Yoimiya and Klee went to the Inazuma coast to fish—with explosives, of course.
Since Inazuma was made up of islands, there were plenty of perfect places for Klee's "fishing trips."
"Venti's in jail?"
Koji learned from Raiden Makoto that the Anemo Archon had been arrested for dining and dashing—he'd drunk without paying and been taken away by soldiers. The guards said he'd only be released once someone covered his tab.
It was surprising, yet somehow perfectly in character for him.
Raiden Makoto couldn't help but laugh helplessly. After so many centuries, the wind god hadn't changed one bit.
"I'll send someone to pay his debt and have him released," she said.
A nation's god sitting in a jail cell—truly absurd. Whoever had the guts to imprison the Anemo Archon deserved some kind of award.
"Don't trouble yourself, Makoto. Venti's not even an Inazuman," Koji said.
He vanished for a moment—then reappeared, bringing someone with him.
Jean.
The Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius suddenly found herself standing in Inazuma, completely disoriented.
"Are you… the Raiden Shogun?" she asked, blinking.
Compared to her own easygoing Archon, this thunder goddess felt far more reliable.
As the Acting Grand Master, Jean's status was second only to the Archon, so she simply nodded respectfully without kneeling.
Makoto regarded her calmly and nodded back. "A capable woman. Mondstadt's lucky to have you. Their god, however…"
She sighed. "He's still as unreliable as ever."
"Captain Jean," Makoto said in a strangely delicate tone. "Your god, Barbatos, was arrested for drinking without paying."
Jean froze.
Her face went crimson. She wished she could sink into the ground.
It was bad enough when he embarrassed Mondstadt at home—but in another nation? Did he have to make their entire country lose face?
She wanted to die.
But… given it was Venti, somehow it also made perfect sense.
"How much? I'll pay right now," Jean said, forcing a strained smile.
"Come with me," Makoto said. "The paperwork's nearly done anyway."
They arrived at the Inazuma prison.
Inside, Venti was sprawled lazily on his bunk, humming to himself. There wasn't a hint of anxiety—if anything, he looked comfortable.
The bars of the cell were meaningless to an Archon. He could have slipped out anytime, but that would've been even more humiliating. Imagine the Wind God breaking out of jail because he couldn't pay a bar tab—it would be a joke for centuries.
Jean pressed her hand to her forehead. She shouldn't have worried.
Part of her even thought he deserved a few days in there.
"You're here!" Venti sat up with a bright smile. "Come on in, the bed's surprisingly comfy!"
He had really made himself at home.
Koji and Makoto exchanged glances.
Truly, only Venti could be this unbothered.
"Enough. Venti, your bail's here—you're free to go," Makoto said flatly.
The drunk god stretched and yawned. "Ah, Jean, you came for me~."
"Venti," Jean sighed, handing him a pouch of Mora, "please stop doing things like this."
"Our gods really are a disgrace sometimes," she muttered.
She had far too much to manage already. She couldn't keep flying to other nations just to bail out her Archon.
"Thanks, Jean! I knew I could count on you," Venti said cheerfully. "When Varka returns, I'll tell him to make you the official Grand Master! Or better yet—you could take my job as Wind God!"
Makoto: "…"
Jean: "…"
The room fell silent.
It was so very Venti—infuriatingly so.
"Just… behave yourself," Jean said weakly. "When Varka gets back, I'm taking a vacation. Lisa and Barbara can handle things for a while."
Makoto nodded sympathetically.
Venti didn't even bother with the key. His body dissolved into wind and slipped through the cell bars.
"Venti," Makoto said, giving him a long look, "if you ever need money, just ask me for a loan. I'll even write you a tab."
Venti's eyes sparkled. "Really? That's so kind of you!"
Jean quickly interjected, "And when you do, please send the bill directly to the Knights of Favonius."
She just wanted to avoid another international incident.
Koji sighed. "Venti, will you ever do something serious?"
"Ehe~," the bard answered, flashing his trademark grin.
The man truly had no shame—and, apparently, no responsibilities either.
Still, perhaps it was for the best. With no wars raging, there was little use for a god of freedom.
"Makoto, what if you and Venti fought—who'd win?" Koji asked curiously.
"As an original Archon, I'd lose," Makoto admitted. "He hides his true strength well. During the Khaenri'ah war, I don't think he ever fought at full power."
Venti shrugged. "Why would I? With the Heavenly Principles watching over everything, there was no need for me to risk my life."
Even Zhongli had held back; none of them truly wanted to fight that war.
"I wasn't as lucky as you," Makoto said quietly. "I fell there."
Her power had been spread across multiple fronts. By the time the others realized she'd fallen, it was too late.
"The battlefield was chaos," Venti said softly. "We all fought in different places. I'm sorry… we couldn't save you."
Makoto smiled faintly. "No one could. Everyone had their own battles."
(End of Chapter)
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