Teyvat Survival Guide

Chapter 136 Lawrence Parfield

In that dark and narrow confessional room, the sound of Pafield crying out in grievance and sorrow was everywhere.

Samuel couldn't help but feel sympathy.

A person who was already in her twenties, and actually a few years older than him, was crying like a child in front of him.

Anyone who hears such crying would feel uncomfortable.

Although what Parfield said were trivial matters:

For example, "others would glance at him with disgust when they heard his name" or "everyone couldn't help but keep a distance from him".

These are indeed insignificant compared to the violent acts and will not cause much harm.

But it is these seemingly trivial little things that have been subtly affecting Pafield's life.

Although the rejection he suffered was not as severe as that suffered by Eula, who was also a descendant of the Lawrence family, it was obvious that Pafield did not have the same tenacity as Eula.

Eula knew very well that her identity as the "descendant of a sinner" would not be easily accepted by the people of Mondstadt, so she thought that instead of being humble, it would be better to be free and easy, to seek revenge and to compete openly.

However, Pafield is not as cool as Eula, nor is he as strong as Eula.

He always felt that he had done nothing wrong, but because of his past experiences, the most common way he faced provocation was to escape. When he encountered trouble, he would just do his job well, fearing that he would cause trouble and attract other people's attention.

Simply put, it is inferiority and timidity.

It is a personality that is completely opposite to Eula's carefree and resolute personality.

Thinking of this, Samuel couldn't help but sigh.

He knew Mond’s history, so it was not hard for him to imagine that the people of Mond hated “Lawrence” to such an extent.

…But it is really sad that Pafield was treated so coldly just because they have the same name.

But there is nothing we can do about it.

It was the Lawrence family who originally swore to "eternally protect Mond", but later went back on their word and it was also the Lawrence family who brutally oppressed and exploited the people.

Coupled with the Knights' continuous propaganda and influence in the years since they overthrew the rule of the old aristocracy, it would be strange that the people of Mond had a good impression of the three words "Lawrence".

As a result, a man named "Lawrence" was affected.

Fortunately, Mond's laws are still complete.

According to Parfield's account, except for the fact that other children threw stones at him when he was a child, which was regarded as "children's ignorance" and "normal play between children", no one would beat him or openly reject him just because of his name when he grew up.

After all, people knew that Pafield's name was just "Lawrence" and he was not necessarily related to the Lawrence family.

Moreover, any fight that occurs without any reason and solely due to personal emotional conflicts will inevitably be judged by the Knights as malicious injury.

Therefore, they would not cause any substantial harm to Pafield, but would occasionally look at him with a wary eye because of various rumors.

Parfield himself felt that apart from being tripped up occasionally and having arguments with people who would throw the three words "Lawrence" that he hated the most into his mouth, there was nothing much to it.

But this "nothing" changed after his affair with Lentel was exposed.

"Yes, I know you just happen to have the same name, but who knows what the specific situation is?"

"Recently there have been rumors that you are secretly connected with that group of old nobles. Although I know you are not that kind of person, you can't even prove your innocence now. If I get too close to you, I might get caught up in the rumors. Please don't get too close to me."

"Get away! Don't bring your old noble corruption onto me!"

These are the words Parfield heard as the incident unfolded.

The first one comes from passers-by in life.

The second one is from a colleague in the same position in the Knights Templar.

The third one came from a friend he thought had a good relationship with him after his affair broke out.

Another heavy blow to him was a notice of transfer from his post sent by the Knights Templar.

It said that due to various reasons, the Knights Templar decided to transfer him from his original patrol team to the southeast gate of Mondstadt to serve as a gatekeeper knight.

This was like a bucket of cold water extinguishing Pafield's eagerness to prove himself.

He no longer remembers how he managed to survive, he only remembers that period of time was very, very long.

He had been thinking, if his name wasn't "Lawrence" but a normal, ordinary name...

It's all his fault, isn't it?

But his bastard father had already been punished.

Hearing this, Samuel didn't know what to say.

It turned out that he didn't change his name because he felt guilty.

He probably thought that it was because he sent that letter that the caravan was attacked by monsters in order to get his letter, which led to his father leaving.

What was written in that letter was full of accusations and protests against his father.

…That sounds really ironic.

If that's the case, it makes sense that he didn't change his name out of guilt.

But...if Pafield is willing to change his name, everything will be fine.

He changed this name that carried the shadow of the Lawrence family, moved away from Mondstadt, and started over in a new place where no one knew him.

Just as Samuel was thinking, Pafield on the opposite side seemed to have talked about something, vented his emotions, and then became quiet.

There was a sudden silence in the confessional.

Samuel did not speak immediately to break the situation, but chose to let Pafield be quiet.

After a while, when he saw that the time was almost up, he took the initiative to speak, using his kind and elderly voice that had been transformed by the element of wind:

“…Thank you for your hard work over the years.

"So, child, why did you come to this confessional today?"

Parfield did not answer immediately, and Samuel was not in a hurry, so he waited quietly.

After a moment, he heard the other party's trembling voice, whispering:

“I… came to confess.

“I always knew I was a nuisance and a nuisance to those around me.

"But I still tried to get closer to him because of my own selfish desires, and wanted to take things a step further with him..."

……

At the same time, in the hall of the Temple of Saint Karina.

Giuliana and Victoria were staring at the confessional where Samuel was.

“…He hasn’t come out yet and it’s been almost thirty minutes. Could something unexpected have happened?” Victoria said worriedly.

"That's His Majesty, what accidents could happen?" Although Giuliana said this, her hands were clasped tightly in front of her chest.

——Usually the confession process only takes about ten minutes to complete, but they have been waiting outside for more than twenty minutes, almost thirty minutes, and His Majesty and the Knight of Favonius have not come out yet!

This made them, who had already hired actors and felt guilty, even more uneasy.

This atmosphere made Victoria feel uncomfortable. She found a topic and asked Giuliana:

“…By the way, where’s the other actor you hired?”

"I just saw him over there. He said he went back because the door of the confessional was closed." Giuliana said, pointing to the door of the palace.

Victoria gave a rather confused look.

"…What about Mora? You can't give it back to Mora if he doesn't come, right?"

"Of course, but he asked me to reimburse the fare. I thought it was not right to let someone make a wasted trip, so I gave it to him."

"That's right." Victoria nodded in agreement, then helplessly held her forehead, "...I thought no one would come to confess this afternoon...After all, it's close to the Wind Flower Festival, and 'entering the confessional to confess' can be considered 'asking for help' in a sense."

"After all, the confessional is actually a place for believers to vent, dredge and relieve the blockage in their hearts... Oh, does the church call this behavior 'atonement'?"

Victoria nodded:

"The second half of the sentence is correct, it's called 'atonement' and that's correct...but the first half is wrong."

Seeing that Giuliana looked confused, she explained:

"Some people don't necessarily come here to vent and clear their minds, but some really come here to atone for their sins.

"Hmm... the Knights seem to call this act 'surrender'..."

As he was speaking, the door of the confessional where Samuel was was pushed open, and a Knight of Favonius walked out with his head lowered.

Victoria thought he looked familiar, and murmured in a strange tone:

"…I seem to have seen that knight before…"

"He looks like he just cried..." Giuliana held her chin and looked at the Knight of Favonius who was gradually walking out of the hall of the Temple of Saint Karina.

It was not until the man disappeared from her sight that she reacted and suddenly shouted in surprise:

"Your Majesty couldn't have made me cry...?!"

"So Your Majesty is so talented in counseling that he can even make a 20-year-old Knight of Favonius cry..." Victoria on the side lowered her head and seemed to be thinking about something.

His Holiness the Pope just happened to hear these two sentences as he slowly walked out from the back door of the confessional.

Samuel:?

I didn't, don't talk nonsense!

He started crying while talking, it has nothing to do with me!

When Giuliana saw Samuel coming out, she quickly nudged Victoria, who was still mumbling beside her, with her elbow.

Then, the two nuns bowed slightly and respectfully to Samuel at the same time.

"...Your Majesty, how do you feel?" Victoria asked somewhat unnaturally.

Samuel thought for a while and decided to answer honestly:

“It doesn’t feel good.”

Then he thought of something and asked her:

“…Is this your normal job?”

Victoria nodded doubtfully.

The next second, she saw her own pope patting her shoulder with a heavy face and said to her:

"Thank you for your hard work, you have been doing this kind of work for such a long time.

"If you feel tired, you must ask the church for a leave and have a good rest. Don't force yourself."

Victoria was quite flattered.

On weekdays she stayed in the confessional. When someone came, she would close the back door. When no one was around, she would open it to let the breeze and sunlight in so that she could read scriptures and books.

Occasionally I listen to other people's complaints, chat with them in a comforting tone, and finally encourage them...

…In fact, she herself sometimes feels quite relaxed.

Is Your Majesty so serious...?

Well...except that sometimes I get a little scared when I meet those who come to "turn themselves in".

But what Samuel was thinking was:

In the confessional room, we have to deal with the psychological problems of believers all day long. After a long time, I am afraid that my own psychology will become abnormal.

Just like the psychologists in the previous world, they deal with all kinds of psychologically damaged patients every day.

…After all, he had only been to the confessional once, and it happened to be Lawrence Parfield, a special case, so it was hard not to have preconceived ideas.