After finalizing tomorrow's plan with Lumine, Venti took his leave. However, on his way back, he noticed something unusual and turned into a small alley.
About thirty seconds later, a masked figure in black entered the alley, only to be shocked to find it was a dead end.
Thud!
The black-clad figure collapsed as Venti stood behind him holding a brick.
Lifting the mask, Venti saw facial features clearly belonging to people from a certain northern nation. "More Fatui... why do they keep following me like annoying flies... Hmm?" He tilted his head toward the alley entrance before transforming into a breeze and floating onto the rooftop.
Two more black-clad figures rushed in, glanced around, and quickly carried away their unconscious comrade.
Venti murmured to himself, "What exactly are they after..."
The next day, Jean convened a war council in the Knights' meeting room to plan the assault on Stormterror's Lair. Nearly everyone was present, even Shen Qin, looking utterly exhausted from research, was dragged out from the cathedral basement, much to Sucrose's distress.
"Albedo, Lisa, any progress on researching Stormterror's Lair's barrier?" Jean asked.
Lisa spoke first: "Historical records about that barrier are scarce, but I found relevant mentions in an unofficial chronicle. During Old Mondstadt's era, when the current Anemo Archon Barbatos had yet to ascend, the Tyrant Decarabian erected wind walls around Old Mondstadt to block out snowstorms."
"Those wind walls became the current barrier. The will and power left behind by Decarabian in the ruins were apparently... harnessed by the Abyss Order to isolate Stormterror's Lair again. Though weaker than the original wind walls, it's still power left by an ancient deity—ordinary means can't break through."
Albedo added: "This is archon-level power. Relying solely on alchemy would take far too long to dismantle."
As they discussed these dry details, Shen Qin's head gradually drooped lower, feeling like he was back in a classroom lecture, growing sleepier by the minute...
Thump—
Just before his forehead could meet the conference table, Sucrose beside him quickly cushioned the impact with her palm. Even so, the noise drew everyone's attention.
Blushing, Sucrose nudged his shoulder.
When Shen Qin lifted his head, she immediately withdrew her hand.
Jean asked concernedly, "Shen, you don't seem well. Would you like to rest first?"
"That's right, sweetie. Don't sacrifice your health for research, you're far more valuable than any alchemical invention," Lisa chimed in.
Shen Qin hastily waved them off. "No no, I'm fine. It's just that your lecturing tones remind me of an old teacher whose classes always put me to sleep."
Lisa nodded in heartfelt agreement: "So true! Teacher's lectures were the most comfortable time to nap!"
"Eh? You all did that too? I thought I was the only one who slept in class!" Amber exclaimed.
Klee, finding kindred spirits, piped up excitedly: "Klee also likes sleeping when Mama teaches alchemy!"
As the discussion veered further off-track, Jean helplessly rapped the table. "Alright, that's enough about sleeping in class. Since Shen Qin is fine, let's return to our main topic..."
"Acting Grand Master, I know how to remove that barrier," Lumine interjected.
"Oh?" Jean looked at her hopefully. "Please share!"
Ever since Lumine purified Dvalin's poisoned blood, Jean had believed miracles followed this outlander.
"I'd like to introduce someone who proposed the method. He's waiting at the Knights' entrance." Hearing this, Jean immediately sent Hara to fetch their guest.
"Yoohoo! Greetings everyone! I'm Venti, a humble bard." Radiating infectious cheer, he enthusiastically greeted everyone present, whether acquainted or not.
Paimon's eyes widened. "Huh? Venti?!"
"A bard..." Jean glanced uncertainly at Lumine, who gave a firm nod, temporarily quelling her doubts. Addressing Venti, she said, "Greetings, honorable bard. Lumine mentioned you have a way to break Stormterror's Lair's barrier..."
Venti nodded. "Just Venti is fine! She's right—I do have a method."
"Oh? Our entire Knights organization couldn't find a solution. Would a wandering bard know more than us?" Lisa raised a reasonable doubt.
Venti grinned at her. "Lovely witchy sister, are you familiar with the archon Decarabian who once ruled Old Mondstadt?"
"Naturally, sweet-talking minstrel."
"Though deceased, part of his power lingers at Stormterror's Lair due to lingering attachments. The barrier manifests from this residual will and power. By singing Old Mondstadt's ancient ballads, we can awaken and release this attachment, allowing the power to return to the ley lines—dissolving the barrier. Coincidentally, I happen to know those very ballads."
His explanation gave the alchemists pause. Finally, Albedo endorsed the idea: "Venti, if you're certain this will work, it's worth attempting."
Lisa: "Mmm, it does sound plausible."
Shen Qin winked at Sucrose, who seemed to instantly grasp his meaning. "I-I think Mr. Venti's method has merit."
Shen Qin directly vouched for Venti: "I believe him."
Klee: "Klee doesn't understand, but Brother Venti is nice!"
Seeing their resident experts approve, Jean readily agreed.
"Wait—to dismantle the barrier, I'll need to borrow something from you."
Jean frowned. "Borrow what?"
"The Holy Lyre der Himmel."
"What? You mean the sacred relic left by Lord Barbatos?" Jean's suspicion returned in full force. "Impossible!"
Ahem! Shen Qin interjected. "Acting Grand Master, perhaps hear his reasoning."
Venti shot him a meaningful look before explaining: "I'm but a simple bard, my voice alone cannot reach the great Decarabian. Only with the Holy Lyre's power can I perform the hymn to awaken an archon's slumbering will."
"But the Holy Lyre is the Anemo Archon's only remaining relic..." Jean remained reluctant.
"Jean," Diluc interjected bluntly, "if the lyre can serve this purpose, then this is precisely why the Anemo Archon left it to Mondstadt. If it's useless, it's not even worth a single mora." He'd never put stock in symbolic artifacts—unless they fetched a good price.
Venti gave him a thumbs-up. "Such pragmatism! I like it!"