Jean first consulted with Albedo, Lisa, and Sucrose. Aside from Sucrose's concerns, both Albedo and Lisa supported Shen Qin's new research plan.
Ever since Grand Master Varka left with the expedition team, Mondstadt had lacked top-tier combat power. In recent years, they'd found themselves struggling to deal with various crises. Hostile factions like the Fatui were becoming more brazen in their actions within Mondstadt.
The attack on the city by Dvalin stripped Mondstadt of its final pretense of security. If Shen and the Anemo Archon Barbatos hadn't been present, the city might have suffered far greater devastation.
The bolter rifles had massively boosted the Knights' mid-tier combat capabilities. One could even say that in large-scale warfare, the Knights equipped with these rifles were now among the elite military forces.
Yet Mondstadt still lacked high-level, commander-class firepower.
Albedo spoke up, "Acting Grand Master, you don't need to overthink this. Mondstadt already has enough strength to stand its ground against other factions. On that foundation, growing stronger will only make others more cautious, and less likely to provoke us."
"Exactly," Lisa agreed. "Strategic weapons that can counter archon-level threats serve primarily as a deterrent. If we remain limited to elite-tier power, we'll always be on the back foot, just like during the stormterror disaster. When the enemy fields a top-tier threat, we lose all initiative."
Sure, they could deal with such threats at great cost… but that price would be steep.
"B-but… Shen Qin's recent inventions like the Sky Shield, the Sentinel System, and the bolter rifles have already drawn too much attention from other factions. The Fatui and similar organizations see him as a thorn in their side. If he creates weapons that can counter archons…" Sucrose said worriedly. "I'm seriously concerned for his safety."
She understood the strategic importance, but also feared for Shen Qin personally.
Albedo was firm in his trust. "If he's put forth this idea, then he's already considered the risks."
"As long as we maintain secrecy before the weapons are completed, he should be safe. And once they're done, the weapon itself will be his greatest protection," Lisa added with a teasing glance. "Besides, dear Sucrose, you seem awfully concerned about our little genius."
"I—I…" Sucrose blushed and lowered her head.
Jean and Albedo pretended not to notice.
"I understand all your perspectives. I'll also ask for the opinions of Kaeya and the others," Jean said, mentally taking notes.
Since Amber, Kaeya, and Eula were still at the frontlines, Jean arranged for trustworthy people to deliver her message.
Amber replied:『 It'll put Shen Qin in a dangerous position, but if he's suggested it himself, he must be prepared. I'll support him, and I'll give it everything I've got to help protect him! 』
Kaeya wrote:「 This guy really doesn't make it easy, huh? Since when is the safety of Mondstadt his personal responsibility? I'm not giving a formal opinion. But I'll always stand with Mondstadt, and with him. 」
Eula replied:『 Tch! When did Mondstadt ever need protection from a Liyuean? I'll remember this debt. Until I get my vengeance, I won't allow anyone else to touch him! 』
Though she didn't say it outright, her stance was clear.
The tally: two votes against, four in favor, and one abstention. But Jean still couldn't make up her mind.
Feeling worn out, she wandered aimlessly around Mondstadt, eventually finding herself near the Cathedral of Favonius. She leaned on the railing and looked down at the square below, where the people laughed and lived in peace.
Far off in the mountains, knights fought with their lives to protect this very peace. That was their mission. It was also hers—hers, and the mission of the Gunnhildr family.
No matter how heavy the burden, she would carry it.
But Shen Qin… He wasn't supposed to bear such weight. If he just stuck to things like hoverboards and bionic limbs, people would love him, he'd earn mountains of Mora, and he wouldn't be on the hit list of enemies like the Abyss Order or the Fatui.
"Big Sister?" A soft voice pulled her from her thoughts. Turning her head, she saw Barbara. Her golden twin-tails bouncing, as she approached with a joyful expression.
"Something on your mind?" Barbara leaned beside her on the railing.
"Mhm. I'm torn over a very important decision," Jean tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and gazed toward Shen Qin's alchemy workshop.
"Grand Master Varka made you the Acting Grand Master because he trusted you. We chose to follow you because we trust you. And now, you should trust yourself too." Barbara grasped her hand gently. "No matter what, don't forget. We're always behind you."
Jean looked into her sister's sincere eyes and finally smiled. "Mhm."
One by one, her comrades' faces appeared in her mind. And then Shen Qin's young, calm, and composed: "Jean, let's make Mondstadt stronger, together." (T/N: That sounds like a confession, boss)
Jean turned to Barbara. "Is there any space left in the cathedral's underground chambers? The Knights would like to borrow a portion."
"Eh?"
In the end, Jean decided to throw full support behind Shen Qin's project to develop commander-class strategic weapons. She even cleared out half of the cathedral's underground chambers for his use.
"Your current lab isn't exactly a secret anymore," Jean explained to Shen Qin. "And with the bolter rifles now public, other forces will be paying even closer attention to you. Doing research there would be too risky. The cathedral, as a religious sanctuary, forbids dangerous activities, especially alchemy. That makes it a great cover."
Then she joked, "Just don't blow up the place while you're at it. Oh, and during your research, Rosaria will assist you. If you need supplies, have her arrange it."
Jean had no real concerns. Shen Qin had never once caused an accident during his experiments.
After she left, Rosaria, expressionless as ever muttered, "Honestly, I kind of hope you do blow up the cathedral. That way I won't have to do boring morning prayers anymore."
'...Excuse me? You're saying that while wearing a nun's habit? Wait. You modified the habit? Oh, well. That explains a lot.'
Now that Shen Qin had clearance to work in the cathedral's basement, Rosaria, an unreliable nun though she was— even offered to show him the locked chamber where the Skyward Harp was kept.
To be honest, the thing looked totally unremarkable. You'd never guess it had once been wielded by the Anemo Archon himself.
Maybe it wasn't the harp that was powerful, but the god who held it.