Inside his villa, Arthur noticed Barbara's panicked barrage message and waved his hand with a smile.
"Relax, relax. The 'connections kid' and 'second-gen' talk was just teasing."
"The real Barbara is an extremely capable deaconess and a sincere believer."
"She has a kind heart. She wants to heal the wounded and the sick—and works hard for it."
"For example, she often uses her Hydro abilities to close wounds,
and her cheerful songs and dances soothe the exhaustion in people's hearts."
"Even the perpetually unlucky Bennett is one of those she often treats."
"That's one of the reasons she's so beloved in Mondstadt."
"But—her original motivation wasn't noble at all."
"It was simply because she wanted to beat her sister just once."
Arthur shook his head, half amused and half helpless.
"And that brings us back to Jean."
"Because they're sisters, they were always compared."
"Jean, Mondstadt's resident 'Cutting Queen'—
earning the title of Dandelion Knight at fifteen—was naturally exceptional."
"But compared to her brilliant elder sister,
Barbara appeared clumsy in every possible way."
"Swordsmanship? Terrible.
Studies? Also terrible."
"That's when she realized she had no talent for combat."
"So under her father's guidance, she shifted toward healing and support."
"And perhaps because of these experiences—
or their parents' separation—
the relationship between the sisters became awkward."
"Jean wants to get close to her younger sister,
but every time she sees Barbara's evasive gaze… she freezes."
"And Barbara idolizes her sister, wants to shoulder some of her burdens—
but is too embarrassed to say so."
"She can't even call Jean 'sister', and always says 'Acting Grand Master Jean' instead."
"What can I say? Truly siblings—equally awkward."
Arthur sighed.
"So close in blood, yet acting like strangers…
When I played the game, even I felt uncomfortable watching it."
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Lumine]: So that's why! I always thought it was weird when Barbara called her 'Acting Grand Master'. It sounded so stiff!
[Navia]: Just like the light-screen said—must be tied to their upbringing.
[Lisa]: Well, it's good the truth came out.
[Ayaka]: Even so, the sisters are both wonderful people.
[Hu Tao]: Wait… "Mondstadt Cutting Queen"? What does that mean?
[Amber]: Probably referring to how strong Captain Jean is?
[Childe]: Oh? Jean is strong?
[Kaeya]: Of course. Once, Jean demolished five Ruin Guards to protect the citizens."
[Kaeya]: And she even blamed herself afterwards, saying rare cultural relics should be subdued barehanded next time."
[Paimon]: Jean is THAT strong?! (shocked)
[Eula]: You questioned our Captain Jean? I'll remember this grievance!
[Childe]: Interesting! I must spar with Jean someday.
Jean, meanwhile, had no mind to listen to these jokes.
"Barbara… so that's what you've felt all along…"
Seeing everything clearly laid out made her heart clench.
She had been so busy… too busy…
And she had neglected her little sister.
But it wasn't too late now.
Barbara, on the other side, twisted her fingers together, embarrassed beyond belief.
She didn't expect all her secrets to be exposed at once.
"Oh no… I don't know how sis—uh… Acting Grand Master Jean will think of me now…"
Seeing that the sisters hadn't spoken yet, the others began tagging them.
[Lumine]: @Jean @Barbara Hey hey! You two gonna hide forever? Say something!
[Paimon]: Yeah! After all this, don't tell us you're still awkward!
[Jean]: Ahem
Barbara… thank you for your hard work these years.
[Jean]: You don't need to compare yourself to me.
Just like the light-screen said—you're already an excellent deaconess.
[Jean]: The love Mondstadt has for you proves that.
Barbara froze.
Then her eyes reddened.
Finally—finally—
Her sister acknowledged her.
[Barbara]: Jean… sis… thank you!
I'm proud of you too!
[Venti]: Sisters making up—eheh~ congratulations!
[Lumine]: Congrats, congrats~
[Ayaka]: A resolved heart-knot is something to celebrate.
[Jean]: Thank you, everyone. Thank you as well… to the one behind the light-screen.
Warmth spread through the entire group.
Arthur nodded, satisfied.
"Good. This is the best outcome."
"But if Barbara wants to truly shoulder Jean's burdens…
being a healer alone won't cut it."
"After all—
as everyone knows—
medicine can't save Mondstadt."
"We'll get into the details shortly."
Favonius Cathedral
"Medicine… can't save Mondstadt?"
Barbara blinked rapidly.
Just moments ago, she had been full of resolve to help her sister.
Now she felt completely lost.
If healing wasn't enough—
then what could she do?
But Arthur said he'd continue later,
so she forced herself to hold back her questions.
Arthur's Villa
"Since we've talked about Barbara the deaconess," Arthur continued, "let's discuss her other identity—"
"—Mondstadt's idol."
"That's another reason she's so popular."
"And to explain why she became one, we must mention a certain legendary figure—
Alice."
"Alice, a member of the Hexenzirkel, has countless bizarre achievements.
We'll talk about her properly another time."
"One day, Alice gave Barbara a magazine from another world."
"And from this magazine, Barbara learned about the concept of an idol."
"An idol is someone who strives to be loved by everyone.
A great idol not only receives joy but heals hearts through song and dance."
"With her desire to bring smiles to the people of Mondstadt,
Barbara embraced the path of an idol."
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Barbara]: Yes! I learned about idols from Miss Alice!
[Klee]: Wow! So Mama helped too!
[Alice]: Hehe, of course!
Actually, after teaching Barbara, I had a Teyvat Idol Group plan!
But sadly, it failed.
[Ayaka]: …
[Lumine]: A TEYVAT IDOL GROUP?! DETAILS NOW!
[Alice]: Besides Barbara, I also invited Kamisato Ayaka.
She rejected me six times.
[Yoimiya]: Ehhh?! Ayaka was invited too?!
[Yae Miko]: Oh my~ little Ayaka, good job~
Imagine—a certain old witch being rejected six times… so sad, wahahaha~
[Alice]: Hmph! Little Miko, laughing at me now?
Did you forget how easily you cried when you were little?
[Yae Miko]: Try making me cry now, if you dare~
[Alice]: Fine! You and that stone-faced Shogun both—just wait!
[Ei]: …
[Alice]: Ayaka, dear, it's been years—are you interested in being an idol now?
[Ayaka]: Miss Alice, this…
[Ayato]: Miss Alice, perhaps describe exactly what an idol looks like first.
[Barbara]: Yes! The magazine didn't explain enough!
[Alice]: Uh… well… how should I put it…
Back in his villa, Arthur saw the chat bursting with curiosity.
He smirked.
"Since everyone's interested in idols…"
"I'll show you a video."
He opened a very proper video on a certain anime-sharing site.
[Idol Declaration! Barbara, Charge Forward!]
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