"Now that you mention it, isn't this a kind of freedom too?" Jean nodded, her face slightly red as she thought of the scenes from the romance novels she secretly read.
At times, she was also a girl who yearned for love. However, from the moment she became a knight, she had buried her feelings deep within her heart, only allowing herself to glance at those novels during late nights when her work was done.
But none of that mattered now. Jean glanced at Lisa, then stole a look at Akira, who was chatting with Furina, and quietly made a decision.
"Sigh..." Lisa sighed as she looked at Jean. She knew all of Jean's little secrets, including her habit of sneaking romance novels.
She also knew just how much Jean had sacrificed for the sake of "Eternal Protection of Mondstadt."
Her youth, her emotions-all of it had slowly faded away in the shadow of those four words.
After lunch, Jean suddenly turned to Akira and said, "Lord Akira, I apologize for the abrupt request, but may I invite you to take a walk with me? There's something I'd like to discuss."
"Huh? Jean is actually inviting Akira out?" Lisa was surprised. Could it be that this iron tree was finally blooming?
"Oh?" Akira looked at Jean with interest and nodded. "Sure."
"Then I'll take Klee back to the inn first. Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Akira," Lisa said, giving Jean an encouraging look before bowing to Akira.
"? What is Lisa doing?" Jean was puzzled.
"Big brother Akira! Goodbye!" Klee didn't want to part with Akira, but since Jean and Akio had something to discuss, she couldn't cause trouble. She obediently said her goodbyes.
"Goodbye, little Klee," Akira smiled and nodded.
Lisa led Klee away, and Akira turned to Murata Himeko with a smile. "Himeko, why don't you take Furina and Clorinde to Tenshukaku? As fellow gods and future wifes, they should get to know each other."
"Alright, Akira. Have fun," Murata Himeko said with a mischievous smile.
With that, Murata Himeko turned to Furina and Clorinde. "Let's go to Tenshukaku. Akira will be back soon."
"Alright," Furina and Clorinde nodded and followed Murata Himeko out.
"Let's go, Jean," Akira said with a smile, leading Jean out of Uyuu Restaurant. Naturally, someone from Tenshukaku would settle the bill later.
As they walked through the outskirts of Inazuma, the midday sun made the area quiet and perfect for a stroll.
The two walked slowly, with Jean keeping her head down, lost in thought.
Akira, on the other hand, was reminded of the times he played the game and kept pulling Jean instead of the Neuvillette. Even though he had all the characters at max constellations, Jean always seemed to appear when he least expected her.
Akira had been driven mad! Even at max constellations, she kept showing up! How much did Jean love him?
But in reality, it was best not to lose his composure. Akira turned to Jean with a smile. "Jean, we're out for a walk. Aren't you going to say something?"
"Ah! I'm sorry, Lord Akira," Jean was startled by Akira's words and quickly apologized. "I was lost in thought."
"What's on your mind?" Akira asked with a smile.
"I..." Jean didn't know how to begin. She wanted to ask Akira to heal Lisa as well, but she had no idea what she could offer or what might move Akira.
"Let me guess what you're thinking," Akira raised an eyebrow. "Jean, are you hoping I'll heal Lisa's body?"
"Uh, how did you know, Lord Akira?" Jean looked up in surprise.
"I've observed Lisa. Her body is in a very delicate state," Akira said, and this was true. With his authority over life and death, he could easily assess Lisa's condition.
"Her life force is unstable, like a pool of water-limited and finite," Akira explained. "Every time she uses her powers to their fullest, she consumes her life force, draining that pool."
"Since a person's life force is fixed and limited, if Lisa overuses her powers and exhausts her life force, her situation will become dire," Akira continued.
Lisa's strength was formidable. Akira could see that, though she couldn't compare to an Archon, she was undoubtedly among the top-tier beings below that level. However, she had mentioned that using her powers came at a cost, which was why she rarely unleashed them fully.
Was she burning her life force to gain power? It was somewhat similar to Rosalyne's Eternal Flame.
"So that's how it is..." Jean's body swayed slightly, and her face turned pale. No wonder Lisa often rested and seemed so fragile after using her powers.
So, using her powers came at the cost of her life force.
Jean looked at Akira, her voice filled with urgency. "Lord Akira, since you were able to restore my body to its peak, you must have a way to heal Lisa, right?"
"Indeed, one of my authorities is control over life and death. I can intervene in all matters of life and death in this world," Akira nodded.
"Then, may I make a bold request?" Jean said anxiously. "I'd like to ask you to heal Lisa!"
"Hmm," Akira nodded. He could indeed do it, and it would be effortless. He looked at Jean and asked, "Jean, has Lisa told you? Asking a god for help requires paying a sufficient price."
"So... what can you offer?" Akira asked with a smile. "I've said it before-I admire you, so I was willing to heal you. It was something I wanted to do, so I did it without hesitation. No one could say otherwise."
"But now, you're proposing a transaction," Akira said.
"Whatever you need! I'll do my best to fulfill it," Jean said through gritted teeth.
"Hmm, so what can you offer?" Akira asked with a smile.
"I..." Jean was at a loss. She didn't know what she could offer that would move a god.
"I've said it before-I admire you," Akira said with a smile, not hiding his feelings in the slightest.
Jean's eyes widened. Even a fool could understand what Akira meant.
Jean hesitantly pointed at herself. "Lord Akira, are you saying... me? That I myself... have value to you?"
"Yes," Akira said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I never hide my true feelings."
"I'm a god from beyond this world, who arrived here by accident. Unlike the Seven Archons, I don't have a fixed goal," Akira said with a smile.
"I chose to become the god of Inazuma because the people I love are here, so I can protect this land," Akira said. "Perhaps in the eyes of many, I seem generous and fickle. I admit it-I'm drawn to exceptional and beautiful women."