"They... are dead?"
Noelle's pupils suddenly contracted, her face growing even paler.
Even though those few hooligans had been cruel to her, she had never wished for their demise.
Yet, such words were casually spoken by Jams.
"If there were Tcho-Tcho in the Whispering Woods, those hooligans probably won't survive, but what does it have to do with us?"
Jams stretched lazily, composed as if the recent incident had already slipped from his mind.
"But, it was you who sent them into the woods..." Noelle weakly spoke.
"Their dog ran away, and I reminded them to quickly go into the woods to find it."
Jams winked at Noelle. "As you know, I am a refined altruist. When others are in a hurry, I'm even more anxious than they are. It's only reasonable to give them a reminder."
"Um..."
Noelle looked at the Whispering Woods, where there were no more screams, and then glanced at the smiling Jams, suddenly sighing.
"Jams, I appreciate you standing up for me, but I don't want you to end up with blood on your hands because of me..."
"Well, it's because I'm a refined altruist. When I see my friends being bullied, I can't help but want to wipe them out entirely."
Jams pointed to a small stool beside him, indicating Noelle to sit down.
Looking at the shimmering lake in silence for a moment, Jams spoke earnestly, "Noelle, no matter how modest you are, it doesn't change the fact that you're strong. The strong can protect the weak, but they should never be subjected to the weak's abuse."
"Mm." Noelle nodded gently.
"Those people just now clearly targeted me. So no matter what you do for them, they will only see us as easy targets."
"If I were just a weak fisherman, what do you think would have happened to me?" Jams asked softly.
"..."
Noelle bit her lip. Though she had a kind heart, she wasn't completely blind to the dark side of the world.
If she had followed the demands of those hooligans to enter the forest and search for the lost dog, Jams would have been left behind to face them alone.
It could range from being mocked and insulted to being beaten and humiliated.
Just the thought of those scenes made Noelle's delicate body tremble uncontrollably.
At this moment, she actually began to resent those hooligans.
Seeing her solemn expression, Jams also knew that she understood: "Noelle, do you want to see me being bullied and humiliated by those hooligans?"
"No... I won't let them bully you!"
Noelle looked at Jams, her gaze determined, and said firmly, "If anyone dares to bully you, I won't be able to resist drawing my sword!"
"Haha, then it's settled!"
A smile appeared on Jams' handsome face, his eyes filled with contentment, and he laughed heartily, "Others respect me a foot, I respect them a yard. Since you're willing to draw your sword for me, what's the harm in me taking care of a few people?"
"But, killing is still wrong..." Noelle's face showed a conflicted expression.
"These hooligans clearly have ill intentions toward you. Keeping them around will only lead to bigger troubles in the future. It's better to get rid of them directly and blame it all on the Tcho-Tcho."
Jams raised an eyebrow at Noelle and chuckled, "We'll take care of the Tcho-Tcho camp once and for all. Not only will we not bear the blame, but we'll also be hailed as heroes for wiping out the Tcho-Tcho!"
"Oh...," Noelle's mouth fell open, wide enough to fit an entire bird's egg.
Could this really be happening?
You killed a group of people without any guilt and now you want the people of Mondstadt to be grateful to you! Are you a devil?
Seeing that Jams wasn't joking, Noelle raised her hand and made a praying gesture over her heart.
Those thugs are truly unlucky to have encountered Jams, the "Great Demon King." Not only did they die, but they also became stepping stones for Jams to become famous!
"Actually, there's another reason I'm hesitant to say," Jams said with a suddenly "shy" expression on his handsome face.
"What reason?" Noelle became curious. What could make Jams, who had skin as thick as a fortress wall, feel shy?
"It's just that...," Jams glanced at Noelle's charming face and hesitantly said, "We've spent the night together, after all. If I don't get rid of those thugs, am I supposed to wait for them to take you away? We are pure, innocent love... Hey, why are you drawing your sword? Let's talk it out!"
"You!" Noelle's face flushed with anger. She drew her own greatsword in an instant, ready to strike Jams on the head.
I can't believe I took you seriously and listened to your nonsense.
"I was so foolish, really. I actually thought you could say something nice. Draw your sword! I want to duel with you!"
"Noelle, you're acting as if you don't recognize me when you pull up your skirt. A night of intimacy brings a hundred days of kindness. Between us... Ah!"
"You dared to speak nonsense! I understand now, you're the worst villain! I... I'll protect the people from harm!"
Clang!
Noelle swung her heavy two-handed sword, and a gust of wind swept past Jams, causing him to hold his breath.
She was like a small cat with its tail stepped on, baring her teeth and claws at Jams, but never managing to touch even the hem of his clothes.
Their footsteps were in perfect harmony, like a pair of dancers performing by the lake, every movement clean and powerful.
The grass rustled, as if providing accompaniment to their dance.
"Oh, what are these young men and women doing?" a wandering bard passing by asked, adjusting the green hat on his head. His slender fingers strummed the strings of his lute as he chuckled, "Seems like they're practicing the 'Flirtatious Swordplay' from Liyue. Hehe, better not disturb them."
...
At that moment, a cold and elegant blue-haired lady stood at the bridge. Her amber eyes were drawn to the "dance" of Jams and Noelle.
"So graceful, incredibly graceful..."
She couldn't help but lightly tap the ground with her high-heeled boots, her dancing genes itching to move.
Tap, tap, tap...
"Eula, why are you standing there daydreaming? The situation is urgent at Dragonspine, we need to hurry!" Amber, the scout knight who arrived, put her hands on her hips and urged impatiently.
"Cough."
Eula raised her hand to lightly brush aside the ice-blue strands of hair on her forehead, concealing her momentary loss of composure. She pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Amber, do you know that man who's dancing with Noelle by the river?"
"Oh, you mean Jams? I know him! Klee has been mentioning his name a lot lately. My mind is filled with thoughts of Jams, the big brother...," Amber patted Eula's shoulder with a mischievous smile. "Why, is our noble lady Eula also interested in Jams? Should I introduce him to you?"
"Hmph, are you teasing me?" Eula crossed her arms, her chest covered by the white leather corset, which accentuated the remarkable elasticity of her bosom, as if they were two balloons about to burst at any moment!
She lifted her chin slightly, her exquisitely cold and glamorous face displaying a hint of pride.
"I'll remember this grudge!"