Paul

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Paul
Full Name	Paul Notos Greyrat
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Buena Village; Greyrat household; Search Group; Latreia household; Notos Family (legitimate heir, later family head)
Occupation/Role	Former resident knight of Buena Village; monster exterminator; swordsmanship instructor; leader of the Search Group; Duke Notos and head of the Notos Family 474 480
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Paul was born as the eldest son of Amarant Notos Greyrat, the head of the Notos Family, and Valentina. Though he possessed exceptional talent in swordsmanship and charm, he was an unmotivated student who showed little interest in noble education or succession. His stern relationship with Amarant contrasted with his close bond with his frail but gentle mother. 423

When Valentina's health worsened, twelve-year-old Paul escaped confinement to search the slums for a doctor who might save her. Unable to pay for information, he relied on his “Bed God Flow” to trace the doctor's whereabouts. He returned home only after Valentina had died, and Amarant wrongly assumed he had been spending the time pursuing women. Their ensuing argument led Paul to flee the Notos Family permanently. 423

Amarant later regretted his treatment of Paul and wrote him a remorseful letter before dying. Paul eventually received and opened that letter, though only after refusing to do so for half a year. Amarant also left a sealed will declaring Paul his legitimate successor and passing the Notos title to him, making Philemon's later inheritance legally invalid. 423 424

Paul became Buena Village's resident knight despite initial doubts that his carefree demeanor and connections had earned him the position. His strength, approachable nature, and effectiveness eventually won over the villagers; he is also noted for his handsome appearance and bright personality. 1

In his youth, Paul trained at Augusta's dojo alongside Lilia. Although Augusta considered him an extraordinary sword talent and a possible successor to the dojo, Paul trained inconsistently and treated others poorly. He later forcibly took Lilia's virginity and fled before dawn, never returning. 6

Paul also traveled with companions to challenge dojos in his youth, hoping to make a name for himself. Their defeats eventually scattered the group, but the experience significantly improved his Water God Style swordsmanship. 121

Before settling in Buena Village, Paul was an adventurer and the leader of the S-rank party Black Wolf's Fang. After Zenith became pregnant, he deliberately made his companions hate him and forcibly disbanded the party, intending to ensure they blamed him rather than Zenith for the party's dissolution. 175 347

Paul later became Zenith's husband and settled in Buena Village. He and Zenith initially expected Rudeus to study swordsmanship and Hilde to study magic, but reversed those plans after recognizing Rudeus's magical aptitude and Hilde's exceptional physical and sword talent. He hired Roxy Migurdia to teach both children. 4

After Lilia became pregnant with his child, Paul accepted responsibility: he abstained from intimacy with Zenith as promised, took on additional housework during Zenith and Lilia's pregnancies, and eventually married Lilia. 13 15 16

Recognizing that Hilde would outgrow his instruction, Paul sought advanced training for her. He apologized to Augusta through a letter and secured a recommendation for Hilde to enter the Water God Style dojo in the royal capital through Augusta's connection to Water God Leda Lia. 15 22

During the Great Teleportation Incident, Paul and Norn were transported within the Asura Kingdom. He immediately began searching for his displaced family, eventually reuniting with Hilde at the refugee camp near Kahn City. 119 121

With Hilde's financial backing and organizational support, Paul established and led a Search Group dedicated to locating, rescuing, and assisting victims of the incident. He recruited Ghislaine and other former associates, expanded the group's operations while traveling toward Millishion, and continued searching for Zenith, Lilia, Aisha, Rudeus, Eris, and other missing victims. 123 126 149

Paul later led the expedition into the Teleportation Labyrinth on the Begaritt Continent to rescue Zenith. Following her rescue, Zenith's loss of clear awareness devastated him, particularly while he believed Hilde had died in the labyrinth. He nevertheless remained devoted to Zenith and later reunited with Hilde after learning that she had survived. 266 339 347

Years later, Hilde presented Paul with Amarant's will and urged him to reclaim the Notos title. Paul initially rejected the idea, wishing to remain outside aristocratic life and believing that Philemon was already the rightful duke. He ultimately accepted that he needed an independent foundation to secure Zenith and Norn's future rather than remain dependent on the Latreia Family. 440

Paul subsequently traveled to Ars City under Hilde's protection to participate in the effort to remove Philemon from the Notos Family leadership. Although reluctant and uneasy about confronting his younger brother, he prepared to appear as the legitimate heir when Ariel's faction publicly challenged Philemon's succession. 441 448

Paul ultimately replaced Philemon as Duke Notos and took control of the Notos Family. He attributed his accession not only to Amarant's will, but also to Philemon's ineffective leadership and the support of the family's retainers. His new position brought substantial administrative responsibilities, which he initially struggled to fulfill without Hilde's help. 474 480

Appearance

Paul is described as handsome, with an easygoing and bright presence that made him popular among Buena Village's young women. 1

Following the Great Teleportation Incident, Paul became bearded and scruffy while searching for his family with Norn. 119

After Zenith's rescue and the emotional strain of her condition, Paul became severely emaciated because depression left him unable to eat properly for an extended period. 339

As Duke Notos, Paul has his hair meticulously styled by a hairdresser. For his informal tavern visits, he deliberately messes up his hair and changes into simple, lightweight clothing to blend into the crowd. 480

Personality

Paul is outwardly carefree, unserious, and instinct-driven, particularly as a teacher. His swordsmanship demonstrations rely on vague sound-effect descriptions rather than technical explanations, making him difficult for Rudeus and Hilde to follow. 7

Despite his past wrongdoing and irresponsible youth, he shows increasing maturity as a father. He considers his children's talents, safety, finances, and long-term independence when making decisions, even when those decisions require separation from home. 15 18 19 22

Paul is deeply protective of Zenith. His decision to destroy Black Wolf's Fang was motivated by his desire to provide her a stable life and prevent his former companions from blaming her for the party's end. 175

Though he retains his crude humor, tendency to flirt, and occasional lack of tact, Paul can apologize sincerely when he recognizes that he has hurt others. His responsibility toward his family and the Search Group becomes especially apparent after the Great Teleportation Incident. 123 126 188

Paul treats his children with affection regardless of their respective talents. He worries especially about Norn's future because she lacks the extraordinary gifts displayed by her siblings, but supports her education and gradual progress. 174 389

He also objects to unequal treatment of his children. While considering the next stage of the search for Zenith, he worries that leaving Aisha and Norn with the Latreia Family would expose Aisha to neglect because the family favors Norn. 187

Although Paul dislikes noble customs and wishes to avoid the Notos Family, he accepts etiquette instruction from Claire and eventually agrees to reclaim his inheritance. His decision is driven less by ambition than by a recognition that Zenith, Norn, and the rest of his household need a stable future independent of the Latreia Family. 439 440

Paul remains alert in dangerous situations. During Auber's infiltration of the Ars City villa, he recognized that a supposed guard's voice was unfamiliar and immediately tested him with a surprise attack rather than submit to the escort. 443

After becoming duke, Paul takes his responsibilities seriously despite the strain they impose. He believes that replacing Philemon obliges him to govern better than his brother and wishes to honor Amarant, his retainers, and his mother. Hilde's guidance helps him, but he remains overwhelmed by confusing reports and petitions. 474 480

Paul's visits to adventurers' taverns provide relief from the pressures of leadership. He fondly remembers the freedom and camaraderie of his adventuring years without expecting that life to return. His reflections acknowledge both the courage of his younger self and the opportunities lost through recklessness. When a tavern owner warns him against a seemingly arrogant young stranger, Paul recognizes aspects of his own youth in the man and responds by buying him a drink. 480

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Paul is an advanced-level swordsman in all three major schools: Water God Style, Sword God Style, and North God Style. He has integrated aspects of all three into his fighting, though he most often uses the Sword God Style against weaker opponents. 7 16

His prolonged plateau at Advanced rank is attributed to inconsistent training, his lack of specialization, and limited access to higher-level instruction. His schoolteachers, the Boreas Family's private tutors, and Augusta provided a foundation, while adventuring greatly improved his practical combat ability; however, he received little instruction in advanced theories or secret techniques. 67

• Easily cuts down monsters while demonstrating combat to Rudeus and Hilde. 16
• Defeats Rudeus in two moves during a sparring demonstration, knocking him unconscious with a wooden sword. 20
• Uses practical combat experience to teach the twins how monster combat differs from fighting humans. 16 17
• Possesses exceptional instinctive talent but struggles to articulate advanced techniques for students. 7
• Later adopts a dual-wielding style, carrying his original sword in his right hand and a second sword in his left. His left-handed strikes are notably faster and stronger. 241
• Can use an incomplete form of the Sword God Style's Light Blade technique, prioritizing speed at the expense of its ideal power distribution. 241
• Uses Light Blade against the Nine-Headed Dragon in the Teleportation Labyrinth, severing two of its heads in separate strikes. 251
• Opens the renewed battle against the Magic Stone Hydra with Light Blade, severing a head in a single strike. 255
• Retains sufficient skill and combat experience to contribute heavily to the final Teleportation Labyrinth expedition despite the threats posed by its high-ranked monsters. 248 250 256
• Uses Water God Style techniques to deflect Auber's throwing knives while injured during the assassination attempt in Ars City. 443

Paul learned his incomplete Light Blade by occasionally asking Ghislaine for instruction during their years in Millishion. Once he deliberately resumed developing his swordsmanship, his talent allowed him to grasp the technique quickly, but Search Group duties left insufficient time to perfect its balance of speed and strength. 241

Village Knight Duties

As Buena Village's resident knight, Paul handles local disputes and protects the area from monsters and bandits. Buena Village's low threat level and Paul's prestige make much of this work manageable for him. 16

• Leads monster extermination expeditions. 16 17
• Trains Rudeus and Hilde through regular monster-subjugation experience after their first Terminate Boar battle. 17
• Works alongside village hunter Rolz during periods of increased monster activity. 10

Leadership and Search Operations

After the Great Teleportation Incident, Paul leads the Search Group's rescue and information-gathering operations. He coordinates members, assesses supplies and stamina before dangerous expeditions, and prioritizes the group's recovery after combat. 126 149 250

• Recruits capable allies, including Ghislaine, to strengthen the Search Group's ability to rescue victims and confront hostile forces. 123
• Leads operations against bandits and rescues captives held by them. 149
• Organizes the final expedition to the Begaritt Continent to rescue Zenith from the Teleportation Labyrinth. 191 239
• Uses his adventuring experience to direct the party through familiar labyrinth routes and make tactical decisions during the expedition. 241 250
• Explains labyrinth roles and responsibilities to inexperienced members, assigning Keith as scout, Talhand as vanguard, Hilde as rearguard, and himself as the principal attacker. 240
• Accepts responsibility for underestimating the Teleportation Labyrinth's difficulty rather than blaming Keith after Roxy goes missing. 239

Noble Administration

After taking over the Notos Family, Paul must review reports, petitions, and other documents connected to its governance. His combat and field-leadership experience do not translate readily into administrative competence, and he asks Hilde to help interpret confusing paperwork. Poorly written reports compound his difficulties. 474

Hilde's guidance helps Paul manage his new responsibilities, but the pressure of ducal leadership leaves him tense. He nevertheless remains committed to improving on Philemon's performance rather than treating the title solely as an inheritance. 480

Power Progression

Stage	Advancement	Evidence
Early Buena Village period	Advanced in Water God Style, Sword God Style, and North God Style; combines elements of all three styles in practical combat.	7 16
Monster-extermination training	Demonstrates the ability to effortlessly eliminate local monsters and instructs Rudeus and Hilde in practical combat judgment.	16 17
Search Group era	Develops a dual-wielding combat style and demonstrates an incomplete Light Blade technique while exploring the Teleportation Labyrinth.	241
Teleportation Labyrinth expedition	Uses Light Blade to sever two heads of the Nine-Headed Dragon in separate attacks, with his magic-infused sword compensating for the technique's reduced power.	251
Asura succession crisis	Retains the reflexes and Water God Style defense needed to identify an infiltrator and repel Auber's thrown weapons, though the Northern Emperor-class assassin ultimately overpowers him in direct combat.	443

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Sword — Paul's primary weapon for monster extermination and swordsmanship demonstrations. 16
• Second sword — A sword later wielded in his left hand as part of his dual-wielding combat style. 241
• Magic-infused sword — A short, unusually shaped sword purchased in Rapan. It becomes sharper against harder materials, allowing it to cut monster shells, armor, and metal while being unable to cut soft dried meat effectively. Paul uses it to compensate for the reduced force of his incomplete Light Blade. The roadside seller marketed it as a “cursed sword” because its inability to cut dried meat made it appear defective. Paul later offers it to Hilde, but keeps it after she declines because its lightness does not suit her fighting style. 241
• Wooden swords — Used when training and sparring with Rudeus and Hilde. 20
• Metal swords — Gifted real sharpened swords, along with wooden practice swords, to Rudeus and Hilde for their fifth birthday. 7
• Letter of recommendation — Obtained through Augusta to admit Hilde to the Water God Style dojo in the royal capital. 22
• Hidden gold reserves — Kept gold coins concealed in his sword sheath for emergencies while traveling after the Great Teleportation Incident. 121
• Amarant's will — A sealed letter naming Paul as the legitimate heir to the Notos title and confirming that the title should pass to him rather than Philemon. It later becomes a foundation for Paul's successful accession as duke. 424 440 480

Relationships

• Zenith — Wife and mother of Rudeus, Hilde, and Norn. Paul shares a household and children with her; his infidelity with Lilia strains their relationship. He remains fiercely devoted to Zenith after her rescue from the Teleportation Labyrinth leaves her unable to communicate clearly. He cares for her daily in Millishion, taking her outside and speaking to her in the hope that familiar experiences may reach her. 1 13 16 339 347 439
• Lilia — Former dojo acquaintance whom Paul sexually assaulted in his youth; later his wife and Aisha's mother. Paul seeks Augusta's forgiveness and promises to treat Lilia well. Lilia supports Paul through his depression following Zenith's rescue. 6 16 22 339
• Rudeus Greyrat — Son. Paul trains him in swordsmanship, praises his judgment in combat, and arranges his tutor position with the Boreas family. They later reunite through the Search Group, and Paul supports Rudeus's decision to uphold his promise to Eris rather than remain with the group. Paul later reunites warmly with Rudeus in Ars City and relies on him and Hilde for protection during the Notos succession crisis. 7 17 22 173 175 441 448
• Hilde Greyrat — Daughter. Paul recognizes her exceptional sword talent, trains her until his instruction is insufficient, and arranges her admission to the Water God Style dojo. After the Great Teleportation Incident, he works alongside her to establish the Search Group and is overwhelmed by guilt when he believes she has died. Hilde later forces him to confront his past and accept his position as the legitimate Notos heir. After Paul becomes duke, he relies on her help with administrative documents, prompting her frustration with his lack of preparation for his duties. 15 19 22 121 266 339 440 474 480
• Norn Greyrat — Daughter with Zenith. Paul travels with and protects Norn following the Great Teleportation Incident, worries about her education and confidence, and supports her continued schooling in Millishion. Her security and education are central reasons he agrees to reclaim the Notos title. 16 119 149 389 440
• Aisha Greyrat — Daughter with Lilia. Paul reunites with Aisha during the Search Group's operations and later considers her future education alongside Hilde. He worries about the Latreia Family's indifference toward her compared with its favoritism toward Norn and does not want his daughters to suffer unequal treatment. 16 138 187 192
• Roxy Migurdia — Magic tutor hired by Paul for Rudeus and Hilde. Roxy later joins the effort to rescue Zenith from the Teleportation Labyrinth. Paul feels responsible for her disappearance during the expedition and resolves to rescue both her and Zenith. 4 239
• Ghislaine Dedoldia — Former adventuring companion of Paul and Zenith; Paul entrusts Rudeus's sword training to her during his work for the Boreas family. He later recruits her to the Search Group, where her Sword King strength becomes essential to its operations. Her instruction in Millishion also helps him develop his incomplete Light Blade. 20 22 123 149 241
• Augusta — Lilia's father and Paul's former swordsmanship instructor. Paul wronged Augusta's daughter, then later apologizes and receives his help securing Hilde's training. 22
• Rolz — Village hunter who supports Paul's monster-extermination work. 10 16
• Philip Boreas Greyrat — A former friend whose help enabled Paul to obtain steady work as Buena Village's resident knight. Paul mourns Philip after learning he died in the Great Teleportation Incident. 37 123
• Elinalise Dragonroad and Talhand — Former Black Wolf's Fang companions. Paul apologizes to them for his past conduct and asks for their assistance in the search for Zenith. 175 188
• Keith Nukadia — A longtime friend and former Black Wolf's Fang teammate whose scouting and networking skills aid Paul's Search Group operations. 238 239
• Claire Latreia — Zenith's mother. Paul remains in Millishion partly because Claire refuses to entrust Zenith to him while Zenith is unable to care for herself. Claire later instructs him in noble etiquette and remains responsible for protecting Zenith, Lilia, and the family while Paul travels to Asura. 339 389 439 441
• Amarant Notos Greyrat — Paul's late father and the former Notos Family head. Their relationship was embittered by Amarant's harsh expectations and Paul's flight after Valentina's death, but Amarant later regretted his actions, wrote Paul a letter of apology, and named him his successor in his will. After becoming duke, Paul wishes to honor his father's legacy through responsible leadership. 423 424 480
• Valentina Notos Greyrat — Paul's late mother. She was his principal emotional support during childhood, and her death directly preceded his final break with the Notos Family. 423
• Philemon Notos Greyrat — Paul's younger brother and the former acting head of the Notos Family. Paul bears him little personal hostility, but Philemon fears and resents Paul; Amarant's will establishes that Paul, rather than Philemon, is the lawful heir. Paul eventually replaces him as duke and considers it his obligation to govern more effectively than Philemon did. 424 441 448 480
• Arost — A longtime Notos Family butler entrusted by Amarant with delivering his letters. Arost reveals the will to Hilde and supports Paul's return as the legitimate family head. After Paul's takeover, Arost manages the family's assets in the capital and summons Hilde when Paul needs administrative help. 423 424 474
• Ariel Anemoi Asura — The Second Princess whose faction uses Paul's lawful succession to challenge Philemon and subsequently confront Darius. Ariel supports the political effort while avoiding direct Latreia involvement that could suggest foreign interference. 438 441 448
• Auber Corax — The Peacock Sword and a Northern Emperor-class assassin who infiltrates the Ars City villa to kill Paul. Paul recognizes the deception and resists, but Auber rapidly disarms and injures him before Hilde intervenes. Paul warns Hilde not to underestimate Auber, and she protects him before ordering him to the shelter and pursuing the assassin. 443 444
• Eris Boreas Greyrat — Philip's daughter and Rudeus's partner. Paul regards her favorably and was informed by Philip of plans to make Rudeus the Boreas Family's live-in son-in-law. Eris is unusually nervous when greeting Paul in Millishion and later makes a practiced, if awkward, bow while addressing him as “Father” in Ars City. 173 441
• Sylphy — Rudeus's childhood friend, whom Paul believed dead after the Great Teleportation Incident. He initially fails to recognize her disguised appearance during their reunion in Ars City and is surprised to discover her identity. 441
• Unidentified tavern patron — A young man with black hair and crimson eyes whom Paul encounters in an Ars City tavern after becoming duke. Despite the owner's warning that the stranger appears troublesome, Paul sees a resemblance to his own younger personality and buys him the cheapest beer. 480

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Family Life

Paul serves as the Greyrat household's father figure and Buena Village's knight. After Rudeus damages a wall with magic, he and Zenith respond by arranging formal magical education for both twins. 1 4

Swordsmanship Instruction

For the twins' fifth birthday, Paul gives each of them a real sword and a wooden practice sword, then begins personally teaching their fundamentals. His instinctive teaching creates difficulties, but Hilde progresses rapidly under his guidance. 7 8

Concerned about Hilde's unusual physical strength, Paul consults Roxy. She cannot determine its cause with certainty and recommends a proper examination when Hilde is older, while indicating that there is probably no immediate danger. 8

Family Dispute

Lilia's pregnancy reveals Paul's infidelity. He subsequently accepts responsibility, abstains as promised, assumes more household work, and becomes part of a household that includes both Zenith and Lilia. 13 15 16

Monster Extermination Training

Paul introduces Rudeus and Hilde to real monster combat, allowing them to face a Terminate Boar while supervising from behind. After they succeed, he continues taking them on regular subjugations to build practical experience. 16 17

Arranging the Twins' Futures

Paul rejects Rudeus's plan to travel to Ranoa Magic University while still young, citing safety, finances, and unfinished sword training. Instead, he arranges for Rudeus to become Eris Boreas Greyrat's tutor and secretly organizes Hilde's entry into the Water God Style dojo through Augusta's recommendation. 18 20 22

Great Teleportation Incident

Paul and Norn are transported away from Buena Village during the Great Teleportation Incident. He searches through the Asura Kingdom for his family, learns that Fittoa Territory has been devastated, and reunites with Hilde near Kahn City after months of uncertainty. 119 121

Founding the Search Group

Working with Hilde, Paul assumes leadership of a Search Group intended to locate displaced victims across multiple continents. He recruits Ghislaine, travels toward Millishion, gathers information and survivors along the route, and develops the group into a sustained rescue operation. 121 123 126

Search Group Operations

Paul commands the Search Group in actions against bandits and other threats, including the rescue of captives from a mountain bandit den. His leadership, combat ability, and concern for the members' welfare establish him as the group's central field commander. 149

During the prolonged search, Paul feels inadequate beside his children's accomplishments, particularly Hilde's rescue of Lilia and Aisha and Rudeus's journey across the Demon Continent. Nevertheless, he continues maintaining the group's operations and coordinating the family's next steps. 187 189

Teleportation Labyrinth Expedition

After receiving information that Zenith may be imprisoned in the Teleportation Labyrinth, Paul leads the final expedition to the Begaritt Continent. He fights with two swords, uses an incomplete Light Blade, and personally severs two heads of the Nine-Headed Dragon while pursuing Zenith's rescue. 239 241 251

Before the twins join him, Paul's party spends more than two months searching the labyrinth, during which Roxy goes missing. Paul acknowledges that he underestimated its difficulty and accepts responsibility as party leader. 239

His desire to reach Zenith also leads him to charge recklessly at the Nine-Headed Dragon, forcing Elinalise to cover him and urge a retreat. During the renewed battle, he opens with another head-severing Light Blade and fights with a determination that deepens Rudeus's respect for him. 251 255 256

Zenith's Condition

Zenith's rescue does not restore her former awareness, leaving Paul grief-stricken and physically diminished. He remains at her side despite the Latreia family's extreme proposed treatment, accepting an arduous compromise to protect Zenith from being sent away. 339

Paul and Lilia take Zenith to Millishion partly because Norn is studying there and partly to seek treatment through the city's advanced healing and detoxification magic. Paul continues caring for Zenith despite the uncertainty surrounding her ability to recognize or communicate with her family. 270 278

Later Family Life

Paul remains in Millishion with Zenith, Lilia, and Norn rather than relocating immediately to Sharia. He cites Zenith's dependency, Claire's objections, his own uncertain ability to provide for her, and Norn's improving school life as reasons to remain. 389

Notos Succession Crisis

Hilde learns that Paul is Amarant's lawful successor and decides that reclaiming the Notos title is necessary to secure the family and undermine Philemon's alliance with the First Prince faction. Paul initially refuses to return to the aristocracy, but accepts after Hilde confronts him about his dependence on the Latreia Family and his responsibility toward Zenith and Norn. 423 424 440

Return to Asura

Paul travels to Ars City while Hilde leaves Zenith, Lilia, and the other vulnerable family members in Claire's protection. He reunites with Rudeus, Eris, and Sylphy at Ariel's villa, where Rudeus constructs a Magic Eye Annihilation Barrier to reduce the risk of an attack by Hitogami's followers. 441

Assassination Attempt

While concealed in the villa before the public challenge to Philemon, Paul is targeted by Auber of the Peacock Sword. Paul detects the disguised assassin's unfamiliar voice and attacks first, but is wounded and disarmed within moments. Hilde arrives before Auber can kill him and takes responsibility for pursuing the assassin. 443 444

Paul cautions Hilde against underestimating Auber. When the assassin uses smoke bombs to escape, Hilde initially prioritizes shielding Paul, then orders him to retreat to the shelter before resuming pursuit. 444

The Reckoning

Paul remains under protection as Ariel's faction gathers influential nobles for a public confrontation with Philemon. The plan is to establish that Philemon's inheritance was unlawful and compel recognition of Paul as the proper Notos Family head and Duke Notos. 448

Paul subsequently succeeds in taking control of the family and replacing Philemon as duke. Amarant's will, Philemon's loss of support through ineffective leadership, and the backing of the Notos retainers are identified as the foundations of his accession. 474 480

Ducal Responsibilities

At the Notos villa, Paul faces a mountain of reports and petitions that he struggles to understand. Arost summons Hilde to assist him, and she becomes frustrated both with Paul's dependence on her and with the poor quality of the paperwork. Her response to one report is the annotation, “Reviewed. Incoherent nonsense.” 474

Although Hilde's guidance helps him manage the position, Paul remains under considerable pressure. He resolves to govern better than Philemon and occasionally visits an Ars City tavern in plain clothes to relax away from his ducal role. 480

Tavern Encounter

During one of his nighttime tavern visits, Paul reminisces about his adventuring career and notices a solitary young man with black hair and crimson eyes. The tavern owner advises him not to associate with the stranger, describing him as the sort of proud, hot-blooded youth likely to resort to violence. Paul recognizes his own former behavior in that description and buys the man a cheap beer rather than avoiding him. 480

Trivia

• Paul is only twenty-three when Lilia recounts their past at Augusta's dojo. 6
• He is considered stronger than over ninety percent of swordsmen. 7
• Hilde can match Paul in raw strength despite not yet knowing how to use battle aura. 17
• Ghislaine considers Hilde's sword talent equal to or greater than Paul's. 22
• Paul and Zenith became parents at nineteen, while Paul was still living an adventurer's lifestyle. 57
• Paul keeps emergency funds hidden inside his sword sheath. 121
• Paul is thirty-three during the Teleportation Labyrinth rescue preparations. 239
• Paul was born the eldest son of the Notos Family but abandoned both the family and its name after fleeing home at twelve. 423 424
• His talent for charming women is referred to as “Bed God Flow.” 423
• Amarant's will identifies Paul as the rightful inheritor of the Notos title despite Philemon having ruled the family for years. 424
• Even after becoming duke, Paul prefers the lively atmosphere of adventurers' taverns and orders cheap beer during his informal visits. 480

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