In the future, the complete annihilation of Mondstadt's expeditionary force and the fall of the Anemo Archon, Venti, signified that Mondstadt had undergone a thorough purge.
As though a certain phase objective had been fulfilled, the light screen dimmed for an entire day afterward.
Yet during that single day, information still spread like wildfire through private messages across Teyvat.
Venti had returned to Mondstadt.
And this time, he personally took control.
He did not return alone.
He brought with him hundreds of mutated white Geovishaps, and under their escort, those people who were fated to die in the future were forcibly dragged into Mondstadt's various mills.
The moment the phrase "eighteen hours of labor per day" was announced, resistance immediately erupted.
But before Venti could even speak, a mutated Geovishap slapped the dissenter dead on the spot—sending them straight back to the ley lines.
Elsewhere, travelers from other nations encountered Mondstadters who had attempted to flee the city.
Before anyone could even speak to them, invisible blades sliced cleanly across the escapees' throats.
They died instantly.
The unseen blades were like targeted wind slashes—precise, merciless—and they terrified nearby travelers so badly that they fled Mondstadt's borders without looking back.
Thus, the so-called "freest city" of Teyvat entered an era of suffocating oppression.
Freedom?
Even the god who preached freedom—Venti himself—was now pinned to a desk, buried in paperwork.
Who, then, could Mondstadt's people appeal to for freedom?
Fontaine · Palais Mermonia
Furina stared at the intelligence reports flooding in, her anxiety written all over her face.
"He's really driving Mondstadt to the brink…"
Clorinde closed her eyes briefly, her voice heavy.
"Once the Fifth Descender exists, do you think he's joking?"
"He wants to reshape humanity before taking control of Teyvat. Mercy was never part of the plan."
Furina froze.
"…What does that mean?"
"It means," Clorinde said gravely,
"from now on, anyone who displeases him in the real world will simply die. No resurrection. No reconstruction through the Loom of Fate."
Furina's heart nearly stopped.
Just then, the dimmed light screen flickered back to life.
She hurriedly focused her attention.
As long as I'm not marked for elimination in the future… I'll survive.
Future Screen — Mondstadt
The wall of mutated Ruin Guards still stood tall.
Yet after Aerin exterminated seventy percent of Mondstadt's population, he no longer restricted the people's movements.
Those terrifying constructs had become the city's new defenses.
Still, the news of the expeditionary force's annihilation—and rumors of Venti's death—struck the survivors like a hammer.
"We're leaving for now, Jean."
Eula placed a Stigmata Serum into Jean's hands.
"Master admires your will. This is a special reward."
Jean stared at the vial in silence.
"Mondstadt's future will depend on you," Eula said softly.
"But… to protect anything, strength is necessary. You understand that better than anyone now."
Jean trembled before tightly gripping the serum.
"Thank you… Eula."
"And the witch from beyond the world?"
Eula shook her head.
"I don't know much. Only what Benares reported to Master."
"But Master said… it doesn't matter."
She smiled faintly.
"I need to prepare to leave for Inazuma."
"I'll come back to see you."
The sudden appearance of Bella the Witch shook all of Teyvat.
Yet judging by Aerin's casual dismissal of her—and his continued reforms—people realized something chilling:
The witch who killed an Archon…
was insignificant in Aerin's eyes.
Inazuma · Musoujin Gorge
Rain poured as lightning tore through the sky.
Aerin stood atop a massive rock formation, calmly overlooking the battlefield below.
The Watatsumi resistance clashed violently with the Shogunate army led by the Tenryou Commission.
Suddenly, space twisted behind him.
Two figures emerged angrily.
"Master!" Paimon clenched her fists. "Lumine and I are wanted criminals now!"
"Oh?" Aerin turned, amused. "Weren't you heading for the Abyss Order?"
"We just wanted a proper meal before leaving!" Paimon protested.
Lumine pulled her aside, exasperated.
"This nation is insane," Lumine said.
"A simple landing permit costs one million Mora per person."
"Two million for us!"
Aerin showed no reaction.
"That's Inazuma."
"The Kanjou Commission sets the price."
"The Tenryou Commission arrests those who refuse."
Paimon's jaw dropped.
"This country is sick!"
"Luckily, you gave us access to the Imaginary Space," Lumine added bitterly.
"Otherwise we'd be fugitives forever."
Aerin chuckled.
"That's because you didn't know the system."
"If you have a local contact…"
"How much?" Lumine and Paimon asked together.
"Three hundred Mora per person."
Thunder roared.
The battlefield noise vanished from their minds.
"…How much?!"
Even in Mondstadt, Venti burst out laughing.
"One million to three hundred," he muttered.
"That's corruption beyond robbery."
Back to the Battlefield
The Watatsumi forces were routed.
Under Kujou Sara's command, the Shogunate army pressed them toward Musoujin Gorge.
"Finish them!"
"Eternal Narukami!"
The charge began—
—but a bolt of lightning struck the ground ahead.
BOOM!
A massive crater blocked their advance.
The army froze.
Was this… the Raiden Shogun's will?
Kujou Sara stared in disbelief.
Then—
A calm voice echoed.
"Sorry. These rebels still have some use to me."
A man stood beyond the crater.
"Who are you?" Kujou Sara demanded.
"You dare obstruct the Shogunate?"
"Aerin," he replied casually.
"A passerby."
"And I plan to teach Inazuma's god that childish tantrums aren't acceptable."
Silence fell.
"You… will teach who?" Kujou Sara whispered.
Lightning flared as she drew her bow.
Her arrow screamed toward Aerin—
He caught it with one hand.
The lightning fizzled.
He blew gently.
It vanished.
The Shogunate soldiers were stunned.
Aerin glanced back at the retreating rebels.
"That's enough for today."
"I'll meet their leader next time."
As he turned—
Kujou Sara shouted, enraged.
Aerin stopped.
He smiled.
"So you're Kujou Sara."
"A rare specimen."
He raised his hand.
The next instant—
Kujou Sara flew toward him.
His fingers closed around her throat.
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