Chapter 46: My Dear Friend From the Abyss
From Aiden's perspective, a god should not become a burden to their own nation.
Take Raiden Shogun, for example. While her approach to ruling Inazuma had been flawed, there was no doubt that she wanted to protect her people.
"When it comes to governing a nation, I'm nowhere near your level of expertise, so I'll leave that to you," Aiden said with a shrug.
Though Barbatos was known for his carefree attitude, he had ruled Mondstadt for thousands of years. After learning the history of Earth, Aiden had no desire to argue with Wendy about governance.
This guy might be lazy, but he wasn't incompetent.
"Let's go. It's time to help Diluc grow stronger," Wendy said, extending an invitation to Aiden.
"Aren't you worried he'll recognize you right away?" Aiden asked skeptically.
"Well..." Wendy chuckled mischievously. "To be honest, I suspect Diluc already has his suspicions. There are so many bards in Mondstadt, yet no matter where I go, he always has a seat reserved for me at Angel's Share."
"That's because you're the most famous bard in Mondstadt," Aiden pointed out.
"Exactly! But also, when I occasionally rack up a tab, Mr. Diluc tends to look the other way."
Aiden looked up at the ceiling, speechless. It wasn't just his unchanged appearance over the centuries that made him easy to recognize—his habits gave him away just as much.
Also… was Wendy pushing to recruit Diluc just so he could keep dodging his bar tab?
After a moment, Aiden sighed and asked, "So, you're planning to trade system points with Diluc for an unlimited supply of high-quality wine, aren't you?"
"Wait, that's an option?!" Wendy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That would be amazing! With a steady stream of fine wine, I wouldn't have to worry about running out ever again!"
Diluc's desire for power was undeniable. But right now, he lacked the strength to take revenge on the second Fatui Harbinger—the Doctor.
Even if he disregarded the Fatui as a whole, the Doctor's power alone rivaled that of a god. There was no way Diluc could take him on in his current state.
But with the chat group's point system, things were different now. Points could enhance internal strength and even improve one's physique. If he wanted to reach a level comparable to an Archon, it would require an astronomical amount of points.
For Wendy, however, earning points was practically effortless.
Just the other day, he and Jean had cleared out a wave of monsters together, earning him a decent chunk of points. And when he used his own power to take down a few additional enemies, his points shot up even more—around ten thousand, to be exact.
The Abyss Order wouldn't even notice the disappearance of such a small number of their minions.
And since the Abyss Order was actively trying to use the power of the Abyss to corrupt Mondstadt's Statue of The Seven, which in turn would spread the corruption to Barbatos himself, Wendy had a steady source of points waiting for him.
After all, in order to prevent Mondstadt's ley lines from being sealed by the Abyss Order's interference, Barbatos had to absorb their energy!
Aiden could only imagine how happy the Abyss Order must be at this very moment, thinking they had backed the Anemo Archon into a corner.
"Oh, my dear friends from the Abyss, please keep corrupting me," Wendy thought to himself with an amused smirk.
"As long as you corrupt the Anemo Archon, one of the Seven, Mondstadt will be yours! And before long, even Teyvat itself will fall under your influence!"
"Come on, do your worst! I'm waiting!"
If, one day in the distant future, Barbatos were to rise to a level rivaling even the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, he would owe it all to the generous sponsorship of the Abyss Order.
He would even compose a song in their honor.
Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. Right. If Barbatos were ever completely normal, he wouldn't be Barbatos.
---
Midnight at Angel's Share
On the top floor of Angel's Share, despite the late hour, Diluc sat at his desk, sifting through a pile of letters.
There was too much information to process, but he had no other choice.
Aside from Jean and Eula, the rest of the Knights of Favonius were utterly useless.
Even someone as unreliable as Kaeya held the position of Cavalry Captain. How pathetic.
Rather than relying on the Knights, it was better to take matters into his own hands.
But the Abyss Order was stronger than he had expected, and Barbatos seemed unwilling—or unable—to act. Could they only rely on the Traveler?
That wasn't what Diluc wanted.
Mondstadt should be protected by its own people.
At the very least, this time, the people of Mondstadt had to stand up for themselves.
Suddenly, Diluc's senses flared.
"Who's there?" he demanded, turning sharply toward the presence behind him.
He hadn't heard a single sound before this.
If the intruder hadn't deliberately made their presence known, he might never have noticed them at all.
"My dear believer," a slightly familiar voice called out from the shadows, "do you seek the power to change everything?"
Diluc's eyes narrowed as he focused on the figure standing before him.
That outfit—it was unmistakably Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.
But that voice…
And that face…
Wendy, you're not even trying, are you?
For a moment, Diluc was stunned.
Was this guy really not bothering to hide his identity?
This was the so-called god of freedom?
The same god who owed him a ridiculous amount of mora in unpaid bar tabs?
No wonder Jean had looked a little off when she brought up Barbatos earlier.
She must have already figured it out.
And now, here he was, trying to recruit him?
Mondstadt was truly on its own.
Still, Diluc hesitated.
As unreliable as Wendy was, there was no denying that he had stood against Stormterror.
And even if he spent most of his time drinking and singing, he had still shown up when Mondstadt needed him most.
There was something else, too—what Wendy had said earlier.
"As far as I know, Anemo Archon, your power has been depleted," Diluc said carefully.
It wasn't an accusation, merely an observation.
Wendy blinked awkwardly.
How many people knew about that already?
How embarrassing.
Well, at least now he had a good excuse to keep slacking off!
But before he could come up with a response, Aiden suddenly interjected, his tone dramatic:
"Youth, do you wish to know the meaning of life? Do you seek to truly live? Do you desire the strength to protect Mondstadt? Do you long for vengeance against the Doctor?"
Diluc stared blankly at Aiden.
Aiden, in turn, gave him a knowing smirk.
Wendy just rubbed the back of his neck and muttered under his breath, "Well, that's one way to put it..."
And just like that, the deal was set in motion.