Chapter Text
Night had fallen, meaning the Knights of Favonius would stop complaining about the heat of the Sumeru desert and start complaining about the cold instead. It might have seemed like a gloomy atmosphere, but in reality, before you even noticed the grumbling, you could hear the sounds of toasts and laughter—they were finally heading home.
Yet, one sound was missing: the laughter that could make the very ground shake. The blond man behind that booming sound had already left the gathering, taking a large glass of wine with him.
Varka was alone in his tent now. He could finally shake the sand from his boots and unwind with the very thing that had kept him going throughout the expedition: reading letters from Mondstadt.
That morning, it seemed Barbatos had decided to surprise them because a powerful gust of wind had brought the cool air they desperately needed gathering, while also delivering all the letters sent their way.
There were no words to describe the happiness Varka felt whenever he received news of home. It made the pain of his recent scars feel worth it.
So, by the light of a single candle lantern that barely illuminated the letters and his wine, Varka sat down to read.
Dear Grand Master,
A smile played on Varka’s lips at Noelle’s formality. He could recognize her handwriting anywhere—it was so gentle.
I’ve really improved my speed. Do you remember when you mentioned I needed to be faster? Well, now I am.
It used to take me a full minute to knock down all the practice dummies, but now it only takes thirty seconds! Razor was the one who timed me.
"So, Razor’s learned to count to thirty..." Varka took a sip from his glass, letting out a soft chuckle.
Not only have I become faster, but I also have better elemental control. A traveler helped me!
Varka raised an eyebrow.
I think she was somewhere between his mid-twenties and early thirties. ; she didn't mention her name because she said she liked mysteries. I don't think Jean was too fond of that, but she let her stay—though I’m not entirely sure why. In any case, I’m glad she did; she possessed a Geo Vision, and when she saw me training, she stayed with me all afternoon. Having someone with the same type of Vision as me helped a great deal; my shields are much stronger now, and I can feel how I’m able to channel my elemental energy throughout my claymore.
I heard you’re back—I’ll show you just how much I’ve improved!
I look forward to your reply.
Noelle
Varka grabbed a slightly crumpled sheet of paper and began writing his reply.
Dear Noelle,
Don't tell me you're already finding a replacement for me—I'm not that old yet!
HAHAHAHA!
I'm only kidding, but you'd better be telling the truth, because when I get back, I'm going to put you to the test!
And don't forget to keep practicing your grip, alright?
If that girl is still around, give her my regards!
-Varka
P.S. There's no need to be so formal; you can just call me Varka, you know?
Varka looked at what he had written for a few seconds and decided to remove the postscript, tearing that part of the paper off. He had to admit, he quite enjoyed the title of Grandmaster.
Then, he opened another letter.
Dear Varka.
Judging by the dried ink droplets that had clumsily splattered onto the paper and the shaky handwriting, it was easy to tell who the letter was from.
Razor miss Varka.
Razor know how to count to 37 now.
Razor learn how to make...
The handwriting in the letter suddenly shifts to an extremely elegant style.
Chocolates.
Then, the letter reverts to the penmanship of someone just learning to write again.
Razor works hard and trains with Noelle.
Rosaria teach Razor how to write.
With affection, Razor.
Varka frowns as he reads, trying to decipher what looks like an undiscovered language, yet that doesn't wipe away his small smile.
Dear Razor,
It fills me with pride to see you stepping up, and makes me even prouder that you aren't doing it alone.
Your handwriting is becoming a little bit more legible each time.
Don't forget to keep doing the exercises I assigned you.
Rosaria, I know you're reading this—thank you for helping Razor write the letter. Your solidarity makes me proud too! You're like a big sister, haha! I'll raise a toast to your efforts!
Look out for each other, as always.
Varka
P.S. Who taught you how to make chocolates?
He had answered only two letters, yet he already felt completely relaxed. The tension in his back and shoulders had vanished, leaving behind nothing but a calm gleam in his eyes and a faint smile.
He took the opportunity to stretch a little, then randomly picked another letter from the stack awaiting a reply, but just by looking at the seal and feeling the thickness of the envelope, he could sense the looming mountain of paperwork.
For a split second, the gleam faded from his eyes, but knowing he had to answer it eventually, he decided to do it right then. He opened the envelope protecting the contents and began to read.
Dear Grand Master
At the mere thought of Jean’s voice, he felt a strange shiver and an urge to hide his drink.
The letter was a long list of events that had occurred since the Dandelion Knight’s last update. As he read, he jotted down a response to each point on a separate sheet of paper.
Upon reaching the eighth point, he realized this was why the envelope had seemed so stuffed. He decided to take advantage of the time it would take to finish reading—using the opportunity to finally enjoy his beloved alcohol.
- A traveler arrived. She aroused suspicion from the start because she managed to slip in overnight without the guards at the gate noticing. By the time she was discovered the next day, she was offering chocolates to children near the fountain. She introduced herself as a chocolatier selling her wares to fund her adventures.
She gave neither her name nor her place of origin. I didn't quite warm up to her, though I noticed she spent a great deal of time with the locals. The girl possessed a Geo Vision and stayed to teach Noelle everything she knew about the element. They spent the entire afternoon together, and I honestly saw a vast improvement in Noelle’s abilities.
She also taught Razor the chocolate-making process. They made a batch together, and he loved the taste so much that he gave some to one of the wolves. We had to call Barbara to heal it. I was told today that it has made a full recovery.
Varka set down his quill to pull his glass closer for another sip as he read on.
I thought she was a decent person and let her stay.
That was a mistake.
The moment Diluc saw her, he came to my office to tell me he knew who she was.
She is a con artist and thief, wanted in both Liyue and Fontaine.
Varka stopped dead in his tracks and raised his eyebrows. He pulled his drink away from his lips before taking a sip, leaving his mouth still slightly open.
After the prophecy concerning the nation of justice was averted, the girl stole a significant quantity of goods from various Fontaine merchants—supplies that were being prepared for transport to Yilong Port in northwestern Liyue. She managed to do this without anyone discovering her identity until just a few days ago. She was caught in the act but fled aboard one of the merchant ships. She made it to our neighboring nation, where she used her Geo powers to fill the port with massive rocks and crystals, blocking the passage of ships. Clearing them away will take months.
This is having a severe impact on Liyue, Fontaine, and their trade. Faced with the crisis, most of the Qixing acted rashly and bickered among themselves, concerned primarily with their own wealth. They dispatched their people to try and fix the port. Only Ningguang sent someone to warn us about the thief, though the news reached us quite late.
Diluc found out yesterday through some business associates.
We don't know what she did with the goods stolen from Fontaine, nor why she seems intent on halting trade between these two nations, but Yilong Port is a pillar of Teyvat's economy.
We tried to track her down, but she had already fled Mondstadt by the time I gave the order.
We are now viewed with suspicion by other nations for having harbored a thief. Matters have escalated to the point where some of Liyue's Qixing have suspended most of our treaties, including the exchange of our wine for their minerals.
I intend to regain Liyue's trust by sending our troops to assist in the port's reconstruction.
Obviously, that won't be enough, but it is the best we can do for now to keep the relationship stable.
There is something else—something I believe you can help with.
The blond man set his drink down on the flat surface and pressed his lips together again, finally fully grasping the gravity of the situation.
After we told them what we knew about her, many of Liyue's citizens reported seeing a woman with that same hair heading toward Sumeru.
Varka, I’m going to tell you everything we know about her appearance and tactics, and Imust ask that—if you find her—you help us bring her to justice.
I know you’ve just completed the expedition and are likely exhausted, but we need to clear Mondstadt’s name.
Varka was already reaching for his quill to write his reply, struck by the fact that, having just returned from a magical conflict, he would now have to face a political and economic one.
I’ll find her.
Don’t worry, Jean; this is in good hands.
Once he finished writing his reply, Varka ran his fingers over the fresh scars on his bare arm.
Some still ached, but he knew they were a mark that he was doing the right thing.
He had left Mondstadt, and his dream of fighting a dragon, behind, all to save people he didn't even know. He had faced the very real possibility of dying in battle.
And if he could go back in time, he would make the same choice all over again.
Now, life was throwing a new mission his way—a new opportunity to help more people—and Varka, as always, wouldn't hesitate to take it.
He would find the thief and put an end to this conflict.
Interrupting his thoughts on honor and glory, his mind began trying to connect the dots regarding the thief. He couldn't help but notice that, in reality, he knew nothing about her motives.
At that moment, he wished Lohen hadn't returned to Mondstadt; he would have been excellent at interrogating the thief once she was captured.
Then again, Varka could play the "bad cop" just as well.
He let out a long sigh and stretched, trying to work out the tension that had settled in his body a moment ago.
A political conflict... It reminded him of Crepus... And Eroch.
But dwelling on the past wasn't worth it; he had to focus on the present. He could no longer save either of his two best friends, but now there were others he needed to help.
He pulled out another random letter. This one hadn't come in an envelope; it was simply folded.
He unfolded it and began to read.
Hey Varka!
If you run into Little Red Riding Hood herself, help her out! She's a friend of mine :D
-Venti
“...Little Red Riding Hood?” Varka asked to the air.
———————————
The day before that, on the outskirts of Dragonspine, two people walked together through the snow, trying to stay warm beneath what looked like a red cloak.
One was a woman who appeared somewhat tired—having just scaled the walls of Mondstadt to make her escape—and beside her walked a boy wearing a hat and a pair of braids. They were accompanied by the beautiful hues of sunset and the biting cold of the mountain.
“Are you sure you aren't cold, Venti?” you asked, glancing at your companion.
“Don't worry, I'm fine... You're the one who looks like you're freezing,” he said, pointing out how the snow had settled completely into your eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair.
You were indeed shivering, you had never felt such cold in your life, but pride kept you from admitting it just yet.
“Look, the snowy path ends here; we're almost at the village I told you about.” the young bard said.
Once they had moved far enough away from the biting cold, Venti let you keep the cloak for yourself. You draped it over your shoulders so it could continue to keep you warm.
“Thanks for helping me escape... I really have no way to repay you,” you said while walking beside the boy dressed in green.
“No problem, mysterious traveler. It’s the least I could do after someone gave me the best liqueur-filled chocolates I’ve ever tasted!” Venti replied, giving the small box of chocolates he’d kept with him a light shake.
They were making their way around Mingyun Village along the coast, south of Dragonspine.
Seizing the moment, the bard took a chocolate from the box to eat as they walked and you tried to continue with the conversation. “Heh, thanks. I made them the other day. I’d never made chocolates like this before—since I never had the right liquor for them—but seeing as I was in Mondstadt and there was alcohol everywhere…”
“If that was your first time making them, then you’ve got real talent!”
“I know.” A small, confident smile played on your lips, accompanied by a soft chuckle. “My roommates used to say the same thing,” you said, crossing your arms.
A brief silence fell as Venti chewed on a chocolate. The only sound was the noise of your footsteps as you walked along.
When he finished eating, the bard stopped dead in his tracks. Confused, you followed suit, standing a few paces in front of him. He looked at you with a more serious expression, though he maintained his usual calm demeanor.
“I know I’ve said this already, but I think it’s worth repeating…” Venti wiped his hand across his lips to clear away any lingering traces of chocolate. “I can help you sort this out.”
Your gaze slowly drifted down to the ground, avoiding Venti’s eyes.
“I know you aren’t a bad person, much less a thief. No thief would go to such lengths selling chocolates and saving up money… But I can’t help you if I don’t understand the reasons behind your actions.” He walked slowly toward you, reaching out to place a hand on your shoulder in an attempt to put you at ease.
Instinctively, you stepped back to avoid his touch, though you didn't look like you were running away. You wore a serious expression that showed you knew exactly what you were doing; straightening your posture, you placed your hands on your hips. Your Geo vision began to glow, as if you were about to use your magic, but you simply stood your ground.
“... I’m sorry, but…” you finally replied, meeting his gaze again. “I can’t talk about it, at least not with someone I met just two days ago.”
Venti, whose hand had been left hanging in the air, lowered his arm and answered with a calm smile.
“I suppose everyone has their secrets.”
That awkward silence returned, yet you both kept walking.
Suddenly, your face lit up as you remembered something. You pulled five boxes of liqueur-filled chocolates from your bag.
“Oh! Do you have more?!” Venti exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with hope.
“They aren’t all for you… Let’s just say they’re an apology gift for the Knights of Favonius. I know that if the other nations find out I was here, a few chocolates won’t fix the situation, but… Better than nothing, right?” You handed all the chocolates over to your companion.
You started listing who each box was for: “That one’s for Jean, that one’s for Eula, that one’s for Kaeya, that one’s for the redhead who reported me to Jean…”
“His name is Diluc, and he isn’t part of the Knights of Favonius.”
“Still, he deserves an apology chocolate for the trouble.”
You reached the last one.
“And this one… Well, for Varka—why not?” When you said that name, Venti raised his eyebrows.
“Huh? But you didn’t even meet him.”
“No, but... Well, everyone speaks a lot of him. Noelle and Razor described him as a hero, and they told me he’s almost back from his expedition. Imagine coming home and seeing that everyone got chocolates except you.”
“Fair point. Besides, they’re liqueur-filled chocolates—that’s his favorite meal.”
“...Chocolates aren't a meal.” you remarked, raising an eyebrow confused.
“For Varka, they are.”
“Oh... Is he a drunkard like you, too?”
“Indeed.” he replied, flashing a proud grin.
You rolled your eyes, but a smile escaped you too. You found yourself thinking about how full of wonderful people Mondstadt was. It felt like the ideal home you’d dreamed of as a child. You remembered the joy of helping Noelle, the happy look on Razor’s face when he tasted chocolate for the first time, and how funny it was helping Klee run away from Jean.
You would have loved to stay, but you knew you wouldn't be welcome, at least not for now.
Besides, you still had something to do.
Suddenly, your mind betrayed you; the mere thought of your duty gave you a headache. It reminded you what it was to live in Fontaine’s darkest secret and the struggle just to survive.
You adjusted the red curtain still draped around your shoulders, making sure it covered you completely so not a single inch of skin was showing.
Venti noticed your shift in mood and decided to change the subject, hoping to cheer you up.
“...So... where did you get that curtain?” Upon hearing the voice—which didn't come from inside your own head, you snapped out of your thoughts.
You looked down to the curtain. “Oh, someone was throwing it in the trash. It looked good, so I cleaned it up and took it with me. I thought I could do something like in those fairy tales where princesses make beautiful dresses out of simple scraps of fabric; I even used my savings to buy a needle, thread, and a book on how to sew, but the truth is, the tutorial looked really complicated... So, I think I’ll try something simpler.”
“Hmmm... How about a cape?” the bard suggested, watching as you kept wrapping yourself in the curtain.
“...Yeah, I think so.”
You had both finished crossing the village, so Venti stopped again.
“Well, this is where we part ways; I have to go back to Mondstadt. Barbatos promised Jean he’d send all the letters for Varka and the expedition team, I don’t want to miss that!”
“They use their Archon as a messenger?” you asked.
“Ehe, I doubt he minds,” he said with an innocent look.
“Where are you headed next, Traveler?” Venti asked, placing his hands on his hips.
“Natlan.”
“Wow, that’s going to be a long journey... Oh, and you might run into Varka... If you do, give him my regards.”
That name again.
“Who knows, maybe you’ll end up friends... But hey, what are you going to Natlan for?” the bard asked.
“Uhh... Well, I’m running low on cocoa beans, so I’m going to Natlan to get more. I’ll make more chocolate to sell, and... by then, they’ll have finished clearing the rocks from Yilong Wharf, right?”
You stroked your chin. Gazing at the ground, you began to think about what you’d need to do once the port was fixed, letting out a thoughtful “hmmmm” as you did so. “I suppose I’ll have to destroy it all over again.” You voiced your conclusion, and Venti raised his eyebrows once more.
“...Hey, now I’m genuinely curious: why all the hatred towards the business dealings between Liyue and Fontaine?” he asked, and your only answer was a smile.
“You said it yourself: everyone has their secrets.”
Just one secret, you vowed to yourself.
With that, you tossed one last box of chocolates to Venti and turned away.
The bard caught the box and waved goodbye with a smile as you walked off.
“Goodbye, Little Red Riding Hood!”
“Bon voyage, Venti.”
As you walked away, you pulled out your map to check your location. Your plan was to pass through the mountainous regions of Liyue to avoid being spotted and reported.
Suddenly, your mind fully registered what Venti had just called you.
“...Little Red Riding Hood?” you asked the open sky.
__________
Venti walked back toward the city of Mondstadt, snacking on one of the chocolates you had given him.
He certainly enjoyed playing the fool; it helped him learn each person's version of events.
It was a shame you hadn't wanted to share your perspective on what he already knew.
In any case, he was glad to know you were already handling the situation in Fontaine; it meant the truth would soon come to light.