Now, at Wangshu Inn in Liyue Harbor, Li Mo had been speaking for a while and was getting dry. He paused, picked up his cup, and took a sip of tea.
Below, when the audience saw the baby in the story, they became very interested.
"How could a baby appear in such a dangerous place? Did you make this story up?"
"Who would leave a child in such a perilous place? They must have wanted the baby dead. Who did this?"
"This child's identity must be very mysterious."
"Born in such a forsaken place, if this child survives, his path will surely be filled with hardships."
Though they did not know the baby's origins, the audience could not help but sigh for him. Fortunately, the baby had encountered a kind adventurer, not a band of thieves.
Not only the ordinary audience, but the gods sitting in the corner also showed curious expressions.
Ei said curiously, "Those stone pillars in the valley don't look like they belong to Mondstadt. They seem more like they come from the Pyro Archon's territory. Could this little one be connected to the Pyro Archon?"
Everyone turned to look at Barbatos. As the god of Mondstadt, though he usually slacked off, he was well aware of major events in his nation.
But when their gazes fell on him, Barbatos looked innocent. "How would I know? The last time I saw the Pyro Archon was hundreds of years ago. He nearly burned me to a crisp. Besides, the Pyro Archon is closest to the old man. You should ask him."
Barbatos deftly shifted the blame to Zhongli, who was quite speechless.
Facing the questioning looks of the three Electro sisters, Zhongli had no choice but to explain. "I haven't seen the Pyro Archon in many years either. I don't even know if he's still alive."
After retiring, Zhongli didn't want to concern himself with anything. Wasn't it better to slack off at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and plan his next funeral? Why bother with useless matters?
Hearing this, Ei snorted coldly. "Fine, if you two won't talk, forget it. It's just a baby anyway. I don't care about him."
Ei only cared about her brother's reincarnation. As for that baby, she couldn't care less.
Meanwhile, beside Ei, Yae Miko was writing furiously, a mischievous smile on her face. "Another story from Mondstadt. If it gets published there, it's sure to make a good profit."
She had already planned it out: once the storyteller finished this life and she finished recording it, she would send the Mondstadt portion to Mondstadt, have it printed and published there. It would surely be welcomed by the people of Mondstadt and expand Yae Publishing House's influence. Perhaps it was time to establish branches in Mondstadt and Inazuma.
...
While the audience was buzzing with discussion, on stage, Li Mo set down his teacup and continued with the story of this life.
As he spoke, the Electro projections above shifted to a new scene: the interior of Mondstadt City. The Church of Favonius.
When the old adventurer handed the baby to his companions, he collapsed in front of the Valley of Despair. His companions brought him to the Church of Favonius for treatment. His body bore burns from flames, wounds from lightning, and lacerations from wind. Any ordinary person would not have survived. But fortunately, relying on his strong will and his unfulfilled wish, he pulled through.
Even the deacon of the Church of Favonius said, "This is a miracle—a miracle only the gods could create."
And yet, that miracle of life had happened to the old adventurer.
Two days later, he indeed survived the crisis and slowly opened his eyes. The moment he saw his companions, his first words, spoken in a weak voice, were:
"Where is Bennett? Did you bring Bennett back?"
The baby he had named Bennett was the treasure he had brought back from the Valley of Despair after so much hardship. A unique treasure.
Hearing his urgent voice, his companions quickly brought the baby over. "This little guy, right? Bennett is a strange name. Old friend, how about choosing a different name?"
They carefully brought the baby before him. Clearly, they too had taken a liking to the little one.
The old adventurer immediately objected. "No—he is my son. The future strongest adventurer of Mondstadt. Only the name Bennett is worthy of his identity."
He insisted on sitting up in bed. Seeing the baby before him, he relaxed a little.
His companions were not pleased. "What do you mean, your son? He's our son too. We've already decided—we'll all be his dads. Together, we'll raise him to be the strongest adventurer."
The other old adventurers looked at the baby with smiles on their faces. They had dedicated their entire lives to adventuring. In their old age, to encounter this baby, to be his dads—they all agreed that this baby was a gift from the gods, the greatest treasure in the world.
The old adventurer looked at his companions and sighed. Men like them had been bachelors all their lives. To adopt a baby in their old age was truly a blessing. Though he had brought the baby back, the expedition had been a team effort. So he could not claim Bennett for himself alone. He had to share him.
Thus, seven old adventurers became Bennett's seven dads. Together, they watched him grow.
And so, with his seven dads by his side, young Bennett grew up. He learned to walk for the first time. He learned to say "Dad" for the first time. He learned swordsmanship. He went on his first adventure with his dads. From a tiny baby, he grew into a young adventurer.