"Well then, so that I can go out and play with Yuuko later, I'll go get busy now~"
After finishing dinner, Yae Miko stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Yuuko said in surprise, "I thought Miko was planning to come over to my place and chat for a while longer."
Yae Miko didn't deny it, sighing as she spread her hands:
"That was the original plan, but so that I can go play on Watatsumi Island with Yuuko later, I need to finish all my work ahead of time."
"I really can't afford to go bother Yuuko at home."
After speaking, Yae Miko smiled mischievously again:
"How about Yuuko comes to help too? We can work overtime together until deep into the night~"
What kind of overtime are you talking about... Yuuko complained helplessly:
"Could you please stop saying such salaryman-like things with such a lecherous look on your face..."
Yae Miko spread her hands in disappointment: "I thought Yuuko would spend a busy night with me~"
"No, thank you..."
Seeing this, Yae Miko didn't tease him further, but smiled instead: "Well then, Yuuko, I'll be off. See you tomorrow~"
"Mhm, see you tomorrow." Yuuko nodded.
Just like that, after leaving the Uyou Pavilion, the two separated and walked in different directions.
Yae Miko went to get busy ahead of schedule.
As for Yuuko, he intended to go home and rest.
After all, he had been wandering outside all day and was genuinely tired, so Yuuko just wanted to hurry home, wash up, and go to sleep.
However, halfway home.
While passing a small tavern, Yuuko heard an angry shout coming from inside:
"If you don't have money, don't come here freeloading food and drinks! Freeloading drinks is bad enough, but you actually drank that much!"
As the voice faded, a youth dressed entirely in green was thrown out by a group of burly men... Yuuko recognized the youth.
It was the one he had met at the docks earlier today, Venti, the one who had been wrongly accused of stealing a book.
Venti quickly got up after being thrown out and calmly dusted the grime off his clothes.
He acted as if nothing had happened.
"Sigh~ Didn't they say that drinks were free on the day of the Irodori Festival? I only drank about thirty bottles, so why did the owner kick me out?"
After speaking, Venti finally noticed Yuuko standing nearby, and smiled:
"Yo, isn't this the person who saved me earlier today? We meet again!"
Yuuko was silent for a moment, then said uncertainly:
"I remember your name is Venti, right? Did you get kicked out for drinking without paying?"
Venti scratched the back of his head awkwardly:
"Hahaha, how could that be? The owner advertised free drinks today, which is why I went in. They just couldn't stand how much I drank, so they kicked me out~"
A single glance was enough to tell he hadn't reflected at all.
After speaking, Venti lowered his head to Yuuko with polite elegance:
"Oh, right, I didn't get a chance to thank you earlier today. If it weren't for your help back then, I might still be in the Tenryou Commission's jail being interrogated."
Yuuko shook his head: "It was just a small favor, no need for thanks."
Venti laughed heartily: "Hahaha, how can I not? Let me thank you properly. Hmm... how about this: I'll treat you to a meal?"
Hearing this, Yuuko showed a strange expression:
"Do you really have Mora to treat me to a meal? Are you sure I won't end up paying after we finish eating?"
With his scheme exposed, Venti immediately gave a cute "Ehe~"
Seeing this, Yuuko sighed helplessly. He had already figured out Venti's personality.
With just one look, he knew Venti was the type of guy who messed around all day and never did anything serious.
Could such a person really be the God of Mondstadt...? Yuuko felt extremely perplexed.
Regarding Venti's identity, he had actually guessed it long ago.
After all, Venti carried a unique aura, similar to that of Zhongli and Raiden Ei.
Rather, all the Archons of the Seven Nations possessed this kind of aura.
At this moment, Venti smiled again: "Since I can't treat you to a meal, let's change the way I repay you. If I receive a favor and don't return it, I'll feel bad about it."
Hearing this, Yuuko didn't rush to answer. Instead, he pondered for a long time before speaking:
"Venti, you came to Inazuma specifically to find me, didn't you? You... must be Barbatos, the God of Mondstadt?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Venti's pupils instantly constricted. Clearly, he hadn't expected Yuuko to have figured out his identity.
And to point it out so directly.
After a long pause, he finally showed a bitter smile:
"I really didn't expect to be seen through so quickly..."
After speaking, Venti looked at Yuuko with a light chuckle and asked:
"Why do you know I am the God of Mondstadt? Did someone tell you my identity?"
Yuuko shook his head: "No, but all you Gods of the Seven Nations carry a similar aura, so I can sense it."
"A similar aura?" Venti looked confused, clearly not quite understanding what Yuuko meant by that.
This was the first time Venti had heard that the Gods of the Seven Nations of the World all had a similar aura... After pondering for a long time, Venti seemed to suddenly realize something, and his expression instantly turned serious.
He looked at Yuuko uncertainly and said:
"You said that all us Archons of the Seven Nations carry a similar aura. Could it be... referring to erosion?"
Erosion is a curse bestowed by Heavenly Principles.
Whether they are the Gods from ancient times or the current Archons of the Seven Nations, they all bear this kind of curse.
Moreover, this is an extremely terrifying curse.
Even the Archons of the Seven Nations cannot undo this curse.
Because Heavenly Principles, which cast the curse, is an existence of a higher order than them.
"Erosion?" Yuuko raised an eyebrow, this being the first time he had heard the term.
Based on Yuuko's reaction, Venti immediately understood and murmured softly:
"You don't know about the existence of erosion, yet you can sense the erosion on us... That curse was bestowed by Heavenly Principles; unless one is of the same or a higher order of existence, it shouldn't be possible to undo or even perceive it..."
Whether it's Venti, Raiden Ei, or that retired old man slacking off in Liyue.
They all bear the curse of erosion.
It cannot be removed or reversed.
And this kind of curse should generally be very difficult to perceive... Venti looked at Yuuko with an incredulous gaze:
"Perhaps your existence is far more interesting than I imagined..."
In response, Yuuko waved his hand helplessly: "So why don't you explain what erosion is?"
Venti smiled and shook his head in response.
He glanced at the sky, then around their surroundings, and chuckled:
"Could you tell me your name first?"
Yuuko thought for a moment, then replied: "Yuuko. Ren, as in 'any' (any). Qian, as in'shallow taste' (a taste)."
Venti cupped his chin and murmured, "Yuuko, huh? That's a nice name."
After speaking, he formally extended an invitation to Yuuko:
"In that case, Mr. Yuuko, let's find somewhere else to talk. After all, this place isn't suitable for a discussion, is it?"
Yuuko pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Let's change locations then."
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