A few days later, 'Fake Stanley', who had left Mondstadt for an adventure, returned to Mondstadt.
Accompanying him, besides Jacques, were surprisingly Amy (Fischl) and Bennett.
Fischl and Bennett, while on an adventure together, happened to meet 'Fake Stanley'.
"Why do I feel like everyone's staring at us?" Bennett scratched his head.
From the moment he stepped into Mondstadt, he felt the surrounding gazes fixed on them.
"Fischl, can you check for me if there's a tear in my clothes again?"
"The 'Eye of Condemnation' sees all true knowledge in this realm; under the Princess's gaze, damage shall not afflict you."
Oz: "My Lady means, your clothes aren't torn."
"The 'Eye of Condemnation' tells me that what the souls of all beings are gazing upon is neither nobility nor misfortune."
Oz: "My Lady means, they're not looking at you or me."
"Oh, I see!" Bennett brought one hand down like a hammer, hitting his other hand.
I knew it, why would the citizens of Mondstadt stare at a jinx like me, unless I'd made a fool of myself again.
"Then what are they looking at?" Bennett followed the crowd's gazes.
Only then did he realize that everyone seemed to be staring at 'Fake Stanley'.
"Eh? Me?" 'Fake Stanley' was also a bit bewildered.
He certainly had some fame in Mondstadt, but those who truly adored him were mostly young Adventurers.
Besides them, there were also some children.
As for others, one could only say they might recognize him, but they wouldn't gaze at him with such enthusiasm.
"Mr. Hans, you're back," said Sara from the Good Hunter.
"You...how do you know that name!?" Hans was greatly astonished.
I've clearly abandoned it, Hans is clearly dead!
Amy, Jacques, and Bennett all looked at 'Fake Stanley' in confusion.
Hans? Who?
"Has Mr. Hans not read that book foretelling the future yet?"
Sara understood, and took out Lin Qiu's book.
"I have it here, please take a look."
Hans took the book and opened it.
Amy tilted her little head, wanting to see as well; she loved reading novels, let alone one that foretold the future.
However, she wasn't tall enough, and even standing on tiptoes and craning her neck, she couldn't see.
"Ahem, blessed one, the Princess permits you to behold this revelation of destiny, and witness the 'Hour of Condemnation' with me."
Oz: "My Lady means, let's read it together."
Only then did Hans realize that Jacques was fine, tall enough to see.
But the two little ones beside him couldn't see.
He placed the book on the table, and now everyone could see it.
Soon, everyone finished reading the story of 'The Chapter of the Songstress'.
"This...this this..." Hans was too emotional to speak.
"Huh? Mr. Stanley...is fake? No, Mr. Stanley is real?" Jacques was confused.
"What a great Adventurer, I wish I could become someone like that too." Bennett's passion was ignited.
However, recalling that his [Bennett's Adventure Team] didn't even have members, the ignited passion died down again.
Fischl probably wouldn't always accompany him on adventures, right? After all, she is the 'Prinzessin der Verurteilung', she's very busy.
"Hmm, this karmic destiny is too powerful; it seems the Princess's 'Eye of Condemnation' is about to be pierced by fate."
Amy secretly wiped away tears.
Oz: "My Lady means...mmph mmph~!"
Amy covered Oz's mouth.
Hans closed the book, his emotions unable to calm for a long time.
Stanley...today's Mondstadt remembers your story.
Should I embark on my own 'future'?
But...I've lived as you until now, what was I like in the past?
Who exactly am I?
Just as Hans fell into self-doubt, a gentle breeze blew.
The wind blew open the book, and the page read:
[Hans Archibald]
"Lord Barbatos...are you still watching over me?" Hans murmured to himself.
The tears welling in his eyes finally flowed down.
I really don't want to cry in front of the younger generation.
Stanley extended his hand to him in the Junjiji Sea, saving his life.
Venti extended his hand to him in Mondstadt, saving his soul.
Why do great people like you both save me?
"Stan...Mr. Hans?"
Jacques saw Hans crying and wanted to comfort him, but didn't know how to speak.
Hans wiped his tears.
"I am not the legendary AdventurerStanley; I am just a small AdventurerHans."
"Jacques! Our adventure has just begun! Aren't you going to become The Great Adventurer!?"
Seeing Hans regain his spirits, Jacques was genuinely happy as well.
"Yes! Mr. Hans!"
Bennett looked at the two with a hint of envy; it was so nice to have companions for adventures.
Meanwhile, Furina, far away in Fontaine, was also ready to welcome a brand new 'adventure'.
For the past few days, Furina had been eagerly anticipating meeting Lin Qiu again.
Because Lin Qiu had promised to take her to Liyue to play.
Furina was wearing the JK uniform Lin Qiu gave her, saying it was for disguise.
For five hundred years, Furina had never left Fontaine.
As a god, she couldn't leave this nation for too long.
Moreover, a god visiting another nation was not a minor matter in itself.
Fortunately, Lin Qiu had a way to make her come and go quickly, so she could sneak out and play.
"Qiu, when are we leaving?"
Furina's heterochromatic eyes seemed to sparkle, her small hands clenched into fists in front of her, as she looked up at Lin Qiu.
"Now."
After Lin Qiu finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed Furina's ahoge.
"Eh?"
Furina hadn't reacted yet, wondering why he grabbed her ahoge.
The next moment, the two appeared in a room filled with Liyue-style decor; this house was Lin Qiu's home in Liyue.
"Eh!?" Furina was startled.
What's going on? One second I was in Fontaine, the next I'm in Liyue?
What kind of ability is this? It's too overpowered, isn't it?
If Lin Qiu knew Furina's thoughts, he would definitely say: It is indeed overpowered, but also very expensive.
Fortunately, 'The Chapter of the Songstress' continued to bring Lin Qiu emotion points.
Coupled with La Signora's several mental breakdowns, Lin Qiu quickly accumulated the 2000 emotion points needed to exchange for the second element power.
Two thousand points wouldn't significantly improve his strength, so after some thought, Lin Qiu finally exchanged for Pyro, due to its high Vaporize multiplier.
"Is this Liyue?" Furina looked around curiously.
"What an interesting room, can I look around?"
"Of course." Lin Qiu naturally didn't mind; there wasn't much in the room anyway.
Lin Qiu's room wasn't large, but Furina observed it very carefully.
Hmm, no adult magazines.
Furina pushed open the door, wanting to see what the living room looked like.
Opening the door startled two people directly.
Furina and Xiangling stared at each other, and both said simultaneously:
"Who are you!?"
Both were very confused, why was there a woman in Lin Qiu's house?
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Character Voice Line · Xiangling: About Lin Qiu
"Lin Qiu really knows a lot of interesting dishes! That's how we met.
I just don't know why he's unwilling to taste-test for me."