Arkz stared blankly at Venti.
A lingering flush from drinking still colored Venti's face.
Even from a distance, Arkz could smell the cloyingly sweet aroma of fruit wine on him.
He must be... drunk.
Although Venti, as the Anemo Archon, probably didn't need a bit of alcohol to keep his mind functioning normally.
But isn't the whole point of drinking to get that dizzy feeling?
Arkz figured that Venti, being a seasoned drinker, probably wouldn't use divine power to dispel the effects of alcohol normally.
Otherwise, Arkz truly couldn't imagine what wine in the entire Teyvat continent could possibly get Venti drunk.
Looking at Venti's inebriated appearance, Arkz chuckled,
"Sure thing."
"Then you go find one for me."
"However, romance requires mutual consent. You can't use your status as the Anemo Archon to trick or deceive anyone, okay?"
Venti guiltily turned his head away,
"Of course not!"
"How could I be so unreliable as the Anemo Archon?"
"You just wait."
"I'll go find someone right now."
"Brother, you shine brighter than gold. If they don't like you, it's their own lack of vision!"
"I guarantee I'll find you a girlfriend you like."
Arkz casually replied,
"Okay."
"But what if you can't find anyone?"
Venti thumped his chest,
"Can't find someone?"
"I am the best Bard in all of Mondstadt!"
"If I can't find anyone, I'll offer myself to you."
Saying that, Venti stroked his white stockings and struck a coquettish pose.
"How about that?"
Arkz shooed him away, just like chasing sparrows off a farm field, making a'shoo shoo' sound and gesturing for him to leave.
"Go on, go on."
Venti wasn't offended; he laughed playfully, transformed into a gust of wind, and left Springvale Farm.
Watching Venti's retreating back, Arkz shook his head helplessly.
Arkz didn't take Venti's promise to find him a girlfriend seriously.
Venti, that slacker god.
He'd probably forget about this after taking a nap.
Arkz felt that if he relied on Venti to find him a wife, he'd be destined to die alone.
However...
Arkz didn't realize.
Venti currently possessed astonishing initiative!
Still tipsy, Venti used the cover of night to silently fly into the office of the Knights of Favonius Grand Master.
Fortunately, Venti remembered he couldn't expose his identity, so he used divine power to conceal his form.
Inside the Knights of Favonius Grand Master's office...
Besides Acting Grand Master Jean, who was poring over documents at her desk, the room was empty.
The Knights stationed at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters had already switched to the night shift.
To avoid disturbing Acting Grand Master Jean's work, the patrolling Knights would tread lightly when passing the Grand Master's office.
Since all Knights except those on night duty had gone home, the Knights of Favonius Headquarters felt somewhat vast and silent at the moment.
A cyan light spot suddenly appeared inside the heavily guarded Grand Master's office, and Jean immediately looked at the light spot with alertness.
Wind!
The wind raged inside Jean's office, sweeping up documents only to gently place them back in their original spots.
It was as if an invisible person was curiously flipping through the official documents Acting Grand Master Jean was handling.
Jean didn't immediately sound the alarm right beside her; instead, she remained vigilant, looking toward the visitor she sensed.
She felt an instinctive closeness within that cyan light spot.
"Jean Gunnhild, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, good evening."
The cyan light spots multiplied and then converged, forming a human shape that shimmered with a sacred radiance.
In this familiar yet sacred Anemo Element...
Jean looked at the dandelion breeze sword at her waist, which was trembling with excitement, and suddenly understood.
The dandelion breeze sword was a sacred relic bestowed by the Anemo Archon, not only symbolizing the Knights of the Lion's Fang through the ages but also containing immense power.
For the usually aloof dandelion breeze sword to react this strongly, the identity of the person before her was self-evident.
"Lord Barbatos!!!"
"That's right, it's me, the great Anemo Archon Barbatos."
Seeing that Jean had recognized his identity, Venti seemed extremely pleased.
"Jean, there is a person who is very important; you need to pay close attention to him."
As the Anemo Archon, even while intoxicated, Venti still needed to maintain some face. He couldn't directly state he was playing matchmaker, so he could only try to hint subtly.
"It's that Arkz from Springvale Farm."
"You understand what I mean, right?"
As Venti spoke, he also made a heart shape with his hands.
Staring blankly at the Anemo Archon, Jean fell into a mental storm.
Mr. Arkz?
Could it be that Lord Barbatos already knows about the cooperation between the Knights and Mr. Arkz?
Yes!
That's absolutely it!
The importance of elemental weapons to Mondstadt is recognized even by Lord Barbatos.
My choice was indeed correct!
As expected, Lord Barbatos has been secretly watching over Mondstadt; otherwise, he wouldn't have appeared before me right after the cooperation was finalized.
What does the heart Lord Barbatos drew mean?
Oh—!!
I understand.
Lord Barbatos means that Mr. Arkz is very important, very important to Mondstadt.
So he is reminding us to treat Mr. Arkz with sincerity and keep him in Mondstadt with our true hearts.
Jean respectfully knelt on one knee and said devoutly,
"I understand, Lord Barbatos."
"We will establish a good relationship with Mr. Arkz, please do not worry."
Venti nodded with satisfaction.
Then he transformed into a gentle breeze and departed.
Looking at Jean, who was praying devoutly in the Grand Master's office, Venti couldn't help but think,
"As expected, Acting Grand Master Jean is very reliable."
Next target: Barbara. Departure!
Whoosh!
Knights of Favonius Church.
Inside Barbara's dormitory.
Barbara was praying devoutly.
As a nun who was extremely devout toward the Anemo Archon, Barbara prayed to the Anemo Archon every morning and evening.
During this time, Barbara would tell the Anemo Archon about the worries in her heart.
This was also a way for Barbara to relieve her inner distress.
As the daughter of the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius Church, Barbara naturally didn't lack money.
Barbara also owned her own house in Mondstadt City.
However, Barbara usually lived in the church nuns' dormitory, partly for convenience, and partly because she had friends and companions there.
Although the house outside was large and luxurious, Barbara felt a sense of loneliness living there alone.
Barbara had considered using her house as the base for the Five-Color Squad, but after thinking it over, the house contained many of her treasured belongings and some of her little secrets, making it inconvenient after all.
So,
Barbara used her allowance to buy another house to serve as the base for the Five-Color Squad.
After training sessions on Arkz's side, Barbara and the others would also celebrate at the base, holding tea parties and such.
Looking at the devoutly praying Barbara, Venti's gaze couldn't help but soften.
"Barbara, good evening."
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