Cider Highlands.
Honestly… What a mess.
On his way back from Liyue, Venti could only sigh helplessly.
A few days ago, he had suddenly—almost absurdly—acquired the cube containing Wendy's power from that strange girl.
That alone was bizarre enough.
But he never imagined there were even stranger things waiting afterward.
At first, he held strong suspicion toward the cube handed so casually to him.
The gray-haired girl was practically forcing it into his hands—
clearly something was off.
He didn't know her.
She had no reason to do that.
If this wasn't suspicious, what was?
But there was nothing he could do.
He couldn't let anyone else get their hands on Wendy's power.
Even if it was a trap, he had to take it.
So, after obtaining the cube, Venti immediately went to a remote area far from Mondstadt.
He planned to examine it thoroughly to find a way to destroy it completely.
He even wanted to ask Miss Rita for insight,
but unfortunately—
She didn't know the secret behind it either.
She could only return to her organization to search for answers.
Of course, Venti didn't sit idle.
He continued studying the cube,
but as his investigation progressed,
He found no traps, hidden triggers, or mechanisms.
Or perhaps he simply hadn't discovered them yet.
But that wasn't the worst part—
Since he found no traps, he attempted to destroy it next.
Yet no matter what method he used,
no matter how much power he unleashed,
he couldn't damage the cube at all.
Even handing it to Morax produced the same result.
Meaning—
they currently had no way of destroying it.
So Venti could only bring the cube back from Liyue.
…Hm?
Abyssal energy?
Those pests again…
Hovering in the air, Venti suddenly sensed the Abyss behind him.
Ever since he obtained the cube,
The Abyss Order had been stalking him—always at a distance.
The moment he reacted, they would immediately retreat.
He didn't have the time to play hide-and-seek with them,
but he wasn't afraid either.
No matter how weakened he was,
he was still an Archon—
and in his prime, he wasn't someone the Abyss could toy with.
Two Hydro Heralds?
Again?
Still just watching from afar?
Turning his head, Venti spotted two Hydro Abyss Heralds behind him.
And as soon as they noticed they'd been noticed, they fled.
Sigh… I need to find a way to destroy this thing soon.
Otherwise those guys will haunt me forever…
The longer the cube existed,
the longer the Abyss would stalk him.
They might even start plotting attacks on Mondstadt's people.
That was something he absolutely couldn't allow.
If Wendy were here—
…no, no, no.
She'd probably make everything worse.
Venti shuddered at the thought.
"Venti! How are things going?"
As he stared absent-mindedly in the direction the Heralds fled,
a familiar voice drifted up from below.
Paimon.
Of course.
The Traveler and Paimon.
Probably out treasure-hunting again…
Looking down, Venti saw Lumine and Paimon waving at him.
Even though the Stormterror crisis had passed,
the matter of the cube containing a sinister power had not been solved.
And with Liyue's Rite of Descension still some time away,
Lumine and Paimon remained in Mondstadt.
"Still nothing.
But this isn't a good place to talk.
Let's head back to the city."
Descending slowly, Venti landed beside them,
glancing around cautiously—
He was starting to develop PTSD toward Abyss mages and Heralds popping up behind bushes.
"Then let's go."
Lumine knew exactly what he was thinking.
Besides, she and Paimon had already cleared this area of treasure chests.
"So? Satisfied with today's loot?"
"Hehe~ not bad! There were quite a few chests here!"
Lumine grinned from ear to ear.
"Then how about treating me to a drink?"
"No problem!"
Mondstadt City – Angel's Share
"How's the cube situation?"
The moment they sat down, Lumine asked impatiently.
"Still nothing…"
Venti shook his head helplessly.
"Honorary Knight? The Honorary Knight is here!"
Just as they were discussing the cube,
a group of knights rushed into the tavern,
shouting Lumine's title.
Something had happened.
"Looks like our great Honorary Knight is needed again,
just as all the ballads—"
"Honorary Knight! Acting Grand Master Jean is looking for you!
Ah—Sir Bard, Lord Venti, you're here too.
Sorry to interrupt, but Jean has an urgent matter—
she ordered me to bring you all to headquarters immediately!"
The knight ran straight to them, drenched in sweat.
Whatever happened—it was serious.
"What's going on…? Why does he look like he sprinted the whole way?"
Paimon blinked nervously.
"You've worked hard.
Let's go."
Venti rose at once.
Jean wouldn't call him urgently unless something major happened.
"Master Diluc, we—"
"I saw. Go.
Don't worry about the tab."
Diluc waved her off.
His tone was calm,
but he was clearly wondering what kind of trouble Jean had encountered.
Could it be the Abyss?
He knew about the cube matter, after all.
Forget it…
"Charles."
"Yes, sir?"
"I'll be stepping out for a while.
Handle the tavern."
"Understood."
Knights of Favonius Headquarters
"Why… Why is everyone outside?
Don't tell me—
don't tell me a giant rat broke into headquarters?!"
Paimon's eyes widened the moment they arrived.
Not only was Jean anxiously pacing outside,
even Lisa—who rarely left the library—was waiting at the entrance.
What in the world happened?
"Lord Venti—
she's back!"
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