Chapter 45: Venti's Political Vision
Mondstadt's situation was unique. Aiden had initially thought that implementing reforms in Mondstadt would be even harder than in Liyue.
After all, Mondstadt had a history of being complacent.
However, after the downfall of the Lawrence Clan, some reforms had already been set in motion.
Both the Church of Favonius and the Knights of Favonius were actively working to prevent another oppressive regime like the Lawrence family from rising again.
With the current state of affairs, Jean had considerable authority. As long as she didn't attempt drastic changes, there weren't many obstacles in her way. Grand Master Varka had taken most of the Knights on his expedition, essentially leaving Mondstadt under Jean's control. It was almost as if Varka had chosen to step back and let her lead.
A Hidden Conspiracy?
If one were to take a conspiratorial view of things, could it be that Eroch had deliberately driven Diluc out of the Knights to ensure that Jean would take over?
After all, Diluc had been the youngest Cavalry Captain in Mondstadt's history. Had he remained in the order, things might have turned out very differently.
But at this point, the biggest issue wasn't external opposition—it was Jean herself.
She was undoubtedly a strong and capable leader, but she lacked the mindset of a ruler. She had the determination of a knight but not the ambition of a sovereign.
Jean was an ideal second-in-command, but she was still too indecisive to act as Mondstadt's true leader.
Would she grow from the trials ahead?
Aiden turned his gaze toward Jean and Venti, who were outside the city.
As for Barbara—her gift was healing, and nothing healed the soul more than music.
Aiden had started teaching her songs from his own world, hoping they could bring comfort to Mondstadt's weary citizens.
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A Meeting with the Windborne Bard
That evening, as Aiden prepared to sleep, a gentle breeze drifted through the room. Moments later, Venti materialized on the sofa across from him, a bottle of wine in hand.
"My friend!" Venti grinned. "Tonight, I come bearing gifts! Would you like to taste some wine I buried before I fell asleep?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. Wine that had been aging for centuries?
If this were his past life, he might've worried about whether it had spoiled. But if it was a vintage brought out by Venti himself, then it was definitely worth trying.
He fetched a couple of glasses from the kitchen and set them down between them.
Taking his seat, Aiden asked, "So? How do you feel about everything?"
Venti poured a generous amount into both glasses and took a sip before answering, "Jean is smart—she's already figured out who I am. But since I don't want my identity revealed, we've reached a mutual understanding to keep things unspoken."
Aiden took a sip as well. The taste was surprisingly smooth, far better than anything he had ever tried in his previous life. It truly lived up to Mondstadt's reputation as the City of Freedom—and of wine.
"If Jean knows who you are," Aiden mused, "do you really think she's the right person to lead Mondstadt into the future?"
Venti tilted his head. "Why? Do you have doubts?"
The Anemo Archon had long been optimistic about Jean. He had known about her since she was a child, watched her grow into a formidable knight, and saw in her the same spirit that once burned in Vennessa.
With Jean at the helm, Mondstadt would be in good hands for the next few decades.
"Jean is an excellent knight," Aiden admitted. "But you've seen Mondstadt's flaws yourself.
The noble families are deeply intertwined with the Fatui, turning the city into a breeding ground for foreign influence."
At this, Venti's smile faded. His expression grew serious—something rare for the usually carefree bard.
Yes, he had been asleep for much of Teyvat's history, but whenever something truly dire happened, he would wake.
As for the idea of going to war with the Cryo Archon? That was ridiculous. Did people really think Barbatos was powerless?
The truth was, he and the Tsaritsa still maintained a complicated but amicable relationship. He understood her plans better than most.
However, the arrogance of certain Fatui agents and the sheer number of Mondstadt traitors within their ranks—that was unacceptable.
A Radical Proposal
"If this were an era of peace," Aiden continued, "Jean would be the perfect leader. But if Mondstadt truly needs reforms, I believe Diluc should lead the Knights of Favonius, with Jean serving as his second-in-command to support him."
Aiden studied Venti's reaction carefully.
This was the conclusion he had reached after observing Mondstadt firsthand.
Of course, it wasn't that he had anything against Jean—after all, she was still his… well, "wife" in a sense.
And just like in business, Aiden was always looking for the right investments.
Venti, however, shook his head with a small chuckle.
"Diluc, huh?" He swirled the wine in his glass thoughtfully. "I won't deny that he's a good man. If Mondstadt were on the brink of destruction, he'd be the first to rise up and turn the tide.
But Mondstadt doesn't need a warrior right now—it needs a symbol.
Jean is that symbol. The people trust her, they look up to her. Even though Diluc is immensely talented—perhaps even more so than Jean in some ways—he has never been one with the people.
If he were to become Grand Master, his reforms would be far more radical than Jean's, and his methods could easily complicate situations that Jean could handle with finesse."
Aiden listened quietly.
After a pause, Venti added, "That said, I actually have another role in mind for Diluc."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Could it be that Venti simply wanted Diluc to remain Mondstadt's best wine supplier? Or maybe a merchant with enough power to rival nobles?
Venti shook his head and revealed his idea.
"There is a division within the Church of Favonius—one that specializes in rooting out traitors and maintaining Mondstadt's security from the shadows.
What do you think about making Diluc the leader of that organization?"
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly. That… actually made sense.
Venti sighed, "The only problem is Diluc's ties to certain individuals from Snezhnaya.
I don't believe he would ever betray Mondstadt, but that doesn't mean others won't try to use it against him.
And as much as I'd like to push him into the position, I can't just appear and appoint him myself, can I?"
Aiden fell silent for a moment.
This was the fundamental difference between Venti and Zhongli.
If Zhongli thought a decision was necessary, he would meticulously plan and execute it himself.
Venti, on the other hand, preferred to nudge people in the right direction, letting them grow into their roles on their own.
He had done the same with Vennessa. Now, he was doing it with Jean.
And what about the leaders of other nations?
The Raiden Shogun had once withdrawn into isolation, allowing Inazuma to fall into hardship under her rule.
Nahida had been imprisoned within the Sanctuary of Surasthana, unable to protect Sumeru.
The only one who seemed to be thriving was Focalors, thanks to the perfect balance she shared with Neuvillette.
Each nation had its own struggles. But here in Mondstadt, perhaps it wasn't a question of who should lead, but of whether its people were ready for change.
Aiden took another sip of his wine.
It seemed Mondstadt's future was still uncertain.
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