Chapter 96 Stanley's Past
Stanley: I'm a great adventurer, so it's my duty! But you guys, there are a lot of hillbillies here, don't let your guard down!
After telling them to be careful, Stanley didn't plan to stay here any longer and prepared to run away.
Stanley: Well, then, goodbye, young men.
Looking at Stanley who had walked away, Paimon could feel Stanley's guilt from his words.
Paimon: He really is very guilty.
Wendy: I can't help it, he made such a boast to Jack. But... I watched it again, it's really interesting.
From what Wendy said, it was certain that Wendy must know something, but since he didn't say it, Kong didn't ask.
Wendy: A person who is unwilling to forget the "past" and abandons the "present"...if he is forced to take the first step "towards the future", in which direction will he take?
【March 7: Huh? What does this mean? I don’t understand. Is it a riddle man?】
[Herrscher of Knowledge: Ah! I hate people who only say half of what they want to say.]
Paimon was also confused when he heard what Wendy said and didn't understand what she meant at all.
Paimon: Huh? What do you mean?
Wendy wouldn't explain anything, firstly because there was no need to explain, and secondly because he was lazy.
Wendy: Haha, just talking to myself.
After casually dismissing Paimon's inquiry, he extended an invitation to Sora.
Wendy: By the way, travelers, let’s go to “Angel’s Gift” tonight.
Then when the three of them arrived at the "Angel's Gift", they didn't expect that Master Diluk was in the tavern today.
Diluk: Today, I have a rare chance to enjoy the "Angel's Gift". There aren't too many people in the tavern, so I enjoy the quiet time.
After a conversation with Master Diluk, they came to the back of where Stanley was sitting and drinking.
After sitting like this for a while, Stanley seemed to be drunk and started talking nonsense.
Stanley: Stanley...tell me what I should do...
When Paimon heard what Stanley said, he was very confused and turned to ask Sora.
Paimon: Huh? Why is he calling his name?
Kong: Is there some hidden secret?
Paimon: Could there be someone else named Stanley?
While Sora and Paimon were discussing this, Stanley, who was drinking nearby, began to cry.
Stanley: Ugh! Ugh... Stanley... The one who died in the Sea of Silence... Why wasn't it me? Why didn't your spirit come to stop me when I used your name? Stanley!
Hearing this, the smart traveler and his own emergency food could already determine that this person was not Stanley at all, but someone pretending to be Stanley.
Stanley: If you hadn't protected a newcomer like me, you wouldn't have died in that windless place! You already have the reputation of a great adventurer, but, because of a loser like me, you can no longer become a legend...
Paimon: What... is going on?
Wendy: ...I think he did find the Sea of Silence back then. The danger he encountered there was also real. However, the companion who explored with him was the real "Great Adventurer Stanley".
[March 7: This Sea of Silence is so terrifying that even the wind can’t blow through.]
[Raiden Mei: Does such a harsh place really exist? ]
[Fu Hua: This kind of place is really not suitable for people to go to. ]
[Yan Qing: This great adventurer... Oh, I don't know what to say...]
Wendy: The real Stanley died to save the "Stanley" we know.
Paimon also understood what Wendy said.
Paimon: Ah... so the reason why this "Stanley" is called Stanley is because he "stole" someone else's name?
Wendy: I'm afraid that's what's going on.
[The Herr of Knowledge: How can this be called stealing? Can't you just call it by that name? Or does that name only belong to that person? The name can be changed, but the person cannot be changed.]
[Lin Yu: Yes, the great Lady of the Herrscher of Knowledge is right. You can be called by that name, but you are not that person.]
[Herrser of Knowledge: Haha, since you called me the great Ms. Herrser of Knowledge, I'll make friends with you. Hehe, how about it? Why don't you thank the great Ms. Herrser of Knowledge quickly? ]
【Lin Yu: OK, OK, thank you great Ms. Herr of Knowledge.】
Lin Yu: "Ah, Xiaozhi is still so interesting."
Stanley: Stanley... I have been afraid for so many years. I was afraid that the people in Mondstadt would forget you completely, so I told everyone about your adventures... I want everyone in Mondstadt to remember that Stanley had reached the center of the Sea of Silence... He is the greatest adventurer, and he is still alive! Stanley will not die, because I am him! ... Because I am... Stanley...
[March 7: Didn't I expect that he would start playing Stanley just to make people remember him?]
[Fu Hua: But does this mean that his original self has died and he has given up on himself? This... is hard to judge.]
Then Stanley, who was still drunk, became a little worried. After all, he was old and was afraid that no one would remember this legendary adventurer after he died.
Stanley: I'm sorry, Stanley... I'm old too, I'm old too...
After Stanley finished speaking, he sat up.
Stanley: Sigh...you guys, how long do you want to eavesdrop?
Paimon: Oh no, he found out...!
Now that they had been discovered, there was nothing to hide, so the three of them came to Stanley.
Stanley: Let's go, don't ask anything, leave me alone for a while...
Paimon: But...
Just as Paimon was about to say something, Stanley interrupted her directly.
Stanley: Go! Don't make me say it again!
Just then, Jack's voice came from the door.
Jack: Honor Knight, Wendy, and Paimon! Great, you're all here! I've been looking for you everywhere! I came to say thank you, because you helped me find the sword and shield, and my parents agreed!
Wendy: Oh? Really?
Wendy was also very happy to hear Jack's excited tone. After all, who wouldn't be happy to be able to pursue her dream?
Jack: Really! They also said they would pay someone to repair the "Sword of Brilliant Courage" and "Shield of Radiant Will" so that I could take them with me on the road.
Wendy: Oh, that's great. Jack, are you going to leave Mondstadt and set off to tour the continent of Teyvat?
Jack: No, not yet. With my current ability, I'm afraid I can't go too far. Besides, I want to hear more stories about Mr. Stanley. Hehe... After all, he is the starting point of my dream.
Just as Jack called Stanley over, Stanley had already laid down and pretended to be asleep when Jack came in.