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In the outskirts of Liyue, Noelle stares thoughtfully at the Statue of the Seven.
The oldest Archon among the Seven Archons, Liyue God has many names.
Morax, the Exuvia, the Prime Adepti, the God of War…
Rex Lapis the God of Contracts, as the people of Liyue commonly call him with both awe and respect.
The Geo Archon of Liyue, who with a flick of his hand can shake the earth and summon mountains in seconds; a powerful God who has slain many of his kin during the Archon War.
The very same Archon that gifted her with a Vision of the element he commandeered.
Noelle was happy to receive a Vision, honored even.
A Vision is proof that the Gods, the Archons themselves, acknowledged her worth. To Noelle, it was a sign from Celestia themselves telling her to continue pursuing her dreams- her ambitions to become an official Knight of Favonius. And the maid had no intention of putting the Archons gift to waste.
Except, Noelle cannot help feel a little disappointed about her Vision.
Of all the Visions the Archons blessed her with; it had to be a Geo Vision.
If Noelle had a choice, she would’ve preferred an Anemo Vision to honor her homeland, Mondstat, and the Knights of Favonius.
“To be honest, I'm feeling a little dejected. Sure, this Vision proves that the Archons think I'm worthy, but why is it a Geo Vision? I mean, Geo's the furthest thing from Anemo, and for a Knight of Favonius...”
Noelle thoughts trail off to a quiet sigh, her gaze downcast toward her clasped hands.
“Ah, Ms. Noelle…?”
Startled by the voice behind her, she sharply turns around with her claymore in hand and swings her weapon. However, her attack was blocked by a slender pole arm radiating Geo energy. Upon recognizing the unique Liyuen clothing and the composed face of Zhongli, Noelle relaxes and lowers her weapon. Relieved that it wasn’t an enemy, the maid immediately became flustered that she had attacked an ally and dropped her claymore. The weapon dissipated into particles of light and the consultant weapon followed with.
“I-I’m so sorry, Mr. Zhongli! I didn’t realize it was you!” Noelle apologizes profusely, bowing a few times and eventually stayed in that position for a while. Her pink cheeks growing a shade darker hearing his sot chuckles, “I’m…really sorry, Mr. Zhongli.”
“At ease, Ms. Noelle.” Zhongli reassures her gently, giving a small bow in return. “I should be the one to apologize instead for surprising you.”
“But still…”
“Instead, may I ask what distracted you?”
Noelle didn’t know Zhongli for very long. They met through the Traveler, who needed help time to time on their quests. From what little the maid gathered, Zhongli is a knowledgeable man. Not only that, but the consultant is highly proficient in battle- a master of his pole arm and Geo Vision. While Zhongli is open to helping others in need, Noelle couldn’t help feel a bit apprehensive about this mysterious man.
Thus, she was reluctant to speak her troubles to the consultant.
“Ms. Noelle?” Zhongli calls softly.
Standing up straight, Noelle shakes her head and smiles. “It’s nothing, Mr. Zhongli. I was thinking about something. That’s all.”
“In front of the Geo Archon Statue?”
“Ah…”
Embarrassed she was caught, Noelle kept her head down. Out of nowhere, she found her shoes interesting and noted the dirt she would have to clean later. Discreetly glancing at the consultant, Zhongli appears to be thoughtful with his fingers on his chin. His Cor Lapis eyes almost glowing, a piercing gaze that seems to see through her and that enough makes the maid shift on her feet.
“I’m sorry if I offend you with my inquiries, but the Traveler mentioned you were…dejected that your Vision is the element Geo.” The consultant says carefully, his piercing eyes never leaving her. “Am I correct in assuming you’re troubled by your Vision, Ms. Noelle?”
The maid stiffens at the question, inwardly cursing the Traveler. A confession made months ago, trusting the Honorary Knight to keep it confidential between the two of them. Her chest aches at the betrayal, but there was nothing to be done about it at this point. She was curious to why the Traveler had confided it to Zhongli.
Perhaps, the Honorary Knight felt that Zhongli could be trusted.
“…You are correct.” Noelle admits quietly, her shoulders slumping in dejection. “Please do not misunderstand, Mr. Zhongli. I am honored that the Archons gave me a Vision, but I had hoped it would be my homeland Archon element.”
A click of a tongue, Zhongli face pinches at the mention of Mondstat Archon. The maid tilts her head in confusion, worry gnawing in her heart that she may have said the wrong thing.
Quickly, she adds, “Of course, I mean no offense to your Archon!”
Zhongli shifts his gaze to her and his expression softens a little. Any hint of annoyance he had is gone as he coughs lightly, “I’m not offended, Ms. Noelle. I simply remembered something unpleasant is all. Do not worry, and please…continue.”
“I…I see.”
Uncertain to what ailed the consultant, Noelle tries to find the words to describe her feelings. “I was dejected, because my dreams to be a Knight of Favonius seem so far away. All the amazing Knights I know in history wielded an Anemo Vision, including Acting Grandmaster Jean. And, I wanted to be that Knight...”
“But you did not necessarily need an Anemo Vision to be a Knight.”
“No, I didn’t need it. I am slowly accepting that fact albeit I’m still a knight-in-training.” The maid agrees, having watched many of her fellow knights done amazing feats with different Visions.
“Then, what is it exactly that bothers you?”
“Well…” Slowly, Noelle clasps her hands together against her skirt and turns around to face the Geo Archon Statue. “I suppose I don’t understand why I’m given the Geo Vision. I am loyal to Lord Barbatos ideals of freedom. I cannot imagine myself following the Rex Lapis ideals.”
Quiet footsteps grow closer until they stop next to her. She looks to find Zhongli standing next to her, his face thoughtful as he stares at the Geo Archon Statue. The consultant said nothing at first and Noelle doesn’t press for a response. She prays to Lord Barbatos that she hasn’t offended Zhongli with her opinion.
Finally, Zhongli spoke and Noelle listened.
“Before his passing, Rex Lapis is known to value those who kept their words; a contract you might say. And we’re not speaking of business contracts to settle a deal and create profit. While that may be considered a contract, there are others as well. Ones that are etched deeply into our souls to the point we can never forget. But can a contract define humanity? No one knows for contracts in an essence may be no different from a promise. And that promise may as well be your resolve, your vow; a blessing and a curse.”
Frowning, Noelle wasn’t sure where the consultant is going with this. She asks anyway, “Why do you say a promise will be both a blessing and a curse, Mr. Zhongli?”
“Does a promise have to require another party to establish a contract? Let’s say, “I promise to become stronger to help my family”- Is that not a vow you made to yourself? That itself is a contract, that which gives you the strength to continue walking toward your goals; a blessing I’ll say. However, that vow can turn it’s fangs on you the moment you show weakness. You will be brought down repeatedly until you break and wither in the face of your goals; a curse I’ll say.”
“A double-edged sword…” The maid summarizes.
“Precisely.” Zhongli nods, crossing his arms.
Strangely enough, Noelle felt like the consultant was summarizing her life story long before she received her Vision. Her heart heavy with the memories of her many failures, she kept her thoughts to herself until Zhongli is finished with his long lecture.
“At some point, you’ll find yourself at a standstill on what to do next. If you continue, you might face failure again. If you give up, you can always find another path in life. Neither options are easy, but the majority will give up making their lives easier. A vow not entirely broken, but adjusted and that is understandable. But the foolhardy to continue their original path despite their many failures, will they find success the next time or fail once again?”
Noelle doesn’t remember closing her eyes, ignoring the heart-wrenching failures every time her dream got further away. The consultant scenario only brought the pain back than help her find the answer. Yet, that made her all the more determined.
The maid opens her eyes to face the impassive Zhongli, resolve burning in her eyes and demeanor, “But even if they failed, they won’t give up until they succeed.”
“Even though they’ll crumble and break never to stand up again?” Zhongli questions, his gaze piercing and almost glowing. But that was a trick of the light for the sun is rising in the horizon.
“I won’t break.” Noelle promises, “No matter how many times I stumble and fall, I’ll get back up. I swore I’ll become a Knight worthy of the Knight of Favonius!”
The consultant went quiet. His posture remained the same, his Cor Lapis eyes impassive as they scrutinized her. But Noelle wasn’t afraid; she won’t falter like some meek little mouse. Instead, she fearlessly stared straight into Zhongli eyes and waited.
Then, Noelle was a witness to a rare, genuine smile drawing on Zhongli's face.
A chuckle escapes from the elegant consultant, who covered his mouth with a fist. His posture considerably relaxes, shoulders shaking from mirth. Noelle was confused as to what it is that Zhongli found so amusing. Apparently, the consultant sensed her confusion and stopped laughing.
“I’m sorry, but you reminded me of a bear cub attempting to appear intimidating.” Zhongli apologizes, but Noelle bristles at the comparison.
Alright, she admits that bear cubs are cute, but she was not aiming for cute!
“I believe you found the answer to your inquiry, Ms. Noelle.”
The maid mind stalls to a halt at that, blinking owlishly, “Excuse me?”
“I suggest we return to the Harbor before the Traveler and our companions search for us.”
“Mr. Zhongli, what did you mean?!”
But the consultant had turned his back on her and started walking toward Liyue Harbor. His hands clasped behind him, Zhongli walked at a steady pace yet he was already halfway to the Harbor. The Geo Vision strapped to his back appeared nothing more than a dot of glowing yellow. Noelle is left speechless, confused to what exactly the consultant meant that she had “found the answer”.
What did Zhongli's long-winded lectures even mean?! He wasted her time, and their time talking nonsense!
She didn’t even have an answer-
“Rex Lapis is known to value those who kept their words.”
“No one knows for contracts in an essence may be no different from a promise. And that promise may as well be your resolve, your vow; a blessing and a curse.”
“But even if they failed, they won’t give up until they succeed.”
“Even though they’ll crumble and break never to stand up again?”
“No matter how many times I stumble and fall, I’ll get back up. I swore I’ll become a Knight worthy of the Knight of Favonius!”
The web of doubt in Noelle's mind slowly unravels with every word of their conversation just now. She grabs her Vision strapped to her back, cradling it carefully in her hands. The amber gem glows, pulsing with energy, and she’s looking at it in a new light.
“Is that what Rex Lapis saw in me…?” Noelle muses before she puts her Vision back to their original placement.
She looks over to where she last saw Zhongli and smiles, “Thank you, Mr. Zhongli.”
As the maid starts the trek back to Liyue Harbor, she misses the Geo Archon Statue pulsing a dim light acknowledging her.
END