Genshin x Minecraft: Building the Temple of Virtue

Feeling Jean’s gaze upon her, Barbara quickly adjusted her posture, forcing the corners of her mouth to lift.

”It is alright, Sister, please do not worry about me. The affairs of Mondstadt are far more important, I would never be unreasonable!”

”Only with you here can everyone in Mondstadt live better days. I know how to prioritize things.”

Despite her words, her gaze dropped slightly toward the floor.

It was not that she believed Jean neglected her or left her in Mondstadt out of disregard for her abilities. After the sisters had spoken openly with one another, Barbara understood perfectly well that Jean had not distanced herself simply because she became the Acting Grand Master.

On the contrary, Jean had always kept a watchful eye over her.

However, as the Acting Grand Master, as the one leading Mondstadt forward, Jean’s primary responsibility lay with the entire nation. Furthermore, Jean was no longer just a simple acting leader. At this rate, once Varka and the expedition returned, Jean would undoubtedly become the true Grand Master.

Every move she made concerned the lives of all Mondstadt citizens. Objective requirements dictated her actions. Such responsibilities forced Jean to prioritize Mondstadt above all else, leaving personal attachments for later.

Barbara held great admiration for her responsible older sister and remained entirely willing to support Jean’s work. The heaviness in her chest came from a different source. After repairing their relationship, she merely wished to spend time with Jean, yet the opportunity never arose.

Jean was far too busy and rarely returned to Mondstadt, having shifted her entire focus to Ryen’s world.

Barbara missed her sister terribly.

Watching the pure, unblemished smile on Barbara’s face, Jean fell silent, a heavy weight settling in her own chest. She recalled the words Lisa had spoken to her a while back.

The previous rift between her and Barbara stemmed from more than just Jean being too busy to have an open conversation. In truth, Barbara harbored a quiet sense of inadequacy.

Barbara was the most outstanding Deaconess of the Church of Favonius, but deep down, she felt utterly eclipsed by Jean’s radiant brilliance. Her older sister was the Acting Grand Master, the hope of Mondstadt, the trusted leader of all its citizens. She was surrounded by countless supporters, all firmly backing her ascension to the role of true Grand Master.

Barbara, on the other hand, felt completely unable to help Jean, causing her voice to lose its strength whenever she faced her sister.

Lisa’s words carried weight, but in Jean’s heart, the root cause remained her own failure to spend proper time with Barbara. They had finally mended their relationship not too long ago, only for Jean to remain away from Mondstadt due to the development of the Minecraft world.

She had left Barbara there all alone.

As a Grand Master, no one could call Jean unqualified. She had resolved the dragon crisis and secured a steadfast alliance for Mondstadt. She had brought back countless rich resources, elevating Mondstadt’s strength to a level second only to Liyue. Whenever the people of Mondstadt mentioned Jean, they would raise their thumbs in genuine admiration, praising their good fortune to have such a leader.

But as a sister, Jean never considered herself adequate.

For the sake of Mondstadt, she had overlooked Barbara time and time again. Searching her conscience, Jean could not claim to have contributed anything to Barbara’s growth.

A long time ago, Jean believed this was the necessary sacrifice of becoming the Grand Master, the cost of managing a nation. No one could perfectly balance family and duty.

That was until she saw Ningguang, until she saw Makoto...

Commanding the far more massive Liyue, Ningguang operated with effortless grace. She made Liyue stronger without ever neglecting her personal relationship with Ryen.

Makoto was an even greater example. On one hand, she managed Inazuma flawlessly. In just two months, she had taken a nation steeped in chaos and restored its livelihood to new heights. On the other hand, she never forgot to guide Ei and the Shogun, shaping them into proper administrators, into qualified archons.

Who decreed that duty and family could not coexist? Did Makoto not hold both firmly in her grasp?

In the end, it was merely a question of personal capability.

Regardless, leaving Barbara isolated in Mondstadt any longer was unacceptable. Bringing her over posed no real issues. The Church of Favonius would not collapse without Barbara’s presence. Even though Barbara was Mondstadt’s finest healer, the situation had changed.

With alchemical potions readily available, there was scarcely an illness that could not be cured. Bringing Barbara here would be purely beneficial.

After carefully turning the thoughts over in her mind, Jean raised her head to look at Kaeya, speaking softly. ”How is the situation in Mondstadt?”

Hearing this, Kaeya’s eyes brightened considerably. For Jean to ask such a question meant she was already swayed. Thinking of the chance to escape his role as the abandoned child in Mondstadt, Kaeya spoke rapidly.

”Everything in Mondstadt is perfectly fine, naturally.”

”I have meticulously reformed the Knights according to the plans you outlined previously. The Knights can now handle ordinary trivial matters internally. Even if something major occurs, there are specialized departments ready to resolve it.”

”Everyone in Mondstadt is living and working in peace. It does not appear there will be any significant incidents requiring special attention. Security is even less of a concern. The reformed Knights boast incredibly strong divisions, easily matching those with Visions.”

”Furthermore, if a problem arises that they cannot handle, they can simply send the Dragonryders to notify us. The Dragonriders are incredibly swift; a round trip to Liyue takes just over an hour.”

Finishing his report, Kaeya watched Jean with unblinking anticipation. He had laid out the facts perfectly. There was absolutely no reason for Jean to force him back to his desk now.

Beside him, Barbara and Noelle directed equally hopeful looks toward Jean.

Although they had been in this world for less than a day, its boundless novelties had already made the thought of leaving difficult to bear. Moreover, staying here meant witnessing firsthand exactly how Mondstadt was growing stronger step by step.

It was vastly superior to sitting in Mondstadt.

Jean did not disappoint them. After a final moment of consideration, she gave a slight nod.

”Since that is the case, you may stay. We happen to need extra hands for many of our upcoming plans anyway. Having you and the others here will be of great help to me.”

And I will be able to take better care of you.

Naturally, Jean swallowed the last sentence, her cheeks warming slightly. She merely looked at Barbara with eyes full of deep affection. Allowing Barbara to stay meant they would spend much more time together, giving Jean the chance to make up for all she had missed.

Currently, Mondstadt’s development was proceeding flawlessly. It was not bragging for Jean to consider herself fully qualified in that regard.

The only area that still caused Jean internal conflict was her personal life. Now, Jean only had two true pursuits left.

The first was to care for Barbara and be a proper older sister.

The second was... to find a lover and become a proper wife.

For an inexplicable reason, a deeper shade of pink dusted Jean’s face as she sneaked a quiet glance toward Ryen. Fortunately, this subtle movement went unnoticed by the others, especially Lisa. Otherwise, Jean would undoubtedly be harassed by the librarian all evening, subjected to another lecture filled with scandalous ideas about taking the initiative.

”Excellent! Trust me, Acting Grand Master, you have sent plenty of information back, so I am well aware of this world’s unique features.” Kaeya pumped his fist in sheer excitement. ”Once I join the efforts, I will help you develop this world to its fullest!”

Diluc, standing off to the side, clicked his tongue, his words carrying a pointed edge. ”Are you joining Mondstadt, or are you joining Khaenri’ah? Alberich.”

”If memory serves, that surname belongs to one of the founders of the Abyss Order.”

Not too far away, Aether and the Khaenri’ahns turned to look at Kaeya, but they quickly averted their gaze.

The man was indeed a descendant of Khaenri’ah, and his ancestors held the significant name of Alberich within the Abyss Order.

However.

What did that have to do with this Kaeya?

Kaeya had long since become a thorough citizen of Mondstadt. The restoration of Khaenri’ah did not require his strength. Rather than letting Kaeya join their ranks and use the Alberich name to slip into the upper echelons of Khaenri’ahn leadership, the people of Khaenri’ah placed their complete trust in Aether.

Kaeya had provided absolutely zero assistance to the nation’s revival. In contrast, Aether had endured five hundred years of bitter hardship and humiliation for the grand cause of restoration. Now that success was finally within their grasp, why should an outsider like Kaeya be allowed to reap the rewards?

Just because his last name was Alberich?

Setting aside whether Kaeya even recognized his own heritage, Khaenri’ahns were pragmatists. They only placed their faith in those who actively helped them.

Aether was a flawless leader. Once Khaenri’ah was rebuilt, Aether would undeniably be the most suitable ruler. There was zero need for Kaeya to return and dilute Aether’s authority. When it came to the grand endeavor of rebuilding the nation, even if the original Alberich appeared in person, the people of Khaenri’ah would not acknowledge him.

Following the Abyss Order only meant suffering in the darkness. Following Aether meant stepping into this new world, restoring their nation, and living in prosperity.

And quite obviously, Kaeya himself could not care less about the name Alberich.

Rolling his eye, he spread his hands wide. ”Let us not speak as if we are strangers! I know nothing of this Alberich business.”

”Even though I am a descendant of Khaenri’ah, I grew up in Mondstadt. I am a citizen of Mondstadt. Besides, I highly doubt the people of Khaenri’ah would welcome me anyway.”

The tension in Diluc’s chest eased slightly, but he immediately steered the conversation back. ”So, if they did welcome you, you would join Khaenri’ah?”

Kaeya let out an exasperated breath. ”How are you this stubborn! I said I would not, and that means I will not!”

Diluc offered a quiet scoff, choosing not to press the issue further.

Endis offered a light cough. ”It is for the best that Mr. Kaeya understands this. The citizens of Khaenri’ah are doing exceedingly well under the guidance of His Highness. We are on the verge of restoring our nation. It is preferable not to have someone with such a delicate background interfering with our progress.”

Kaeya merely lifted his shoulders. ”You think I want this identity? Alberich and all that sounds like an absolute headache. If I had the choice, I would have preferred to be born a true Mondstadter.”

Kaeya and Endis exchanged a brief glance, forging a silent agreement to completely ignore the Alberich issue moving forward.

Beside them, Jean paid no attention to the political maneuvering. She rummaged through her inventory before pulling out an Advanced Healing Staff, presenting it to Barbara.

”This is a staff I found in the Twilight Forest. It is an Advanced Healing Staff, quite suited for you. Aside from advanced healing magic, it also holds life-saving spells like the Lich Shield.”

”Take this for now. When the opportunity arises, I will help you upgrade to a Master-level Healing Staff, similar to Mr. Zhongli’s. With both offensive and defensive capabilities, you will undoubtedly become Mondstadt’s most powerful support.”

Barbara stared at the intricately crafted staff before her, hesitation gripping her hands.

Even though she had only just arrived, she understood perfectly well how precious such an item must be. Weapons like the Slash Blades had already been distributed among the military, yet magical staves remained virtually unheard of.

Clearly, these items could not yet be mass-produced.

”Take it. Are you truly going to stand on ceremony with your own sister?” Lisa, having strolled over at some point, smiled warmly as she gently pushed the staff into Barbara’s arms.

Barbara pressed her lips tightly together. ”Thank you, Sister.”