novelhk Chapter 170 If You Are Trapped in a Windless Land
Chapter 170 If You Are Trapped in a Windless Land
“Stanley… I’ve been afraid for so many years, afraid that the people of Mondstadt would forget you completely, so they’d spread your adventures everywhere… I want everyone in Mondstadt to remember that Stanley reached the heart of the Ember Sea… He is the greatest adventurer, and he’s alive! Stanley will not die, because I am him! Because I am… Stanley…”
Stanley's tone grew increasingly impassioned, but this impassioned tone sounded like weeping and wailing.
"Sorry, Stanley... I'm getting old too, I'm getting old... Sigh... How long are you guys planning to keep eavesdropping?"
Upon being discovered, Ying stood up, walked up to Stanley, and tried to talk to him.
Before Ying could say anything, Stanley waved his hand, shooing Ying and Paimon away.
"Let's go, don't ask anything, just let me have some peace and quiet..."
"But..."
Just as Paimon was about to say something, unwilling to give up, Stanley interrupted her with a loud shout.
"Go! Don't make me say it a second time!"
Just as Paimon was at a loss, a familiar voice came from the tavern door.
"Honorary Knight, Wendy, and Paimon and Courteney! Thank goodness you're all here! I've been looking everywhere for you! I'm here to thank you; thanks to you for finding the sword and shield, my parents have given their approval!"
The person who arrived was Jack. He rushed over with great joy, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
Upon hearing this, Wendy replied casually, "Oh? Really?"
"Really! They even said they'd pay to have the 'Sword of Glorious Courage' and the 'Shield of Radiant Will' repaired so I can take them with me on my journey."
Wendy wasn't surprised at all by these unbelievable words.
It wasn't these two pieces of junk that convinced Jack's parents, but rather Wendy's explanation of the "Sword of Brilliant Courage" and the "Shield of Radiant Will" to Jack.
Jack also had an amazing memory, repeating Wendy's words to his parents without missing a single detail.
It was Wendy's explanation that made Jack's parents understand how strong Jack's determination to become an adventurer was, which moved them and made them agree to let him become an adventurer.
"That's wonderful. Jack, are you leaving Mondstadt and embarking on a journey across Teyvat?"
When Wendy asked the question, Jack scratched his head and said shyly, "No, not yet. With my current abilities, I'm afraid I can't go too far. Besides, I want to hear more of Mr. Stanley's story. Hehe... after all, he's the starting point of my dreams."
The story of "Stanley" impersonating Stanley and spreading rumors in Mondstadt has unknowingly become a source of inspiration for many.
His actions were despicable, but that doesn't change the fact that his initial intentions were good.
Throughout this time, he constantly doubted whether he was right, but he still made it this far.
They abandoned themselves, became someone else, and even forgot their original names.
In order to become the Stanley in his mind, he bound himself with obsession and became a person who was the complete opposite of the word "freedom".
Perhaps his desire wasn't strong enough to attract the attention of the gods and receive their blessings, but his perseverance to this day is comparable to that of most people.
Jack, who regarded Stanley as his spiritual pillar, was about to share the good news with the great adventurer when he discovered that the man had already passed out drunk.
“Stanley… oh, he’s drunk again…”
Looking at Stanley, who was slumped on the table and reeking of alcohol, Jack was slightly disappointed, but not sad.
"See you tomorrow, sir. Tell me some more stories when you're sober, okay?"
Jack left after saying those words.
Wendy turned to look at the unconscious Stanley and said to Ying, "I think Stanley really likes this kid, what do you think?"
Before Ying could answer the question, Stanley half-awake and called out to Jack.
"Jack? Jack!"
Looking at Stanley, who reeked of alcohol, Wendy replied, "Jack has already gone back."
"Really... Well, thank you for not revealing my secret."
Seeing Stanley's sudden frankness, Wendy teased him.
"Huh? Suddenly facing reality? This isn't like you before."
“I…I didn’t even dare to look at him just now. His passion for adventure is pure and unadulterated…I’m a tired and useless conman, but that kid is still a shining newcomer, and I can’t destroy his dream.”
The sight of Stanley's haggard face, now that he was drunk, made Paimon feel sorry for him and he tried to find a reason to help him ease his worries.
"You can't really call him a fraud, can you? Because Stanley's adventure stories and experiences are all true."
After listening to Paimon's words, Stanley chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Stories...experiences...ha, forget it. Actually, nowadays, my memories of the adventures, of Stanley...are all blurred. That's my biggest secret, my biggest fear...all these years, I've lived for his stories. But his character, his life, I can't remember them anymore. Hahaha..."
Laughing through tears, the feelings and emotions at that moment were something no one but Stanley himself could truly understand.
He spent the prime of his life in self-deprecation, shedding countless tears of regret.
"The only thing I can't forget is that he died in the windless, desolate Sea of Ashes; the wind cannot take his soul away!"
Seeing this scene, Ying could not empathize with the other person's pain, but she could still feel their sorrow.
After thinking for a moment, Ying answered the question Wendy had asked earlier.
"His life was overwhelmed by guilt..."
Wendy nodded and said, "Yes, that's right... The real Stanley, in his memory, is no longer even that vibrant friend. Instead, he is forever frozen in the image of a scarred warrior, binding his entire life."
Hearing Wendy's indistinct words, Stanley angrily slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
"I'm old... No matter how unwilling I am to let go, I can't hold onto much... I'm so useless! Useless... But an adventurer can't die that way... I can't..."
Courtney looked at Stanley, who was crying his eyes out, and sadly wiped away her own tears.
After Wendy patted Courtney's head, she said a name to Stanley that everyone had forgotten.
"Hans Jacibord?"
Upon hearing this familiar name, Stanley, or rather "Hans," at the table paused for a moment, instantly sobering up, and looked at the bard in shock.
How did you know...my real name...?