After successfully helping the Knights of Favonius deal with the three temples,
Lumine was granted the title of "Honorary Knight" (Labor Contract).
Upon leaving, she unexpectedly ran into a familiar figure in the square.
"Hey, Lumine, doesn't that green guy look like the one we met outside the city?"
Paimon pointed curiously ahead.
Lumine looked up and indeed saw him.
It appeared to be a bard?
He seemed to be telling a story.
After the story concluded, he noticed Lumine and Paimon.
"Hello, my name is Venti, the greatest bard of Mondstadt. You two are the ones who scared off Dvalin, aren't you?"
"Hello, I'm Lumine, and this here is my emergency food."
"I'm not 'emergency food'! I'm Paimon!" Paimon stomped her foot in the air.
Confused, she then asked, "Wait, 'Dvalin? Who's that?"
"Paimon, don't you remember what Lisa said?" Lumine softly reminded her.
"Oh! I remember now, but isn't everyone calling him 'Stormterror'?" Paimon scratched her head, asking in confusion.
"Hehe, Dvalin is actually a gentle soul. It's just that something bad has corrupted him, turning him into what he is now." Venti explained, his voice filled with sorrow.
Then, in a special way—through song—Venti narrated the story of how Dvalin became what he is today.
His voice was enchanting, so much so that it almost felt like they could see the once-kind dragon.
Next, Venti took out a deep red crystal and showed it to them.
"See, this is Dvalins tear."
"Hey? Lumine, don't you have one too?" Paimon asked, surprised.
"Right, you're so smart, Paimon, I almost didn't want to eat you!" Lumine slapped her forehead, giving Paimon a playful smile.
"Hehe, that's right! Wait, I told you, I'm not emergency food!!" Paimon immediately protested.
Lumine pulled the crystal from her pocket and observed it closely. To her surprise, its color had changed.
"Wait? Why has it changed color?!" Paimon asked, puzzled.
The crystal, once deep red, was now glowing a mysterious blue.
"Incredible power," Venti remarked, staring at the dragon's tear in awe.
"Can you purify this as well?" Venti asked.
"I'll give it a try," Lumine nodded.
Lumine took the tear in hand, closed her eyes, and activated her elemental power.
Before long, the tear was purified, turning a beautiful sky blue.
"Impressive! Someone like you is destined to be immortalized in a bard's song," Venti applauded.
"Now, can you accompany me to the Favonius Cathedral?" He suddenly asked.
"Why the Favonius Cathedral?" Paimon asked, confused.
"To get a harp called 'Skyward.' With it, I can awaken Dvalins true nature from his nightmare," Venti explained.
…
"No, that's impossible. Please leave," the nun at the cathedral's entrance firmly rejected Venti's request.
"I knew this would happen," Lumine and Paimon shrugged, their faces filled with helplessness.
"Hmph, is there no other way?"
Venti rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then made a decision.
"Rejoice, my faithful followers! Before you stands the Anemo Archon, Barbatos himself!"
"Oh?"
Shajin hadn't expected such an outcome. His eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise.
"Hehe," A cunning plan began to form in his mind. The corners of his mouth curled into a sly smile.
He slowly walked away.
As for whether Venti was truly the Anemo Archon, Shajin already had his suspicions.
The nun stood there for a moment, her face written with confusion.
"…If nothing else, I'll return to process the church's paperwork."
"Eh?!"
"Venti, lying isn't good, you know?"
Paimon walked up and patted Venti on the shoulder, her tone a bit reproachful.
"I'm telling the truth!" Venti insisted, his face full of determination. His eyes shimmered with sincerity.
"Ah, right, right. So, what now?" Lumine nodded half-heartedly, suspicion clearly on her face.
"Heh, I have a plan B!"
Venti's eyes gleamed with confidence, his lips curling into a self-assured smile.
…..
"All this because of you, Venti!"
"You've really gotten us into trouble!"
"I didn't expect anyone else to come!"
Lumine, Paimon, and Venti were all running through the streets in a frantic chase.
Here's what happened:
After destroying the abandoned temples, Lumine and Paimon ran into Venti, who they had met outside the city earlier.
After a bit of persuasion, they decided to help him steal the Skyward Harp.
However, the Fatui got there first.
They were forced to flee to "Angel's Share."
…..
At that moment, Shajin, following the latest intel, arrived at the scene.
Two knights had just exited the building.
Shajin waited briefly before pushing open the door.
"For you to steal the Skyward Harp, I must say I admire your courage. And you, blue-haired one, put down the wine bottle behind your back."
"Eh? What does that have to do with anything?!" Venti was surprised.
"I'm not refusing to pay, it's just that I'm performing to repay my debt…"
"Sorry, but based on my assessment, you're still too young to buy alcohol."
The red-haired man crossed his arms and spoke firmly.
"You can rest assured about that. When I was drinking, you were still…"
"…What?"
"Never mind…"
Venti laughed awkwardly, about to leave when he locked eyes with Shajin.
Shajin politely nodded before heading toward the bar.
"One dandelion wine, please, bartender."
The red-haired man gave Shajin a subtle glance, feeling that the face seemed familiar.
"Please wait a moment."
It seemed like Master Diluc didn't recognize him.
Shajin glanced back and saw Venti curiously observing him.
"Is there something you need?"
Shajin smiled politely.
"Nothing, just thought you looked familiar."
"Oh?"
Shajin's eyes shifted as he responded, "It's normal to recognize me, after all, I'm the one who caused the unrest and was exiled from Liyue."
Diluc's sword immediately appeared in his hand, pointing straight at Shajin.
"State your reason for coming to Mondstadt, exiled from Liyue, the 'Gambler'."
"Don't be so hasty, Master Diluc."
Shajin casually pushed the sword away with his gloved hand.
"I'm here to help you all."
_
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