Angel's Share Tavern.
Diluc, with his cat-faced stern look, glanced at Venti. He wasn't surprised at all—his information network wasn't any weaker than the Knights of Favonius. He had long suspected Venti's true identity.
"Diluc, since I'm the Anemo Archon now, can I drink here for free?" Venti asked shamelessly.
"No," Diluc said flatly. "Even if you are the Archon, you still have to pay."
Venti's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
Of course. If the Archon himself never acted like one, why would Diluc treat him differently? Free drinks? Not a chance.
Jean spoke up, a little helplessly. "Venti, if you truly want to drink, the Knights of Favonius can cover your tab."
"Really?" Venti's face lit up.
Paimon rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable. You're supposed to be an Archon, yet you freeload and do nothing. And now you want people to buy your drinks too?"
Koji leaned back in his chair. "It's not fair to say Venti does nothing. Mondstadt's gentle winds and stable climate are maintained by his power. If he pulled all that back, you'd see how terrifying he truly is."
And it was true. If Venti ever stopped quietly regulating Mondstadt's winds, storms and droughts would tear the land apart. The fact that he had survived the Cataclysm 500 years ago, when gods fell in battle, also spoke volumes about his hidden strength.
Still, compared to Zhongli's calm, dignified presence, Venti really did look like a sloppy drunk.
Jean nodded. She knew some of this history, though the Archon had never confirmed it himself.
"You know a lot," Venti said softly, "but divine power isn't something that can just be withdrawn at will. If the Archons truly pulled all their essence back, the whole of Teyvat might collapse. That's what nearly happened during Khaenri'ah's fall."
Jean tried again. "Venti, since you are the Archon, your understanding of the elements surpasses anyone's. The Knights would like to hire you as an instructor—to occasionally give guidance."
"Does it come with wine?" Venti tilted his head, pretending to think it over.
Jean sighed. "Yes. As much wine as you want."
Venti grinned. "Deal."
No wonder Mondstadt was full of drunks—their god was one.
Jean pressed the real issue. "Venti, when it comes to subduing Stormterror, what do we need to focus on?"
"Just cleanse the purple corruption crystals on his back. That's all you need. And, uh—don't kill him." Venti cast a glance at Koji.
That one… his power was frightening. Too frightening.
Jean nodded. "Then tomorrow at noon, we set out. Rest well, everyone."
When Koji and Lumine returned to their rental house, they found an uninvited guest waiting inside.
"Ah, the Fatui Harbinger herself. What an honor," Koji said casually.
The woman's gaze was cold. A tall figure wrapped in elegant furs, her eyes sharp as blades. Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter—known across Teyvat as the Lady, Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers.
"Ordinary people?" she scoffed. "You are no such thing, honorary knights."
Lumine instinctively drew her dull blade, staring warily. Her eyes drifted downward for a second. What the—how is she that big?
Rosalyne's chest was… distracting, to say the least. Lumine's expression was stuck somewhere between awe and disbelief.
"State your purpose," Koji said. "We don't have ties with the Fatui."
The Lady's voice was ice. "No purpose. Only an offer. Will you join the Fatui?"
Koji raised an eyebrow. "Join? That's not the kind of invitation I expected from a Harbinger."
Rosalyne's gaze sharpened. "The Tsaritsa herself said it. Travelers are worthy to stand among the Harbingers."
The Ice Queen, god of Snezhnaya… to receive her recognition directly was no small thing.
Koji chuckled. "So, if Lumine and I join, the Eleven become Thirteen?"
Rosalyne's eyes flickered but she didn't answer.
Lumine frowned, gripping her sword tighter. "Why us?"
"Because the world itself has already cast you aside," Rosalyne answered quietly. "Yet the Queen accepts even those abandoned by heaven."
Her words carried the weight of her own tragedy. Once, she had been an ordinary woman in love. But she had lost her dearest Rustan in the Cataclysm, and the fire that consumed her heart had never died. It was the Queen who had given her reason to live again.
Koji and Lumine exchanged a look. "We'll consider it," Koji said calmly.
The Lady studied them for a moment, then nodded and swept out.
When the door closed, Lumine let out a slow breath. "That aura… so strong. Was that really a Harbinger?"
Koji's expression was unreadable. "Yes. And she's far from the weakest. Don't worry. Once you've claimed all seven elements, you'll be more than a match—even for her."
Lumine hesitated. "But… should we even think about joining them? I've heard the Fatui are hated everywhere."
Koji shrugged. "Their reputation is bad, but not all Harbingers are evil. Some are monsters, others… not so much. But one thing is certain—money flows like water in the Fatui. As an Executioner, you'd never want for funds."
Lumine's mind began to spin. Money meant travel. Money meant information. And the Fatui's reach spread across all seven nations.
"If they know where my brother is…" she murmured.
Koji leaned back with a faint grin. "Exactly. Something to think about."
(End of Chapter)
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