When Arthur clicked the video, a wave of thunderous cheering burst out instantly.
On a brightly lit stage,
under a shimmering star-filled backdrop,
Barbara stood gracefully in the center—
quiet, poised, and facing the roaring crowd.
The cheers grew louder and louder,
rising until they echoed like they were shaking the heavens—
Then the scene moved.
Cheerful, lively music began to play.
"So cute, right?
Let my very best love reach you—
If you don't mind,
At least remember my name, okay?
Okay—♪"
With the rhythm, Barbara started to dance.
Her movements were light, elegant, and full of youthful charm.
Her expression was lively, every smile pure and radiant.
She embodied the very essence of a bright, cheerful idol.
Under the glow of the stage lights, she looked like a piece of pure beauty made manifest.
Everyone watching felt healed—
body and soul.
At that moment, all of Teyvat finally understood what an idol truly was.
The viewers watched in complete silence, captivated.
Even when Venti appeared mid-performance strumming a lyre—making several people raise an eyebrow—they didn't linger on it for long.
Not until the final note fell.
Then all of Teyvat erupted.
[Ordinary Chat Group]
[Hermann]: Incredible! Miss Barbara's dance was amazing!
[Lawrence]: Better than any performance she's done in Mondstadt!
[Albert]: Lady Barbara!! I'll be your devoted dog forever! Barbara charge forward!!!
[Chef Mao]: So that's Mondstadt's idol? Impressive!
[Afshin]: Sorry, Miss Nilou… starting today I'm a Barbara fan…
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Eula]: Beautiful song, stunning dance. It's uplifting.
[Yun Jin]: Very different from Liyue opera, but the emotional expression is impressive.
[Xinyan]: Ain't rock, but I'm vibin'! Loved it!
[Nilou]: I really love it… If I could dance with Miss Barbara someday, that'd be wonderful.
[Ayaka]: So this is what an idol is…
[Furina]: Oho~ cheerful tone, free-spirited stage—very delightful! Miss Barbara, please come perform in Fontaine!
[Zhongli]: The performance is very healing indeed. Miss Alice's judgment was sound.
[Lumine]: Professionals really do hit different… Me watching it: "Barbara charge forward!!!"
[Paimon]: Barbara charge forward!!!
[Venti]: Ehe~ Barbara charge forward~
[Jean]: Barbara charge forward~
[Nahida]: Barbara charge forward~
[Yae Miko]: …
[Alice]: Barbara charge forward~
Favonius Cathedral
The nuns around Barbara were trembling with excitement.
If they weren't inside a cathedral, they'd probably have rushed straight at her screaming.
Even restrained, their eyes kept drifting toward Barbara—full of adoration.
Barbara pressed her fingers together, flustered by the attention.
Especially because of the chat messages.
Her sister's included.
But beneath her shyness, her heart glowed with happiness.
"That… that is a real idol…"
She could feel the atmosphere from the video.
The joy of being loved, and the joy of giving happiness back to others.
She made a small fist.
"Then next time… I'll learn that dance too."
"And show it at my next performance."
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Alice]: Wonderful! Videos really are the perfect way to showcase idols!
[Alice]: @Ayaka — Now that you've seen it, little Ayaka… interested in joining now?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: I'll join!
Inazuma — Kamisato Estate
"Ayaka… you…"
Ayato stared at his sister, startled.
Ayaka smiled gently.
"Brother, it isn't right to keep rejecting Miss Alice forever."
"And… idols can bring happiness and smiles to so many people."
"Far more than the 'Shirasagi Himegimi' ever could."
"I want to try."
"Maybe I can bring some positive change to Inazuma too."
She looked at the light-screen again, eyes shining with longing.
Besides that… she had a tiny personal reason.
Raised as a noble lady, restricted by duty,
Ayaka rarely had the luxury to chase personal interests.
Seeing Barbara shining onstage awakened something inside her.
She wanted to try too.
"I understand."
Ayato placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Go ahead, Ayaka."
Thoma pumped his fist beside them.
"Lady Ayaka! You've got this!"
[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Ayaka]: Miss Alice, but because of… certain restrictions, I might not be able to—
[Alice]: I know, I know—sakoku decree and Vision Hunt decree.
[Alice]: Don't worry. I'll go have a chat with little Miko and that stone-faced Shogun later~
[Ei]: …
Alice was ecstatic.
Her long-dead "Teyvat Idol Group Plan" had revived.
And now it was happening for real!
But four people alone weren't enough.
She needed to recruit more.
Her eyes narrowed.
[Alice]: Hey, Miss Nilou, Lady Furina—interested in joining the "Teyvat Idol Group"?
[Nilou]: Huh? Me?? Can I?
[Alice]: Of course! Your dancing is renowned throughout Sumeru. I hear about you even in other nations!
[Nilou]: Th-then I'd love to perform with Miss Barbara and Miss Ayaka!
[Alice]: Excellent! Welcome!
[Alice]: Lady Furina?
[Furina]: Hmph! Why not? Count me in!
She was a god—
but she had performed on Fontaine's grand stages countless times.
An idol group wasn't strange at all.
And befriending Alice, a terrifyingly powerful witch,
certainly wouldn't hurt in dealing with Fontaine's looming crisis.
[Alice]: Wonderful!
Barbara, Ayaka, Nilou, Furina—
I hereby declare the "Teyvat Idol Group" officially established today!"
[Alice]: I'll come find you all later~!
[Lumine]: Congrats congrats! A whole idol girl group—amazing~
[Paimon]: Can't wait to see them perform!
[Zhongli]: Congratulations.
[Yae Miko]: You really pulled it off, huh? But I must admit—I'm excited to see little Ayaka perform.
[Nahida]: An idol group… how interesting.
[Neuvillette]: Fontaine welcomes your future performances.
[Venti]: Congrats! But hey—
can I join too? I showed up in the video! 🎶
[Alice]: Sure, as long as you turn into a girl.
[Venti]: Ahem… well… not impossible~
[Lumine]: ???
[Paimon]: ???
[Itto]: Actually… I think Miss Shikanoin (Heizou's "female form") could work too!
[Gorou]: …
"Teyvat Idol Group…"
Arthur chuckled.
Looked like he accidentally triggered something interesting again.
He was… quite looking forward to it.
Clearing his throat, he continued:
"With that, we've covered Barbara's 'serious' aspects."
"In summary: Barbara is an excellent deaconess and an excellent idol—someone who brings people joy."
"But—there's something important she must watch out for."
"As an idol and public figure, having fans is normal."
"For example, Mondstadt's official 'Barbara Fan Club.'"
"But within it… lurks one very dangerous individual."
"Barbara Fan Club leader…"
"Mondstadt's No.1 Creepy Stalker—Albert!"
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