Now separated from the main group, a new problem arose—where exactly was Goth?
Shao Yun vaguely recalled that Goth was somewhere near the Adventurers' Guild building.
But looking around now, Mondstadt wasn't the compact little game map he remembered—it was a full-fledged city, with rows upon rows of buildings stretching beyond view.
Apart from a few iconic landmarks, everything else was unfamiliar.
As Shao Yun was pondering what to do, a flash of inspiration lit up in his mind.
"Ah, how could I forget this?" he suddenly slapped his thigh. "The Adventurers' Guild! That place handles everything from battling the heavens to finding lost cats and dogs. Of course they can help with housing!"
He turned around immediately and headed toward Katheryne.
"Ad astra abyssosque. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild." Katheryne greeted him with a polite smile.
"Hello, I'd like to ask something."
Shao Yun studied her closely. Is she really a mechanical puppet? The craftsmanship is insanely lifelike. Snezhnaya's tech is no joke...
"Is this your first time visiting the Adventurers' Guild?" Katheryne asked, smiling perfectly.
First time? Yes and no. Technically, every daily commission reward came through her.
"Emmm... an adventurer? Not really. But I've handled a few odd jobs, and I suppose it's my first time formally coming here." If he thought of himself in terms of his new identity—someone from the Red Dead worldline—he'd done all kinds of favors, from sucking venom out of wounds to escorting strangers home...
Hearing that this was his first visit—and seeing that he seemed capable—Katheryne immediately launched into a pitch about joining the Guild.
"Our Adventurers' Guild exists to help new adventurers adapt to the world of exploration..."
Getting a little off track here... Katheryne was starting to sound like a salesperson. But that wasn't his goal—at least not yet.
"Sorry to interrupt—I'm not really looking to become an adventurer right now."
"But becoming a full-fledged adventurer—" Katheryne tried to continue her pitch.
"I get it, I get it—I'm actually here on other business." He made a small circular motion with his finger. "You know."
Katheryne immediately got the message, clearing her throat softly.
"Oh, a commission, then."
Finally, back on topic.Did someone forget to wind her up properly today—or is the Guild just that desperate for new members?
Time to finish this system quest and unlock that changeable outfit reward.
"Sort of. My companions and I just arrived in Mondstadt, and we're looking for a place to stay."
"I see. Are you looking to rent a house, or would you prefer a hotel?"
"Got any recommendations?" In Red Dead, a dollar got you a room, twenty-five cents for a bath. But in Teyvat, he'd never stayed at an inn before.
Katheryne gave a brief explanation of Mondstadt's rental scene.
"Recently, the Snezhnayan delegation rented out the entire Goth Grand Hotel. I'd recommend finding a house instead."
"Ah, makes sense." Just like in the game—the whole hotel was occupied.
Katheryne pulled a few forms from a drawer and handed them to Shao Yun.
"I have several housing rental commissions available. Please take a look."
"Thanks." He accepted the papers and began reviewing them carefully.
"There are also many other properties not listed here. If none of these suit you, you can try walking around the city to see what's available."
"Let me guess—some Mondstadt citizens got scared off by the Stormterror situation?" Shao Yun grinned slyly, eyes gleaming with playful mischief.
"That could very well be part of it," Katheryne replied.
As Shao Yun sifted through the listings, a sweet and energetic girl's voice called out behind him.
"Miss Katheryne, the delivery's all set!"
Katheryne looked pleased as she turned toward the newcomer.
"Thank you, Miss Noelle. You've done the Adventurers' Guild a huge favor."
Shao Yun turned around and saw a silver-haired girl in a maid outfit overlaid with knight's armor, wearing a rose-shaped hair accessory.
So, this is Noelle? She looks so small. If I hadn't already played through the story, I'd never guess this tiny girl could move mountains...
Noelle paused when she noticed Shao Yun, her steps slowing. She stood still, observing the unfamiliar figure.
"This is Miss Noelle from the Knights of Favonius. Mr. Shao Yun," Katheryne introduced, breaking the silence.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Shao Yun." He returned the commission forms and extended his hand.
Noelle cautiously reached out, like a kitten testing water, but finally shook his hand and introduced herself.
"Hello, I'm Noelle... Um, you're not a citizen of Mondstadt, are you? You look like a traveler."
"That's right. My companions and I are looking for a place to stay, but—"
The moment their hands met; the system issued another update.
[Quest Update: Follow Noelle.]
Wait—wasn't I just trying to find housing? Now I've got to follow Noelle...?
"You're looking for lodging? Would you like me to help?" Noelle offered eagerly.
That was classic Noelle—always ready to help others, even at her own expense.
Since the system wanted him to follow her, Shao Yun graciously accepted.
"Yes, I could really use some help. I'm not exactly familiar with the city..." he replied, feigning a bit of tourist-like confusion.
"I'd be happy to help. Looking for housing, right? I'll take you to see Mr. Goth."
Goth—if it's about houses, his name always comes up. Biggest landlord in Mondstadt. Wouldn't be surprised if he owned a business called 'Goth Realty'.
Shao Yun pretended to deliberate, then thanked her sincerely. "I really appreciate it."
Walking side by side, the two made their way toward Goth.
But it felt awkward not to say anything, so Shao Yun rolled his eyes thoughtfully, then came up with the perfect icebreaker.
"Thanks, Knight Noelle. If it weren't for you, I might've spent all day standing in front of the Guild."
As soon as he addressed her that way, Noelle's face turned red. She quickly corrected him.
"A-Ah, no, no! I'm not a knight. I'm the maid of the Knights of Favonius."
Shao Yun feigned surprise, giving her a playful once-over.
"A maid? I mean, I did notice the outfit at first, but I just thought it was your fashion choice."
"But really, my first impression of you—you're passionate, always helping others... honestly, you seemed like a knight to me."
His praise was lavish, but it wasn't untrue. Noelle really was that kind of person.
"You're too kind. I am undergoing the Knights' entrance trials," Noelle said, though her expression dimmed. "But... I haven't passed yet."
"Didn't pass? Oh, come on—do they expect applicants to wrestle dragons or solo entire monster armies just to get in?"
Shao Yun's exaggerated tone made Noelle laugh heartily.
"Maybe it's just that I'm not strong enough yet. I don't have Grand Master Jean's leadership, Captain Kaeya's smarts, Miss Lisa's alchemy skills, or Amber's agility..."
She listed all her colleagues' strengths while comparing herself unfavorably, clearly feeling inadequate and eager to improve.
"If you did have all of their talents, forget joining the Knights—you'd be leading them," Shao Yun smirked, unsure what else to say.
"You've got strengths of your own—talents no one else has."
If Noelle truly had all those traits combined... she'd be a terrifying powerhouse.
"I just want to become a proper knight. Being someone like Grand Master Jean... I can't even imagine that yet."
"That's why I'm working as a maid for now—learning knightly etiquette, training hard. Someday, I will become a real knight."
Seeing her so full of hope, Shao Yun really didn't want to burst her bubble. He couldn't just say, "You're too kind and trusting. Come back when you're more mature."
But... the word mature sparked a sudden realization. A thought came to his mind.
"Uh, this might be a bit forward, Noelle, but... how old are you?"
He stopped and asked.
Noelle blinked, touching her chin as she thought. After a moment, she replied,
"Ah? I... I'm fifteen years old."
Fifteen. That explained everything.
"Ohhh, fifteen? That makes sense..." Shao Yun nodded slowly, like he'd uncovered a major secret.
"Huh? Is there something wrong with that?"
Noelle was confused by his cryptic response and unclear expressions.
But with her answer, Shao Yun realized something important: maybe the real reason Noelle wasn't accepted into the Knights wasn't just because she was too kind...
Maybe she simply wasn't old enough.
Amber was sixteen and already an Outrider. Noelle was fifteen and still a maid. It all fit. She wasn't old enough to join the workforce. The Knights letting her in officially would technically count as child labor.
As for Klee... well, elves don't count. Let's not drag other species into this.
"Hey, Miss Noelle, have you ever considered the possibility that—"