Arriving at the villa on Guili Plains, Koji's expression turned slightly surprised.
Noelle was actually over there cleaning. It really had been a while since he'd last seen this all-purpose maid—this "Geo Archon Princess."
No wonder the place was spotless. Turns out someone was carrying the burden behind the scenes.
"You've got a maid here too, huh? Seems like her name is Noelle?" Ningguang asked.
She thought for a moment. Noelle wasn't some nobody—she was quite well-known over in Mondstadt. In Ningguang's correspondence with Jean, Jean had brought up Noelle before: someone extremely capable.
By all rights, she should have earned the title of knight already, but her personality gave Jean headaches—she was even more soft-hearted than Jean.
It was said that if you shouted "Noelle!" anywhere in Mondstadt, she'd appear at your side to help you solve whatever problem you had. An unbelievably diligent person.
Koji nodded and called out to her, "Noelle, why are you here?"
He clearly remembered he hadn't hired Noelle to come clean this place.
"When I came here, I saw the courtyard was a bit messy, so I couldn't help myself—I wanted to tidy it up," Noelle said.
In other words: she'd basically found a way to work for Liyue.
Koji had nothing to say. Truly, it was her. For Noelle, cleaning was as natural as everyday cooking for normal people.
"Thanks for your hard work. This is Ningguang—you've met her before," Koji said.
"Hello, Miss Ningguang. I'm a maid of the Knights of Favonius," Noelle said with a small nod.
"Hello, Noelle. I've heard Jean mention you," Ningguang replied.
Ningguang looked Noelle over. She could sense the power of Geo on her—just like herself. Noelle also possessed a Geo Vision.
Koji said with a smile, "Besides being amazing at housework, Noelle's also incredibly strong. You can even call her the 'Geo Archon Princess.'"
"No." Noelle hurriedly shook her head. That title was way too exaggerated—she wasn't qualified.
In front of Liyue people, a joke like that might even offend them.
"Don't worry. I'm not that rigid," Ningguang said, smiling as she dismissed it. "If Koji calls you that, then you must have something truly exceptional."
"Ningguang, don't let the fact she's a girl fool you," Koji added. "A lot of men can't match Noelle's strength."
The way she could swing a greatsword—a heavy weapon—like it was nothing already proved how terrifying her raw power was.
With a single punch, even without a weapon, she could kill ordinary monsters.
"Oh?" Ningguang's interest was piqued. "Born with divine strength?"
It depended on talent. No matter how much you trained, there was always a limit.
Noelle didn't have the bulky build you'd expect, yet she gave off a sense of immovable steadiness—very fitting for Geo's nature.
"Let's shake hands," Ningguang said.
She reached out her right hand, eager to see Noelle's strength for herself.
"Um… is that really okay?" Noelle hesitated, worried she might hurt one of the Liyue Qixing. In the end, she deliberately held back so she wouldn't injure Ningguang.
"It's fine. I also want to see the 'Geo Archon Princess's' strength," Ningguang teased with a smile.
"Alright… excuse me," Noelle said, then nodded.
Her strong palm clasped Ningguang's delicate hand.
In an instant, Ningguang's expression changed—shock flashing across her face. What kind of terrifying strength was this?
A girl having this much power—this was her first time seeing anything like it. And then she realized Noelle wasn't even using her full strength.
Absurd. Completely absurd.
Noelle stopped at that and released her hand.
Ningguang's fair hand now had a very obvious red mark from the pressure cutting off circulation.
Rubbing her hand, Ningguang sighed, "I believe it. A lot of men really can't compare to you."
Noelle shook her head. "It's just normal training for the Knights."
She hadn't done any specialized strength training. Ningguang nodded—so it was pure talent.
Tsk. A fully qualified warrior. Someone like this could replace a whole squad of soldiers.
"For dinner… would you like to eat here?" Noelle asked.
Then she looked toward Ningguang, politely checking if she had any dietary restrictions.
"I have no objections," Ningguang said with a faint smile. "It's been a long time since I've had Mondstadt cuisine. This is a perfect chance to try it. I'll have to trouble you, Miss Noelle."
Noelle set down her broom and headed into the kitchen.
It wasn't long before an enticing aroma drifted out. Noelle had clearly maxed out her housework skill tree.
Several Mondstadt specialty dishes were brought to the table…
"Truly delicious," Ningguang said after tasting them, speaking from the heart. "Strong, cooks well, and your housework is flawless. A maid like you… I want one too."
Noelle's cooking earned her complete approval—it was genuinely excellent.
As a maid, Noelle was the definition of versatile. No weaknesses. Who wouldn't want a maid like this?
"I'm glad you like it," Noelle replied with a polite smile.
"Noelle, would you consider becoming Liyue Harbor's exclusive maid?" Ningguang floated the idea, her thoughts still hazy but clearly moving in that direction.
"Ningguang, if Jean finds out, she'll probably come knocking in person," Koji said with a laugh.
He'd tried poaching before too—Jean hadn't agreed, and Noelle hadn't agreed either.
"So what if she knows?" Ningguang said. "Someone this outstanding—how could I not be tempted?"
If you like something, you go for it. No need to worry about this or that.
"Miss Ningguang, I'm very sorry, but I don't have that intention," Noelle said simply.
She hadn't expected to be this sought-after. Still… being acknowledged like this made her happy.
"No matter. If you ever change your mind, you can come to the Jade Chamber anytime," Ningguang said generously, not upset at all, and even made a promise on the spot.
"Alright. I'll remember that," Noelle said.
"Noelle, you're from Mondstadt," Ningguang asked casually. "What do you think of Mondstadt's residents these days?"
"Too many people who need help," Noelle said.
"Uh… yes," Ningguang replied.
She understood what Noelle meant. Mondstadt had plenty of overgrown babies—she'd heard about it long ago.
"When you help those people, don't you ever feel resentful?" Ningguang continued.
"It's fine," Noelle said, shaking her head. "Everyone needs me. And… don't I like the feeling of helping people who need me even more?"
Ningguang understood then why Noelle, despite her impressive strength, still hadn't become an official knight of the Knights of Favonius.
That personality… If she became a knight, she'd end up running errands everywhere. Mondstadt's whole vibe was… hard to put into words.
From Jean's letters, Ningguang also knew Jean often helped Mondstadt residents with all sorts of small matters.
Unfathomable. If this were Liyue, hardly anyone would go bothering the Qixing over trivial nonsense.
(End of Chapter)
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