Chapter 194: "Vera's Melancholy"

Sigh~ Why is she still so stubborn?

As Jean sighed, Nolan couldn't help but sigh inwardly as well.

Although he understood her desire to protect Mondstadt, Jean tended to shoulder everything, big or small, wanting to excel in everything. It seemed she was being too hard on herself.

But then again, personality traits are not easily changed in an instant, nor should they necessarily change.

Because protecting Mondstadt has always been Jean's belief.

Moreover, it was only because of the recent storm disaster and the insufficient manpower in the Knights of Favonius that Jean was so busy. Normally, the workload was within reasonable limits.

But it was precisely during these extraordinary times that the care from everyone was indispensable. Otherwise, Jean, who took on everything alone, would be too lonely.

"I understand the intentions of you, Lisa, and Barbara, but you all could just be more open about it, especially next time, don't listen to Lisa's bad ideas!"

Jean recalled how Lisa had used the special status of an Honorary Knight to coerce her, and she couldn't help but feel a bit angry and dissatisfied.

Lisa was a good friend, but sometimes she did things that troubled Jean.

Especially when patrolling the city with Lisa, seeing drunkards lying in the middle of the road, she would use lightning to wake them up.

She expected another complaint letter in her office by tomorrow morning.

"Alright, I'm sorry, Master Jean."

Facing her slightly flushed fair face with displeasure, Nolan found Jean unexpectedly cute and apologized obediently.

The two walked to the base of a large tree and sat on a massive exposed green root.

The tree's branches rustled in the wind.

Jean took out a book with a green cover and gently opened it with her fair fingers. She leaned her snow-white back against the tree trunk and began to savor the book.

After all, since she had decided to take a break and relax, reading was a good way to relax body and mind.

Nolan also leaned against the tree, he didn't have a book he wanted to read and looked rather bored, so he struck up a conversation with Jean and asked curiously:

 "What book are you reading, Master Jean?"

He had glanced at the cover of the book in Jean's hand just now. It said "Vera's Melancholy" a book he had casually collected in the game.

But he hadn't opened it or known its contents.

People who love reading generally like to share the contents of their books with friends and recommend them to read, and Jean was no exception.

"It's called 'Vera's Melancholy'," she explained. "It tells the story of an ordinary girl named Vera and her companions' adventures across the Starry Sea realms. But in truth, it's a romance novel, um..."

Jean found herself revealing her secret enjoyment of romance novels as she spoke, then bashfully lowered her head to look away.

Of course, as an Honorary Knight, he might just be the right person to confide in.

Somehow, just being around him made her feel a bit more relaxed.

"..."

Nolan hadn't expected that Jean, who usually appeared serious and trustworthy, would also have such a girlish side—no, wait, it's normal.

What he usually saw was just a small part of Jean's demeanor at work.

She, too, was a girl who had passed through her teenage years, so liking romance novels was perfectly normal.

But as a Knight of Favonius and Acting Grand Master, she almost always prioritized Mondstadt and the Knights in everything she did, which made her less obvious about it.

Perhaps she secretly longed for the delicate and fragile emotions of romance.

Seeing Jean visibly embarrassed and complicated, Nolan tactfully didn't delve further into the topic of romance novels. Instead, he noted a particular term in her words:

"The Starry Sea Realms? Does Acting Grand Master Jean have any knowledge beyond the continent of Teyvat?"

Nolan's ultimate goal in becoming stronger on the continent of Teyvat was actually to find a way back home, after all, that planet still had family members he couldn't let go of.

Of course, before returning, he must grow to or master the ability to return to Teyvat at any time.

Because if nothing else, with his innate talent of "Entangling Affection", he would inevitably develop bonds and feelings with many girls on his way to becoming stronger.

Just like Little Amy now.

He admitted that he couldn't let her go, no matter what he did.

But she also had her own family and friends in Teyvat, so he had to master the skills to travel to Teyvat at any time before considering the next plan.

Nolan did not pursue the matter of romance novels, which relieved Jean slightly. She smiled and responded,

"I might not know as much about the stars outside of Teyvat as you do, being a visitor from another world."

"They say Teyvat is just a small planet in the Starry Sea Realms. The galaxy you see when you look up at night is composed of stars like these."

Nolan nodded slightly. He hadn't intended to ask much, since he didn't have the power to leave Teyvat himself.

Mainly, he wanted to ease the embarrassment Jean inadvertently felt after revealing her little secret.

Still, knowing that Teyvat was just another planet like Earth wasn't bad; it increased the chance of both existing in the same universe.

As for wanting to understand the "Starry Sea Realms" more deeply, he would probably have to ask Lumine.

Of course, that wasn't urgent. Without the strength to do so, asking would be pointless.

Just as Nolan was about to start a casual conversation with Jean, she suddenly stood up and sharply looked behind them.

"Come out!"

Nolan was slightly startled by her words. Was there an enemy appearing? And he didn't even sense anything!

"Kekeke, discovered already, huh?" An Abyss Mage with an ice elemental shield suddenly appeared in front of them. "Today is this mage's lucky day, encountering a weakened Acting Grand Master. Once I deal with you, Mondstadt will crumble!"

Damn, such malicious intent!

Nolan's eyes gradually turned golden as he activated his Eye of Judgement and looked at the Ice Abyss Mage.

[Level: 63]

Hiss... Level 60-something. Nolan was surprised by the Abyss Mage's strength, but did it really think it could take on Acting Grand Master Jean with just that?

"No, you're thinking too narrowly. Whether it's Mondstadt or the Knights, they can function without me."

Jean refuted the Abyss Mage's claim and continued,

"And besides, you might not be able to deal with me!"

An invisible breeze, tinged with cyan wind elemental energy, rustled the leaves of the tree, gently swirling around Jean, whose golden ponytail fluttered.

Like the beginning of a hurricane.

(End of Chapter)

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