One problem after another.
Inside the library, Jean silently read the newest page of Su Xuan's diary.
One particular line made her heart tighten.
"Barbatos has realized that I am now influencing the course of his plan. He may seek me out to speak privately."
Jean's fingers trembled slightly.
"Lisa… do you really think the Anemo Archon will actually go speak with Su Xuan?"
What she didn't voice was—
If Barbatos displeased him… what then?
If Su Xuan was truly as powerful as the diary suggested…
Turning Mondstadt into dust was not impossible.
Lisa could see right through her.
"I understand your worry, Jean."
She spoke softly, but her tone was unusually serious.
"I don't know Su Xuan well… but I do believe something:
If Barbatos does anger him… even if Mondstadt is not reduced to debris—
the damage will be irreversible."
Jean swallowed hard.
She still hadn't fully digested what Lisa had done the night before.
Giving herself to Su Xuan… boldly… without hesitation…
Jean could barely imagine it without wanting to curl into a ball and scream.
But as an exchange, Lisa was the one who gained the most:
A body freed from its shortened lifespan.
A growth trait that increased her strength every three months.
If Su Xuan could grant that, then his own power…
was far beyond what the diary revealed.
"Jean, imagine it," Lisa continued quietly.
"If Su Xuan wanted to force you using Mondstadt's safety as leverage—
what would you do?"
Jean froze.
Her heart felt heavy—painfully heavy.
For her, "defending Mondstadt" was not a motto.
It was her entire life.
If she had possessed overwhelming strength back then, during the Dragon of the East crisis—
Mondstadt would never have needed help from the Fatui.
Mondstadt would never owe the Doctor a debt.
Those children would never have been taken away.
Jean clenched her fists.
She hated her own weakness.
She hated it more than anyone else ever could.
Lisa leaned back and pointed casually at the diary's picture of Venti grinning foolishly.
"But don't worry too much.
Look at Barbatos' face. He's harmless."
Her lips curled.
This wasn't respect.
This was calling the Anemo Archon a silly creature outright.
"Su Xuan is not unreasonable.
And Barbatos is… well, Barbatos.
Unless Su Xuan intends to turn Mondstadt upside down, the two won't fight."
Lisa rose, stretching lazily.
"Anyway, I should head home. Need to start dinner. I have a man to take care of now."
Jean's heart misfired.
"M–man…?"
Lisa blinked innocently.
"Of course I mean Su Xuan. He's staying with me."
Jean panicked.
"B-but he's with Lumine right now, isn't he?
Maybe they'll eat together outside—"
"And? I can still make dinner.
If he doesn't come home, I'll eat alone.
But home is where I'll wait."
Jean's mind immediately supplied images that should not be imagined.
Lisa's smile grew fox-like.
"Jean, you're turning red.
Don't tell me you're imagining… something indecent?"
Jean nearly fell over.
Lisa waved cheerfully.
"See you tomorrow~"
But before Lisa reached the door—
Jean spoke again, voice trembling.
"Lisa… do you think… that with my qualifications…
I could convince Su Xuan to help Mondstadt?
Just this once… just once…"
The library fell silent.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
patreon.com/lucarioTL