "Good," before handing over the billfold and adding, "Make sure the items are of similar quality. I don't want the children fighting over them. Once you are done, take them over to the Fontaine Auction House. Ask for a man named Dimsaul and tell him Paul Greyrat sent you. He'll take care of the rest."
Hearing Paul's name and the intended destination of his goods, a cold sweat broke out across the store owner's body. Paul's 'assault' on the White Palace was currently the talk of the town in Milishion. Even before that, he was world-famous as the youngest Water King in history, so the store owner couldn't help swallowing as he nervously inquired, "Are you truly Paul Greyrat...the King's Greatsword?"
Narrowing his eyes ever so slightly, Paul placed his hand on the man's shoulder and replied, "Don't disappoint me..." before retracing his hand and rejoining the girls. Klee had wanted to pick out toys for each of the Beast children, but Paul managed to convince her to leave it to the store owner before placing her on his shoulders and departing a few minutes later. Shortly after that, the store owner closed up shop before plopping to the ground, staring at Paul's billfold as if it were a pinless grenade...
...
..
.
Though Paul had carried her around for most of the day, Klee fell asleep on the return trip to the Fontaine Auction House. It had been a long time since she explored such a populous city, so she was completely tuckered out, nestled within Paul's embrace with a contented smile as she clung to his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
Unfortunately, Paul wasn't able to carry Klee all the way to her room as it wasn't just Dimsaul, Lilia, Ghislaine, and the girls from the IoF awaiting him outside the Fontaine Auction House. A very familiar carriage was also present, attended by a group of Knights wearing the distinctive, dark blue armor of the Order of the Temple.
After entrusting Klee to Jean, Paul approached the group's representative, none other than Ralkan Latreia, the presiding head of House Latreia. With him was a fairly handsome man in his late twenties to early thirties, the former possessing the distinct, golden-blonde hair of House Latreia while the latter had chestnut hair closer to Paul's original color; before it gained streaks of white.
Earning disproving looks from the two men, Paul dismissed with the usual formalities, maintaining a completely casual demeanor as he said, "Well, if it isn't the Lord of House Latreia, Earl Ralkan. And I suppose this is your would-be successor, the second son of House Caras, Sir Carlyte Caras~?"
Suppressing his very obvious disdain, Ralkan placed his hand over his chest and gave a proper Noble bow as he said, "It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the Asuran King's Greatsword, Sir Paul Greyrat."
Emulating his father-in-law's behavior, Carlyte also gave a proper bow and said, "And I am Carlyte 'Latreia...'" in a manner that emphasized his last name. Ralkan had adopted him into House Latreia as its future Lord, so referring to him by his original surname was an egregious insult.
Getting directly to the point, Paul asked, "So, what brings the two of you here? I would have thought the two of you would be pretty busy after the fiasco in the White Palace."
Raising his head, Ralkan stared directly into Paul's eyes as he replied, "I came here to apologize on behalf of my son. His foolishness allowed him to be taken advantage of, casting suspicion and bringing shame to all of House Latreia. Know that his punishment was not light..."
To emphasize his point, Ralkan gestured to his Chief Steward, Benson DeBois. In response, the elderly man stepped forward, presenting a box containing a severed left hand and multiple teeth. Rudigan's actions had nearly brought ruin to House Latreia, so Ralkan had unhesitantly turned him over to the Order of the Temple's Department of Inquisition. Their internal investigation concluded that Rudigan had no direct connection with the 'saboteurs' that had infiltrated the White Palace. However, as his ineptitude and folly had threatened the unity between the Holy and Asura Kingdoms, he would be spending the remainder of his short life in a prison cell.
Unmoved by the severed hand, Paul responded with a curt "Neat" before meeting Ralkan's gaze and asking, "Is that all? If so, I have other matters to attend. As for your apology, it is appreciated but unnecessary. I harbor no ill will toward House Latreia, and Archbishop Asheron has already mediated the matter on behalf of the Holy Kingdom. That being said, see you around."
Finished with what he had to say, Paul turned around and attempted to walk away, raising his hand as he did so. His behavior caused Carlyte's expression to darken, but the chestnut-haired man ultimately remained silent with a glance from Ralkan. The latter would have preferred to forge friendly relations with Paul, but avoiding an antagonistic relationship was far more integral to the survival of House Latreia...
...
..
.
(A/N: Ralkan may be opportunistic, but he isn't dumb...)

With Klee sleeping soundly in her bedroom, watched over by quite a number of people, Paul freshened up with the intention of participating in that evening's auction. Most of the items on sale technically belonged to him, but he was still interested in checking things out as auctions were a fairly common trope in fantasy settings. Thus, with Ei, Ghislaine, and Lilia in tow, Paul paid the 10 AGC fee to secure himself one of the ten VIP booths typically reserved for high-ranking members of the nobility and Church.
"I hate this..."
As she wasn't used to wearing restrictive clothing, Ghislaine had a grumpy look on her face as Paul had asked her to don a predominately black, red-trimmed kimono. He had no problems with her usual outfit, consisting of a pair of loose-fit trousers and a black, bra-like top, but he didn't want any of the people attending the auction to mistake her for a slave. She might not care, but it bothered Paul to have people mistake those closest to him as 'lessers.'
Ruffling the 193cm tall woman's hair, Paul said, "Just put up with it for a few hours. I'll make it up to you once we return to the Inn."
Though she furrowed her brows, Ghislaine made no attempts to evade Paul's hand. Instead, she tolerated his caress, crossing her arms as she grumbled, "I don't understand why you care about the opinions of people you resent. You already ran rampant through the White Palace. If anyone gives us crap, we can just beat them up and be done with it."
Adopting a smile, Paul replied, "You're not wrong..." before patting his lap, prompting Ghislaine to eventually take a seat as he added, "The problem with resorting to violence is that you'll need to continue employing it to maintain control. It also serves as a corrupting force to the people using it and those around them. The moment a leader stops caring or considering the consequences of their actions, they become a despot and a tyrant..."
Maintaining her furrowed look, Ghislaine asked, "Does it matter? Even if you become a tyrant, you can still inspire people and improve the lives of your subjects. Caring too much about the opinions of others will give your enemies the impression you're weak."
Nodding his head, Paul mused, "Perhaps. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Those with the capacity to oppose us will do so regardless of what we do. If a couple of clowns mistake us as easy marks, it gives people like Ningguang the leverage she needs to 'justly' ruin them..."
Recalling her past interactions with Ningguang, most of Ghislaine's doubts vanished. She knew the former wasn't very powerful, but for reasons she couldn't fully understand, Ghislaine couldn't imagine defeating her. A certain sense of 'surety' exuded from Ningguang's every word and action. If Ghislaine didn't know better, she could have easily been convinced the peculiar white-haired woman was the descendant of an omniscient God...
Seeing Ghislaine abruptly fall silent, a wry smile adorned Paul's face. He knew better than most how capable Ningguang was, but it was awkward knowing Ghislaine had more 'faith' in someone she hardly interacted with over him, someone she had accompanied for years.
Fortunately, just as Paul was thinking about ways to salvage his standing, the lights within the auction hall quickly dimmed, followed by the central stage lighting up. Shortly after, a rather buxom woman with inordinately long pink hair stepped out of the shadows, her shapely figure garbed in what could best be described as an old-fashioned pantsuit.
Voicing the thought that had just crossed Paul's mind, Ghislaine muttered, "She's strong..." in a silent yet severe tone.
Nodding his head, Paul replied, "It makes sense, considering the value of the items up for grabs. If the people in charge were weak, they wouldn't be able to ensure the safety of their customers and stock..."
Though the pink-haired woman was at best a Sword Saint, even the cuff links she wore were enchanted with powerful Magics. She likely wouldn't be able to contend against a King, but the average Saint would struggle to leave so much as a scratch on her.
As if sensing Paul's and Ghislaine's thoughts, the pink-haired woman briefly cast her gaze to their elevated booth, narrowing her amethyst eyes in amusement before looking down to address the masked crowd below. The Fontaine Auction House mandated that all its attendees wear masks and hooded cloaks to prevent those in positions of power and authority from pressuring the other guests. That didn't stop certain people from shouting out the organizations and companies they were affiliated with, but the price of doing so was a life-long ban or a fine of 100,000 Royal Notes.
"Greetings, distinguished Lords, Ladies, and guests from afar. I would like to welcome you to the Fontaine Auction House. For those of you who are unfamiliar with our institution, allow me the honor of introducing myself. I am Baroness Christina Juliana Lawrence, heiress of House Lawrence and Chief Financier of the Lawrence Mining Company. I'm 23 and single, but if you'd like to try your hand at winning my wealth and favor, be prepared to prove your worth in a duel."
With Christina directing her final few words in the general direction of his booth, a somewhat wry smile developed across Paul's face. He wasn't exactly lacking in female companions, so while Christina was certainly a bombshell in terms of appearance and disposition, Paul wasn't as moved as he would have been a few years prior. The crowd below, however, was abuzz with excitement as, after joining hands with House Fontaine, House Lawrence had become one of the wealthiest in all of Milishion.
*snap*
Demonstrating the borderline heinous amplification effect of her gloves, Christina snapped her fingers with enough force to produce a weak but incredibly loud shockwave, silencing the crowd and deterring a few of the bolder guests from trying to challenge her on the spot. At the same time, yet another voluptuous beauty stepped onto the stage, this time wearing a fairly modern bunny suit and pushing a silver cart. However, rather than fake ears and a detachable tail, hers were the real deal, the distinct traits of the 'Warrior Bunny' tribe.
After pushing the cart next to Christina, the bunny girl bowed low before returning to the shadows. Immediately following her departure, Christina pulled away the covering concealing the item up for auction, revealing an ornate dagger with a jewel-encrusted handle.
"Our first item is a magical dagger recovered from the A-Rank Labyrinth, Palace of Greed. It possesses the unique ability 'Wound Agitation,' making even the tiniest of cuts potentially fatal. The inaugural bid is six Milis Gold Coins. If you'd like to bid for this item, the minimum increment is one Milis Gold Coin while the maximum is ten."
Following Christina's introduction of the item, a bidding war immediately broke out in the general seating area. Magic items were fairly rare in the market as most Adventurers kept them as heirlooms to pass on to their descendants. More importantly, the dagger brought out by Christina was uniquely suited to assassinations. Even if they had no intention of using it, the Nobles within the crowd felt compelled to purchase the dagger just to avoid finding it in their back at a later date...
...
..
.
After witnessing more than a dozen relatively mundane items come and go, Paul began losing interest in the auction. Most magical items couldn't hold a candle to the equipment he obtained via the Intersection of Fate, so the only article that caught his interest was a mithril-infused kite shield purported to be able to reflect Saint-ranked Magic. However, as none of his companions specialized in utilizing shields, he decided to abstain from the bidding war that followed.
Fortunately, just as Paul was seriously considering retiring early, one of the rotating bunny girls brought forth a large red cushion bearing a single, silvery-white ring with a tiny blood-red gemstone. It wasn't nearly as eye-catching as some of the other items put up for auction, but its description caused tensions within the auction hall to become palpable.
"Our second-to-last article for the night is a magic ring discovered at the bottom of the S-Rank Labyrinth, Abyssal Plummet. Appearances aside, it possesses the exceptionally rare ability 'Sacrifice,' effectively granting its wielder a second life in the face of imminent death. The inaug-"
Before Christina could finish introducing the item, an incredibly deep voice emanated from the VIP box next to Paul's, stating, "100,000 Royal Notes." in a decisive tone. This was the equivalent of 50,000 Asura Gold Coins, so the only people who could contend against such a monstrous sum were those in possession of a Platinum Coin. However, as the voice originated from one of the boxes 'reserved' for high-ranking members of the Nobility and Church, no one in the general seating area was 'brazen' enough to contend the bid.
Undaunted by the bidder's status, Christina plainly declared, "It is against policy to state a bid before the inaugural bid is announced. Everyone who enters this hall agrees to abide by its rules and regulations, so I'm afraid the distinguished guest in booth number three is barred from competing for this particular item. Further violations will prevent you from competing in future auctions as well."
*audible gasps*
Though the Fontaine Auction House was regarded as the most reputable in the entire city, none of the people in the general seating area expected Christina to stand against the voice emanating from the VIP booth. House Lawrence had risen to enviable heights in a relatively short period of time. Still, even with the backing of House Fontaine, it couldn't hope to contend against the families that had ruled the Milis Holy Kingdom for generations.
Contrasting expectations, the person seated in booth number three didn't respond to Christina's 'provocation.' Instead, a tense silence fell upon the entire auction house, broken only when Christina went on to declare, "As I was saying, the inaugural bid will start at 100MGC. If you would like to bid for this item, the minimum increment is 10MGC while the maximum is 100."
Despite the relatively low starting bid, no one in the general seating area dared to compete for the ring. Doing so meant incurring the wrath of one of the most powerful families in all of Milishion, a family that undoubtedly had the backing of the Church. The last thing any of them wanted was a surprise visit from the Inquisition, so the hall remained silent for nearly a full minute until Paul mused, "I'll raise the maximum amount."
Hearing Paul's bid, a clamor spread through the audience hall, not just because he dared to compete against the voice from before but because his bid originated from the centermost VIP booth. Said booth had never once been used during previous auctions, not because it was unavailable but because there was an unspoken agreement between members of the Milis Aristocracy that the most lavish accommodations were reserved for the Pope and his Archbishops.
Interrupting the clamor before it could reach a crescendo, Christina loudly proclaimed, "That's 200 Milis Gold Coins from the gentleman seated in booth number one! Would anyone like to bid 210? This is a fairly rare item, you know~?"
Despite Christina's words, no one in the general seating area raised their paddles. As a result, Christina had no choice but to begin the countdown that would have granted Paul the rights to the sacrificial ring. Before she could finish the countdown, however, a soft and feminine voice emanated from the second VIP booth, stating, "We shall bid 300."
Striking a pose, Christina shouted, "Now we're talking! I have 300MGC from the esteemed guest seated in booth number two! Can I get 310!? Perhaps even four~!?"
Once again contrasting expectations, Paul shook his head, choosing to abstain from further bidding. The only reason he put forth an initial bid was to spite the person seated in booth number three. Now that another VIP had made an offer, he didn't mind stepping down and allowing them to acquire the ring at an incredibly low cost. He originally planned to give the ring to Lilia, but as rare as the 'Sacrifice' enchantment was, it wasn't like it guaranteed the wearer's survival. It might save them from a fatal blow, but if the person who attacked them were still present, they would simply be prolonging the inevitable...
...
..
.
(A/N: Christina is based on the character of the same name in Granblue Fantasy.)

After being escorted from the palace and shown to the front gate, Paul was unsurprised to find an expensive-looking carriage and an aged Butler waiting for them. The highly-polished emblem on his lapels denoted him as a servant of House Latreia, so Paul didn't immediately tell him to fuck off when the man approached and offered a courteous bow in the manner of the Asura Kingdom.
With his head bowed, the well-dressed, equally well-groomed Butler said, "My name is Benson DeBois, Chief Steward in service of House Latreia. If Sir Paul is willing, my master, Lord Ralkan Latreia, has invited you and your companions to spend the evening at the Latreia Estate."
Though he had a middling interest in House Latreia, Paul didn't hesitate to answer, "Perhaps some other time. It's been nearly two weeks since I met with my escort. It would be exceptionally negligent on my part to accept your Lord's invitation when I've yet to confirm the status and safety of my own people."
Seemingly anticipating Paul's response, Benson raised his head, stating, "My Lord has also authorized me to see you and your companions safely to your destination. You'll have a much easier time passing checkpoints in a carriage bearing the sigil of House Latreia, so please allow me the honor of escorting you."
Adopting an amused smile, Paul gestured with his right hand, prompting Ganyu to transform into her Qilin form as he said, "I am perfectly capable of getting around on my own. Now, return to your Lord and tell him that if he truly wishes to meet with me, he'll seek me out directly."
Though Paul's words could be regarded as an extreme faux pas, so could Ralkan's decision to send a servant instead of meeting Paul in person. It was equivalent to 'summoning' him and was something Nobles did when they wanted to elevate themselves or reinforce the image they were in a superior position.
Seeing Paul turn away and mount Ganyu, a glimmer of disdain appeared in Benson's eyes. House Latreia were staunch supporters of the Order of the Temple, so Paul choosing to depart on the back of a 'Demon Beast' rather than accepting to board the carriage they had prepared was a particularly egregious insult.
Having noticed Benson's chagrin, Paul waited until Yae and Ei were on Ganyu's back before looking down at the elderly Butler and saying, "This is the one, and only time I will warn you. I truly don't give a damn what you think, but the next time you gaze at me or one of my companions with such eyes, be prepared to lose them."
Punctuating his words, Paul released just a fraction of the bloodlust he had refined during his brutal training with Atofe and Murata. Combined with his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, he could cause just about any creature with self-preservation instincts to fear for their life.
Unable to withstand Paul's aura, Benson immediately collapsed to his knees, supporting himself with his hands as sweat dripped from his body like a waterfall. This wasn't the first time he had met someone of the King Rank, but Paul's aura was far beyond anything he had experienced. If he weren't aware of the latter's origins, Benson would have thought he was in the presence of Demon God Laplace...
...
..
.
"Big brother~!"
After departing the White Palace and causing a commotion by flying over numerous checkpoints, Paul eventually found himself outside an Auction House in Milishion's Commercial District. More specifically, he was about to enter the high-class Inn attached to it when a sprinting Klee, followed closely by Jean, emerged from the interior.
Catching the surprisingly swift Elfette out of the air, Paul couldn't help smiling as Klee buried her face into his chest and squeezed him as hard as she could. She was initially happy to see him, but when Paul held her in his embrace, her tiny body began trembling like an abandoned kitten left out in the cold.
Without raising her face from Paul's chest, Klee sobbingly muttered, "Klee really missed you...please don't leave Klee alone anymore..."
Though her backpack got in the way, Paul held Klee firmly as he replied, "I can't promise I'll always be around, Klee, but I can promise I'll always return. Now, how about you dry those tears and give me a smile? I won't feel like I've truly returned until I see your happy face."
Removing her face from Paul's chest, Klee responded with a meek "Okay" before using her sleeve to wipe her eyes. When she eventually lowered it, Paul could see tiny bags under them. The little Elfette had evidently been losing sleep over his absence, but she eventually managed a radiant smile &nbsp;and said, "Welcome back, Big Brother~!"
As an imaginary, heart-shaped arrow pierced his chest, Paul couldn't help exhaling. He wasn't sure he would ever get used to hearing someone call him 'Big Brother,' but it felt pleasant. The only downside was that, once he summoned Alice, she would invariably expect him to call her 'Mommy'...
...
..
.
After a somewhat chaotic bath and staying with Klee until she fell asleep, Paul entrusted her to Ganyu, Diona, and Sayu before slipping out to meet with everyone who had stayed behind during his visit to the White Palace.
Unsurprisingly, shortly after Paul, Ei, Yae, and Ganyu had departed for the White Palace, Rudigan's men had attempted to 'insist' that Dimsaul direct the convoy to a private warehouse in the Residential District, an area that was strictly populated by individuals and families affiliated with the Order of the Temple.
Fortunately, while Ningguang's primary focus was developing the Strife Zone into the burgeoning nation of Teyvat, she didn't neglect to spread her influence through other countries. Alongside Barbara, she had also sent Rosaria, Childe, Thoma, and eventually Lyney and Varuna to secure a foothold in the Holy Kingdom. The latter, in particular, was regarded by an increasing number of people as the second coming of Saint Milis, so Paul wasn't strictly relying on his own power and status when he elected to cut loose in the White Palace.
Though it had been less than two years since her arrival, Varuna had risen to the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Order of Instruction after distinguishing herself as the most powerful Holy Knight in the entire country. More notably, despite initially being refused the opportunity to learn Healing Magic above the Intermediate Rank, she was able to restore missing limbs and even bring fallen Knights back from the brink of death. Such 'miracles' were typically reserved for Archbishops or large groups of people utilizing Emperor-Ranked Healing Magic, so it wasn't difficult to comprehend why Varuna was regarded as the second coming of Milis.a
In acknowledgment of Varuna's capabilities, the Pope had appointed her the Honorary status of a Bishop, similar to Rudigan's father, Ralkan. From the perspective of the people, this made her one of the youngest Bishops in Milishion's history, a status she used to establish House Fontaine, one of the fastest-rising Noble Houses in the country.
Though many opposed Varuna's meteoric rise, particularly those affiliated with the Order of the Temple, her character and capabilities made her too popular to suppress. Several had tried, but Varuna's natural charisma and uncompromising sense of justice had garnered her tremendous support from the public, leading to a sequence of investigations that ruined some of the most prominent families in the city.
Taking advantage of the power vacuum produced in the wake of these families' fall, Ningguang used the name and status of House Fontaine to establish multiple businesses in Milishion. Her initial goals were to create a safety net for Barbara and facilitate the transport of people and goods from the Great Forest, but she had underestimated just how 'curious' the people of Milishion were about the outside world. With Varuna's fame and rising status as one of the leaders of the Demon Race Acceptance faction, it wasn't long before the businesses belonging to House Fontaine became the chief purveyor of 'exotic goods' within the city of Milishion.
When Rudigan's men attempted to force him to direct the convoy into an obvious trap, Dimsaul didn't hesitate to produce documents denoting their affiliation with House Fontaine. He also had a permit showing they were authorized to stage at a warehouse in the Commercial District and, most importantly, an invoice denoting that the goods they were importing and had been charged tariffs for belonged to the 'Fontaine Auction House.' In other words, the Order of the Temple had no grounds to 'insist' the convoy stage anywhere except the location they had previously arranged, not without exposing their scheme...
After hearing Dimsaul's report, Paul thanked the man for his hard work before telling him to get some rest. Then, as it was already 1:43 AM, he decided to forego sleep in favor of making small talk with the girls and asking for their views. Only Lynette and Shinobu had actively ventured outside the Commercial District, but they still had eleven days to get a feel for the city and its people.
As was often the case, Jean was among the first to speak, revealing, "I had a chance to meet with Barbara a few days ago. She has become a ward of House Fontaine and has been attending the Holy Milis Academy for Girls. It was a bit presumptuous of me, but I promised you would meet with her on her next day off."
Smiling broadly, Paul remarked, "That isn't being presumptuous; it's forward thinking. If not for the Order of the Temple's scheme, I would have arranged to meet her the day we arrived in the city. Hell, I'm half-tempted to go visit her right now..."
Returning a smile of her own, Jean replied, "I would advise against it. Per tradition, everyone attending the Holy Milis Academy for Girls must reside in a basic, female-only convent. If you were to visit, it would cause quite a scandal..."
Raising his brows, Paul asked, "Does it matter? Given how much time has passed, I expected Barbara to tag along when we set out for the Asura Kingdom. Don't tell me she's bought into their propaganda and developed a fondness for the teachings of Milis...?"
Shaking her head, Jean revealed, "The problem is the 'mission' assigned to her by Ningguang. She managed to befriend the daughters of House Latreia, but the accomplishments of Lady Varuna have inspired her target, Zenith Latreia, to decide against running away from home."
"Ah..."
Though he knew Barbara had been sent to watch over and keep Zenith safe, Paul couldn't help frowning in response to Jean's words. His stay in the Demon Continent had drastically affected his perspective of the world of Mushoku Tensei and his sense of responsibility as the Champion of the IoF. As much as he appreciated the 'character' of Zenith, he no longer felt it was appropriate to assign people to watch over her...
Deciding against making rash decisions, Paul stared into the flames of the nearby hearth with a pensive look as he said, "I'll speak with Barbara and hear what she has to say. When is her next day off?"
Lowering her head slightly, Jean courteously replied, "At the end of our previous meeting, we agreed to meet at the Fontaine Estate this Sunday, specifically around 11 AM. There is a good chance that Lady Varuna will also be present."
Smiling wryly, Paul issued a faint "Right..." before taking a sip from the glass of whiskey he had been nursing. Varuna had visited him a few times during his secret stay at Kishirika Castle, but he still had a few...difficulties when it came to interacting with her. Ever since he challenged her views and forced her to acquiesce, she had become one of the more 'devoted' women in his entourage. The 'choker' she wore bearing his initials was the best proof of that fact...
...
..
.
(A/N: Certain types of devotion can be scary...)

Chapter 209: Day Trip