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Chapter 331 – As Expected
🕑 Added 2025-09-20 16:13:39 +0000 UTC“The Windblume is the symbol of the Windblume Festival. It represents freedom and the spirit of the wind.”
Jean spoke with a gentle smile, her golden hair tied back in a ponytail, its natural curls catching the light.
The firm and resolute air about her gave her less softness, more valor.
“But precisely because of freedom, everyone has a different idea of what the ‘Windblume’ truly is. Honorary Knight, you should choose according to your own will. Still, I hope you take it seriously—your choice represents all the people of Mondstadt.”
She continued, “Before the Windblume ceremony begins, you’ll have enough time to consider which flower to choose as the Windblume, the flower you’ll offer to Lord Barbatos.”
Jean’s eyes softened, though she couldn’t help but glance at the Traveler, whose expression had turned oddly conflicted.
From the corner of her eye, however, her gaze lingered on the green-clad bard nearby.
This year’s Windblume Festival might be the most unusual one yet—after all, it was a festival where the Anemo Archon himself was participating.
“Ahem… Captain Jean, actually…” Lumine smiled sweetly as she nudged Venti forward. “I think Venti is far more suitable than me for the title of Windblume Star. Surely the Anemo Archon would love whatever flower he offers!”
Jean’s expression grew faintly awkward as she looked at the carefree, easygoing—well, more like lazy and mischievous—Archon standing before her.
She had, after all, just witnessed him in front of his own statue… not exactly ‘reverent worship,’ more like ‘partying with his people.’
‘Sigh… well, he is still our Archon. Surely Lord Barbatos has his own reasons for acting this way.’
“Traveler, don’t joke around,” Venti waved his hand dismissively, showing no sign of embarrassment at all. “The Windblume Star is meant to honor someone who has made great contributions to Mondstadt. I haven’t done anything worthy of that.”
Lumine opened her mouth, ready to argue—'But you’re Mondstadt’s Archon, of course you’ve made contributions!’—only to freeze mid-thought.
Wait. Was he wrong?
Ever since Venti had woken up, he’d done nothing but slack off.
He really hadn’t lifted a finger for Mondstadt!
After a brief pause, Lumine sighed and nodded.
‘Fair enough.’
After all, she hadn’t even earned the title of ‘Labor Model’ in Liyue despite all her work there.
The Windblume Star was, without question, one of Mondstadt’s highest honors.
“Fine, fine. So, what flower should I choose…?” Lumine leaned on her elbow, shooting Venti a dead-fish-eyed glare. “What kind of flowers do you even like?”
“Hmm?” Kaeya frowned slightly, sensing something strange in the exchange.
Jean cleared her throat. “Ahem.”
Her subtle look was enough to make Lumine freeze, her once-relaxed posture turning rigid.
“…I knew it.”
Nagami sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead, looking as though he had predicted this outcome all along.
“If it’s just about choosing the flower Venti likes most, then it shouldn’t be that hard.”
Everyone turned to look at Nagami, even Jean and Kaeya.
Lumine’s eyes lit up, nodding in realization.
“Among the flowers that could be the Windblume, the wine brewed from Windwheel Asters is the tastiest. I’d say… that’s probably Venti’s favorite, don’t you think?”
Venti stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Honestly, he didn’t care which flower was chosen.
What mattered to him was that people were free to choose their own Windblume.
“Well, that’s true. Wine made from Small Lamp Grass or Cecilia flowers really doesn’t compare to Windwheel Asters.” He nodded in agreement.
But inwardly, he couldn’t help but examine Nagami more closely.
This black-haired boy was obviously close with the Traveler, close enough to know his true identity—yet his words carried no hint of reverence at all.
It wasn’t that Venti expected respect—he never had—but on Teyvat, the image of Archons as exalted beings ran deep.
Even the few who rejected the Archons didn’t act so casually, throwing an arm around his shoulder like an old drinking buddy.
‘Could he be… like the Traveler? A being from beyond this world?’
Venti looked him over with interest, only to meet a faintly amused, knowing smile.
His eye twitched.
Following Nagami’s gaze, he saw Jean massaging her temple, her violet-gray eyes filled with silent exasperation.
‘Oh Archons, what are you even saying?’
Kaeya’s face twisted into a peculiar look, his gaze at Venti half teasing, half knowing.
“Ehe Ehe” Venti tilted his head, winking as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Ehe my foot!” Paimon crossed her arms, glaring down at him as she floated above.
…
When the Windblume ceremony finally began, Lumine didn’t choose the Windwheel Aster after all. Instead, she offered the pure and romantic Cecilia flower.
As for why?
Well… perhaps because earlier that day, while strolling through the festival, Nagami had given her a bouquet of Cecilias.
The afternoon passed quickly in Mondstadt’s festive cheer, and soon night fell.
For dinner, they naturally tried local specialties: Fisherman’s Toast, Sweet Madame, Teyvat Fried Egg—dishes everyone in Mondstadt knew well.
Of them all, what stood out most to Nagami was the fried egg.
‘After all, in game that thing could literally revive you.’
Naturally, as the host, Lumine had insisted on treating.
And, just as naturally, Nagami ended up paying.
“C’mon, what’s there to fuss over? My money is your money, your money is my money!” Lumine had declared.
By any reasonable logic, she wasn’t wrong.
And for the Herrscher of Reason, money meant little anyway.
Anything born from the Core of Reason wouldn’t vanish, and Mora was no exception.
Though Mora was infused with the Geo Archon’s power, which took Nagami some effort to analyze without the Alpha Stigmata eyes, what he created was even sturdier than ordinary Mora.
It worked just fine.
Once Paimon realized Nagami was the wealthy patron behind Lumine, her enthusiasm doubled—no, tripled!
After all, their comfortable life of good food and lodging was thanks to him.
Sure, the whole thing looked suspiciously like he was sponsoring Lumine, but hey—what mattered was the food!
Dinner ended on a cheerful note.
The only one left puzzled was Lumine.
Even sitting right beside C.C., there were moments when she couldn’t sense the green-haired girl’s thoughts at all.
When she glanced at her in confusion, all she saw was a radiant smile blooming like a flower.
After a quiet pause, Lumine smiled back, just as brilliantly.
