With the wind dragon's departure, the breeze around them eased, and Venti slipped away as well.
Nolan and Rosaria exchanged a glance. The monster-repelling sachets were already in place, and with nothing else amiss, they prepared to return to Mondstadt.
By the time the adventurers who had sensed something unusual arrived, they found nothing at all.
---
Mondstadt, Cathedral of Favonius.
The golden sunlight bathed the tall spire in a sacred glow, lending the cathedral an even holier atmosphere.
Two figures descended slowly from the sky—Nolan and Rosaria.
Rosaria's heeled short boots clicked softly against the stone ground. She smoothed her wind-tousled clothes, glanced at Nolan, and said calmly:
"It's still early. Why not stay and have a meal at the cathedral?"
"How could I possibly refuse a lady's dinner invitation?" Nolan smiled.
"Follow me." Rosaria crossed her arms and gave a faint nod.
[Rosaria Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 360 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.6 (410/600)]
The familiar prompt appeared on his status panel.
It was Nolan's first time eating in the cathedral's refectory. With Rosaria leading the way, he was served without issue.
The food was fairly light, but he didn't mind at all.
After dinner, he bid Rosaria farewell and sat on a bench outside the cathedral, waiting for Barbara to finish work.
He had promised to help her move into the Wonderland.
In the meantime, Nolan tucked away the Wind Dragon Jewel Venti had given him, storing it inside the Wonderland.
As soon as he did, the realm fed back new information about a spatial trait gained:
[Successfully stored rare treasure "Wind Dragon Jewel." Obtained Spatial Trait · Blessing of the Breeze: Within this realm, all stamina-consuming actions reduce stamina cost by 50%.]
"Oh?" Nolan's eyes lit up. This trait was powerful indeed!
The girls' studies, their martial practice, even their "training" with him—all required great stamina. With this trait, everyone could push themselves far longer than before.
Before long, as the sun dipped fully below the horizon, Barbara emerged from the cathedral.
"Honorary Knight!"
She called out with delight upon spotting Nolan.
He took her hand with a smile. "Come on, let's go to your room. I'll help you move your things over."
"Mhm." The girl blushed and answered softly.
Guided by Barbara, they entered the clergy's residential quarters.
Normally, men were strictly forbidden there, since only sisters or clerics like Barbara resided within.
So Nolan simply used his invisibility skill to slip inside unnoticed.
They reached Barbara's room without incident, and there he no longer needed to remain hidden.
Beds, desks, wardrobes—all of these were already prepared brand-new in the Wonderland. Barbara only needed to bring her clothes, bedding, and personal belongings.
To make things easy, Nolan opened a gateway to the Wonderland right there in her room, leading straight to her freshly prepared chamber.
The essentials were all in place, so it was just a matter of carrying in her clothes and bedding, no tedious packing required.
Barbara didn't have much in the way of personal belongings. In less than half an hour, everything was moved.
Back in her new room within the Wonderland, Nolan stretched out on the bed for a short rest, while Barbara adjusted the arrangement of furniture and decorations to suit her own tastes.
Satisfied with her adjustments, she nodded and then sat at the edge of the bed to rest.
Nolan turned his head toward her, then suddenly slipped his arms around her slender waist and gave a gentle tug, drawing her down to lie beside him.
The white priest's hat slipped from his pale golden hair, and in the next instant, he turned, pressing his whole body down onto Barbara.
"Ah!" Barbara cried out shyly, her voice high and startled.
She pressed her hands to Nolan's shoulders, wanting to say something, only to find her lips sealed again—she could only let out muffled "mmph, mmph" sounds.
Nolan kissed Barbara while his hand stroked the bare, snowy shoulder exposed by her sleeveless dress.
As his hand caressed her smooth, soft skin, Barbara's blush deepened—she was visibly turning even redder.
After kissing her for a few minutes, Nolan broke away from her lips, brought his mouth close to her ear, and with a faint smile, whispered softly:
"I know a special training method, one so powerful that you could catch up to Captain Jean in just a few days. Want to try it?"
As he spoke, his hand continued caressing her shoulder, channeling harmonizing energy from her soft, snowy skin.
Feeling the warm current of energy fortifying her body and making her so comfortable, Barbara nodded instinctively.
Catching up to Jean had always been her dream.
"All right, then scoot up a bit—just let me handle the rest."
Nolan kissed Barbara on the cheek.
Blushing crimson, she shuffled further up on the bed. Soon only her legs, clad in collared short boots, stuck out past the bed's edge.
Her soft thighs were still covered by the ruffled hem of her blue-violet dress.
Nolan stood up. He didn't bother taking off Barbara's shoes—instead, he simply lifted the dress, spreading it over her lower stomach.
Her legs, clad head to toe in seamless white tights, were fully exposed now; beneath the thin fabric, the outline of white panties could be faintly glimpsed.
"St-stop it, Mr. Honorary Knight, don't just stare…"
Barbara twisted her body shyly to block his gaze, tugging one corner of the covers over her burning, overheated face.
"Hmm-hmm, but I want to look!" Nolan chuckled, gripping her ankles with both hands. He stroked up and down her calves for a while. Then, gently, he pushed her thighs farther apart.
Feeling Barbara's legs reflexively want to close, he had no other choice but to lean in—and with his mouth, he bit a small hole in her tights.
...
Half an hour passed. By then, Nolan was lying on Barbara's bed with her sprawled on top of him, breathing softly, shallow little pants.
Even with the "Blessing of the Gentle Breeze," which reduces physical fatigue, Barbara was still completely exhausted from her first 'training' session.
But at least her strength had soared all at once to level fifty—her progress was dazzlingly fast!
"Hmph, Mr. Honorary Knight, you really are too bad…" Barbara whispered dreamily, lying atop his shoulder, her gaze hazy.
"Just in time—you're still not familiar with the Wonderland, are you? Come, I'll take you outside to look around, and introduce you to the most wonderful hot spring baths in the entire space!"
Nolan's lips curved in a faint smile. Holding Barbara—still fully dressed—in his arms, he stood, opened the door, and walked toward the second floor.
(End of Chapter)
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