"Rex Lapis, there is one more matter I must report to you."
Ganyu gently pressed a hand to her chest. Though her voice was soft, her tone was utterly serious, as if what she was about to say was of great importance.
"What else is there? Speak freely." Zhongli waved his hand casually, indicating she should continue.
"This matter concerns Bonanus..." Ganyu shook her head gently, wearing a troubled expression.
"Oh? Elaborate." Seeing her difficulty, Zhongli also grew serious.
Could there be more complications? Another twist? If so, that would be terrible.
"Although the wound on Bonanus's body has been healed by Qilin blood, a series of problems remain. For example... her combat ability will be greatly diminished." Ganyu replied with concern.
"I have already examined Senior Xiao and Menogias. They don't have many issues—just need some rest to recover. But Bonanus is different."
Zhongli fell silent at these words. He had thought this matter was over, but it seemed there were still many troubles. How... exhausting.
But as their leader, he was responsible for his subordinates. Besides, in Zhongli's eyes, these people were not merely subordinates—they were friends.
He would not stand by and watch his friends fall into such a state. With this thought, Zhongli asked calmly,
"Is there any good solution?"
"Perhaps... we need to borrow the power of wind. The nation that symbolizes wind might have a way." Ganyu said hesitantly.
Her meaning was clear. This time, they might need help from another nation. Morax was powerful and knowledgeable, but healing was not his forte.
Saying this was not to disparage Liyue's healing abilities. It was simply that, in this situation, the nation of wind was clearly more suitable.
It was the city of freedom. The wind would carry everything away...
---
At the mention of the nation of wind, Zhongli immediately thought of that drunkard. Recalling the scene of that fellow stumbling around his territory on a drunken spree, his expression darkened.
That Anemo Archon, Barbatos...
Just thinking about that drunkard gave Zhongli a headache. Though they were on good terms, Barbatos's personality was exactly the type Zhongli couldn't handle.
As a god, instead of setting a good example, all he did was drink, sing, and seek amusement—the picture of a good-for-nothing. But Mondstadt was the city of freedom, so Zhongli couldn't say much.
How to put it? A few hundred years ago, Barbatos dreamed of traveling across the continent. As Liyue was Mondstadt's neighbor, it naturally became his first target.
Only a few years after the wars had ended, Barbatos came to the Geo Archon's territory looking for some fun.
His arrival naturally caught the Geo Archon's attention. Morax thought his neighbor was in trouble and came out personally to greet him.
But then?
When Morax reached Barbatos, the latter ran up to him with a bottle of dandelion wine, grinning "ehe," and asked:
"Care for a sip? Ehe~"
One could only imagine how speechless the Geo Archon was. No one said you couldn't visit, but at least give notice! Showing up unannounced like this—Morax thought something serious had happened!
After that incident, Barbatos would show up five or six times every week. Thanks to him, the first time the Seven Archons gathered to discuss matters was in Liyue.
To tease the God of Contracts, the Anemo Archon even forged countless fake signatures. Though these tricks couldn't fool the God of Contracts, they were still a nuisance.
But after Morax taught Barbatos a few lessons, the fellow visited Liyue much less often.
Because the Anemo Archon knew that coming to the nation of contracts without a valid reason would surely get him sent flying by the old man!
What a troublesome god...
---
Thinking of this, Zhongli rubbed his brow. When it came to giving him headaches, Barbatos definitely ranked high—perhaps even at the top.
"I understand. I will try to contact them. You may go." Zhongli's voice carried a hint of exasperation and annoyance. He rubbed his brow and sighed lightly.
"Oh, and help spread the news of Menogias's return. Also, that Bonanus will be in seclusion for training. The people of Liyue must know this." Zhongli reminded.
"Yes." Ganyu nodded reassuringly. She turned, leaped onto the rooftop, and vanished.
She still had much work to do...
After Ganyu left, Zhongli gently massaged his temples. Asking that drunkard for help wasn't impossible, but thinking about the cost of his assistance gave Zhongli a headache.
The Anemo Archon would surely use this favor to visit Liyue again and torment him, this six-thousand-year-old man. What a hassle.
Shaking his head lightly, it was worth a little trouble for the sake of his friends. With that thought, Zhongli closed his eyes again, communicating with the god of another nation.
---
Mondstadt City
Plaza Outside the Cathedral of the West Wind
In front of the statue of the Anemo Archon Barbatos
A green-clad bard stood still. Before him were the people of Mondstadt who had come to hear his poetry—including some off-duty Knights of Favonius.
This young bard was Venti, originally named Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. None of those present realized that this drunkard poet was the legendary god.
The god the Mondstadters had always believed in.
Barbatos's original form was a wind elemental spirit, resembling a plush doll with a black face, two feather-like gradient-colored parts on its head, a white body adorned with blue stripes, and three gradient-colored wings behind it.
Quite adorable. He had existed for over a thousand years.
After ascending to godhood, Barbatos reshaped his form based on a friend's appearance and traveled the mortal realm as a bard.
With short black hair and two gradient-green braids hanging on each side, his clothing resembled his elemental spirit form. The blue stripes became markings on his body, replaced by golden stripes and decorations, while his wings transformed into two white feathered wings attached to his cape.
In his human guise as Venti, Barbatos wears a Baroque-style outfit, a green cape, and a Cecilia flower pinned to his hat's brim.
His young appearance was adorable—a perfect young boy—but his personality was... hard to describe.
Barbatos was never diligent. On the other hand, unwilling to become a tyrant like the Old God of Storms, he chose to abdicate from governing Mondstadt.
He granted Mondstadt freedom, brought gentle winds to the land, and used his power to shield it from snowstorms year after year.
Truth be told, he was quite a responsible god—he just liked slacking off and avoiding real work.
Whenever Mondstadt faced a crisis, Barbatos would step forward to protect his people. But once the crisis passed, he would return to his state of idleness.
Drinking, jumping in puddles, having snowball fights when it snowed, wanting to fly when the wind blew... quite childish, really.
Let me tell you an interesting true story: Barbatos once traveled to Snezhnaya as a bard to sing the praises of the Anemo Archon to the Tsaritsa.
During his performance, he would somehow swap the Tsaritsa's scepter with a Hilichurl walking stick.
Barbatos was exceptionally confident in his bardic abilities, claiming to be the greatest bard in the world. His favorite saying was
"There is no song in Teyvat that I cannot sing!"
And now, the bard singing the praises of the Anemo Archon—no, now he should be called Venti—
Venti, in the middle of singing about the Anemo Archon, received an invitation from Liyue. He was overjoyed at this unexpected news.
Fun times ahead!!