Coppelia focused her attention, controlling the surrounding Anemo elemental energy.
A gentle breeze materialized from thin air, at first only stirring the dust of snow on the ground. But the wind soon stabilized, flowing around the altar and the crowd.
Initially, the wind was a bit biting, and the people instinctively wrapped their clothes tighter.
Coppelia immediately adjusted, carefully infusing a faint trace of Pyro elemental energy into the breath of the wind.
The nature of the wind subtly changed. It was no longer cold; instead, it carried just the right amount of warmth, like a gentle breeze on a spring afternoon, softly enveloping everyone who was praying.
The wind persisted, spiraling steadily inward. The bonfire in the center of the altar was fanned by the wind, its flames suddenly leaping higher, burning more vigorously and brightly.
The people finally noticed the anomaly.
This wind was too steady, too warm, completely different from Decarabian's gales that cut the face like a knife, or the bone-chilling north winds of Andrius.
Astonished whispers spread through the crowd. Someone reached out a hand to feel the incredible warm wind, a look of disbelief on their face.
Soon, the whispers turned into excited discussions, and people began to look around, trying to find the source of this 'miracle'.
'There's a response! Finally, another being has answered us!' someone shouted first, and the crowd instantly erupted into a commotion, a mix of surprise, awe, and a hint of confusion.
Someone ran off quickly and, before long, brought back Gunnhildr, who was still busy.
'Milady! Come and see! A 'god' has truly answered us!'
Gunnhildr rushed to the scene, calmly observing the warm current of air encircling the crowd and the unusually vigorous bonfire.
Then her gaze began to sweep sharply across the surroundings, as if searching for something.
Soon, she seemed to think of something and whispered a few instructions to a knight beside her.
The knight nodded and left quickly, beginning to search for any sign of Coppelia and Columbina.
At that moment, Coppelia manipulated the wind, gently pushing the young priest officiating at the altar forward, closer to her hiding spot.
She lowered her voice and, with the wind's help, sent a few words into the priest's ear.
Afterward, the strange, warm wind began to weaken, eventually dissipating quietly.
The knight who had been sent to find the guests returned and shook his head at Gunnhildr, indicating he hadn't found them. A look of understanding crossed Gunnhildr's face.
Just then, the priest turned to face the still-excited crowd, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
He announced that a kind, passing wind spirit had just heard their prayers.
The wind spirit said that a 'Lord of Wind' named 'Barbatos' might be willing to accept them.
That god was gentle and kind and could bring happiness, but he was a god of 'freedom,' who acted as he pleased and would not seek them out on his own. They would have to find him themselves.
'It would be best to find an eloquent speaker,' the priest continued, following the 'divine oracle' he had heard, 'to persuade that god of freedom. I think... Lady Gunnhildr would be very suitable!'
Upon hearing Gunnhildr's name, the crowd's gaze instantly focused on her.
The people gathered around, their eyes full of expectation. 'Lady Gunnhildr, you will lead us to find the 'Lord of Wind,' won't you!'
Gunnhildr took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and accepted aloud: 'Since a being has been willing to answer us, this is a sign of hope! But we also heard that the god requires us to seek him out. I suggest we temporarily halt the ritual activities and everyone prepare for migration with all their might. It will be easier to find the 'Lord of Wind' together after we rendezvous with the Lawrence Clan and gather their strength!'
She once again put her eloquence to use, channeling the crowd's enthusiasm into tangible actions: stockpiling supplies and preparing for the eastward migration.
Inspired by her, the crowd dispersed and threw themselves into their respective tasks.
Coppelia and Columbina took this opportunity to slip out from their hiding place and blend into the dispersing crowd.
After the crowd had completely dispersed, Gunnhildr found Coppelia standing nearby and led her to a secluded corner, getting straight to the point: 'That phenomenon just now, that was your doing, wasn't it?'
Her gaze was sharp. 'You just arrived today, and that same night, a strange sign appears. A moment ago, you were nowhere to be found. Besides, this afternoon, Miss Columbina...' She was alluding to Columbina's miraculous fishing skills from earlier in the day.
Coppelia didn't deny it, merely interrupting calmly: 'You are very perceptive.'
'Where is the 'Lord of Wind'?' Gunnhildr pressed. She had wanted to question if the 'Lord of Wind' even existed but felt they wouldn't fabricate something out of thin air on such a matter, especially since it concerned a 'god'.
Coppelia answered: ''The Lord of Wind,' Barbatos, is still just a weak wind spirit for now. I don't know where he is either.'
'A single wind spirit, how can it protect so many people?'
'In this world, people's faith can truly grant a being the power of a god,' Coppelia explained calmly. 'As long as you sincerely worship him as a god and pray to him, he will gradually gain the power to protect you.'
'Being able to protect is one thing... but he still isn't a true god in the end.'
'It's not impossible for him to become a god,' Coppelia said, looking at her. 'He needs to obtain three kinds of power: first, the faith of the exiles outside the storm wall; second, the faith of the people of Mondstadt within the wall; and third, the divine throne and authority of Decarabian atop his tower.'
Gunnhildr fell silent, mulling over the phrase 'faith can truly grant a being the power of a god'.
A glimmer of light ignited in her long-somber eyes, as if she had seen a definite ray of dawn in an endless darkness. Suppressing her inner excitement, she asked, 'I don't think I've asked yet what your purpose is in Mondstadt.'
'An item of crucial importance to us has fallen into Decarabian's hands,' Coppelia confessed. 'We cannot obtain it through peaceful means.'
'It seems, then, that overthrowing Decarabian's tyranny is our common goal.'
'In that case, shall we... help each other?' Coppelia extended a formal invitation.
Gunnhildr took a deep breath of the cold air to calm herself. 'Can we discuss the detailed plan tomorrow? I still have some work I must finish, and after that... I have to take care of my father... Oh, although I handle most of the affairs, my father is still the nominal leader. He is gravely ill right now, which is why I didn't take you to see him.'
Coppelia looked at the unconcealable exhaustion in her brow and softened her tone. 'Please give him our regards.'
Gunnhildr nodded slightly, a bitter smile on her face. 'When I was little, I saw my father rally everyone with a single call, and I thought it was incredibly impressive. Only after standing in this position myself did I understand...' She shook her head, not continuing. 'Never mind, I shouldn't bother you both with these trivial matters. I'll take my leave now.'
She turned, and her figure quickly blended into the shadows and scattered lights of the settlement, once again becoming a solitary leader.
___
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