(Note: The following will focus heavily on Venti's Story Quest. Readers who wish to avoid repetition may skip this segnt.)
["Traveler? What a coincidence, running into you here." Venti approached, greeting Lumine and Paimon.]
["Tone-Deaf Bard? Why is it always you?" Paimon remarked.]
Fortunately, the people of Mondstadt knew they were the great heroes who saved the city and had ties to the Anemo Archon. Otherwise, they'd surely be accused of disrespecting the divine.
[It turned out Lisa had created an intriguing gadget. Whenever Lisa described sothing as "interesting," Paimon couldn't help but feel uneasy.]
["Lisa's idea of 'fun' always gives the creeps."]
["Hehe, don't speak of a lady like that," Venti replied with a wry smile.]
[The peculiar device resembled a monocle, allowing the wearer to see others' "imaginary friends."]
[The bard handed the gadget to Lumine, who, upon wearing it, indeed saw the little girl's "imaginary friend"—a child who seed to get along well with her.]
Later, the trio used the device to observe the imaginary friends of Mondstadt's children.
[Flora, the adorable flower shop owner, had a "Sunsettia plant" as her imaginary friend. The Traveler and the others chatted with her, curious why her friend was a plant.]
[It turned out Flora wanted a flying plant as a companion, proving imaginary friends weren't limited to humans.]
[Flora also ntioned a na—Stanley, the great adventurer of Mondstadt.]
As they spoke, a patrolling Knight of Favonius passed by, giving them a strange look—his eyes filled with confusion and pity.
(This is because, while I was reading this part, a knight NPC happened to walk past the scene and glance at them.)
[Continuing their search, they encountered Timmie on the bridge. Lumine used the device to observe him.]
[To their surprise, Timmie's imaginary friend was a Ruin Guard!]
[Paimon, terrified, exclaid, "Let's explore this area… another ti."]
[The group turned back, this ti heading to the tavern to see if adults had imaginary friends.]
[Outside the tavern, they found Kaeya, Diluc, and others seated at a table, chatting and drinking.]
["You'd better not get drunk here," (¬¬) Diluc said.]
["Oh? Would I get sold to a scrap dealer if I did?" Kaeya teased.]
["Sold?"]
["You're always selling things, aren't you? Even Father's old estate was sold off by you."]
["Hmph… Useless things. Why keep them?"]
["Then, what about the vase?"]
["I don't recall." (¬¬)]
[After listening for a while, Pallad suddenly interjected, "But Master Diluc, your mansion does have a rather ornate vase on display…"]]
Their usual banter ensued, but this ti, Kaeya won—because Diluc hadn't sold the vase he'd gifted him.
Pallad, having exposed this detail, would likely be fired tomorrow for "breathing wrong in front of Katheryne."
The Traveler used the device to observe the group but saw no imaginary friends around them. Perhaps this was the dull reality of adulthood.
[Finally, the trio found Ellin, a girl caught between childhood and adulthood. Beside her was an imaginary friend—Jean.]
Lucian remarked, "See? I told you Jean could debut as an idol. She'd be a hit!"
[During their conversation with Ellin, another na surfaced—Stanley, Mondstadt's great adventurer, who seed highly renowned.]
[At that mont, Stanley and Jack were preparing to explore the [Temple of the Lion].]
[Ellin asked the group to relay a ssage to Jack—could their adventure with Stanley be postponed? She was simply too exhausted today.]
[Upon arriving at the temple, the trio found Stanley and Jack surrounded by monsters.]
Surprisingly, Stanley, an adult, still had an imaginary friend.
[Stanley himself didn't live up to his legendary reputation.]
[Faced with the monsters, he seed helpless—until the Traveler intervened and rescued them.]
[He appeared to be nothing more than a braggart, while his imaginary friend seed far more capable, like a seasoned adventurer.]
[Regardless, Jack held Stanley in high esteem.]
To prove himself as a true adventurer to Stanley and his parents, Jack commissioned the Traveler's group to help him find a "Hero's Proof."
Lured by the promise of fine wine, the bard eagerly agreed.
He then casually handed Jack a broken sword and a barrel lid, passing them off as the nonexistent "Hero's Proof."
And with the Anemo Archon's deception, Jack believed it.
Reading this, Navia couldn't help but laugh.
"That bard must be the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, right?"
"The god of Mondstadt deceiving his own people? Sohow, he seems even less reliable than Furina!"
Yet, she didn't dislike this Archon's personality.
The "Hero's Proof" didn't exist, but as a god, he was willing to play along. Wasn't that kindness in itself?
If he ever visited Fontaine, Navia decided, she'd treat him to drinks—no, she'd let him drink to his heart's content!
"Is the Anemo Archon really like that?" Navia asked curiously.
Lucian confird, "Yes."
He didn't know which part Navia had read, but no matter what, every version of Venti was undeniably him.
Whether gentle, deceptive, responsible, or lazy—it was all part of who he was.
Navia grew even more intrigued by this Archon. Was he truly just a wine-loving, smooth-talking, yet kind-hearted deity?
In that case, he wasn't so different from Furina—both beloved yet seemingly idle figures.
So in Fontaine even saw Neuvillette as the true Hydro Archon, while Furina was rely a mascot—the "Little Auspicious Hydro Queen."
Perhaps that was why so nad their pets "Furina"? Affectionate, yet lacking reverence.
Lucian hadn't discussed Furina with Navia, so in her eyes, Furina remained that charming, theatrical goddess.
Navia continued reading.
It turned out Stanley hadn't left but had been secretly following them.
"A great adventurer like you must know Dadaupa Gorge well, right?" the bard asked.
"Of course! I could navigate it blindfolded!" Stanley declared.
"I see. Your mory and perseverance are truly admirable," the bard replied sincerely.
After a brief exchange, Stanley left guiltily.
"A man who refuses to forget the past, abandoning the present… If forced to take the first step toward the future, where will he tread?"
"Huh? What does that an?" Paimon asked, confused.
"Haha, just thinking aloud."
"Co on, let's visit the Angel's Share tonight."
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