The same routine, the same actions.
Venti transformed into a figure of light and appeared in Barbara's room.
"You are... Lord Barbatos!"
What surprised Venti wasn't that Barbara recognized his identity; after all, Jean had recognized him before he revealed himself.
What surprised Venti was that upon seeing him appear, Barbara wasn't surprised at all.
Facing the real Anemo Archon before her, Barbara's heart held only joy, showing no extreme shock.
It was as if... the appearance of the Anemo Archon was something to be taken for granted.
It was just like the ancient legend of Lord Ye loving dragons.
Lord Ye loved dragons very much, but when a real dragon appeared before him, he was so scared he fled.
Honestly, Venti had prepared for the devout little nun to scream in terror upon seeing the God she worshipped appear, and he had prepared many ways to comfort the little nun.
Unexpectedly, none of it was needed.
"Lord Barbatos, I knew you were silently watching over us."
"Uh..."
Venti felt a bit guilty:
"You are right!"
Fortunately, Venti was in his light form at this moment, so Barbara couldn't see the guilty expression on his face.
"Barbara, do you know Arkz from Springvale Farm?"
"Mr. Arkz?"
Although Barbara was a bit confused why Lord Barbatos was asking if she knew Arkz, she still answered obediently:
"My friends and I have been receiving training from Mr. Arkz recently."
"Mr. Arkz and I should be considered friends."
Venti pressed his advantage and continued to ask:
"Then what do you think of Arkz?"
Barbara fell silent for a moment and began to brainstorm.
Seeing this, Venti didn't rush her, just waited quietly for Barbara's answer.
The Lord of Anemo is asking me... for my evaluation of Mr. Arkz?
Is there some deeper meaning behind this?
Oh!
elemental weapon!!!
Barbara was among the onlookers when Arkz signed the contract with the Knights of Favonius and Dawn Winery, so she was aware of the importance of the elemental weapon.
So, Lord Anemo knows about the elemental weapon invented by Mr. Arkz and is currently assessing Mr. Arkz?
That's right. Even a young girl like her could see the importance of the elemental weapon to Mondstadt. Surely the wise and mighty Anemo Archon, who has protected Mondstadt for a thousand years, also sees it.
Because Mr. Arkz is important, Lord Anemo is investigating him?
It seems I need to speak more good words about Mr. Arkz to Lord Anemo!
Barbara nodded, organized her words, and then spoke:
"Lord Barbatos, Mr. Arkz is a very excellent and kind person. He is very enthusiastic toward his friends. He..."
Venti listened quietly to Barbara's praise of Arkz.
Then he asked:
"Then do you like him?"
Barbara was instantly stunned.
Does Lord Anemo mean 'like' in the way I'm thinking?
Although Barbara is Jean's younger sister, compared to Jean who secretly reads even romance novels, Barbara was clearly more mature when it came to feelings between men and women.
This was because Barbara often associated with nuns like herself.
And the nuns in Mondstadt did not forbid marriage.
So, those who understand, understand.
And once a girl gets 'dirty,' there's no room for boys.
Barbara began brainstorming again.
Does Lord Anemo mean what I think he means?
No, no, no!!!
I must have misunderstood!
Lord Anemo probably means whether my evaluation of Mr. Arkz is positive or negative.
That's it!
That's exactly it!
Lord Barbatos, I understand now!
"Lord Barbatos, I 'like' Mr. Arkz!"
Barbara said seriously.
Venti excitedly straightened his body and asked again:
"Really? Really?!"
"Really!"
Barbara's resolute reply made Venti extremely happy.
"That's wonderful!"
"Ahem..."
"Barbara, you must keep working hard!"
"Be brave, and interact more with Arkz!"
Barbara nodded with a look of gratitude:
"I understand, Lord Barbatos, thank you for your encouragement."
Venti looked at the excited Barbara, nodded, gave her an approving thumbs-up, and then dissolved into the wind and left.
At that moment, Venti had only one thought in his mind:
"My mission is complete!"
Hmph hmph hmph~~
Venti hummed a tune and went off to drink.
Actually...
If Venti hadn't used the identity of the Anemo Archon to talk to Barbara, his plan might have proceeded smoothly, but he insisted on using the identity of the Anemo Archon to converse with Barbara.
What was Barbara's identity?
She was the devout nun of the Anemo Archon!
Although Barbara had some understanding of romantic feelings between men and women, when the person saying those words was the Anemo Archon, Barbara would strive to find excuses to convince herself.
To mold the Anemo Archon into the noble and perfect image in her heart.
For example, Venti mistakenly thought Barbara liked Arkz and encouraged her to bravely confess to Arkz.
But what Barbara understood was that Lord Anemo was encouraging her to stick to her ideals, not to give up halfway, and not to fear setbacks and difficulties.
If she encountered trouble, she could ask Arkz for help.
It meant she should persist in her training and not give up.
What was Barbara's dream?
Of course, it was to become someone even stronger and more outstanding than her sister, Acting Grand Master Jean.
Choosing to become a Healing Nun was due to necessity.
Now that she saw the possibility of achieving her dream, Barbara didn't mind fighting for it.
She didn't want to hide behind her sister and be someone who needed protection.
She wanted to charge to the front lines and become the one who protected others!
What is the highest level of protecting everyone?
Is it healing everyone's injuries after they get hurt?
No!
It's charging forward!
Wiping out all the enemies before anyone gets hurt!
Recalling the encouragement brought by the Anemo Archon Barbatos, Barbara's eyes became firmer, filled with fighting spirit.
The previous Barbara was gentle as water.
The current Barbara was still gentle, but there was a new firmness deep in her heart.
In a cold environment, she transforms into solid ice; in a hot environment, she transforms into water vapor. Her form changes, but the heart that guards remains unchanged.
Realizing her true intentions.
Barbara's Vision shone even brighter.
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knocking sound at the door.
"It's me, Rosaria."
"I heard movement in your room. Are you alright?"
Rosaria, having detected unusual activity, came to investigate. The Executioner Nun, who walked in the dark, was always very sensitive to unusual Elemental Power fluctuations.
Barbara walked to the door with light steps and opened it.
"Good evening, Rosaria."
Barbara greeted her cheerfully. Having realized her true intentions, she now felt as if a huge weight had been lifted, making her exceptionally relaxed.
"Good evening, Barbara."
"You seem... in a good mood?"
Rosaria was a bit puzzled.
Before entering, she had considered various possibilities, but never expected Barbara to be as cheerful as if she had eaten a handful of pistachios.
Barbara stretched out both hands, pulled Rosaria along, and skipped into the room.
Caught off guard, Rosaria didn't manage to break free.
"Rosaria, I just met Lord Anemo Barbatos!"
Rosaria: "..."
Rosaria: "Huh?!!"
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