166 Forewarning

Feeling a sudden and intense surge of pain, Paul awoke to find himself being lowered into a pool of hazy, glowing green liquid. His arms felt like they were burning from the inside out, but he did his best to force a smile as Ganyu stared down at him with teary eyes and a concerned look on her face.

Understanding that Paul couldn't speak due to the clenching of his jaw, Ganyu took the initiative to say, "Please, don't force yourself...just let me care for you..."

Nodding his head, Paul closed his eyes and did his best to relax as Ganyu channeled Healing Magic into his body. The rapid regeneration of his flesh and nerves caused his body to seize against his will, followed by an itchy feeling emanating from his very bones, but Paul was well-acquainted with such sensations. After all, hardly a day went by where he wasn't severely injured during his training with Atofe...

With the pain gradually giving way to a pleasant numbness, Paul was able to mutter, "Sorry...I know you hate seeing me like this, but I can't afford to quit...I need to get stronger..."

"..."

Though she wanted to argue there were significantly less destructive methods he could employ, Ganyu elected to remain silent and comb her fingers through Paul's hair. She knew he felt an 'obligation' to pay some kind of price for the power and authority granted to him as Champion of the Intersection of Fate. He hadn't asked to bear their burden, but as he enjoyed having sex and spending time with them, he constantly pushed himself to feel 'worthy' of their sacrifice and companionship...

Unable to contain the feelings bubbling within her, Ganyu lowered her head to press her lips to Paul's. He was a little surprised by her actions due to having his eyes closed, but he readily reciprocated until a voice suddenly interrupted them, asking, "Oh~? Should I step back outside?"

Separating from Paul's lips, a pouty expression marred Ganyu's face as she looked towards the bath's entrance to find Kishirika standing in her birthday suit. Instead of saying anything, however, she waited for Paul to sit up and ask, "What's up?" with a conflicted look on his face.

Crossing her arms under her well-developing breasts, Kishirika retorted, "Your beloved fiancee went out of her way to come and check on you. At least pretend to be pleased."

Though she had a ways to go before reaching full maturity, Kishirika had sprung up to 150cm, roughly the same height as Sucrose. More notably, her waist had narrowed into a toned hourglass shape while her breasts, butt, and thighs had developed to the point she could directly compete with Venti in terms of raw sex appeal.

Shaking his head, Paul adopted a helpless smile as he replied, "Given your propensity to burst out laughing every time I get smacked around or sent flying, I seriously doubt you came here to check on me..."

Instead of refuting Paul's words, Kishirika adopted a playful smile before making her way over to join him in the bath. Ganyu narrowed her eyes, but Kishirika willfully ignored her as she raised Paul's left hand from the water and began peppering his fingers and knuckles with kisses.

"..."

Not sure what to make of Kishirika's behavior, Paul just shook his head and allowed the violet-haired Demoness to do as she pleased. More than three months had passed since their initial encounter, but there were still occasions when he had no idea what the odd-eyed woman was thinking. She was kind of like a cat in the way she came and went as she pleased, sometimes avoiding him for the entire day while others, she wouldn't let him out of her sight...

Matching Paul's expectations, nearly an hour passed with Kishirika doing nothing by kissing, licking, and sucking the fingers of his right hand. Most people might assume she was trying to seduce him, but Paul knew better. There were times when Kishirika just felt like performing a specific action, and until she was satisfied, she would basically be oblivious to everything in her surroundings.

With her eyes abruptly regaining their focus, Kishirika pulled Paul's finger from her mouth, an alluringly seductive smile developing across her face as she sensuously purred, "You have delicious fingers..."

Returning a smile of his own, Paul replied, "Thanks?" as if he were asking a question rather than responding to a compliment.

Blinking her narrowed eyes, Kishiriked mused, "My pleasure..." before lowering Paul's hand and resting her head against his shoulder. Her goat-like horns got in the way, but Kishirika either didn't notice or didn't care as she nestled closer to Paul, making herself comfortable before revealing, "I think that shitty God has started to take action...I'm not sure if he has contacted Badi, but someone fairly troublesome should be arriving in the next couple of days..."

Furrowing his brows, Paul asked, "Who is it?" before following it up by adding, "Don't tell me it's that wannabe Hero, Kalman the Third..."

Unsurprised by Paul's accurate guess, Kishirika adopted a broad smile as she replied, "That's right. I'm not sure what that piece of shit told him, but he's on his way here with five others. I doubt they pose a threat to your summons, but you, that cat woman, and that weakling Maid should be on your guard."

"..."

Though he didn't doubt Kishirika's words, Paul couldn't understand why Hitogami would employ someone like the North God from the very start. As far as he was aware, Kalman III was immune to Hitogami's influence since his Grandfather was a Hero from another world. In other words, he could only be influenced second-hand, making him significantly easier to manipulate than the average Apostle...

Seeing through Paul's thoughts, Kishirika's expression became serious as she warned, "You should never attempt to comprehend that piece of shit's way of thinking. For all we know, he could be sending that idiot here to be defeated, setting him up to become your ally. Then, when the time is ripe, he will say or do something to convince even your closest allies to betray you..."

"Right..."

Staring up at the ceiling, Paul recalled how Hitogami had manipulated Rudeus over several years, often giving advice and helping him out in precarious situations. Were it not for his future self sacrificing himself to travel back in time to warn him, Rudeus would have lost everything, his family, friends, and even his children. In the end, he even became the most wanted criminal in the world, destroying entire kingdoms and killing countless people in his efforts to try and 'fix' things.

Fortunately for Paul, his way of doing things was significantly different from Rudeus. He had a much better understanding of what Hitogami was capable of and countless allies who were immune to his influence. Rudeus only started forming an organization and support group after the warning of his future self. Paul had been building his from the moment he obtained Ningguang. The only things he was still lacking were individual power and the support of Orsted...

Since it was too dangerous to confront Orsted directly, Paul had decided to wait until Nanahoshi was summoned during the Metastasis Event. She was the reason Rudeus had been spared during his initial encounter with the overly-cautious Dragon God, so Paul was hoping her presence would make Orsted more open to discussion. The issue was that the Metastasis Event was at least fifteen years in the future...

Realizing that Hitogami wasn't going to ignore them for the next fifteen years, Paul closed his eyes, countless thoughts racing across his mind as he asked, "How soon until Kal and his companions arrive?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Kishirika replied, "They're currently waiting for transport between Zant and Wind Port. Since the rainy season is about to begin, it could be anywhere between three days or three months. There is even a chance they could turn around or travel somewhere else to recruit additional allies. Unlike that hateful piece of shit, I can't see days, weeks, or even decades into the future..."

Believing he could see where Kishirika was going with her grumbling, Paul opened his eyes and asked, "Let me guess...you want us to hurry with the reclamation of your castle?"

Exhaling a throaty and sensual chuckle, Kishirika brought her lips to Paul's ear and whispered, "You're cute when you're quick on the uptake..."

As Kishirika extended her inordinately long and pointed tongue to lick in and around his ear, Paul recalled their initial conversation about retaking her castle. They had agreed to wait until he was approaching the end of his stay in the Demon Continent, kind of like a 'final challenge' before his return home. If they attempted to reclaim it now, he would, once again, be forced to stand in the background as Ei did most of the work...

Sensing Paul's apprehensions, Kishirika retracted her tongue, licked her lips, and revealed, "My castle is protected by a powerful Guardian Spirit, Fayde of Twilight. You'd like her. More importantly, it's the perfect place to begin spreading the influence of your Elemental Energy without having to worry about people getting up and arms..."

"..."

Resisting the urge to ask why he would like Fayde, Paul allowed his body to sink into the hazy, glowing green water. Kishirika initially interpreted this as a refusal to continue the conversation, but before she could begin to pout, Paul replied, "Fine...but if we're going to do this, we going to do it right..."

Before explaining his plan, Paul allowed his head to sink beneath the surface of the water, remaining there for several seconds before rising to a seated position, turning to Ganyu, and asking, "I know you just returned the other day, but can you go pick up Zhongli, Kusanali, and whoever else Ningguang recommends?"

Chiming in before Ganyu could follow her affirmative nod with a verbal response, Kishirika said, "Don't forget, it's my castle. I don't mind letting your people explore, but it's not a playground. Anyone who intends to stay there for an extended period will need to become my servant. My people may have forgotten me, but I'm still the Great Demon Empress, Kishirika Kishirisu...!"

Since Ganyu didn't take orders from Kishirika, Paul supplied a nod of his own and asked, "Can you relay those words to Ningguang? I'm sure she has people prepared for this kind of thing."

Adopting a faint smile, Ganyu replied, "Leave it to me." before rising to her feet as if she was prepared to depart immediately. That was certainly her intention, but Paul grabbed the wrist of her left hand and said, "You don't have to leave this instant. I'd have to be a pretty massive asshole to send you off without thanking you for carrying my body and nursing me back to health..."

Understanding how Paul intended to 'thank' her, a broad smile developed across Ganyu's face as she narrowed her eyes and whispered, "Master..." in an audibly impassioned tone. The presence of Kishirika bothered her a bit, but she wasn't going to pass up on an opportunity to spend time with the man she had dedicated her everything.

Fortunately for Ganyu, Kishirika was aware that most of the girls in Paul's entourage weren't particularly fond of her. She got along decently with Venti and, to a lesser extent, Xinyan, but the rest hadn't reacted favorably to the revelation she had 'forced' Paul into an engagement. Thus, to avoid generating too much animosity between her and the more over-protective members of Paul's entourage, she tried giving them space whenever they wanted some alone time with their beloved 'Master.'

Rising to her feet, Kishirika teased, "Try not to lose track of time. I doubt Atofe will be too enthused if you're delinquent to your afternoon training. She might enjoy keeping others waiting, but she hates it when others do the same."

Without waiting for Paul's or Ganyu's responses, Kishirika exited the bath and departed with slow and graceful steps, her waist and bottom snaking in a naturally seductive manner. It was a mesmerizing sight to behold, at least for Paul, but he was eventually able to tear his eyes away and meet Ganyu's watery and impassioned gaze...

"Master..."

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