After Mona's stand-up comedy performance, Jack still agreed to let her join the team.
Seeing her shy demeanor, the content of her divination was likely unmentionable, and it probably wouldn't be anything too dangerous.
Moreover, having another person to talk to on the journey, especially a beautiful young woman, added an extra layer of enjoyment.
Night fell.
By a small stream in Windrise, Jack set up a bonfire.
Above the flames were strings of fresh beef sizzling with hot oil.
The beef, roasted at high temperature, made a sizzling sound on its surface.
An enticing aroma continuously spread around.
Grumble!~
The blue-haired young woman's stomach protested.
"Just wait a little longer, the meat isn't cooked yet."
"Hmm..."
Mona lowered her head in shame, recalling what had happened in the past few days.
Because she used the money from Adventurers' Guild commissions to buy Water Seer equipment, Mona had no money for dinner again.
Just last night, when she tried to use Water Seer to see if she could find a long-term free meal ticket,
she, who originally had no expectations for such a thing, actually received guidance from the divination results.
However, this guidance made Mona extremely shy.
After all, relying on joining a god's harem to obtain endless money and resources to study Water Seer was truly against her Water Seer creed.
"The meat's ready, here you go."
"Ah, thank you."
Mona dazedly took the roasted beef sprinkled with cumin powder.
She swallowed her saliva with a gulp.
Then she opened her small mouth and beautifully tore off a small piece of meat from the edge.
Immediately, a flavor bomb exploded in her mouth.
"So, so delicious!"
"If it's delicious, just eat. Don't talk, be careful of choking."
Jack smiled and took out a bottle of a common Blue Star beverage sold at the general store.
Mona took a sip of the black, bubbly drink, and her eyes seemed to turn into hearts: "This is also so good! Especially paired with the roasted meat, it's a perfect match!"
Or... should I just give in to him? Anyway, I don't have any ill feelings towards him!
Under the temptation of delicious food,
the great Water Seer Mona actually had the thought of simply living off him for the rest of her life.
However, these inner emotions were completely filled with "deliciousness."
As a result, Jack's emotional perception failed for the first time, and he couldn't detect the young woman's erratic thoughts.
After eating and drinking to their fill,
Jack formed a hand seal and summoned the Serenitea Pot.
If he were alone, he wouldn't mind setting up a simple tent in the wilderness for the night.
But now that Mona was with him, he couldn't treat this friend, who specifically came to help him, poorly.
"Mondstadt nights are still a bit chilly. Let's go inside the pot to talk first."
"Alright."
It wasn't Mona's first time entering the Serenitea Pot.
So she skillfully touched the mouth of the pot, and with a whoosh, she was sucked inside.
...
"It's been a long time since I've been here. The scenery here is still the same as before, no changes."
Mona exclaimed spontaneously, then immediately saw Tubby, the teapot spirit, dozing off.
"Miss Tubby, long time no see."
Pop~
Her snot bubble popped, and Tubby opened her eyes.
"It's the Traveler and his companion. Are you staying in the Serenitea Pot today?"
"Yes."
Jack stepped forward and stroked Tubby's fluffy head.
Tubby didn't pay much attention to it and then led the two into the inner room.
"This is the guest room. Miss Mona can rest here tonight. I will clean the room after you are well-rested."
"Then we shall impose."
Mona replied very politely.
Tubby smiled, and after Mona entered the guest room, she led Jack to a brightly lit room.
"This is the Traveler's room, and it's also the master bedroom of this house."
Jack looked at the figure inside and said uncertainly.
"By 'Traveler', do you mean me, or Lumine, or…?"
"It means both of you!"
"I knew it. Alright, let's just consider it a hidden setting of the game. You've worked hard, Tubby."
Jack thought for a moment and handed Tubby a polished emerald.
He heard that many birds like shiny, round things, and wondered if Tubby would like this gift.
It turned out he guessed correctly.
Tubby's eyes lit up as she looked at the emerald, all traces of her previous drowsiness gone.
"Thank you, Traveler! Tubby loves this gift very much!"
Jack smiled and patted her bird head, then walked into the master bedroom.
...
"Yo, how does a busy man like you have time to come back to the Serenitea Pot?"
Lumine was sitting cross-legged on the bed in a very unladylike manner, holding a bag of potato chips.
"Wait, where did you get the snacks?"
Paimon, who was also eating nearby, answered every question: "Keqing bought them for us!"
"You traitor! Keqing bought those for me! Please remove the 'us,' thank you!"
Lumine looked disdainfully at Paimon, who was easily swayed by food, then put away the chip bag.
Paimon grabbed at empty air, then sucked her fingers lingeringly, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Jack.
"Jack, Lumine is bullying me!"
"Wait! Your hands are all slobbery!"
Jack stretched out his merciless hand and pinched Paimon, who was flying towards him.
"Lumine, can't you just be a little more accommodating to Paimon? She might be a bit greedy, a bit materialistic, a bit cowardly, a bit outspoken… but she's still our best guide and companion, isn't she?"
"...Alright, you're more ruthless. I admit you're the strongest when it comes to sharp tongues." Lumine conceded, offering a fist bump.
"You're too kind, too kind."
Jack returned the gesture with one hand, then pulled out some tissues Lumine had brought from the MC World and wiped the drool off Paimon's hands.
Seeing the little one with a blank stare, as if doubting life itself.
Jack pinched her cheek and said, "What's wrong? Are you already discouraged? Don't you and Lumine usually roast each other?"
Paimon mechanically turned her head and bit his finger that was pinching her cheek.
"So hard! Boohoo… Jack is a big dummy!"
She then broke free from Jack's hand, flew to Lumine's side, grabbed the chip bag, and started stuffing her face.
"So small, yet such a big temper."
"Hmph! ╭(╯^╰)╮"
Paimon didn't want to talk to him and rolled her eyes.
Jack didn't mind and sat on the edge of the bed, with Lumine and him sandwiching Paimon in the middle.
The three of them looked very much like a couple with a child at that moment.
"Are you not used to it over there? Why did you come back to the Serenitea Pot to rest?"
"A little, yes. After all, that place is full of your and Keqing's memories, and very few of mine."
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
"Then the upcoming Dragonspine Mountain…"
Lumine put her index finger to Jack's lips.
"Shhh, I told you, that's your adventure. I've been a bit tired these past few years. Your world is quite nice, very suitable for retirement."
"Lumine…"
Jack murmured the girl's name.
Lumine just smiled and leaned against his shoulder.
It was the first time he had seen such weariness in her eyes.
"Lumine!"
Jack suddenly shouted her name loudly.
"If you feel tired, then let me complete the rest of your journey for you. Perhaps my right side is already occupied by the earlier Keqing, but my left hand will always be open for you!"
Lumine chuckled, "What kind of scumbag line is that… But, I approve!"
The two embraced.
The scene was incredibly heartwarming for a moment.
Paimon: Huh? Who am I, where am I, should I not be here?
---------------------------
🔮 Curious about what happens next? Some secrets are only revealed on Patreon.
👉 [[email protected]/TripleCrown07]