[Paimon: "We're about to enter the church now, so don't go badmouthing the Anemo Archon."]
[Dainsleif: "Hmph, I had no intention of entering the church anyway. Dealing with nuns is your responsibility."]
Barbara hmphed and turned her head away. You'd better not come in, or I'll definitely scold you!
Well... maybe it's better if he doesn't come in, since I don't even know how to scold people properly...
"Good thing you're not coming in, otherwise I'd... otherwise... hmph!" Barbara hmphed again and fell silent.
Rosaria watched Barbara with her perpetually sleepy eyes, thinking: With your level of 'attack power', if he actually came in, you'd just end up crying from frustration.
But if I'm here, that wouldn't happen.
Your offensive capabilities are lacking, and I happen to compensate for that.
My work enthusiasm is lacking, and you happen to compensate for that.
So... you handle the work for me. I'm leaving.
With that thought, Rosaria began sneaking out quietly, missing her drinking buddies.
[Dainsleif: "Let me remind you—you shouldn't mention the 'Defiled Statue' to anyone in the church either."]
["The Church of Favonius wouldn't ignore matters concerning a statue, but if they intervene recklessly, they might alert our enemies."]
["Moreover... anyone who gets involved with the causality of the 'Abyss' rarely meets a good end."]
Readers thought: Oh no, is this Shikikan's fault? Have we all gotten involved in this causality? Was yesterday's streak of bad luck because of this?
This was pure overthinking. Most people were just reading a story—far from being entangled in any causality.
As the saying goes, "Skill breeds boldness," but ordinary people tend to be cautious. They just treat the story as conversation fodder, with no intention of actually provoking the Abyss.
In the story, when the Traveler entered the church, Barbara's first reaction was: "There's no way I'm lending you the Holy Lyre der Himmel again!"
The real Barbara blushed furiously—this was a future not spoiled by any prophet. The Barbara in the story didn't know the Holy Lyre had been taken by the Anemo Archon himself.
If she had known, she wouldn't have just lent it—she would've personally delivered it! To hear the Anemo Archon play the Holy Lyre—what an honor!
In fact, the current Barbara would seize every opportunity to listen to Venti sing, having become a die-hard fan—undisputed top supporter.
Naturally, Venti spent all the money on alcohol, which could be considered Barbara's way of contributing what their beloved Anemo Archon needed most.
Barbara's fan club had no objections—after all, their idol's idol was their idol too.
In the story, the Traveler asked Barbara about the "world's first Field Tiller."
But Barbara had never heard of any "Field Tiller," so the Traveler changed tactics and asked if any statues had gone missing.
[Barbara: "Are you asking about that 'old story'?"]
It turned out a Statue of The Seven had indeed mysteriously disappeared in the past.
Barbara also revealed another piece of information—"The Tyrant's Lingering Resentment."
During Old Mondstadt's era, there was a period when fireballs would rain from the sky if anyone approached a certain area.
People at the time believed it was a curse from the God of Storms, but thinking carefully—since when did the God of Storms throw fireballs?
After Barbara finished speaking with the Traveler, Rosaria arrived with news:
Wolves' Domain seemed to be under attack by monsters, and Acting Grand Master Jean had already led a team there.
Seeing Rosaria appear in the story, Barbara suddenly realized—Wait, where is Sister Rosaria now?!
Rosaria, already at the tavern, never expected her slacking off to be exposed by this book!
In the story, the Traveler relayed this information to Dainsleif, and the two headed to Wolvendom.
After defeating the Abyss Order in Wolvendom, Dainsleif refused to meet the Wolf King.
[Paimon: "Huh? Why? Are you scared of fluffy things?"]
[Traveler: "Isn't fluffiness cute?"]
[Dainsleif: "It's not about the 'wolf.' As a former god who now serves the current Seven, I cannot approve of its actions, nor do I wish to interact with it."]
His dislike for The Seven was absolute—he wanted nothing to do with anyone connected to them.
Guizhong and Havria exchanged glances—Would we count as former gods now serving The Seven?
Dainsleif also warned the Traveler not to trust the gods too much—but not to take the path of overthrowing or hunting them either.
[Dainsleif: "Learn from past mistakes."]
["Khaenri'ah was a nation destroyed by the gods—and that is why... the Abyss Order seeks to destroy the nations of The Seven."]
Some readers believed this, but they would later learn that Khaenri'ah's destruction was ultimately their own doing.
They found the ley lines' energy insufficient and sought to harness the Abyss' power—even Pierro, the conservative faction leader, couldn't stop them.
Back to the story: The Traveler and Paimon went to find the Wolf King and encountered Razor, who was confronting an Abyss Herald.
The Abyss Herald seemed to have used some strange ritual to control Boreas (the Wolf King).
The Traveler immediately pummeled the Abyss Herald, driving it away.
After resolving the crisis, the Traveler asked about the "world's first Field Tiller."
Boreas knew nothing of Field Tillers but recalled a memorable machine:
[Boreas: "It could spin, leap high, and fire fireballs. Though not as powerful as a god, it was stronger than many Vision-bearers."]
[Paimon: "Fireballs...? Huh, haven't we heard that term somewhere recently?"]
Even Paimon made the connection—readers naturally wondered: Could this be the "Tyrant's Lingering Resentment" Barbara mentioned?
After the inquiry, the Traveler prepared to leave. Razor reminded them to stay safe.
In reality, at Wolvendom, a group sat around a campfire roasting fish and meat.
"Big Brother Razor, this story has you in it!" Klee cheered, handing the book to Razor.
"I... don't understand," Razor shook his head.
"Mmm..." Klee wanted to explain, but though she could read, she didn't fully grasp the story either.
"Then let the Prinzessin reveal a fragment of destiny's web to you!" Fischl raised her left hand dramatically over her eyes—though her fingers didn't actually cover them.
"Fischl's explanations will only confuse everyone more. Let me do it," Mona sighed.
"Very well! I permit it, Mein Fräulein Megistus! Reveal unto them the apocalypse's revelations!"
Mona facepalmed—she hated that title—but proceeded to explain the story's content, helping even the confused Fischl understand.
Bennett listened quietly, happy just sharing this adventure with friends.
When "storyteller" Mona finished this segment, the story moved to the Traveler's post-crisis conversation with Dainsleif.
Without Iron Tongue Tian's skill for live narration, everyone had to keep reading.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Mona - About Lucian (Part 3)
"His skills are truly impressive—the Abyss, Khaenri'ah, an outlander from beyond this world... He can even foresee these things. Next time we meet, I must 'steal his techniques'—no, I mean seek guidance!"
"Also... I absolutely won't be fooled by him again!"