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[Genshin Impact] Chapter 332: Recognizing Oneself (2-in-1 Chapter)
🕑 Added 2024-11-19 14:30:02 +0000 UTCMondstadt, Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
A purple magic circle, flickering with electrical energy, appeared in the vacant Acting Grand Master's office. Several figures emerged from within the circle.
It was, of course, Nolan and his companions.
"Oh my, teleporting so many people at once is a bit tiring," Lisa said, dispersing the magic circle. She stretched and smiled at Nolan. "It's not as effortless as your ‘Interstellar Travel,’ little adventurer."
"It really is convenient," Amber nodded in agreement.
With spatial teleportation, visiting Eula, reporting to Acting Grand Master Jean, or returning to Mondstadt would be much easier in the future.
"Amber, come with me to the quartermaster's office. I need some supplies for tomorrow's monster-clearing mission," Eula said, crossing her arms.
"Sure!" Amber agreed without hesitation.
There were now only Jean, Lisa, and Nolan left in the Acting Grand Master's office after Amber and Eula departed.
"Hehe, our little adventurer is about to have two maids at his service: the proud and elegant Eula, eldest daughter of the Lawrence family, and the lively scout knight Amber.
"So, how do you plan to thank your dear sister for contributing so much?" Lisa asked, suddenly wrapping her arm around Nolan's and leaning in close, speaking directly into his ear with no attempt to hide her actions, even with Jean present.
The warm breath brushing against Nolan's ear left him momentarily speechless. He knew Lisa was doing this on purpose to provoke Jean.
Jean watched as Lisa clung to Nolan so intimately, feeling a wave of irritation. She glared at Lisa and said, "You should be heading to the library for your shift. Stop clinging to the Honorary Knight here!"
"Alright, alright, since Jean doesn't want me here, I'll leave," Lisa replied nonchalantly, then began pulling Nolan toward the door.
"How improper to be so affectionate here!" Jean quickly reached out to stop Nolan, a hint of displeasure on her face.
"Kissing in the office is fine, but me holding his arm isn't?" Lisa feigned confusion.
"Ahem."
Jean's pale cheeks turned slightly pink as she awkwardly cleared her throat, covering her mouth with her left hand. Though she hadn’t initiated it—it was Nolan who had forced it—the fact remained. She couldn’t deny it, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Wait, that's not the point. Nolan is my partner. Why should you be so close to him?
Jean suddenly realized the issue.
"Lisa, you...!" Jean's tone was both embarrassed and frustrated as she glared at Lisa.
"Hehe, Jean, you look adorable when you're upset. Alright, I'll stop teasing you.
"Keep a close eye on this outstanding young man, or don’t blame me if he ends up stolen and you’re left crying," Lisa said with a light laugh. She quickly pecked Nolan on the cheek.
Before the stunned Jean could react, Lisa used her teleportation magic to disappear, reappearing at the library's reception desk.
Oh, you little philanderer. Jean may be the noble daughter of the Gunnhildr family and a bit traditional in matters of love. Even if she tolerates your interactions with other girls, she won't be without some sense of grievance.
It's better to bring this out now. How you comfort her is up to your skill.
Lisa sat at the library’s reception desk, touching her lips with a smile.
[Lisa Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 220 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.8 (250/800)]
“Honorary Knight, why were you silent the whole time? You let Lisa hold you without resisting, so you must have feelings for her too, not to mention Eula, Amber, and many other girls!”
Jean’s heart was thrown into disarray by Lisa’s kiss. Initially, she had thought she could turn a blind eye to the Honorary Knight's flirtatious nature as long as he didn’t show it in front of her. After all, her affection for Nolan was strong enough to make her overlook it.
But that quick peck from Lisa made her bottled-up feelings burst forth.
This troublesome man... why didn’t he take my side when Lisa was teasing me?!
Seeing the tears welling up in Jean’s eyes, Nolan felt a twinge of helplessness.
This is bad...
Damn you, Lisa. Even the usually strong Jean is now on the verge of tears because of this. I can't let this go unpunished. I’ll have to find a way to make her pay for this later.
Nolan looked at Jean with a hint of regret. It was true—he was a flirtatious man, and denying it wouldn’t change that.
And he wasn’t going to pretend otherwise, so there was no point in using sweet words like "You’re the only one I love" to placate Jean.
So, all he could do was gently embrace her.
He tenderly stroked her snow-white back, covered by her large collared cape, and attempted to kiss Jean’s lips. She, however, turned her face away in silent protest, so Nolan only managed to kiss the corner of her mouth.
Nolan smiled, unfazed.
He leaned in close to Jean's delicate, fair ear, hidden beneath her golden hair, and softly whispered:
“I want to tell you a secret. Do you know why, over half a year ago, I mysteriously appeared in Teyvat from my world as an ordinary person with no strength, yet now I can easily defeat someone like Eula?
“Isn’t it a bit strange that I grew so strong so quickly?”
Jean pursed her lips. She had always thought it was just the unique constitution of an otherworldly visitor. Could there be more to it? And why mention it now—could it have something to do with his flirtatious nature?
Seeing that Jean remained silent, Nolan sensed her curiosity and continued:
“Ahem, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but it’s indeed tied to the girls I’ve met.
“The more girls I meet, the longer we spend time together, and the more deeply they care for me, the more our fates become intertwined—even to the point of completely merging.
“And from this fused destiny, I gain powerful new abilities.
“For example, my golden Eye of Judgment, and ‘Interstellar Travel’—they all came from this. Otherwise, in any world, I’m just an ordinary guy. How else could I have grown so fast?
“It’s all thanks to you.
“There was no other way; to survive well in an unfamiliar world, to one day find a way home, I had to let myself become more...fickle.”
“I’m sorry for approaching you all with such a purpose, but it’s for this reason that each of you is so important to me.
“I don’t want any of you to feel hurt, so... Jean, if learning the truth makes you angry or upset, then... then...”
Nolan said a lot, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the final words, “let’s part.”
Jean, who had been silently listening, suddenly pressed her soft lips against his, catching him by surprise. Nolan’s eyes widened, not expecting Jean to take the initiative.
Minutes later.
Jean, her face slightly flushed, pulled back from the kiss, releasing the pressure on his lips.
She gently turned her head, her pink tongue peeking out to lick her slightly reddened lips, the embarrassment in her expression barely concealed. She took a few seconds to steady herself before saying:
“I understand, you don’t need to say more.
“Although I know you’re saying all this to evoke my empathy and make me accept your flirtatious behavior...
“Sigh, you scoundrel, you’re too cunning!”
Jean glared at the Honorary Knight, her angered gaze making Nolan feel slightly embarrassed. He avoided her eyes and instead looked down at Jean’s soft, snow-white chest.
“But... you’ve indeed succeeded.
“Logically, hearing such shameless words should make me press my sword to your nose and leave you without a second thought!
“But as you said, our fates have long been inseparable. No matter how terrible or unfaithful you may be, I can’t lose you.”
Jean wrapped her arms around Nolan’s neck, resting her head on his shoulder as she spoke softly.
[Jean Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 680 Affection Points. Current Affection Level Lv.10 (Max Level)]
Nolan stared at the notification that appeared on his status panel, feeling a mix of emotions, not even caring to check the new skill that came with the max affection level.
He had told himself that getting involved with so many girls was a means to grow stronger, to survive in this world full of monsters, the Fatui, the Abyss Order, and other shadowy organizations plotting who-knows-what.
Becoming stronger was necessary to avoid being swept away like a grain of sand on a rising tide.
But deep down, Nolan knew the truth.
He was drawn to Teyvat by the game Genshin Impact and captivated by its many charming female characters.
His desire to bond with Amber, Eula, Sucrose, Lisa, and others was driven by personal desire, not survival. Seeking their affection was an indulgence disguised as necessity.
He didn’t need their affection to grow stronger.
If he had spent his days fighting monsters and grinding Adventure EXP, using all of it to level up and enhance his skills, he might be even stronger now!
But he didn’t have the willpower for that.
The motivation driving Nolan's desire to grow stronger stemmed primarily from three sources: "becoming powerful enough to avoid any threat," "returning to Earth to take a look," and "entangling himself in romantic relationships with more girls."
These goals did not have any particular order, nor could it be said which one was more significant.
To Nolan, they were equally important.
So, aside from finding no clear way to return to Earth, becoming stronger and building a harem were goals he pursued simultaneously. In this regard, Nolan's objectives were very straightforward.
But would this approach be unfair to the girls he knew?
Nolan wasn’t so outstanding as to make so many girls fall for him naturally.
The more significant reason lay in his innate talent, "Entangling Affection," and some skills that made others more easily develop feelings for him.
In a way, it felt like cheating.
Thinking about this, Nolan felt an inexplicable sense of guilt. Was it truly right for him to interfere in and insert himself into others’ lives merely to satisfy his desires?
After all, these girls weren’t just game characters now; they were real people who existed in this world.
Was it shameless to desire them just because they were beautiful? Nolan’s emotions were complicated. He knew that what he was doing seemed wrong.
Yet, the desires within him compelled him to continue engaging with more girls. He had become a slave to his own desires!
“Am I doing the right thing?”
Nolan whispered into Jean’s ear. He wasn’t wavering; he just needed a bit of affirmation to lessen his guilt.
“Idiot, you’ve already gotten involved with so many girls—do you not intend to take responsibility for them? If you truly planned to abandon them, I’d really drive my sword into your nose!” Jean initially froze, then angrily threatened him.
“Of course not! I care about each of you more than I do myself. How could I not take responsibility?” Nolan hastily explained.
“Hmph, then that’s fine. Since you’ve made this choice, be open about it and don’t feel guilty. I don’t like seeing you this way!” Jean pinched Nolan’s waist firmly in dissatisfaction.
Hiss—how painful! Nolan winced.
Despite his strong physique and numerous defensive skills, strong enough to take a blow from a dragon without injury, being pinched on the waist by a girl was unexpectedly effective!
Damn it, I have to get back at her. With that thought, Nolan suddenly lifted Jean and pressed her against the bookshelf near the clock, capturing her lips in a forceful kiss.
“Idiot! What if someone comes in—mmph…” Jean began to protest angrily, but with both her wrists held, her struggle was futile.
Nolan, you scoundrel, villain, shameless jerk, despicable man!
Fine, a slave to desire is what I am.
Nolan knew he could never give up on the girls he’d already connected with, nor would he abandon the pursuit of forming bonds with more girls.
After all, nothing in the world was more fulfilling than being surrounded by so many girls.
Without them, life would be no different from being an empty shell!
With this realization, Nolan finally accepted the fact that he was an incorrigible man who only thought about women.
In acknowledging this, he reached a state of internal clarity, immune to being swayed by the criticisms of others about his incongruent ambitions.
At that moment, he felt more at peace, his body lighter.
Previously, having immense power unavoidably led him to harbor dark thoughts—such as using his strength to steal, plunder, and accumulate wealth.
Such actions were against his principles. If he ever succumbed to them, he would not just be a slave to desire but a monster, ruled by lust and bereft of reason!
It was clear now that his rapid growth had outpaced his mental fortitude, but what had just happened helped him see himself clearly.
Otherwise...
One day, if he slipped, he might really have become a tyrant who wielded his power recklessly.
Hah, the thought alone was terrifying!
After all, in any world, evil never triumphs over good. Those who make themselves enemies of the people are invariably defeated in the end.
Nolan didn’t want that fate.
The world was so beautiful, and he hadn’t lived enough yet!
(End of Chapter)
Comments
Hrea_
Ty for the chapter
