Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations <<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 24: The City of Freedom
Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
The magnificent building, which seemed to almost touch the sky, stood at the highest point of the City of Mondstadt. It was more solemn than the royal palace of Goa Kingdom, a thousand times livelier than Makino's bar, and compared to Dadan's mountain hideout... it was the difference between heaven and earth.
"Waaaaaaah!"
Luffy's shriek of amazement once again echoed through the clouds.
He spread his arms and charged up the long staircase at the speed of a 100-meter dash!
"So high! So big! What is this place!"
His country-bumpkin appearance made Ace's fists harden.
"I told you, it's the Knights of Favonius Headquarters! Are your ears stuffed with donkey hair, you idiot!"
Ace grabbed him and held him firmly in place.
Paimon, following behind, also put her hands on her hips, introducing the place with pride.
"Hmph hmph! This is the center of power in Mondstadt! All the Knights of Favonius work here!"
She then secretly floated closer to Traveler's ear.
"Jean is super dignified! When we go in later, whatever you do, don't mention the Emergency Food thing!"
Sabo didn't speak. He just tilted his head back, gazing up at the massive wall emblazoned with the Knights of Favonius crest.
At the entrance, two fully-armored, serious-looking knights stood guard. Their gazes were sharp, their postures ramrod straight, and they exuded the aura of battle-hardened elites.
This place... was a completely different world from that rotten Goa Kingdom, which only knew how to oppress its people!
"Alright! Everyone, shape up!"
Amber finally emerged from the shadow of "bankruptcy." She patted her cheeks, once again becoming the energetic Reconnaissance Knight.
"Jean is right inside! She's the most reliable person in Mondstadt!"
With that, she puffed out her chest and led the way in.
The inside of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters was even more spacious than it looked.
A high, vaulted ceiling, enormous bookshelves, and members of the Knights walking back and forth, all in a hurry.
Everyone was at their post, and the entire space was filled with a tense but orderly atmosphere.
Amber led them through the main hall and went straight to the Acting Grand Master's office on the second floor.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Reporting! Reconnaissance Knight Amber has an urgent matter to report!"
"Come in."
A steady, slightly weary, yet powerful female voice came from behind the door.
Amber pushed the door open.
In the office, a blond woman in a white knight's uniform sat tall behind a desk. Her azure eyes were so sharp they could see right through a person.
Her gaze swept over Amber, over Traveler and Paimon, and finally, landed on the three unfamiliar faces of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo.
Her gaze swept over Amber, over Traveler and Paimon, and finally, settled on the three unfamiliar faces of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo.
When she saw the brand new, faintly glowing Anemo Vision at Sabo's waist, her azure eyes flickered slightly.
"Amber, thank you for your hard work."
Jean put down her quill and leaned forward slightly.
"And these are?"
"Reporting, Grand Master!" Amber replied loudly. "I found them outside the city! They were under siege by Hilichurls! And..."
She paused, pointing at Sabo.
"This child... just awakened his Vision!"
The office instantly fell silent.
Ace felt the pressure of that scrutinizing gaze, his body instinctively tensed, and his eyes grew sharp.
Jean's gaze, gentle yet penetrating, fell on Sabo.
"Child, what is your name? Where are you from?"
Sabo met her gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"My name is Sabo... We... we come from a very distant island."
"Hmph." Ace snorted, "What are you asking for? Checking our household registration?"
"Ace!" Sabo hissed, trying to stop him.
"I mean no harm." Jean's voice was calm and gentle, yet it carried a convincing strength. "It's just that the appearance of a new Vision holder is a major event for Mondstadt."
She stood up and walked over to Sabo. She was tall, and Sabo had to tilt his head back to see her face.
"Do you know what this is?" Jean pointed to the ornament on Sabo's waist.
Sabo nodded, then shook his head.
"Amber said... it's a Vision."
"That's right." Jean's gaze became distant. "It is a Vision. It is a gift, bestowed only when a mortal's 'ambition' becomes so strong that it is recognized by the gods in the heavens."
Ambition!
That word again!
Sabo's heart trembled. He couldn't help but grip the cyan Vision.
My ambition... is freedom!
Could it be... that a god really recognized my desire for freedom?
"Gods?"
Ace scoffed, his defiant face full of disbelief and mockery.
"What a joke! Entrusting your fate to something so vague? Only a weakling would do that!"
"What's a god? Can you eat it?" Luffy asked Jean curiously.
Jean looked at the three brothers, each with a completely different personality, and a helpless but understanding expression came over her face.
"I know this is hard for you to accept immediately."
She slowly held out her palm.
Voom!
A Vision that was also cyan, but of a more exquisite design, lay quietly on her glove.
"But in this land called Teyvat, elemental power is real."
With a thought.
Whoosh!
A gentle whirlwind appeared in her palm, ruffling her golden hair.
"And a Vision is the external organ we mortals use to channel elemental power."
Sabo stared intently at the wind in Jean's palm. That power... it came from the same source as the power inside his own body!
"Your ambition... is 'freedom,' isn't it?" Jean looked at Sabo, seeing right through him.
Sabo's body trembled violently!
"Therefore, the one who answered you was Mondstadt's protector, the god of freedom, Lord Barbatos."
"What you received is the Anemo Vision, which symbolizes 'freedom'."
The God of Wind!
Freedom!
These two words slammed into Sabo's heart!
The god of this city... was the God of Freedom!
At this moment, he felt an indescribable resonance with this city!
"Alright, I understand the situation now." Jean retracted her power and sat back down behind her desk, resuming her dignified air as Acting Grand Master.
"Your origins are unknown, and your powers are... unusual. Especially you."
Her gaze shifted to Luffy.
The strange kid whose head could stretch like rubber.
"Ordinarily, I should place you under temporary supervision until I can clarify your backgrounds."
Ace's face instantly darkened, his fists clenching at his sides.
"However..."
Jean's tone shifted.
"Mondstadt is the City of Freedom."
"We do not deprive anyone of their freedom simply because they are 'unknown' or 'different'."
Her words stunned both Ace and Sabo.
They thought of the high walls of Goa Kingdom, of the nobles who saw commoners as ants.
Freedom?
For the first time, they were hearing the most sincere interpretation of those two words from someone in power.
"Amber." Jean gave an order.
"Yes, Grand Master!"
"Until you complete your patrol duties today, you will be their temporary guide and guardian."
"Show them Mondstadt, but remember, you must not, under any circumstances, let them cause any trouble!"
Jean's tone grew heavier, and her eyes meaningfully darted toward Luffy.
"Un... Understood!" Amber's face fell.
Guiding these three little terrors... and one of them is the glutton who ate two months of my salary...