"Ahem, Rosalyne, I really need to have a word with you about this!"
Lin Mo immediately put on a stern, righteous expression. "How can you say these two loyal Mirror Maidens aren't as good as the Debt Collector? In my view, sure, the Debt Collector's temporary stealth ability lets him handle a lot of tasks for me. But the Mirror Maidens have skills that no one else can match. For example, they can create spatial gates that span great distances. With power like that, the things they can help me with are endless."
As he spoke, Lin Mo glanced toward the sea and continued, "Look, right now in Liyue, they're preparing for the Lantern Rite and rebuilding the Jade Chamber. Imagine if a Mirror Maiden helped by opening a spatial gate on-site, shortening the distance for workers to transport materials. Wouldn't that massively speed up the reconstruction? What could the Debt Collector do in that situation? Hide invisibly and supervise?"
While saying this, Lin Mo naturally wrapped his arms around the waists of the two Mirror Maidens and said earnestly, "In my eyes, these two Mirror Maidens are the subordinates you should value most. Rosalyne, saying they're not capable enough will just hurt their feelings~"
"Lord Rostam..."
The Mirror Maidens' soft calls were filled with deep emotion.
"So... the Mirror Maidens' abilities can be used like that..."
Rosalyne suddenly realized her earlier misjudgment of their skills. She turned to the two Mirror Maidens and said seriously, "I'm sorry, I take back what I said before. Your abilities are no less than the Debt Collector's."
"Lady Executive, you don't need to apologize to us."
The Mirror Maidens bowed slightly. "We'll work even harder from now on to make up for any shortcomings."
"Hm, since Rostam values you so highly..."
Rosalyne nodded, her expression turning solemn. "Then stay by his side and serve him well. Don't disappoint him, understood?"
"Yes! We'll serve Lord Rostam with the same loyalty we give to you, Lady Executive—even unto death!"
"Lord Rostam's commands are absolute!" As the two Mirror Maidens pledged their devotion, they positioned themselves one on each side of Lin Mo.
"Mm~!"
Lin Mo nodded in satisfaction. His hands patted their backs encouragingly as he said earnestly, "Don't worry, you two. Following me won't lead to any regrets."
"Something feels off about this..."
Paimon watched Lin Mo with his arms around them and scratched her head in confusion. "But Paimon can't quite put her finger on what's wrong."
Kitsune Saiguu eyed Lin Mo's smug look, her gaze turning a bit chilly. "I feel like something's unnatural too."
"Sasayuri, take a good look—where exactly are your hands patting?"
Yae Miko couldn't stand it anymore.
"Where? Their waists, right?" Lin Mo glanced sideways instinctively.
"Ahem... You're too tall, sorry, I patted the wrong spot. That's why it felt off..."
Lin Mo quickly withdrew his hands. Feeling the resentful stares directed at him, he swiftly changed the subject. "Right, what are your names? So I can assign you tasks."
"We... don't have names."
The Mirror Maiden on his left shook her head slowly.
The one on his right explained patiently, "Until we've achieved great merits, we don't deserve names. We're simply called Mirror Maidens by the Executives and Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
"That won't do."
Lin Mo said immediately. "You might not have had names before, but from the moment you start serving me, you deserve your own. How about this: You'll be called 'Zang,' and you'll be 'Jing.' Sound good?"
...
In that instant, the two Mirror Maidens bowed toward Lin Mo from either side.
"Zang thanks Lord Rostam for granting me a name!"
"Jing thanks Lord Rostam for granting me a name~!"
"Mm~"
Lin Mo smiled and nodded. "Alright then, Zang, head to Liyue right now."
As he spoke, he pulled a golden mask from his pocket and said, "Take this to Ningguang and tell her I sent you. Once you're there, gather whatever Fatui you can mobilize and assist with rebuilding the Jade Chamber."
Zang took the mask and bowed again. "Zang will complete the task perfectly."
"Mm, as for Jing, you'll stay by my side for now," Lin Mo said with a smile.
"Jing will serve Lord Rostam diligently."
"Mm, that's the spirit."
Lin Mo smiled and nodded.
"Ehe? Serve? Fatui?" At that moment, Venti's voice suddenly reached everyone's ears.
"It's you... Barbatos..."
Ei recognized Venti emerging from the portal at a glance.
Venti happened to look toward the group as well. When he saw Rosalyne's icy stare, his mind flashed back to the recent beating she'd given him outside the Favonius Cathedral.
For some reason, even though he was the one who'd been pummeled, he still felt guilty and hid behind Lin Mo. "Hehe, Rosalyne, you're here too..."
"Foolish Anemo Archon..."
Rosalyne's gaze was frigid. Seeing Venti brought back those agonizing memories.
Five hundred years ago, she'd been a devout follower of the Anemo Archon. While in the Sumeru Akademiya, she'd knelt toward Mondstadt, praying fervently that the winds would protect her lover Rostam back home.
But in the end, her beloved had died in that catastrophe.
"Hey hey! Lord Venti, look at your woman—she's so fierce!"
Venti immediately turned to Lin Mo for help.
"Ahem, well... it's all in the past."
Lin Mo smiled, patting Venti's shoulder. "Rosalyne, he's different now. Even without his Gnosis, he's still shouldering the responsibilities of the Anemo Archon."
"Yeah, yeah~"
Venti chimed in quickly. "Your dear Rostam is right here in front of you. Can't we just let bygones be bygones?"
"The pain Rostam and I endured, the torment over these five hundred years—I won't forget it," Rosalyne said coldly.
"Look, I even gave you something as important as my Gnosis. What more compensation do you want?"
Venti whined pitifully. Facing this witch who'd cried her eyes dry in Mondstadt back then, he truly felt remorse...
"Compensation..."
Rosalyne's eyes turned to Lin Mo as she said flatly, "I want you to offer up the power you possess to Rostam, to give him an extra edge when he faces the Heavenly Principles in the future."
Lin Mo: ???
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T/N:
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