After the crisp slap, Signora snorted coldly. "You don't get to speak now, you rude bard!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a massive surge of Anemo Elemental Power suddenly appeared, swirling around Venti.
Signora was slightly startled.
She watched as the wind elements battered the ice crystals encasing Venti's legs, cracking them bit by bit—but far too slowly.
Seeing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Signora's face before her lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "Hah! Abandoning your rule over Mondstadt has left you with so little power?"
"Oh? So the basis for your mockery is the power you borrowed from your master?"
Venti's retort furrowed Signora's brows. She raised her hand, unleashing a powerful blast of Cryo Elemental Power that sent Venti flying.
"Glib tongue!"
At the same time, Signora closed in and thrust her hand straight through Venti's chest.
A burst of green light erupted from Venti's chest. His eyes widened, mouth agape, his face full of disbelief.
Signora withdrew her hand, gripping something in her palm.
Ignoring Venti as he knelt coughing on the ground, she raised her right hand, holding an object like a chess piece, faint traces of wind elements swirling around it under the sunlight.
"This is the Gnosis?"
Signora examined it briefly before saying indifferently, "Hah, it's nowhere near as exquisite as the one I have."
The weakened Venti, kneeling on the ground, shot back, "That's probably because your taste is truly terrible."
As he spoke, Signora strode over, lifted her long leg, and kicked Venti squarely in the body. He flew back and passed out.
Lumine, witnessing this, struggled fiercely, but the two Debt Collectors pinned her down tight, leaving her unable to move.
Signora glanced at Lumine and said, "Whatever. I've got the Gnosis anyway. Before the Knights of Favonius arrive, better not leave any loose ends."
The Debt Collectors promptly knocked Lumine out.
[Yoimiya]: Whoa, this woman's so arrogant! But what's a Gnosis?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Maybe something like a Vision—an external magic organ?
[Ayato]: In that case, the Gnosis must be extremely important.
[Dvalin]: @ [Signora] Where are you?
[Signora]: None of your business.
[Lumine]: @ [Signora] Your crimes are now known across all of Teyvat. You better hope I never find out where you are!
[Signora]: Hah, as if you have the right to say that?
[Your Highness]: You haven't died before?
[Signora]: None of your business!
[Your Highness]: ...
Abyss Order.
Aether's face twisted in rage.
"Signora? I'll remember you!"
Daring to mock my sister like that—given the chance, I'll kill you!
[Jean]: @ [Signora] Return Mr. Venti's Gnosis immediately! This is no longer a mere diplomatic incident. We formally warn you: this is a provocation against Mondstadt!
[Signora]: Oh, I'm already out of Mondstadt territory. What are you going to do about it?
[Tartaglia]: Signora, you're really brave! (Admiring)
Liyue, Northland Bank.
Reading the group chat, even the self-proclaimed madman Tartaglia had to give Signora a thumbs up.
No matter what else, this move alone—he, Tartaglia, had to admit defeat!
[Dvalin]: @ [Signora] Next time you come to Mondstadt, you won't get off so easy!
[Venti]: Yeah, yeah! (Silly)
[Zhongli]: @ [Venti] Mr. Venti, how can you still laugh? (Puzzled)
[Neuvillette]: From the video, Mr. Venti's strength seems off. By rights, fulfilling his Archon duties should accumulate divine power, and before that, as a god, he shouldn't be this weak—hardly enough for an Harbinger to suppress him, let alone the Eighth Seat.
[Heizou]: So, the video's fake at first glance?
[Venti]: Hey, hey, I'm not an innate god! I started as a weak little wind spirit—nothing like Morax or Baal!
[Zhongli]: Everyone, I once came across an ancient tome. It records that Barbatos began as a wind spirit but, after gaining the faith of the Gunnhildr Clan, gradually ascended to godhood! Note that he had already become a god, and the tome states that Barbatos reshaped Mondstadt's terrain, turning a harsh wasteland into the verdant paradise it is today. This was more than mere duty—it was an extraordinary feat, so Barbatos's power must be immense!
[Heizou]: So, he's holding back?!
[Signora]: ?
[Venti]: Hey, hey! I used all my accumulated power to reshape Mondstadt's terrain, that's why I fell into a deep slumber!
[Zhongli]: Everyone, when you meet Mondstadters, don't they often say 'May the Anemo Archon protect you'?
[Jean]: Correct!
[Amber]: That's right!
[Zhongli]: @ [Venti] How do you explain this now?
[Heizou]: Everyone, let the super detective sort this out.
[Heizou]: First, Mr. Venti started as a wind spirit but ascended to godhood with immense power. Per his own words, he used it to reshape Mondstadt and fell asleep after—but his actions fulfilled his duties, so over time, he must have recovered.
[Heizou]: Second, Mondstadters are renowned for their faith in freedom and reverence for the Anemo Archon, so his power can't possibly be as weak as he claims!
[Heizou]: Case closed: Mr. Venti is the world's greatest actor!
[Kaeya]: God detective!
[Furina]: God detective! So logical!
[Signora]: ...
[Venti]: ...
[Signora]: Heh, no matter what, I've got the Gnosis. What does the rest have to do with me?
[Lumine]: Hah, you're just bullying him because his past life Gu Chen isn't around. Otherwise, I'd beat you to death!
[Signora]: Heh, Gu Chen from his past life isn't here—so is this life's Gu Chen?
[Lumine]: I'm so pissed!!
[Paimon]: Lumine, don't be mad. Since the busker held back himself, there must be some deeper meaning, right?
[Jean]: @ [Venti] Lord Venti, is there really a deeper meaning?
[Barbara]: Waaah, Lord Barbatos, say something! Why aren't you talking?!
[Venti]: Ehehe!
[Kaeya]: Got it—there must be some divine plan at play?
[Heizou]: My guess aligns with Mr. Kaeya's.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Hiding his strength, letting someone take the Gnosis, even getting slapped and kicked—it's hard not to suspect it was deliberate, a way to hand it over?
[Kaeya]: To give away the Gnosis, he took a huge slap and a kick... I can't... I'm crying!
The group members are this sharp now?!
Impossible to fool!
Venti scratched his hair in frustration.
Seeing Gu Chen smirking beside him, Venti's eyes darted.
He immediately thought of a way to redirect the fire.
[Venti]: Everyone, look who I found! @ [Gu Chen]
Gu Chen's smile froze.
Damn it!
He was lurking and enjoying the show, and this old guy drags him out to take the heat?!
—Thanks to [Dimension Myriad Worlds Harem King] for the monthly ticket!