When Venti confirmed that Alice hadn't caused any disasters in Liyue, he finally sighed in relief.
Her whimsical ideas were too much even for gods—most people's sanity couldn't handle them.
"Aunt Alice, huh…"
"Koji, is Lady Alice really that terrifying?" Eula asked curiously.
Venti and Albedo exchanged glances. Both clearly knew the answer.
"Let me put it this way," Venti began, "she once proposed this:
'If we built a giant millstone in the middle of a valley, locked all the hilichurls inside, the energy generated might power every mill in Mondstadt for five years.
And if we ground up the old and weak hilichurls into feed, maybe we'd get a more sustainable energy source.'"
Eula's jaw dropped. Koji blinked in disbelief.
"I didn't mishear that, right? Those were actual experiments she wanted to run?" Koji asked, expression unreadable.
"Oh, that's not all," Albedo said quietly. "She also wanted to cut down the biggest oak tree at Windrise—and dig up the water system under Starsnatch Cliff."
Even Venti, usually carefree, looked pale at the memory. "I heard those ideas carried on the wind once… I still sweat just remembering them. Truly a bringer of chaos."
These experiments were insanity at its finest.
Hilichurls everywhere: No one speaks for us…
Venti cleared his throat. "Well… aside from her mad ideas, she's actually a good person. She never harms humans without reason. And she knows a lot—more than most Archons."
Among the witches, geniuses abounded—astrologers, prophets, alchemists. They knew secrets even Celestia preferred to hide.
Having confirmed Mondstadt was still intact, Venti departed again for Liyue. The old man's funeral was coming; a send-off without him wouldn't feel complete.
In the wilderness outside Mondstadt—
"Human, are you ready for the trial?"
The voice rolled like thunder through the valley.
The King of the North Wind, Andrius, appeared.
Though his body was gone, his soul still retained the might of a god—one who, during the Archon War, could battle the God of Tornadoes on equal footing.
Back then, Venti had still been nothing more than a wind sprite.
Like Liyue's Stove God, Andrius had eventually sacrificed his body to merge with the land, guarding both it and its people.
Koji nodded with satisfaction.
Venti had Dvalin as his follower. He wanted one too.
And losing one of Mondstadt's Four Winds didn't bother him. If the city ever faced disaster, he could always lend a hand.
Andrius spoke solemnly, "As for regaining a body… leave that to your so-called alchemical blessing."
"You can't be serious, human," the wolf spirit rumbled. "A mere mortal dares to claim a high god as his follower?"
Even weakened, Andrius still radiated divine pride.
Koji smiled faintly. "I know your legend. You fought the God of Tornadoes to a standstill. So let's fight.
If I win—you become my follower.
If I lose—I'll help you rebuild your body."
Andrius stared at him in silence. The challenge was bold—but his instinct said this man wasn't boasting.
"You're not without ambition," he finally said. "Among gods, I ranked among the greatest."
"And a handsome one, I might add," Koji replied lightly.
"…Hmph." Despite himself, the wolf spirit preened slightly.
"Follow me, and the world will see how handsome you truly are," Koji continued, grinning.
Andrius turned away. "I have my duty."
Then came silence. And finally—
"…Very well."
Because Koji's offer was too good to refuse. A restored body and the strength of his prime—who could say no?
Even if it meant becoming the human's companion—fine. He could tolerate being treated like a large husky if it meant feeling alive again.
"Then I'll leave Wolvendom to your people," Koji said.
Andrius summoned his lieutenant, the second-in-command of the wolves. He transferred a portion of his divine power, enough for the wolf to serve as guardian in his absence.
"Yes, my King."
The subordinate bowed deeply, already infused with sacred energy—but remained humble, his loyalty unchanged.
"Let's go," Koji said with a smile. "I can't wait to see Venti's face when he sees you."
"That lazy wind spirit? Still shirking his duties, I assume."
Andrius snorted. He knew Venti well—they'd lived through the same war.
He still remembered the battles that shook the heavens, how the proud gods fell one by one.
Who could have predicted that the last one standing would be that tiny wind spirit?
Perhaps that was fate. Victory didn't always belong to the strongest—it belonged to those who endured.
Still, in recent centuries, Mondstadt hadn't done badly.
"Transform into human form," Koji advised. "A giant wolf walking into a city would cause panic."
Andrius nodded. His massive frame shimmered, condensing into a tall, lean man.
His white hair gleamed faintly blue, his wolfish eyes sharp and proud.
"First time using this form," he said, flexing his hands. "It feels… strange."
His power was weaker in human shape; true might always belonged to his divine body.
It would take time to adapt—but he didn't plan to use this form often anyway.
Koji gave an approving nod. "Not bad. You're about a nine out of ten on my scale."
Andrius frowned slightly. "And who's a ten?"
Koji smirked. "Me."
Andrius: "…"
With that, the two set out for Liyue.
Lumine had already gone ahead—probably busy looting treasure chests again.
(End of Chapter)
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