Whoooom—
Jean stood beneath a brilliant beam of light as it descended from the heavens.
A powerful force surged into her body like a tidal wave—
wild, overwhelming, yet somehow right.
Fortunately, her body was strong enough to contain it.
Anyone weaker might've been torn apart.
Moments later, the light dispersed.
Conqueror's Haki had fully fused into her being.
Jean opened her eyes.
An invisible pressure exploded outward from her body in all directions.
Her long, golden hair—bound moments before—
now fluttered freely despite the absence of wind.
The sheer force of her aura was undeniable.
"Wh-What is this…?"
Lisa actually took a step back, her face revealing rare surprise.
That pressure—
it was enough to sweep away any enemy in her path.
"Looks like Jean got quite the power-up,"
Lisa said, genuinely happy for her friend.
This manga shop… was truly something else.
"Such overwhelming force…"
Jean herself was stunned.
She slowly withdrew the pressure, calming her mind.
But she could still feel that immense power now lying dormant within her.
All she had to do was will it into being.
"Boss… what was that?" she asked.
"Conqueror's Haki," Han Feng answered calmly.
Han Feng smiled calmly.
It looked like Jean was integrating with her newfound power quite well.
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Jean's brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
She hadn't seen that term in the manga.
What she had seen was the Devil Fruits—
like the Traveler's Wind-Wind Fruit.
Han Feng explained patiently:
"It'll come up later in the series. Haki is a hidden potential within all humans.
There are three types: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and the one you've obtained—Conqueror's Haki.
Conqueror's Haki is a rare gift, a mark of those with kingly aptitude.
It allows you to intimidate, suppress, and even knock out opponents without lifting a finger.
Against enemies significantly weaker than you, it can render them unconscious instantly.
And when two Conqueror's clash, the force can even split the sky."
"You just experienced your awakening.
The surge was unconscious. With practice, you'll learn to control it."
Jean was stunned.
"To knock people out with just aura… and even tear open the sky?!"
This ability was far more terrifying than she'd imagined.
It seemed… she had gained a very powerful reward.
Her heart calmed, then began to burn with determination.
She ignored the "king's aptitude" part.
Mondstadt was a nation of freedom—
they didn't need a king.
All she cared about was that this strength could protect her people.
Just as that thought settled,
a commotion erupted outside Relief Bookstore.
Lisa glanced through the window, eyes narrowing.
"The Fatui."
She hadn't expected them to track Jean here.
Were they also here for the manga?
"No. They're here for me,"
Jean said softly, taking a deep breath.
She turned to Han Feng with a slight bow.
"Apologies, Boss Han. I may have brought unwanted guests to your door.
I'll handle this."
Jean didn't want this incident to leave a bad impression on Han Feng.
That would be a loss for both him and Mondstadt.
"Go right ahead,"
Han Feng replied with a nod.
He was curious—
now that Jean had Conqueror's Haki,
would she still let the Fatui walk all over her like they did in canon?
Outside the bookstore, a familiar cold voice rang out:
"Tch. Mondstadt is under threat from Stormterror,
and you, Acting Grand Master, are wasting time reading?"
Anastasia, the Fatui attaché, sneered.
She cast a glance toward Han Feng.
Who was this man?
A bookstore owner?
But why was Jean so respectful to him?
"This is my personal matter. What's your purpose here?"
Jean replied evenly, neither humble nor arrogant.
Anastasia's tone turned sharper:
"If you're incapable of dealing with the dragon threat,
perhaps Mondstadt should hand over its city defenses to the Fatui.
We're more than capable of slaying that beast—"
"Beast?"
Jean's expression darkened. Her tone became ice-cold.
She interrupted Anastasia mid-sentence.
"What exactly do you mean by that, Miss Attaché?"
Anastasia raised a brow, crossing her arms in contempt.
"What, is the Acting Grand Master taking offense?"
Jean exhaled slowly. Her eyes grew sharp.
"I expect your country's diplomats to be more professional.
You dare refer to one of Mondstadt's Four Winds as a mere 'beast'?
I will not tolerate such madness before the Knights of Favonius!"
With Conqueror's Haki now part of her,
Jean's presence was overwhelming.
Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity.
Even Anastasia felt her confidence falter.
Why does Jean suddenly feel so… dangerous?
But she quickly reminded herself—
behind her stood Signora… and the Tsaritsa herself.
What did a godless, weakened Mondstadt have to oppose them?
"Heh… isn't that a bit dramatic?"
Anastasia forced a mocking laugh.
"Fine. This 'negotiation' is over.
I'll make a full report."
Her tone hardened.
"As for what actions the Fatui may take next—well, we'll see."
With that, she turned to leave, her subordinates in tow.
If Mondstadt refused to cooperate,
then they would act their own way:
eliminate Stormterror themselves.
Once an outsider resolved the crisis,
the Knights of Favonius would lose face entirely.
And with pressure from Mondstadt's aristocratic remnants like the Lawrences,
it would only be a matter of time before the city's defense plans fell into their hands.
When that happened—
Mondstadt would truly be in danger.
Jean knew this all too well.
It was true that Mondstadt had long been on the back foot.
They had tolerated too much.
Even Diluc had criticized the Knights for their timidity and inefficiency.
In diplomacy, they had been conservative, always yielding.
But that—
was the past.
"Mondstadt's affairs will be handled by Mondstadt.
We don't need outsiders meddling in our house!"
Jean's words rang out with clarity and power.
Anastasia stopped and turned slowly, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"Oh? And what exactly do you plan to do?"
~~--------------------------------------
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