Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking [32]
Long ago, Barbatos had cleaved mountains, calmed the northern winds, and transformed Mondstadt from a frozen wasteland to a land of rich harvests, where wine and honey flowed.
Through this feat, it was evident that the authority vested in Venti, as an Archon, carried the power to make lands "prosper."
While he couldn't quite play the great Flowing Wind Symphony over millennia, in a small area like the Robot Settlement, with a bit of his past world's meteorological knowledge, it wasn't a difficult task for him.
The only constraint lay in maintaining this Flowing Wind Symphony—it constantly drained his power.
For now, with such a limited area, the energy cost was negligible, but if the effect were extended to cover the whole district—or worse, an entire planet—the power drain would be unsustainable.
Barbatos's slumber in the past hadn't been only because of catastrophic battles and wars for survival.
Had those been all, he could have endured, much as another aging "Archon next door" might have survived even with all the stress they took on. But Barbatos's true drain lay in maintaining the Flowing Wind Symphony that had blessed Mondstadt for thousands of years.
Without it, Mondstadt's terrain—much like Jarilo-VI now—would barely support crops, let alone allow for surplus to brew wine.
In short, if Venti wanted to fully assist without risking slumber and losing his freedom, he had no choice but to pursue the Stellaron.
Only by claiming it could he determine the extent of his capabilities, freeing him from reservations and allowing him to continue his travels.
As for why he hadn't extended the Flowing Wind Symphony across the entire underground, the answer was simple: the severe lack of sunlight here made it an unsuitable place for growing food.
Past mining had left lingering radiation, and the soil's high acidity could poison any crops.
Eating food grown in such conditions—even in small amounts—would be dangerous. Growing crops in unfit soil only to have them turn inedible would be worse.
Therefore, Venti had shown only a fraction of his power, merely enough to convince Svarog of his potential to bring about change, without overreaching.
Outwardly, they declared that they'd uncovered some ancient technology, and were now testing it in small fields.
With this "miracle," the Robot Settlement had transformed from the oppressive, heavy atmosphere Venti first saw into something entirely new.
People moved about with purpose, their faith evident in the reverence they showed toward the green shoots of life.
Paired with the automated grizzly-shaped robots with small flowers sprouting from their heads, Bronya felt a peace similar to the tranquility after a battle's end.
In the upper district, green like this could only be found in massive, heavily guarded greenhouses with restricted access.
Thanks to legacy technology, they didn't have to worry about food scarcity—for now, at least.
But every piece of equipment needed Geothermal Essence, as did almost everything in Belobog that required power.
If the mines ever ran dry, the cold alone would claim many lives long before the creatures of the rift descended.
In that scenario, Bronya doubted she herself could hold out, or that the city would maintain the will to fight in the darkness of a power-starved, freezing Belobog.
Thus, after learning all this was thanks to Venti, Bronya began to think carefully about what she might exchange for such technology.
A person who could bring hope and change in a crisis deserved any pledge or reward.
Perhaps that was why she moved closer to Venti, catching the faint scent of some unknown white wildflower on his head.
Venti, noticing her warm breath close by, turned to her with a mischievous, playful smile.
In a low voice, he asked, "You must be curious, huh? Why does Little Clara call me 'Sister Venti'?"
Though momentarily thrown off track, it was true...
As Bronya pondered, Venti didn't hesitate to give her the answer.
"She's always longed for family. I'd often perform here, and with my… let's say, slightly deceptive appearance, she assumed I was a girl.
"By the time I thought of correcting her, I realized how shy she is. Explaining might embarrass her, so I just let her keep the idea."
He blinked, lowering his voice.
"Think of it as preserving a child's innocent dream. You'll keep the secret, right? You will, won't you?"
"Of course I will—"
This unexpected kindness, yet so natural, brought a small smile to Bronya's face.
"Heh~!"
Almost competing to see whose smile could be brighter, Venti flashed his own signature, sunny grin.
"Um—Sister Venti, and this… um, unfamiliar sister, you two seem close. Are you family, too?"
Clara, who'd been walking ahead, turned back to watch them, curiosity bright in her eyes.
Though Bronya knew Clara meant "family" in a broad sense, she still felt slightly flustered.
She wanted to deny it, yet hesitated, wondering if outright rejection might seem ungrateful given everything Venti had done for her.
It wouldn't do to appear heartless and ungrateful now, would it?
While Bronya wrestled with her own thoughts, Venti chuckled and replied, "For me, friends are like family! And of course, Little Clara here deserves a special place."
This all-encompassing answer delighted Clara, who giggled in response.
"Hehe! I'm so happy! I think Sister Venti is the best family ever!"
Watching them chat happily, Bronya tucked away her embarrassment, resolving not to dwell on the question.
When they reached the heart of the Settlement, she was surprised to see the one they called "Mr. Svarog."
Since her arrival in the underground, she'd encountered so much she never expected—no amount of mental preparation felt enough.
"I'm back, Mr. Svarog! And Sister Venti's back too!"
Upon seeing him, Clara, who'd been chatting with Venti, lit up and ran to him like a child rushing to her father.
Her pure trust and warmth softened Bronya's gaze as she watched.
From Venti's brief explanation, she understood that Clara's past wasn't kind to her, a familiar story shared by so many children in the underground.
"I see many of the Settlement's automatons are operational again. Thank you, Clara."
Svarog nodded in gratitude, his single crimson eye flicking briefly over Venti and Bronya, a faint stream of data flowing through.
"You've fulfilled your promise, Poet."
"But of course! I am Venti! And I wouldn't mind a few more words of praise!"
Venti struck a triumphant pose, hands on hips.
Svarog, however, paid him no mind, his gaze shifting to Bronya.
"Greetings. From the upper district, Supreme Guardian's successor, Miss Bronya Rand."
"—!"
Bronya's guard instinctively went up, but she remembered Venti was beside her and wouldn't deceive her. Slowly, she relaxed.
"How did you know my identity, Mr. Svarog?"
She cautiously inquired; the outer automatons hadn't identified her, so how had he?
"I can connect to the upper district's automaton network. Knowing your background is no surprise. Did the Poet not mention this?"
Svarog's composed voice revealed nothing, while Venti, no longer boasting, looked slightly sheepish.
"Mention it?"
Bronya looked at Venti, confused. She had thought he brought her down here simply to show her the underground, but did he have other plans?
Plans he hadn't shared...
A pang of disappointment struck her, the distance between them leaving her unexpectedly saddened.
Thankfully, Venti quickly reassured her. "I thought it better for you to see the underground firsthand and come here directly. It's much clearer than just hearing me explain!"
"There's some wisdom in what the Poet says."
Svarog paused, then nodded in agreement.
"So, having seen the underground for yourself, Miss Successor, are you willing to take up the role of Supreme Guardian, as we have envisioned?"
Ah! Mr. Svarog, why phrase it like that?!
As Venti worried over the misunderstanding, Bronya tensed once more.
Though her trust in Venti held her back from fleeing or fighting, she felt uneasy.
She didn't want to turn against Venti, yet she also feared becoming a mere pawn in someone else's plans.
"Venti, what exactly is this promise you and Mr. Svarog have? And what are your intentions with the Supreme Guardian position?"
Bronya's voice was urgent, her hand gripping Venti's as if to find some answer.
"If you can't explain, I refuse to become anyone's puppet!"