Meanwhile...
"Welcome to Mondstadt. Thank you very much, Aether. Without your help, the casualties in the city might have been much worse."
For some unknown reason, the Stormterror suddenly retreated. Under Kaeya's lead, Aether and Paimon arrived at Acting Grand Master Jean's office.
Acting Grand Master Jean expressed her sincere gratitude to Aether, who felt both honored and flustered, quickly shaking his head in modesty.
"Not at all, it's just... I'm worried about Rover and Abby..."
Aether gazed out the window at the devastated city. By now, Rover and the others should be fighting that mysterious youth. His eyes filled with concern as he looked in the direction Rover had gone.
Jean patted Aether on the shoulder. She had already heard Amber's account and had a rough understanding of what had happened.
"Given how abruptly the dragon crisis disappeared, perhaps your friend succeeded in defeating the mastermind behind it? I've already had the green-robed youth you described sketched and issued a warrant. Results should come soon. The Anemo Archon will never forgive him."
"Alright, cutie~ If we resolve the dragon crisis quickly, you should be able to reunite with your friend soon. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I'm Lisa, the librarian. Pleased to meet you~"
The witch in purple attire spoke languidly, causing Aether to blush. Seeing his innocent reaction, Lisa covered her mouth and giggled softly.
...
"The story I wish to tell begins in ancient times, when the gods still walked the earth. The Dragon of the Sky descended from the heavens, filled with curiosity about all things in this world..."
"...Until the era of darkness arrived. A wicked dragon drew near, and the Dragon of the Sky heeded the call, battling the fiend amidst the tempest. The Dragon of the Sky swallowed the venomous blood of the evil dragon and fell into a deep slumber..."
"...'Why do the people of today despise me?' Its fury and sorrow, its life and poisoned blood, all turned into tears that fell from the dragon's eyes..."
Rover and Abby listened quietly as Venti strummed his lyre and recounted this ancient history. Rover finally understood why Stormterror—Dvalin—had attacked Mondstadt.
Venti let out a long sigh, then smiled and pulled out a fine bottle of wine he had hidden in Windrise.
"Now, share your stories with me. Perhaps they'll leave a vivid mark in my ballads."
Rover pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I know very little about the world's history, but I can share my adventures from these past few days."
Rover sat down beside Venti, who responded with a cheerful "Ehe~" to show his eagerness to listen. Abby, hovering in the air, immediately flew closer to sniff the wine in Venti's hand.
"It smells... rather heavy."
"This wine has aged for many years. Care to try some?"
Abby was about to accept, but after catching Rover's dangerous glare, he shook his head dejectedly.
"By the way... do you know about Echoes?"
Rover suddenly thought of something and quickly posed the question to the god before him.
After hearing him out, Venti shook his head, just as Paimon had before.
"I've never heard of anything so bizarre either. Ah, there are a few Anemo Slimes up ahead—why not give it a try? Consider it broadening my horizons."
Venti pointed toward the Anemo Slimes not far off in the grass. Rover nodded, and after a few strikes, the slimes revealed their golden phantom forms, just as before. Venti examined them left and right but couldn't make sense of it.
"Compared to the sticky taste of Hydro Slimes, this one feels quite refreshing."
That was Abby's assessment after sampling it.
Meanwhile, Rover contemplated the Echo he had absorbed.
If I collect the Echoes of Slimes of all seven elements, then when facing a powerful enemy about to unleash a devastating attack, could I transform into the corresponding Slime to evade it?
Suppressing the thought for now, Rover noticed Venti heading back toward Mondstadt and hurried to follow.
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
"I prefer resolving things through gentle means. Besides, letting the people solve this dragon crisis themselves is also a form of freedom."
Venti answered Rover's question, though Rover already had his own plan in mind.
"You just want to slack off, don't you?!"
Abby quipped from the side.
"Abby can track Dvalin's location. I want to prepare properly, make a plan, and then head straight there—just you and me facing Dvalin directly."
Yes, Rover remembered clearly—back in Norfall Barrens, he and General Jiyan had formulated a plan together. In the end, the two of them confronted the Threnodian head-on, striking like a dagger straight into the enemy's core.
"Let's try a peaceful approach first. If we truly must become its enemies... I'll consider it."
A flicker of reluctance passed through Venti's expression. Understanding, Rover didn't press further on the topic as they made their way to Mondstadt together.
Night fell, and due to the dragon crisis, the city was under strict curfew.
Yet the very next moment, the guards at the gate recognized Venti.
"Finally, the Anemo Archon's blessing has fallen upon me! Seize him! And don't forget his accomplice beside him!"
Rover quickly spotted the wanted posters on the wall—Venti's face was clearly depicted on them. He smacked his forehead. I forgot to exchange information with Aether.
Reacting swiftly, Rover grabbed Venti and dashed into the city. Along the way, Venti explained that due to certain circumstances, he couldn't reveal his identity. Being arrested would lead to troublesome explanations.
Besides... who would believe a drunkard was Barbatos, the Anemo Archon?
The patrolling knights raised their torches, instantly illuminating the entire city.
"Turn left! Head straight into the tavern ahead! My best friend is inside."
Venti panted as he spoke. At this hour, the tavern should have been closed.
The moment they pushed through the door, a tall man with fiery red hair—standing behind the counter and having just finished wiping a glass—looked up and fixed them with an icy stare.
"Master Diluc, long time no see~"
Venti forced a grin.
Diluc studied the two for a long moment as the knights' shouts grew closer outside. Finally, he spoke slowly:
"Upstairs."
"Right away!"
Venti scampered up to the second floor with practiced ease. Soon after, the knights came to question Diluc, who simply shook his head, claiming the fugitives weren't there. Thus, they narrowly escaped.
"Come out. They're gone."
Diluc locked the door carefully before drawing his Favonius Greatsword and leveling it at the two.
"Since you've communicated with the dragon, I assume your strength is nothing to scoff at. I have little faith in the Knights of Favonius, so I'll handle this myself."
"To think a bard who constantly mooches drinks off me could hide such secrets... I overestimated my intelligence network."
Abby flew up to Venti and poked him.
"This is your best friend?! He looks more like a mortal enemy!"
"Master Diluc always pays for my drinks! Of course he's a good friend!"
Venti scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then frantically blinked at Rover, silently pleading for help.
"We're not enemies. This is a misunderstanding—"
Before Rover could finish, Diluc charged forward. Rover had no choice but to draw his blade and block the massive sword swinging toward him.
Well... looks like we'll have to fight to convince him.