29: Breakfast

At this hour, the tables outside the Good Hunter were already lively. Saphir and her group were seated, enjoying a hearty breakfast, when a cheerful young girl appeared nearby.

She had soft chestnut twin-tails, giving her a burst of youthful energy. A pristine white priestess dress adorned her slender frame, with a large ribbon at the chest adding a playful charm. Her long, shapely legs were wrapped in white stockings, which only accentuated her pure and lively presence.

Had Saphir been a man, her gaze might've lingered for quite different reasons—but even as a woman, she found herself glancing twice. The girl's beauty was simply disarming.

"Ah, Barbara!" Sara called out warmly from the kitchen area. "You're here early today. Lin Yi's not even awake yet."

Barbara smiled sweetly, her soft aquamarine eyes narrowing. "My sister stopped by the cathedral yesterday and told me to head over to Good Hunter this morning. She said I'd be helping out with something today—so I skipped morning prayers~!"

Then she quickly covered her mouth. "Oops, I wasn't supposed to say that!"

Lumine and Paimon couldn't help but smile at the slip. This girl was… a little silly.

"Lumine, that girl looks a little… dim," Paimon whispered, still with sauce clinging to the corner of her mouth.

Lumine nodded, then added mischievously, "Kind of like you, Paimon."

Paimon nodded in agreement—only to freeze mid-nod. "Wait, hey! You're not allowed to say that about me! I'm not dumb!"

The two resumed their playful bickering, which made Saphir shake her head with an amused sigh. She didn't interfere, and instead turned to greet the new arrival.

"Good morning, Barbara."

Barbara had already noticed the unfamiliar trio and sensed they weren't from Mondstadt. But since she was spoken to first, she returned the greeting politely.

Placing a hand over her chest, she bowed in the formal prayer gesture of the Church of Favonius. "Good morning. I'm Barbara, the Deaconess and Idol of the Church of Favonius. May I ask what this is about?"

Saphir gestured for her to sit. "Please, have a seat."

Though Barbara was confused, she didn't question it and gently joined them at the table.

"Allow me to introduce us. I'm Sharp, this is Lumine, and this is Paimon. We're travelers—and friends of Lin Yi," Saphir said, perfectly composed.

Lumine's brow twitched. Are you even human? Calling yourself a traveler? And lying so sweetly to someone like Barbara? Shameless…

She conveniently forgot that she herself had also deceived Paimon at one point.

Still, appearances had to be maintained. Lumine and Paimon both smiled and offered greetings.

Barbara wasn't shy. She returned the greetings with warm enthusiasm, though her curious gaze lingered a moment longer on Paimon.

She seemed intrigued, but the etiquette of the Gunnhildr household meant she didn't ask.

Saphir glanced at Paimon, who was too busy stuffing her mouth to be useful, and took the lead. "The reason Acting Grand Master Jean asked you here is because we'll be heading out on a mission together today."

Barbara blinked. She had somewhat expected this, but hadn't thought she'd be traveling with strangers. Still, if Lin Yi was involved, she didn't feel too uneasy.

After all, in Mondstadt, no one would ever dare harm her—not that she realized it. Even Treasure Hoarders targeting her during commissions often ended up charmed by her purity.

Just then, Lumine let out a violent cough after biting into a piece of Mapo Tofu, and ran off to get water, cursing Saphir's spicy cooking along the way.

Barbara looked on, eyes wide in surprise, then stared at the dish that had felled the blonde traveler. She swallowed hard.

"You want to try it?" Saphir asked, seeing through her thoughts at a glance.

"Is that okay?" Barbara's eyes sparkled. She loved spicy food.

One of the reasons she came to Good Hunter this morning—aside from the mission—was because she'd been following the tantalizing smell.

"This dish is called Mapo Tofu," Saphir explained. "It's made with tofu and Liyue's specialty chili, Jueyun Chilies. Most people can't handle the heat."

She calmly picked up a piece with chopsticks and took a bite. The fiery flavor jolted her awake.

"I don't suppose you've had breakfast yet? This is ours—help yourself. There's plenty. You'll need your strength for the mission."

Encouraged, Barbara grabbed a fork—she wasn't quite dexterous enough with chopsticks yet—and stabbed a piece.

"Mmm—hnn~!" Her expression melted into bliss. The spicy, numbing flavor hit all the right notes. Saphir's culinary skill was top-tier. During her time at the House of Hearth, she had even cooked for Arlecchino.

Barbara couldn't stop after just one bite. She gobbled down a few more, then bashfully said, "I didn't know Sara's cooking had improved so much. This is almost as good as Brother Lin Yi's…"

Sara, overhearing this, rolled her eyes. "That wasn't mine, Barbara. Sharp made that."

"Ah! I'm sorry!" Barbara blushed bright red and bowed. "I didn't mean it like that, Sara!"

Sara chuckled. "Don't worry. I just watched Sharp make it. I'll try replicating it next time."

Barbara turned to Saphir. "I'm so sorry—I didn't know you made it."

Saphir waved it off. "Food's meant to be eaten. If you enjoyed it, that's the best compliment a chef can get."

In truth, she'd made that spicy tofu for Barbara. Lumine could barely handle a bite. Only a few people she knew could stomach the heat—Beidou, Yelan, and Barbara among them.

Barbara beamed. "What a goddess! Who is this amazing big sister?" she thought to herself.

"You're absolutely right," came a familiar male voice from inside. "A satisfied customer is a chef's greatest reward. So, Miss Sharp, any interest in applying for a position at Good Hunter? Great benefits!"

Lin Yi strolled out, a lunchbox in hand, having overheard the tail end of the conversation. He'd gotten up early to prepare Jean's lunch, knowing he wouldn't be able to cook for her later.

Saphir groaned. "If you want to hire me, you better be offering something impressive."

Lin Yi sat down beside her, greeting Barbara with a nod. "Full board, five insurances, one housing fund."

"…What's that? Can you eat it?" Paimon popped up, sauce still on her cheek.

Barbara also tilted her head in confusion. Lumine, returning with her water, looked similarly lost.

Sara, having worked under Lin Yi for a while, had long since gotten used to his occasional odd phrases and didn't even blink.

"Pack up your lunch and get moving, chef. Go feed your precious Jean," Saphir scoffed.

"Not yet—we're still missing someone," Lin Yi replied.

Barbara had just finished eating and was now dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Someone's missing? Should I go get them?"

Lin Yi shook his head, and then stepped outside.

Taking a deep breath, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted:

"No——elle——!"

~~~----------------------

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