(Extra Chapter even though we didn't able to complete 1800 power stones… we were so close. So, as a thanks your extra chapter is here. Now next extra chapter is on 300 power stone, so send those stones of your.)
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"Elliot, I appreciate you trying to comfort me, but... to become stronger than my sister... with my abilities, that's just not possible, is it?"
Barbara said, lacking confidence. She had never imagined she could surpass her sister. Let alone swapping roles, having Jean become an idol...
Though, if her sister did become Mondstadt's idol, she'd definitely be incredibly popular too.
Elliot shook his head. "How do you know if you don't try?"
With that, he plucked a World Bubble named "Havoc: Obliteration" (Childe's Ranged Burst) from his internal Imaginary Tree and offered it to Barbara.
"Eat this, and you'll gain the power to surpass your sister!"
Barbara's troubles, summed up in one sentence: She felt too weak. Yet, the responsibilities she wanted to bear far exceeded her current strength. That was the root of her unhappiness.
From childhood, Barbara received the education of the Gunnhildr clan. As a knightly family, escaping duty wasn't an option.
Even if she felt weak, she had to shoulder heavy responsibilities! No running away! The mission of a knight was to protect the people, protect Mondstadt.
Long ago, when the people of Mondstadt overthrew the tyrant Decarabian, the Gunnhildr knights led the charge, taking up the banner of resistance and bringing down the despot.
Later, under the guidance of the Anemo Archon Barbatos, the Gunnhildr clan helped establish the new Mondstadt, earning the reverence of its people.
Therefore, the Gunnhildr family had extremely high expectations for their children. Even daughters were trained as knights.
Jean was a prime example; she became the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius at 17, putting in effort beyond imagination.
She was the pride of the Gunnhildr family, never disappointing anyone. Her swordsmanship and inherited Anemo power were unparalleled.
Barbara could only stand in the corner, completely overshadowed by her sister's brilliance.
Barbara didn't dare tell others she was Jean's sister because she felt too weak. She was even embarrassed to say it in front of others, feeling it would shame Jean and dishonor the family.
In terms of ability, Barbara wasn't weak at all. Her healing powers were unmatched in Mondstadt. In terms of looks, she was a peerless beauty, easily rivaling her sister.
Personality-wise, she was gentle and sweet; everyone who met her couldn't help but like her. She was, in many ways, a perfect girl.
Her only "mistake" was being born into the Gunnhildr knightly family. Born into knighthood, she had duties she felt obligated to fulfill, even if she lacked the strength for them!
When someone lacks the strength to carry the burdens they feel they must, it naturally leads to immense suffering.
So, even after becoming an idol, Barbara knew her identity came with responsibilities. She constantly suppressed her own desires, afraid to step out of line. Then, in her moment of greatest confusion and helplessness, she finally voiced her inner thoughts.
And received a response.
"Eat this, and you will gain power." It sounded almost like making a deal with a demon. Domineering, unreasonable. Before Barbara's eyes floated the World Bubble, shimmering with a strange light both sinister and dreamlike, containing immense power.
Making a deal with a devil usually required sacrificing something precious, right? Her life? Or perhaps... her purity?
But if she could gain such incredible power, maybe... maybe she could finally find true peace?
Mondstadt was the City of Freedom, but since birth, she had never truly felt free. Now, in this moment, she wanted to pursue true freedom, to live for herself!
The redeemed young woman, as if guided by fate, took the World Bubble into her hands. Then, she placed it in her mouth and swallowed, though with some difficulty.
As the World Bubble dissolved, immense energy surged through Barbara's body. When she opened her eyes again, all traces of confusion were gone. She was no longer weak.
[Havoc: Obliteration], Childe's skill, was fundamentally different from Barbara's healing abilities. It was a skill designed for destruction, for killing. Gaining this skill, much like Kumoko gaining [Pride], gave Barbara the power to change herself!
"How is it? Feeling better?" Elliot asked gently. Helping Barbara was partly a spur-of-the-moment decision.
The hidden quest "The Deaconess's Attention" the "Deaconess" had to be Barbara, right? Since her attention had granted him the Imaginary Tree, gifting her a portion of its power felt appropriate.
"Yes. Better than ever before," Barbara replied, her hands placed devoutly over her heart, feeling that power pulse with her heartbeat.
She knew. She was no longer just a healer who could only mend wounds from the back lines. She was finally strong enough... strong enough to fight alongside her sister! This was what Barbara had always longed for.
"Thank you, Elliot..." Her clear blue eyes shimmered with boundless gratitude and admiration. Then, she did something bold.
"May the Anemo Archon bless you, Lord Elliot. May you always be safe." She gently touched her forehead to Elliot's rocky scales, her gaze as devout and clear as water.
Sunlight gilded her profile, making her look like an angel, radiating a sacred, religious aura.
This was the most sincere prayer a Deaconess could offer for another. Usually, Deaconesses avoided physical contact; touching someone held special meaning.
….
Meanwhile...
Lumine and Paimon, having finished their search loop, were on their way back. Paimon looked utterly drained. "We cleared out several Hilichurl camps and still didn't find any clues about Dodoking! Let's just go back, Traveler."
Lumine ignored Paimon's complaints, speaking in a low voice, "Paimon, don't you think... that dragon is a little strange?"
"Strange?" Paimon thought for a moment. "You mean because he can use Zhongli's ultimate and your skill?"
"Mm..."
"Well, yeah, that is weird. Do you think maybe he followed you, watched how you use your skills, and then copied them?"
"It's possible," Lumine conceded. She couldn't figure out how else he could use her skill so proficiently.
She was a traveler from another world! Starfell Sword was a skill she created by resonating with the Geo element here.
In all of Teyvat, probably only she and her brother Aether could use it. Yet Elliot used it so smoothly, as if the skill was made for him. Very strange.
"Maybe after this is over, we should ask Zhongli about it. He might know something," Paimon whispered.
"Good idea."
"Wait!" Suddenly, Paimon's eyes went wide. "We left Miss Barbara behind! If that giant dragon means harm, Miss Barbara could be in danger! We have to go back quickly!"
Without another word, Paimon and Lumine hurried back the way they came.
However...
When they arrived back at the original spot, they saw the giant dragon lying peacefully on the beach, while Barbara stood beside him, gently wiping his scales with her soft, white hands.
Her gaze was focused, showing no fear or hesitation, seeming rather content, even enjoying herself.
Elliot wasn't entirely used to her attentiveness but didn't refuse it either. After all, when a beautiful girl with a good figure, sweet voice, and gentle nature proactively shows you kindness, only a fool would push her away! (No wonder some people stay single!)
Seeing Barbara and the giant dragon getting along so harmoniously, Paimon was completely bewildered.
Anyone who had done Barbara's Hangout Event knew she wasn't an easy girl to get close to. Even towards the Traveler, she maintained a certain level of caution.
She appeared cheerful and bright on the outside but intentionally kept a distance from others. Although she treated everyone kindly, if someone tried to get too close, they'd find she subtly stepped back.
Yet, this girl was now willingly touching the Earth Dragon. Paimon was astonished.
….
Extra Chapter on every 300 power stones.
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