Mushoku Impact

Though he couldn't resist the urge to reach up and grope Varuna's chest, Paul asked, "Aren't we supposed to be having brunch in thirty minutes? I don't mind getting straight to the point, but I don't want to keep Barbara waiting longer than she has to..."
Maintaining a calm disposition, despite the fact Paul was groping her, Varuna replied, "I asked you here in advance to inform you that Barbara has invited her 'friends' to accompany us. If it's Master, I'm certain you have at least some idea of who I'm referring to...?"
Raising his brows, Paul guessed, "Is it Zenith...?" with a hint of disbelief in his tone. He knew she and Barbara had become fairly close, but he didn't expect her to invite 'outsiders' to their reunion.
Adopting a faint smile, Varuna mused, "As expected of my Master..." before regaining her usual cold demeanor and adding, "However, you're short one person. Therese Latreia, the fourth daughter of House Latreia, will also be attending."
"Seriously...?" asked Paul. He knew Barbara had befriended more than just Zenith, but Therese should only be around ten years old, barely in her first year at the Holy Milis Academy for Girls. It made sense if she was tagging along with her older sister, but Paul's intuition told him there was a deeper meaning behind her attendance.
Seeing through Paul's thoughts, Varuna narrowed her eyes and mused, "Master's fame has spread far beyond the borders of the Asura Kingdom. There are many from your generation who look up to you, even in a place like this."
"Ah..."
Recalling that his current body was barely fifteen, a wry smile developed across Paul's face. Those older than him regarded him as a monster that jeopardized the current order, but those younger than him viewed him as a kind of idol, someone to admire or surpass.
Nodding her head, Varuna said, "It's slow and gradual, but many already view you as a force for change, a beacon of hope that promises a brighter future. There will be those who seek to suppress you, but so long as you endure, countless others will flock to your side. That's how revolutions are wrought."
Seeing the 'seriousness' in Varuna's gaze, Paul released his hold on her nipples, a somewhat cheeky smile developing across his face as he said, "Then you should probably get changed. After all, I'm not the only one those girls look up to..."
Nodding her head a second time, Varuna replied, "Master is correct. However, as it has been some time since our last encounter, there is something I must do before that..."
Following her words, Varuna kneeled before Paul and began unfastening his belt. Her body hungered for greater intimacy, but penetration was far from the only way to quell her desires...at least for a short while...
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With Varuna saying she would join near the end of the brunch, Paul made his way through the scenic courtyard of the Fontaine Estate, escorted by the taciturn Persha.
Stopping just as an ornate blue and white gazebo came into view, Persha pulled out a silvery bell and stated, "You will find Lady Fontaine's guests up ahead. If you require our services, please ring this bell."
Accepting the bell, Paul pocketed it and thanked Persha for guiding him before making his way over to the bevy of blondes observing his gradual approach. Noelle was presumably preparing tea and snacks, so everyone present, excluding Paul, had golden or strawberry blonde hair.
Expecting Barbara to come rushing at him, Paul was somewhat surprised when she simply rose to her feet alongside the other girls, smiling at him as he approached. Her appearance hadn't changed much since their last encounter, but her disposition had become noticeably noble and refined. There was a discernible 'hunger' in her eyes, but she managed to conceal it well with a practiced smile and perfect posture.
Interrupting the somewhat tense atmosphere, Klee bounced out of her chair, shouting, "Big brother~!" before rushing over and leaping into his embrace.
Catching the petite blonde out of the air, Paul asked, "Have you been behaving?" while Klee enthusiastically rubbed her cheek against his. In response, Klee momentarily ceased her over-affectionate actions and replied, "Of course! Klee made a promise, so she's been super good~!" with crossed arms and a fairly proud look on her face.
Nodding his head in approval, Paul pinched the diminutive elfette's cheek and said, "Keep it up, and I'll be sure to reward you once we return to the Inn."
Cupping her cheeks, Klee responded with a bashful, "Ehehehehe~" while Paul carried her back to the gazebo. There, he returned her to her chair before focusing his gaze on Barbara, smiling as he said, "It's been far too long..."
Though she did her best to maintain her ladylike appearance, Barbara's smile grew to its limits as an aura of giddiness gradually exuded from her body. She managed to avoid an outburst, but her voice bore an undertone of glee as she replied, "It really has been."
In an effort to prevent herself from squealing in delight, Barbara promptly shifted her attention to the two girls wearing the same uniform as herself, a fairly buxom blonde who appeared to be in her late teens and a visually similar girl on the threshold of pubescence. The two were clearly sisters, but the older girl exuded the air of a proper young lady, while the younger sibling gave the distinct impression of a tomboy.
Gesturing toward Paul, Barbara beamed as she said, "Zenith, Theresa, allow me to introduce you to Paul Greyrat, the Asura King's Greatsword. I'm sure you've heard of him~?"
Hearing Barbara's introduction, Zenith's and Theresa's eyes widened to varying degrees. The former managed to maintain her bearing, but the latter practically exploded, exclaiming, "Is that true!? Are you really 'the' Paul Greyrat...!?"
Nodding his head, Paul offered a relaxed smile as he replied, "Indeed. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances, Zenith and Theresa."
Balling her hands and raising them into a guts pose, Theresa's cerulean blue eyes sparkled as she said, "Incredible! You must teach me how you became so strong!"
Before Paul could offer a response, Zenith adopted a gently chastizing expression and tone as she said, "That's quite enough, Theresa. It's not polite to pester someone you've only recently become acquainted with."
Shaking his head, Paul supplanted, "It's fine. I'm not overly concerned with things like manners. Feel free to speak casually and question me at your leisure. So long as it doesn't turn into an interrogation, I don't mind assuaging your curiosities."
Piggybacking off of Paul's words, Barbara issued a soft giggle before stating, "Paul is a passionate but reasonable person. You need not be fearful of inadvertently offending him."
Adopting a slightly awkward smile, Zenith replied, "I see..." before asking the question at the forefront of her mind, specifically, "How is it that you came to be acquainted with Sir Paul, Barbara? Don't tell me he's the one you were referring to when..."
Understanding what Zenith was referring to, a faint but noticeable blush spread through Barbara's cheeks. It was well-known among the girls in the academy that she was affianced, but not even the Latreia sisters were privy to her future husband's identity.
Nodding her head, Barbara admitted, "Paul and I have vowed to love and protect one another for the rest of our lives..."
Discarding her ladylike demeanor, Zenith brought her hands together and exclaimed, "Oh my!" in a girlish tone. Gossip was strictly prohibited within the convent, but what young girl wasn't enamored with stories of love and romance? Before they were married off to strengthen their families, even the daughters of Nobles had hopes and dreams.
Pouring a bit of cold water on the conversation, Jean stated, "Please keep in mind that the relationship between Paul and Barbara is a secret. I want to believe in your friendship, but recent events have placed your family at odds with our Master. If the Order of the Temple learned you were friends with one of their enemies, they would attempt to exploit your relationship to their advantage."
Though rumors of Paul's exploits within the White Palace had permeated the entirety of Milishion, Jean's warning caught Zenith and Theresa a little off guard. Their family was political-minded, meaning they pandered to all three factions, but their most prominent association was with the Order of the Temple. It wasn't difficult to imagine their parents instructing them to betray their friend if it meant improving their standing. After all, they were already being pressured to use their relationship with Barbara to get close to Lady Fontaine...
Understanding the severity of the situation, Zenith adopted a serious expression and said, "I swear to Saint Milis. I will not disclose Barbara's and Sir Paul's relationship to anyone..."
Seeing her elder sister make a vow, Theresa felt compelled to do the same. Before she could, Paul shook his head and said, "It's not that big a deal. It might have been a few years ago, but things have changed pretty drastically since then. If anything, you should use your relationship with Barbara to ensure your family doesn't force you to do anything you don't want to."
Shifting his gaze to Barbara, Paul surprised her by adding, "You also shouldn't feel obligated to remain in Milishion. I won't stop you if you wish to stay and protect your friends, but I'd prefer having you at my side..."
Blushing up to her ears, Barbara pressed her hands to her chest, her heart beating madly within. She was originally planning to stay in Milishion until they had secured a foothold, but there was only so much she could do as a student. Most of her standing came from Varuna's backing, so the only reason she had to stay was her friendship with the Latreia sisters.
As fond as she was of Zenith, Angelica, and Theresa, Barbara's love for Paul was much greater. Thus, before her mind even had time to process the pros and cons of her decision, she enthusiastically replied, "If that's what my future husband wants, then of course I'll return to your side~!"
Though he was somewhat taken aback by Barbara's sudden vigor, Paul couldn't help smiling. He felt sorry for Zenith and Theresa, but while he felt obligated to ensure their safety and happiness, he couldn't put them before those he truly cared about.
Reinserting herself into the conversation, Therese exclaimed, "Wait! Does this mean sister Barbara's going to leave!? But what about becoming Holy Knights together...!?"
Temporarily restraining her excitement, Barbara turned to Therese and said, "I'm sorry, Therese, but my heart has always been with Paul. If he says he needs me, I must be at his side."
Demonstrating her lack of maturity, Therese began to tear up as she slammed her hands on the table, exclaiming, "It's not fair! Weren't we going to work our way up the ranks and fix the church from the inside!? We need you just as much as he does...!"
Seeing the hurt in Therese's eyes, a pang of guilt permeated Barbara's chest. She felt as though she had betrayed the young girl's trust, but her desire to accompany Paul was much stronger. He hadn't exactly said he 'needed' her, but that was how she interpreted his words. With that being the case, there was no way she could remain in Milishion.
Sparing Barbara the need to make excuses, Zenith abruptly hugged her little sister, her voice gentle and soothing as she said, "It's going to be okay, Therese. We've known for a long time that Barbara was engaged. It's clear she loves her fiance very dearly, so, as her friends, we should support her decision and pray for her happiness..."
Shifting her attention to the others seated around the table, Zenith briefly exchanged glances with Jean before meeting Barbara's remorse-filled gaze as she repeated words the latter had said to her many times in the past, "After all, the most important thing in life is to follow your heart and do what makes you happy..."
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(A/N: Zenith is very mature for a thirteen-year-old...)

Though Zenith's words had stopped her outburst, it was clear to everyone present that Therese wasn't convinced. She didn't have many friends, and Barbara was the only girl around her age with a similar desire for strength. Most of the other girls at the academy focused on Healing and Barrier Magic, so Barbara was one of the few people Therese could spar with and ask for advice.
"Let's do this," said Paul. "You asked me how I became strong earlier. The answer to that is fairly simple. While I've been provided with innumerable blessings, I've never stopped trying to improve myself. Part of that can be attributed to my pride, but the main driving force behind my actions is the desire to protect and improve the lives of others..."
Passing his gaze over Jean and Barbara, Paul's expression softened as he added, "There is also my desire to meet the expectations of those who love, depend on, or believe in me. Without the support of many amazing people, even overcoming the Advanced Rank would have been difficult..."
Returning his attention to Therese, Paul ended his impromptu monologue by stating, "You also have the potential to grow much stronger, Therese. Just imagine all the things you want to protect and train with the notion that someone might take them from you at any moment. As a daughter of House Latreia, you should know full well such people exist..."
Furrowing her brows, Therese lowered her gaze to her hands, clenched beneath the table. She was tempted to point out that Paul was currently taking something from her, but she knew that wasn't the case. Paul had given her the option, and Barbara was the one who decided to return to him. If she truly regarded the latter as her friend, she didn't have the right to intervene...
After a lengthy and somewhat tense period of silence, Zenith elected to insert herself back into the conversation, saying, "Since you said it was okay to ask questions, there's a matter I'd like clarification on. The Paul Greyrat spoken of in the rumors is fairly famous as a womanizer. There is even a rumor claiming that you wooed the Water God in order to gain her favor. I'm curious to know if there's any truth to these claims."
Understanding why Zenith was asking such a question, Paul closed his eyes and exhaled a faint sigh before adopting a serious expression and answering, "I would be lying if I said there wasn't at least a grain of truth to the rumors. However, while I'll admit to being a pervert, I would reject the title of womanizer. As...prolific as my exploits are, I don't view women as playthings to satisfy my desires..."
Hearing Paul's response, the usually warm smile on Zenith's face became somewhat scary. She was still smiling, but there was a penetrating gleam in her azure eyes. As for Therese, she immediately became heated, rising to her feet with a furious countenance as she stammered, "You...you...you unfaithful pig...!"
Leaping to Paul's defense, quite literally, Barbara bounced to her feet and shouted, "Don't say that about Paul! He tries harder than anyone to make the people around him happy! We're the ones imposing upon him, so don't you dare insult him...!"
Having never witnessed an angry Barbara, Therese shrunk back with a look of disbelief on her face. The Barbara she knew was kind and caring to the point of being called the 'Little Saintess' of Milis Academy. Seeing her genuinely angry made Therese feel as though she had committed a grave, unforgivable sin...
"Calm yourself, Barbara/Therese." said Jean and Zenith, their voices overlapping near-perfectly. They were the older sisters of the two girls, so they felt obligated to intervene before things got out of hand.
Exchanging glances due to the unexpected overlap of their words, Jean and Zenith appeared to reach a silent understanding, both nodding before the former asserted, "We haven't been entirely forthright with you. Once you hear our explanation, I'm certain most of the enmity you feel towards our Master will cease..."
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Though she didn't reveal anything related to the Intersection of Fate or Barbara's secret mission, Jean explained the origins of herself, Barbara, and the many women surrounding Paul in accordance with the story they had come up with. In essence, she gave them the same excuse Paul had given his parents many years prior, a story that had become increasingly known among the world's most influential figures...
With Noelle showing up to provide drinks and snacks partway through the explanation, Zenith pensively nursed a cup of tea while Therese stared off into space with illusory steam rising from her head. Both had the distinct impression they had gotten involved with something far beyond them, but the duo remained silent until Jean was finished speaking.
"And that's the gist of our situation," said Jean, adding, "I hope that, given the significance of what we've just discussed, you won't reveal the details to anyone. We will not punish you for doing so, but you'll find it difficult to regain our trust if you do."
Coming to her senses in response to Jean's words, Zenith asked, "Why are you telling us all of this? Even if we're Barbara's friends, what you've just said concerns the fate of the whole world. We're just the second and fourth daughters of an Earl. We can't fight against a monster like Laplace."
"How peculiar..." replied a cold, feminine voice. "Was it not St. Milis who said humans had unlimited potential for growth? With sufficient ambition and drive, anything is possible."
Recognizing the voice, Zenith, Therese, Barbara, and Jean rose to their feet, the former exclaiming, "Lady Fontaine! We were just-"
Gesturing for silence, Varuna, seemingly having materialized out of thin air, stated, "Calm yourselves. If it wasn't made apparent, I am one of the higher-ranking Spirits summoned by my Master. Now that you know the truth, you need not stand on ceremony when we're alone."
Though she had presumed it to be the case, Zenith was still gobsmacked to learn that Lady Fontaine, someone she respected nearly as much as St. Milis herself, was a Spirit.
Unconcerned with Zenith's mental state, Varuna went on to state, "Back to what I was saying. So long as you have the drive, you and your sister can achieve anything your heart desires. Our Master wishes for a world where people are free of the constraints of their birth and able to pursue any path. If you wish to be of help in the fight against Laplace, you need only steel your heart and apply yourself to your training."
Following her statement, Varuna cast a glance at Klee, seated atop Paul's lap, before taking the seat next to him. She wasn't fond of those with an affinity for Pyro, but she was more annoyed by the fact someone else was seated in Paul's lap. Such injustice.
With Noelle providing her with a fresh cup of tea, Varuna took a moment to savor its flavor and aroma before narrowing her eyes at the nervous-looking Zenith and Therese, asking, "Is there something you wish to say? Speak freely."
Summoning her courage, Zenith asked, "If you're a Spirit summoned by Sir Paul, why have you come to Milishion? What are you hoping to achieve by infiltrating the Milis Church?"
Narrowing her eyes even further, Varuna calmly asserted, "I have no more infiltrated the Milis Church than any other person seeking to use its power and authority. Before you condemn or question my intentions, you should direct your scrutiny to the would-be Nobles who have commandeered the Milis Religion for personal gain. My only objective is to see justice brought to those who believe themselves above the laws they impose on others."
With each of Varuna's words carrying the uncompromising resolution of a Goddess, Zenith found herself unable to move, much less speak. She knew just how corrupt the church and the families who supported it were, so there was little she could say to contend Varuna's claims.
Contrasting her elder sister, Therese was starry-eyed as she muttered, "So cool..." in an awe-filled tone. Her dream was to be a Templar who meted out justice and defended the innocent, so Varuna's words had a profound impact on her.
Shifting her gaze to Therese, a rare smile adorned Varuna's face as she stated, "You, in particular, have tremendous potential for growth, Therese. With proper guidance, you could become a pillar supporting both the Milis Religion and the world. If you're willing to accept me as your Master, I can help you to unlock your full potential."
As apprenticing under Varuna was the dream of countless would-be Templars, Therese didn't hesitate to respond, "I accept!" while rising to her feet. Varuna was regarded as one of, if not 'the' strongest, people in all of Milishion. Therese was still a little muddle-headed after hearing the explanation of Jean, but she knew she would regret it if she missed the opportunity to become Varuna's protege.
Seeing how excited her younger sister was, a faint yet exasperated sigh escaped Zenith's throat. Therese wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but Zenith didn't expect her to agree to Varuna's proposal without so much as a moment for consideration. Now, she had little choice but to work hard alongside her...
Crossing her arms in a way that inadvertently accented her breasts, Zenith said, "If possible, I would also like to study under Lady Fontaine. I may not be able to compare to Barbara, but my Healing and Detoxification Magic are among the best in the academy. If Therese is determined to be a Holy Knight or Templar, I will be the Priestess that supports her."
Nodding her head in approval, Varuna said, "Well said. With the two of you supporting one another, your growth will be even faster. Just keep in mind that while I'm your Master, the person I serve is Master Paul. If you are to apprentice under me, you will afford him even greater respect."
Feeling as though Varuna was about to make things complicated, Paul interjected, saying, "There's no need for that. They're Barbara's friends, and I've already asked them to behave casually. If they're to show me respect in the future, it will be because I've earned it."
Furrowing her brows, Varuna briefly considered protesting her Master's words but ultimately decided against it. It would be a simple matter to convince Zenith and Therese he was worthy of their respect once Paul departed for the Asura Kingdom, so Varuna decided to put off the duo's indoctrination until then.
Adopting a faint smile, Varuna said, "Then, at least for the time being, let's enjoy these snacks and speak freely..."
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With Barbara temporarily returning to the academy, Jean accompanying Klee on her exploration, and Noelle familiarizing herself with the estate's facilities, Paul and Varuna were left alone in a secret dungeon constructed by the latter.
"You did well," said Paul. "Jean can be a little too straightforward at times, so I was relieved when you appeared to help settle things..."
Contrasting the sincerity in his words, Paul had an almost apathetic look on his face as he dripped crimson candle wax on the bound, gagged, and blindfolded Varuna. Her neck, wrists, and ankles were fixed in place by a wooden pillory, but instead of being in distress, nasally moans emanated from Varuna's throat as she breathed laboriously through her nose.
As the wax built up on Varuna's breasts, Paul couldn't help wondering how things had developed to this point. It wasn't nearly as extreme as some of the things he had done with Atofe and the two Kishirikas, but when it came to Varuna, Paul always had the distinct impression he was corrupting something meant to be pure...
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(A/N: We all know Goddesses are even kinkier than Demons...)

*smack* *smack* *smack* *smack*
Though she was somehow even tighter than the first time he fucked her, Paul had no issues moving, his hips slamming into Venti's ass cheeks with enough force to send visible ripples through her body. Her back and toes curled as a powerful orgasm wracked her body, but Paul didn't reduce his speed. Instead, he gave the buxom Archon's already swollen ass cheek a firm smack, causing her body to tense as she gripped the sheets beneath her with a slovenly, intoxicated look on her face.
Holding his breath and gritting his teeth, Paul steadily increased his pace despite the interior of Venti's pussy becoming a faux-vacuum. It felt like the tip of his dick was about to explode, but he remained undaunted, his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception glistening as he pressed against the entrance of Venti's cervix and released enough semen to fill a small mug.
Clamping down like a vice, Venti released a sonorous, high-pitched moan as her back arched enough that she was able to stare directly at Paul. He supported and kissed her body in response, the two of them holding that position for nearly two full minutes as Venti's abdomen slowly but visibly inflated, her Anemo Crest shimmering brighter than an emerald under the sun.
Feeling a disconcerting movement in the depths of Venti's vagina, Paul loosened his hold on her body, allowing his penis to slip out of her with an audible pop. He knew what came next, but before he could lay her down, Venti hooked her hand around his neck, an indescribably passionate look on her face as she said, "Hold me..." in a pleading tone.
Nodding his head, Paul continued to cradle Venti in his arms as the bulge in her belly briefly inflated before depressing in an instant. Moments later, a softball-sized Anemo Seelie popped out, a sigh of relief escaping Venti's throat as she entrusted her full weight to Paul.
Adopting a wry yet affectionate smile, Paul kissed the top of Venti's head, whispering, "Good job..." in a loving tone. At the same time, he watched as the newly born Seelie got its bearings, various thoughts crossing his mind as the ethereal creature flittered around the room in excitement.
Forming a platform with her hands, Venti whispered, "Come to me..." in a somewhat longing tone, compelling the Seelie to pause before eventually perching atop her palms. Then, just as she had every other Seelie, Venti gave the nebulous blob a kiss, whispering, "Be free..." before releasing it like a dove.
Without tarrying for so much as a second, the emerald-green Seelie took off like a comet, phasing through the ceiling and disappearing from Paul's perception. Seeing it depart left him with a peculiar sensation of loss, but he didn't have much time to process it as Venti looked up at him, smiling like a Succubus as she asked, "Ready for round seven~?"
Before Paul could respond, Diona exclaimed, "No! It's my turn...!" with her teeth bared. She had passed out after climaxing several times, but the sounds of Paul fucking other women made it difficult to sleep peacefully. Most of the other girls departed shortly after getting off, but Diona was the type to stick around, refusing to let Venti have Paul to herself.
Instead of attempting to argue, Venti adopted a catty smile and replied, "Sure, have fun~" before giving Paul a peck on the lips and adding, "I'll use this opportunity to grab us something to drink~" in a sing-song tone.
Shaking his head, Paul said, "You should go ahead and get washed up. I don't know the exact time, but I'm fairly certain the sun has already risen. Breakfast should be ready soon."
Clicking her tongue, Venti playfully mused, "You're no fun..." before leaving the room with her voluminous ass swaying as seductively as she could manage. It was admittedly quite the sight to behold, but Paul only spared the perfectly sculpted mounds a cursory glance before turning his attention to Diona, asking, "Want to cuddle?" in a hopeful tone.
Narrowing her eyes, Diona pointedly replied, "You always want to cuddle when it's just the two of us remaining. I'm not a pet..."
Adopting a faint smile, Paul softly remarked, "You're one of the few girls I can relax around. Do you not enjoy cuddling with me?"
Furrowing her brows into a severe pout, Diona firmly asserted, "You know that isn't true...!"
Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, Paul maintained his smile as he offered a compromise, suggesting, "Then how about we do this? You lay on your side, and I'll hold you from behind. We can cuddle and have sex at the same time. Nice and slow."
Though she originally wanted Paul to do her the same way as Venti, Diona couldn't prevent her ears from perking up at his suggestion. She not-so-secretly preferred slow and gentle lovemaking, so she only hesitated for a brief moment before releasing an 'exasperated' sigh and answering, "Fine. But the next time we do it, I want you to treat me the same as Venti..."
Recalling the 'beastly' look on Paul's face as he pinned Venti to the bed, an itchy feeling spread through Diona's chest. She knew it wasn't a good idea to compare herself to others, but she couldn't help being envious of the girls Paul spent the most time with.
Understanding Diona's thoughts, a faint sigh escaped Paul's nose as he extended his hand to caress the cat girl's head. He couldn't do much about her envy, but he could at least give her his full attention when it was just the two of them...
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After washing up and making his way to the lounge area, Paul barely had time to take in his surroundings when Klee came running at him, shouting, "Big brother~!" as she leaped at him.
Catching the petite pyromaniac out of the air, a faint smile developed across Paul's somewhat weary face as he replied, "Good morning, Klee. Did you sleep well?"
Nodding her head with a bit of vigor, Klee raised her hands and shouted, "I got to cuddle with Ganyu~!" in a cheerful tone.
Exhaling a light chuckle, Paul mused, "How envious." as he carried the bubbly girl back to the dining table. Xiangling had prepared a veritable breakfast buffet, so Paul fed Klee and snacked on a few finger sausages while Noelle and Ganyu recounted his itinerary for the day.
With her hands crossed neatly over her lap, Noelle revealed, "Baroness Lawrence asked us to convey that she is more than happy to meet with Master at his earliest convenience next week. Would you like me to pen her into your schedule?"
Furrowing his brows, Paul briefly considered refusing, but, as he was the one to propose rescheduling in the first place, he replied, "Sure. Pen her in for some time Tuesday morning. My instincts tell me I'll be indisposed tomorrow."
Though he was only scheduled to meet Varuna and Barbara for brunch, Paul doubted the two zealous women would let him go easily. Barbara was supposed to return to her convent by 5 PM, but it wasn't difficult for her to justify spending the evening with her 'sponsor.'
Bowing her head, Noelle replied, "I'll be sure to the Baroness of your decision." Then, after raising her head, she appended, "Other than that, Master is expected at the Fontaine Estate by 10:30 AM. Lady Jean and I will be attending."
Speaking before Paul could respond, Klee shouted, "Klee wants to go as well~!"
As it had been a while since she last met Barbara, Klee was excited by the prospect of spending time with her 'big sis.' Fortunately, Paul had already predicted this, patting the petite elfette's head as he said, "You can come, but only if you promise to stay with Jean the entire time. No wandering off on your own."
Though Varuna's estate should be fairly secure, Paul knew better than to underestimate zealots. Klee could take down hordes of S-Rank monsters without breaking a sweat, but people were a lot more dangerous. Klee was very trusting, so, knowing what he knew about the world of Mushoku Tensei, Paul had at least three people watching her at any given moment.
Nodding her head, Klee replied, "Okie-dokie~!" in high spirits. She would have liked to sneak off in search of adventure, but Paul had promised to let her do whatever she wanted once she matured. Thus, at least for the time being, she didn't mind his overprotective nature. Rather, it made her feel warm and fluffy to know he cared so deeply for her. Not as much as the medicine she had to take every morning, but more than enough to put a smile on her face...
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With the Fontaine Estate being one of the few located in the Business District, it didn't take long for Paul, Jean, Noelle, and Klee to reach it via carriage. Varuna had sent one over to escort them, so they were able to enter the estate grounds directly, a stark contrast to the many individuals lined up outside the main gate.
Observing the crowd through the carriage's privacy blinds, Jean couldn't help remarking, "Lady Varuna appears to have quite a few admirers..."
Adopting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Paul replied, "Well, she is a remarkable beauty. Given her power and influence within the church, I imagine even foreign Nobles are trying to court her..."
Nodding her head, Jean appended, "Still, it's clear from the amount that Lady Varuna rarely takes time off. We'll need to be careful when it comes time to depart. A lot of eyes will be on us."
Returning a nod of his own, Paul was about to say something when Klee abruptly exclaimed, "Wow~!" with stars in her eyes. The grounds of the Fontaine Estate were unlike any other. In place of the usual hedges and flower bushes, there were fountains, statues, and aqueducts littering the estate like a water park. There was even a giant sphere of water floating in the center of the motor court, complete with a variety of fish swimming within.
"As expected of the Hydro Archon..." remarked Jean.
"No kidding..." replied Paul, his expression slowly cramping as a familiar sense of 'dread' began to settle within him. Fortunately, while his meeting with Varuna was inevitable, the people that came out to greet them were an assortment of knight-like maids, each garbed in the distinct blue and white armor of Varuna's personal guard.
Representing the group, reminding Paul a lot of Lynette, was a young woman with silvery-white hair and a cold expression, introducing herself as Persha Silverlake, Sub-Commander of the Fontaine Knight Order. Her power was only around the level of an Advanced Swordsman, but the glistening 'gemstone' adorning her bow-like choker made it clear she was more than a simple knight.
Though he recognized the gemstone as a Hydro Vision, Paul didn't say anything as he was the one who permitted Varuna to bequeath them to whoever she pleased. She had a habit of converting people into zealots, but that was actually a good thing considering her status and the mission assigned to her. Even someone as powerful as an Archon needed a few reliable people they could trust.
At Persha's behest, Paul soon found himself in a private study, separate from Jean, Klee, and Noelle. The former bowed respectfully and waited in the hallway, so he was the only privy to the breathtaking sight within, that of an indescribably beautiful woman with long silvery hair flowing past her waist. More notably, the only articles of clothing she was wearing were a topless white bunnysuit, a rabbit-eared headpiece, and a distinct, almost slave-like collar...
Seeing Paul staring at her with a dumbfounded look on his face, a faint smile developed across Varuna's as she remarked, "I'm glad I decided to go with this outfit. I initially prepared cat ears and a tail, but I changed my mind at the last moment. If your reaction is anything to go by, I made the right choice..."
By the time she was finished speaking, Varuna was standing less than an arm's length from Paul, the disparity in their heights forcing her to look up at him with narrowed eyes and a slight smile. Then, while Paul's brain was still trying to process the sight in front of him, she removed the top of her bunnysuit, her smile becoming more prominent as she mused, "The fabric around the groin and anus is also detachable..."
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(A/N: O w O...)

Chapter 214: Introduction