Venti led everyone toward Windrise.
Windrise was the place where the winds of change first rose over Mondstadt.
As they walked, Venti answered Lumine's earlier question. "You asked why I stopped you from telling Kaeya about the Fatui. It's actually quite simple—this is something they cannot be involved in. What the Fatui are after isn't Mondstadt, but the Gnosis."
"The Gnosis?" Lumine looked at him, clearly puzzled.
Venti paused to gather his thoughts before continuing. "Hmm… how should I put this? You know that a Vision is an external conduit possessed by only a few people in this world, right? People use Visions to wield the corresponding elemental power. In fact, anyone who bears a Vision has the potential to become a god—hence the title 'Genshin'—and is qualified to ascend to Celestia."
"'Genshin'?" The term sounded completely unfamiliar. Even Paimon, Teyvat's guide, looked at Venti in confusion. She then glanced at Lora and asked, "Lora, have you ever heard of it?"
Lora had not only heard of it—she had played it.
But outwardly, she maintained a blank expression and shook her head.
"That's a secret known only to gods," Venti laughed. "In any case, we have no need for external conduits like Visions. A god's true divine authority resonates directly with Celestia—through the Gnosis."
"If you don't need a Vision, then what's the one on your waist?" Paimon pointed at the Vision hanging there.
"Oh, this?" Venti said lightly. "Just a glowing glass orb. It helps avoid unnecessary suspicion." He brushed his fingers over it, his expression as carefree as ever.
"Then who was that woman who froze me?" Paimon asked again.
"That was La Signora," Venti replied. "She is the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers. Every Harbinger receives immense power from their Empress—far beyond what mortals can reach."
"Then… did she steal your Gnosis?" Paimon blurted out.
Lumine also looked at Venti with concern. She didn't know what losing a Gnosis meant for a god, but from what Venti had said, it was clearly something of great importance.
"Well… that's a secret," Venti said, choosing not to tell them the truth. "In short, I'm fine."
"But why would the Fatui want a Gnosis?" Paimon frowned, another question surfacing.
Venti pretended to think deeply before answering, "Most likely, it was Her Majesty's command."
"The Empress of Snezhnaya? That would mean…" Paimon froze mid-sentence.
"Yes," Venti nodded. "One of the Seven—the Cryo Archon who sits upon the palace of Snezhnaya. She is the sole object of loyalty for all Fatui Harbingers."
"What kind of god is the Cryo Archon?" Lumine asked.
Venti shook his head. "That… I can't answer. I knew her five hundred years ago, but the her of today is a stranger to me. Ever since a great cataclysm five centuries past, we've had no contact. Ah—Lora mentioned that you're searching for all seven archons?"
"Yes," Lumine said firmly. "I need to find the Seven. It concerns my brother."
"I see…" Venti thought for a moment. "That won't be easy. In that case, your next stop should be Liyue. The Geo Archon there is different from me—he personally governs all of Liyue. He descends only once a year, issuing divine guidance to shape the nation's course for the coming year."
"Wow! What a hardworking god!" Paimon spread her hands and looked at Venti. "Nothing like a certain great poet!"
"Eh?" Venti replied innocently.
Lora pinched the bridge of her nose in resignation as Venti continued. "In any case, this year's Rite of Descension should be starting soon. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year to see the Geo Archon."
"W–When exactly is it? Will we still make it?" Lumine asked anxiously, afraid they had already missed their chance.
"Hmm… we'll definitely make it," Venti said after a moment's thought. "At worst, I can send you on your way with the wind." He rarely used his power so directly, but this much was well within his ability.
Paimon finally relaxed. "Phew! That's a relief. I thought we'd have to wait another whole year!"
They continued onward when, all of a sudden, a large group of Hilichurls appeared ahead. Two adventurers in guild attire were surrounded and under attack, their situation clearly dire.
"Hey! That looks dangerous!" Paimon cried out.
Lumine immediately drew her weapon, told Venti and Lora to stay safe, and rushed forward to engage the enemies.
"They really are… full of energy," Venti murmured, watching Lumine and Paimon charge ahead.
Lora stood beside him, her gaze following them as well. Venti glanced at her and said casually, "By the way, I've heard that Fontaine's current Hydro Archon, Focalors, is a famous star who loves to put on a show. But judging from what you just did, your acting isn't bad either. She was originally your Hydro Eidolon, wasn't she? Did she learn her acting from you?"
"Your train of thought really jumps around," Lora sighed, shaking her head. "It's true she was my Hydro Eidolon, but I never guided her as a god for even a single day. To entrust Fontaine's people—and this so-called 'Original Sin'—to her so suddenly… I owe her an apology."
"H–Hey, why did things get so somber all of a sudden?" Venti said hastily. "Sorry, Lora —I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," she said, rubbing the tip of her nose. "I'm not crying."
"Now that you mention it…" Venti murmured to himself. "I don't think I've ever seen you cry. Come to think of it, the old man and the others never seemed to shed tears either."
"What about you, Venti?" Lora suddenly asked. "Have you ever cried?"
"Cried…?" Venti fell silent, as though lost in thought—or perhaps in memory.
Cry?
When had he last cried?
It felt like a very long time ago. Back in an age when fierce winds shrouded Mondstadt, when birds vanished from the skies and people longed desperately for freedom. He seemed to have cried then.
Beside the body of that young boy.
While the two gods lingered in quiet melancholy, Lumine and Paimon had already returned, bringing with them the two adventurers they had rescued from the Hilichurls.