The story continues, with Venti saying that seeing the dragon's tear reminded him of an old friend, and he decided to head to [Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero].
This refers to the great tree at Windrise, which symbolizes the "Lionfang Knight" Vennessa, the South Wind Guardian.
The Traveler followed Venti's footsteps and arrived there as well, asking the bard about the whereabouts of the Anemo Archon.
["The Anemo Archon Barbatos? That guy has already disappeared from Mondstadt."]
["The Geo Archon of neighboring Liyue and the Electro Archon of Inazuma are still present, but the people of Mondstadt haven't seen their god in a long time."]
There's nothing inherently wrong with these words, but coming from his mouth, it's downright hilarious.
At the time, the Traveler didn't know his true identity, so it didn't seem strange.
But now, both the Traveler and the Knights of Favonius present know he's the Anemo Archon.
Even though he is the Anemo Archon, he speaks as if it's someone else's business.
The Traveler and the bard discuss the Knights' views on Dvalin.
["Oh? So that's what the scholar named Lisa thinks about this?"]
["But its initial hatred wasn't born from people no longer worshipping the Four Winds."]
["That wasn't natural hatred—it was the result of corruption."]
Jean suddenly realizes—they had initially assumed that part of Dvalin's hatred stemmed from the Four Winds being forgotten.
But now, it seems Dvalin only felt confusion and sorrow over it. He never truly hated them.
The book also reveals that the source of the corruption was the Abyss Order.
"So it was the Abyss Order's doing."
Lisa frowns slightly. She had sensed the Abyss's power from the dragon's tear and guessed the Order was behind it.
The bard in the text also mentions that he himself is now afflicted by the corruption.
"What?! Lord Barbatos has been corrupted by the Abyss?!" Barbara exclaims in shock.
The Abyss Order dared to corrupt even their god!
Thankfully, the Traveler can purify this corruption. The Traveler truly is a blessing.
Paimon, curious, asks Venti how he got corrupted.
[Venti replies, "Well, I tried to communicate with Dvalin, but… I was interrupted."]
["Not only did I fail to dispel the curse on Dvalin, but I ended up getting poisoned by the Abyss's corruption instead."]
This refers to the time they encountered the Traveler in the forest. No wonder Venti seemed serious back then.
He was in the middle of purifying the curse when someone suddenly interrupted him, causing backlash.
No wonder his braid lit up at the time.
"This…" Barbara feels awkward.
Just a moment ago, she thought the Traveler was wonderful, but now it turns out they were the culprit behind the god's corruption.
The Traveler is also a bit embarrassed.
Being called out in front of so many Knights of Favonius as the one who caused their god's suffering is… rather impolite.
Amber is just as embarrassed as the Traveler—no, even more so.
She's a devout follower of the Anemo Archon, yet she played a part in harming him.
The Knights didn't expect the consequences of the interruption to be so severe, but they don't blame the Traveler or Amber.
After all, it wasn't intentional.
Besides, the curse isn't too severe, and there's a way to resolve it.
In the text, Venti doesn't blame the Traveler either, but he doesn't miss the chance to take advantage of the situation.
As an apology, he demands that the Traveler accompany him to the Favonius Cathedral—to retrieve a lyre called "Skyward Harp."
"Huh? Lord Barbatos is taking back his lyre? Will we get to hear him play it?"
Barbara is thrilled.
She doesn't know yet that Venti will end up breaking it.
The three arrive at the cathedral.
["Hello, Sister Nun~" Venti says to Gotelinde.]
["May the Anemo Archon bless you, young bard. How may I help you?" Gotelinde replies gently.]
Barbara is so envious she could dissolve into particles—to have a conversation with the Anemo Archon and even be called "sister" by him!
She glances at Sister Gotelinde, who is still deep in prayer.
Today, Gotelinde is responsible for leading prayers and attending to the faithful in the main hall, so she didn't join Barbara in reading.
Barbara wonders if she should call her over, but she doesn't want to disturb her solemn prayers.
Rosaria notices Barbara's gaze.
Technically, Rosaria should also be on prayer duty today, but she's slacking off—pretending to pray while actually reading alongside Barbara.
"Sister Gotelinde, I think you should come take a look."
Rosaria doesn't overthink it and directly calls her over.
Unlike Barbara's envy, Lumine finds the situation amusing.
A god who's lived for who-knows-how-many years calling a nun in her mere decades "sister"—now that's some serious generational stacking.
["Actually, I know a secret that can solve Mondstadt's crisis." The Anemo Archon is scamming you.]
Venti is telling the truth, but given his current identity as a mere bard, it sounds like a scam to anyone else.
["Oh? How fortunate that the Anemo Archon has blessed us." Gotelinde doesn't believe him at all.]
Little does she know that the very god she's invoking is standing right in front of her.
["But shouldn't you report this to the Knights? What can a mere nun like me do to help?"]
[Gotelinde doesn't believe him, but she remains gentle.]
["Hehe, Sister, of course you can help!"]
["For example… the Skyward Harp. With its power, I could calm Stormterror—"]
Before Venti can finish, Sister Gotelinde sighs and says, ["Please leave."]
There's no way she'd hand over such a treasure to a bard based on just a few words.
["Though the dragon is vicious, if the Acting Grand Master resolves to act, there's nothing the Knights cannot subdue."]
["Eh? But then, wouldn't Stormterror just… die?"]
["A beast that betrays the East Wind—even if the Anemo Archon himself were to descend, he would not spare it."]
Gotelinde doesn't know the truth behind Dvalin's rampage, assuming the East Wind Guardian has simply betrayed the Anemo Archon.
["Uh… well, Big Sister~~" Venti tries to sweet-talk her into relenting.]
["No means no, little bard," Gotelinde firmly refuses.]
In reality, Sister Gotelinde covers her face in horror.
"I—I actually spoke to the Anemo Archon like that?!"
"Sob… I must apologize to him. Will a lifetime of prayer be enough to earn his forgiveness?"
Though being called "sister" by the Anemo Archon does make her a little happy…
Seeing how she spoke to him, Gotelinde nearly faints from guilt.
Barbara understands Gotelinde's feelings and comforts her:
"The Anemo Archon is very forgiving. He'll surely pardon you, Sister."
She doesn't yet know that she'll say something similar after the Skyward Harp gets broken.
Rosaria, lounging with crossed legs, watches the two with indifference.
She doesn't see what the big deal is—it's not like they insulted the Anemo Archon.
Their words were just based on incomplete information. Why apologize?
To her, this is nothing. But to the faithful, it's practically blasphemy.
They refused the Anemo Archon's request and even misinterpreted his will!
Their thoughts ran completely counter to the god's own intentions!
Failing to understand the Anemo Archon's perspective—isn't that a nun's greatest failing?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice – Barbara: About Gotelinde Being Called "Sister" by the Anemo Archon
"Mmm… It's disrespectful to say, but I'm a little jealous. Though I probably don't have a chance—I don't exactly look like a 'sister,' do I?"