Chapter 135. The Next Anemo Archon?
At this moment, Futsu Mitama's heart truly sank. He had suspected Venti might keep the Gnosis for himself. That was reasonable. Understandable.
But what did this development mean?
You want me to become the next Anemo Archon?
You really calculated this far ahead, didn't you?
Temporarily accepting the Gnosis was one thing. In practical terms, it made sense. The Gnosis combined with the Anemo Archon Authority inside him could function as a beacon—something to guide Venti back should he lose himself within the turbulence of Time.
That logic held. But Venti's final words—
"If I don't return, you'll be the next Anemo Archon."
That was not logic. That was disaster.
And with Venti's personality… wasn't it entirely possible that he simply wouldn't return? Even if he were in danger? Even if he could?
Damn it. I miscalculated.
That bard absolutely ran off to dodge responsibility. Would he really stage a grand tragedy—"The Anemo Archon has fallen"—and then casually let Futsu Mitama step into the role?
The more he thought about it, the colder his back felt. Within him, the Gnosis rested like a silent star. Its presence was undeniable.
And that presence made his heart pound.
Holding this thing meant becoming a target. The Fatui Harbingers had been collecting Gnosis pieces with almost obsessive determination. Even if the Archons who survived the Archon War were terrifying existences, they were still gods—formidable beyond measure.
But him? A mere Adeptus-level individual.
In the Harbingers' eyes, wouldn't he look like the easiest prey imaginable?
Aside from La Signora, none of them ever treated the Anemo Archon lightly. In the original sequence of events, Venti had practically surrendered his Gnosis.
But now?
He had handed the burning coal directly to Futsu Mitama. What was he supposed to do with it?
"Sigh—"
The exhale that left him was heavy. No wonder Venti refused to record this in the group files. Futsu Mitama did not know what would happen if a Gnosis vanished entirely from Teyvat. In the structure of this world, the Gnosis was not ornamental.
It belonged to The Seven.
It symbolized their status.
It granted resonance with Celestia and enabled access to the unique authorities of an Archon.
It was a superior magical organ—far beyond a Vision—its form reminiscent of a chess piece from some higher cosmic board.
The Fatui's relentless pursuit alone proved its value.
Venti, Zhongli, and Raiden Ei might appear indifferent toward their own Gnosis, but that indifference likely concealed knowledge—perhaps even dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Principles.
Futsu Mitama focused inward, attempting to mobilize the Gnosis.
Nothing. It remained inert.
He could sense it, but he could not wield it. Clearly, without Archon-tier strength—or some external catalyst—its power would not respond to him.
Still…Venti had not given it to him merely as decoration. On impulse, Futsu Mitama activated the Anemo Archon Authority within him.
The Gnosis stirred.
Just slightly.
But it stirred.
That reaction confirmed something important. So that's why every Harbinger needed access to the Cryo Archon's power—
Understanding flashed through him. Yet he had no intention of experimenting further. Not here. Not now.
What he needed was distance.
Specifically—Mondstadt.
Carrying a Gnosis inside his body felt like walking with a beacon tied to his spine. And after that—
He was going straight to the Chat Group to settle accounts. This damned bard had pushed him into a pit.
He, a dignified Retainer of the Raiden Shogun. The acknowledged successor to Rex Lapis.
And now— The next Anemo Archon?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
With that thought burning in his chest, Futsu Mitama turned toward Mondstadt at once. Who knew whether the Fatui possessed some device capable of detecting a Gnosis? Caution dictated immediate relocation.
Starsnatch Cliff was not far. With his current strength, he covered the distance in mere minutes. But the moment he entered Mondstadt—
He froze.
La Signora. And two Electro Cicin Mages.
"???"
"??????" ×3
Four expressions. Equal bewilderment.
Futsu Mitama glanced aside.
The shop beside them was a modest tavern—less renowned than Angel's Share or the Cat's Tail, but still familiar. If memory served, earlier that evening La Signora and those same two Cicin Mages had exited another tavern.
"You—"
La Signora inhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling in measured rhythm.
Of all times—Why did she keep running into this infuriating man tonight?
As a Harbinger, she did not allow personal resentment to obstruct mission priorities. And Futsu Mitama was no longer someone she could casually provoke. A god frequently stood behind him.
Moreover, the Raiden Shogun was not today's objective.
The Anemo Archon was. Where was that damned drunkard?
The Tsaritsa's intelligence was clear. The Bard favored wine above all. If he had resurfaced, he would appear in a tavern.
Thus La Signora's arrangement with the Knights of Favonius.
Thus the dispersal of Fatui agents across Mondstadt's drinking establishments.
If Barbatos showed himself—even briefly—they would know.
And yet—Nothing.
An entire night wasted. And now, instead of Barbatos—
Futsu Mitama again.
"Yo. Good evening." He appeared entirely at ease. "I just saw you leaving another tavern not long ago. And now you're at this one. Looking for someone?"
Earlier, when he exited the city, they had noticed him.
And he had noticed them.
His perception was keen. Unless the power gap was overwhelming, concealment was difficult. In truth, he had hoped she would follow him outside the city. If she had—
Tonight might have been her last.
She had lived long enough. But she had not taken the bait.
"No. I am not looking for someone."
Technically accurate. She was looking for a god. Her gaze sharpened.
"And you. Why were you outside the city so late? And—" Her eyes narrowed. "You seem…different."
Strange. Not in appearance. Not in aura. Yet something had shifted.
Intuition.
They were seasoned adversaries. She knew his presence well.
"I find you strange as well," Futsu Mitama replied evenly. "Someone with your personality shouldn't be strolling casually. You should be plotting. The Dragon Crisis is over. I resolved it."
"Whatever the Fatui intended—failed. That alone makes me happy. Mora is irrelevant."
Anger flickered in her eyes at the mention of the Dragon Crisis. Had he not intervened, the Fatui's position would be entirely different now.
A subtle chill spread outward.
The Electro Cicin Mages stiffened.
Don't fight.
Not here.
Not now.
The fragile détente with the Knights would shatter instantly.
"What? You want to fight?"
He did not flinch. Once, in Inazuma, he had been weaker. He remembered that clearly. He remembered nearly dying.
"I have no time to waste on a brat."
She flicked her sleeve and turned. A confrontation now offered no advantage—only complications.
Strategically unsound.
Thus, she departed.
Only after she vanished did Futsu Mitama exhale quietly. Her instincts were sharp.
Far too sharp.
Fortunately, her attention remained fixed on Venti.
The Gnosis.
That was the Fatui's priority.
He returned to his villa immediately. Then opened the Chat Group.
[Futsu Mitama: "@Venti, come out!!! Explain!!! What do you mean by the next Anemo Archon?!!!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "What?!!! Barbatos!!! What did you say?!!!!! @Venti"]
[Yae Miko: "Isn't Futsu Mitama the next Raiden Shogun?! Why is he the next Anemo Archon?! What happened?!"]
[Azhdaha: "What next Raiden Shogun and Anemo Archon? Futsu Mitama is the successor to Rex Lapis. He is the next Geo Archon!"]
[Guizhong: "Yes, yes! The next Geo Archon!"]
[Keqing: "The Archon does not seem to be retiring so soon—but if Futsu Mitama became the second Geo Archon, that would not be bad."]
[Zhongli: "@Venti."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Huh?!!! What is happening?! Why would Futsu Mitama become the Anemo Archon?!"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "He would be the next Anemo Archon, not the current one—but why would Venti choose him?"]
[Klee: "Eh?! Brother Futsu Mitama is going to be the Anemo Archon?! Yay! But didn't Anemo Archon big brother go to get the Power of Time? Why would he say that? Did something happen?!"]
[Albedo: "Even if something had happened, he would not so casually pass on the position. The status of a god is not symbolic. Even the weakest Archon remains an Archon. Futsu Mitama is still human."]
[Albedo: "However…Barbatos granted freedom to Mondstadt. He is a god of freedom. If it is him—such an act is not impossible."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "The seats of The Seven cannot be lightly transferred, even to someone with Archon potential. He requires more time—perhaps another decade—to truly shoulder such responsibility."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "An Archon guides humanity. It is not merely a title."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Still… it does sound like something he would do."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "…Indeed."]
[Zhongli: "@Venti. You should explain. The Chat Group is unaffected by Time turbulence."]
[Aila: "Yes. Even in the mental space, I could still see the Chat Group. I was simply too focused to respond."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Then…Venti hasn't encountered danger, has he?"]
And for a brief moment— The group fell into silence.
(Okay, a little change to the chatting format here. It just the Author was too inconsistent. Sometimes they put the brackets sometime don't)
Sangonomiya Kokomi spoke first, her tone measured but unmistakably inquisitive. "Actually, I'm more curious about what Futsu Mitama and Venti discussed."
Guizhong followed without hesitation. "Likewise."
Futsu Mitama replied with deliberate understatement. "It wasn't much. He said he was going to go all out—then he placed a crown woven from flowers and leaves upon his head. His attire changed as well."
Maha Rukkhadevata's voice turned solemn. "He re-crowned himself?"
Raiden Makoto answered quietly, yet with gravity. "Indeed. Even he could not disregard the existence left behind by that person."
Azhdaha's deep voice rumbled through the Chat Group. "He re-crowned himself? Then this matter is far, far more troublesome than we imagined."
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes, a faint smile playing at her lips despite the seriousness. "Though I may not grasp every detail, it seems the Anemo Archon is fully aware that this journey is fraught with danger. So… is this him passing on his legacy?"
Albedo folded his hands thoughtfully. "If that is the case, then it would make sense."
Zhongli's message appeared, concise and steady. "And then?"
Futsu Mitama paused before responding. "Then he gave me something. It's… too important. I don't dare take it out."
A brief silence rippled through the Chat Group.
"It requires Anemo Archon Authority to activate. You understand what that implies, don't you?"
Kamisato Ayaka reacted instantly. "Requires Anemo Archon Authority???"
Keqing followed. "What exactly is it???"
Guizhong drew in a sharp breath. "Anemo Archon Authority… That is the authority of one of The Seven. Could it be—?"
Maha Rukkhadevata exhaled softly. "No wonder the Anemo Archon specifically warned against placing that item into the Chat Group files."
Azhdaha's tone deepened. "If such a thing were uploaded into the files… who knows what reaction the Heavenly Principles might have."
Klee's message burst forth, brimming with curiosity. "What is it? What is it? Klee wants to know!"
Zhongli responded calmly. "By universal reasoning, there is only one possibility."
Yae Miko's eyes curved faintly. "As expected of Mr. Zhongli. Venti likely handed him that small trinket the Raiden Shogun once entrusted to me."
She clicked her tongue lightly. "That Anemo Archon truly is one step ahead."
Kuki Shinobu spoke bluntly. "So after all this suspense… what is it exactly?"
Aila grew impatient. "Yes. Stop speaking in riddles."
Futsu Mitama finally answered.
"It's a Gnosis. A symbol of The Seven Archons' identity. It allows resonance with Celestia—and enhances an Archon's power."
A wave of shock followed.
"I now possess the Anemo Archon Authority, the Anemo Gnosis, and the Anemo Archon's personal acknowledgment. I've only been in Mondstadt a short time. How did I suddenly become the next Anemo Archon?"
He tagged the culprit directly.
"@Venti, come out and explain!!"
Raiden Makoto followed immediately. "@Venti. Yes. Explain this to me."
Azhdaha thundered in. "@Venti. Explain at once! You said you were merely helping. Since when did helping turn into succession?!"
The Chat Group descended into chaos.
Yet Venti did not appear. No lighthearted reply. No playful deflection. No drunken laughter.
Nothing.
Whether he was deliberately feigning silence… or truly occupied collecting the Power of Time… no one could say.
For now, they could only wait.
To Azhdaha and Raiden Makoto, Venti's willingness to seek the Power of Time for the sake of the Chat Group's future was indeed worthy of respect.
If condensed resin were successfully created, Azhdaha would owe him a tremendous favor.
But a favor was a favor. If the cost of that favor was Futsu Mitama becoming the Anemo Archon instead of the Geo Archon—
Azhdaha would rather remain sealed.
His current state was not intolerable. Through the Ley Lines, he could perceive the outside world. The Chat Group suppressed erosion and allowed him gradual recovery. Given a few centuries, his condition would nearly stabilize.
Raiden Makoto shared similar thoughts.
Condensed resin was useful. But not at the cost of Futsu Mitama.
If succession were inevitable, then the Electro Archon's mantle was where he belonged. Inazuma's future should rest in young hands.
As for her and the Raiden Shogun—they could retire gracefully, travel Teyvat, and finally experience what eternity had once denied them. Even a divine puppet shell would not tempt her to trade him away.
—
Three days passed.
The Fatui presence within Mondstadt began to thin.
One by one, their figures disappeared from the city streets.
A contract had been signed.
For once, the Fatui appeared disciplined.
The Knights of Favonius monitored the withdrawal carefully.
Suspicion lingered.
Had the Fatui truly retreated?
Or was this merely the calm surface before deeper currents moved?
Investigations revealed an odd pattern. The Fatui frequented taverns. They listened to bards. They attended poetry gatherings.
Even La Signora followed this pattern.
Jean could not make sense of it.
Diluc, operating in the shadows, considered capturing a high-ranking agent for interrogation. Yet he refrained. Breaking the contract would grant the Fatui an excuse to remain.
Thus, restraint prevailed.
With the Fatui withdrawing, the Knights formally declared the Dragon Crisis resolved.
The Adventurers' Guild marked the commission as completed. That detail sent ripples through Mondstadt's adventurer circles.
If Stormterror or the Knights had resolved it internally, the quest would have been canceled.
Completion meant an external party had succeeded.
And that success had been acknowledged.
Who?
Speculation spread rapidly.
—
"So this is why you're awarding me the Honorary Knight title?"
Futsu Mitama sat in the Acting Grand Master's office, expression subtle.
Jean and Kaeya faced him.
Raiden Shogun's Retainer. Successor to Rex Lapis. Next Anemo Archon.
And now—Honorary Knight.
"Yes," Kaeya said with a bright, practiced smile. "You resolved the Dragon Crisis. Stormterror's situation is delicate. We cannot brand him a villain. And your contribution was undeniable."
He added casually, "Beyond mora and the title, Mondstadt has rare materials. Interested?"
Jean nodded earnestly. "The commission was issued under my authority. You completed it. The reward must be given."
Futsu Mitama hesitated only briefly.
The title was irrelevant.
But one hundred million mora was not. Mora was universal. Practical. Reliable.
And he had recently purchased a villa in Mondstadt. When the funds arrived days later, he could not help but feel that fortune had favored him repeatedly of late.
If others understood what he had truly done, they would argue the sum was modest.
A Raiden Shogun's Retainer's intervention was worth far more.
Dvalin's restored reputation spread swiftly.
The people of Mondstadt prayed to Barbatos—and thanked Dvalin sincerely.
They loved wine and freedom. But their gratitude was genuine.
Rumors even claimed Dvalin had fought Stormterror again and been injured in defense of Mondstadt.
Stormterror? That was merely the name given to disaster.
Dvalin was their protector.
Perhaps this outcome was the best possible one.
—
"And regarding that Anemo—ah… that bard…"
Jean's composure faltered slightly.
Kaeya rose smoothly. "I'll go announce the good news. You two talk."
He departed, smiling knowingly.
Jean exhaled once he was gone. She met Futsu Mitama's gaze.
"Though it may be rude to ask—did the Anemo Archon issue any decree?"
She was nervous.
Barbatos had not appeared in years. His last intervention had been during Mondstadt's darkest era.
Had the Knights failed somehow? Had their earlier stance toward Dvalin been wrong?
She needed to know.
Futsu Mitama hesitated. If Barbatos truly encountered misfortune—
Then Mondstadt's next Anemo Archon would be him. He believed Venti would not fall.
But the re-crowning. The divine attire. Makoto's concern. Rukkhadevata's caution.
And three days of silence.
Even Zhongli had vanished from Mondstadt today. Presumably…to ensure Venti's safety himself.
The weight of that realization pressed quietly upon him. And for the first time since receiving the Gnosis—Futsu Mitama felt that this matter was far more serious than he had allowed himself to admit.
"There is?!"
Jean's eyes widened the instant she noticed Futsu Mitama's hesitation. In her mind, that pause could only mean one thing—
Barbatos had left a message.
"Hm…"
Futsu Mitama fell silent for a brief moment before giving a faint nod.
"The Anemo Archon Barbatos once said that Mondstadt is currently too free…and too undisciplined."
Jean stiffened slightly.
"Freedom is a good thing," Futsu Mitama continued evenly, "but if one relies on others to handle everything, it ceases to be freedom. It becomes another kind of bondage. And if Mondstadt's citizens grow overly dependent—then one day, they will be devoured by a monster named 'Freedom.'"
The office fell quiet.
Jean blinked slowly, one hand rising to her chin as she sank into thought.
Futsu Mitama did not elaborate further.
Barbatos had never spoken those exact words. But he had been designated the next Anemo Archon.
He equals the Anemo Archon.
Therefore, what he said could naturally be considered Barbatos' will. And frankly speaking—
The people of Mondstadt had indeed used the banner of "Freedom" to repeatedly burden Jean.
It was never once or twice.
It was constant.
They delegated, entrusted, requested, depended.
If Jean could sit here calmly now, it was only because she had forcibly carved time out of her already suffocating schedule.
"Too free and undisciplined?" Jean repeated softly. "But…I don't quite understand that concept."
She looked genuinely puzzled.
"If the Anemo Archon were blaming us for incompetence, or for forgetting Dvalin, or for allowing the Fatui to act freely within Mondstadt—I would understand."
"If he criticized me directly, I would accept it with sincerity. But 'too free and undisciplined'—I don't understand."
Mondstadt was the City of Freedom. Anyone whose heart belonged to Mondstadt could become its citizen. That was the Wind of Freedom she cherished.
Futsu Mitama studied her expression and felt briefly speechless.
Should he praise her gentleness?
Concepts obvious to others seemed abstract to her.
Still, he explained patiently.
"To put it simply—have you significantly improved your martial skills recently?"
Jean straightened instinctively. "I trained today."
She would never neglect her swordsmanship. Every day, no matter how exhausted, she practiced to remain at peak condition. Futsu Mitama crossed his arms.
"Compared to half a month ago—how much stronger are you now?"
The question struck cleanly.
Jean's silence said everything. Since taking full responsibility after the Grand Master's expedition, her strength had stagnated.
If anything, it had declined.
She had even sacrificed sleep to compensate—until she nearly collapsed. Only with Eula, Amber, Kaeya, Lisa, and Noelle supporting her did she recover.
Yet she had never once blamed external pressure.
She blamed herself.
Just Like Ganyu. Like Keqing. When something goes wrong, they first assume they were not working hard enough.
"Can't answer?" Futsu Mitama's tone was steady, not mocking. "That is what I mean by 'freedom and indiscipline.'"
"It is admirable that you help others. But if you are absent, can they truly do nothing? And if the Acting Grand Master's strength does not increase—how will you protect Mondstadt when the next crisis arrives?"
He paused.
"In the end, will the Anemo Archon still need to seek help from me—a Raiden Shogun's Retainer?"
Jean lowered her gaze slightly.
Strictly speaking, Jean's talent surpassed Diluc's.
She had earned the title of Dandelion Knight at a remarkably young age.
She faced La Signora without flinching.
In another timeline, she had torn five Ruin Guards apart to defend civilians—and still claimed she was not strong enough.
Five Ruin Guards.
Even now, Kuki Shinobu would not find that trivial. And yet—
Since assuming leadership, Jean's strength had plateaued. If she could set aside the endless trivialities and focus on training—
She would rise further.
Perhaps two steps.
Perhaps three.
Instead, the citizens continuously entrusted everything to her.
Requests. Problems. Complaints.
And once resolved—A thank you. A small token.
Then repetition.
If Jean collapsed one day—
Would those same citizens stand at the front lines?
"Hm…"
Jean's brows knit together. She was beginning to understand.
"But—" she started, then stopped herself. She sighed softly. "It's true. In the Dragon Crisis…aside from Lisa and Albedo, I did very little. As Acting Grand Master, I failed. If I were stronger, perhaps the Anemo Archon would not have needed to entrust you with resolving the matter."
She did not argue.
Because Futsu Mitama spoke in Barbatos' name.
And because she knew the Knights' contribution in that incident had been limited. Even the citizens had, unintentionally, complicated matters.
"I understand," Jean said quietly. "From now on, I will reduce how often I personally handle everything."
She stood and bowed deeply to Futsu Mitama.
"Thank you for conveying the Anemo Archon's will. The Knights of Favonius will uphold it—so that Mondstadt is not devoured by the monster named 'Freedom.'"
Her expression was solemn.
Resolute.
Futsu Mitama did not respond further. In his view, the problem was obvious.
Freedom without responsibility was indulgence. And indulgence eventually became decay.
"Well then, I should take my leave."
He had no intention of lingering.
Between Raiden Ei's profound techniques, Rex Lapis' inheritance, and the Gnosis' mysteries—
His training schedule was already overwhelming.
"Wait." Jean stepped forward again, hesitating.
"It may be presumptuous to ask—But would you guide me?"
She met his gaze directly.
"My strength has declined. I need someone to temper me."
Albedo and Kuki Shinobu had already described his feats. He had confronted Dvalin directly—twice suppressing him.
That alone proved his capability.
With his guidance, perhaps she could break through her stagnation.
Futsu Mitama considered briefly. Then nodded.
"Very well."
He did not refuse. He, too, was curious. What would Wind Blade feel like when wielded under true Anemo authority?
He already possessed control over the wind. Now he required technique to shape it. He would learn Jean's Wind Blade. And later— Return to Inazuma to study Kazuha's style.
The wind was changing.
And so was he.