Several days later, the "Fake Stanley" who had left Mondstadt for adventures returned to the city.
Accompanying him were not only Jack but also Fischl and Bennett, surprisingly.
Fischl and Bennett happened to encounter "Fake Stanley" during their joint adventure.
"Why do I feel like everyone is staring at us?" Bennett scratched his head.
Ever since they entered Mondstadt, he had felt the surrounding gazes fixed on them.
"Fischl, can you check if my clothes are torn somewhere again?"
"『The Auge der Verurteilung』 penetrates all truths within this realm. Under the gaze of the Prinzessin, no tatters shall plague thee."
Oz: "What the lady means is, your clothes aren't torn."
"『The Auge der Verurteilung』 reveals to me that the souls of mortals gaze not upon nobility nor misfortune."
Oz: "What the lady means is, they're not looking at you or me."
"Oh, is that so!" Bennett formed a fist with one hand and smacked it into his other palm.
No wonder—why would the citizens of Mondstadt stare at an unlucky guy like me unless I was making a fool of myself again?
"Then who are they looking at?" Bennett followed the crowd's gaze.
Only then did he realize that everyone seemed to be staring at "Fake Stanley."
"Huh? Me?" "Fake Stanley" was also confused.
He did have some fame in Mondstadt, but those who truly admired him were mostly adventure-loving youths.
Aside from them, only some children paid him attention.
As for the others, they might recognize him but wouldn't stare so intently.
"Mr. Hans, you're back," Sara from Good Hunter said.
"You... how do you know that name!?" Hans was utterly shocked.
I've already abandoned it—Hans is supposed to be dead!
Fischl, Jack, and Bennett all looked at "Fake Stanley" in bewilderment.
Hans? Who?
"Mr. Hans, haven't you read that book that predicts the future yet?"
Sara understood and took out Lucian's book.
"I have it here. Please take a look."
Hans took the book and opened it.
Fischl tilted her head up, wanting to see as well. She loved reading novels, especially one that foretold the future.
Unfortunately, her height wasn't enough—even standing on tiptoe and craning her neck, she couldn't see.
Ahem. "O blessed one, the Prinzessin grants thee permission to witness this revelation of fate alongside me, to behold the 『Stunde der Versöhnung』."
Oz: "What the lady means is, let's read it together."
Hans finally noticed—Jack was tall enough to see, but the other two couldn't.
He placed the book on the table so everyone could see.
Soon, they finished reading the story of the "Ballad of the Bard."
"This... this..." Hans was too moved to speak.
"Huh? Mr. Stanley... is fake? No, Mr. Stanley is real?" Jack fell into confusion.
"What a great adventurer. I wish I could become someone like that," Bennett said, his passion ignited.
But then he recalled that his "Benny's Adventure Team" didn't even have any members, and his fiery spirit dimmed.
Fischl probably wouldn't always adventure with him, right? After all, she was the "Prinzessin der Verurteilung"—she must be very busy.
"Mmm, the causality of this fate is far too potent. It seems the Prinzessin's 『Auge der Verurteilung』 shall be wounded by destiny's sting."
Fischl secretly wiped her tears.
Oz: "What the lady means is... mmm~!"
Fischl covered Oz's beak.
Hans closed the book, his emotions still unsettled.
Stanley... now all of Mondstadt remembers your story.
Should I finally step onto my own "future"?
But... I've lived as you for so long. What was I like in the past?
Who am I, really?
Just as Hans was lost in self-doubt, a gentle breeze blew past.
The wind flipped the book open to a page that read:
[Hans Archibald]
"Lord Barbatos... are you still watching over me?" Hans murmured.
The tears he had been holding back finally fell.
I really didn't want to cry in front of my juniors.
Stanley reached out to him in Mare Jivari and saved his life.
Venti reached out to him in Mondstadt and saved his soul.
Why do such great people keep saving someone like me?
"Stan... Mr. Hans?"
Seeing Hans cry, Jack wanted to comfort him but didn't know how.
Hans wiped his tears.
"I'm not the legendary adventurer Stanley. I'm just a small-time adventurer named Hans."
"Jack! Our adventure has only just begun! Didn't you say you wanted to become a great adventurer!?"
Seeing Hans regain his spirit, Jack was genuinely happy.
"Yes! Mr. Hans!"
Bennett watched the two with envy. How nice it must be to have adventure companions.
Meanwhile, far away in Fontaine, Furina was also preparing for a brand-new "adventure."
Over the past few days, Furina had been eagerly awaiting another meeting with Lucian.
Because Lucian had promised to take her to Liyue for fun.
Furina was wearing the JK outfit Lucian had given her, claiming it was for disguise.
For five hundred years—five hundred years—Furina had never left Fontaine.
As an archon, she couldn't leave the nation for too long.
Moreover, an archon visiting another country was no small matter.
Fortunately, Lucian had a way to get her there and back quickly, allowing her to sneak out for some fun.
"Shikikan, when are we leaving?"
Furina's heterochromatic eyes sparkled like stars as she clenched her fists in front of her chest, looking up at Lucian.
"Now."
With that, Lucian reached out and grabbed Furina's ahoge.
"Huh?"
Before Furina could react—why was he grabbing her ahoge?—the next moment, the two appeared in a Liyue-style room. This was Lucian's home in Liyue.
"Wha—!?" Furina was startled.
What just happened? One second they were in Fontaine, the next they were in Liyue?
What kind of ability is this? It's way too overpowered!
If Lucian knew what she was thinking, he'd say: It is overpowered, but it's also expensive.
Fortunately, the "Ballad of the Bard" was still steadily providing Lucian with Emotional Value.
Coupled with Signora's repeated breakdowns, Lucian quickly saved up the 2000 Emotional Value needed to exchange for a second Elemental Power.
Spending 2000 points to enhance his strength wouldn't make much difference, so after some thought, Lucian exchanged for Pyro—higher Vaporize multiplier.
"So this is Liyue?" Furina looked around curiously.
"What an interesting room. Can I take a look around?"
"Of course." Lucian didn't mind—there wasn't much in the room anyway.
Lucian's room wasn't large, but Furina inspected it carefully.
Hmm, no adult books.
Furina pushed open the door, wanting to see what the living room was like.
The moment she did, two people were shocked.
Furina and Xiangling stared at each other wide-eyed, speaking in unison:
"Who are you!?"
Both were puzzled—why was there another woman in Lucian's house?