Chapter 48 — Venti: It's Great to Exchange Points for Fine Wine
Diluc was overthinking things again.
In his mind, Barbatos might have seemed unreliable—always drinking, always singing—but that was only the surface. Deep down, Diluc understood that Mondstadt's god carried the weight of its history more than anyone else.
The Cryo Archon herself had yet to move; only her Harbingers prowled across the continent. They were powerful, yes, but they weren't gods. And while their reach extended far, Mondstadt's true problems didn't come from beyond its borders—they came from within.
The people had grown complacent. They relied too much on freedom and too little on discipline.
But now… an opportunity had presented itself.
The chat group—this strange, otherworldly link—offered a chance to grow stronger. Diluc didn't yet understand its full scope, but the potential was undeniable.
He was done waiting for miracles. It was time to forge his own.
---
A Trade for Strength
"How many points do you have right now?" Diluc asked, turning to Venti, who was absentmindedly spinning his lyre string like a child.
Venti tilted his head, pretending to count on his fingers. "Hmm… about 1,700. Give or take."
"1,700?" Diluc mused. "That's not insignificant."
He folded his arms, thinking aloud. "I saw that even a hundred points can enhance something called 'internal energy' by a large margin. I don't know exactly how strong that makes someone, but it's worth testing."
His crimson eyes glimmered. "Let's make a deal. You give me all your points. In exchange, you can drink as much Dandelion Wine as you want for the next three months."
Three months. Ninety days.
If Venti spent ten or twenty points per day on drinks, that would easily cover it. But Diluc knew better—this wasn't about the numbers.
The bard's drinking capacity was… legendary. If there were no restrictions, he could probably empty the entire Dawn Winery stockpile in a week.
For Venti, the offer was irresistible. For Diluc, it was an offering—to the god who protected his city, even in silence.
"Just one condition," Diluc added firmly. "You can't get drunk. If you do, I'll cancel the deal."
Venti's eyes sparkled like starlight. "Free drinks and I just have to pretend not to get drunk? Deal!"
He puffed out his chest dramatically. "Besides, I'm the Anemo Archon! If I don't want to get drunk, I won't. Maybe just a little tipsy~"
Diluc sighed. "Fine. But remember—we're going monster hunting tomorrow."
"Of course! Nothing like a little workout before wine."
And with that, Venti grinned mischievously and transferred all 1,772 points to Diluc, humming a tune as he skipped down the stairs toward the tavern.
The moment he disappeared, the clinking of bottles could be heard from below.
Diluc rubbed his temples. "That bard…"
Still, he smiled faintly. The points weren't much by celestial standards, but they'd serve as a good test.
The internal energy upgrades intrigued him. His past reliance on his Delusion had left scars—hidden damage that no healer could fix. If these points could repair what remained of that corruption, then this "chat group" was worth far more than wine or Mora.
He would test it—and then he would begin training.
If strength could be earned this way, he would earn it.
---
The Next Morning
When Kael awoke the next morning, the faint scent of breakfast drifted through the house.
Barbara stood in the kitchen, humming softly as sunlight spilled through the window. The melody was cheerful, but gentle—the kind that made the heart relax.
When she noticed Kael coming down the stairs, she beamed. "Good morning, Mr. Kael! What would you like for breakfast?"
Kael blinked in surprise. "Barbara? You're up early."
She nodded brightly. "I wanted to thank you for yesterday. You've helped me so much, and… my sister said to take good care of you while you're in Mondstadt."
"Jean said that?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow.
Barbara nodded again. "She left early this morning. Said she had some work outside the city."
Ah. That explained it.
Venti and Diluc were gone too. They must've already headed out to clear monsters.
He took a seat at the table while Barbara prepared breakfast—a simple dish of buttered toast, eggs, and vegetable soup. Nothing extravagant, but it carried the warmth of effort and care.
He couldn't help but compare her to Keqing.
Last night, he'd spoken privately with the Yuheng of Liyue. At first, she'd looked suspicious, thinking he was there to distract her from work. But the moment he offered some insights on city management, she'd lit up.
What began as a casual chat had turned into an intense policy discussion that lasted half the night.
I came to talk about life, not draft reform plans, Kael had thought helplessly.
But Keqing seemed genuinely content.
"To her, that was romance," he muttered to himself with a faint smile. "Work first, emotions later…"
In contrast, Barbara's care felt refreshingly simple. She wasn't trying to impress or strategize—she was just kind.
When she placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of him, the aroma was soothing.
Kael smiled faintly. "Thank you, Barbara. You didn't have to go this far."
Barbara shook her head quickly. "Not at all! It's the least I can do."
He took a sip. The broth was warm, spiced lightly with mint and dandelion.
Keqing, he thought wryly, take notes. This is what warmth tastes like.
---
Barbara's Concern
"Mr. Kael," Barbara began cautiously, "my sister said she'd be with Mr. Diluc and Mr. Venti. They're clearing monsters outside the city, right?"
Kael set down his spoon, nodding. "Yes. Mondstadt's wilds have become dangerous lately. Abyssal energy has been spreading through the ley lines. Jean wants to contain it before it reaches the city."
Barbara's brow furrowed. "That's what worries me. The Adventurers' Guild said that the outskirts are filled with monsters now. Even Miss Eula comes back injured every day."
Her hands tightened on her apron. "If my sister and the others are out there, isn't that dangerous?"
Kael smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Jean isn't alone. Diluc and Venti are with her."
He chuckled softly. "If anything happens, Mondstadt's monsters will be the ones in danger."
Barbara still looked uncertain, but she nodded slowly. "You really believe that?"
"I do." Kael's tone softened. "Your sister's strong, Barbara. She doesn't show it, but she's carried Mondstadt on her shoulders for years. And Venti…" He paused. "Let's just say that no matter how lazy he looks, when it truly matters, he always comes through."
Barbara exhaled, visibly calmer.
For a moment, she looked at Kael quietly—really looked. There was something about his presence that reminded her of the Statue of The Seven, of the calm she felt whenever she prayed beneath its gaze.
If she didn't know better, she might have mistaken him for the god himself.
---
Meanwhile — The Tavern Below
At that very moment, Venti was sprawled on a tavern table, surrounded by half a dozen bottles of Dandelion Wine.
He stretched, let out a happy sigh, and murmured to himself, "Ah~ The taste of freedom. And the taste of Diluc's generosity!"
Charles, the bartender, frowned as he wiped the counter. "Lord Venti, you've been at this since dawn. Are you sure you don't want to pace yourself?"
Venti winked. "Nonsense! I'm training my tolerance. Diluc said I can't get drunk, remember?"
He poured himself another glass and lifted it to the light.
"Hmm… maybe I should write a song about this trade. Something like—" He cleared his throat dramatically.
> "Trade points for wine, what a splendid deal,
I drink for three months, my joy is real!
Though Diluc thinks he's clever and wise,
He'll see my wine bill and surely cry!"
The customers nearby burst out laughing.
"Lord Barbatos bless this tavern!" one shouted, raising their mug.
Venti grinned, twirling his lyre string between his fingers.
They'll never know how much this little charade keeps their faith alive, he thought. Let them laugh. Let them drink. I'll bear the humiliation if it means Mondstadt can stay free.
---
End of Chapter 48 — Venti: It's Great to Exchange Points for Fine Wine