After a journey that wasn't too long, by the time Arkz arrived at Windrise, the sun was already setting, marking the twilight hour.
Under the fiery red sunset glow in the sky, the lush, overarching trees, the rugged mountains behind them, and the white clouds formed a beautiful panorama.
The beautiful scenery that he could only marvel at on his computer screen in the past, Arkz could now genuinely touch and breathe in; this feeling was like being in a dream.
Windrise, as Mondstadt's only vast plain, is the primary grain-producing area of the Mondstadt region, and also the legendary starting point where the Anemo Archon Barbatos reformed the terrain of Mondstadt.
In the legends, Barbatos began here, using the wind to level towering mountains and fill in the bottomless sea. Moving mountains and filling seas—the divine power was truly astonishing.
Arkz looked out at the endless plain before him, as if he could see how powerful the spirited Barbatos was at that time, brimming with vitality and hope.
Looking at the current Drunkard Venti, Arkz couldn't help but sigh, "erode is truly a terrifying thing."
Arkz couldn't help but ponder, would he also become like Venti due to erode in a few thousand years? That would be too disgraceful for a transmigrator.
On the plain surrounded by peaks, giant oak trees stood tall among them.
On this boundless plain, this giant oak tree was undoubtedly the most striking and eye-catching scenery.
Legend has it that this oak tree was personally planted by Mondstadt's hero, the founder of the Knights of Favonius, Vennessa, which is why this place is also called the symbol of Mondstadt's heroes.
Whenever the weather is rainy or overcast, the shade of the oak tree shelters the statue of the seven beneath it from wind and rain, and also shelters passing Travelers from the sun and downpour, just as Vennessa once protected Mondstadt.
A ceaseless gentle breeze washed over this field, and the towering giant tree left by the hero of the past gently murmured in the wind.
Arkz stood beneath this giant oak tree, closed his eyes, and felt the gentleness of the clear breeze brushing against his cheek.
In a trance, he seemed to see the hero named Vennessa among the crowd, telling him a story—a story of leading the Mondstadters to rise up in resistance.
... The atmosphere in Mondstadt was always so relaxed, leisurely, and tolerant; here, no one would rush you for walking slowly, nor would anyone envy you for walking fast.
After sleeping under the great tree at Windrise, Arkz felt refreshed; he seemed to somewhat understand why Venti liked to sleep on this tree.
Arkz looked at the tall, upright tree, touched its rough bark, and exclaimed, "Mondstadt is indeed a very suitable place to retire."
The sky was already late, so Arkz walked toward the direction of Mondstadt City. He planned to first go to the Adventurers Guild to turn in his commission and then take the fifty thousand Mora he earned today back home.
Halfway there, Arkz suddenly remembered something.
He recalled there was a rumor in the game that Venti had buried a lot of anemo archons brewed wine under the great tree at Windrise. Arkz slapped his thigh hard, feeling like he had lost a lot of Mora.
That was anemo archons brewed wine! Not to mention tasting it, he didn't know how much Mora he could sell it for.
"I heard that the Anemo Archon's treasure is buried under Windrise. I actually forgot to dig around this time. I must try digging next time."
Although Arkz said this, his heart was not thinking this way. He didn't like drinking, and once his farm developed, he wouldn't lack Mora. Saying this was just to tease Venti.
As expected, moments later, Arkz vaguely saw a flustered green figure flying toward the direction of Windrise.
Arriving at the Adventurers Guild in Mondstadt City, it was already late. Many shops on the commercial street had closed, but Katheryne was still diligently on duty.
Katheryne, an automaton, needs no rest and no salary; even capitalists would weep at that.
Arkz handed over the Ruin Guard Core and said, "Katheryne, the commission accepted this morning is complete. This should serve as proof of my completion, right?"
Katheryne took the Ruin Guard Core and inspected it carefully. Confirming it was correct, she said, "Respected Adventurer, thank you for completing the Guild's commission. Here is your Reward."
Katheryne recorded the information with a pen and handed the Ruin Guard Core and the commission Reward of fifty thousand Mora to Arkz.
Receiving the Mora and looking at the serious Katheryne, Arkz suddenly wanted to tease her to see how the intelligence of this Katheryne differed from the artificial idiocy of his previous life.
Arkz asked with a solemn expression, "Katheryne, with so many Ruin Guards in the wilderness, how can you be sure that the Ruin Guard Core I gave you was taken from the specific Ruin Guard mentioned in the commission?"
Katheryne explained, "Respected Adventurer, the Guild would not make such an error."
"After every commission is completed, professional personnel from the Guild will go to confirm whether the task is finished. If it is found that the news of task completion is false, the Adventurers Guild will not only reclaim the commission Reward but will also report it to the authorities for fraud."
Katheryne said seriously, "Mr. Arkz, do you have any other questions? Please do not hinder my work."
Hearing Katheryne's slightly annoyed little tone, Arkz knew when to stop and decisively took his Reward and left.
There would be plenty of time in the future. Since he had already registered as an Adventurer at the Adventurers Guild, he and Katheryne would certainly have to interact often; there would be many opportunities to chat with Katheryne later.
However, judging from today's chat log, Katheryne was not only intelligent but also seemed to possess emotions like a normal person. No wonder no one had discovered Katheryne's automaton identity for such a long time.
Judging by the emotional fluctuations Katheryne showed today, Arkz did not believe this was something she imitated through calculation.
Sighing at the many black technologies in Teyvat, Arkz put the matter of Katheryne out of his mind. Arkz didn't care about the relationship between Katheryne and the Fatui.
The conspiracy of the Fatui and the future of Teyvat should be left to that still-sleeping Traveler to sort out. He, an ordinary farmer, should worry more about the crops planted in his own fields.
Thinking that wild boars often appeared in the forest near Springvale, Arkz prayed that the wooden puppet and Amu he left at the farm could protect the seeds he had worked so hard to plant.
When he reached the city gate, he greeted the old brother of the guard Knights. Just as Arkz was about to cross the bridge to leave, his attention was caught by a figure.
That figure, detached from the masses, fishing alone for eternity, was so resolute. That firm expression, completely unmoved even when bitten by mosquitoes, was so touching. Those casts, every single one a miss, yet the spirit of never giving up was admirable.
Arkz couldn't help but walk over. He hadn't expected to meet a Fishing Enthusiasts brother in Teyvat too; he had to go introduce himself.