Is it… over?
Standing at the entrance of Angel's Share, Diluc finally noticed that the figures fighting high in the sky had vanished. That made him wonder—was it truly finished?
He'd watched the entire battle from below. Or rather, with a clash between gods, it was impossible not to see it. Even if he had been in Liyue instead of Mondstadt, the shockwaves alone would have been visible from across the nation.
What did relieve him was that no part of the fight had fallen on Mondstadt itself. Any one of those strikes could've wiped the city off the map. Especially that last technique that looked like it had literally split the heavens—if it had been aimed downward, the consequences would've been unimaginable.
Never mind casualties… even the continued existence of Mondstadt would've been uncertain.
But… what actually happened?
It all looked "finished," but Diluc had no idea who won. That uncertainty gnawed at him.
That purple figure should've been the Raiden Shogun from Inazuma…
That white-clothed man must've been Rex Lapis from Liyue…
And our own Wind God, of course…
And then there was that silver-haired girl who had appeared earlier…
As for the fake Anemo Archon…
Something was off. This couldn't have been a simple case of "someone impersonated Barbatos." No way that alone would drag three gods to one place. And that white-haired girl from before clearly tied into today's events.
Which meant—whatever happened today… had started brewing long ago, far beyond what mortals could see.
Enough. The affairs of gods aren't for me to pry into…
Realizing things were far too intertwined, Diluc forcibly cut off his thoughts. The higher the truth, the more mortals should avoid stepping into it. Otherwise… one might die without even understanding how.
"Looks like our Wind God won. We're lucky to still be alive."
Kaeya's voice sounded behind him.
Jean had just sent word that it was safe to return—the Wind God had "resolved everything." Kaeya, previously anxious that Mondstadt was doomed, was now in a very good mood.
Those earlier battle scenes had been terrifying. One misstep and thousands would've died. But the worst hadn't come.
"Explain, Kaeya."
Diluc frowned.
Could it be true—Barbatos won?
"It's the Wind Go—"
Kaeya suddenly froze, staring at something behind Diluc with a very strange expression.
Standing not far away, Barbatos himself was walking alongside the very girl who had attacked Mondstadt… as well as two unknown individuals who were clearly divine.
Kaeya's mind blanked.
What… what is this? They're… shaking hands and making peace?!
Diluc turned around instinctively—
And froze as well.
"Master Diluc, mind letting me borrow your tavern? I have guests to entertain."
Barbatos walked up casually, winked at Diluc, and made a discreet "get lost" gesture toward Kaeya behind him.
"… Fine. We don't have many customers right now anyway. Please, come in."
Diluc didn't know what happened, but he knew one thing clearly—whatever this was, it wasn't over. He hurried to open the tavern doors.
"So many guests… Master Diluc might not handle this alone. Why don't I help? I have tons of tavern experience."
Kaeya stepped forward with a dazzling smile.
"Tavern experience? You? You're a Knight of Favonius—how would you have bartending experience? Stop getting in the way."
Diluc really wanted to kick him across the street.
Even now Kaeya was showing off? Did he think today's "enemy" was some back-alley delinquent?
Diluc's expression turned so dark it looked like storm clouds rolling in.
"Oh don't start. I've never worked here, sure, but I've drunk here plenty. I know everything worth knowing. I might be more professional than your bartenders."
Kaeya smiled even brighter, as if he didn't see Diluc's rage.
Barbatos: "..."
Watching the two brothers bicker, Wendy was speechless.
"A tavern, huh?"
Su Mo stood before Angel's Share, studying it carefully.
"Yes, honored guest! This is Mondstadt's finest tavern. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Please—after you!"
Kaeya jumped ahead of Diluc and began enthusiastically introducing the place.
Diluc: "…"
Wendy: "…"
If this weren't an extremely delicate moment, Diluc would've kicked Kaeya through the floorboards.
"Tavern… so only alcohol?"
Su Mo looked doubtful.
"I—"
"Not only alcohol! We mainly serve drinks, yes, but there's food too. And if nothing suits your taste, I'll go outside and bring you something personally."
Kaeya—again—cut Diluc off.
Diluc nearly imploded.
And so they all entered. In truth, they were "hosting guests," but everyone present knew—they were only here to serve one person: the girl.
"Wen~di, anything you recommend?"
Su Mo sat at the bar counter beside Wendy, looking through the menu.
"Uh… dandelion wine, I suppose… Angel's Share is famous for it. But you… might not like alcohol…"
Wendy regretted instantly. He'd spoken before thinking.
But it was too late now. And if this girl disliked the drink, her mood might sour—and a bad mood from her meant disaster.
"Alright then. I'll take dandelion wine."
Su Mo closed the menu lazily. He didn't want to choose himself.
"Coming right up."
Kaeya hurried to prepare it.
"What can I get for you two?"
Diluc brought menus to Morax and the Raiden Shogun.
It was surreal: his tavern, with three Archons sitting casually at tables. He wondered briefly if the chairs and glasses they touched would become priceless relics later.
"Tea, if you have any."
Morax preferred tea over alcohol.
"We do. And you, miss…?"
"I don't need anything."
The Raiden Shogun declined.
Diluc felt oddly disappointed.
"Aren't you going to have something? It's rare to be here…"
Morax asked gently.
"There are still matters to handle. Besides, Barbatos is drinking enough for both of us."
"…."
Morax glanced at Wendy at the bar… then wisely did not comment.
"Your dandelion wine is here."
Kaeya placed the glass before Su Mo.
"Well? How is it?"
Wendy held his breath.
"It's bad. Get me another.
Hmm… apple cider. And… a Mintberry Fizz. And Hook-Hook Juice… oh, and food. Lots of food."
Su Mo began ordering like a child flipping through a menu for the first time.
Wendy: "…"
Kaeya: "…"
"… No problem. Please wait."
Kaeya stared at the list—dozens of items—and his scalp went numb.
Is this really the same terrifying god-slayer from earlier?
Unpredictable indeed…
Wendy watched all this without surprise. At this point, nothing the girl did could shock him.
"Come help me. I can't do all of this alone."
Kaeya dragged Diluc upstairs to fetch supplies.
"Two people and you still can't handle it? And you said you're more professional than my staff?"
Diluc seized his chance to mock him.
"Look."
Kaeya slapped the massive order list onto Diluc's face.
Diluc stared at it in silence.
"This wasn't… written by you, was it?"
"If you don't believe me, go ask her."
Later…
"It's alright. A lot of things weren't tasty, but some were edible."
Su Mo finally stood up, looking satisfied.
She's finally leaving?
Wendy nearly shed tears of relief.
Morax also exhaled deeply—even though he'd only been drinking tea.
"You've got some decent things here. I'll come back when I have time."
She dusted off her clothes.
Wendy: "…"
Morax: "…"
Raiden Shogun: "…"
Diluc: "…"
Kaeya: "…"
Please don't…
Their expressions froze.
"You all look like you don't want me to return?"
"N-no, not at all! You're welcome anytime! Just… not like today."
Wendy forced a smile.
She would ignore it anyway, but he had to try.
"Maybe. See you next time, Wen~di."
And just like that—Su Mo vanished.
Wendy collapsed internally.
No more slacking. If she comes again and I'm unprepared, Mondstadt is finished…
Meanwhile in Inazuma—
Will the Sacred Sakura be able to purify this…?
The Raiden Shogun returned to the Grand Narukami Shrine with the damaged Musou no Hitotachi. Even with the girl gone, the black corrosion on her blade remained.
"Ei, you're back!"
Yae Miko hurried over, relief plain on her face.
"I'm back."
"Is everything resolved?"
She had watched the earlier anomalies with dread. That golden sigil in the sky had felt like the end of the world.
"Not yet."
"Who's there?"
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