At that moment, Hans Archibald was leaning against the railing of the bridge outside Mondstadt City's gates.
(This name is too long, and I'm too lazy to type it, so I'll just call him [Hans] from now on.)
Ellin narrowed her eyes as she watched the middle-aged man staring into space.
In the game, although Hans had felt much lighter after Venti helped him find redemption, he still spent his days drinking himself senseless in the tavern and standing beside the Blacksmith Shop, quietly grieving.
Perhaps he still could not let go of Stanley's story. Or perhaps, even after letting it go, he still needed time to heal the wounds he had carried for years and find his own path forward.
Whatever the case, Ellin hoped that this man, who had lived so many years carrying someone else's story, could soon find his way out of his confusion.
At the very least, she hoped he could be a little happier as he approached old age.
"What is it? Thinking about the future?"
On the bridge outside Mondstadt City's gates, Ellin walked up beside Hans and leaned against the railing too.
"Yes... I'm wondering what I should do in the future."
Hans gazed up at the crescent moon in the sky. Having seen his dearest friend's soul return to High Heaven, he felt much lighter now.
"I used to live entirely for Stanley's story. I never thought about my own future, because I always believed Stanley was my future."
"But now, with Lord Barbatos's help, Stanley's soul has returned to Mondstadt."
"All of a sudden, I feel empty. I don't know what to do with myself."
"And besides, what does it matter if Stanley's soul has returned home?"
"Does that mean I can pretend he never died because of me?"