Chapter 29: The Library

Under the "rule" of the Anemo Archon, Mondstadt was a state where politics and religion were intertwined.

The Knights of Favonius managed the entire city of Mondstadt, while the Church of Favonius was the center of faith in Mondstadt.

Although the Archon rarely directly governed Mondstadt, the citizens still held a strong belief in the Anemo Archon.

(Except maybe for a certain nun.)

Having been in Mondstadt for almost three days, Wang Daoyi and Xiangling had explored the entire city, but unfortunately, perhaps due to the influence of the dragon's calamity, Mondstadt was not as lively as usual. Apart from the taverns in the evenings, there were few people gathering outside.

And during these three days, they hadn't encountered Lumine several times.

Every time they saw her and Paimon, they seemed to be in a hurry, as if they were carrying out some important task.

Recently, the winds in Mondstadt had become increasingly unusual. Even without the Anemo vision Wang Daoyi could sense that the flow of Anemo elements in the air was becoming more violent, and there was a faint spreading of anger and deeper sadness.

[The Anemo Dragon is becoming more and more violent, its sadness being consumed by anger!]

Wang Daoyi shook his head, dismissing the thought of saving Mondstadt.

This was Lumine's task, a part of her journey's scenery, which didn't require Wang Daoyi's help. Wang Daoyi had his own journey.

Savoring the book "The Legend of Vanessa" in his hand, Wang Daoyi turned to look at the purple figure approaching from behind.

"Is Miss Lisa still lingering in the library at such a busy time in Mondstadt?"

The newcomer was Lisa.

Despite being a powerful holder of the a vision, Miss Lisa always seemed lazy.

"It's not a good day for going out today!"

Miss Lisa smiled as she sat down opposite Wang Daoyi, "Besides, I'm the librarian, so how could I not be in the library when someone is reading there?"

Wang Dao Yi closed the book: "But, Miss Lisa said the same thing yesterday and used me as an excuse to refuse Acting Grand Master Jean's mission request."

"Jean is a diligent and responsible Acting Grand Master. Although I also want to help her, the winds have been increasingly sorrowful recently. Going out now would hurt the delicate skin of a lady!"

Lisa explained with a smile, but no matter how you looked at it, there was a teasing tone, "Besides, the Traveler is there to help Jean. Without me, they can still get things done."

With that, Lisa glanced at Wang Daoyi.

"As for you, young man who came from far away, from Liyue, you come to my library to read every day. Can't the wine and beauty of Mondstadt attract you?"

"It's not like that. I also want to taste the wine of Mondstadt, but unfortunately, Diluc, the Angel's Gift, said I'm still underage and won't allow Charles to sell me alcohol."

Pausing for a moment, Wang Dao Yi reopened the book in his hand and continued, "And that little cat girl at the Cat's Tail Inn, as soon as she heard I wanted to drink, she gave me a fierce look! It's really hard to continue asking for alcohol."

Yes, Wang Daoyi was sixteen this year and hadn't reached the legal drinking age in Mondstadt. If he drank at home, it would be fine, but at the tavern, they wouldn't sell it to him.

And when he went to the Cat's Tail Inn, seeing Diona's cute yet ferocious expression, Wang Daoyi ultimately couldn't bring himself to order a drink.

It was Xiangling who, upon seeing Diona concocting strange things for cocktails, was amazed and had been frequently observing Diona's cocktail making over the past few days. She was now a part-time cook at the Cat's Tail Inn.

Hearing Wang Dao Yi's words, Lisa's eyes lit up: "Oh, so the young man is still underage, turns out you're also a little cutie!"

"Little cutie, huh? Miss Lisa should use that to address Lumine"

Reading the "The Legend of Vanessa" in his hand, Wang Daoyi politely declined Lisa's endearment.

Glancing at the book in Wang Daoyi's hand, Lisa easily recognized the legendary story that almost everyone in Mondstadt had read.

"Is the young man also interested in the story of Lady Vanessa?"

"Of course, her story is very interesting!" Wang Dao Yi raised his head and looked at Lisa, "I really admire her spirit! In her, I can see the same spirit as the ancestors of Liyue."

Lisa was somewhat interested, showing a curious expression, "Oh, does Liyue also have people yearning for freedom?"

Wang Dao Yi shook his head. The spirit he mentioned wasn't about freedom.

"Not freedom, as the book says, 'Freedom is not a gift—struggle is.'"

"What I like about Lady Vanessa's story is the spirit of struggle I see in her."

"As a slave driven by nobles, trapped in a turbulent cage, even with heavy shackles on her, she never gave up!"

"This kind of spirit is what I like and admire, and freedom is just the deserved reward for her, not her spirit!"

Lisa nodded thoughtfully, then looked curiously at the young man who continued to read.

"Then do you also possess the spirit of Lady Vanessa?"

Lisa's sudden question left Wang Daoyi somewhat at a loss.

He read stories, pondered questions, but never thought about whether he could possess such a spirit himself.

Thinking about whether he should stop Osial from attacking the Liyue Harbor when Morax would soon fake his death, whether he should stop Dvalin from attacking the Mondstadt Harbor, Wang Daoyi was lost in thought.

Seeing the suddenly absent-minded young man, Lisa didn't disturb him, but casually picked up a book and began to browse.

After a while.

Wang Daoyi came back to his senses and answered the question he had just asked.

"I cannot confirm whether I can become a hero like Lady Vanessa, but if someone wants to destroy what I cherish, then I should also resist. After all, struggle is never alone!"

Wang Daoyi thought for a long time. Even if he couldn't resist Osail, protecting those familiar people should be no problem.

After all, the Archon wasn't truly dead. If things came to an uncontrollable point, the people of Liyue wouldn't be able to protect themselves, and the Rock Spear of the Archon could still teach Osail how to be a qualified seafood.

Thinking carefully, the people of Liyue were really lucky. They had a backup plan.

Hearing Wang Daoyi's answer, Lisa didn't say anything, just nodded simply.

Seeing Lisa didn't continue speaking, Wang Dao Yi was also happy to be quiet, redirecting his attention back to the book in his hand.

The two of them silently read their books.

Time passed slowly. Perhaps it was because the people of Mondstadt rarely read books, or perhaps it was because the dragon's calamity made people unable to focus on studying.

The whole afternoon passed, and not a third person came to the library.

As the sun outside the window set, Wang Daoyi closed the book in his hand.

"It's getting late, Miss Lisa, I'll take my leave."

Putting the book back on the shelf where it belonged, Wang Dao Yi prepared to leave.

"Take care, young man. There's an activity for the Knights tomorrow, so the library won't be open!"

Lisa still had that lazy appearance, her slow speech always giving people a seductive feeling.

(End of this chapter)