Jean's eyes were full of confusion, and she couldn't help but ask, "Lord Barbatos, why is this?"
Barbatos turned to look at the sky, his face full of nostalgia, and said, "As your idol, I presume you know Vennessa's life story, don't you?"
Jean nodded and said, "Lady Vennessa, as a slave, led the Mondstadt people to overthrow the rule of the Lawrence nobles and established the Knights of Favonius. She has always been a role model for me."
A nostalgic expression appeared on Barbatos's face, and he said, "A thousand years ago, during the Windblume Festival, I awoke from my slumber and saw a Mondstadt city that was both strange and familiar.
I distinctly remembered that I had destroyed the tower representing the will of King Deshret, personally watched them build a Statue of the Anemo Archon for me, and granted the Mondstadt people a city-state where no one would be king.
But I never expected that when I awoke, the first thing I saw was that tower built by the Lawrence Family. When I learned more, I found out that the Lawrence Family had ruled Mondstadt for over a thousand years, which meant that the Mondstadters had lived without freedom for over a thousand years.
Even the ball-throwing event that marked the start of the Windblume Festival was monopolized by the Lawrence Family, and no one dared to compete for it.
I couldn't stand the actions of the Lawrence Family, so I forcibly intervened, snatched away the toy that had become a noble's pastime, and quickly fled the scene. It was then that I bumped into a red-haired Damselette who was buying medicine for her sister, and her name was Vennessa."
Jean listened with great attention. These were histories not recorded in textbooks, and only Lord Barbatos, as a witness to history, could recount such a detailed story, as if everything that happened a thousand years ago was vividly before her eyes.
Barbatos: "The first time I saw Vennessa, her hands were in shackles, and her ankles were chained to an iron ball, just like a prisoner in jail.
Ten years ago, her tribe was attacked by The Dragon Ursa after several days without food. In desperation, they had no choice but to sign a contract, selling their entire tribe into slavery to the Mondstadt nobles.
It's laughable to think that Mondstadt, which advocates freedom, was the country with the most slaves at that time. How utterly ironic!"
As Barbatos spoke these words, a strong gust of wind suddenly and without warning swept through Mondstadt city, scattering trees everywhere. However, this wind came and went quickly.
Feeling Barbatos's indignation, Jean cautiously asked, "What happened next?"
Barbatos: "Ten years after Vennessa became a slave, she became the sole hope of her tribe. According to the contract of sale from that year, anyone who could win twelve consecutive battles in the gladiatorial arena would regain their freedom. Vennessa had already won eleven consecutive battles, and tomorrow was her final fight.
Perhaps the pursuing nobles were wary of Vennessa's deterrent power, and did not immediately apprehend me, who was standing behind Vennessa. However, when night fell, that noble sent people to arrest Vennessa and throw her into prison.
To repay Vennessa's kindness in saving me, I stole the prison keys and sneaked into her cell, hoping she would seize the opportunity to escape far away. But Vennessa, for the sake of her people, refused my offer.
Then I suggested that I could grant her and her people freedom that very night, as the words of nobles could not be trusted. But unexpectedly, Vennessa still refused me and spoke a deafening truth: "
freedom can never be given by others; it must be fought for and earned with one's own hands. Otherwise, one will only wear shackles controlled by another power.
Most of my people have forgotten the meaning of freedom; I want them to remember it again.
If Vennessa had accepted my charity at that time, I would have merely released domestic fowl from a cage, and the people who originally kept them could just as easily catch them again. Furthermore, she probably wouldn't have become the great hero who saved Mondstadt.
I presume you know what happened next."
Jean listened to Barbatos's pointed story, as if she understood something, and gratefully said, "Thank you, Lord Barbatos, for your guidance."
Barbatos nodded and said, "A little sacrifice is worth it. At least you have proven to me that you still have the courage to fight for freedom and the determination to protect Mondstadt.
Strength can be compensated for through hard work, but if that heart to fight for freedom is lost, Mondstadt will not go far.
If in last night's battle, you had directly chosen to ask that young man for help, perhaps Mondstadt would not have suffered today's casualties. However, I would have felt that you had lost the courage to fight for freedom.
In today's Mondstadt, Grand Master Varka, Diluc, and you are the three humans I have the highest hopes for. Now, Varka has successfully crossed that line, Diluc, after last night's battle, is also on the verge of doing so. As the Acting Grand Master, you must not fall too far behind them."
Jean naturally understood what Lord Barbatos meant by "that line"—it referred to the level of an adeptus.
Because of this, Acting Grand Master Jean knew how difficult it was for a human to break through that line. However, Miyashiro, who was even younger than herself, had easily crossed that line and reached a realm she couldn't comprehend. Jean couldn't help but voice her confusion to Barbatos.
Jean: "Lord Barbatos, Miyashiro... what exactly is the situation with that Inazuma Regent? Why is he so strong?"
Barbatos said grumpily, "He is an anomaly; don't compare yourself to him, it's asking for trouble. Fortunately, he currently bears no ill will towards Mondstadt. In the future, the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mondstadt and Inazuma will be more beneficial than harmful for Mondstadt.
Perhaps I should find some time to personally go to Inazuma to investigate the situation.
By the way, the wind tells me that a inheritable bloodline power flows within that young man, which is his impressive and peculiar pair of eyes. Perhaps you can choose a suitable candidate to try it."
Jean's eyes widened, and she exclaimed with a blush, "Inheritable? Bloodline power? Do you mean..."
Barbatos: "Hmm? The candidate I mentioned does not include you! Don't mess around! Mondstadt cannot do without you, its Acting Grand Master, right now."
Just then, the image of a certain person simultaneously appeared in the minds of both Jean and Barbatos. They exchanged a smile, each with their own plans.
Barbatos jumped down from the platform, waved his hand, and bid farewell to Acting Grand Master Jean: "I'm off! Diluc promised to give me all the fine wine stored in the Dawn Winery's cellar last night. I must savor it properly, hehehe!"
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