The collaboration between Liyue’s Adepti and mortals, the fall of Archons, Rex Lapis purging threats alongside his loyal allies—only to watch comrades fall one after another.
The Knights of Favonius fighting desperately, a helpless girl cradling her lover’s cold body, and a Sky King tormented by the dragon’s blood he consumed.
The loss of the Raiden Shogun’s friends in Inazuma, the near-annihilation of the great yokai clans, and a land reduced to ruins.
Five hundred years.
The span of time when so many regrets and tragedies in Teyvat converged.
The Seven gathered in Khaenri’ah, only to return home and find their realms devastated, their people paying a heavy price to repel the calamity.
Dead comrades. Lost friends.
Aside from their hatred for certain entities, did the gods truly feel nothing toward that being above the heavens?
Gu Sanqiu shook his head violently, trying to shake off such thoughts. The more he dwelled on it, the more tempted he felt to kidnap Aether to exchange for information.
But such a move would ultimately serve no purpose. Information would inevitably become clearer over time.
Aether’s existence, Gu Sanqiu realized, likely represented the potential for genuine change.
He suddenly understood Venti’s advice to “observe quietly.” Some things couldn’t show results in an instant.
It was like the old adages from essays: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
With a clearer head, Gu Sanqiu brought the group back to Mondstadt, carrying a digestion-ready Klee on his back to report to the Knights of Favonius—and find someone to invite for dinner.
After about two minutes of careful consideration, Gu Sanqiu decided to visit the Church of Favonius to check on Barbara.
While his soft-spoken “herbivore student” likely wouldn’t join a feast, as her half-teacher, it was only right to extend the invitation.
“Hello, I’d like to see Barbara,” Gu Sanqiu said politely.
The nun hesitated, offering an awkward smile. “Oh? You’re looking for Miss Barbara? That might not be convenient right now.”
Gu Sanqiu raised a brow. “She’s busy?”
“Well… not exactly…”
The nun’s eyes subtly flicked toward a corner, where a young man with a typical Mondstadt face was sneaking glances in Barbara’s direction.
How dare he! Who is this guy, brazenly seeking out my goddess?! I don’t even have that privilege!*
…
Oh. It’s Albert. Never mind, that explains everything.
Gu Sanqiu sighed. “No need to ask her to come out. How about I go in to see her instead?”
“That… also won’t work.”
The nun’s smile grew stiffer. “If we let an ‘unrelated foreigner’ like you in right now, the person lurking in the corner could cause quite the scene.”
…
For a moment, Gu Sanqiu entertained the idea of punching an overly zealous Mondstadt citizen in full view of the Anemo Archon statue and the nuns.
Would getting a divine decree from Venti count as a get-out-of-jail-free card?
He glanced upward, while the nun beside him maintained a polite but strained smile.
Barbara had once found records of Gu Sanqiu’s ancestors forging carriages for Rex Lapis within the church’s archives. In turn, Gu Sanqiu had taught her some basic combat techniques.
The nuns knew his identity, which was why they tolerated his silent brooding. Out of courtesy and professionalism, they simply waited.
Forget it.
Asking for Venti’s intervention would be pointless. That lazy Archon wouldn’t break centuries of silence for something this trivial.
Still, perhaps there was a way to work around this.
Turning to the statue of Barbatos, Gu Sanqiu bowed deeply, his expression devout.
“Oh great Barbatos, I, a foreigner from Liyue, humbly beseech you: please grant my student a peaceful night to enjoy dinner with her friends.”
The nun blinked.
…What?
Is this even allowed?! A Liyue incense maker praying to the Anemo Archon?
Thirty seconds passed—unsurprisingly, nothing happened.
Well, of course, the nun thought. The Archon hasn’t delivered a decree in ages. Why would he break his silence over something so minor?
Gu Sanqiu tilted his head. No response? Really, Venti?
Then, his demeanor changed abruptly.
“Great Barbatos, I understand now—my plea lacked clarity!” he exclaimed with fervor. “I beseech you instead: punish the one disrupting my student’s peaceful life!”
The sudden rise in volume startled the nun, but before she could react, her eyes widened as a gust of teal wind swept through the area.
The wind surged forward, kicking Albert out from his hiding spot. Before he could process what was happening, a massive Anemo hand materialized, lifting him effortlessly and carrying him out of Mondstadt.
“Th-The Archon’s power!”
The nun barely stopped herself from uttering the word “miracle.” That term was reserved for the departed—not for Barbatos himself.
She turned to Gu Sanqiu, her expression shifting to one of reverent awe. Grasping his hands tightly, she exclaimed, “Master Gu Sanqiu! Incense Master Gu! Lord Sanqiu! Have you ever considered joining the Church of Favonius? Perhaps as an honorary member?!”
“I know Liyue has strict customs for those who can communicate with the divine, but we could keep it simple—how about ‘Child of the Wind’?”
Gu Sanqiu froze. Quickly, he stammered out a polite excuse: “Such matters need to be discussed with my family.”
Taking Barbara along, he made a hasty retreat.
“Teacher, you’re incredible!” Barbara’s eyes sparkled. “To think you can communicate with Lord Barbatos! No wonder you love visiting Mondstadt so much—it must be your bond with this land calling to you.”
…
Communicate with Barbatos? Not a chance.
Venti, maybe. But even Barbara, as devout as she is, can’t get him to say more than a few words. Why would he bother with me?
As for Albert, Gu Sanqiu had simply sent him to take a refreshing dip in Cider Lake, leaving him on the bridge leading back to Mondstadt.
Whether he’d scare off Timmy’s pigeons remained to be seen.
Meanwhile, deep within Stormterror’s Lair, a bard let out an indignant roar.
“Unbelievable!”
Venti adjusted his hat, grabbed his bow, and glared at Dvalin.
“We’re leaving. That nephew of mine is getting a lesson he’ll never forget!”
“To impersonate me, using that dumb tornado god’s power, in front of my statue and my church—this is war!”
Dvalin’s amused gaze only fueled Venti’s frustration. He could almost hear the dragon mocking him with “Who told you to play dead?”
The ruins echoed with the cries of a disgruntled Archon.
“I feel so unclean!”
—
This is a fan translation of 原神之璃月奉香人 by 淡白蛋清. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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