Day Trip

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...

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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...

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(A/N: Ralkan may be opportunistic, but he isn't dumb...)