Chapter 127. Rosalyne Kruzchka Lohefalter's Death
Starsnatch Cliff is a little delicate as a location. Any Mondstadter would basically treat it as a date spot, so Futsu Mitama's expression was indeed rather subtle when he saw it.
Was this place really suitable for judging Signora? After all, it was practically a sacred place for dates.
Wouldn't it be better to judge her somewhere else, like Wolvendom or Stormterror's Lair?
Still, since Venti said so, he must have his reasons. Futsu Mitama did not think much further about it, and simply nodded before looking at Nahida.
"Then let's get ready to depart."
Nahida, on the other hand, seemed eager to try. She placed one hand on Signora's ice sculpture and held Futsu Mitama's hand with the other.
The location of Starsnatch Cliff appeared in Futsu Mitama's mind. A white light flashed from the Teleportation Scepter in his hand.
Swish—!!
In the next moment, Futsu Mitama, Nahida, and Signora all disappeared from their original spot.
Only Scaramouche was left alone in the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Of course, he would not be alone for long.
Soon, Aila, Shenhe, and Kokomi would come to guard him, preventing Dottore from launching a surprise attack and rescuing him.
Of course, Dottore was highly unlikely to come rescue him, because Snezhnaya was currently very busy, and as the Second Fatui Harbinger, he could not be absent.
As for rescuing Scaramouche? Without Archon-level power, even Dottore would not be able to force his way into the current Sumeru.
According to intelligence, Futsu Mitama and Nahida had been in the Sanctuary of Surasthana the entire time and had not left the area.
Mondstadt, Starsnatch Cliff.
Accompanied by a flash of white light, Futsu Mitama, Nahida, and the frozen ice sculpture that was Signora appeared.
"You've arrived."
A familiar voice sounded.
Futsu Mitama and Nahida looked over and saw Venti smiling at them.
"Nice to meet you. I am the Anemo Archon Barbatos. You can call me Venti."
Venti looked at Nahida with a very gentle smile.
Nahida's eyes reflected his image. She subconsciously used her authority to sense him, and then she discovered—so weak!!!
She did not know why, but the Venti before her gave off an extremely faint feeling. There was no divine pressure at all, and even his strength seemed gone.
She could probably knock down this Anemo Archon, who had emerged from the Archon War, with her small fists.
But—Nahida also felt that was impossible.
How could a being who survived the Archon War be weak, just like Rex Lapis?
At first, she did not think he was weak, but after sensing him slightly, she realized that his power might be beyond her imagination.
Having learned from her earlier recklessness, Nahida did not deeply probe Venti's strength. She only sensed it briefly before withdrawing her authority.
"Nice to meet you," Nahida also said politely. "I am the Dendro Archon—Buer. You can just call me Nahida."
As those words fell, Venti's smile grew even brighter.
He chuckled,
"Alright, then I'll call you Nahida. Since we've met, let me give you a little gift."
With that, Venti tossed out two wine bottles, his expression a little pained.
"These are Mondstadt's specialty, dandelion wine. I spent quite a bit of mora buying them."
Futsu Mitama reached out to catch the dandelion wine, his expression somewhat subtle as he looked at Venti.
He had mora???
That was truly rare.
"Thank you."
Nahida casually accepted it as well, then looked at the wine in her hand, her expression also somewhat subtle.
She had long known that the Anemo Archon Barbatos liked to drink, but she had not expected him to give her wine the very first time they met.
"Where did you get the mora?"
Futsu Mitama spoke directly at this point. He did not even ask how Venti escaped from the Nameless Island.
Because it was highly likely that Venti had lied, that there had never been a year of imprisonment, and that he had merely exaggerated it into a year.
Of course, it was also possible that the Nameless Island had truly planned to imprison him for a year, but he slipped away just as he was about to be confined.
That was not impossible. Given Venti's personality, he would absolutely do something like that.
"Hm?"
Nahida tilted her head, not understanding why Futsu Mitama would ask that.
As the Seven, what did they need mora for anyway? Did they need mora to buy things in their own nations?
"How rude."
Venti took a sip of wine and looked at Futsu Mitama.
"That's my hard-earned money, of course. As a bard, I'm quite skilled at singing poetry."
As he said that, Venti conjured a lyre out of thin air, as if hinting,
"Would you like me to perform a song for you right now?"
"I see."
Futsu Mitama did not say any more, because that was still very much Venti's style. He really would do such things for the sake of drinking.
"Ehe~ Let's not talk about that for now. Let's drink, let's drink~"
Venti smiled playfully. With a slight wave of his hand, a picnic blanket appeared on the ground, and many hot dishes and fine wines materialized on it.
He plopped down on the blanket and said, "Let's have a good drink first."
Futsu Mitama glanced at the ice sculpture of Signora not far away and asked, "Shouldn't we deal with her first?"
Saying that, Futsu Mitama also sat down in front of Venti.
Looking at the spread before him, good heavens—there were dishes from Sumeru, Inazuma, Mondstadt, and Liyue.
Dishes from all four nations were complete. It seemed the snacks Venti had requested from the Chat Group over the past few days had not been eaten, and were all being saved for today.
Nahida also looked at Venti curiously.
Hadn't he called them here to deal with Signora?
Why had he started eating and drinking instead?
That did not seem right, did it?
Although she felt a little strange, Nahida, like Futsu Mitama, obediently sat down.
At the same time, her eyes curiously looked over the dishes she had never seen before.
Hmm, Nahida had seen these dishes in the Akasha System, but seeing them did not mean she had eaten them.
Now that these steaming dishes were in front of her, she wanted to eat them.
But neither Futsu Mitama nor Venti had started eating yet, so Nahida could only look on hungrily and could not take any real action.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
"Good wine!!!"
Venti took a big gulp and showed a very satisfied expression.
He looked at the sun, which had not yet set, and slowly said, "It's not time yet."
"We have to wait until around eleven at night. That's when it's time to judge her. Hmm~ how should I put it, my feelings about her are still rather subtle."
"On the one hand, she is one of my Mondstadt citizens. What happened back then was indeed my fault. She was not like this before. So, as the Anemo Archon, I still need to extinguish the anger in her body and heart. As for the sins she committed—"
At that point, Venti fell silent.
He did not know how to atone for Signora's sins; he could only let her die.
As the Anemo Archon, he truly felt ashamed toward Signora, this once-devout follower, this girl who loved to sing and had become what she was today.
Although everyone in the Chat Group said Venti was not to blame and had done his best—
Venti could only give a wry smile at those words.
If he had given Dvalin strength earlier to deal with the poisonous dragon Durin back then, then fewer people in Mondstadt would have died, and the Fatui Harbinger known as the Lady might never have been born.
Instead, there would have been Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, the girl who loved to sing.
But now it was too late to say anything.
As the Anemo Archon Barbatos, he could only give the Lady a quick end and, at the same time, release her from that twisted curse.
"Is it not time yet?"
Futsu Mitama looked at Venti.
He said nothing, only silently took a sip of dandelion wine.
When Venti mentioned eleven o'clock at night, Futsu Mitama knew he was planning to give the Lady a "surprise."
As for whether that "surprise" was what he imagined, Futsu Mitama did not know, because he was not the Anemo Archon Barbatos.
In any case, Futsu Mitama knew that if it were him, he would never go through so many troublesome steps. He would definitely give the Lady a swift, decisive end.
There was no helping it.
The Lady had caused Futsu Mitama too much trouble.
It could be said that all the trouble caused by Dottore, Tartaglia, and Scaramouche combined was not as much as the trouble caused by the Lady alone.
Perhaps their ability to cause trouble was not small, but the number of times they caused trouble for Futsu Mitama was extremely rare.
Only the Lady's shadow appeared every time trouble arose!
Even if she was beautiful and had a good figure, an enemy was still an enemy. Showing mercy to an enemy was cruelty to oneself.
That was also why Futsu Mitama had originally intended to deal with the Lady first.
Everyone else could wait. She had to die first!
"Yes, it's not time yet."
Venti took another sip of wine, then casually picked up a duck leg and began chewing it.
Once Venti started eating, Nahida also quietly breathed a sigh of relief and began to eat as well, her eyes shining as she looked at the cuisine from all four nations.
She wondered which dish she should try first.
"However, your strength has improved a lot."
Venti began teasing Futsu Mitama, chuckling,
"You can probably deal with me easily now, right? Oh my~ It's truly moving. In just half a year, I'm no longer your match."
In response to Venti's teasing, Futsu Mitama rolled his eyes.
While eating, he said, "Are you still pretending? I'm not your match? If you were to recover the power you've dispersed throughout Mondstadt, then I definitely wouldn't be your match now."
Futsu Mitama admitted that after reaching the Demon God Realm, he was much stronger than an average Demon Gods.
Take Dottore, for example. He was considered a strong individual in the Demon God Realm. The fact that Aila and Nahida together could do nothing to him showed just how strong and versatile he was.
But Futsu Mitama was absolutely confident he could seriously injure him, and had a seventy percent chance of killing that guy, Dottore.
Yet even with that strength, Futsu Mitama was not confident he could defeat Venti in front of him.
The other party's power was indeed very formidable.
Not to mention the terrifying boost Venti could gain from the surge of faith when he wore his laurel wreath.
And after Futsu Mitama reached the Demon God Realm, he could clearly feel that Mondstadt's constant good weather relied entirely on Venti's divine power.
He spread his power throughout Mondstadt so its citizens would not suffer from severe cold.
So Futsu Mitama was still very self-aware.
If Venti truly got serious, recalled all his power, and added the faith of Mondstadt's citizens, he would definitely be among the top tier of Archon-level beings.
None of the original Archons were simple.
"Hahahahaha~ What power could I possibly have~"
Venti, however, played dumb, as if he did not understand what Futsu Mitama was saying.
Nahida, meanwhile, was just eating, eating, eating, eating, eating! What power or no power! What strength or weakness! None of it had anything to do with her!
Five hundred years! For a full five hundred years! Nahida had been imprisoned! And playing in dreams!
She naturally knew what gourmet food tasted like, but tasting it herself still moved Nahida deeply.
Was this what it felt like to taste gourmet food in person?! It was too wonderful!
"Forget it~"
Seeing Venti play dumb, Futsu Mitama did not say more, because on Teyvat, wars were indeed extremely rare now.
Battles between Archons, for example, almost never happened anymore.
After all, if a battle between Archons were to break out again, unless it was a one-sided suppression, it would certainly cause unimaginable losses to any nation.
Sumeru was fortunate. Scaramouche had been unilaterally suppressed by Futsu Mitama, and the experimental site for the God Creation Project at that time—had been created from the crystallization of the Akademiya's Six Schools. The materials used were extremely sturdy, able to withstand even the aftershocks of an Archon's attack.
Azar and the Sages had even considered whether the site could temporarily withstand attacks if shouki no kami, unexpectedly went berserk during the experiment.
That was also why Futsu Mitama's great battle with Scaramouche did not affect the outside world.
Dottore's battle with Aila and Nahida was also because Nahida fully activated her Gnosis, creating a domain and carving out a separate space for the fight.
Otherwise, if five Demon Gods fought in Sumeru, the scene would have been spectacular beyond imagination, and who knew how many people would have died as a result.
So Venti not wanting to use that power was understandable to Futsu Mitama.
Venti, Futsu Mitama, and Nahida drank wine and ate snacks, quietly waiting for eleven o'clock at night to arrive.
At the same time, the Chat Group was also very lively, because Futsu Mitama had not turned off the group livestream.
So everyone also saw Venti and the drinking Nahida.
[Raiden Makoto: "Indeed, he came out. It seems he has been playing the victim, Barbatos."]
[Azhdaha: "Hmph!!! That guy! He really is 'free'! I thought he was sealed like me, but I didn't expect him to have been out for so long! Damn it!"]
[Guizhong: "You can come out too, Azhdaha."]
[Bosacius: "Yes, you can come out too."]
[Azhdaha: "Bosacius, don't use honorifics. We're old acquaintances. It's not that I don't want to come out, it's just that the erosion hasn't completely disappeared. Unless there's a major situation in Liyue, it's more comfortable to stay down here."]
[Azhdaha: "What annoys me is! We're both in jail!! Why did he get out early while I'm still in here! Ah! I want to eat too!!!"]
[Keqing: "Um... I can go buy some."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "I can buy some too."]
[Eula: "I'm in Mondstadt, I can buy some food."]
[Cyno: "If you don't mind, I can buy some Sumeru specialties."]
[Azhdaha: "Sigh, forget it. My appetite is a bit big. When I take on human form, I'll slowly savor food then."]
[Venti: "When do you plan to come out? Azhdaha, when you come out, come play in Mondstadt. I'll treat you to dandelion wine."]
[Azhdaha: "Are you sure? Will you pay the mora?"]
[Venti: "What a joke~ Of course Morax will pay the mora~ He's someone who never lacks mora."]
[Zhongli: "..."]
[Raiden Ei: "I told Morax about your words. He said yes, but first there's a debt to settle. A debt from the distant past."]
[Venti: "Ah hahahaha~ What are you talking about? Why can't I see what you're saying anymore~ Oh~ I'm drunk~~~ I'm going to sleep for a bit now, good night everyone~~~"]
[Nahida: "The group livestream is still on. You can't really be sleeping."]
[Futsu Mitama: "He's just saying he's sleeping on the surface. Don't expose him, Nahida."]
[Azhdaha: "Huh? What debt?"]
[Azhdaha: "@Venti, explain yourself!!!"]
[Venti: "Gulp, gulp, gulp, I don't know, don't ask me. You should ask the mysterious Zhong... no, it should be Lady Guizhong."]
[Guizhong: "?"]
[Zhongli: "..."]
[Azhdaha: "Forget it, if Guizhong wants to tell me, she will. But more importantly—does Morax know about the Chat Group? @Raiden Ei"]
[Raiden Ei: "No, he doesn't know. I merely told him how much mora he would need if Barbatos were to treat you to a drink."]
[Yae Miko: "Judging by Azhdaha's size, the mora required would be an astronomical amount."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Astronomical might be an exaggeration, but a 'mountain of gold' piled high with mora is certainly unavoidable."]
[Klee: "Huh? Is it that much?"]
[Albedo: "Yes, because according to the legends describing Azhdaha, his body is like a true mountain. A mere twitch is enough to shake the earth. If he were to eat, just to feel full, the amount of food required would probably be truly incalculable."]
[Azhdaha: "Alright, alright, stop talking about what I eat. I eat rocks and leyline energy. As for gourmet food, I've eaten it before. When I take on human form, I'll naturally join you all for a meal."]
[Azhdaha: "@Raiden Ei, how is Morax doing now?"]
[Raiden Ei: "We are pressuring the Cryo Archon to concede some interests. If she doesn't agree, then Morax and I will team up to teach her and the Fatui a lesson. She violated the original contract. Other Archons have no right to question our actions. Even if the Heavenly Principles awaken, its impossible for it to interfere with our actions."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Indirectly interfering in another nation's internal affairs and attacking another nation's citizens with divine power. Perhaps she herself did not intend it, but from the moment she handed over the power of her authority to her subordinates, she should have been prepared for this day."]
[Venti: "This is also why divine authority cannot be casually given to others. Aside from weakening an Archon's power, one mistake could very likely trigger a war between Archons. After all, an Archon's strike after their authority self-destructs is no joke."]
[Shenhe: "If it weren't for the Geo Archon's protection, I would probably already be dead."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "That strike was indeed terrifying. I have no confidence I could withstand it."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "This is a battle between Archons. It has nothing to do with us mortals. But what Lord Barbatos said made me think of a possibility."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "What possibility?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I mean, what if... what if."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "What would happen if the Lady self-destructed her authority within a city?"]
[Zhongli: "It depends on the city. Places like Liyue Harbor, Mondstadt, Inazuma City, and Sumeru City are all protected by divine power."]
[Venti: "Mr. Zhongli knows a lot~"]
[Raiden Ei: "Yes. Inazuma City has countermeasures against Archons that I personally set up."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Even if I am 'deceased,' Sumeru City still has my residual protective power. If it encounters an Archon's attack, that power will awaken to protect the citizens inside Sumeru City. This power can also be forcibly mobilized through the Akasha, though the amount that can be mobilized is not much."]
[Raiden Makoto: "So, Shinobu, you don't need to think about such terrifying things. What you can think of, we have naturally already thought of."]
[Yae Miko: "Damage will certainly happen, but most Archons would not do such a thing, because if you can act so recklessly, we can do it too."]
[Yae Miko: "Hee hee hee, but compared with destruction, protection is more difficult. That is also why the Seven Archons made a contract back then. The Cryo Archon will probably suffer for a while."]
[Raiden Ei: "This is her own doing. But, Futsu Mitama, return the Anemo Gnosis to the Anemo Archon. You are the next Electro Archon. The Anemo Gnosis is not suitable for you."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Okay."]
On Starsnatch Cliff, after seeing that message, Futsu Mitama, with no burden at all, took the Anemo Gnosis from his chest and threw it back to Venti.
"Here, it's yours again."
"That won't do."
Venti tossed the Anemo Gnosis back with a flick of his wrist. He downed the dandelion wine in his hand and smiled.
"Didn't you promise me back then that you'd keep the Anemo Gnosis for a year? It's only been half a year!"
Futsu Mitama caught the Anemo Gnosis and could only roll his eyes.
"Didn't we say back then that I'd just keep it for you temporarily, and return it once you were free? What, are you going back on your word now?"
After saying that, Futsu Mitama threw the Anemo Gnosis back again, showing complete disdain for the thing.
It was not that the Anemo Gnosis was bad. It was just that, with Futsu Mitama's current strength, he could not wield both the Anemo Gnosis and the Electro Gnosis at the same time.
The power the Anemo Gnosis brought him was not especially great, not even as much as the Electro Gnosis.
So for Futsu Mitama, this thing was more of a burden. That was why he did not want the Anemo Gnosis.
And if he kept the Anemo Gnosis any longer, Raiden Ei might really come over with a sword and chop Barbatos.
At that point, it would be a battle between two Archons!
Nahida watched Barbatos and Futsu Mitama tossing the Anemo Gnosis back and forth like it was hot potato.
Her expression turned a little subtle.
Wasn't a Gnosis supposed to be a precious item? Why were they tossing it around like that?
"Hahahaha~ How about we sign a contract?" Barbatos smiled at Futsu Mitama and said, "You can keep it for me for a year, and then I'll come retrieve the Anemo Gnosis."
"I'll talk to Baal and Beelzebub. If they don't agree, I'll declare you the next Anemo Archon in the name of the Anemo Archon right now!"
At that point, Barbatos truly had no shame.
Although he brought freedom to Mondstadt, the name of Anemo Archon Barbatos still carried unimaginable prestige in Mondstadt.
Otherwise, Futsu Mitama would not have been able to bring about a small reform in Mondstadt simply by falsely relaying the Anemo Archon's command in the name of the Anemo Archon's dependents.
If Barbatos really publicly declared Futsu Mitama the next Anemo Archon in the Anemo Archon's name, then everything would truly descend into chaos.
In the Chat Group, Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei, and Yae Miko frantically @-ed Barbatos.
They all said he truly had no shame, wondering how there could be such a shameless Archon!!!
"Ehehe~"
Barbatos glanced at the Chat Group and, seeing their agitated reactions, merely smiled faintly and did not take it seriously.
Because he had not actually done it yet, had he?
In comparison, the old man and Maha Rukkhadevata had really acted.
Maha Rukkhadevata directly told Futsu Mitama that he could temporarily take over the Dendro Archon's position and manage Sumeru on Nahida's behalf.
The old man, on the other hand, had handed over everything except the Geo Archon's Gnosis to Futsu Mitama, in addition to the plan he was currently carrying out.
Anyone with a bit of intelligence would know what he intended to do.
Unless Raiden Ei officially abdicated at this moment and made Futsu Mitama the next Electro Archon, hehehehe, there would be a good show to watch.
"Alright."
In the end, Futsu Mitama agreed, because Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei in the Chat Group had agreed.
He had no reason to refuse. It was only keeping the Anemo Gnosis for a year.
"Remember, one year, okay?"
Barbatos tossed the Anemo Gnosis back again and chuckled.
"Starting from now, for one year. That means I can relax for another year."
"Oh my~ Honestly, why are you so resistant to the Gnosis? This thing is a true treasure in every sense. In a little while, with your strength, you'll probably be able to fully wield the power of two Gnoses."
Barbatos was not joking.
At present, Futsu Mitama could only use the power of one Gnosis because he had only recently entered the Demon God Realm.
Given more time, Futsu Mitama's strength would definitely improve a great deal, and then he would be able to wield the power of two Gnoses.
To be honest, Barbatos had not really given Futsu Mitama any inheritance, because he had been born with those abilities.
When he tried to teach Futsu Mitama how to use the power of wind, the most he could manage was to say, "Feel the wind, merge with the wind, become the wind."
But those words were not as effective as the inheritances given by Zhongli, Raiden Ei, and Maha Rukkhadevata.
"What good is it if I can control two Gnoses? Unless it's a special situation, my future battles will be very, very few."
Futsu Mitama shook his head slightly.
On Teyvat right now, it was unlikely that he would need to act frequently.
There was no other reason: after reaching the Demon God Realm, it was naturally unlikely he would make frequent moves, because those who could fight him were only beings of the same Demon God Realm, and most of those beings were only symbols of deterrence and would not truly act.
Characters like Scaramouche and Dottore were only exceptions.
"That's true."
Barbatos nodded deeply in agreement. That point was indeed correct.
Futsu Mitama was now among the top-tier existences on Teyvat; no one could underestimate him. If the Heavenly Principles had not yet fallen into slumber, it would probably already be trying to recruit Futsu Mitama, because someone like him was a tremendous temptation to it.
But now that the Heavenly Principles had fallen into slumber, in a sense, it also gave Futsu Mitama enough room to grow.
"Alright, sign the contract first."
Futsu Mitama then took out the contract Yae Miko had just finished writing and tossed it to Barbatos.
Play is play, and mischief is mischief. Since Barbatos had just mentioned signing a contract, he naturally had to satisfy him.
Moreover, this contract was witnessed in the names of Rex Lapis and Beelzebub.
If Barbatos violated the contract, then Rex Lapis and Beelzebub would have the right to punish him.
With the Geo Archon and Electro Archon jointly overseeing this contract, it was believed that even Barbatos would not be able to violate it.
"Oh, why are all of you so serious?"
Barbatos complained, but he could not do anything about it.
After all, he had been the one to propose the contract.
If he did not sign it now, Raiden Ei and Zhongli would probably make Mondstadt their next stop after returning from Snezhnaya.
To avoid those two coming over to bother him, Barbatos, despite his words, honestly signed the contract.
He stated that he would retrieve the Anemo Gnosis from Futsu Mitama one year later.
After the contract was signed, it vanished into thin air, and at the same time, two gazes seemed to descend from a distant direction.
Clearly, after Barbatos signed the contract, Raiden Ei and Zhongli both knew its contents, which meant he could no longer go back on it.
"However, it's about time."
Futsu Mitama looked up at the sky. It was already dark, and time had unknowingly reached around eleven at night.
While drinking, eating, and chatting in the group, time always passed very, very quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Signora's judgment.
"Yes, it's about time."
Barbatos also looked up at the sky.
Teyvat's starry sky was as beautiful as ever.
With the starry sky reflected in his eyes, he sighed and stood up.
Nahida was still eating and eating and eating. The dishes Barbatos had brought out earlier were already long gone, having been finished by her.
Later, Futsu Mitama had @-ed everyone in the Chat Group and sent more food over, allowing Nahida to eat to her heart's content.
"Should we remove the ice from her?"
Futsu Mitama looked at Barbatos and asked whether he wanted to remove the ice around Signora now.
For other people, that layer of ice on Signora was quite troublesome. It was a protective measure the Cryo Archon had given her from afar.
It was a means of protecting Signora, and without Demon God Realm combat power, it could not be removed.
But coincidentally, all three people here possessed Demon God Realm combat power and could melt that layer of ice.
"Mm."
Barbatos nodded slightly, agreeing with Futsu Mitama's suggestion.
"It's time. You two don't interfere. Let me deal with her. Whatever anger she has, whatever extreme actions she takes, I will accept all of it."
"After that... I will let her face death."
That was Barbatos's promise.
Although he clearly understood that a large part of Signora's current plight was his fault, he would not let her live because of that. Her sins were far too many.
As the deity she once believed in, Barbatos would only resolve her inner knot and then let her die without regrets.
That was Barbatos's mercy.
An Archon loves people, and even if this former believer hated him, he would make up for it as much as possible.
"Okay."
Futsu Mitama nodded and said no more, standing to the side.
Nahida also swallowed the food in her mouth, nodded seriously to show she understood, and then sat obediently in place.
Quietly awaiting Signora's judgment.
At that moment, everyone in the group also put down what they were doing.
Kamisato Ayaka, Kuki Shinobu, Sangonomiya Kokomi, Aila, Keqing, Eula, Albedo, Klee, Yae Miko, and Shenhe.
They had all clashed with Signora and had grievances against her. Now that she was about to meet her end, they all felt a little emotional.
Signora, who had always protected herself the best, was ironically the Fatui Harbinger who met death the fastest.
Was this what people meant by, "the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen"?
Whether it was Shenhe, Sangonomiya Kokomi, or Kuki Shinobu, they had all witnessed Signora's will to survive.
She always wanted to escape, but simply could not. But now, the time of judgment had come.
Barbatos looked at the ice sculpture that was Signora and extended his hand.
The invisible wind around him swept over her.
As the warm wind blew, the ice on Signora melted at a visibly rapid pace.
Soon, the ice completely disappeared, and flames took its place.
Boom—!!
Blazing flames spread outward from Signora as the center.
She suddenly opened her eyes and, without any hesitation, transformed into a red streak of light and rushed into the distance.
She wanted to escape!
Because she could clearly feel that the power of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa protecting her had vanished.
She still had enough stamina to flee, because the Tsaritsa had specifically given her a chance to recover it when sealing her.
At this moment, Signora still had one chance to escape. As long as she was decisive enough, there was still a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, the opponents she faced were two Archons and one being with Archon combat power.
That was truly despairing.
"Come back."
Barbatos spoke.
His eyes glowed with a jade-green light. With just a simple command, the surrounding wind immediately enveloped Signora and extinguished the flames on her body.
"Hmm!"
Nahida gasped at the sight.
Sure enough, the Anemo Archon Barbatos she had thought could be knocked down with a few punches was not simple at all.
He was very strong, able to control the surrounding Anemo elements and stop Signora with just a single thought.
He himself did not even move. From that alone, one could see just how strong his control over Anemo was.
"You?! It's you!!! Anemo Archon Barbatos!!!!!"
After Signora felt herself being intercepted, she immediately looked around.
Then she saw an enraging figure.
The Anemo Archon, Barbatos. The deity she had once deeply respected and believed in.
Upon seeing Barbatos, or Venti, she gritted her teeth and angrily said,
"USELESS ARCHON!!! GO TO HELL!!!"
Saying that, Signora conjured a whip of flames in her hand and lashed it toward Barbatos.
Buzz—!!
A flash of purple lightning streaked by.
Futsu Mitama, holding Seven Thunder of Retribution: Narukami, severed Signora's flaming whip and said calmly,
"This is your judgment, Signora. Please be a little more proper. Don't make me break your legs and force you to kneel before the Anemo Archon to receive your judgment."
Earlier, Barbatos had said that if Signora took any extreme actions, Futsu Mitama and Nahida should not interfere, because he would handle everything himself.
But Futsu Mitama had just noticed that Barbatos did not even seem inclined to stop her. He clearly intended to let Signora strike him with that whip.
Futsu Mitama could not understand why Barbatos did not resist, but he could not just stand by and watch Barbatos be lashed by Signora.
What? Did Barbatos owe Signora something?
As an Archon, he had already done enough for Mondstadt.
Barbatos owed Signora nothing.
He gave freedom to the people of Mondstadt, protected Mondstadt in the shadows, and prevented it from being harmed by outsiders.
When Barbatos went to Khaenri'ah, he even split off some of his power and gave it to Dvalin, allowing him to protect Mondstadt.
As a result, after Signora's lover died, she began blaming Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, and complaining about everything.
After joining the Fatui, she committed many heinous acts.
What, did she really expect everyone in the world to be nice to her?
"You!"
Signora was naturally furious at Futsu Mitama's words, but she also noticed the current situation.
In the distance was Lesser Lord Kusanali, and nearby were Futsu Mitama and Barbatos.
In this situation, even if Her Majesty the Tsaritsa arrived personally, she absolutely would not be able to return to Snezhnaya.
But here—
Starsnatch Cliff.
Signora looked around. This familiar environment made her involuntarily recall the past.
Back then... someone had picked a small flower for her, placed it on her head, and promised her a beautiful future.
But disaster struck, and everything ended.
She lost everything she had been promised: the people she cherished, the years gone by, the brilliant future—all of it was destroyed.
Therefore, she transformed into the Crimson Witch of Flames, burning through the fire of her life to extinguish all pain in fire.
Now, she had returned to Mondstadt, arriving at Starsnatch Cliff, where the Anemo Archon's judgment awaited her.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
Signora laughed loudly. She knew that no matter how she resisted, she would only look like a clown.
So she sat on the grass, looked at Venti and Futsu Mitama with hatred, and said,
"Judge me?"
"I fear no judgment. If you want to kill me, then come!"
"Though I don't know how you brought me from Sumeru to Mondstadt in such a short time, I suppose I should thank you for your mercy."
"Even so, I will not reveal any Fatui intelligence. Give up."
With that, Signora closed her eyes. Her life was already beyond saving.
For her, dying in Sumeru would have been better than dying in Mondstadt.
In Signora's memory, only several hours to few days had passed since that battle.
She no longer intended to think about how the other party had brought her from Sumeru to Mondstadt in such a short time.
She was certain to die today, but even in death, she would not reveal any Fatui information.
Because Her Majesty the Tsaritsa had shown her kindness, and the Fatui had given her the power to realize her ideal world.
So no matter what, she would not betray the Fatui. If they wanted to judge her, then judge her. If they wanted to kill her, then kill her.
"Don't worry. We're not interested in Fatui intelligence."
Venti said slowly.
He looked at Signora, who had already given up, and walked forward, staring at her.
"What would you rather I call you? Signora, or Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter?"
As those words fell, Signora suddenly opened her eyes. She glared at Venti and said,
"I am Signora, the Fatui Harbinger. Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter? Who is that? She died five hundred years ago!"
Her anger, resentment, and dissatisfaction made her attitude toward Venti extremely poor.
If Futsu Mitama had not been beside her, she probably would have pounced on Venti like a shrew and clawed at him.
The only reason she was not doing that now was because Futsu Mitama had just said that if she dared act that way, he would break her legs and force her to kneel before the Anemo Archon.
Signora did not want to kneel before the Anemo Archon, so she became much more subdued. But that did not mean she would patiently listen to the other party.
"Then I will call you Signora."
Venti remained calm.
Looking at Signora, he said,
"The sins you have committed are truly too many. It was I who asked Futsu Mitama and Nahida to bring you back for judgment. The final outcome of this judgment is death. Are you aware of that?"
The question was calm. Signora's final fate was death, and even if Her Majesty the Tsaritsa herself came, that could not be changed.
"I know."
Signora, still sitting on the grass, looked at Venti with indignation.
"To be judged by you, I feel disgusted, but perhaps this is my final end." Come, Barbatos. Give me a quick death. I have no regrets about anything I have done. Because Her Majesty the Tsaritsa showed me that eternally pure and flawless nation, everything she did was for that moment."
As she spoke, Signora looked toward Futsu Mitama in the distance and sneered.
"You can't escape. The whole continent of Teyvat can't escape that moment. You will join us. Originally, I scoffed at Dottore's words, but now your actions have shown me that you will absolutely cooperate with the Fatui."
Futsu Mitama did not speak or refute her.
Whether it was Scaramouche, Dottore, or Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, they had all said similar things.
Naturally, he would not refute it, because who knew what the future held?
The Fatui were playing a grand game. Futsu Mitama understood that clearly.
Their ultimate goal was to overturn the Heavenly Principles.
Now that the Heavenly Principles had fallen into slumber, Venti, Zhongli, Raiden Ei, Raiden Makoto, Maha Rukkhadevata, and the others all had rather subtle attitudes toward them as well.
So Futsu Mitama would not make grand declarations about never cooperating with the Fatui or anything like that.
However, before that day came, he would strive to improve his strength and raise his group level to LV5 or LV6. By then—
Futsu Mitama would possess power beyond the Archons.
Until then, he only needed to wait patiently.
"Is that so?"
After seeing that Signora had no regrets for her actions, Venti let out a quiet sigh.
He looked up at the full moon in the sky.
Both sides fell silent.
Venti did not speak. Signora did not speak either.
They seemed to have reached an impasse all of a sudden.
Futsu Mitama and Nahida exchanged glances, wondering what Venti was trying to do.
Signora was also very puzzled.
What exactly did the Anemo Archon want?
Didn't he say he wanted to judge her?
Why, after saying so much, was he not judging her anymore?
"By my count, it's almost midnight now."
Venti suddenly spoke.
"What do you want?"
Signora immediately became wary.
Her life was slowly fading. Even if Venti and the others were willing to let her go, she was now too weak to move.
The flame was being fueled by Signora's own life.
With so much of it extinguished, she would probably die on the spot very soon.
Unless she was very lucky and encountered Fatui soldiers around Mondstadt before then, she had no chance of survival.
But Venti's sudden words made her suspect that the Anemo Archon had some scheme in mind.
"Nothing, it's just... do you still remember his name?"
Venti looked at Signora, his eyes glowing with emerald light, and said calmly,
"The deputy captain of the Knights of Favonius who died five hundred years ago in the calamity while protecting you. If too much time has passed and you can't remember, I can—"
"SHUT UP!"
Signora, in an unusually agitated state, interrupted Venti.
She suddenly stood up again, condensed a flaming whip in her hand, and lashed it at Venti.
She wanted to stop him, because he was unworthy of saying that name!
"..."
Purple lightning flashed in Futsu Mitama's eyes, and he was about to wield Seven Thunder of Retribution: Narukami.
But at that moment, a gentle breeze blew beside Venti, carrying emerald light particles and green feathers toward Signora.
As the wind blew, the scenery around Starsnatch Cliff also changed drastically.
Signora's flaming whip scattered, and she looked around at the changing surroundings, her expression still full of anger.
Clearly, Venti had just touched her taboo.
For her, that name was something no one was allowed to mention!
It was her eternal pain.
If she had returned earlier that year, or if Barbatos had intervened to stop the calamity—
Then everything could have been avoided, and she would not have become what she was now!
"Consciousness space? No, that's not right..."
Futsu Mitama looked at the surrounding scenery, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly shook his head.
This was a little unlike a consciousness space. It was more like the domain Nahida had unfolded.
Was this Venti's domain?
"So warm."
Nahida could feel it too.
Within this domain of his, she felt a warmth like home.
Although Nahida did not truly know what "home" warmth meant, she had experienced the feeling of a wanderer returning home in countless dreams.
That feeling was almost exactly the same as now.
"What trick are you playing, Barbatos!"
Signora suddenly waved her hand, looked around, and said angrily,
"If you want to kill me, then do it quickly! Are you trying to humiliate me?! Dream on! I will never let you humiliate me!"
With that, Signora wanted to continue burning herself. She would rather die than let Barbatos humiliate her.
"..."
Venti, however, smiled faintly, with a rather helpless expression.
He said nothing. Emerald light shimmered around his body.
The next second, Venti's figure vanished, replaced by a man covered in blood, holding a broken sword, and wearing damaged Knights of Favonius armor.
"!!!"
The moment Signora saw this man, her pupils contracted.
She stepped back several paces at once and muttered,
"IMPOSSIBLE. IMPOSSIBLE. HE'S ALREADY DEAD. YOU! BARBATOS! I WANT YOU DEAD!"
Signora roared and rushed at the man like a madwoman.
But at that moment, the man opened his eyes.
His eyes held only confusion and uncertainty, but soon he saw Signora rushing toward him.
In just an instant, he blinked and said uncertainly,
"Rosalyne?"
"!"
That gentle yet familiar voice made the frenzied Harbinger freeze in place.
She trembled as she looked at the man.
Tears burst out uncontrollably from Signora's eyes.
She should have continued rushing forward, but instead she could not help but retreat.
"IMPOSSIBLE, IMPOSSIBLE, HE'S ALREADY DEAD."
"HE DIED FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE."
"BARBATOS! IF YOU WANT TO PUNISH ME, DON'T USE HIS APPEARANCE!"
At that moment, Signora no longer had her earlier frenzy.
Tears that should have long since dried up flowed again.
Her body swayed, as if she might collapse to the ground at any moment.
The man before her was Rostam, the "Young Wolf," the deputy captain of the Knights of Favonius who had fought in the calamity five hundred years ago.
That year, to protect Mondstadt, he died in the calamity.
Signora, who had returned from studying at the Akademiya in Sumeru, wept bitterly when she learned of his death.
In the end, after her tears and songs had dried up, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, the girl who loved to sing, had died.
The Crimson Witch of Flames and the Lady La Signora were born.
"Rosalyne, how did you become like this?!"
Seeing Rosalyne's unsteady posture, Rostam rushed over and embraced her, looking at her with great concern.
"NO, NO, DON'T!"
Signora somehow found the strength to push Rostam away.
She covered her face with her hands and cried out,
"DON'T LOOK AT ME! DON'T LOOK AT ME!"
She was afraid. Terrified.
Her face was already scorched and shattered by disgust and searing flames.
The moment Rostam spoke, Signora knew it was her beloved.
Why he had "resurrected," Signora knew it was the Anemo Archon Barbatos's doing.
It was a true miracle.
If this had happened five hundred years ago, Signora would have thanked Barbatos from the bottom of her heart.
But now, faced with Rostam's resurrection, Signora refused to speak to him, because she did not want him to see her like this.
How ugly she was now. And he was a hero of Mondstadt. She was unworthy to stand beside him.
"What's wrong, Rosalyne? It's me!"
At this moment, Rostam's memory was still stuck at the moment of his death. He had no idea what had happened.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME, DON'T LOOK AT ME, DON'T LOOK AT ME, ROSTAM, PLEASE, DON'T LOOK AT ME RIGHT NOW."
Signora cried as she begged her beloved not to see her current self.
She used her torn clothes to cover her face, preventing Rostam from seeing it.
This made Rostam look very pained, but he still approached her.
His beloved woman was right in front of him. Even if she had changed dramatically, she was still his beloved.
And once he confirmed that, how could he, as a man, abandon her?
Such a fragile Harbinger was something Futsu Mitama and Nahida had not expected.
Even the group members had not expected it.
Was this still the Signora they knew?
Everyone knew how arrogant and overbearing Signora usually was.
She had always been extremely arrogant, as if nothing in the world mattered to her.
She was insidious, cunning, and ruthless. Even when at a disadvantage, she would never lower her proud head.
Facing the encirclement of Shenhe, Sangonomiya Kokomi, and Kuki Shinobu, she had been bold and meticulous, even daring to detonate the power of her authority to escape.
Just now, even in the presence of Futsu Mitama, Venti, and Nahida—three Archon-level combatants—she had still refused to give up her arrogance.
She had even said she had no regrets for what she had done.
But now, Signora looked unexpectedly fragile.
She did not want Rostam to see her face, and she did not want Rostam to approach her.
"Killing the heart, indeed."
Futsu Mitama could not help but say it.
He, who knew the background story, understood very well that such a Rosalyne simply could not face Rostam.
Because La Signora had too much innocent blood on her hands, she had committed far too many sins, and had even done many rebellious things.
Coupled with the drastic change in her appearance, it was fatal for a woman.
La Signora would not let Rostam come close, perhaps wanting him to remember only the Rosalyne of five hundred years ago.
The pure, singing Rosalyne who had not changed at all.
Not the Rosalyne of now, a Fatui Harbinger with countless lives on her hands who would stop at nothing.
Buzz!
At that moment, a warm breeze blew again, enveloping La Signora.
In an instant, La Signora's appearance changed dramatically as well. Her body became smaller, she wore a large wizard's hat, held a magic book in her hands, and there were no scars on her face.
"Me? This?"
La Signora felt the change in her body, touching her face and looking at her familiar yet unfamiliar attire.
"..."
She knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
"Don't cry. Our reunion is a miracle from Barbatos, isn't it?"
Rostam helped La Signora up and looked at the familiar person before him with a smile.
"You've suffered a lot, haven't you?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't fulfill our promise, but Mondstadt needed me. If I hadn't stayed, you would have had nowhere to go when you returned."
Those words made La Signora break into sobs.
Rostam had fought to the death back then not only for Mondstadt's situation, but also for her, so that she would still have a home to return to in Mondstadt.
"I miss you. I miss you so much, Rostam."
La Signora threw herself into Rostam's arms and cried like a child.
"I'm sorry, La Signora."
Rostam patted his lover's back, his voice steady.
"I will walk the path ahead with you. You've had a hard time these past years. It's okay, I'll walk the path ahead with you."
"Wuwu, Rostam!!!!"
La Signora cried loudly, clinging tightly to Rostam and refusing to let him go.
Rostam, with a gentle smile, let her vent all her emotions.
Soon, three minutes passed, and with a gentle breeze, the domain dissipated.
Venti, not far away, looked somewhat pale, clearly having paid a considerable price to maintain that domain.
"Was it worth it?"
Futsu Mitama asked Venti somewhat puzzled, feeling that it was completely unnecessary.
Nahida also looked at Venti with a complicated expression, because in her opinion, La Signora's sins were far greater than Azar's.
Besides, La Signora had shown no politeness toward Venti. If it had been her, she would never have given La Signora such a "beautiful dream."
"This is a form of judgment."
Venti said slowly, looking at La Signora, who was lying on the ground not far away with very weak breathing.
"This is both her punishment and her compensation. Five hundred years ago, perhaps I should have returned earlier, but my strength was still a little too weak, not as strong as the old man's."
During the Khaenri'ah war five hundred years ago, Morax had been the quickest to return, blocking the most terrifying calamity that struck Liyue.
Venti, on the other hand, had no choice but to let Dvalin go to stop the calamity.
"Forget it."
Futsu Mitama did not say much either.
This was Venti's mercy and his benevolence, and he would not comment further.
In truth, just now, while watching La Signora cry bitterly, Futsu Mitama had been inexplicably touched.
Yes, if not for the disaster from five hundred years ago, La Signora—or rather Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter—should have lived with her beloved and slowly grown old together.
Instead, she became the Crimson Witch of Flames, and later a Fatui Harbinger.
Futsu Mitama had once seen a comment saying that La Signora had originally been a girl who loved to sing. But disaster had turned her into a witch who burned everything, and the absence of the Archons she believed in had made the girl extremely radical.
Now La Signora was as good as dead; only her final breath remained.
After meeting Rostam and pouring out her heart, Futsu Mitama felt she should let go of that final breath.
"Thank you, Anemo Archon Barbatos."
La Signora spoke from not far away, expressing heartfelt gratitude.
"You allowed me to see Rostam in my final moments. I thank you. I praise you. I regret it. If I had died five hundred years ago, would I have been able to see Rostam sooner?"
La Signora reached out her hand, still reminiscing about the feeling of embracing Rostam just now.
That was real. It was not some illusion; she could clearly feel it.
She thanked Venti, all past resentment and anger swept away, replaced by shame.
Only now did La Signora understand what "an Archon's love for humanity" meant.
Even if she did not acknowledge Barbatos, insulted and humiliated him, and even tried to attack him—
Barbatos still gave her the best judgment and allowed her to see Rostam one last time.
If she could still live normally like before, she would become the most devout believer, wholeheartedly serving Barbatos.
Ah, but she was about to die and even couldn't go back.
"No."
At that moment, Venti came over and gently shook his head.
Looking at La Signora, he sighed.
"If you had died five hundred years ago, you would not have been able to see Rostam either. Because at that time, I was already in a deep sleep and could not help you."
Hearing those words, La Signora smiled for some reason; her body had already begun to crumble.
"Lord Barbatos, all sins will be borne by me. Rostam—you must not follow the same path as me."
La Signora looked up at the starry sky, Rostam's gentle face appearing in her mind.
She knew she carried unimaginable sins.
Rostam said he would walk with her, but the sins she had committed were too deep.
She could not let Rostam walk with her.
She had to atone alone. Only then—could she find her beloved without any burden.
"Ah, the free wind."
La Signora seemed to sense something.
She slowly closed her eyes and hummed an unknown song.
Soon, searing flames rose from within her, about to consume her body.
As she was completely burned away, La Signora still wore a smile, as if she were having a beautiful dream and feeling no pain at all.
Soon, she was reduced to ashes.
A gentle breeze blew, and La Signora scattered with the wind.
The Lady La Signora, the Crimson Witch of Flames, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter—
She passed away like this, dying on Starsnatch Cliff, the place where she had once had a date with Rostam.
Silence.
Whether it was Futsu Mitama, Venti, or Nahida, all three fell silent.
"Oh, love."
Venti was the first to break the awkward silence.
He sighed, came to the top of Starsnatch Cliff, and conjured a bottle of cider out of thin air.
From Starsnatch Cliff, one could see the Nameless Island and Mondstadt in the distance.
"This judgment—why doesn't it make me happy at all?"
Futsu Mitama also sighed, his emotions extremely complicated.
Logically, after La Signora—the great enemy—died, he should have been very happy.
But now, he could not feel happy at all.
"Perhaps she should never have gone down that path."
Nahida sighed as well.
"If not for the calamity five hundred years ago, none of this would have happened. But the calamity's occurrence led to her early death. What Barbatos did just now fulfilled her wish, allowing her to die without any burden. Facing her past lover, this was both punishment and grace."
Nahida looked at Venti's back with a complicated expression, and in that instant, she seemed to have gained some understanding.
As an Archon, what kind of responsibility did she need to bear?