____________________
As seasons changed and days turned into months, Mondstadt continues to grow steadily under the guidance of a brand new wind.
It's been six months since Artoria's 'official ascension' into Archonhood, and things in Mondstadt had continued to change, the entire nation continues to blossom like a piece of Cecilia being nourished by the gentle warm spring breeze.
Her children had readily accepted Venti as one of their own the moment they saw the sleeping boy in her arms over months ago.
Her 10 year old daughter, Jean, became even more protective towards her younger siblings. Her sense of responsibility soared high after seeing the new addition to the family, even though her mother, the Grandmaster, assured her that she had nothing to worry about.
Now, Venti, Barbara and Bennett had become an inseparable trio, having fun and occasionally causing trouble wherever they go. Venti and Barbara's shared love for music often filling the halls of the Gunnhildr Estate with beautiful melodies. Venti, with his natural inclination towards music and melody, would often teach Barbara songs that he made up about the most mundane things and objects that he see around his new home, while Barbara, with her innocent, heartfelt voice, would give those tunes a new, pure life. And her precious Benny, her sweet little adventurer, now at the age of 5, had found his new favorite partner in crime.
He and Venti would often go on 'expeditions' in the orchard, with Mini Dvalin serving as their trusty, albeit slightly unwilling, airship and scout. The two would either play around the orchard 'excavating' the treasure chests (tin candy boxes) that Benny had secretly buried or would pick up apples (ripe or unripe) by the bunch much to the delight of Venti who would often eat those fruits with gusto.
Throughout the last five years, Artoria had found herself busier than ever. Her duties as the Grandmaster and defacto leader of Mondstadt kept her occupied, her dedication to the well-being of her new home unwavering. But her most important role, the one she cherished above all others, was always being a mother.
She would often find herself stealing moments away from her duties, just to watch her children play, to listen to their laughter, to feel the warmth of their hugs.
These were the moments that grounded her, that reminded her of the very reason she had fought so hard, had sacrificed so much, in all of her lives.
And the 'Devoted Six', her trusted inner circle, had become even more devoted, much to Artoria's headache!
They were her silent guardians, her most trusted advisors, and her most zealous protectors. Their unwavering faith, though born from a comical misunderstanding, had become an unshakeable pillar of support, a bulwark against the world.
But as Mondstadt prospered, as its influence grew, so too did the attention it garnered from the outside world. And with attention, came both opportunity and danger.
Hence why her country needed more than just a sword, it also needed a ledger, a strong solid economic and financial foundation, in order to protect itself. Thus she turned to the plan that she had set in motion months prior, a plan that would forever change her country's economy for the better.
____________________
(Flashback: Four Months prior to her ascension to Archonhood)
Inside the spacious and now heavily utilized office of the Grandmaster, Artoria sat behind her polished mahogany desk, her emerald eyes scanning a series of reports with a focused intensity.
The room had subtly changed over the past few years. A bunch of small, comfortable armchairs had been added in a corner, where her children would sometimes sit and watch her work, a small pile of children's books on the floor beside it.
On her desk, amidst the official documents and strategic maps, sat a small, bead work, a gift from her youngest daughter Barbara. Her world, both divine and domestic, had merged into a seamless whole.
Crepus Ragnvindr stood before her, not as a member of the Devoted Six, but as the head of the Dawn Winery and the unofficial chief economic advisor to the Grandmaster.
He presented a sheaf of papers, his expression a mixture of pride and cautious analysis.
"My Archon," he began, using the title that now felt both an honorific and a simple truth to him.
"The numbers for the last quarter were... exceptional. The output from the Dawn Winery has increased by twenty percent, and trade with Liyue and with the other nations through our various trade routes and through Dornman Port had reached an all-time high. Your policies of stable infrastructure and knightly protection of the trade routes have created an environment of unprecedented commercial confidence."
He paused, placing the reports on her desk.
"However, with this growth came a new challenge. Our own financial institutions, while adequate for a nation of our previous size, are now beginning to show signs of... strain. The merchants' guilds are growing too powerful, their lending practices are inconsistent, and we have no central, authoritative body to regulate the flow of Mora, to manage large-scale investments, or to fund the... larger projects your vision requires."
Artoria leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled before her. She had anticipated this. Prosperity without structure was a house of cards.
"You speak of a central bank," she said, her voice a calm, even murmur.
It was a concept far ahead of its time in Teyvat, a world where economic power was largely held by ancient merchant families and powerful organizations such as the Qixing in Liyue.
The only nation so far to have established such an institution wasSnezhnaya with their Northland Bank.
"Precisely," Crepus confirmed, a spark of excitement in his eyes. He loved it when his Archon saw the heart of the matter so quickly.
"An institution backed by the state, by you, that can issue currency, manage national debt, and provide loans for public works and private enterprise that align with the interests of Mondstadt. It would be the bedrock of our economic sovereignty."
Artoria's mind raced, drawing on memories of a world with knights, kings, and nascent banking systems. The Medici, the Fuggers... she knew the power such an institution could wield, for good and for ill.
"A sound proposal," she conceded.
"But its founding would require more than just a charter and a vault of Mora. It would require a figurehead. A person of unimpeachable integrity, brilliant financial acumen, and, most importantly, absolute loyalty to Mondstadt. Not just to the nation, but to its founding principles."
She looked Crepus directly in the eye.
"It would require a person who understands that wealth is not an end in itself, but a tool to build a freer, more prosperous society for all. A person who would not be tempted by the power such a position would grant."
Crepus met her gaze without flinching. He knew what she was asking. He had been expecting it.
"There is no one else," he said, his voice firm, filled with a quiet pride.
"The Ragnvindr name had been respected in commerce and industry for centuries. The Dawn Winery is a symbol of quality and stability. And my loyalty... my loyalty is to this country and to you, my Archon, as well as the future you are building for my sons and for all the children of this nation."
He bowed his head slightly, a gesture of formal acceptance.
"If you will have me, I will serve as the first Governor of this new Central Bank of Mondstadt. I will build it on a foundation of trust and transparency, a fortress against the greed of men and the machinations of other nations."
Artoria allowed a small, genuine smile to grace her lips. She had chosen well.
"Then it is settled," she declared, the matter closed with a finality that was both regal and comforting.
"You will have the full backing of the Knights of Favonius and the Grandmaster's office. Draft the foundational charter. I will review it. We shall name it... the Wind Wheel Bank. A symbol of our nation, ever-turning, ever-progressing, yet anchored to its core."
Her eyes drifted towards the window, towards the statue of the Anemo Archon standing in the plaza below. The statue that represented her, according to the dogma her followers had so fervently constructed.
"Besides," she added, her voice lowering slightly, a note of strategic foresight entering her tone.
"A national bank is not merely an economic tool. It is a diplomatic one. Snezhnaya uses its Northland Bank as a spearhead, extending its influence into Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine and even Natlan and Nod-Krai. We will do the same. Our bank will be our embassy, our message carried on by the winds of commerce, not the drums of war. It will be a declaration that Mondstadt is no longer an insular city-state, but a sovereign power with its own destiny."
Crepus's breath caught in his throat. This was the scale of her vision. Not just city planning or military reform, but geopolitical maneuvering on a continental scale. She wasn't just playing knight; she was playing king.
He left the office with a renewed sense of purpose, his mind already calculating capital reserves, drafting loan policies, and designing a currency that would be as trusted as her word.
Artoria watched him go, then turned her attention back to the map of Teyvat on her wall.
Her finger traced the trade routes from Liyue to Mondstadt, then drifted south, past the vast, treacherous lands of Sumeru, to the volcanic nation of Natlan. A flicker of something—a memory of flame, a promise made to a child infront of his savior—crossed her features before being suppressed. Now was not the time for sentiment. Now was the time for statecraft.
____________________
(Present Day)
Artoria let out a quite chuckle after recalling that particular memory. The plan was steadily coming into fruition, and the bank would hopefully be inaugurated later this month.
She then looked down her desk and saw the latest financial report of her country carefully complied by both Crepus and Melisa, that was presented to her earlier that morning.
The sheer numbers written on the paper, a testament to her nation's burgeoning prosperity and wealth, brought a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Earlier that morning, both Melisa and Crepus reported the recent Annual Financial Report of the entire country in a private meeting inside her office, away from prying eyes.
The report itself was a marvel of clarity, a stark contrast to the convoluted ledgers of the old merchant guilds.
Under the new policies she ushered, with the Dawn Winery setting as a model of fair wages and stable production, and the Knights ensuring caravans were no longer prey to monsters or bandits, the nation's GDP had nearly tripled in the past two year alone!
The influx of Liyuen trade goods, and the subsequent export of high-quality Mondstadt wine and crafts, had created a virtuous cycle of growth.
"My Archon," Crepus had said, his posture rigid with a fervor that bordered on the religious.
"The preliminary data is in. Our strategic stockpiles of food and essential materials are now sufficient to withstand a two-year siege or drought, if necessary. The knights are better equipped than ever, and the new patrol routes have reduced monster-related incidents by seventy percent. All of this funded by the increased tariffs and the new trade levies, managed with an efficiency that would make the Liyuen Qixing themselves envious."
Melisa, standing beside him, had adjusted her glasses, her expression one of academic pride.
"Furthermore, my research indicates a significant rise in public morale. Literacy rates are climbing due to the new public libraries and schools that had been built during the few past years, and the arts are flourishing. The people feel safe. They feel... proud. This is a psychological asset as valuable as any vault of Mora."
Artoria had nodded, her expression unreadable but her mind quietly pleased.
"How about the latest national annual income? How much did it grew compared to last year?" Artoria inquired.
Last year's growth was at around 8.3%, she's expecting a higher result this year.
Since her ascension to the mantle of grandmaster, the national annual income had grew initially at 2% after her first year in office then steadily increased until it reached last year's 8.3%. And this year she's expecting a growth of at least 9%.
Crepus then opened another binder and showed it to her.
"My Archon, this is the most shocking report yet. As you can see in this chart, the national annual income for this current year had grown by an unprecedented margin. The numbers that you see here did not only came from teams of auditors we had tasked but was cross-checked by our men from the newly established Finance Ministry, which you yourself had personally created earlier this year." He then took a deep breath, bracing himself.
"The national annual income had grown by a total of 12.5 percent my Archon."
Artoria's serene composure did not so much flicker. Her back remained straight, her hands folded neatly on the polished surface of her desk.
But inside, a part of her—a young, ambitious king from a rain-swept island—wanted to leap to her feet and roar in triumph. 12.5 percent! It was a number that defied the conventional economic wisdom of Teyvat!
Liyue, the commercial powerhouse of the continent, would consider such growth a once-in-a-generation windfall, driven by a world-shaking discovery like the ascension of a new archon. For Mondstadt, a nation previously derided as a land of lazy poets and ineffectual knights, it was a declaration of a new era!
She allowed herself a small, almost imperceptible smile.
"Excellent work, both of you," she said, her voice the calm, steady anchor in a sea of their excitable devotion.
"This confirms that our policies are bearing fruit. However, a tree that grows too quickly without deep roots is the first to fall in a storm. We must ensure this growth is sustainable. Crepus, I want the Wind Wheel Bank's charter to include provisions for counter-cyclical reserves. We will not fall into the trap of boom-and-bust speculation that plagues some of the more... aggressive trading houses in Liyue."
"Of course, my Archon," Crepus replied, already scribbling notes on a pad, his mind alight with the possibilities. "A sovereign wealth fund, managed by the bank, to stabilize prices and invest in long-term infrastructure."
"And Melisa," Artoria continued, turning her gaze to the librarian.
"This growth will attract attention. I need you to begin a comprehensive study on the socio-economic impact of our rapid development. Are there new divides forming between the urban and rural populations? Are the new merchants creating new forms of inequality? I want to know the cost of our prosperity, not just its rewards. Knowledge is the true currency that prevents a nation from bankrupting its soul."
A look of profound respect washed over Melisa's face. To think beyond the numbers, to consider the human cost... it was why she served this goddess before her with such unshakeable faith and loyalty!
"It will be my greatest honor, my Archon" she said, her voice filled with conviction.
Artoria dismissed them, and as the door closed, she finally allowed herself a proper, triumphant grin.
The board was set.
The pieces were moving.
Her nation was thriving.
Her gaze drifted to the small, framed portrait on her desk.
It was a sketch, done by her own hand, depicting her four children sleeping under a large oak tree in the estate's garden.
Bennett was curled up like a puppy, Barbara had a book open on her chest, Jean's brow was furrowed even in sleep, and nestled between them was Venti, a tiny, peaceful smile on his face, one hand clutching the leg of a wooden lyre, the other a small, toy spaceship.
This was the 'why'. The reason behind the charts, the policies, the 12.5 percent. This was the kingdom she was building for them. She wanted to protect this nation, its people and most of all, her family.
She knew the possibilities that would happen in the near future, in about a decade or so from now. She knows that in the future, the Tsaritsa will enact her plan to collect the seven gnoses and she and her minions will use any means to get their hands on them. One common tactic is brute force which she can easily counter with the now revitalized Knights of Favonius. The other tactic is economic destabilization.
Snezhnaya's Fatui and its Harbingers are masters of manipulation and subterfuge, and the Northland Bank is their most insidious weapon.
They don't need to send legions of soldiers to bring a city to its knees; they can do it with ledgers and loans. She had seen the reports from Fontaine and Sumeru, whispers of the bank's predatory practices, of how it extended credit with impossible terms, how it bought up debts and then called them in at the worst possible moment, creating dependencies that were as strong as any chain.
She would not let that happen to Mondstadt.
Not on her watch.
The Wind Wheel Bank would be her shield.A shield of Mora. A financial bulwark.
It would provide fair, stable credit to her own citizens, starving the Northland Bank of potential victims. It would manage the nation's wealth wisely, ensuring no foreign power could hold their economy hostage. It would be a weapon, wielded with the precision of Excalibur, to secure the future of her nation.
____________________
(Trade and Diplomacy from Sumeru and Fontaine)
The news of Mondstadt's explosive economic growth did not stay confined within its walls. It traveled on the winds, on the hulls of merchant ships, in the letters of Liyuen envoys.
It reached the towering spires of the Akademiya in Sumeru and the elegant courts of Fontaine, piquing the interest of their current leaders.
Mondstadt was becoming one of Sumeru's largest importers of spices fueled by the growing and thriving culinary culture of the nation.
The demand for spices such as Harra Fruit, Sumeru Roses, Zaytun Peaches and others had skyrocketed, creating a golden opportunity for the merchants in Sumeru that export such products.
But that's not the only thing they've been importing.
Artoria was able to use this economic opportunity as a leverage to purchased several dozen copies of various academic books and journals from the Sumeru Akademiya which the newly appointed Grand Sage, Azarof the Rtawahist Darshan was hesitant to release.
In a private meeting at inside her office with one of the Akademiya's representative, Artoria had made her position clear.
The flow of Mora from Mondstadt into Sumeru was a river she could divert at any moment. The spices they craved were not irreplaceable, but the stable, profitable market Mondstadt offered was a rare and valuable thing in these uncertain times.
"I assure you, Representative," Artoria had said, her tone deceptively mild, her emerald eyes holding a steely glint.
"Our culinary preferences are... adaptable.However, our thirst for knowledge is unquenchable. The Akademiya's libraries hold a wealth of information that could benefit both our nations. A simple... exchange of culture and commerce would be mutually beneficial."
The message was clear. The books for the spice trade. The Akademiya, after a brief, intense internal debate likely involving a great deal of mathematical calculation of profit versus principle, had reluctantly agreed.
The first crates of texts, covering subjects from alchemy, botany, to ancient history, had already arrived in Mondstadt, much to Melisa's and her daughter, Lisa's outmost delight!
The Akademiya might have seen it as a simple transaction, but Artoria saw it as an investment. Knowledge is power, and she was importing it by the ton.
Meanwhile, in Fontaine, the reaction was more… complex.
The Hydro Archon and Regina of all Waters, Furina, had heard of the 'economic miracle' in the land of Anemo.
As the Archon of Justice, a nation built on the concepts of law, order, and public spectacle, she was intrigued. She saw the rise of Mondstadt not as a threat, but as a tantalizing new drama, a new play unfolding on the world stage.
"Absolument! Magnifique!" she could be heard exclaiming to her attendants in the Palais Mermonia, her gloved hands clasped in delight.
"A nation rising from the ashes of mediocrity! A mysterious and powerful lady shrouded in an aura of nobility! This has all the makings of a grand epic! We must have an opera! A new production to celebrate this new chapter in Teyvat's history!"
Neuvillette however saw not the possible spectacle and opera but the economic benefits of trade and international relations.
The Chief Justice of Fontaine, the Iudexhimself, viewed the matter with far more pragmatism. While Furina saw a fairytale, he saw a potential economic partner. Fontaine's technological advancements, its intricate clockwork mechanisms, and its refined engineering were in high demand. Mondstadt, with its newfound wealth and its focus on infrastructure, was a perfect market.
The same pragmatic view was shared likewise by The Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy.
They saw Mondstadt's growth and its increasing need for infrastructure—new bridges, public lighting, advanced irrigation for its burgeoning farms—as a golden opportunity. They also saw a vast, untapped market for their Fonta technology and their innovative engineering.
Artoria, for her part, welcomed their overtures. She had her own interests and ambitions in mind and Fontaine's involvement was the perfect solution.
Since her arrival in Teyvat, Artoria had came to love Mondstadt and its people with all her heart. However, she is somewhat bothered by the rustic almost pre-industrialized state of technology her nation possessed compared to the other seven nations.
One of her past selves, the mother, the one from modern Earth was that of a former engineer, and seeing the candles and oil lamps still being used by the majority of the populace in the evening, she felt a pang of longing to bring the convenience of basic electricity to her new home.
She wanted Mondstadt to be a beacon of progress and innovation, not just in spirit and culture, but in technology as well. She wanted her people to have the best, to live in comfort and safety, and electricity was a key part of that vision.
She acknowledged that her nation lacked some sort of inert mystical energy source such as Natlan's Phlogiston or Nod-Krai's Kuuvahki which helped those respective nations to develop their own unique brand of technology.
Initially, she briefly thought of a way to make a sort of 'Electro Slime' based technology, breeding those elemental creatures and harvesting them for fuel, but at the end, she immediately shot down the idea after realizing how cruel it was.
Her own son, Bennett, loves slimes and would often play with the small, harmless wild ones that would occasionally appear on her orchards, and she doesn't want her son to find out that his mother's new technology was being powered by a farm of sentient creatures!
Not only that but breeding a large number of those slimes would cause a potential environmental disaster should they escape!
She even had the idea of using the Ley Line energy as a sort of power source but was again ultimately shot down due to the fact that Ley Lines are dangerous. She knows from her past lives that Ley Lines hold a large amount of information, and that over-exposure to it might cause some unwanted problems.
Then Fontaine's arrival happened, their interest in her nation's growth was a godsend.
Their treasure trove of knowledge pertaining to mechanics and engineering was just what she needed in order to harness the only resource present in her country that could potentially produce electricity, the wind, especially the constant flowing wind currents along the Falcon coast which was provided by the actions of the former Anemo Archon now turned her son Venti, thousands of years ago.
This was the solution she had been looking for!
Thus, diplomatic missions and cooperation between Fontaine and Mondstadt began to increase under the banner of Mutual trade and benefits.
____________________
(Dialogues from the Northern Frost)
The success of her economic and national reforms had not gone unnoticed. In fact, it had attracted the attention of thevery nation she was preparing to defend against.
Trade and diplomacy between Mondstadt and Snezhnaya had been increasing since the year prior, a phenomenon that Artoria herself observed with suspicion.
A large portion of their trades came from the Northland Bank, their interest in Mondstadt's burgeoning prosperity was palpable, and it made her wary.
She knew it was a ploy. A honeyed trap laid by the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon herself to gauge the strength of her nation, to find its weaknesses in order to benefit whatever plan she and her Fatui were concocting.
She knew from her past memories the things and events that will potentially happen in the upcoming years.
The Tsaritsa was planning on something, something that involved the acquisition of the seven gnoses, and a potential direct confrontation with Celestia. And she wanted none of it, especially if it would put her beloved nation at risk.
Artoria was even surprised when a polite and respectful female Snezhnayan diplomat named Vera had personally came to her office a few weeks ago with an official letter the from Zapolyarny Palace.
When asked about who wrote the letter, Vera honestly told her that she didn't know who authored it and Artoria saw it in her eyes that she was telling the truth.
She looked at the letter, the envelope was made of high quality paper with a pristine white snowflake wax seal, a representation of the Tsaritsa's authority. She opened the envelope, her fingers careful not to tear the fine paper, and was surprised when she saw the name of the sender who wrote the letter and the signature that it belonged to.
It was penned by none other than Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya, the Tsaritsa herself, the Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya. A name that was known throughout Teyvat, a name that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.
She read the letter, her expression unreadable, her mind racing. The Tsaritsa's handwriting was elegant, flowing, yet with an underlying strength, a firmness that spoke of her indomitable will. The letter was a masterpiece of diplomacy, a blend of flattery and respect:
"A new era of prosperity has dawned upon Mondstadt," it read.
"The land of Anemo has found a new champion, a new leader in the form of you, Grandmaster Artoria. I have watched with great interest as your nation has blossomed under your wise and benevolent leadership."
It was a masterful piece of writing, a web of polite words with a hidden, steely core. The Tsaritsa was testing her, probing her, trying to get a measure of the woman who had so unexpectedly seized the reins of power in Mondstadt.
She offered proposals, joint ventures between their two nations, cultural exchanges, and trade agreements that seemed, on the surface, to be mutually beneficial. Yet what truly caught Artoria's attention the most was her statement pertaining to the Anemo Archon blessing her, the new grandmaster, to lead the nation that he founded.
"I understand that my colleague, the great Anemo Archon Barbatos, through his guidance had bestowed upon you the mantle of leader which had ushered in a new era of wealth and prosperity for the nation of Mondstadt. I would be glad to welcome him in person, here in Snezhnaya once he returns from his slumber, and to thank him in person for blessing the nation with such a wonderful leader." She read the final part of the letter.
She knew the Tsaritsa was just lying. She knew from Venti's memories that the woman in Snezhnaya's capital was more cunning than she appears.
However at the same time, Artoria was relieved when she had read the Tsaritsa's statement pertaining to the nature of the Anemo Archon.
She called him Barbatos, and addressed him as a male.
Artoria's gamble had paid off. Her decision to hold the transfer of the Anemo Authority inside Avalon, her Marble Phantasm, away from the prying eyes of Celestia, the other Archons, the abyss and whatever other powers was out there, was a correct choice!
The Tsaritsa, for all her power and influence, was still in the dark about the true nature of the transfer. The fact she still refered to the Anemo Archon as a male who was currently in a slumber, confirmed her theory that she was still unaware of the recent changes that had occured to Mondstadt's divine hierarchy.
She was playing a game of blindfolded chess, making moves based on outdated information.
The Tsaritsa had no idea that the person who she sent her letter to, the very person she's corresponding with was now the current Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, her own colleague, whether she likes it or not.
For Artoria, the situation is just perfect.
The Tsaritsa might think she's dealing with a mortal leader, a highly skilled and charismatic mortal perhaps, but a mortal nonetheless. This misunderstanding would be her shield, her advantage. She could respond as a Grandmaster, a head of state, without the pressure of divine posturing.
She wanted to invite the Anemo Archon when 'he wakes up from his slumber?' That was not gonna happen anytime soon.
She's gonna wait for an eternity.
Artoria looked at the letter again, her emerald eyes scanning the elegant script. The Tsaritsa was a formidable opponent, a master of the long game. Her words were a carefully constructed tapestry of flattery and veiled threats, a diplomatic dance that Artoria knew well from her own past as a king.
She thought about a response, a countermove that would be both respectful and firm, a message that would convey her own strength and resolve without revealing her true nature. She had to be careful, to choose her words with the precision of a master craftsman.
She then penned her own reply and politely gave it to the Snezhnayan diplomat Vera. She told her that she and her delegation were welcome to stay in Mondstadt for as long as they wish and will be provided with the best accommodations available as per diplomatic protocol.
Her reply was a mirror image of the Tsaritsa's own letter, a blend of politeness and steel. She acknowledged the Cryo Archon's compliments, expressed her gratitude for the offer of cooperation, and gently but firmly declined any joint ventures that would compromise Mondstadt's sovereignty.
She wrote about her admiration for the strength and resilience of the Snezhnayan people, their ability to thrive in a land of ice and snow. She spoke of the importance of cooperation between nations, of the need for mutual respect and understanding.
And as for the Anemo Archon, her response was a masterpiece of polite deflection.
"The Anemo Archon Barbatos is a spirit of freedom," she wrote, her words chosen with the utmost care.
"He moves to the rhythm of the wind, and his will is as unpredictable as the breeze. I am sure that when he deems it fitting for him to rejoin the world of mortals, he will do so. Until then, I will continue to lead Mondstadt to the best of my ability, guided by his teachings of liberty and justice."She intentionally used 'he' to continue the charade.
It was a perfect response. A polite but firm refusal, a statement of her own authority, and a gentle reminder that the Anemo Archon was not a puppet to be summoned at the Tsaritsa's whim.
She sent the letter off with the Snezhnayan diplomat, a message that would travel across the continent, a declaration of a new player on the world stage, a player who was not to be underestimated.
____________________
(The Inauguration of The Wind Wheel Bank)
The day of the Wind Wheel Bank's inauguration was a bright, sunny day, a perfect reflection of the mood in Mondstadt.
The city was alive with excitement, the streets filled with people, and the air buzzing with anticipation.
The new bank's building was a marvel of architecture, a beautiful blend of traditional Mondstadt design and modern Fontainian engineering. It was a large, imposing structure, built from white stone and dark wood, its facade adorned with intricate carvings of wind wheels and dandelions. Its large, glass windows sparkled in the sunlight, a symbol of the transparency and honesty that Artoria had demanded as its founding principle.
It was more than a bank; it was a statement. A declaration of Mondstadt's newfound prosperity and self-reliance.
Artoria stood on a specially constructed platform in front of the bank, her children by her side. To her right was Jean, now a tall, poised girl of ten, her expression serious and proud. Her hand resting near the hilt of the shortsword she had finally been allowed to carry.
To her left, her three youngest children of five stood in a small, adorable cluster.
Barbara, dressed in a simple white dress with a blue ribbon, held tightly to the hand of a slightly flustered-looking Venti, who was wearing his own miniature version of a formal green tunic and looked utterly overwhelmed by the sheer number of people. Completing the group was Bennett, a ball of boundless energy in a small suit, who was trying to get Venti's attention by pointing excitedly at a passing carrier pigeon.
Artoria herself was dressed in a formal, tailored version of her Grandmaster's uniform, her teal and white attire immaculate, her emerald-green eyes scanning the crowd with a calm, regal gaze. She was the picture of a sovereign, a leader who had earned the respect and admiration of her people.
Behind her stood her inner circle, the 'Devoted Six', a silent, imposing presence.
Sir Hemlock, in his full ceremonial armor, his face a mask of stoic pride. Melisa, clutching a leather-bound folder, her eyes shining with intellectual excitement. Crepus, looking more like a proud patriarch than a banker, a warm smile on his face. Cardinal Theron, his hands clasped in prayer, his expression one of beatific joy. And Captains Yuan and Muscovado, their postures ramrod straight, their gazes fixed on the crowd, their hands resting near their weapons, their protective instincts on high alert.
A large crowd had gathered in the plaza in front of the bank, a sea of faces, a testament to the public's interest in this new institution. Merchants, craftsmen, farmers, and ordinary citizens, all of them had come to witness this historic event.
Artoria stepped forward, the crowd falling silent as she raised a hand. Her voice, clear and strong, carried over the plaza, a soothing, commanding presence that demanded attention.
"People of Mondstadt," she began, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Today, we gather not just to open a new building, but to open a new chapter in the history of our great nation. A chapter of prosperity, of stability, of a future built on a foundation of trust and hard work."
She paused, letting her words sink in. She could feel the collective hope of the crowd, a tangible force that resonated with her own vision.
"For too long, our prosperity has been at the mercy of fickle fortunes and the greed of a few. Our wealth has been hoarded, not shared. Our potential has been stifled, not nurtured. But that is no longer the case. Today, we take control of our own destiny. Today, we declare to the rest of the world that Mondstadt is a nation of free people, and our freedom is not just a matter of spirit, but a matter of economic sovereignty!"
She gestured to the grand building behind her, a symbol of their collective will.
"This is the Wind Wheel Bank. A bank of the people, for the people, by the people. A place where your savings will be safe, where your dreams will be funded, where your future will be secured. A place that will stand as a bulwark against those who would seek to exploit our prosperity, a beacon of hope for all who believe in the power of freedom!"
The crowd erupted into a thunderous applause, a wave of sound that washed over the plaza, a spontaneous outpouring of joy and hope. They were not just cheering for a bank; they were cheering for a promise, a future that was finally within their grasp.
Artoria waited for the applause to subside, her expression calm and composed. She knew that this was just the beginning, that the road ahead would be long and challenging. But she was ready. She had faced down monsters, had built a backwatered nation from the ground up, and she would not be deterred.
She then turned to Crepus, who was standing beside her, a proud smile on his face. She handed him a large, ornate golden key, a symbol of the bank's authority.
"Master Crepus Ragnvindr," she said, her voice a formal, solemn declaration.
"Patriarch of the Ragnvindr Clan, Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius and now Governor. As the first Governor of the Wind Wheel Bank, I entrust you with this sacred responsibility. May you guide this institution with the wisdom and the integrity befitting a true son of Mondstadt."
Crepus took the key, his hands steady, his gaze filled with a profound sense of honor and duty. He turned to the crowd, he saw the faces of his two beloved sons, Diluc and Kaeya.
He saw the people of his nation, and he felt a surge of pride, a sense of purpose that was more fulfilling than any amount of wealth or power. He had found a new way to serve, a new way to build a better future for the next generation, a future that would not see his boys being burdened by the world's cruelty. Not while he was there.
He then made his pledge, his voice strong and clear, a promise that resonated with the hearts of all who heard it.
"I, Crepus Ragnvindr, swear upon my honor, upon my family, upon my very soul, that I will serve this institution, and this nation, with all my heart, with all my strength, with all my being. I will be a faithful steward of the people's trust, a vigilant guardian of their wealth, and a tireless advocate for their prosperity. The Wind Wheel Bank will be a fortress of stability in a world of uncertainty, a symbol of hope for all who seek a better life!"
The crowd erupted once again, their cheers a deafening roar that echoed across the city. Artoria smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached her emerald-green eyes. She had done it. She had built a new nation, a new future, for her people, and for her family.
She looked at her children, her heart swelling with a fierce, protective love.
Jean was looking at her with a look of pure admiration, her eyes shining with pride. Barbara was clapping her hands, her face alight with joy. Bennett was trying to copy the adults, his small hands clapping together with a comical lack of coordination. And Venti, her little wind sprite, her little wisp, was looking at her with a look of pure, unadulterated adoration, his big, emerald-green eyes filled with a love that was as boundless as the sky.
She reached out and ruffled his hair, a small, intimate gesture that was lost in the grand spectacle, but meant everything to her. He giggled, a sweet, innocent sound that was a balm to her soul.
However, much to everybody's surprise, Crepus who was supposed to open the doors of the bank with a symbolically crafted golden key, then step back and bowed in front of Artoria. The golden key, the key to the bank in his hands and is stretched forward in a sign of offering.
"Grandmaster," he said, his voice ringing with conviction.
"On behalf of the people of Mondstadt, and as a humble servant of your vision, I dedicate this institution to your enduring legacy."
Then, with a dramatic flourish, he presented the golden key to Artoria. The crowd gasped, a collective, indrawn breath of shock and awe. They had expected Crepus to open the bank, but this... this was something else entirely. This was a public declaration of fealty, a symbolic act that elevated Artoria from a mere Grandmaster to a living legend, a leader whose authority had guided Mondstadt to this new era of prosperity.
Artoria however, did something else entirely, an act which would further cement this day in the minds of everyone who witnessed it.
She took the golden key from Crepus, and then faced her daughter Jean who was standing at her right. Artoria had a beatific and serene expression in her face as she did something that no one had expected.
She placed the golden key into her daughter's small, waiting hands.
The plaza, once a roar of celebration, fell into a profound, stunned silence. Every eye was fixed on the tableau before them: the revered Grandmaster, the unyielding pillar of their nation, and her ten-year-old daughter, now holding the symbolic key to their entire economic future.
Jean's breath hitched. Her hands, which had been resting so confidently near the hilt of her shortsword, now trembled slightly under the weight of the ornate key. She looked at the key, then up at her mother, her wide, sapphire eyes a mirror of the crowd's collective astonishment. She understood the symbol, but the sheer, public magnitude of it was overwhelming.
"My dearest Jean, my beloved eldest daughter," Artoria said, her voice a clear, melodic chime that carried across the silent plaza. It was not the voice of a politician, but of a mother, a queen, a goddess bestowing a sacred trust.
"This bank was not built by just stone and gold alone, but with the hope and labor of our people. Its true foundation is the future of Mondstadt. A future that will not be secured by me, but by the generation that follows. A future that will be protected by you, your siblings, your generation and all of those who will come after you."
She gently closed Jean's fingers around the key.
"This key represents a promise. A promise of a stable, just, and prosperous nation for all who call this land home. It is a heavy responsibility, but I know you will carry it with the same grace, strength, and unwavering sense of duty that you have shown me every single day."
She placed a hand on Jean's shoulder, a gesture of both affection and authority.
"Open the doors, my dearest child. Let the winds of prosperity blow through the halls of our new future."
A single, perfect tear traced a path down Jean's cheek, but her back straightened, her expression morphing from shock to a solemn, fierce pride that was a perfect echo of her mother's. The trembling in her hands ceased, replaced by a steady resolve. This was not a gift; it was an assignment. A sacred duty.
With a dignified composure that belied her years, she turned and faced the grand doors of the Wind Wheel Bank. With her mother's hand still resting on her shoulder, she inserted the large golden key into the intricate lock. It turned with a satisfying, resonant click that seemed to echo in the hearts of every onlooker.
With a final, deep breath, Jean pushed the heavy doors open, revealing the bright, welcoming interior of the bank.
As the sunlight streamed into the grand hall, the crowd erupted, not in the thunderous applause from before, but in a wave of reverent, emotional acclaim. They were witnessing more than an inauguration; they were witnessing a legacy being passed down, a dynasty being born.
The 'Devoted Six' watched, their faces filled with an awe that bordered on the religious.
To them, this not just a public or economic spectacle, it was a religious one, an event which is the ultimate confirmation of one their core beliefs.
The Archon, their living goddess, was not just a ruler but a progenitor, a founder of a divine bloodline. And Jean, her chosen heir, was in their eyes no mere mortal girl, but a demigoddess in the making.
"This... this is beyond anything I could have imagined," Cardinal Theron whispered, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles were white.
"She was not just building a nation," Melisa breathed, her academic mind struggling to categorize the sheer historic significance of the moment. "She is building its future."
Crepus, who had orchestrated the symbolic gesture, felt a surge of profound satisfaction. He had played his part perfectly, cementing the public's perception of Artoria not as a transient leader, but as the eternal matriarch of Mondstadt. He looked at Artoria, who had turned back to the crowd, her expression serene and commanding.
"Mondstadt!" Artoria's voice rang out, reclaiming the attention of the populace.
"Let the Wind Wheel Bank serve you well! Let your labors be rewarded, your dreams be realized, and your future be secure!"
Another cheer, this one joyous and uninhibited. The crowd began to move, a slow, orderly stream of curious citizens entering the new bank, eager to see the institution that promised so much.
The inauguration was a resounding success.
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(The Call of the Stone)
The two months that followed after the inauguration of the Wind Wheel Bank saw Mondstadt's prosperity solidify and further expand.
The city was a whirlwind of activity, a testament to a nation thriving under a clear, decisive, and surprisingly benevolent rule.
Artoria's days were a master class in multitasking, a delicate balance between the celestial and the domestic, the strategic and the mundane.
Her mornings were often spent in council meetings, reviewing trade reports with Crepus, debating infrastructure plans with her captains, and perusing the latest academic treatises from Sumeru courtesy of Melisa. Her afternoons were for the Knights, overseeing training drills, reviewing patrol routes, and ensuring her military was as sharp and disciplined as her financial policies.
But her evenings, her evenings were sacred. They were for her family. She would return to the Gunnhildr Estate, the grand, welcoming home that had become her sanctuary, and shed the mantle of Grandmaster and Archon. There, she was simply 'Mama'.
She would listen to Jean's recitations of tactical formations, the girl's devotion to her duties mirroring her own.
She would marvel at Bennett's latest 'adventure' report, which often involved narrowly avoiding falling out of a tree he had been explicitly told not to climb.
She would smile as Venti and Barbara composed new songs, their music a beautiful, innocent counterpoint to the complex machinations of her days.
It was during one such peaceful evening, as her children played in the gardens and the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the orchard, that Elspeth approached her. The head stewardess of the estate staff moved with a quiet, unhurried grace that Artoria had come to rely on.
Elspeth approached her in the mansion's veranda as she was calmly seated on a simple oak chair over looking the apple orchard with a small marble table placed at the left side of the chair.
"My apologies for the interruption, my dearest Archon," Elspeth said, her voice a low, respectful murmur.
"A courier has just arrived from Liyue. He carried a message along with a lacquered box. He said they are for the Grandmaster'seyes only and is of the utmost urgency."
Artoria's brow furrowed slightly.
Urgent messages from Liyue were rare. The trade relationship was robust, but it was managed through established channels, merchants, and representatives. A direct missive, marked as urgent, spoke of something beyond the usual ledgers and cargo manifests.
At Elspeth's gesture, two knights, members of the contingent who were stationed by the Tenth Company to guard her estate stepped forward from the corner of the mansion. One carrying a sealed, wax-stamped scroll of a deep, foreboding blue, the other a small, lacquered box.
The courier himself remained at the gate, a Liyuen man in the fine, but practical livery of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. He did not dismount, his posture tense, his gaze scanning the horizon. He was a professional. This was not a social call.
The knights bowed in front of their grandmaster and carefully placed the items they carried at the small ornate marble table at the side of Artoria. The seal was that of the Liyue Qixing, a complex emblem of geo and commerce, pressed in dark blue wax. It was official, it was important, and it was utterly unexpected.
She took the scroll, her fingers tracing the unfamiliar wax seal. The Qixing were not ones for theatrics or empty gestures. If they sent something with this mark, it was because the matter required her direct, personal attention.
"You've done well, Elspeth. Please see to it that our guest from Liyue is provided with refreshment and a place to rest for the night," Artoria said, her voice calm, betraying none of the curiosity stirring within her.
"I will read this and respond before dawn."
Elspeth bowed reverently and retreated, leaving Artoria alone with the silent message and the setting sun. She broke the seal with a practiced, precise motion, the scent of salt and ink filling the air. The paper was of the highest quality, the calligraphy a work of art.
She began to read.
"To the Esteemed Grandmaster Artoria Pendragon Gunnhildr of Mondstadt,"
"May the Geo of the mountains grant you stability, and the Anemo of the plains grant you freedom."
Her expression remained impassive, though the formal, almost archaic phrasing was noted.
This was not a simple trade negotiation. This was a message written with the weight of history behind it.
"It is with a measure of both admiration and delight that I write to you today on behalf of the Liyue Qixing."
"The news of your nation's miraculous ascent under your leadership has not gone unnoticed. The prosperity you have cultivated, the order you have instilled—it is a testament to a vision and will that we, as stewards of our own nation, can only respect. The Wind Wheel Bank stands as a monument to this new era, and its influence is already being felt as far as the harbors of Liyue."
Artoria's fingers stilled. This was the prelude. The flattering acknowledgement before the true purpose was revealed.
"The winds of change that have breathed new life into the lands of Mondstadt have not gone unnoticed by the eyes of the earth."
"Your recent and sweeping reforms, the revitalization of your city's infrastructure and commerce, speak of a leadership of remarkable foresight and strength. It is with this recognition that I extend a formal invitation on behalf of the Liyue Qixing."
"Rex Lapis, Morax, our own Sovereign Lord and Archon, has observed your ascent with interest. In the spirit of fostering greater understanding and mutual prosperity between our two great nations, we would be honored to host a delegation from Mondstadt at the upcoming Rite of Descension."
"This is an unprecedented opportunity, not for a mere audience, but for a substantive dialogue regarding trade routes, security cooperation against any encroaching threats, and the future of Teyvat's economic landscape."
"Your presence, Grandmaster, is specifically requested. We believe a direct discourse between the ruling authorities of our respective nations would be... most productive."
"I await your response with the utmost anticipation."
Tian,
Tianshu of the Liyue Qixing
The letter ended with a sharp, decisive stroke of the brush.
Artoria read the letter twice, her eyes dissecting every carefully chosen word. The language was polite, almost deferential, yet it was couched in the unshakeable bedrock of Geo.
An "invitation" from the Qixing was a summons. A "request" from the Tianshu, the one in charge of Policymaking in Liyue, was a command. They were acknowledging her power, but they were also testing her, probing to see the mettle of the new ruler who had so thoroughly revitalized Mondstadt.
They wanted to see if she was a mere flash in the pan, a charismatic leader whose reforms were superficial, or if she was a true ruler, a peer worthy of their attention.
The mention of the Rex Lapis was the key. They were not just inviting a Grandmaster; they were inviting her to the feet of their god. It was a power play, a reminder of the ancient, enduring authority of Liyue, a stark contrast to the perceived youth and newness of Mondstadt's leadership.
She leaned back in her chair, the rich leather creaking softly.
"The Rite of Descension," she murmured to herself.
An annual sacred ritual in Liyue, where Morax himself would descend among his people. To be invited to witness it, let alone participate in a dialogue during the event, was an invitation of the highest order. It was a sign that Liyue considered Mondstadt, under her leadership, an equal on the political stage.
She then turned her attention to the lacquered box. It was simple, unadorned, a deep, dark wood that felt cool to the touch.
There was no lock, no clasp, only a seamless seam. She applied a slight pressure, and with a soft click, the lid slid open.
Inside, nestled on a bed of black silk, was a single object. A shard of Cor Lapis. It was roughly the size of her thumb, its facets gleaming with an inner, amber light. But it was not the stone itself that caught her attention.
Etched into its surface, in lines so fine they were almost invisible, was a Geo sigil.
But it was not just any Geo sigil. It was a sigil of protection, a sigil of passage. It was a key. A magical key that would grant her and a small retinue access to the upper echelons of Liyue society, to the very halls where the Qixing conducted their business.
It was a declaration. "We know who you are. We know what you are capable of. We are watching. And we are inviting you to our table."
She picked up the shard, its weight a familiar, grounding presence in her palm. She could feel the slow, steady pulse of Geo energy within it, a stark contrast to the quicksilver energy of Anemo that now flowed through her veins.
This was a challenge, a test, and an opportunity, all wrapped in one.
To refuse would be an insult, a sign of weakness. To accept would be to step into the lair of the Geo Archon, a land as old as the mountains, a nation as rigid and unyielding as stone.
She stood up, the shard of Cor Lapis still in her hand, and walked towards the edge of the veranda.
The moon was rising, its silvery light bathing the estate in a soft, ethereal glow. She could see the lights of Mondstadt in the distance, a constellation of hopes and dreams that she had helped to create.
She thought of her children, of their bright, innocent faces. She thought of her people, their faith in her a heavy, yet cherished, burden. She thought of the future, a future she had sworn to protect.
She knew what she had to do.
She will accept the invitation. She will go to Liyue. She will meet with the Qixing. And she will look upon the face of the Geo Archon.
But she would not go alone. She would not go as a supplicant. She would go as an equal. The Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. The Matriarch of the Gunnhildr clan. And secretly….as the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, peer to the Geo Archon of Liyue.
A queen visiting a king.
Artoria looked over the horizon, towards her newest destination, a confident and serene smile appeared on her face.
"To Liyue it is then."
(End of Chapter)
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The Sumeru Akademiya
- The Sumeru Akademiya is Sumeru's main governing body, as well as the most prestigious institute of learning in all of Teyvat, built into the Divine Tree in Sumeru City.
- The Sumeru Akademiya manages much of the day-to-day affairs of Sumeru and is responsible for managing the Akasha System, a system which manages knowledge as a resource that anyone wearing an Akasha Terminal can access.
- Sumeru Akademiya is currently divided into Six Darshans or schools, each of which has a specialty and a designated color for their uniform.
- Each school is led by a Great Sage, and the central leader among them holds the position of Grand Sage.
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Palais Mermonia
- This Palais Mermonia is found at the highest point of the Court of Fontaine, and is the site where all administrative affairs in the land are handled.
- The Palais Mermonia is the main administrative building in Fontaine, where the Maison Gardiennage, Maison Gestion, Maison Cardinalice, Maison Ordalie and the Marechaussee Phantom are based out of. The Chief Justice's office and the Hydro Archon's residence are also located inside that palace.
The Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering
- Otherwise known as the Fontaine Research Institute, is a research center dedicated to studying machines and energy. Many of its inventions benefit Fontaine, such as the clockwork mechanisms and kinetic cores created by their founder Alain Guillotin.
- Unlike the Sumeru Akademiya, it does not exercise any administrative responsibility over the people of Fontaine or aim to educate.
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Zapolyarny Palace
- Zapolyarny Palace is a palace in Snezhnaya from which the Tsaritsa, the current Cryo Archon and ruler of Snezhnaya, reigns.
- The Fatui diplomats hail from Zapolyarny Palace and were sent from there by the Tsaritsa to enact her will throughout Teyvat.
The Northland Bank
- The Northland Bank is a Snezhnayan bank with branches all over the world, which are sometimes used by Fatui personnel as their base of operations.
- The bank claims to be "no ordinary bank" and embodies the values of Snezhnaya, primarily loyalty and promises. While they are generous in giving out loans to prospective clients, they request that the loan be paid on full in time, and become particularly upset should the loan not be paid in full and/or on time.
- Pantalone, the Ninth Fatui Harbinger (otherwise known as Regrator) is in charge of the Northland Bank's operations as a whole, although the establishment of new branches may be handled by other Harbingers.
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The Liyue Qixing
- The Liyue Qixing ("Seven Stars of Liyue") is a committee made up of seven merchants and business leaders who govern Liyue, specializing within the commerce and trade sectors.
- The job of the Qixing is to implement the policies laid out by the Geo Archon Morax and manage the day to day governance of the region of Liyue.
- Each of the Qixing are equal in rank and there is a clear internal division of labor within the Liyue Qixing's duties.
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