Chapter 12: The Commission from Barbatos, the Anemo Archon
Though imagination was rich, reality was harsh. While Roshin had already begun fantasizing about dominating heaven, earth, and even the air itself, the talent panel dealt him a fatal blow.
[Judah's Oath weighs 152 kg. The Raiden Shogun can slice islands in half with a single strike. Autonomous or owned items will significantly hinder the effectiveness of Furniture Mastery if the user's strength gap is too large.]
"So, Furniture Mastery can technically control Judah's Oath and the Raiden Shogun, but I'm just too weak right now, right?" Roshin gradually grasped the specifics of how this ability worked.
Turns out, this wasn't just a causality-based skill—it was also a growth-type skill.
"Ding-a-ling!" Just as Roshin was pondering how to further expand the applications of Furniture Mastery, the wind chime at the entrance jingled.
Turning his head, Roshin saw a green-clad bard holding a lyre step into the bar, looking around curiously.
"Zero Point Bar? Never heard of this place, but why does the interior look so much like Angel's Share? Would Master Diluc get mad if he saw this?" the bard muttered under his breath.
Roshin actually felt the same way.
This tavern had a medieval vibe to it, really resembling the Angel's Share tavern owned by Diluc in Genshin Impact, yet it also carried some modern characteristics at the same time.
Similar, but not quite.
However, compared to this bard's complaints, the bard himself was far more worthy of Roshin's attention.
"Could it be... the slacker Barbatos?!" Roshin almost blurted out, but reason held him back.
He had finally gotten a customer—what if he scared them off by saying something reckless?
At that thought, Roshin couldn't help but glance at the Attribute-less Vision hanging at his waist.
That item was one of the two four-star items Roshin had drawn—the other being a title.
This blank Vision, as the name suggested, was a Vision without an element, unactivated.
The fact that it was a four-star item spoke volumes about its rarity, given that five-star items were already at the level of talent accessories.
Just like this bar—though unassuming in appearance, it could connect to other worlds.
As for the Attribute-less Vision... honestly, this was something that could actually be bought with Mora, considering Ningguang had apparently done something like that before.
Though Roshin didn't play Genshin Impact much anymore, many of his "friends" did, so he was still familiar with these quirky memes.
As for the other four-star title, [Friend of the Non-Human], its effect was to increase the favorability of all lifeforms with non-human attributes.
Only after unlocking this title did Roshin realize that his [Roshin the Benevolent] was actually a five-star title.
"So, you're the bartender here, right? What kind of drinks does this bar have?" The bard who never did his job unceremoniously plopped onto the stool in front of Roshin's counter.
"I can mix any drink you want," Roshin said confidently, glancing at the endless rows of liquor in the bar's inventory.
Perhaps it was due to the bar's influence, but inside this establishment, Roshin felt as though he could mix any drink imaginable. Outside, though, he probably wouldn't be nearly as skilled.
After all, mixing drinks he'd never even heard of would be a real challenge, not to mention the issue of ingredients.
"By the way, where did you see this bar?" Roshin couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Huh? Isn't this your bar? Why are you asking me? Oh, right—now that I think about it, I think I saw it in Windrise. Actually, now that I really think about it, seeing a bar in Windrise is pretty bizarre." The bard patted his head.
"Windrise, huh... To be honest, this bar is actually an inheritance I received. It can appear anywhere in the world, and today's my first day running it." Roshin explained in a way that would make sense to the other.
Roshin wasn't the type to let his guard down easily, but the Anemo Archon Barbatos before him was hardly someone worth being wary of.
Barbatos, the Anemo Archon from Genshin Impact, who went by the alias Venti—though a bit of a slacker, you didn't have to worry about him being a bad person.
Yes, him.
Though this bard before him was as beautiful as a woman, he was undoubtedly male.
The Anemo Archon Barbatos was originally a wind spirit, and wind spirits have no gender. Venti was a male friend of Barbatos in the past. After his death, Barbatos took on Venti's appearance and borrowed his name.
As for Venti's true gender... The official sources state that Venti is male, but whether you believe it or not is up to personal interpretation.
"So that's how it is. This really is a magical tavern. But the bar shelves behind you don't seem to have a single bottle of alcohol," Venti pointed at the shelves behind Roshin.
"If you've already accepted the premise that this is a tavern that can appear randomly in any corner of the world, why can't you accept the idea that alcohol can materialize out of thin air?" Roshin retorted.
"That makes sense," Venti said, nodding in surprise after a moment.
"Well, since you claim you can mix any drink, make me one brewed from the wind." Sensing the tavern's peculiar nature, Venti made his request without hesitation.
"..." Roshin stared coldly at Venti.
"What? You said you could mix any drink, didn't you? Can't do it? Then an apple cider will do," Venti compromised.
"No, though I find it hard to believe myself, I can indeed mix a drink brewed from the wind. But the question is—do you have the money?" Under the tavern's influence, Roshin clearly felt he could produce the drink Venti described.
The problem was... he couldn't just give it away for free.
"Ah, such a magical tavern still requires Mora?" Venti seemed taken aback.
"Obviously. What tavern doesn't charge? Unless there's a special event."
"Is this tavern running any promotions now? You mentioned earlier that this is your first time opening, right? For a grand opening, the first drink should be complimentary. At the very least, I can play the lyre and sing for you—I am, after all, Teyvat's finest bard," Venti declared proudly.
"Can I? Can I? Can I?" Venti then looked at Roshin with hopeful eyes.
[Ding! You have a new commission.]
[Wind-Brewed Wine]: The Anemo Archon Barbatos desires a drink brewed from the wind.
Reward: 20 Primogems + Divine Acknowledgment + The Anemo Archon's Song.
Difficulty: ★
"...Fine, since it's the grand opening, the first drink is on the house," Roshin conceded after a brief silence.
Truly befitting of the Anemo Archon—though he shirks his duties, the rewards he offers are generous.
This tavern business is turning out to be quite profitable!