"Maybe the wall just took too long to finish, and no one ever bothered to fix it?" Venti said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head as he stared at the gaping hole in Mondstadt's city wall.
Even he hadn't known that something like this existed — a hidden tunnel leading directly into the city. Judging by the moss-covered stone, it had been there for centuries, completely unnoticed by the Knights of Favonius.
Figures, Kael thought dryly. Freedom, indeed.
Venti, of course, needed to make an excuse — even for the Knights' negligence.
"Anyway," he said suddenly, trying to change the subject, "maybe this is an opportunity for us!"
Kael crossed his arms. "An opportunity? You mean to lure the Abyss Order into Mondstadt and wipe them out in one strike?"
Venti snapped his fingers. "Exactly!"
Kael nodded thoughtfully. "If we're prepared, it's not a bad plan. The Abyss thinks they're laying a trap, but if we anticipate their move, we can exterminate them as soon as they enter the city."
His tone grew colder. "Let them come — and let them fall where they stand. The only question is whether Mondstadt has the strength to hold its ground."
Venti's eyes gleamed. "Oh, don't worry about that. They won't get far. The Knights of Favonius may not be the strongest individually, but with preparation, they'll manage. And we still have a few days before Stormterror's attack."
He strummed his lyre with a grin. "In the meantime, I can help Jean and Diluc strengthen their abilities. They've grown rapidly since we started training."
Kael couldn't deny that. The recent increase in strength among Mondstadt's key defenders was remarkable — not because of sheer talent, but because of Venti's subtle influence.
With a single Stormeye, he could pull in hundreds of monsters at once. Jean's swordsmanship and Diluc's flames handled the rest.
In the past few days, the two of them had gained as much progress as most combatants managed in months.
And the more Kael observed, the clearer it became — Venti wasn't simply a bard who sang and drank. He was still an Archon, capable of turning even chaos into harmony.
"Tomorrow," Kael suggested, "take them to Dadaupa Gorge. That region's crawling with Hilichurls and Abyssal cultists. If you clear it out, Jean and Diluc could reach the strength of a Fatui Harbinger."
Venti blinked. "You mean… like her?"
Kael gave a faint smirk. "La Signora, yes."
Even Venti had to admit — for all her arrogance, the woman's power had once rivaled an Adeptus. To think Jean and Diluc could stand at that level soon was both reassuring and terrifying.
Still, Venti frowned. "Dadaupa Gorge is too open. If we wipe out everything there in one day, the Abyss Order will realize I've been involved. We need to keep their attention divided."
Kael chuckled. "You worry too much. They're already trying to bait you — that's why they're using Stormterror. They want you to show up. And when you do, they'll think you're desperate… that they're winning."
"Hmm…" Venti tapped his chin thoughtfully. "That could work. I could pretend to fall into partial corruption — maybe let the Abyss taint the winds around me just enough to fool them."
Kael nodded approvingly. "Make them believe their plan is succeeding. Then, when they strike, we'll crush them all at once."
Venti's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Heh, the Abyss Order's about to become my best training partner! They'll come rushing in thinking they're the hunters — and walk straight into my stage performance!"
Kael gave him a flat look. "Just remember, the stage collapses when you overact."
Venti grinned. "Don't worry! Once the fighting's done, I'll even pretend I'm on the brink of collapse. That way, no one realizes I can purify Abyssal energy."
Kael tilted his head. "You can?"
"Well…" Venti rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Not as effectively as you can, but yes. A little divine wind can blow away most corruption. You're better at restoring what's been tainted — I just sweep the filth aside."
Kael smiled faintly. "Then that'll do. Jean and Diluc will handle the cleanup."
Venti stretched his arms lazily. "Perfect. Once Mondstadt's safe, I'll finally have time to go fishing… and maybe enjoy a drink or two."
Kael arched a brow. "You mean 'ten.'"
Venti gave an unconvincing whistle. "Ehe~! Who's counting?"
---
The mood lightened for a moment, but then Venti's tone shifted — his usual playfulness fading into quiet concern.
"Kael," he said suddenly, "once this crisis is over… you should head to Inazuma."
Kael blinked, surprised. "Inazuma? I was planning to go to Sumeru next — to negotiate with the Dendro Archon."
Venti's expression darkened. "Sumeru can wait. Inazuma's ley lines are in turmoil. Qianfeng's winds carried whispers — something is wrong there. The energy across the islands is unstable, as if something ancient is stirring beneath the ocean."
He set his lyre aside, looking unusually serious. "If left unchecked, the entire region could collapse. The Sacred Sakura can purify small disturbances, but this isn't something it can suppress alone."
Kael's gaze sharpened. "The Sacred Sakura's failing?"
Venti nodded grimly. "The balance of Teyvat's ley lines has been disrupted since your awakening. Not by your fault — but by Celestia's absence. The old order has shattered. The systems that stabilized our world are cracking one by one."
Kael fell silent, processing that.
Even as he had begun purifying the Abyss and stabilizing corrupted regions, the world itself seemed to respond — as if rebelling against the absence of the old Heavenly Principles.
The fractures weren't random. They were echoes. Remnants of Celestia's forgotten design surfacing once more.
"Inazuma sits closest to the sea beyond Teyvat," Venti continued. "And that sea hides things even we gods do not speak of. Old things. Fallen things."
He looked up toward the stars, his voice a whisper. "If anything from beyond tries to breach the barrier… it'll start there."
Kael's expression hardened. "Then I'll go."
Venti smiled faintly, satisfied. "Good. Just don't underestimate her."
"You mean Ei?" Kael asked.
Venti nodded. "She's not like the others. Her will is unbending — but so is her fear. Eternity has caged her. If you wish to face her, don't go as an enemy. Go as someone who understands what it means to lose everything."
Kael looked up at the pale moon hanging above Mondstadt. The wind was cool against his skin, carrying faint notes of wine and laughter from the city below.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Venti gave a small salute with his lyre. "Then it's settled! Mondstadt will hold, and you'll move on to Inazuma. The winds will guide you, as they always do."
And just like that, he vanished in a swirl of emerald feathers — likely heading toward Angel's Share, because even the winds of prophecy couldn't stop him from drinking.
---
When Kael returned to Jean's residence, the house was silent.
Barbara had fallen asleep on the couch, still dressed in a soft white nightgown that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. Her golden hair was slightly messy, her small frame curled up like a resting cat.
For a brief moment, Kael hesitated — a rare flicker of gentleness crossing his otherwise calm features.
Barbara was still so young, yet her faith and courage outshone most knights.
He crouched beside her and gently nudged her shoulder.
"Barbara. Barbara, wake up."
The girl stirred, blinking sleepily, her blue eyes unfocused. "Mmm… Kael?" she murmured softly.
Her voice was warm — filled with innocent trust.
Kael smiled faintly. "You fell asleep waiting for me."
Barbara sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Did… everything go well?"
Kael nodded. "For now. But things are going to get busy soon."
She gave a sleepy smile. "Then I'll pray for you. Lord Barbatos will guide your path."
Kael's gaze softened. "He already has."
End of Chapter 63 — Venti's Suggestion: The Winds Point to Inazuma
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