Chapter 329: You Aren’t Playing Favorites, Are You? (2-in-1 Chapter)

Morning.

The room, with the curtains drawn, had a somewhat dim atmosphere. The candle on the bedside table had long since burned out.

Nolan slowly opened his eyes and rubbed the corners of them.

Beside him lay Fischl, her long golden hair loosely scattered, without any constraint. She was still sound asleep, half-wrapped around his body.

Gently, Nolan withdrew his left arm and brushed away the soft strands of hair falling over her forehead.

Last night, she went a little overboard in her effort to punish him.

Thanks to the restorative effects of "Harmony," which relieved fatigue, Fischl clung to him relentlessly as long as he didn't surrender. But how could she possibly match the endurance of Nolan, who had a strong physique and the attribute of being a "battery body"?

In the end, Fischl was the first to tire out, collapsing on top of him, drenched in sweat, her lips slightly parted as she panted gently.

At that point, the roles naturally reversed.

With no strength left to resist, little Amy could only let Nolan take the lead, exploring new positions from her soft, pale legs to her delicate hips.

Fischl was so frustrated that she teared up!

Of course, due to their indulgence last night, the "Harmony energy" that nourished and strengthened her caused little Amy to level up twice, reaching level 53.

A significant boost in power!

Nolan gazed at Fischl's sweet sleeping face, reached out, and gently embraced her, his fingers tracing the smooth lines of her shoulder blades and her pristine, ivory back.

Sensing something, Fischl slowly awoke.

Her snow-white eyelids blinked open to reveal bright green eyes. She glanced at Nolan, then silently turned her head away, shutting her eyes once more.

Hmph, I didn't even want to acknowledge this scoundrel!

Although they lingered a bit in bed, savoring the remnants of the night's happiness, Nolan and Fischl still got up before eight in the morning.

After all, both had work to attend to.

Fischl had her duties as an investigator for the Adventurers' Guild, while Nolan... well, he needed to go mingle with the girls in hopes of earning more affection points!

Before heading out, Nolan prepared a special breakfast for Fischl.

In light of his effort in making her breakfast, the proud Prinzessin forgave his transgressions from the previous night.

She stopped sulking.

After all, girls' moods can change as quickly as they come.

Fischl summoned her night raven Oz and, together, they ate breakfast before she set out for the Adventurers' Guild. Meanwhile, Nolan started chatting with Mona in his mind, asking if she was up yet as he prepared to teleport over.

"Ugh... just come over," Mona replied weakly, indicating she hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

With a sigh, he decided to prepare another breakfast to bring with him.

With the activation of "Interstellar Travel," space shifted seamlessly, taking him from the stone-built house to a room made of wood.

This was Mona's living room.

Despite it being tidied up not too long ago, the place was already showing signs of clutter. For instance, a book was currently lying by his feet.

He picked it up and lightly tapped the seated Mona, who was facing away from him, sitting with her thighs pressed against her calves and her hips on the floor, like a duck.

"Thwack!"

The thick book landed on her black, thigh-high stockings, making a muffled sound.

"Ah!" Mona yelped, clutching her rear and glaring back at Nolan. "You jerk, why did you hit me?"

"Haha, take a break from your work. I brought you breakfast."

Nolan chuckled, handing over the packed "Wild Boar and Cabbage Soup Noodles" to the embarrassed girl in front of him.

Mona had various parts spread out in front of her. She seemed to be fixing something, likely an instrument for her astrology research.

"Hmph! Just because you brought me breakfast doesn't mean you get to smack my butt!"

Mona said angrily as she stood up, though she took the breakfast naturally. She set her starry, pointed witch's hat on the table.

She sat down and eagerly began eating, as she was indeed quite hungry.

"By the way, Mona, do you need any equipment for studying the 'Wonderland' sky later? If so, I can put it away for you now."

Nolan thought for a moment and asked.

"Ugh, of course. I have it stored in my Vision," Mona mumbled between bites. "The parts on the floor are for a star chart device, and there are a few books on the couch—please put those away for me."

Nolan nodded, indicating that was no problem.

He snapped his fingers lightly, and two space rifts with a starry background opened beneath the star chart device and the books, swallowing them into the "Wonderland."

Soon after, Mona finished her breakfast and entered the "Wonderland" to study that mysterious starry sky.

Speaking of which, the current "Wonderland" was rather simple and empty. He would need to find time to add some furniture and other items to make it more comfortable for everyone living there in the future.

With that done, it was about time.

Nolan didn't enter the "Wonderland" to disturb Mona's research but instead used "Interstellar Travel" to teleport to Acting Grand Master Jean's side.

Space shifted once again.

Gentle sunlight streamed through the window, brightening the Acting Grand Master's office with a clear, radiant glow.

Nolan now stood on the inner side of the desk, and Jean was sitting beside him. Just as he was about to affectionately touch her golden hair tied in a ponytail—

Jean's soft cough stopped him.

Awkwardly, Nolan realized that there were two young women standing before Jean—Noelle and Ellin, the candidates he had mentioned last night for the secretary position.

He had no choice but to scratch his head with the raised hand, remembering Jean's condition that they shouldn't act too close in front of others.

"Ah! Adventurer, how did you suddenly appear in the office?" Noelle exclaimed, surprised by Nolan's abrupt entrance, and Ellin was equally astonished.

"Noelle, Ellin, long time no see. It's just a spatial transfer skill, nothing too special. If you'd like, I could even teach you," Nolan said with a smile.

"…"

Noelle and Ellin were momentarily speechless. Spatial transfer was nothing special? Was this something an ordinary person could master?!

They both assumed Nolan was joking about teaching them. Such a precious skill surely wasn't so easily shared.

"Speaking of which, the Honorary Knight and I thought you two would be perfect as my secretaries, so I called you here to ask.

"From my questions earlier, I've learned enough about you both. Overall, the Honorary Knight's judgment was spot on.

"You both possess strong senses of justice and responsibility, and your abilities are commendable. Therefore, in my capacity as Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, I formally invite you to take on the position of my secretaries. What do you think?"

Jean looked at Noelle and Ellin, first offering sincere praise for their virtues before standing to extend the official invitation.

"What?! Can we really become secretaries by Jean's side?" Noelle and Ellin were overwhelmed by joy. When Jean had first brought up the idea, it already felt like a dream.

Now it had come true—Jean herself was inviting them to be her secretaries!

And to think it was Nolan's suggestion that led Jean to choose them!

With that thought, both Noelle and Ellin, who had a touch of admiration for Jean, felt a surge of affection for Nolan.

[Noelle Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 520 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv. 4 (250/400)]

[Ellin Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 600 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv. 5 (35/500)]

Seeing the affection prompts pop up on the character panel, Nolan was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected such a substantial increase from both of them.

It seemed that becoming the Acting Grand Master's secretaries truly excited them.

And it made sense—working beside someone they admired like Jean would undoubtedly make them happy!

Come to think of it, he hadn't intentionally tried to gain Ellin's affection, yet her affection level had already reached five. Hmm, should he consider pursuing her as well?

She was quite cute and charming, and having another affection skill would be nice.

After all, his main path to power involved Adventure EXP and Affection Levels, so it was inevitable that many girls would be around him. Adding one more wouldn't be an issue.

Well, better to let things happen naturally.

"Yes, if you're willing, you're now officially the secretaries of the Acting Grand Master," Jean said, a smile on her fair face.

"Of course, we're willing!" Noelle and Ellin agreed without hesitation.

"Good."

Jean nodded and proceeded to handle their hiring process herself, which was simple and only required two appointment letters.

As the new secretaries, Noelle and Ellin were quickly given tasks by Jean—to handle small requests sent by the citizens.

With her ample experience, Noelle seamlessly adapted to the role of Acting Grand Master's secretary without needing any adjustment.

And she could also share some of her experience with Ellin.

"Giving them tasks so soon? It feels a bit like you're the heartless boss from a story," Nolan joked, watching Noelle and Ellin's backs as they stepped out the door.

"Honorary Knight, don't use such strange metaphors! I am not that kind of person!" Jean said, pressing her hands to her waist, expressing her discontent to Nolan. "I originally planned to have Kaeya help handle those requests today, but he had to leave on other business, so Noelle and Ellin had to start adapting to the work right away."

"Alright, that makes sense. After all, in my eyes, my dear Acting Grand Master Jean is the most upright person in the world."

Nolan wrapped an arm around Jean's waist and leaned close to give her a light kiss on the lips.

"Mm... Honorary Knight, this is the Acting Grand Master's office, not a place where you can act recklessly."

Jean's fair face blushed as she composed herself and pinched Nolan's face lightly before pushing him away, annoyed but shy.

[Jean Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 200 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv. 9 (220/900)]

Nolan found the affection prompt amusing. She clearly liked it, yet she was trying to deny it. Jean was indeed quite adorable in moments like this.

"Alright, let go of me. What if someone comes in and sees us?"

Jean grabbed the arm around her waist, trying to move it away.

It was true—the Acting Grand Master's office often had Knights of Favonius coming in to report matters.

Just as Nolan was about to comply and release her—

Click!

The doorknob turned, and a graceful woman wearing a pointed purple witch's hat stood at the entrance, smiling at them.

"Uh, Lisa..."

Nolan felt a bit caught in the act, as if he'd been caught by another girl while sneaking around. He didn't know whether to pull his hand back or leave it where it was.

"Lisa... y-you should knock before coming in," Jean said, her expression flustered. Being caught acting intimately with a man in the office by her friend left her without her usual authoritative air.

"Oh my, Jean, there's no need to be so shy. Having a boyfriend is something to be happy about, isn't it?"

Lisa closed the door behind her with a playful chuckle.

She walked over, her legs outlined by the thigh-high black lace stockings, the gemstones on her purple anklets lightly swaying as she moved in her golden, butterfly-patterned heels.

Under Jean's puzzled gaze, Lisa stepped to Nolan's right side, suddenly wrapping her arm around his and saying with a smile:

"I kept asking Jean what gift you gave her last night, but she wouldn't tell me. Now I'm curious. Little adventurer, you're not going to be biased and only give something to Jean, are you? I want one too."

Lisa wasn't actually interested in receiving the gift; she just wanted to tease Jean to see her annoyed, yet cute, reaction.

"…"

Nolan felt the soft sensation against his arm and momentarily couldn't find the words to respond.

"Lisa! What are you doing? Let go of him!" Jean's face darkened as she quickly reached for Nolan's waist and pulled him back to her side.

"Ha, Jean, you're so possessive. It's just a little hug; I'm not going to steal your precious Honorary Knight. Why are you so tense~?" Lisa teased, adding fuel to the fire.

"You!" Jean bit her lip, crossing her arms and sitting back in her chair, deciding not to compete with Lisa. She could tell that her friend was only joking, so there was no need to get worked up.

"Hmph, if you want something, ask the Honorary Knight to give it to you. Why do you have to hug him?"

Ever since she received the "Waymark," Jean could sense others who had it as well. Since Amber and Eula had one, letting Nolan give one to Lisa wouldn't be an issue.

"Wasn't it supposed to be a token of affection from him to you?" Lisa said, still holding Nolan's arm, a slight look of confusion on her face.

"Heh, Lisa, it's just a simple gift. I actually planned to give you one when I saw you next," Nolan said, smiling as he took out a golden orb of light.

"Oh? There really is one for me?" Lisa's green eyes reflected the golden light, and a slight smile curved her soft, fair lips.

[Lisa Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 360 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv. 7 (60/700)]

(End of Chapter)

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