"Ehe~ I didn't say anything, I don't know anything."
"Drink, drink!"
Seeing Zhongli's expression suddenly sink again, Venti shivered instinctively and quickly raised his bottle to toast.
"Sit up properly."
"Slumping on the ground—what kind of sight is that?"
"Today is a day worth celebrating."
Zhongli shook his head lightly, brushing aside his darker mood.
Since the Archon War and the change from old gods to new... how long had it been since he could sit at a table with an old friend, drinking and laughing together?
So, for now, he endured.
"Alrighty then~"
"Old man, you're magnanimous. Brother Taro, you're straightforward!"
At that, Venti's smile widened further as he hopped up from the ground and sat properly at the table.
Not only was he safe from a beating today, but there was fine wine here—wine that even soothed part of the erosion that gnawed at his being.
Happy? Of course he was happy.
"The last two of the Seven left, sitting together again..."
"I wonder if this table will grow larger still?"
Watching Zhongli and Venti, Taro pondered whether more of the Archons might one day join this drinking circle.
He already knew quite a few.
Baal and Beelzebul of Inazuma.
The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the current Dendro Archon Nahida of Sumeru.
The Hydro Archon Focalors and Furina of Fontaine.
And the Pyro Archon Murata of Natlan.
As for the first Hydro Archon, Egeria—she could wait.
The Cryo Archon of Snezhnaya... he'd deal with that when the time came.
"Besides the Cryo Archon's uncertain state, I've got most of the others figured out."
Taro rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Ah well, no point thinking about it now. If the chance comes, I'll deal with it then."
It wasn't that he wouldn't go out of his way.
But the price would need to be right.
He rarely did things without benefit—unless, of course, it was something he truly wanted to do.
"Brother Taro—no, Brother Taro~"
Swirling the half-full bottle in his hand, Venti carefully sealed the mouth with a wisp of wind, eyes darting as he spoke:
"How much of this wine do you still have?"
"You want more?"
Taro toyed with the wind sphere he had received, glancing at Venti:
"I've got plenty of this stuff. The authority you gave me could fetch more than just one bottle."
"Trading just one for it? That's a loss. Should I top it up for you?"
"No, no, no~"
Venti quickly shook his head, glancing nervously at Zhongli across the table.
"Trade means both sides agree. One bottle was one bottle, that's all. I just... hehe... wondered if I could use something else to trade for a few more?"
He'd been too excited earlier.
Two gulps and half the bottle was gone.
Now that he'd cooled down, he was heartbroken.
How long could the rest possibly last?
And where else in the world could he find this wine except here with Taro?
He needed to stock up while he could.
At least two more bottles to take back.
One he could finish today, the second for slow, measured sips each day—maybe even share a taste with Dvalin.
The third he'd lock away, kept for an emergency.
Zhongli gave Venti a calm sidelong glance, but inside he was conflicted.
Should he first trade for revival opportunities... or more of this wine?
Both he and Azhdaha could use it.
And Morax... had debts to repay.
The choice gnawed at him.
"Alright then. What do you want to trade?"
"Since you're here on Zhongli's face, I'll give you the friend's discount this time."
Taro tucked away the fragment of Anemo authority and looked at Venti expectantly.
Who knew what kind of treasures this bard had hidden away? No matter what, Taro wouldn't lose.
"This. What do you think?"
"It's really good stuff."
Before their eyes, Venti slipped his hand into his chest... and pulled out a fragment shimmering with crystalline light.
Within the glow, fleeting visions flickered.
"Hm? That's..."
Zhongli froze.
Could this drunkard not inflate prices like this??
A fragment of the God of Time's authority... for a few bottles of wine??
All because of some connection to Istaroth?
His fists itched.
He didn't have much of this stock left—and Venti was pushing it for a few measly drinks?
This was madness.
"The breath of Time?"
Taro's eyes lit up.
"This really is something."
The aura was unmistakable.
Fragments of temporal authority were priceless, no matter the world.
"You're sure you want to trade this for some wine?"
"Trade for as many bottles as it'll fetch. I've got a little more anyway."
Venti grinned, as if he truly didn't mind.
Having spares was a kind of power.
Hopefully the old man wouldn't strangle him later.
"..."
Zhongli covered his face, unable to watch.
This drunkard was even more unbearable now.
Utterly insufferable.
"Well then~"
Taro thought for a moment, then tapped the tabletop.
With a sudden shimmer, a looming shadow fell across Venti.
He turned slowly, mouth falling open as his eyes widened at the sight behind him.
A mountain of wine bottles.
Enough to bathe in, every day, forever.
"There's a hundred thousand here."
Taro slid a card and a staff across the table.
"Take the card. Each time you bring me one of those fragments, you'll get a hundred thousand. Pick who collects them."
"As for this staff, it's a gift. Tenth tier—you know what that means."
"Lastly, I'll throw in one favor, for free. Anything within my ability."
He wasn't going to act the miser.
After all... he really did have mountains of this stuff.
This was just the tip of the iceberg from years of grinding and hoarding in YGGDRASIL.
No need to be stingy.
"..."
Venti didn't speak.
He simply raised his hand... and gave Taro a huge thumbs-up.
Respect. Pure respect.
This big brother—I've chosen him.
No one could change his mind.
Beside them, Zhongli's expression was hard to read.
This wasn't just "a lot" of stock.
It was beyond reckoning.
Maybe... he ought to quietly take some through Venti.
After all, that bard still owed him plenty.
Yes. That sounded like the perfect plan.
(End of Chapter)
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