Mushoku Tensei: A different path

(Third POV)

The group spent most of the night looking for Elinalise, but to no avail. No traces were left, and they had no other choice but to give it up their search for the moment.

As they journeyed toward Millishion, Paul gathered the group on one of their breaks from the road to share what he had been told. The memory of the assassins' attack still weighed heavily on them, but this information couldn't wait as everyone except Ginger and Aisha were gathering with Paul further away from the camp.

"Kagami told me something… unsettling," Paul began, his voice tense. "The one behind the attack might be Claire Latreia—Zenith's mother."

Lilia's expression tightened as she turned to him. "Claire… I remember Zenith mentioning her before, but never fondly. Would she really go this far?"

Paul exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "She comes from an influential noble family in Millis. If anyone had the means to orchestrate something like this, it would be her."

Lilia hesitated before asking, "And Zenith… is she alright?"

Paul nodded. "She was teleported over a lake near Millishion. A local knight rescued her when he was coincidentally there, but at first, he mistook her for Therese."

"Therese?" Roxy asked, tilting her head.

"Zenith's younger sister," Paul explained. "They look a lot alike. By the time I reached Millishion, Zenith was already planning to head back to Fittoa if it hadn't been for her mother stopping her."

Lilia let out a breath of relief, placing a hand over her chest. "I'm so glad she's safe."

Tallhand nodded, his usual cheer subdued. "Aye, that's one less thing to worry about."

Ghislaine crossed her arms, her sharp gaze steady. "Then our next step is clear. We need to reach Millishion and get the full picture."

Roxy, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke. "If Zenith's mother really is responsible… We'll have to tread carefully, right Paul?"

Paul clenched his fists. "I don't care how powerful they are. If Claire had anything to do with this, she must answer for it."

"Is that really a good idea?" Lilia worriedly said. "If she's really going as far as to hire assassins to send after you and us separately, what says she wouldn't something like it again?"

Silence fell over the group; each was lost in thought as they pressed forward. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—things were far from over.

Then, Ghislaine scowled, breaking the quiet. "I'm more pissed at that Kagami guy for breaking his promise."

"But it sounds like he was worried about Lord Phillip and his wife," Roxy countered. "Maybe something happened since we left?"

Paul's brow furrowed. "How is Phillip, anyway?"

"Kagami helped us when we were in the Conflict Zone," Ghislaine said. "I ran into them by chance. Phillip and Hilda had been taken captive—accused of being spies from another country. When they were freed, the streets were littered with corpses."

Paul stiffened. "Corpses?"

"A massacre," she confirmed. "Kagami killed everyone in that country. Since its just another country that was bound to fall one day, it didn't make such an uproar. But something about it bothered me."

"And that is?"

"The bodies were engulfed in white fire," Ghislaine said, her tone grim. "But there was no smell of burning. It was as if the flames didn't consume them at all. Almost like the white fire you've used before, Paul."

As Paul stiffened yet again, everyone looked at them with questioning eyes.

"Since when does this guy know Magic at all?" Talhand asked, wondering out loud, as he was the former party's Magician, after all.

"Didn't you get beat up by Kagami back in Roa?" Ghislaine asked.

Paul furrowed his brows at Ghislaine's words. "What are you talking about? I don't—" He stopped mid-sentence as a sudden information he previously didn't understand resurfaced.

'Kagami said to me that he, Rudy, and I are connected and that I'm using Rudy's Touki. Does that mean this white fire could be either Kagami's or Rudy's?'

"Paul?" Lilia's voice was gentle but laced with concern.

He blinked and looked around. Everyone was staring, waiting for an answer. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I… I don't know," he muttered. "I've never used magic before, not like that."

Ghislaine narrowed her eyes. "Then explain how Kagami used the same fire you did."

Paul hesitated. His gut twisted at the implications. If Kagami's words were true, then what did that mean for him? For Rudeus? For everything they thought they knew?

"I…" He clenched his fists. "I think I need to have another talk with Kagami. That is if he ever shows himself anymore."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, but no one argued. The road ahead was already uncertain—but now, it felt like the very foundation beneath them was shifting.

***

The sun dipped lower as Paul and his group finally arrived at the towering gates of Millishion, the Holy City of Millis. The pristine white walls loomed over them, a testament to the city's wealth and religious influence. Their carriage slowed to a stop before the entrance, where two knights clad in the silver armor of the Millis Church stood guard.

One of the knights, a tall man with stern eyes, stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. When his eyes landed on Roxy, his expression hardened.

"A Demon," he said coldly. "She cannot enter without special permission."

Roxy remained composed, though her tail flicked slightly in irritation. She was no stranger to this kind of treatment in human territories.

Paul, already stepping down from the carriage, immediately interjected. "She's with me. I vouch for her." His tone left no room for argument.

The knight turned to him, and recognition flickered across his face before his lips curled in distaste.

"You…" he muttered, his grip tightening on his spear.

His partner, a younger knight with a neutral expression, glanced between them. "Sir, do you know this man?"

The older knight let out a scoff. "Of course. Paul Greyrat. Tied to the noble houses of Millis through marriage." He frowned, clearly displeased. "I shouldn't be surprised to see you keeping such… unconventional company." His gaze flickered to Roxy again before returning to Paul.

Paul smirked. "Good to know I'm still remembered."

The knight exhaled sharply. "If it were up to me, I'd turn you away. But considering who you're connected to, I don't have that authority." He stepped aside begrudgingly. "Go on. But don't stir up trouble—Millis is less forgiving than you remember."

Paul met his gaze without flinching, then nodded toward his group. "Let's go."

As they passed through the gates, Talhand muttered, "Well, that could've gone worse."

Roxy sighed, her voice calm but firm. "It's exhausting dealing with this every time."

Paul placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "They can think whatever they want. You belong here just as much as anyone else."

Roxy glanced at him, offering a small nod of gratitude.

Beyond the gates, Millishion stretched out before them—vast, pristine, and bustling with nobles, merchants, and clergy alike. But beneath the city's holy exterior, Paul knew danger lurked. And with Claire Latreia potentially pulling the strings, that danger was close.

***

As they passed through the gates, the city of Millishion unfolded before them. Towering white stone buildings lined the streets, their pristine facades reflecting the fading sunlight. The streets bustled with nobles in embroidered robes, priests in flowing white vestments, and merchants hawking wares from elegant stalls. Despite the city's outward beauty, an air of rigid formality weighed upon the atmosphere, a stark contrast to the livelier towns they had passed through before.

Before pressing on, they made a short stop at a local trade post to sell the carriage Ginger had been supplied with back in Shirone. It had served them well, but now that they were in Millishion, it would only be a burden. The merchant, a short, rotund man with shrewd eyes, appraised the carriage with practiced scrutiny before offering them a fair price. Talhand handled most of the negotiations, and his years of experience in travel made him the best suited for the task.

Once the sale was complete, Paul turned to the group. "You all go ahead to the inn where I am staying. I need to deal with something first."

Lilia narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing his intent. "Is it about the Latreia house?"

Paul's jaw tensed. He met her gaze for a brief moment before nodding. "Yeah. I've been absent for too long. Zenith and Norn are most likely there." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—cold and unwavering.

Roxy frowned, glancing at him with concern. "Do you want us to come with you?"

"No," Paul said firmly. "If Claire really is the one behind the attack, then walking in with a full group will only put them on guard. I need to handle this alone and..."

"And what?" Roxy asked, intrigued.

"Let's not tell Zenith about this. At least, for now."

All of them looked at Paul with questionable looks, but they understood that he must have some reason, redundant as it may be.

"Father, are we going to be okay?" Aisha asked, fearing something dangerous was about to happen.

"No, sweety," Paul said to his daughter, trying to give her a reassuring smile before patting her on her head. "Just go with the other and rest properly on a nice and comfy bed. I can imagine that you've got tired from your travels."

As Paul turned away, Roxy exchanged a glance with Lilia, her frown deepening. She could tell there was more to this than Paul was letting on, but pushing him now wouldn't help. Instead, she reached out, briefly touching his arm.

"Just... be careful," she said softly.

Paul didn't turn back, but his stance relaxed just a fraction. "I will."

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts as Paul walked away, but no one argued. Lilia studied him for a moment before sighing. "At least tell us where the inn is."

Paul staggered momentarily before turning back and giving them quick directions.

"The Dawn Door Inn. It's near the western district, close to the merchant quarters. Find it, get settled, and wait for me there. Oh, and also, find someone called Vierra or Shierra. They are sort of like my assistants."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, his posture rigid, his fists clenched at his sides.

As the group watched him go, Talhand let out a low sigh. "Can't say I envy him."

Ghislaine crossed her arms. "That man's walking into a lion's den."

Roxy glanced down, her brows furrowing. "I just hope he doesn't let his emotions take over."

Lilia couldn't agree more with her. However, her gaze was fixed on Paul's retreating figure. The way he walked—the stiff shoulders, the measured steps—wasn't the usual reckless determination she knew.

No, this time, it was colder.

Paul Greyrat was no longer just a father searching for his family. Right now, he was a man ready to confront an irritating hurdle of the lives he tries to protect.

///