Wine and Whispers
The soft glow of lantern light filled Angel's Share, the most famous tavern in Mondstadt. The storm that had plagued the city was gone, and with it returned the familiar sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and music drifting through the air.
At the counter sat a bard clad in green, his legs swinging lazily as he drained the last drop from his cup.
"Ahhh~" Venti sighed happily. "There's truly nothing better than wine after a long, exhausting day."
Behind the counter, polishing a glass with practiced efficiency, stood Diluc Ragnvindr. His crimson eyes flicked briefly toward the bard.
"That's your second glass," Diluc said flatly. "You're done."
Venti blinked.
"Eh? Already?" He leaned forward dramatically. "Come on, Master Diluc~ Just one more! I promise I'll savor it with all my heart!"
Diluc placed the glass down with a sharp clink.
"Pay first."
Venti rummaged through his pockets, producing a few scattered Mora coins. He counted them twice… then once more.
"…Ah."
He looked up with an awkward smile.
"I seem to be a little short."
Diluc crossed his arms. "Then you don't get another drink."
Venti slumped over the counter. "Cruel. Absolutely cruel. To deny a humble bard his muse…"
He suddenly straightened.
"How about this?" Venti grinned. "I'll sing you a song instead. A legendary ballad, sung only once every—"
"No," Diluc interrupted instantly.
Venti gasped. "You wound me."
Diluc didn't respond.
The bard sighed theatrically, then leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"What if I told you," Venti said quietly, "that Dvalin is being used by the Abyss Order… and that Mondstadt is their real target?"
Diluc's hand paused mid-motion.
"…Continue," he said calmly.
A Dangerous Truth
"So you already know," Venti said, straightening. "I was hoping to surprise you."
"I've been investigating the Abyss Order for a long time," Diluc replied. "Stormterror's movements weren't random."
Venti smiled faintly. "Then you also know that killing Dvalin isn't the solution."
Diluc said nothing.
"There is a way to save him," Venti continued. "A way to purge the Abyssal corruption without destroying him."
Diluc's eyes narrowed. "And what would that be?"
Venti tapped the counter lightly.
"The Lyre of the Anemo Archon."
Diluc frowned. "You expect me to believe the Church will hand it over so easily?"
"They won't," Venti admitted cheerfully. "Which is why I need your help."
Diluc studied him carefully. "And what do I get out of this?"
Venti smiled again. "The full plan."
Diluc sighed.
"One more glass," he said finally. "Then talk."
Venti beamed. "Deal!"
A Plan Takes Shape
As Diluc poured the wine, Venti explained.
Venti pulled out a red crystal. " It's a Dvalin's tear. It has this red color due to the abyssal corruption. We may need these crystals in their pure form to get the lyre working. " Venti said. "If I can lure him using the Lyre, I can weaken the Abyss's hold on him."
"And how do you plan to retrieve the Lyre?" Diluc asked.
Venti leaned back. "Of course, With the acting Grandmaster's help."
Diluc remained silent for a long moment.
"…I'll contact her," he said finally. "But if this is a lie—"
"It's not," Venti said softly.
A New Day for an Adventurer
Morning sunlight filtered through the window of a modest house in Springvale.
Aether opened his eyes.
"…Time to work."
He washed, dressed, and set off toward Mondstadt. The city felt lighter now—free of the oppressive storm.
At the Adventurers' Guild, Katheryne greeted him with her usual calm smile.
"Good morning, Aether. Are you here for commissions?"
"Yes," Aether replied. "Anything available."
Katheryne nodded and unfolded a map, marking a location.
"A Hilichurl camp has been spotted here. Eliminate the threat."
Aether accepted the mission.
Katheryne handed him a dull sword.
"This should suffice."
Aether nodded. "Thank you."
The Hilichurl Camp
The camp was loud.
Crude banners fluttered in the wind as Hilichurls moved about.
A Pyro Hilichurl Shooter spotted Aether first.
"Yaah!"
Flames flew.
Aether rolled aside, sprinting forward. He slashed upward, knocking the shooter down before spinning to block an incoming lightning bolt from the Electro Hilichurl Shooter.
A massive roar followed.
The Blazing Axe Mitachurl charged.
Aether ducked under the swing, slashing at its legs. The Hilichurl Berserker leapt at him—but Aether pivoted, driving his blade into its side.
Above them, an Anemo Samachurl chanted.
Wind blades tore through the field.
Aether grit his teeth, charging through the storm. He leapt, cutting down the Samachurl mid-cast.
The Mitachurl roared again—then fell.
Silence returned.
Aether breathed heavily.
"…Commission complete."
The Ruin Guard
On his way back—
BOOM.
Missiles rained down.
Aether dove aside.
A towering Ruin Guard emerged.
"What the …You've got to be kidding."
The machine charged.
Aether sprinted, slashing joints, dodging crushing blows. He climbed its back, stabbing exposed mechanisms. The ruin guard fought back with their spin attacks, missiles and their plunge attacks. Aether survived all of its attacks narrowly and delivered some critical blows using his dull sword.
Aether finally got his chance to plunge his sword into its core and destroy it. The Ruin Guard collapsed and fell to the ground. He defeated the ruin guard.
Aether fell to one knee while breathing heavily.
"…That was close."
Among the debris lay a red glowing crystal tear. He took it with his hands. He thought of it as a rare gem or something. So he decided to sell this item in the town and make some money out of it.
Reward and Rest
Back at the guild, Katheryne smiled.
"Well done."
Aether then showed her the red glowing crystal.
"This item…" she said. "You should speak with Marjorie. May be you will make a fortune out of it."
Aether " Please show me the way."
Katheryne helped him locate her. Aether went to meet her. Aether took out the Red glowing crystal in his hand and expressed his wish to sell this item.
At With Wind Comes Glory, Marjorie inspected it.
"I'll buy it for 10,000 Mora."
Aether accepted.
...
Then he decided to try the meals At Good Hunter. He went there and tried Fisherman's Toast.
"…This is amazing." He whispered as he enjoyed his first meal ever since he arrived in Monstadt.
Satisfied, he returned home. Aether paid his rent with the money he got from selling the red crystal.
Decisions of the Knights
Diluc met Jean. Diluc informed Jean about Venti's plan to save Dvalin. Jean already know about Venti's true identity.
Jean said to herself 'Seems like the anemo archon have a plan to save his old friend. huh..'
She sighed.
Jean"To be frank, I don't want Dvalin to die like this. After all he protected Monstadt along side the anemo archon. It would be totally unfair if we don't give him a chance. I'll authorize the Lyre."
Diluc "Mmm... You seems to be awfully familiar with this bard guy. What makes you so sure that this guy can handle this situation."
Jean smiled " Don't sweat over it Sir. Diluc, you can trust him. As for the reason.... you will found out soon enough. "
Diluc narrowed his eyes "Mmm..."
Jean wrote the letter to the church executives requesting for the lyre and handed it over to Diluc. Diluc went to the church and handed over Jean's letter to the executives.
After some brief moments the Church of Favonius handed over the Lyre to Diluc. Diluc took it back to Venti.
Venti was happy to get the lyre back in his hands. He then thanked Diluc and appreciated his efforts. Venti then added that he needs to find a way to purify those red crystal tears.
Diluc thought for a moment.
"…Albedo. May be he can help. That guy really know the stuff about Alchemy. "
Venti nodded. "Albedo huh... Mmm... I guess I will have to meet him next."