Cathedral of Favonius
This was where the most devout group of nuns in Mondstadt gathered—
those who believed in the Anemo Archon with the utmost sincerity.
At first, when they learned that Venti was actually the Barbatos they worshipped,
the sheer gap between image and reality hit them like a thunderbolt.
Some couldn't accept it at all.
Those with weaker resolve were even on the verge of a full-blown crisis of faith.
However—
As the light-screen continued releasing serious evaluations,
their mindsets gradually began to change.
After truly understanding how much Barbatos loved Mondstadt,
and how much he had given to the city,
all the nuns—including Barbara—were deeply moved.
Slowly, they began accepting…
another version of him.
After all, as the saying went—
Barbatos had worked so hard for so many years.
Couldn't he relax a little?
This was the Nation of Freedom, after all.
A god being a little unserious…
well…
that actually made sense~
But just as they were starting to adapt—
another devastating blow arrived.
After the "drunkard god,"
Barbatos had now gained a brand-new nickname—
"Barba-Thighs."
Just two characters different,
yet the Anemo Archon's image instantly became even more abstract.
And it didn't stop there.
When they saw the video of Barba-Thighs dancing so seductively on the light-screen—
Every single nun froze.
"…Huh?"
"…This… is Lord Barbatos?"
Crack—
The faith they had just pieced back together…
collapsed again.
Barbara, in particular, was completely stunned.
As an idol herself,
she didn't even dare dance like that.
Just imagining it made her want to crawl into a hole.
That was why she only performed proper, stage-style idol dances—
like the ones shown earlier on the light-screen.
But Barbatos?
Not only did he dance—
He danced that provocatively?!
This was beyond absurd!
"No—this is a non-serious evaluation!"
"This isn't the real Lord Barbatos!"
"There's no way Lord Barbatos would be this… s-sau—this alternative!"
Once she snapped back to her senses,
Barbara hurriedly shook her head, trying to convince herself.
But it wasn't very effective.
After all…
Knowing what she did about the drunkard's personality,
it really did feel like something he could pull off.
When she imagined the possibility of Lord Barbatos actually doing that in reality—
Barbara's mouth twitched.
"…How is anyone supposed to keep their faith like this…?"
Somewhere in an Abyss Order Base
The Abyss Order members were also stunned when they saw the video—
but only for a moment.
Soon after, laughter erupted throughout the base.
"Hahahaha! That's the Anemo Archon? Not bad—his moves are pretty solid~"
"Yeah, nice waist control, good hip movement, the eyes and hand gestures are on point!"
"Worthy of the name Barba-Thighs~"
"Pure sass!"
"Freedom! That's freedom right there~"
"…."
Watching their old enemy embarrass himself,
the Abyss base was filled with pure joy.
Aether—Mondstadt's beloved "brother-in-law"—laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
"Hahahaha! Barba-Thighs, so you do have a day like this!"
Aside from teasing his shameless sister,
this was easily the most satisfying thing he'd seen in ages.
The only regret?
He couldn't mock this in the chat group.
That would instantly expose his identity.
Which was… unfortunate.
But for Lumine's sake,
he could endure it.
Shaking his head, Aether didn't dwell on it.
He looked down at the Abyss members below his throne
and waved his hand decisively.
"Don't just laugh—memorize this."
"Our enemies' black history is our weapon."
"When we face the Seven Nations' gods in the future,
this is what we'll use to mock them properly."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The Abyss members responded excitedly.
And in their minds, they pictured a beautiful future scene—
Mondstadt citizen?
Oh—so you're from the nation ruled by that Wind God called Barba-Thighs?
I heard he dances pretty… enthusiastically~
The opponent's face turning red with embarrassment and rage—
Just imagining it made the Abyss Mages burst into raspy laughter.
"Kehehehehehe~"
Transcendent Chat Group
Yun Jin:I've seen Barbara's dances, and Miss Ayaka's as well… but this one…
Kamisato Ayaka:It's… very… unique…
Nilou:Is this the Wind God's personal taste? I don't quite understand it, but I'm deeply shaken!
Alice:Hehe~ You're really saucy~ (evil.jpg)
Kaeya:Ahem, as the God of Freedom, having some… special hobbies is perfectly normal, right? (shrug.jpg)
Nahida:That… does seem logical. (thinking.jpg)
Lumine:You're calling this "normal"?! (doge.jpg)
Paimon:My eyes—this is worse than I imagined! The bard's unseriousness knows no bounds! (sigh.jpg)
Hu Tao:Alright, I need to wash my eyes and rewatch Yun Jin's, Barbara's, and Ayaka's dances!
Keqing:+1
Zhongli:Mm. This does suit his consistently unrestrained personality.
Ei:Unexpected… yet strangely reasonable when you think about it.
Furina:Sigh. For a dignified Anemo Archon to dance like this—what a blow to the reputation of the Seven!
Furina:Why can't he be outstanding like me, a true superstar? (shrug.jpg)
Neuvillette:…
Furina:???
Charlotte:Ahem—Lady Furina is naturally outstanding. But now…
Charlotte:Venti, respected Anemo Archon, what are your thoughts on the light-screen's video?
Venti:Thoughts? Ehe~ Isn't it fun?
He genuinely meant it.
With the music's rhythm, the dance felt lively and energetic.
Sure, it was a little seductive—
but for someone as free-spirited and chaos-loving as him,
it was nothing to fuss over.
He even stood up on Dvalin's back
and started twisting along to the beat.
Ehe~
It really was pretty fun~
Dvalin couldn't see it, but he could definitely feel it.
His face darkened immediately.
The non-serious evaluation hadn't embarrassed Barbatos at all—
instead, it made him even less serious.
Absolutely outrageous.
The chat group was equally stunned by Venti's response.
After so many non-serious evaluations,
every previous target either cried slander or died of social embarrassment.
This was the first time someone not only didn't care—
but actually found it entertaining.
Was this the broad-mindedness of a god?
Or was this Anemo Archon just… built different?
Perhaps the answer would become clear later.
Villa
Luo Chen glanced at the highlighted comments and smiled.
"We've just enjoyed Barba-Thighs' wonderful performance."
"Now, let's continue with the non-serious evaluation."
"Non-Serious Evaluation #2 — 'May the Wind God Fool You!'"
Transcendent Chat Group
Lumine:I know this one! It's a pun on "May the Wind God bless you," and also means Venti tricking people!
Jean:B-Barbatos… shouldn't be the type to deceive people, right…?
Venti:That's slander! Pure slander!
Venti:I'm an honest man—how could I possibly fool people?
Venti:Look into my sincere eyes! Do they look like eyes that deceive others?
Venti:[image.jpg]
Dvalin:I was literally fooled by you.
Paimon:And in that story quest, you used a wooden shield and a rusty sword, claiming they were divine relics!
Alice:Hehe~ Evidence confirmed. Any last words?
Zhongli:By common rationality, this accusation is valid.
Neuvillette:Court session initiated!
Furina:Death penalty!
Hu Tao:Oh? Business again~
Barbara:…
Navia:Wow, you guys are so practiced at this. You could industrialize the process.
Villa
Luo Chen laughed.
"Looks like many viewers already guessed it."
"That's right—May the Wind God Fool You means exactly that."
"Let me give you a few examples."
"First—the Backwind Contract."
He continued calmly.
"Earlier, during the serious evaluation, didn't we raise a question?"
"Why was the resistance led by Vennessa able to defeat the old aristocracy with centuries of power?"
"Barbatos played a key role."
"That 'interesting little incident' was related to this."
He paused briefly, then went on.
"As everyone knows, Barbatos is the most mischievous among the Seven."
"He once practiced forging signatures just to mess with the Geo Archon."
"Unfortunately, he never managed to fool the God of Contracts even once."
"He thought that skill would never be useful."
"But centuries later… it finally had its moment."
Facing the old nobles' vast army,
Barbatos forged a Backwind Contract.
A secret treaty involving treason.
Its contents claimed that the old Mondstadt aristocracy
had betrayed the Anemo Archon
and handed Mondstadt over to the Geo Archon of neighboring Liyue.
All citizens—including soldiers—would become the Geo Archon's slaves.
At the end of the document
was a sacred seal that only a god could produce—
Rex Lapis.
Barbatos spread the forged contract throughout Mondstadt.
The soldiers believed it instantly.
Fear took root.
They might bully slaves—
but no one wanted to become one.
And they certainly didn't dare oppose the contract's "signatory."
After all,
that was the God of Contracts and War.
So they joined Vennessa instead.
After all, if one party to the contract disappeared,
the contract itself would be void.
That was how the resistance achieved victory.
"As for the consequences of forging a divine contract…"
"Well—those who know, know~"
Many listeners were stunned.
So that was the truth?!
The Wind God forging a Geo Archon contract to trick Mondstadters?
Impressive.
Truly worthy of the name Barba-Thighs.
As for the people of Mondstadt—
they knew more than outsiders.
They'd heard of the Backwind Contract before.
They'd always thought it was real.
Who would've guessed their own god forged it?!
May the Wind God fool you…
The light-screen truly never lies.
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