The children were currently gathered by Cider Lake,

Either by Mondstadt City pier or by one of the "fun place" islands...

...

But how come he didn't know their exact location...?

...

Well, the answer to that was quite simple:

After closing his connection to the Winds and in order to fully uphold their punishment, excluding any possible loopholes,

He decided that instead of having Barbara or Jean ask the little menaces, he would just ask the people around where the children went...

*And as for this moment, even if unusual, he didn't mind this small change from the norm,

On the contrary, it was quite nice to stop at times and speak to his people...

...

He was truly happy to talk to them all,

And they were clearly happy to see him too...

*Such adorable children they all still were~

...

...

Though not everyone was actually happy, as he soon noticed,

Seeing Eula and Amber silently standing by one of Mondstadt's walls, clearly told him that...

*Not that he could blame them for feeling this way,

As Collei's situation was still quite bad...

...

"Barbatos! About that second plan of yours, Spindrift Knight Eula already decided to do something similar!

So, how about it, want to cooperate with Spindrift Knight Eula in order to give Needs-Lots-Of-Love Collei the best welcome ever?~"

Yes, the Winds' words at that time and their explanation:

How Eula planned to give Collei Honorary Mondstadt citizenship and adopt her into the family.

*A plan which was similar to his own, one that he still wanted to discuss with her...

...

This was the best time to do so, wasn't it...?

*And hopefully, it would help in lifting the two's spirits...

...

-Amber, Eula, long time no see! Have you been standing here long...? -He made sure to happily say upon approaching them, with the two looking taken aback for a few seconds, before they faked being okay in their own way. Eula showed a calm expression, while Amber showed a forced smile. -Before you say anything, I have heard about your plan to adopt Collei into your family. I actually thought about something similar, want to discuss how we are going to do it...?~

He added, soon stopping himself from letting out a loud chuckle,

As both Eula and Amber now had the most interesting expressions:

With Eula looking taken aback and Amber constantly looking between him and her friend in confusion...

...

-E-Eula, you already planned all that...? -The shocked Outrider was the first to say, clearly very touched. -Not only did you stay with me while I was looking after Collei, helped me relax when we left Lisa to talk to Collei, reassuring me that everything is going to be alright...Y-you also...

-It's the least I could do, Amber. -The Spindrift Knight admitted, looking and sounding a little guilt stricken. -...I was taking care of my clan's "demise" aftermath and didn't go with you to Sumeru in order to find and help Collei. I also didn't help you when you tried to bring Collei back to her senses, busy trying to stop those shadowy blobs from reaching the citizens. -She soon deeply sighed. -...Those were the reasons why I didn't help you before, but it doesn't change the fact I didn't help you. What I am doing now is not even close to what…

-You are already doing more than enough, Eula. -Amber interrupted her, looking and sounding grateful. -What happened to Collei and her current…Condition, if not for your support, I would have surely broken down again. -...The same way she did when Collei tried to…No, Collei was better now and with Lisa currently with her…Surely, she wouldn't try THAT again. -Eula, thank you for staying with and supporting me, I really appreciate it! -She happily said, moments later enveloping the other into a tight hug, which lasted for two minutes or so. -...Venti, your earlier suggestion. Can you tell me more about it…?

She added while shifting her gaze towards the Archon,

Her expression soon turning both serious and determined…


"MORAX, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!",

A mighty roar echoed as soon as he was about to leave for Liyue Harbor,

One belonging to the Anemo elemental dragon, Erstwhile King of the Skies,

As Dvalin soon appeared before him, accompanied by a gust of wind...

...

Zhongli was not sure what led Dvalin to challenge him,

Confused about the seemingly unexpected provocation...

*The dragon opposing him looked miffed, yet the Archon had no idea why...

...

Yet, he knew well that a dragon's challenge was a serious matter,

A matter of great pride and conviction that had to be put to the test...

*And so, he had no other choice but to agree to the other's challenge,

Soon turning into his Archon form and asking for the conditions of their duel...

...

There weren't many, as he was soon told:

1. The duel shall take place within the borders of Dragonsipe, in a spot devoid of life.

2. Durin, the current Dragon of the East, shall be the referee, ensuring their duel is fair.

3. As it was a duel between dragons, only true dragon power was allowed to be used.

...

There were truly very few conditions for their duel,

Only three, which felt quite scarce indeed...

...

This and the fact they were not unreasonable in any way or form,

Made him agree to them all right away...

...

...

Now the two of them were at a stalemate,

With Dvalin continuously attacking him, his strikes full of force,

As he himself was either evading or blocking them with his own power...

*Unable to use his Geo shield due to the third point of the duel's conditions...

...

...

Honestly speaking, even now, Morax wondered what the true reason for this duel was,

And yet, until the other dragon tells him, he would have to comply...

...

...

...

Interestingly enough,

This situation made him think of Barbatos...

*Surely, his old friend didn't have anything to do with this situation...?

...

...

Ever since the end of Lantern Rite,

Dvalin seemed to outright dislike him...

*Just what could he have done to...?

...

...

"I am glad to hear that, Morax~

Now then, I would like you to turn into you Exuvia form, if you don't mind~"

...

Oh right, that time Barbatos made him act as a "Dragon Carousel",

As a part of his punishment for his actions during the double attack of the corrupted Osial and Beisht on Liyue Harbor...

...

If this is what the reason was,

Then the current situation is indeed quite problematic...

*Especially as Barbatos rode him during that time...

...

...

Now then,

How to best address this matter to the clearly enraged dragon...?


-Sister Rosaria, Sister Rosaria! Can you show that trick with the spear again?

-Yeah, the one when it goes all wrooom and whoosh!

-No! The one when the spear goes all around in a circle!

-I want to see Sister Rosaria kick the spear, catching it midair again! It was awesome!

-The "Spear dance" was also nice! Sister Rosaria looked so pretty!

The children were enthusiastically talking between themselves,

Trying to decide what trick to ask Rosaria to do with her spear next...

*The whole discussion was taking quite a while, which the nun found she didn't mind...

...

In truth, she didn't mind it at all...

*The children were just too cute to be annoyed at,

As they reminded her of a bunch of bunnies jumping around...

...

...

And to think that this whole situation started when she decided to take a break,

When the children suddenly came up to her, asking to spend time with them until Venti arrived...

...

"The unselfish warmth and goodwill of the people is, to her, a kindness that she must repay, and so it is an indenture that follows her forever.",

This was what she decided even before finding out he was Lord Barbatos,

So she didn't mind indulging them until the Archon arrived...

*And after deciding to show them some maneuvering with her spear,

She soon found out that their enthusiastic reactions were truly quite intriguing...

...

...

She had to agree with Venti that those children were indeed very "adorable" and...~

-Well, I didn't expect to stumble on such an interesting scene...Which is quite unusual, but also quite nice~ -Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice nearby, one she recognized even before turning around and seeing Venti looking towards her in intrigue. -I see that all of you were having fun, eh...?~

He soon added in clear amusement, upon looking between her and the children,

Who also noticed him and his "entourage" and were already happily bouncing towards him...

*They were mostly running than jumping, but Rosaria couldn't get the image of them being bunnies out of her mind...

...

-Venti! You are finally here! Did you finish doing grown-up stuff?

-We did have a lot of fun, Father! Sister Rosaria was showing us some cool moves!

-Yeah, she was doing all kinds of tricks with her spear! How does she do it...?!

-I also want to do those crazy tricks! Then I can protect Mommy and Daddy and Papa and...!

Nora soon went on a long list of people she wanted to protect, with the other children joining her before long,

The whole thing taking quite a while, yet it didn't look like Venti minded at all and was even showing a small warm smile...

...

Just like she didn't mind it, Rosaria soon noticed...

*Did she also unknowingly smiled back then...?

Surely, someone like her couldn't show a genuine smile like tha...

-You did show a similar smile, Rosaria. -Her thoughts were interrupted once again, this time by Eula, who was walking towards her with Barbara and Jean. -...When we just arrived here, I could clearly see the warm smile on your face as you were watching the children.

-Sister Rosaria, I am so glad to see you having fun with the children! -Barbara soon added, looking quite happy.

-It's good to see you open up more, Sister Rosaria. -Jean agreed with her sister, as she gave the "battle nun" a small nod.

...

-OH, VENTI IS FINALLY HERE! -A happy voice was soon heard from some distance away, coming from an enthusiastic looking Klee, who was riding on Kosekimaru towards the pier. -THERE'S ALSO MISS ROSARIA, MASTER JEAN, AUNTIE BARBARA, AUNTIE EULA AND AMBER! ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A BIG PARTY?!

...

-Oh, hello Klee! It's nice to see you, Kosekimaru! -Venti soon said, as the two got near, before the boat stopped at the nearby shore. -You two have been enjoying yourselves too, I take it...?~

-Yes, Mister friendly boat took me on a fun ride! -Klee answered right away, as she happily jumped down on the ground. -We did circles around the city and it was so much fun! We were very very fast!

"It's as she said, Anemo Archon, sir! We were having a lot of fun.", Kosekimaru soon told the Archon, as his window panels lightened up, before they slightly dimmed for a few seconds, "...I have to admit that I am glad I could be of use here. Even since the Traveler arrived in the Nation of Sumeru, they barely even summoned me and I started feeling very lonely..."

The boat gratefully, yet slightly sadly added,

Before the the window panels dimmed completely,

Indicating that Kosekimaru might be pondering on the matter now...

*Or at least that's how Venti imagined it, after hearing what the boat said and how...

...

Though he could also understand why the Traveler couldn't summon him,

Seeing as most of Sumeru was a desert...

...

...

Klee wasn't wrong when she said this was a big party,

With so many people(and a boat) gathered in one location...

...

Which reminded him...

"Instead of feeling surprised and embarrassed about this "turn of events",

Shouldn't he help teach the children all he knows about instrument playing and singing...?

*If he became their teacher, yes, they could even be able to make a whole children's choir..."

...

Right, that was the plan...

*He should teach them and then...

...

It would be great, right...?

*As long as it's their wish...

...

...

-Everyone, I have a suggestion about what we could do right now~ -Venti soon said, looking and sounding intrigued, as he drew everyone's attention to himself. -It's quite simple really, hearing some very "interesting" news, I decided to teach Mondstadt's adorable children all I know about singing and instrument playing~ -He added while looking between the children, whose expressions rapidly shifted to enthusiastic, once more. -Now then, it appears that the children are all for it. Anyone from the "grown-ups" wants to join in, as well...?~

He soon added, looking between Amber, Eula, Jean, Rosaria and Barbara,

Already taking notes on what each one could possibly teach the children...

*From the obvious ones, like Barbara with singing and Eula with dancing,

And to the harder ones, like Jean, Amber and Rosaria...

...

-I would be glad to join you, Venti! Just let me find a good spot and I will gladly teach them how to sing! -The Deaconess was the first to reply, already looking determined and ready "for battle", before her expression suddenly turned a little amused. -This reminds me of all the times we worked together before, with the last one being that time in Liyue, when we joined Miss Xinyan and Miss Yun Jin during the last Lantern Rite. With the crisis that happened recently, it feels like an old, but good memory.

She soon admitted in a quitter and gentler voice,

Remembering once again how much fun they had at that time...

*And before that they also "worked together" a few times, right...?

...

Though not as many as she wished they would have, which was such a shame...

*If not for all the crises constantly happening in her home and the other nations they visited...

...

-I don't mind teaching everyone how to dance. -Eula admitted next, looking and sounding both serious and thoughtful, before she turned her gaze towards Amber. -Some of the dances I know are Partner Dances, so I will need a helper. Do you want to be my "follower", Amber...?

She soon asked the other, still seemingly thoughtful,

Though there was still a tint of eagerness in her voice...

*Or there wasn't and she was simply imagining it...?

Honestly, Amber wasn't sure...

...

Still, considering everything that was going on at the moment...

*Especially with Collei's current condition and...

"Amber, dear, can you and Eula let me talk with Collei? Preferably alone, if you don't mind.

There is no need to worry, I wouldn't take too much of your friend's time. There's just something I wish to discuss with her, is all."

...

...

Collei was with Lisa now,

So she should be fine, right...?

...

...

Maybe dancing with Eula will help her...

*She was on edge ever since Collei...

...

-Yeah, let's do this, Eula! -She soon said, trying to cheer herself up and somewhat failing, as she was still thinking about Collei. But her friend should be alright, for now, right...? She really needed to distract herself from dark thoughts...-...Sorry Eula, I just keep thinking about...Well, you know...-She decided to explain to her now clearly concerned friend. One who was already helping her more than enough. And who always danced so beautifully...-...But I will be glad to dance with you, if you still want me as your partner. I always found your dancing to be very delicate and beautiful~

She admitted in a happier, more truthful voice,

Unintentionally making the other blush...