In the inner ring of Mondstadt, the former noble mansions had become temporary camps for the people.
Around the buildings, people busily carried their remaining belongings and cleared the rubble.
The God of Wind had begun to split open the millennia-old ice and snow, reshaping the land, but this would take time.
Until the new homeland was built, the people would rest here.
The wait might be long, but anticipation shone on every face.
In a requisitioned noble mansion, the rooms had been emptied, leaving only a solitary long table in the center of the hall.
Venerare stood before the table, gazing at the map spread out in front of her. It was a reduced version of the map Gunnhildr had used in her speech before the uprising. She was outlining the contours of the new Mondstadt in her mind.
Footsteps interrupted her thoughts.
Several members of the Lawrence Clan entered the hall. They had come from Starsnatch Cliff with the Knights, but had not participated in the fighting, instead preparing for post-uprising planning.
The leader held a roll of blueprints, followed by some unfamiliar nobles whose faces were piled with humble smiles, constantly offering to "add bricks and tiles" to the Lawrence Clan's construction, providing supplies and manpower.
These were mostly small families squeezed out by mainstream nobles in the past, eager to find support in the new order.
Venerare's gaze swept past those fawning faces and fell on the clan member holding the blueprints.
"Matriarch?"
"Speak."
"We have planned the initial zoning for the new Mondstadt and have come for your review." The noble stepped forward and carefully unrolled the blueprints on an empty space on the table.
The blueprints depicted an island, with a simplified city design in the center.
Most conspicuous was the central area of the city, a huge region circled in striking vermilion red, occupying nearly one-fifth of the entire city.
"Here," the noble's finger pointed to the red area, "is the territory we have planned for the Lawrence Clan."
Venerare's brows furrowed slightly.
"This plot is too large. The Lawrence knights do have merits, but far from enough to support such an astonishing reward."
She raised her eyes, her voice calm and unwavering: "Next, are you going to pile up a high tower in the middle and set a throne on the top floor?"
The noble's face paled, and he hurriedly defended: "We dare not! How could we imitate the tyrant Decarabian's deeds!"
"How many people does the Lawrence Clan have? How many citizens does Mondstadt have?" Venerare pointed out, "We don't need so much land."
"But... the knights all said you promised to build them new buildings, and to 'build the best'." The noble's voice lowered, tinged with fear, "According to our plan, this is indeed the best location..." As if afraid Venerare would get angry, he hurriedly added: "We have consulted the people's opinions, and they have no objections!"
With that, he signaled for the people at the door to make way.
Some gathered civilians peeked in from the door, their faces mostly numb, seemingly taking it for granted that nobles would take more land.
Venerare remembered; she had indeed said "build the best."
Indeed, some words, once spoken, could not be taken back.
She faced the crowd outside the door and also said to the noble holding the blueprints: "Indeed, I did say I would build the best."
A flash of barely perceptible smugness crossed the noble's face.
Venerare suddenly changed tone: "But now, I have a better idea."
She abruptly turned, grabbed a pen from the table, and swiftly drew a circle on the exquisite map.
Then, she picked up the map and strode out of the room, standing before the crowd.
She raised the map high with her right hand, pointing with her left finger to the newly drawn circle. The circle fell inside the red area, occupying nearly half its area.
"Here!" Venerare's voice rang out clearly, "The Lawrence Clan will build a public square for all Mondstadt citizens! In the square, a tall statue of the God of Wind will be erected! In the future, from any corner of the new city, as long as they look up, people will see the figure of the God of Wind protecting Mondstadt! Everyone can go to the square at any time to sing praises to the God of Wind!"
The Lawrence nobles presenting the map froze in place, their faces turning from red to white, lips trembling but unable to make a sound.
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers. The sound converged into a stream, filled with genuine joy and approval.
…
Atop an abandoned tower, Gunnhildr stood side by side with the human-form Venti, overlooking the busy scene below.
"I will split open the mountains and blow away the ice and snow as soon as possible." Venti said, his voice carrying the breath of wind, "The people will gain land free of harsh cold for farming and building. If they encounter survival difficulties afterward, I…"
"No." Gunnhildr interrupted him, "You only need to change the terrain. Once done, leave. You can do whatever you want."
Venti turned his face to her: "Are you worried I will become the next Decarabian?"
"I never worry you will become a tyrant." Gunnhildr met his gaze, "I know your kindness and cherish you as a friend. But I believe in human strength itself." She pointed to the distance, "My clan survived on the godless icy plains, relying on our own hands. Look at the Lawrence Clan; they believe in the 'Master of Time,' yet never received revelation, but they still built exquisite architecture with their own wisdom…"
She paused, letting the words settle: "Ice and snow cannot defeat the well-prepared. In a future without harsh environments, humans alone can surely create even more brilliant miracles."
Venti was silent, cyan light flowing in his eyes, as if digesting her words. "You're right. The existence of gods themselves breeds dependence. Over time, people will ignore their own inherent strength."
He finally said softly: "I will leave this divine seat and hand the power of choice to the people."
"Exactly." Gunnhildr nodded, "I hope the seat of the God of Freedom remains forever just a symbol, a sign. I hope that when future generations recite the name 'Barbatos,' it is to stir the courage in their hearts to explore the world, not to demand power from you."
Then, she changed tone, smiling as she asked: "Moreover, is 'freedom' tightly bound by the myriad faiths of believers still called freedom, what do you say, our 'God of Freedom'?"
Venti's figure stiffened slightly.
Gunnhildr smiled, gazing at him: "You were born free; even as a god, you should remain free. Please never forget, you are free." She paused slightly, her tone deepening: "However, in the end, I must admit that in this world with gods, human power is ultimately limited. I hope…"
"I understand." Venti took over her words, his voice solemn, "In the future, when Mondstadt faces disasters that humans alone cannot resist, I will surely return to help everyone, and make a few more friends along the way."
"Then it's agreed, my friend."
(Volume One, End.)
___
🔥 New stories are available now! 🔥
We're handing out that '25% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Access up to 40 advanced chapters of ALL stories!
✅ Receive exclusive content and updates!
Help us hit our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 180 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters of ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan