The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the air.
The Lady coldly snorted. "You have no right to speak, insolent bard."
The moment her words fell, a surge of Anemo energy burst forth, swirling violently around Venti.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
The winds began to scour away the frost binding Venti's legs—shards of ice splintering, though far too slowly to make a difference.
Seeing this, the Lady's shock faded into a smirk of disdain. "Hmph! So this is all that remains of the god who abandoned his dominion over Mondstadt?"
"Oh?" Venti raised a brow. "And your right to mock me—comes from borrowed power, does it?"
Her face darkened. She flicked her wrist, sending a blast of Cryo energy crashing into him.
"Such a glib tongue!"
In an instant, she dashed forward—her hand plunging straight through Venti's chest.
A burst of turquoise light flared from the wound.
Venti's eyes went wide; his lips parted in disbelief.
When the Lady withdrew her hand, she was holding something—something that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, a small, ornate object around which gentle Anemo currents coiled.
"So this… is a Gnosis?"
She studied it for a moment, then said with cool contempt, "Hah, not nearly as exquisite as my finest chess pieces."
Kneeling, pale and trembling, Venti managed to croak out, "Then perhaps… your taste in aesthetics is simply terrible."
The Lady's expression didn't change—she simply lifted one elegant leg and kicked him squarely in the side.
Venti was sent flying and fell unconscious.
Lumine struggled fiercely, but the two Debt Collectors held her down tight.
The Lady glanced at her dismissively. "Forget it. I've got what I came for. Before the Knights arrive—let's not leave any evidence."
The Fatui agents nodded and promptly knocked Lumine out as well.
[Yoimiya]:Whoa, this woman's seriously bold! But uh… what exactly is a Gnosis?
[Kamisato Ayaka]:It might be like a Vision—an external magical organ of sorts?
[Kamisato Ayato]:If that's the case, then a Gnosis must be something of tremendous importance.
[Dvalin]:@[The Lady] Where are you?
[The Lady]:None of your business.
[Lumine]:@[The Lady] Everyone in Teyvat knows what you've done now. You'd better hope I never find you.
[The Lady]:Hmph, and you think you're qualified to say that?
[Prince]:Have you ever tried dying before?
[The Lady]:And have you ever tried minding your own business?
[Prince]:…
Deep within the Abyss Order—
Kong's face twisted into fury.
"The Lady… I'll remember you!"
To mock his sister like that—if he ever got the chance, he'd make her pay dearly!
[Jean]:@[The Lady] Return Lord Venti's Gnosis immediately! This is no longer a simple diplomatic incident. Consider this an official warning—you have provoked the entire city of Mondstadt!
[The Lady]:Oh? I'm already outside Mondstadt's borders. What exactly can you do to me?
[Childe]:Lady, you're incredible. Truly fearless! (respect)
In the Liyue branch of the Northland Bank, even Childe—the self-proclaimed madman—found himself giving her a thumbs-up.
Say what you will, but this time, he had to admit defeat.
[Dvalin]:@[The Lady] Next time you set foot in Mondstadt, don't expect a warm welcome!
[Venti]:Yeah! What he said! (winking emoji)
[Zhongli]:@[Venti] Forgive my curiosity, but how can you still be joking at a time like this?
[Neuvillette]:Judging from the video, Venti's power seems off. As an Archon, he should have divine energy accumulated from fulfilling his duties. Not to mention, he was once a primordial spirit. There's no way a mere Fatui Harbinger—ranked only Eighth—could suppress him so easily.
[Heizou]:So… the video's fake?
[Venti]:Hey hey hey! I wasn't born a mighty god, alright? I started out as just a tiny Barbatos! I'm nowhere near as tough as Morax or Baal!
[Zhongli]:According to an ancient text I once came across, Barbatos was indeed originally a mere Barbatos. But through the faith of the Gunnhildr clan, he ascended to godhood. Note that well—he became a true Archon. Those same records say Barbatos reshaped Mondstadt's terrain, transforming a frozen wasteland into the land of four gentle seasons we know today. Such an act wasn't just duty—it was a monumental feat. His power must be vast.
[Heizou]:So what you're saying is… he was holding back?!
[The Lady]:?
[Venti]:Hey! I used up all that power remaking Mondstadt's landscape, okay? I was exhausted! I even fell asleep afterward!
[Zhongli]:Tell me, have you noticed how every Mondstadter says "May the Wind God bless you"?
[Jean]:Yes, that's true.
[Amber]:It's basically a local habit.
[Zhongli]:@[Venti] And how do you explain that, hmm?
[Heizou]:Allow me, the Great Detective, to piece this together!
[Heizou]:First—Venti may have started as a Barbatos, but after ascending to Archon status, he grew immensely powerful. According to him, his strength was depleted by reshaping Mondstadt, leading to a long slumber. However, performing divine duties should also replenish his godly power.
[Heizou]:Second—Mondstadt's deep faith in freedom, and their reverence for the Wind God, would naturally sustain and restore his power. Meaning, Venti can't possibly be as weak as he claims!
[Heizou]:Therefore, case closed: Venti is the greatest actor in all of Teyvat!
[Kaeya]:Detective Heizou! Brilliant deduction!
[Furina]:A perfect analysis! Simply divine!
[The Lady]:…
[Venti]:…
[The Lady]:Hmph. Believe what you like. The Gnosis is mine now—that's all that matters.
[Lumine]:You're just lucky Gu Chen wasn't around back then. Otherwise, he'd have smashed you flat!
[The Lady]:Oh? And what makes you think he's here this time, hmm?
[Lumine]:Ugh!! You infuriating woman!!
[Paimon]:Don't be mad, Lumine. If the bard let her take it, there's gotta be a reason, right?
[Jean]:@[Venti] Lord Venti, was it all part of a plan?
[Barbara]:Waaah, Lord Barbatos, please say something! Why won't you answer?
[Venti]:Ehe~
[Kaeya]:Ah, I see. So there must be some higher divine plan at work!
[Heizou]:My deduction aligns with Kaeya's theory.
[Kokomi]:Hiding one's true strength, allowing the enemy to seize your Gnosis, even enduring a slap and a kick—surely this was intentional. Perhaps… a way to deliver the Gnosis by disguise?
[Kaeya]:To hand it over like that—getting slapped and kicked in the process… my god, I'm crying!
Venti stared at the screen, dumbfounded.
When did everyone in this group get so smart?
They were too clever now—impossible to fool!
With a groan, he ruffled his hair in exasperation.
Then, noticing Gu Chen smirking smugly nearby, an idea struck him.
His eyes lit up mischievously.
[Venti]:Hey everyone, look who's here! @[Gu Chen]
Gu Chen's smile froze.
Damn it!
He'd been quietly lurking and watching the drama unfold—and now the old drunk had dragged him out as a scapegoat?!