Lori stayed with Guizhong for an entire day.
When he finally stepped out of the secret domain, he didn't go to Barbatos immediately,
but instead headed for Jueyun Karst.
As he expected—
having returned to Liyue, it would be unreasonable to leave without visiting his old friends.
The adepti of the Three-Eyed Five-Manifester clan welcomed him warmly.
Even though Lori had been away from Liyue for so long, their respect for a companion who once fought beside Morax to pacify the land had not diminished.
After visiting the immortals, he returned to Liyue Harbor.
By the time Barbatos finally saw him again, three days had passed.
"You really move like a ghost. So—is everything settled?"
The bard-like boy spoke casually, swinging his legs as usual.
"If you missed anything, I don't mind waiting. Either way, going back just means drinking and sleeping."
Among the Seven, only the uselessly carefree Anemo Archon could say such things.
Every other Archon worked tirelessly for their people.
But him—
he managed Mondstadt by doing absolutely nothing.
Even the top knights of the Knights of Favonius couldn't find him when needed.
He spent his days wandering around, singing for loose change by churches or statues, then immediately spending it on drinks.
Yet he enjoyed it immensely, never feeling ashamed.
If outsiders knew this was the Anemo Archon, they'd be stunned speechless.
Lori, however, already knew the truth of his nature.
"I've said what needed saying. I've visited who needed visiting," Lori replied calmly.
"So we can finally go home?"
Upon confirming it, Barbatos whistled sharply toward the sky.
Moments later, the blue dragon burst through the clouds, racing toward Yujing Terrace.
The two men leapt onto Dvalin's back with practiced ease.
There was no need for a formal send-off—
they simply waved once toward the terrace.
In the next instant, Dvalin's six great wings beat at once, conjuring a roaring wind.
With tremendous force, he shot upward like a comet.
Within moments, Liyue Harbor shrank to a dot beneath them.
Lori looked away from the receding land, relaxing as they glided through the seas of clouds.
Barbatos suddenly scooted closer, grinning mischievously.
"By the way, once we're in Mondstadt, call me Venti, okay? Don't expose my identity."
"…You're still using that name?" Lori raised a brow.
This guy had been called Venti since he was just a wind spirit thousands of years ago.
He'd inherited the appearance of that rebellious young bard for so long, yet never changed his alias.
"Got used to it. Changing names is a pain."
That was… very much like him.
Lori didn't argue.
"Tell me what's changed in Mondstadt these past years, so I don't look clueless when we arrive."
Unexpectedly, Venti froze.
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Ehehe… well… I only woke up not long ago. So honestly? I probably know about as much as you do."
"..."
Unbelievable, Barbatos. Truly unbelievable.
"Eheh!"
He stuck out his tongue and tilted his head, trying to use cuteness to muddle through—
a trick he'd used far too many times.
"Say one more word and I'll kick you off the dragon," Lori said expressionlessly.
"Ahahaha! N-No need to be so harsh! It's really high up—you might kill me!"
"That's fine. I can just take over the position of Anemo Archon."
"WH—HEY HEY HEY!! THAT WAS A JOKE, RIGHT?! RIGHT?!"
Dvalin let out a long cry at that moment—
a cry that sounded suspiciously like agreement.
Venti slammed a hand onto the dragon's head.
"Traitor! Who's been singing you songs all this time? And you betray me the moment Lori shows up?!"
"AHHHHH—!"
Dvalin's joyful roar sounded even more delighted.
Lori laughed loudly.
"You hear that? Even Dvalin agrees. Shows how unpopular you are as an Archon. The mighty Four Winds of Mondstadt—yet you use one as your personal taxi."
Venti rolled his eyes dramatically.
How did it sound like Lori was describing him as utterly useless?
He was the one who led the people of Mondstadt to freedom!
Did that not count for anything?!
Their banter continued as Dvalin glided over the spine of Dragonspine.
Lori glanced down.
The ancient silver-white tree pinned beneath the Skyfrost Nail looked completely dead.
Around it stretched the ruined, frozen remnants of a once-lush kingdom.
A pity—
once, this land had been fertile and vibrant.
Now it lay entombed in ice, its princess buried with it.
"We're close!"
Venti suddenly stood and pointed forward.
There—across the vast lake—
a great city appeared on the horizon.
With Dvalin's immense speed, it came rapidly into full view.
The city was enormous, far more massive than the Mondstadt Lori remembered seeing in the "game."
Tall cathedral spires pierced the sky.
Travelers and worshippers bustled in and out.
Most striking of all was the colossal Wind God statue in the plaza—
once toppled by the corrupt aristocracy, but rebuilt after Vennessa's uprising.
But the carved vows of the ancient tribes—
the words promising "To forever protect Mondstadt"—
were lost forever.
"This city is far prettier than the one you originally designed," Lori said mercilessly.
From above he saw fountains—dozens of them—
and the city divided neatly into districts:
the Knightly governance in one, the Church in another, and the residential and commercial zones separated cleanly.
Venti wasn't offended at all.
He grinned.
"Well, urban planning isn't my strong point. But hey—the results prove my approach works! Leave things to the people, and they'll do a splendid job."
Once again using his laziness as proof of "good leadership."
Venti looked extremely proud of himself.
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