The second act of the story is nearing its conclusion here.
Later, the Traveler reclaims the Holy Lyre der Himmel from the Fatui and collects the Dragon's Tears.
Venti replenishes the purified Dragon's Tears into the Holy Lyre, instantly restoring the lyre—which had been dormant for centuries—with Anemo energy once more.
This is certainly good news—Mondstadt's treasure has been given a second life.
If before, the Holy Lyre was a treasure solely because the Anemo Archon had played it,
now it has at least one more distinction: an exceptional Anemo catalyst.
With everything prepared, the group heads to Starsnatch Cliff to summon Dvalin.
Even here, Diluc can't resist mocking the Knights of Favonius.
["In the end, it's the Traveler and a bard who solve the problem."]
["Hmph. I suppose the Knights can be credited with some minor effort."]
Venti smoothly changes the subject.
["Alright, alright! The finest bard in all of Teyvat is about to strum his lyre."]
If before, Venti introducing himself like this might have been considered false advertising—possibly even violating advertising laws, now that everyone knows his true identity, no one can refute it.
After all, no matter how skilled a bard you are, can you possibly surpass the Anemo Archon?
Let's not even talk about skill—how many years have you lived? How many stories could you possibly know?
Don't let the Anemo Archon's short stature fool you.
He's a being who has genuinely lived for thousands of years, with power at the very pinnacle.
Back in the day, he even withstood a direct hit from the God of Contracts, Morax's "Planet Befall."
As Venti plucks the strings, a fierce gale erupts.
Dvalin spreads his wings and arrives before the group in an instant—he's waited far too long for this sound.
["At this point, there's nothing left to discuss."]
Despite arriving swiftly, Dvalin refuses to admit he's missed this melody.
["Oh? Was I mistaken? Your eyes seem to be reminiscing about this tune,"] Venti says.
As they say, bluntness defeats tsunderes. Dvalin doesn't argue, merely letting out a "Hmph."
At this point, Jean, standing nearby, fully confirms Venti's identity as the Anemo Archon—previously, she had only suspected it.
Just as everyone thinks they're about to enter a 'therapy session,' an unexpected frost arrow shoots toward Venti.
The Holy Lyre is struck, sent flying to the ground—clearly broken.
"Lord Barbatos!" Barbara is more frantic than Venti, who was actually attacked.
For a moment, she even forgets about the lyre's damage.
An attack of this level naturally can't harm Venti—he's an Archon who once endured Planet Befall.
Even if he's weakened after relinquishing rule over Mondstadt, an Abyss Mage shouldn't be able to scratch him.
Moreover, though Venti no longer governs Mondstadt, this doesn't diminish the people's faith in him—whether he's weakened or not is debatable.
Still, Venti pretends to be injured, clutching his shoulder.
Jean, Diluc, and the Traveler quickly move to shield him.
["Did you bring these people here to hunt me down?!"]
Under the Abyss Mage's brainwashing, Dvalin's rage is uncontrollable.
["That's not it!"]
Venti tries to explain, but Dvalin gives him no chance, flapping his wings and flying away.
["Ba—Venti, please take care of yourself,"] Jean says worriedly.
["Haha, you didn't just figure out that identity now, did you, Jean?"] Venti laughs.
["Still, thank you for continuing to call me by this name."]
In reality, Venti nods in satisfaction.
Aside from Master Diluc, even the Knights can calmly acknowledge his identity.
After observing Mondstadt since waking, he's realized the city no longer needs a god.
The people can govern themselves, enjoying a godless freedom.
So now, he only wants to be the bard Venti, not the Anemo Archon Barbatos.
Barbara, reading this, falls into thought.
She realizes that Lord Barbatos now prefers his identity as a bard.
Should the sisters welcome him back as their Archon and serve him?
Or should they respect the Anemo Archon's wishes?
The answer is obvious—the latter, of course.
The sisters serve the gods, and while bringing Barbatos back would fulfill their desires,
the latter aligns with the god's own will. Their duty is simply to honor it.
"Ba—Venti, please stay safe," Barbara and Sister Gotelinde pray together.
The two women praying for the god's safety is… certainly something.
After Dvalin leaves, Jean states that the Knights will send out scouts to track Dvalin and the Abyss Mages.
Diluc, however, declines—he has his own intelligence network, which he claims is more efficient than the Knights'.
He still can't resist mocking them one last time.
At the end of the story, the focus shifts to the Abyss Mages.
Two furry Abyss Mages kneel behind a figure.
Dvalin flies overhead, and the mage who brainwashed him teleports behind the person.
["Your Highness, your servant has brought you another victory."]
["When your kingdom returns to this world, we shall share in its glory."]
The golden-haired figure slowly turns—it's Aether.
"Brother!" Lumine gasps.
What's going on? How did her brother become the story's villain?
Oh, for Archons' sake—am I stuck in enemy territory? Damn it, Aether, you're really screwing me over!
Wait, no—from the looks of it, he's the one in enemy hands. What's going on? Brainwashed?
What's wrong with the Abyss? Instead of brainwashing a cute sister like me, they went for that blond guy?
He becomes the Prince of the Abyss, while I'm stuck working my butt off to feed Paimon? And in the end, I have to search the whole world for him?
But if my brother's the Prince of the Abyss, won't I be unwelcome everywhere?
Lumine pouts angrily. That idiot Aether was right here in Mondstadt and didn't even come to see her!
As frustrated as she is, she still has to find him—she needs to know what happened while she was asleep.
Aether, the Prince of the Abyss?
The Knights once again turn their gazes toward the Traveler.
No wonder you can purify Abyssal corruption—your brother's the Prince of the Abyss!
"Lumine…" Paimon senses the awkward atmosphere.
"Lumine, your brother actually…" Amber starts.
Lumine braces herself, expecting suspicion—how should she explain this?
"Your brother's been corrupted by the Abyss too! We have to save him!" Amber continues.
"Huh?" Lumine is stunned.
I suspected Aether was brainwashed because I know him—he's not a bad person. But why do you trust him so much?
In truth, Amber's trust isn't in Aether—it's in Lumine.
The Knights generally agree with this perspective.
After all, the Traveler hasn't done anything wrong, diligently serving as Mondstadt's go-to problem-solver.
When not doing odd jobs, she's searching everywhere for her brother.
It's clear she hasn't seen him in ages—she even asks dogs if they've spotted a blond guy around her height.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over · Traveler: About Aether
Paimon: "At least your brother's safe."
Lumine: "It's good to know he's okay, but he was so close to me! He saw me looking for him and still didn't come out! Was he laughing at me from the shadows?!"
Paimon: "He… probably wouldn't be that mean, right?"
Lumine: "When I find him, I'm punching him!"