Mushoku Impact

Though there wasn't much he could do to improve his physical condition any further than he already had, Paul still enjoyed exercising. The feeling of endorphins pumping through his brain and nervous system was second only to sex, so he was somewhat annoyed when Noelle interrupted his and Ghislaine's workout to inform him that someone wanted to meet him.
"What's their identity?" asked Paul. "I'm not really in the mood to entertain self-important Nobles or members of the Church."
Realizing that Paul was annoyed, Noelle bowed her head apologetically as she replied, "She introduced herself as Sienna Revelle, a half-succubus Adventurer hailing from the Begaritt Continent. She asserts she wants to return home and desires to join our convoy as an escort."
Raising his brows, Paul parroted, "A half-succubus...?" in confusion. Half-succubi were even more scorned than their full-blooded counterparts, so it didn't make sense for one to be in a place like Milishion.
Nodding in affirmation, Noelle's expression became melancholic as she explained, "According to the person herself, she was a slave brought to Milishion by a Master who recently became deceased. Before drawing his last breath, he bequeathed Sienna her freedom. Since then, she has been looking for a way to return home without the Order of the Temple tracking her."
Furrowing his brows and crossing his arms, Paul muttered, "That's quite a story..." while mulling over his thoughts. It wasn't difficult to imagine why a half-succubus would seek him out, especially with rumors of his actions at the White Palace still circulating, but there were some significant issues with Sienna's backstory. If it was true that she was an Adventurer hailing from the Begaritt Continent, what possible reason could her 'Master' have for bringing her all the way to Milishion?
Shaking his head, Paul muttered, "Whatever..." in a muffled tone before meeting Noelle's gaze and adding, "I'll meet within the next twenty to thirty minutes. Show her to the second floor's lounge."
Bowing a second time, Noelle replied, "As you will," before raising her head and quickly departing to carry out Paul's orders. In the wake of her departure, Paul invited Ghislaine to accompany him to the bath but was summarily denied. She wasn't satisfied with the amount of training they had done, so she intended to keep going while Paul set off to search for someone else to vent his lust. This would be his first time meeting a half-succubus, but he had learned the hard way never to underestimate them after Atofe invited a full-blooded one over for his training. He also learned the true reason they were feared by three of the four Greyrat Houses...
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After preparing himself, both physically and mentally, Paul made his way over to the lounge with Ganyu. Her ability to discern the truth would come in handy, but the main reason he was bringing her along was to avoid any 'mishaps' that might occur if the half-succubus inherited the illusion and allure skills associated with her mother's lineage.
Upon entering the lounge and spotting a petite woman with carmine hair, demonic horns, and decently sized breasts, Paul's brows perked up as he asked, "Is this your true form?"
Rising to her feet, Sienna offered a courteous bow as she replied, "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. And yes, this is my true form."
Raising her head, Sienna remarked, "If you're asking that question, I take it you've encountered a full-blooded Succubus?"
Smiling wryly, Paul deflected by saying, "That isn't important right now." before gesturing to Ganyu and revealing, "This is Ganyu, one of my most trusted companions. She has the ability to discern truth from lies, so I'm expecting you to be forthright in our coming conversation."
Though there was a possibility Paul was lying, Sienna's pupils contracted when she heard his words. Most wouldn't have noticed it, but as someone on the threshold of becoming a bonafide Water King, Paul easily detected the change in Sienna's aura and degree of alertness.
Adopting a faint smile, Paul gestured for Sienna to take a seat, stating, "Relax. Even if it turns out you're an enemy, I have no intention of harming you. That may change in the near future, but it ultimately comes down to the decisions you've made throughout your life. A wise person once said that if you're prepared to kill, you must prepare to be killed..."
With the glow from Paul's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception intensifying, Sienna found herself unable to move. She knew he was powerful, but she didn't expect the gap between them to be this immense. It was difficult to believe, but Paul's aura was nearly as terrifying as Randolph's...
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Paul gestured toward the chair and said, "Sit." in a firm, bone-chilling tone. This time, Sienna immediately complied, her body moving on its own as she became clammy with a cold, exceptionally aromatic sweat.
Sitting in the chair opposite Sienna's, Paul got straight to the heart of the matter, asking, "Why were you sent here? Were you tasked with killing me or one of my subordinates?"
Gritting her teeth, Sienna hesitated for several seconds before replying, "I can't say..." in a faint, nearly inaudible tone. To her surprise, Ganyu almost immediately nodded her head, proclaiming, "While not the complete truth, she doesn't appear to be lying."
Offering a nod of his own, Paul openly supposed, "It's likely that she 'can' say, but doing so would have disastrous consequences. Then my second question is fairly straightforward. Are you truly a slave?"
Realizing that Ganyu's senses could be fooled with half or partial truths, the tension in Sienna's body lessened considerably. In response to Paul's question, she answered, "Yes," before adding, "I can't reveal my Master's identity, but it's true that I came here from the Begaritt Continent."
With Ganyu nodding in affirmation, Paul issued a curious "Hmm..." before asking, "Would you like to be free?"
Believing she had misheard, Sienna stared at Paul with an expressionless, uncomprehending deadpan. The only being known to be able to annul or, more accurately, destroy a slave contract was the legendary 'Dotbath of Destruction,' one of Perugius's eleven subordinates. Thus, while she was fairly certain she had heard correctly, Paul's question went in one ear and out the other.
Furrowing his brows, Paul cautioned, "I'm not particularly fond of being ignored..."
Realizing she hadn't misheard, Sienna gave Paul a puzzled look and asked, "Unless they're broken or have some kind of fetish, who in their right mind would choose to remain a slave...?"
Nodding in affirmation, Paul replied, "That makes things easier..." before abruptly leaping toward Sienna in a flash. She reacted by flipping over her chair and attempting to roll backward, but the disparity in their speed was comparable to an infant trying to escape a fully grown adult. The moment she bounded to her feet, the tip of Paul's sword pierced her sternum, just under her collarbone.
Seeing Paul's sword piercing her body, Sienna's pupils contracted to the size of pinholes. She didn't feel any pain, but she was absolutely certain she had been stabbed.
Confirming Sienna's suspicions, Paul pulled roughly twenty centimeters of sword from her chest, nearly twice the amount it would have taken to pierce her torso. Despite this, there wasn't so much as a trace of blood. Instead, the crimson Slave Crest she usually kept hidden with her Illusion Magic slowly came into view, glowing brightly before 'shattering' into tiny black flakes...
Breaking Sienna from her statuesque confusion, Paul rested his sword on his shoulder and explained, "Don't ask me how, but I've 'killed' your slave contract. Once you've collected yourself, you can confirm it by answering my questions."
Though Paul told her not to, Sienna couldn't help asking, "How...?" with an expression of profound disbelief. As a half-succubus, she was sensitive to Mana and its derivative form, Touki. She could tell her slave contract was gone, but she couldn't make sense of the method Paul had used. As far as her senses were concerned, his previous attack was a swift but otherwise mundane stab...
Seeing Sienna's gaze shift to his sword, Paul shook his head and said, "Just drop it. The important thing is that you're no longer a slave. Now, take a seat and drink some tea. Once you've calmed down, I expect you to answer my questions."
Realizing she was dealing with someone whose means defied common sense, Sienna quickly nodded before complying with Paul's instructions. She hadn't completely given up on killing him, but even if he extended his neck and requested her to slit his throat, she doubted she would have the courage to go through with the attempt...
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With Sienna disclosing everything, including her background, the identity of her Master, and the details of her mission, Paul decided against holding her accountable for the 'many' people she had killed. She admitted to not feeling any remorse for her actions, but that wasn't wholly unexpected for someone in her situation. Her earliest memory was being taken advantage of in an alleyway, and things didn't improve much from there.
Though Sienna hadn't inherited the powerful allure associated with pure-blooded Succubi, she still possessed a body inordinately suited for carnal acts. Her sweat and bodily fluids functioned as a powerful hallucinogenic that stimulated males from virtually any species. More tragically, so long as her head or heart weren't destroyed, she could recover from any injury with a bit of blood or 'vitality.'
Needless to say, Sienna hadn't lived a very colorful or pleasant life. If not for her Master picking her up, granting her strength, and promising to free her when he died, she likely would have broken.
When Paul asked how she had ended up in Milishion, Sienna revealed that her Master had a rare necrotic disease that could only be treated with the highest grade Holy Water. A one-ounce vial of the sanctified solution cost upwards of 10,000AGC(roughly 500kgs), so Sienna had little choice but to acquire the money for its purchase 'after' reaching Milishion. After all, not everyone had an interspatial ring/storage device capable of housing tens of thousands of gold without issue.
To Paul's surprise, Sienna still intended to return to the Begaritt Continent with the Holy Water she had acquired. She attested to not caring whether her former Master lived or died, but she wanted to return the favor for him 'saving' her more than forty years prior. After that, she intended to use the rest of her savings to start over, of all places, in Teyvat. Rumors of it being a free nation that didn't discriminate against individuals based on race or class had begun to spread worldwide. As a result, people from across the globe were migrating there in search of freedom and opportunity.
Supportive of Sienna's decision, Paul gave her permission to travel with the convoy until they reached the Dragon King Kingdom. She would be on her own from there, but as an assassin and S-Rank Adventurer with more than forty years of experience, she should be fine. Rather, unless she ran into a stray King or Emperor, she had an absolute advantage against most male monsters and people.
When Sienna invariably asked why he was helping her, Paul responded by rejecting the assertion outright. Letting her travel with the convoy didn't cost him anything. After all, they were already headed in that direction, so it wouldn't matter if they had an extra mouth to feed. More importantly, by appearing before him, Paul was able to learn of the greater threat looming over the horizon. Letting her travel alongside them was a paltry reward for letting them know the literal Death God was on their tail...
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(A/N: You know what they say, the shortest route to a woman's heart is through the sternum...)

After instructing Noelle to introduce Sienna to Dimsaul, Paul snuggled up with Ganyu in her backless, shoulderless, leotard-like bodysuit. Sienna's pheromones were still affecting him, so he used the latter's soothing aura to remain calm while considering how to deal with Randolph, the current Rank 5 of the Seven Great Powers.
Though Paul didn't doubt Randolph's strength, the only three people who genuinely concerned him were Hitogami, Orsted, and Perugius. Badigadi was also an imminent threat, but without the Fighting God Armor, he was even weaker than Atofe at half her strength.
The only way Paul could see Randolph being a threat was if he targeted the people around him. However, as he had long since prepared for the possibility of having his children leveraged against him, even that wasn't a serious concern. He couldn't fathom the anguish and guilt he would have to endure, but with billions of lives at stake, he couldn't trade his life for a 'chance' at preserving someone else's...
Sensing Paul's rage, Ganyu squeezed his head and whispered, "It's going to be okay..." in a gentle, soothing tone. The former was lying atop her in a rather compromising position, but Ganyu suppressed her growing urges to ensure he was as comfortable as possible.
Nodding his head in a way that allowed him to nestle deeper into Ganyu's pillowy breasts, Paul replied, "I know..." in a muffled tone, adding, "As long as I have you and the other girls, I can endure anything..."
Adopting a loving smile, Ganyu nestled her face into Paul's spiky, brown and white hair, deeply inhaling his scent before whispering, "Then please rest assured. I may not speak for everyone, but there are those among us who will never leave your side..."
"..."
Feeling Ganyu's heart racing through her breasts, Paul's worries gradually gave way to more 'pressing' concerns. Thus, after raising his gaze to meet her hazy, golden-purple eyes, his grasp on her body tightened as he said, "As if I would ever let you go..."
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As it would have been stranger for him to walk around unaccompanied, Paul was enjoying the crisp evening air of Milishion alongside Ghislaine. He originally wanted her to stay behind, where it was relatively safe, but Ghislaine refused to be protected one-sidedly. More importantly, she had already decided to live and die at Paul's side.
Since trying to dissuade her earned him a fairly solid punch to the face, Paul eventually relented to Ghislaine's 'request' to accompany him. She threatened to stalk him otherwise, so the two made their way through the city streets of Milishion with no clear destination in mind.
Seeing Ghislaine's boobs bouncing in the periphery of his vision, Paul asked, "Are you okay in that outfit?"
"You're asking that now?" replied Ghislaine. Then, after crossing her arms in a way that further emphasized her breasts, she added, "Temperatures like this are nothing to a Swordswoman. Did you forget how cold it was at the Sword God's Sanctum...?"
Shrugging his shoulders and casting a side-long glance at the buxom cat girl, Paul revealed, "I just figured I'd lend you my jacket if you were feeling a bit...nippy."
Following Paul's gaze, Ghislaine noticed that her nipples had become perky due to the chill. Baiken's outfit didn't come with a bra, so anyone who looked closely could make them out without issue.
"..."
Instead of accepting Paul's jacket, Ghislaine diverted a bit of her Touki to keeping herself warm. She didn't really care even if people saw her naked, but she knew Paul did. Her status as an Ambassador also bore some consideration, so she made a mental note to ask Ganyu for some 'pasties' once they returned.
With her arms crossed and tail flicking behind her, Ghislaine asked, "How much longer are we planning to roam around? Since we're out and about, we may as well hit up a bar or grab something to eat."
Though he wanted to avoid involving innocent people in his affairs, Paul didn't hesitate to answer, "Sure," in response to Ghislaine's suggestion. It had been more than three hours since they set out, yet Randolph had yet to attack them. Paul had anticipated this, but he would be lying if he said it wasn't a little annoying...
Following Ghislaine's nose, it wasn't long before she and Paul reached a lively tavern in the Adventurer's District. The Adventurers Guild sponsored various facilities to operate around the clock, so if you were looking for a place to cut loose, grab a bite to eat, or do some last-minute preparations before a hunt, the Adventurer's District was the place to be.
Seeing Paul and Ghislaine enter his establishment, the portly, bald, and incredibly muscular pub owner couldn't help frowning. The moment the duo entered, the previously energetic atmosphere within the dining area vanished, replaced by a palpable tension. They hadn't done anything, but everyone present had the same thought: messing with the unfamiliar duo meant seeking death.
Ignoring the tense atmosphere, Paul and Ghislaine made their way to the bar, occupying seats hastily vacated by previous guests. The pub owner frowned at this, but he didn't attempt to chase them out. Instead, he set aside the glass he was cleaning, steeled his nerves, and asked, "What can I get for you, strangers?"
Adopting a friendly smile, Paul pulled out a pouch of Asura Gold Coins and said, "Roasted fowl for us and a round of drinks for everyone here."
Hearing Paul's words, the ears of the other guests began to twitch. When the pub owner eventually confirmed they had more than enough to cover the expense, all the tensions from before promptly vanished, replaced by a festive atmosphere that invariably drew a large crowd...
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With the sun beginning its gradual ascent, bringing with it warmth and rays of light, Paul found himself in a reflective mood. He had considered the possibility that Randolph wouldn't attack, but he couldn't understand the man's reasoning. Last night was the 'best' opportunity he would ever have, so he 'should' have attacked...
Shaking his head, Paul decided it was best not to overthink things. If Randolph was afraid to attack even when provided a perfect opportunity, there wasn't much he could do except wait. Someone was bound to die in the process, but so long as Ganyu was around, Paul could resurrect them without too much trouble. If not her, then Varuna was more than able...
Gently smacking Ghislaine's ass, Paul said, "Get up. We're heading back." in a decisive tone. His words and actions caused Ghislaine to groan, but she eventually opened her eyes and began stretching like a cat, her body significantly more flexible than her build suggested.
After a series of loud pops, Ghislaine rose to a seated position, a lazy look on her face as she combed back her bangs and remarked, "Looks like the Death God is even more cautious than you. Hard to believe he's the fifth most powerful person in the world."
Shrugging his shoulders, Paul argued, "The Seven Great Powers system has always been controversial. Gal is ranked sixth, but even if he went all out, I can't imagine him defeating Atofe or Perugius. If we include those I've summoned and the Dragon Kings mentioned in the founding myth of the Asura Kingdom, Gal may not even make the top twenty."
Hearing that the person she wanted to overcome was a 'weakling,' a slight pout marred Ghislaine's face. After all, there was still an incomprehensible gulf between her and the Gal in her memories.
Noticing Ghislaine's reaction, Paul asked, "What's with that look?" while extending his hand to caress her head. Then, assuming he knew what she was thinking, he added, "Being weak isn't a sin. Choosing to remain weak is. So long as we keep training to overcome our shortcomings, it's only a matter of time before we become strong..."
Crossing her arms in mock defiance, Ghislaine looked away from Paul as she groaned, "So you say...but so long as those 'Archons' of yours are still around, we can never stand at the top. No amount of effort can surmount the obstacle known as time..."
Retracting his hand from Ghislaine's head, a frown marred Paul's face as he remarked, "This isn't like you..." in a soft, somber tone. He knew precisely where Ghislaine was coming from, but he never expected her to voice such concerns aloud.
Turning to meet Paul's gaze, a faint sigh escaped Ghislaine's nose as she said, "Relax. It's not like I've given up on getting stronger. It's just hard to stay motivated when any random person you summon might be stronger than me..."
Unable to refute Ghislaine's words, a similarly exasperated sigh escaped Paul's nose. He also felt helpless when comparing himself to the archons and long-lived individuals like Atofe. His growth had been astounding, but he still fell short compared to entities that had existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Unlike Ghislaine, however, his power increased even if he sat around doing nothing...
Interrupting Paul's thoughts, Ghislaine pushed him over, mounting him as she expressed, "If I had known you were going to brood, I wouldn't have said anything..."
"I'm not brooding..." argued Paul. "I was thinking of ways we could both get stronger."
Shaking her head, Ghislaine pressed down on Paul's shoulders, using her breasts to cover his mouth as she said, "Forget it. I'm not interested in shortcuts. I still intend to use a Vision, but any power I gain in the future will be my own. Besides..."
Though she wouldn't be in heat for a month or two, Ghislaine lowered her weight against Paul's cock. She wasn't very wet, but that didn't stop her from devouring nearly seventy percent of his member as she whispered, "I already found my life's purpose..."
Punctuating her words, Ghislaine sat up and devoured the rest of Paul's cock. Nearly everyone from the IoF, at least those acting as Paul's escort, was suspended within. Paul's plan was to lure Randolph into activating his Demon Eye before unleashing them, so this was a rare opportunity where Ghislaine had him to herself. There was a possibility that Randolph would attack them, but that wasn't going to stop Ghislaine from making the most of the moment...
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Staring up at the ceiling overhead, the ever-present smile on Randolph's face became even more prominent as he hummed, "Now I'm certain of it. These brats are trying to lure me..."
Resisting the urge to stab his sword through the ceiling, Randolph kicked back and took a sip from his skull-shaped chalice, an A-Rank Artifact with the power to transmute virtually any liquid to delectable wine. Even liquid metals were no exception, but Randolph's favorite liquid was blood. More specifically, the blood of his targets.
Fortunately, at least for Randolph, the flavor of the wine was improved when his targets experienced extreme emotions such as anger, fear, and frustration. Thus, while he couldn't help feeling annoyed by Paul's clear provocation, he wasn't in a hurry to kill him. Rather, the more Paul goaded him; the longer Randolph was prepared to wait.
With such thoughts in mind, Randolph finished the contents of his glass and rose to his feet, stepping over more than a dozen corpses as he made his way to the exit. He typically didn't kill unless he was paid to, but for the sake of cultivating Paul's 'flavor,' Randolph felt compelled to leave the young swordsman something to remember him by...
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(A/N: He isn't called the Death God for nothing o_o...)

After another long night, extending well into the morning, Paul was enjoying a short rest as he waited for Baroness Lawrence to arrive. The latter had agreed to meet him within the Inn's lounge, so he was lazing about on one of the sofas, absentmindedly caressing Yae in her petite fox form.
*tok* *tok* *tok*
Following the gentle rattle, the voice of Noelle could be heard stating, "Baroness Lawrence and her escort have arrived."
Rising to his feet, Paul relocated to the head of the rectangular dining table while Yae made herself comfortable near his feet. Only then did he respond, "Send her in." in a curt, authoritative tone.
With Paul's permission, Christina, wearing an expensive-looking pantsuit, made her way into the room. Accompanying her was a remarkably short girl with similarly pink hair styled in a ponytail. She had on a pink, fur-lined crop-top, baggy shorts, a thick waistcoat, oversized gloves, and leather sabatons, but the thing that stood out the most was her gigantic ax. The shaft was nearly as long as she was tall, and the head was at least 80cm across.
Noticing the surprise on Paul's face, Baroness Lawrence placed her hand on the much shorter girl's head, rustling her hair as she said, "This is my close friend and bodyguard, Rarona Labrys. As I'm sure you've guessed, she's a Dwarf."
Batting away Baroness Lawrence's hand, Rarona retorted, "Who's your friend? I'm only here because I didn't feel like being treated as a breeder to bolster my people's numbers. Don't get ahead of yourself."
Disregarding Rarona's retort, Baroness Lawrence mused, "As you can see, we're close enough to banter like childhood friends. Thank you for letting her participate in today's meeting."
Waving his hand, Paul said, "Go ahead and take a seat. I'm not really pressed for time, but there are other things I could be doing right now. Let's get to the reason for your visit."
Following Paul's suggestion, Baroness Lawrence took a seat at the opposite end of the table. Rarona stood behind her and off to the side like a proper bodyguard, but she had a disinterested look as she scanned her surroundings and eyed the nearby hearth.
Leaning forward slightly with linked fingers, Baroness Lawrence revealed the reason for her visit, stating, "I wanted to meet Sir Paul for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, I wished to see what kind of person could win the heart of 'that' woman. Secondly, I wished to get closer to the man who serves as the spiritual backbone of our operation. I figured that if I could gain your favor, I could improve my position and accrue an even greater fortune. There are quite a number of additional reasons, but those are the main three."
Raising his brows, Paul remarked, "I gathered as much during the auction, but you're as bold as you are beautiful. If I weren't already enthralled with more than fifty women, I might have jumped at the opportunity to be your suitor."
Though it was very slight, Paul noticed Baroness Lawrence's eye twitch when he mentioned being entangled with more than fifty women. Such a number wasn't insurmountable, but if she wanted to secure a position at the 'top,' it would take tremendous time and effort.
Adopting a business-like smile, Baroness Lawrence remarked, "That's quite the amount. It's a testament to your capacity as a man that you're able to keep so many without any serious issues. Have you no intentions of marrying?"
"That's for them to decide," replied Paul. "All I really know how to do is train, fight, and make promises. I leave everything else to people far more capable than myself."
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Baroness Lawrence pointed out, "Staying alive and knowing how to delegate are two of the most important qualities for any good leader. If it were possible to handle everything alone, there would be no need for Emperors, Kings, and Generals to have Counselors, Ministers, and Knights."
"And where do you see yourself in that equation?" asked Paul.
Sitting back in her chair, Baroness Lawrence closed her eyes and replied, "I simply never wish to be at the mercy of people who willfully ruin others and then expect them to be 'grateful' for the opportunities they provide..."
Opening her eyes, Baroness Lawrence asked, "Is Sir Paul familiar with my family's situation?"
"Only the basics," replied Paul. "I know your family was nearly ruined by a Viscount who was later dealt with by Lady Fontaine. I never pried into the specifics."
Nodding her head, Baroness Lawrence appended, "A dungeon opened in one of the depleted mines my family used as collateral. Because of that, the Viscount in question tried to force us to hand it over, not to repay our debts, but to cover the 'interest.' When my father refused, the Viscount joined hands with several other families and the Adventurer's Guild to put pressure on us until we eventually collapsed..."
Interrupting the explanation, Paul asked, "Why didn't they use a Platinum Coin to acquire the mine? Better yet, why didn't your family sell the rights to the Adventurer's Guild? If I recall correctly, even an F-Rank Dungeon is valued at around 40,000AGC."
Since the structure of a Dungeon contained trace amounts of orichalcum, mithril, and other rare minerals, even F-Rank Dungeons could yield a fortune to those with the means to process them. The downside was that unless you owned the land before the Dungeon appeared, it automatically fell under the jurisdiction of the Adventurer's Guild.
Adopting a faint smile, Baroness Lawrence remarked, "It seems you aren't too familiar with Milishion's laws and the many loopholes therein. Articles and property used as collateral cannot be acquired using Platinum Coins. As such, most families offer the deeds to their primary estates and many of their most important assets as collateral when taking loans. As for why my family didn't sell the Dungeon to the Adventurer's Guild...they couldn't afford it."
Blinking in surprise, Paul was prompted to ask what Baroness Lawrence meant when the latter beat him to the punch, her expression containing a hint of melancholy as she revealed, "The rank of the Dungeon in question was S, effectively making it priceless. More importantly, as it was used as collateral, we couldn't simply sell it at our convenience..."
"Ah..."
Realizing the real reason behind House Lawrence's fall, Paul's expression morphed into a frown. Dungeons that fell under the ownership of a group or organization needed to be regulated and patrolled by their own people. Failure to keep the Dungeon in check could lead to all kinds of fines and penalties, ultimately culminating in the Dungeon being seized to 'protect' the local populace. In other words, the enemies of House Lawrence just needed to wait, and the family would eventually be ruined.
Nodding her head, Baroness Lawrence's tone was somber as she said, "Indeed. We managed to hold out for seven years and even resorted to sealing off the Dungeon's entrance, but the monsters within eventually broke free. The resultant monster wave killed hundreds, but despite most of the victims being people we hired to stem the outbreak, my father and eldest brother were held responsible and executed. After that, well, let's just say there were a lot of greedy and outright wicked people seeking to benefit from my family's destruction. If not for the grace of Lady Fontaine and the backing of our mutual friend, I would have been lucky to become a simple slave."
Contrasting the severity of her words, Baroness Lawrence regained her usual smile. She wasn't looking for sympathy, pity, or consolation, so before Paul could respond, she said, "And that's what brings us here. A few other things happened along the way, but I've never been the type to dwell on the past. Rather, now that I've been given the opportunity, I intend to keep rising until there's nothing but clear skies and an endless horizon in my view."
Pointing at Paul's face, confidence burst from Baroness Lawrence like a battle aura as she asserted, "That's where you come in. With the power at your behest, it's only a matter of time before you stand at the pinnacle of this world. I may not be able to compare to 'that' woman, but I'm certain I can meet your expectations. Lend me your support, and I'll one day hand you the entire Milis Continent on a silver platter."
Though she might not be able to pull it off with her natural lifespan, Baroness Lawrence was confident she could conquer all of Milishion if given a Vision. Her and Paul's mutual acquaintance, Ningguang, had told her the only way to acquire one was by receiving the former's favor. Thus, in exchange for eternal life and various other benefits, Baroness Lawrence was prepared to yield him everything but her ambitions...
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As he wasn't sure what Ningguang had planned for Milishion, Paul told Baroness Lawrence, who later asked him to call her Christina, that he could only make a decision after discussing the matter with the relevant parties. That included the girls traveling with him, so he eventually saw her and Rarona off after promising they would meet again before his departure.
"Your popular phase is never-ending," mused Yae, having returned to her human.
Shaking his head, Paul's voice was uncharacteristically calm as he replied, "She simply sees me as a means to an end. I don't mind, but I'm no longer willing to jump through hoops for every woman with a sob story. I already have enough problems dealing with the politics of the Asura Kingdom. I'm not in a hurry to become entangled with those of Milishion..."
Moving closer to Paul, Yae nestled her head against his shoulder and whispered, "You've grown..." in a wistful tone. "If it was before your stay in the Demon Continent, you might have been convinced to marry her on the spot. I'm proud of you..."
Resisting the urge to scrunch his brows or roll his eyes, Paul gave Yae's butt a light smack and said, "I already have a mom. I don't need another one..."
Spurred by Paul's words, Yae grabbed his arm and gazed up at him with her electro-purple eyes, musing, "You'll need to do more than smacking my bottom to convince me. We both know how close you and your mother are..."
"..."
Unable to refute Yae's words, Paul fell silent for several seconds before surprising her with a princess carry. He had nearly 'forgotten' about how intimate Asuran Noblewomen were with their sons, but Yae's words had brought the memories rushing back. Thus, even though it was the middle of the day, he intended to 'punish' her thoroughly...
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Observing the departure of Christine and Rarona from his perch more than a dozen kilometers away, a skull-faced man wearing an eyepatch mused, "That boy is remarkably popular, isn't he? At this rate, you won't get a chance to show your skills."
Furrowing her brows, a petite, red-haired woman with distinct demonic horns protruding from her shadowy hood retorted, "You're not faring any better, Sir Death God..."
Shrugging his shoulders, the Death God, Randolph Marianne, replied, "His security is even tighter than a traveling monarch's. At this rate, a head-on approach might be our only option."
"Our?" questioned the red-haired woman. "My job was to seduce and leave him vulnerable. If you intend to attack them head-on, count me out."
"Are you sure that's the wise?" asked Randolph. "If you don't at least try to attack them, those bastards from the Church really will hunt you down. As a halfling, you don't enjoy the same protections as the other members of your species. Isn't that why you became an assassin in the first place?"
"..."
Instead of responding to Randolph's words, the red-haired half-succubus furrowed her brows and lowered her gaze. The real reason she became an assassin was because the man who purchased her happened to work for a criminal guild. However, as Randolph pointed out, that was only possible due to her mixed blood. Succubus Slaves weren't unheard of, but if it were discovered that one was being imprisoned against their will, it would lead to an international incident.
Understanding she didn't have a lot of options, the red-haired assassin raised her head to meet Randolph's singular eye, asking, "What do you need me to do...?"
...
..
.
(A/N: Christina is a woman of conviction o_o...)

Chapter 219: Confrontation