Chapitre 15: I am Barbatos
"Lumine, Paimon."
"Oh, Venti the bard. What brings you here?"
Lumine and Paimon, who were dining at the Hunter's Lodge, were curious when Venti arrived.
"I have something and I need your help."
"Seeking our help?"
"Aren't you a wandering bard? What else do you need help with?"
"To completely resolve the Wind Dragon situation, your power alone is not enough."
"So, we need something else for this matter."
"Something? What is it?"
"We need to go to Mondstadt Cathedral and retrieve a vertical Harp called 'Sky'."
"What exactly is this 'Sky' you're talking about?"
"It is Mondstadt's treasure, a vertical Harp once played by the Wind Archon, Barbatos."
"With the 'Sky' Harp, I can awaken Wind Dragon true nature from his nightmare."
"Can this really stop the Wind Dragon's destruction?"
Paimon and Lumine looked at Venti skeptically.
"Heh, of course, because I am the greatest poet in the world."
"In the past, present, and future, there is no thing I am not aware of."
"Traveler, look into my eyes. Don't you find me trustworthy?"
"???"
"Suspicious."
"Hey, don't say that. If we obtain the 'Sky' Harp and resolve the Wind Dragon issue, you will be helping Mondstadt. Traveler, you don't want the people of Mondstadt to suffer from the Wind Dragon's destruction, do you?"
"Besides, there's no harm in helping with this matter."
"So, how do we acquire the 'Sky' Harp?"
Curiously, Paimon asked from the side.
"It is said to be enshrined deep within the cathedral, in a secure location."
"I will investigate the situation. If you're interested, you can come along and see."
"Wait, Venti, if you can investigate, then why can't you retrieve it yourself? We can wait outside while you get the 'Sky' Harp, and then we can go find Dvalin."
"Well, traveler, you know that I am just an ordinary bard. I can only sing and compose poetry. If I were to go and retrieve it myself and get caught..."
"I don't know anyone in Mondstadt except you."
"But you're different. You are an honored knight of Mondstadt. Even if you get caught, just inform Captain Jean, and she won't give you any trouble."
"???"
After listening to Venti's words, Lumine was greatly shocked.
What did he mean by getting caught and it wouldn't be a big deal? She had come to the realm of the Wind Archon to find her brother, not to engage in theft. But now, according to Venti, she was being asked to steal something?
That was illegal! Looking at Lumine hesitating, Venti smiled slightly. He enticed step by step.
"Traveler, if you help me obtain the 'Sky' Harp, after resolving the matter in Mondstadt, I can tell you the next Archon's news. Isn't this reward worthwhile for you?"
"The next Archon's news?"
Lumine hesitated for a moment and looked at Venti. "Alright, I can help you, but after resolving this matter, you must tell me who the next Archon is."
"No problem. Then let's go inside together." Venti smiled faintly.
He knew Lumine wouldn't be too worried. Ever since Lumine arrived in Mondstadt, he knew what she was searching for. But there were some things he couldn't say. Subsequently, they entered Mondstadt Cathedral together, accompanied by Paimon. Inside, they encountered a nun.
"Traveler, Paimon, wait for me here. Watch what happens next."
"Hello, Sister."
Sister Rosaria looked at the cute young boy in front of her. She was aware of Venti's existence.
"May the Wind Archon bless you, young poet. What brings you here?"
"I have a secret that can rescue Mondstadt from its crisis."
Sister Rosaria, hearing Venti's words, seemed skeptical.
"Oh? May the Wind Archon truly bless you."
"But why come to me, a nun who has nothing to do with the Knights of Favonius? How can I help you?"
"Oh, sister, you have a place where you can help."
"For example... with the power of the 'Sky' Harp, I can make the Wind Dragon—"
As soon as Sister Rosaria heard Venti mention the 'Sky' Harp, her expression changed instantly.
She sighed and said directly, "Please leave."
"Huh?"
"While the dragon is indeed ferocious, once the Acting Grand Master makes up her mind, there is no reason we cannot subdue it."
"Well, I don't believe that. If that were the case, the Wind Dragon would have died already."
"A beast that has forsaken the eastern winds, even if the true Archon were to descend, it would not easily forgive it!"
Upon hearing this, Venti fell silent.
After a few seconds, he looked at Sister Rosaria.
In a spoiled tone, he said, "Hey, big sis~"
Hearing Venti's spoiled tone, Sister Rosaria felt a bit strange inside, even a bit pleased. Being called 'big sis' by someone younger wasn't bad at all. However, she wouldn't agree just because Venti was being spoiled.
"No means no, little poet."
Seeing that Sister Rosaria still refused, Venti sighed.
"Well, since it's like this, then I won't hide it anymore."
"Big sis, I'll tell you a secret. Rejoice, my devout follower! Before you stands none other than Barbatos himself."
"Isn't it shocking? Aren't you so shocked that you want to cry? Finally, you get to meet the Archon you've been serving. How do you feel? Very moved, right?"
"Lumine, is Venti really Barbatos?" Paimon flew over to Lumine and quietly asked upon hearing Venti's words.
Lumine looked surprised. In her mind, she saw the statue she first encountered, and it did look a lot like Venti.
In addition, the first thing Paimon said was that Mondstadt was a freedom country. If it was freedom, that meant the Wind Archon probably didn't intervene much. If that were the case, the possibility of Venti being Barbatos was high!
Furthermore, Dvalin was also an attendant of the Wind Archon. Venti wanted to save him and even called him 'that child.' This meant that Venti truly was Barbatos himself!
Lumine also didn't expect that the deity of Mondstadt turned out to be a bard who enjoyed drinking.
Realizing this, Lumine looked at Venti. Although somewhat regretful, she now knew that Barbatos wasn't the same Archon she and her brother would encounter when they left the continent of Teyvat.
Unfortunately, Barbatos' words were not believed by Sister Rosaria at all.
How could a bard be the esteemed Barbatos?
Barbatos was the Wind Archon of Mondstadt. How could he become a poet?
"If there's nothing else, please leave."
After saying this, Sister Rosaria walked away.
"Huh."
_______________
After seeing Sister Rosaria leave, Venti shrugged.
He had already exposed his identity, so why didn't she believe him?
"Um, the bard... Are you really Barbatos?" Paimon flew in front of Venti, curiously sizing him up.
"Hehe?"
"What does 'hehe' mean? Can't you tell the truth?"
"To be or not to be, I believe you already have the answer in your hearts, right?"
"Traveler, I have failed. It's up to you now."
"Me?"
"You are the honored knight of Mondstadt. Go talk to Sister Rosaria; she should agree."
"Alright, Venti, I'll give it a try."
After a while, Lumine returned, clearly having failed as well.
"You failed too? It seems we have no choice but to use that method next."
"At night, when Mondstadt Cathedral has fewer guards, that will be your chance."
"Venti, since you're the Wind Archon, why not directly suppress Dvalin?"
"Why do I have to steal... retrieve the 'Sky' Harp?"
"Dvalin is my friend. He used to be a good child."
"Now he is just being controlled. Why choose the most difficult solution when there could be a better way?"
"So, traveler, it's up to you now. I'll leave first. I'll be waiting at the Angel's Share."
After saying that, Venti left.
"You!!"
"Lumine, what should we do next? Should we really go and retrieve the 'Sky' Harp as Venti said?"
"Paimon, I don't think we need to do that."
Lumine thought for a moment and shook her head.
"But didn't you promise Venti just now?"
"And besides, if we retrieve the 'Sky' Harp, then after resolving this matter, Venti will tell us about the next Archon."
"Didn't you always want to find your brother?"
"Do you remember what Owner said? He said I would see my brother."
"I trust Owner. Besides, if we go and steal the 'Sky' Harp, we'll be pursued by the Knights of Favonius if we get caught."
"In that case, why don't we tell Captain Jean about this information?"
"After Captain Jean knows Venti's identity, she should directly help us, right?"
"Yeah, just like Venti said, since we're getting the 'Sky' Harp, why don't we try a different approach?"
"Let's go find Captain Jean."
After a while, Lumine and Paimon arrived at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
Since Lumine was an honored knight, entering the headquarters was naturally easy.
"Captain Jean, we've come to find you."
"Ah, it's the traveler and Paimon. What's the matter?"
Captain Jean, who was busy with official duties, saw Lumine and Paimon's arrival and put down the documents, curious.
"Captain Jean, let me tell you a secret. Brace yourself."
"A secret? Little Paimon, what secret?"
Seeing Paimon's secretive appearance, Captain Jean couldn't help but think of Klee, that child who was just as cute as Paimon.
"Captain Jean, do you know Venti? The wandering bard."
"I do. What's wrong? Has he done something bad?"
"No, actually, Venti's true identity is the Wind Archon, Barbatos!"
After saying this, Paimon looked at Captain Jean seriously, hoping to see a shocked or surprised expression on her face.
Unfortunately, just like Sister Rosaria, Captain Jean showed a completely incredulous expression.
"Little Paimon, that's not funny at all."
"Captain Jean, what Paimon said is true. Don't you think Venti's outfit and hair ornament resemble the statue of Barbatos?"
"Besides, I told you before that Venti knows Dvalin, who is Dvalin, and just now at Mondstadt Cathedral, Venti said he is Barbatos himself."
"The 'Sky' Harp is a treasure of Mondstadt. If Venti were just an ordinary bard, he wouldn't be able to play it, right?"
After listening to Lumine's analysis, Captain Jean fell silent.
She still had some doubts in her heart. Barbatos, the Wind Archon, turned out to be Venti, a bard who also enjoyed drinking.
"Lumine, Paimon, please wait a moment. Let me think it through."
After a while, Captain Jean looked at Lumine and Paimon.
"Lumine, Paimon, thank you for telling me all this. For now, let's temporarily consider Venti as the Wind Archon of Mondstadt."
"He wants to retrieve the 'Sky' Harp, and I have agreed to it. I'll write a document shortly."
"After you retrieve the 'Sky' Harp, I will also go to the Angel's Share."
"Great, that way, we won't be pursued by the Knights of Favonius!"
Lumine and Paimon didn't want to be wanted by the Knights of Favonius while trying to retrieve the 'Sky' Harp.
Soon, Captain Jean wrote a letter and handed it to Lumine.
"Lumine, I hope your speculations are true. After all, the 'Sky' Harp is the treasure of Mondstadt."
When handing over the letter, Captain Jean had a serious expression.
"Captain Jean, don't worry. Although we can't guarantee it 100%, we have about a 90% chance of proving that Venti is Barbatos."
"I trust you. Now go ahead."
"Okay, Paimon, let's go." Watching Lumine and Paimon leave, Captain Jean leaned back in her chair.
Venti was indeed Barbatos, and she was quite shocked. But Barbatos must have his own reasons for doing this.
"After dealing with these official duties, I'll go and see what the Angel's Share has to offer."
Thinking this, Captain Jean got busy again.
With the letter personally written by Captain Jean, Lumine and Paimon returned to Mondstadt Cathedral and found Sister Rosaria.
"This... This is really Captain Jean's letter. She actually agreed for you to retrieve the 'Sky' Harp!"
Seeing the letter from Captain Jean, Sister Rosaria looked at Lumine and Paimon in astonishment.
"Hehe, of course. Lumine is the honored knight of Mondstadt." Paimon looked proud.
She was really exaggerating.
"So, Sister, can we retrieve the 'Sky' Harp now?"
"Of course. Honored Knight, please follow me."
Sister Rosaria nodded and then led Lumine and Paimon into the underground of Mondstadt Cathedral. After a while, they arrived at the area where the 'Sky' Harp was kept.
"Honored Knight, that is the 'Sky' Harp." After saying that, Sister Rosaria approached and tried to take the 'Sky' Harp.
But at that moment, an unexpected turn of events occurred! Electro Cicin Mage appeared in front of the 'Sky' Harp and directly took it into her hands.
"Who are you? Give me the 'Sky' Harp back!"
Sister Rosaria's face immediately changed upon seeing this sudden stranger. Lumine rushed forward, ready to take action, but the Electro Cicin Mage vanished into thin air before she could react.
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