[Genshin Impact] Chapter 519: A New Member

Nolan temporarily stored the large bag of Primogems Katheryne had given him back into the warehouse inside his Wonderland Space.

“It’s almost noon. Before we start on afternoon tea, let’s go back and make lunch first.”

Noelle looked up at the sun directly overhead, the straight-cut bangs on her forehead swaying slightly in the breeze.

“Sure, let’s go to my place. I’ll help too,” Nolan offered with a smile.

Noelle gently brushed the silver-gray hair falling beside her cheek, her pale face tinged with a soft blush as her eyes dropped to the ground. She gave a quiet “Mm.”

“Then let’s go.”

Nolan opened a rift in space before them, took her hand, and stepped through.

The moment they passed through, the scenery shifted—from the sunlit streets of Mondstadt to the equally bright Wonderland Space.

Mona, who had been half-lying on the sofa with her legs stretched out, opened her eyes and saw Nolan entering while holding Noelle’s hand. Her expression immediately turned scornful.

“Hmph. Brought back another girl, did you? You sure don’t waste time!”

“M-Miss Mona, h-hello!”

Startled by her comment, Noelle—already shy—turned completely flustered. Her words came out awkwardly, and she looked stiff and nervous.

She even pulled her hand back, hiding it behind her as if she’d just been caught doing something improper.

Nolan cleared his throat, walked over to Mona, and gently removed the wide-brimmed hat from her head, pressing it over her face as he whispered close to her delicate ear:

“Noelle is an amazing maid. Whether it’s meals, desserts, or afternoon tea—any kind of dish, any kind of style—she’s incredibly skilled.

“Wouldn’t you love to have someone prepare your afternoon tea after a long, exhausting study session? Wouldn’t you love a life where you never have to worry about housework again?”

Currently, everyone in the Wonderland Space took turns doing chores—including Nolan himself.

Though it wasn’t difficult work, people naturally had a lazy side. He was no exception.

But Noelle was different. With her personality, if she lived here, she’d almost certainly insist on handling the housework herself.

And as a professional maid, she’d definitely manage the entire household in perfect order.

Heh—if that happened, he could totally slack off a little!

Of course, what he wanted most was just to spend more time with Noelle. He wouldn’t really dump all the chores on her. He’d make sure everyone took turns helping her too.

Hearing this very tempting vision, Mona lifted the edge of her oversized hat just enough to peek at Nolan and blinked. Then she quickly pulled the hat back down, pretending she wasn’t tempted.

“Hmph. Who cares about some silly desserts and afternoon tea? What do you think I am—Paimon with a sweet tooth?”

She waved him off. “Ugh, hurry up and make lunch already. I’m starving over here!”

She even gave him a little kick with her high-heeled foot.

“Alright, alright!”

Nolan chuckled, grabbed her slim leg clad in black tights and gave it a little squeeze before gently brushing it aside. Then he took Noelle’s hand and led her toward the kitchen.

Since the Wonderland Space had expanded, the kitchen had also undergone some renovations and had become much larger.

For instance, a small warehouse was added specifically for storing ingredients, connected to which was a cold room.

It was used to refrigerate items and beverages that tasted better chilled, and its preservation capabilities were excellent.

As for where the ice came from—easy. Eula would just use her Cryo Vision to freeze water into neat blocks and store them inside.

“What would the Honorary Knight like to have for lunch today?”

Now in the kitchen—a place where she felt most confident—Noelle’s demeanor instantly relaxed. All her earlier shyness disappeared without a trace.

As expected, anyone would become extremely confident when they were in their area of expertise.

Nolan reflected on this as he glanced at Noelle.

Since everyone else was out, today it was just him, Noelle, and Mona—who, if she went out, would come back starving.

Characters like the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the other gods, whose soul forms hadn’t yet fully materialized, couldn’t eat even if they wanted to.

Ei could eat, but sometimes she would meditate for an entire day, so she rarely came down for lunch.

And even though she had a physical form now, she was still fundamentally a soul entity and didn’t have much need for food.

Come to think of it, characters like Raiden Makoto meditating regularly to restore their soul bodies made perfect sense.

But for Ei, who didn’t have to worry about “erosion” while staying in the Wonderland Space, yet still meditated frequently—was it a leftover habit from before? Or was she still researching the secrets of time?

Nolan suddenly thought it might be a good idea to pick up some light novels from Yae Publishing House, to help Ei develop a few hobbies.

It was said she liked dango, after all.

While thinking, he casually told Noelle to prepare whatever she liked for lunch—anything from the ingredients they had would be fine.

Even though it was just the three of them for now, they’d still need to cook a little extra. Fischl and Lumine usually came back for lunch as well.

“Mm, then I’ll make stewed potatoes as the main dish and prepare a few honey-glazed meat patties,” Noelle said as she removed her white, armor-style gloves and went to the storage room to gather the necessary ingredients.

All Nolan could do at this point was help out from the side.

After all, when it came to cooking, trying to outdo Noelle—a true professional—would be nothing but showing off with limited skills.

Both of them worked efficiently, and it didn’t take long before lunch was ready.

As they began setting the food out on the table, Nolan leaned over and took in the scent of the honey-glazed meat, praising it in a rapid stream of words:

“Pan-searing the meat brings out its rich aroma, and then layering it with honey locks in all the flavor.

“The meat's scent blends perfectly into the honey, releasing that savory sweetness bit by bit… Noelle, you really are the ultimate maid!”

“Y-You’re exaggerating…” Noelle waved her hand shyly, though she couldn’t hide the smile blossoming on her pale face.

“Not at all! What we’re missing in this household is someone exactly like you, Noelle—a total pro. How about… living here from now on?”

Nolan beamed as he held her hand and extended the invitation.

“L-Living with the Honorary Knight… uuu…”

Noelle’s face instantly flushed bright red, like a ripened apple.

Seeing her hesitate, Nolan unleashed his ultimate trump card:

“Captain Jean lives here too. If you moved in, you’d get to see her every morning! And you could ask her for guidance anytime on what it means to be a true Knight of Favonius!”

Noelle's greatest idol was none other than Jean herself. With such an enticing condition, there was no way she could say no.

“Captain Jean…”

Noelle fidgeted, looking down at the tips of her boots. Her body language screamed that she was tempted, but too shy to say it aloud.

This was the moment to push.

Nolan stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, whispering beside her ear,

“Then it’s decided!”

“…Mm.”

A voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum responded.

Hearing her acceptance, Nolan happily spun her around in place, hugging her tightly. Noelle, flustered beyond belief, protested:

“Ah—please don’t do something so inappropriate!”

Nolan laughed, gently set her down, and turned to serve the freshly prepared meal.

(End of Chapter)