Good Hunter Restaurant
Bonanus sat on a wooden chair, bored, looking at everything around her. She had been sitting here alone with no one to talk to.
She felt like a blue mushroom was about to sprout on her head. Where was that Venti, anyway?
That irresponsible Anemo Archon had said he was going out to find some fun. Was he picking apples? He was so playful—she couldn't guess.
Really, leaving a foreigner like her here all alone. Who knew what that 'host' of Mondstadt was thinking?
Thinking of Venti, Bonanus rubbed her healed chest. She remembered that an unknown enemy had ambushed and pierced it.
The pain had been unbearable, but now there was no sensation left. Earlier, when she looked in the mirror at the inn, there wasn't even a scar.
These people were truly amazing—able to heal wounds without leaving marks. Was it advanced technology or adepti power?
She felt sorry for Rex Lapis. He had personally asked the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt to help her. What a good 'superior'—truly touching.
After this treatment was over and she returned to Liyue Harbor, she would definitely bring the finest wine and tea to honor him.
---
Nodding lightly, Bonanus closed her eyes and let her mind wander to other things.
Another thing puzzled her. Since it was mealtime, why weren't there many knights eating here?
Of course, she didn't care about unfamiliar knights. She was thinking about Amber. Was she too busy outside?
That made sense. As an Outrider, Amber had many duties. Sometimes she didn't have time to eat.
But having come to Mondstadt, it would be a shame not to meet the game's first Pyro queen.
Besides, Amber's personality was very likable. Bonanus would be happy to get to know her—she was the angel who had saved Collei.
What? Why wasn't she looking forward to meeting Kaeya? Well... forget about him. He might be a dark-skinned handsome man, but he was too cunning.
When it came to schemes that required a sharp mind, Bonanus was no match. In her previous life, she had never even mastered the "rounding" rule in math.
A complete academic failure.
"So boring..."
Bonanus propped her chin on both hands, her lips slightly pouted like an adorable cat, puffed up as if about to blow bubbles.
If she were in Liyue Harbor, she would have already run off to buy food with Xiao. If not, she'd be sleeping or hunting monsters.
Well, she would just have to wait a little longer.
---
On the other side
After waiting in line beside Good Hunter for quite a while, Noelle finally reached the counter. It hadn't been easy.
"Hello, Sara! I'd like to order!" Noelle walked calmly to the Good Hunter counter and addressed the attendant.
"Oh, Noelle! Welcome, welcome. You don't often have time to come by these days. What would you like to eat?"
The attendant, Sara, recognized Noelle and responded with a delighted smile. It was clear she liked Noelle very much.
Noelle had helped her with some troublesome matters before, so she had a good impression of her.
"I'd like a Satisfying Salad. Also, Sara, do you have any dishes made in Liyue style?"
Noelle first ordered her favorite Satisfying Salad. As she spoke the second half, her gaze instinctively shifted to Bonanus, who was sitting nearby.
"Noelle's taste hasn't changed! You used to come here often, but now you're so busy you rarely have time."
Sara smiled. Still the same Noelle—completely unchanged.
She followed Noelle's gaze and saw a young woman dressed in Liyue attire. Even as another woman, she couldn't help but admire her looks.
"Noelle, is that a new friend of yours?" Sara asked curiously.
"Yes! A new friend I made today. She's the Liyue merchant who was attacked." Noelle placed her hands on her abdomen. For some reason, her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Seeing Noelle so pure and adorable, Sara's heart fluttered. She really wanted to pinch those rosy cheeks.
Too bad she was on the clock. She couldn't do that.
"Oh, her. I've heard about that. Glad nothing too serious happened." Hearing it was the attacked merchant, Sara nodded. Then she continued,
"If I remember correctly, the attack happened within the Knights' patrol range. Noelle, were you assigned to apologize on their behalf?"
Hearing this, Noelle shook her head vigorously like a rattle drum. If an apology were needed, the Knights wouldn't have sent her. Someone else would handle that.
She was just worried that Miss Fashui might be psychologically affected by the attack, so she came to check on her personally.
"I was just concerned about Miss Fashui's mental state. But she seems fine now." Noelle nodded.
"Noelle, you're so kind..."
Sara chuckled. Only after laughing did she realize she had been talking too long. There were other customers waiting.
"I've noted your order. I'll ask the chef to prepare it. Please return to your seat and wait." Sara recited her usual line.
Noelle didn't linger. She smiled gently, then turned and sat down across from Bonanus.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Noelle looked a bit embarrassed. She was trying hard to avoid using formal address, sticking to "you" instead of the more respectful terms.
Usually, she addressed strangers and seniors formally as a sign of respect.
Bonanus, who had been spacing out, lifted her head, rubbed her face, and shook her head casually.
"You didn't keep me waiting. So, Noelle, you're quite popular, aren't you?"
"Not really. I just help the people of Mondstadt with small matters from time to time. Everyone knows me." Noelle explained.
"Noelle, you can't always take everything upon yourself. It's okay to relax and have some fun once in a while." As she spoke, Bonanus's eyes drifted toward the Mondstadt residents nearby.
"I don't really understand that. I serve the Knights as a maid. I want to help as many people as possible. And I want to become a good knight, just like my seniors!" Noelle's face lit up with longing and expectation.
"Heh... no rush. I'll teach you slowly over time." Bonanus chuckled, a bit exasperated. She would find time to guide this earnest Noelle.
She wasn't a maid—she was being treated like a tool.
"I understand. I look forward to it. My experience is limited, and there's so much I need to learn. You must have traveled to many places as a merchant, Fashui!" Noelle looked at her with admiration.
Bonanus was momentarily speechless. But after a moment, she nodded naturally. In the game, she had indeed visited many nations.
"Could you tell me about other nations?"
Noelle's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Her starry gaze showed how eagerly she awaited Bonanus's stories.
"Sure!" Bonanus didn't refuse. She began describing the stories from her previous life's game.
Just as they were chatting happily, the dark-skinned figure who had been watching from the shadows smiled faintly. He stepped forward, heading straight for Noelle and Bonanus.