"But his initial hatred was definitely not because people no longer worshiped the Four Winds."
"...That was not a naturally born hatred, but a product of corruption."
"Cor... Corruption?"
Hearing this, Paimon looked surprised.
"It is the black blood flowing into his heart that tortures him, making his long sleep restless."
Venti explained patiently, "So this time when he woke up, his spirit was corrupted by the curse of the Abyss Mage."
"Abyss Mage?"
Hearing this, Lumine hesitated. "Could it be the Abyss Order mentioned by the Knights of Favonius?"
When communicating with Amber and the others today, she had heard of this organization.
Not only the Abyss Order, but also the Fatui.
"I don't know their origin, I only know they harbor extreme malice toward the human world."
Venti sighed softly. "Those Hilichurls in the wilderness will also follow their command and become their weapons."
"Before coming here, I was like Dvalin, corrupted by the curse."
"But the place we are in now is the Symbol of the Hero, the source of everything in Mondstadt today."
"The wind among the trees is nice. It has a scent I like..."
"Staying under the shade with you can dispel the poison in my body just like purifying the Dragon Tear just now..."
"Ah... feels much better."
Speaking of this, Venti narrowed his eyes, making Paimon look suspicious. "How did you get poisoned in the first place?"
"Well, it's because I tried to communicate with Dvalin before, but was... um... interrupted..."
Venti smiled awkwardly. "As a result, not only did I fail to dispel the curse for Dvalin, but I was eroded by the poison of the Abyss instead!"
"So, it was me?"
Hearing this, Lumine fell silent abruptly.
The culprit was me?
"That's right."
Venti nodded, looking at Lumine with crossed arms.
Lumine's eyes widened.
I was just being polite!
"So as atonement—Traveler, come with me to the Mondstadt Cathedral!"
Venti narrowed his eyes. "To retrieve a lyre... called the Holy Lyre der Himmel."
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon looked at each other.
But seeing Venti already leaving, they hurried to catch up.
"Wow, you also have an Anemo Vision."
Paimon suddenly noticed the Vision on Venti, surprised. "Are you really not the Anemo Archon?"
If Venti was the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, there was no reason to have a Vision.
"Are Visions granted by Gods?"
Lumine also noticed the Vision hanging on Venti and exclaimed in surprise.
Venti isn't the Anemo Archon?
No, that's wrong.
In the next second, Lumine shook her head.
She felt this guy was the Anemo Archon.
But there was no evidence.
Yet the conversation just now, and the interaction with Dvalin, all confirmed that this person was the Anemo Archon.
But this guy was a bard.
Truly strange.
"Hurry up, if you want to go back and rest early today."
Venti spoke with a smile, not answering.
His figure was suddenly wrapped in Anemo power, walking leisurely toward Mondstadt City.
Rather than walking, it was more like being carried by the wind.
Lumine hurriedly followed.
The Path Power Kael applied to her hadn't disappeared yet. Plus, mobilizing her own Anemo power, she traveled very fast.
Before long, the two arrived at the entrance of the Mondstadt Cathedral.
"So what exactly is the 'Sky' you mentioned?"
Looking at the cathedral in front of her, Paimon looked confused. "Why come here?"
"Mondstadt's supreme treasure, the lyre once played by the Anemo Archon Barbatos."
Venti spoke slowly. "As long as I have the Holy Lyre der Himmel, I can call Dvalin's nature back from the nightmare."
"Can that... really stop Stormterror's destruction?"
Paimon scratched her head. "Just that simple?"
"Of course. Because I am the best bard in the world."
Venti said confidently, "Past, future, and present, there is no song I do not know."
"Look into my eyes. Don't you think I'm trustworthy?"
"...Suspicious."
Lumine was silent for a moment, then spat out two words.
This bard.
Running from Mondstadt Plaza to Windrise, then back from Windrise. He is really bored?
"So, how do we get the Holy Lyre?"
Beside them, Paimon looked curious. "You mean... this Holy Lyre is inside this church?"
"It is said to be enshrined deep in the cathedral, in a safe place."
Venti said, "I'll go check the situation. You can follow if you're interested."
"Watch me—"
Saying this, Venti walked straight in.
Seeing this.
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other, but followed immediately.
Entering the cathedral, they saw a very beautiful nun holding a book devoutly.
Venti walked up directly and smiled. "Hello, Big Sister Nun."
"May the Anemo Archon bless you, young bard."
Hearing Venti's words, the nun said softly, "Is there something you need from me, Gotelinde?"
Venti smiled. "Actually, I mastered a secret that can save Mondstadt City from its crisis."
"Oh? That is truly a blessing from the Anemo Archon."
Nun Gotelinde blessed him first, but in the next second, she said softly, "But you should report this matter to the Knights. What can an irrelevant nun like me help you with?"
"Ahaha, of course there is something Big Sister can help with."
Venti chuckled. "For example... the Holy Lyre der Himmel. With its power, I can let Stormterror—"
"Please leave."
Before Venti could finish, Nun Gotelinde interrupted him.
"Although that dragon is very fierce, as long as the Acting Grand Master makes up her mind, there is no reason it cannot be subjugated."
"That won't do. In that case, wouldn't Stormterror die?"
Venti frowned.
Nun Gotelinde shook her head. "A foolish beast that betrayed the East Wind, even if the Anemo Archon himself descended, he wouldn't easily forgive it!"
"Ugh..."
Hearing this, Venti fell silent abruptly.
After a good while, he spoke again. "Uh... um, Big Sister~~"
"No means no, Little Bard."
Nun Gotelinde rejected this bard again.
However, just after refusing, Gotelinde looked at Venti's eyes in front of her, and her heart skipped a beat.
She could communicate with this bard because she knew he often ran around Mondstadt singing.
And he possessed an Anemo Vision.
But just now, why did being called "Big Sister" by this child make her feel an incredible joy?
This was too ridiculous.
Seeing the nun looking at him, Venti sighed softly. "Phew... Really no choice."
"I can no longer hide it!"
Speaking of this, Venti looked solemn, causing vigilance to appear in the nun's eyes.
What is this bard hiding?
This is an existence with an Anemo Vision.
Thinking of this, the nun felt heavy.
Venti put his hands on his hips, righteous and confident. "My devout believer, rejoice! In front of you is the Anemo Archon Barbatos himself!"
"Are you shocked? Shocked enough to cry? Finally seeing the God you serve. How is it? Very moved?"
Nun: "..."
Paimon: "..."
Lumine: "..."
Seeing this scene, Lumine and Paimon fell silent abruptly.
"This guy shouldn't be the Anemo Archon."
Paimon muttered, "So unreliable. Not a bit god-like. I think he just knows some information."
"Mn..."
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine nodded in agreement.
Indeed.
Whose God looks like this, not doing proper business?
Gotelinde took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and said calmly, "If there's nothing else, I'll go back to handling church documents."
Saying this, she turned and left directly.
Walking away without hesitation.
"Eh?"
Seeing the leaving nun, Venti hurriedly spoke up.
But as soon as he spoke, the nun accelerated her pace and left completely.
"Ehe. She walked away without looking back."
In the next second, Venti looked at Lumine and Paimon mysteriously. "However, I have actually achieved my predetermined goal."
"At least she didn't deny it—the cathedral houses the Holy Lyre."
"So, Traveler. Since you are the hot new rookie of the Knights..."
"Why don't you try too?"
Lumine: "..."
"Fine."
Lumine sighed lightly.
She immediately ran toward the nun and caught up quickly.
"Hmm?"
Sensing someone catching up quickly, Gotelinde's face changed slightly.
Is that bard following me?
She turned around, wanting to scold.
But seeing Lumine, she froze, then said softly, "May the Anemo Archon bless you."
"Hello."
Lumine quickly said, "I am the Honorary Knight, Traveler."
"En, I know you."
The nun nodded. "You saved Mondstadt with Amber that day."
"Why are you here? Is it official business assigned by the Acting Grand Master?"
"En. The Knights need to borrow the Holy Lyre."
Lumine spoke, blushing slightly with embarrassment.
Hearing this, the nun's eyelid twitched. "Really..."
"I don't suspect you. But earlier, a suspicious bard also came to borrow the lyre."
"He was full of nonsense, daring to call himself Barbatos. He must have bad intentions."
"The use of the Holy Lyre is regulated. Currently, it is only used during Ludi Harpastum."
"Borrowing it requires the agreement of the Grand Master, the Bishop, and the community representatives, and signed documents."
"So, where are the Knights' documents?"
Hearing this, Lumine's heart skipped a beat.
But she still scratched her head. "Sorry, I forgot to bring them."
"I communicated with Grand Master Jean at Headquarters before."
"In short, documents are mandatory."
Gotelinde shook her head. "If there's nothing else, please excuse me. It's really busy recently."
Saying this, she turned and left.
Seeing this, Lumine sighed.
She turned back and returned to Venti.
"Sigh, sure enough, you can't do it either..."
Watching Lumine return, Venti sighed.
Paimon looked surprised. "Sure enough?"
"I just wanted to see if the Traveler, as the Super Rookie of the Knights, had enough weight."
Venti scratched his head. "You see, the Hero casually taking the precious sword from the village, isn't that a story very suitable for singing?"
"Hmph, I feel your analogy is very rude, Bard."
Paimon snorted lightly.
Venti chuckled "Ehe": "Oh my, you misunderstood me. This is disappointment in Mondstadt, being stingy with the treasure sword even facing a Hero."
"So, it seems borrowing openly won't work. We can only take it cleverly."
"Today we fully respect free will. Tell me, how do you like to take it cleverly?"
Lumine: "..."
Paimon: "..."
Hearing this, the two looked at each other.
How else can we "take it cleverly"?
"Speak. Don't be restrained."
Venti looked generous, encouraging them to speak freely. "Free will means speaking freely."
"Actually, I don't want to steal things!"
Lumine bit her lip lightly.
She just became the Great Hero who saved Mondstadt, helped the Knights of Favonius, gained their friendship, and became an Honorary Knight.
In the next second, she has to steal the treasure of the Cathedral?
And it's the legendary treasure of the Anemo Archon?
Even using it requires official documents from the Grand Master.
If she fails, she becomes a thief instantly.
"Ahaha, look at you, going off-topic as soon as you speak."
Hearing Lumine's words, Venti laughed. "Seriously speaking, you are more suitable to do this than me."
"Because besides singing, I have no strengths worth being confident about."
"And I have no one to rely on in Mondstadt. If I get caught, no one will plead for me, and I will definitely be punished severely."
Hearing this, Paimon and Lumine looked speechless. "There's nothing unjust about being caught stealing."
"But the Traveler is different. You have contributed to Mondstadt City. You are the Rising Star of the Knights."
Venti explained very seriously, "If you fail, explain it properly later, and maybe you can muddle through."
"Don't always premise it on failure!"
Paimon's eyelid twitched wildly.
Venti looked at Lumine. "Traveler... what do you think?"
"You just said you are Barbatos."
Lumine looked at Venti suspiciously.
Venti scratched his head. "An excuse. What do you want to say?"
"If you really are a God, you can't leave it alone."
Lumine looked at Venti with certainty.
Venti looked surprised. "Oh? Why is that?"
"If you aren't a God, I will also save Dvalin."
Lumine took a deep breath. "I will bring back the 'Sky' for you. Because I don't want to see separation anymore."
She was now 90% sure.
This unreliable guy was the Anemo Archon!
As for why the Anemo Archon wanted her to steal the treasure...
This was a bit brain-burning.
"Then let's go out and wait a bit."
Venti narrowed his eyes, then chuckled. "We can't act now. We have to wait until night."
"Okay."
Hearing Venti's words, Lumine nodded.
Then they walked out of the Cathedral.
"Then we'll gather again in the early morning."
Venti narrowed his eyes. "Such good weather is perfect for a drink. If you succeed, go to that tavern. I'll wait for you there."
Saying this, Venti pointed to a tavern on a distant street (Angel's Share).
"Eh?"
Hearing Venti's words, Paimon looked surprised. "We're separating now?"
"Of course."
Venti chuckled. "Do you think standing at the entrance of the Cathedral now will attract the attention of patrolling Knights and nuns inside? Will it alert the enemy?"
"That's true."
Hearing Venti's words, Paimon scratched her head.
"Right?"
Venti grinned. "Then see you in the second half of the night."
Saying this, Venti ran off.
"Then Lumine, shall we go back to the room and rest a bit?"
Paimon looked at Lumine immediately. "With a big operation like stealing the Holy Lyre tonight, we definitely need to plan properly and conserve energy."
"No."
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine shook her head. "We're going to Good Hunter to find Kael!"
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Paimon's eyes widened abruptly. "Right! Find Kael! If we have Kael's help, wouldn't it be easier to steal the Holy Lyre?"
"Kael is so mysterious. Maybe he can make us succeed easily."
"At worst, he can also increase our speed."
"Exactly!"
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine nodded heavily.
Immediately, the two rushed to Good Hunter.
When they arrived at Good Hunter, they saw Kael drinking fruit wine leisurely at a glance.
"Kael, Kael!"
Paimon flew over quickly.
Kael looked at the returning Paimon and Lumine and smiled faintly.