"Wendy, are you heading back to Mondstadt later? Perfect timing—
I've been wanting to see that so-called City of Freedom myself these days.
How about we travel together?"
The moment Su Mo heard Wendy say he was returning to Mondstadt, he instantly latched onto the opportunity.
If he hadn't run into Wendy—Barbatos himself—here, he would've just switched to the Herrscher of the Void and teleported straight to Mondstadt. No way he wanted to take another carriage—thing rattles your bones worse than a Sea Beast shaking a pirate ship.
But fate dropped Barbatos in front of him.
If he teleported and arrived faster than a literal god who flew back, Barbatos would definitely question how a "normal guy" like Su Mo could move across nations overnight.
He could wait a day or two to teleport—timewise it'd make sense.
But Su Mo was too curious about the new quest. He wanted it now.
And traveling with Barbatos might help with future mission routes.
So a little bonding trip? Worth the investment.
"Hehe, of course I don't mind. Mondstadt is a great place—promise it'll surprise you."
Wendy accepted readily. After all, this was Morax's friend—he should show some hospitality.
"Then I'll trouble you. By the way… I heard the Anemo Archon vanished for years. Nobody knows where he went?"
Seeing Wendy accept, Su Mo asked with feigned innocence.
"How would a humble bard like me know where the Anemo Archon wandered off to? Compared to Liyue walking hand-in-hand with its god, Mondstadt is basically an Archon-less nation nowadays… though I'm sure Lord Barbatos has his reasons."
Wendy waved casually, face turning serious for half a breath before slipping back to mischief.
"The bard's right. He didn't leave without cause. I'd say… he left for the sake of freedom."
"Freedom? So the Anemo Archon ditched his job because he didn't want to work? Damn, he is lazy—doesn't do a single serious thing."
Hearing Zhongli's explanation, Su Mo came to his own "reasonable" conclusion.
"—cough! Don't say it like that. How can matters of a god be called slacking? Anyway… looks like it's about time. Let's head back to Mondstadt."
Wendy quickly cut the topic—any longer and his divine reputation would collapse on the spot.
Besides, Stormterror was still waiting for him.
"Alright. Zhongli, see you in a few days."
"Mhm. Experiencing the customs of another land is a fine thing."
"Up ahead is Mondstadt. A little more, and we'll be there."
After a long trek, Wendy pointed ahead.
"Finally. Man, if only we could fly…"
Su Mo felt half his soul rattled out of his body. He actually missed planes and high-speed trains.
"Flying isn't that easy. But Mondstadt has something that'll satisfy that wish."
"Oh? What?"
Even though Su Mo knew the answer, he still asked.
"Wind Gliders. This thing… well, you'll see when we get there."
Wendy deliberately kept the suspense—he wanted Morax's friend to properly experience Mondstadt's charm.
"May the winds bless you, travelers…"
"I'm the Outrider of the Knights of Favonius—Amber!"
A familiar voice drifted from not far away.
"There are people up ahead. Let's go take a look."
Wendy walked over immediately, Su Mo following behind.
Amber… who is she talking to?
The question answered itself as the voices grew clearer.
"Calm down! We're not suspicious individuals—"
"Suspicious people always say that!"
Another voice piped up. Paimon's voice.
So this was the place where it all begins…
Su Mo finally understood—they'd run into Paimon and the Traveler.
He just didn't know yet whether it was Ying or Aether.
"Another two suspicious individuals…"
Amber looked surprised at the sudden extra guests.
"Hey hey, I'm Mondstadt's most beloved bard three years running—not suspicious at all. And behind me is my friend Su Mo, visiting from Liyue."
Wendy introduced them enthusiastically.
Ah. So it's Ying…
Seeing the girl beside Paimon, Su Mo got his answer.
"Green guy…"
Paimon muttered under her breath.
"Hey! I have a name! I'm not 'green guy'! Ahem—allow me to introduce myself.
I am the three-time undefeated champion of 'Mondstadt's Most Popular Bard'—Wendy!"
"And I'm Su Mo, from Liyue. Heard Mondstadt's more free-spirited, so I came to see the difference myself."
Su Mo introduced himself politely.
"I'm Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. May the winds bless your path, travelers."
Amber saluted with bright energy.
"I'm the Traveler—you can call me Ying. I'm searching for my brother.
And this emergency food here is Paimon, my companion."
Since everyone introduced themselves, Ying followed suit.
"I'M NOT EMERGENCY FOOD!! I'm a COMPANION! CO-MPA-NION!!"
Paimon stomped angrily in midair.
"Now that introductions are done, let's talk in the city. Not the best spot out here."
Su Mo urged them onward. The system still hadn't given detailed quest instructions. He suspected they needed to physically enter Mondstadt.
"Stories are best told along the road.
I love listening to others' tales the most."
Wendy's eyes sparkled—stories were life for a bard, especially when they came from someone clearly not ordinary.
"I'll guide you!"
Amber volunteered excitedly.
"…And that's it. A mysterious god took my brother, I was sealed and lost my power,
and now we're stuck here after crossing countless worlds…"
Ying retold her story while they walked.
"I see. And you came to Mondstadt to check whether that mysterious god is the Anemo Archon?"
Su Mo nodded solemnly.
He knew that the "mysterious god" Ying spoke of was definitely the real deal.
Which made him—temporary pseudo-Herrscher—feel strangely guilty.
Ying didn't answer—she simply nodded.
"But as far as I know, Mondstadt's Anemo Archon has been gone for ages.
No one knows where he is."
Wendy's tone grew thoughtful.
"No way it's Lord Barbatos! He'd never do something like that!"
Amber denied it instantly, though she couldn't pinpoint the truth either.
Remembering recent problems, she quickly added—
"Anyway, let's focus on something else. Monsters have been appearing around Mondstadt, and the Stormterror dragon keeps wreaking havoc.
Let's hurry inside."
"Stormterror?"
Su Mo blinked.
He suddenly remembered Dvalin—and wondered why Barbatos hadn't handled it yet.
"It's a Wind Dragon. Ever since it awakened, it's been causing chaos all around Mondstadt."
Amber explained concisely, thinking Su Mo was asking.
Wendy: "......"
The bard's expression twitched subtly.
"Sounds dangerous…"
Paimon shivered.
Mondstadt, at last…
After chatting for a while, the group finally reached Mondstadt's gate.
And right then—
[New Quest Activated:
Use the character card: Kallen.
Steal Dvalin and declare you were sent by the Anemo Archon.
Snatch the Lyre of the Sky from Barbatos.
Heal Dvalin.
Finally, switch to the Wendy character card and proclaim yourself the true Anemo Archon, taking full control of Mondstadt.]
Su Mo: "......…"
He was speechless.
Steal Dvalin?
That thing is a giant dragon!!
How the hell was he supposed to steal a dragon?
Is Kallen this strong?
Could she…
…be the jungler!?
[Please note: After completing this mission, the Honkai World Questline will unlock.]
Su Mo: "???"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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