Cloaked in dark blue and fiery red robes, faint elemental fluctuations permeated around them.
They stood on the mountain peak, overlooking the distant Stormterror's Lair, their faces solemn, eyes flickering with deep suspicion.
It was the Abyss Mages of the Abyss Order.
The reason they appeared here was that not long ago, the signals of their companions inside Stormterror's Lair were suddenly cut off.
In the organization of the Abyss Order, every member had a unique elemental aura.
Their life fluctuations would be perceived by their colleagues. Once they disappeared, it meant they had encountered an accident.
In a short time, the auras of two Abyss Mages disappeared completely!
Adding the one who disappeared before (at Starsnatch Cliff), it was already three.
How could such a change not make them suspicious?
Therefore, they rushed to Stormterror's Lair immediately, wanting to figure out what happened.
However, when they finally arrived here and looked down at the ruins, the scene they saw shocked them.
The Wind Barrier of Stormterror's Lair...
Actually disappeared?!
But the seal of the tower still existed and had not been opened!
"What is going on..."
The Cryo Abyss Mage standing at the forefront murmured to himself, staring dead at the distant ruins, frowning tightly.
Logically speaking, the barrier existed naturally.
They even reinforced this barrier enchantment with a special ritual.
Aiming to protect Stormterror Dvalin from outside interference.
At the same time, it could also limit his freedom, ensuring he wouldn't break away from control.
However, now this barrier was gone.
This meant that an external force had completely dismantled their barrier!
"Someone... interfered here."
Another Mage said coldly, voice low and solemn. "But what's strange is... the seal inside the tower still exists, meaning no one has entered the core of the Wind Dragon Ruins, otherwise the tower seal couldn't be intact."
"Then, why did the storm disappear?"
The third Abyss Mage whispered, frowning.
The entire Stormterror's Lair had always been shrouded by terrifying storms.
That storm was not only the Wind Dragon's natural power but also guided by the curse their Abyss Order placed on Dvalin.
But now, they could clearly see that the huge storm once entrenched over Stormterror's Lair...
Had completely subsided!
Where did the Wind Dragon go?!
Why is the aura of the curse gone too?!
They were uncertain, looking at each other, all seeing incredible emotions in each other's eyes.
Clearly a few days ago, they could still feel the violent aura inside the Wind Dragon.
But now, inside the Wind Dragon Ruins, they couldn't even feel a trace of residual curse!
This is impossible!
"Unless... Dvalin's curse was lifted."
The Abyss Mage standing at the forefront looked grim, slowly spitting out this sentence.
"Impossible!"
Another Abyss Mage shook his head in denial. "The curse was personally applied by His Highness (The Prince). The power of the Abyss cannot be easily broken!"
"But the facts are before our eyes."
The leading Abyss Mage gripped his staff tightly, eyes sharp as knives, staring dead at the quiet ruins in the distance, saying deeply, "No matter who it is, they must have done something... causing Dvalin to break away from control, and the curse aura disappeared."
"...If that's the case, we must report this matter to His Highness immediately."
"But His Highness has not yet descended here. How should we send a message to him?"
"Wait. It won't be long before His Highness arrives in person."
Hearing this, the other Abyss Mages looked solemn and nodded slightly.
The night wind howled past the mountain peak, flapping their black robes loudly.
Their figures looked exceptionally eerie in the darkness, like a group of shadows waiting for an opportunity, preparing to bring the storm back.
In the next second, the leading Abyss Mage waved the staff in his hand.
Pitch-black energy surged in the air, gradually turning into a strange black magic circle, slowly emerging on the ground.
Then they stepped into it, their figures dissipating.
The night passed without words.
The next day.
The first ray of morning light spilled onto the bluestone streets of Mondstadt City through the clouds. Golden sunlight brightened the quiet town.
The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread.
The distant windmill rotated slowly in the breeze, making a creaking sound, as if welcoming the new day.
However, today's Mondstadt seemed livelier than usual.
In front of various streets in Mondstadt City, a large group of residents had already gathered.
They gathered in twos and threes in front of the bulletin board, standing on tiptoes, craning their necks, wanting to see the latest announcement just posted clearly.
"Quick look! Quick look! The Knights posted a new announcement again!"
A fruit vendor wiped his hands and squeezed up excitedly.
"What is it this time? Didn't they say Stormterror's attacks were getting more frequent two days ago?"
Another resident frowned, seemingly still having lingering fears.
"Hey, don't push, don't push!"
A short young man stood on tiptoe, his eyes scanning the text on the announcement quickly.
A moment later, his eyes widened abruptly, and he read aloud in disbelief:
[Formal Announcement on the Lifting of the Mondstadt Dragon Disaster — The Mondstadt Crisis is lifted, Stormterror no longer threatens Mondstadt!]
A short sentence made everyone around boil instantly.
"What?! Stormterror... won't attack Mondstadt anymore?!"
"Real or fake? Could it be the Knights posting randomly to appease the people?"
"Of course it's true! When have you seen the Knights post such important news casually?!"
"Heavens... Could it be that Grand Master Jean and the others really successfully solved the Dragon Disaster?!"
Discussions rose one after another. Everyone stared at the announcement dumbfounded, almost unable to believe their eyes.
Stormterror's attack had always been a sword hanging over the heads of Mondstadt people.
Everyone was full of fear for that behemoth entrenched in the Wind Dragon Ruins.
But now, the Knights actually officially announced the crisis lifted!
This news spread quickly like a storm, and the entire Mondstadt City boiled over.
On the streets, in taverns, in markets.
People could be seen gathering and discussing everywhere, their faces full of surprise and disbelief.
Even the entrance of Angel's Share tavern was already surrounded by people coming to drink and celebrate.
Owner Charles was busy, pouring wine while shouting loudly: "Stormterror no longer attacks Mondstadt! Come, come, come! All fruit wine half price today!"
Cheers, laughter, and celebration intertwined. Mondstadt City was filled with a long-lost relaxed atmosphere.
Compared to the hustle and bustle outside the city, Kael's home was still peaceful.
Morning sunlight spilled into the room through the cracks in the window. The breeze blew the curtains, carrying the faint scent of morning dew.
On the bed, Kael was still immersed in sleep, breathing evenly and deeply.
—But this peace was soon broken by someone.
"Hmph hmph... As expected, slacking off again!"
With a girlish voice carrying a thick "Chuunibyou aura," a golden figure pushed open the door sneakily, looking around into the room.
Seeing Kael still sleeping soundly on the bed, this figure instantly puffed up her cheeks, face full of dissatisfaction.
It was Fischl.
She stood by the bed, hands on her hips, glaring at Kael.
Her golden eyes flashed with a glimmer of dissatisfaction, muttering, "Actually slacking off again! Thy sloth in recent days has degenerated to this point. Have thy black wings fallen?!"
"Can not even the summons of the Dawn awaken thy soul?"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She climbed directly onto Kael's bed and began to shake him desperately.
"Hey! Wake up! Wake up! Sleeping in again!"
Kael, shaken until the world spun: "...???"
Kael opened his eyes groggily, looking blankly at the golden-haired girl in front of him.
It took several seconds before he stretched lazily with a trace of drowsiness, yawned lazily, and said casually, "...Morning."
However, hearing this sentence, Fischl bristled instantly. Crossing her arms, she looked angry.
"Morning?! Thou hast the nerve to say morning?!"
Fischl said indignantly, "Hast thou been eroded by an invisible slumber curse? Why hast thou not awakened even when the sun has risen?!"
Listening to Fischl's series of speeches full of "Chuunibyou aura," Kael fell silent abruptly.
Not hearing these words for a day, suddenly feeling nostalgic... what the hell.
In his heart, he sighed with emotion.
Sure enough, Fischl still had the familiar flavor.
Kael rubbed his temples casually, then said vaguely, "...No choice, too tired recently."
Hearing this, Fischl frowned immediately, staring at Kael suspiciously. "Tired? What exactly art thou busy with? Why do thy black wings always show fatigue these days?"
Fischl asked with dissatisfaction, "Could it be patrolling the spirits of demonic beasts at night? Or didst thou sneak away to perform a mysterious ritual again?"
"Yesterday thou even stood this Prinzessin up!"
Said he'd come back at night.
As a result, when she woke up at night, she didn't see Kael return.
Hearing Fischl's words, Kael smiled slightly and said casually, "Nothing much... just solved the Stormterror crisis."
"..."
The room instantly fell into a weird silence.
Fischl's expression froze instantly.
Fischl's eyes widened. In an instant, all complaints and dissatisfaction were replaced by astonishment. Even her standing posture froze, as if her body was fixed.
"You... what did you just say?!"
She widened her eyes, her voice raising a few pitches. "Just... solved it?"
Kael yawned and repeated casually, "The Stormterror crisis has been solved."
"..."
Fischl's mouth opened slightly, her golden pupil full of shock.
She stared blankly at Kael, speechless for a few seconds.
Stormterror's crisis... has been solved?!
Are you kidding?!
This is a huge crisis that even the entire Knights of Favonius were helpless against!
She thought Kael just went to complete some special commission recently.
Unexpectedly... Kael actually ran to save Mondstadt directly?!
And actually succeeded?!
Fischl's brain seemed to crash instantly.
Trying to make her expression return to normal, but shock still surged in her heart.
Looking at the man on the bed who still looked lazy, a complex emotion surged in her heart.
On one hand, as the "Prinzessin der Verurteilung," she naturally wouldn't easily admit she was shocked.
But on the other hand, she couldn't help but want to shout out loud.
What kind of monster is this guy?!
That's Stormterror!
"Didn't I say it yesterday?"
Seeing Fischl's appearance, Kael yawned. "When I left yesterday morning, didn't I tell you?"
"Hmph, this Prinzessin forgot."
Hearing this, Fischl instantly thought of what happened yesterday, her pretty face blushing.
At this time, dawn spilled into the room through the window cracks.
Warm light cast mottled shadows on the floor. The air was filled with a faint woody scent.
Sunlight shone on Fischl's face, making her even more delicious.
Kael lay lazily on the bed, narrowing his eyes slightly to size up Fischl, carrying a bit of weariness, his tone lazy. "Better rest well this morning... I'll check the Adventurers' Guild plan in the afternoon."
Speaking of which, two days had passed, and the Whopperflower corpse hadn't been settled yet. He would go over in the afternoon.
He wasn't in a hurry. The fatigue from last night hadn't completely dissipated.
Taking advantage of this time, he planned to rest well.
Standing by the bed, Fischl heard this and nodded slightly.
A look of understanding flowed in that golden pupil.
After all, when she came just now, she had already heard the notice from the Knights of Favonius.
Everyone was discussing the lifting of the Stormterror crisis.
And this crisis was solved by Kael himself last night.
Thinking of this, Fischl's expression paused slightly, recalling the discussions heard on the street just now.
"Stormterror's attack completely ended!"
"Heard it was Grand Master Jean who led people to solve it?"
"Maybe... but the Knights haven't explained in detail, feels a bit strange..."
At that time, she stood in the crowd.
Thinking of those people's discussions, the corner of Fischl's mouth raised slightly.
How would they know that the person who truly solved the crisis is lying on this bed?
Fischl snorted lightly, raised her chin slightly, hugged her arms in a "Noble Prinzessin Posture," her tone revealing a bit of pride:
"Hmph, since thou wert still running about in the mission of saving the world deep last night, this Prinzessin shall reluctantly allow thee to continue resting."
Fischl's tone was as confident as ever, carrying a trace of elegance and awkwardness unique to her.
Listening to Fischl's familiar "Chuunibyou-style" speech, the corner of Kael's mouth raised slightly, his smile deepening.
"Oh?"
He propped himself up lazily, looking at Fischl. "Then what does the Prinzessin mean?"
"This Prinzessin..."
Fischl paused slightly, her eyes flickering. Then she puffed out her cheeks, looking aside. "There is nothing to do in the morning anyway, might as well stop here and wait for time to pass."
Fischl's meaning was obvious.
She wanted to stay.
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of playfulness flashing in his eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Hmph, this is the grace of this Prinzessin. Thou shouldst not have objections!"
Fischl said arrogantly, as if this was a matter of course.
However, in the next second, things were completely out of her control.
The corner of Kael's mouth hooked up. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Fischl's wrist.
Pulling without hesitation, he dragged the defenseless Fischl directly into his quilt.
"Yah!"
Caught off guard, Fischl was startled by the sudden movement, lost balance instantly, and fell directly into the quilt.
The warm bedding wrapped her body. The tip of her nose was lingered by the faint smell of sunlight and Kael's aura, instantly making her cheeks flush with a shy red.
"Th-Thou—!"
Fischl's body stiffened slightly, her pretty face red, stammering, "Didn't thou say to rest?! What exactly dost thou intend?!"
Kael looked at her subtle expression, unable to help revealing a teasing smile at the corner of his mouth.
Leaning lazily on the pillow, his voice low and languid: "En, resting. I just want you to rest together."
Saying this, Kael patted his quilt, looking like it was only natural. "Since Her Highness wants to stay, then lie down obediently and don't move."
"Thou—!"
Fischl's cheeks turned red as a ripe apple instantly. Her golden pupil flickered with complex emotions of astonishment, shame, annoyance, and helplessness.
Her mind was in chaos.
She couldn't even organize the "Chuunibyou Speech" that usually came easily to her.