Corrupted Love| XIAOVEN

Chapter 3: Venti, the bard (1/3)

The three had meanwhile settled in Mondstadt city after finding accommodation. A Yaksha, one of the archons, and a half-quilting Adeptus. 

Apart from Barbatos, these three were the most powerful beings in Mondstadt walking peacefully side by side through the gates of this very city. 

Like three monsters who did not need to show off their strength and just walked peacefully and elegantly between mere bugs. 

Only a wise man with an above-average eye for the supernatural would even recognize these three as much more outlandish than ordinary wanderers. For all their power, however, the group had only come to help, and Ganyu was happy to visit a new city.

 Her violet eyes shone in the sunlight and her bluish hair danced gently in the wind. Since her horns would have been too conspicuous for this area, she wore a large red sun hat. 

There were no illuminated beasts in Mondstadt, and even if there had been, the slightest resemblance would have attracted attention, and Rex Lapis had ordered her and Xiao to remain as unseen as possible. 

Nevertheless, Mondstadt townsmen were always interested in new visitors and especially young ladies like Ganyu. She was not interested in that but single-mindedly pursued her mission.

 Zhongli had decided to split up in search of Lord Barbatos. He had ordered that the taverns were to be searched first because in his opinion there was the highest probability of finding the Archon. 

She and Zhongli had therefore gone to the two most famous taverns in Mondstadt, while Xiao preferred to search the city alone in the meantime. 

They had already searched the Cats Tail tavern and were currently in a more secluded one called Angel's share. 

It was just about noon and the tavern was accordingly sparsely attended. An elderly musician was playing a large wooden lute. Behind the massive counter stood a man who seemed to be in his forties. 

He had a short brown beard with a mustache and a wrinkled but friendly face. Charles smiled happily at the new visitors, which was part of his business as a bartender. 

He eyed the two figures, whom he had never seen here before, with interest. From their clothes, they were probably not from Mondstadt. 

"Welcome, may I offer you something?" A voice behind them suddenly asked. 

Ganyu turned around in surprise. Behind her, a young man had entered the door.

 He had long shiny red hair tied in a braid. Beautiful red-brown eyes eyed the two strange travelers. 

He wore black pants with a white shirt. Around his shoulders swung an elegant black cloak that ended in dark fur. Upon entering, his cloak hem had been blown backward by a slight gust and Gaynu's excellent eyes had quickly detected a pyro vision. 

He appeared much older than would probably be appropriate for his age. Though not outwardly, as he was a handsome young man, his eyes hid long-past grief and anger. 

"I didn't mean to frighten you, young lady." He said apologetically, but Ganyu only shook her head in confusion. 

The red-haired gentleman pulled on his red and black gloves and then leaned against the bar counter, throwing his black cloak over it. 

The golden light from the spare lamps made his deep red hair shine. Charles smiled amiably.

 "This here is Master Diluc, the owner of this tavern and the local wine industry." 

The young man looked sombrely out the window and said nothing at first. Zhongli eyed the red-haired man with interest and an impressed smile played around his lips.