"Eh? So urgent? We originally planned to practice using Anemo powers in the forest," Paimon said.
"There's no ti... Dvalin is about to... Wait." Amber suddenly cald down.
Though impulsive, she wasn't foolish. According to the Traveler's original plan, they wouldn't reach Mondstadt City imdiately.
Did that an Dvalin's attack was still several days away?
After all, if not for her sudden appearance disrupting the original storyline, the Traveler wouldn't know her at this point and would simply follow their own schedule.
"Hmm, seems like we don't need to rush after all. Anyway, let's head to Mondstadt City first. The forest ahead is quite large, so I'll guide you," Amber said.
Lumine and Paimon nodded. Although Paimon claid to be their guide, she actually didn't know how to navigate through the forest ahead.
In the end, they still had to rely on Lumine's perception of Anemo energy.
Just then, Dvalin flew over their heads and entered the forest.
"Wow, a dragon!" Paimon was sowhat frightened.
"What should we do? Can we go around it?"
Amber shook her head. To bypass this area, they'd either have to climb mountains or swim—clearly not normal paths.
"It's fine, let's go take a look," Amber said.
She knew a green-clad youth would appear to calm the dragon. Though he wouldn't ultimately succeed, as long as they didn't provoke it, there'd be no danger.
What she didn't know was that without the Traveler's intervention, Venti might have actually resolved the dragon crisis then and there.
But after being interrupted, Venti simply switched to another plan—one more convenient for slacking off.
Amber took the lead into the forest, with Lumine following closely behind. Paimon timidly hid half her body behind Lumine.
"Maybe we should go swim instead? The sea seems more relaxing," Paimon said cowardly.
"Paimon, you can fly. We can't," Lumine retorted.
At her current strength, she couldn't use Anemo energy to fly—only achieve brief levitation at most.
"That's true... Then you have to protect ! Not to brag, but I'm really weak," Paimon said, hiding further behind Lumine.
"Don't worry, little Paimon. We'll definitely protect you," Amber said with a smile.
"Yeah, rest assured," Lumine agreed cheerfully.
The group searched through the forest, but it was too vast to locate Dvalin.
"Maybe we should split up to look, but stay within sight of each other," Amber suggested.
This way they could cover more ground without losing each other.
Lumine nodded.
After walking further, Lumine suddenly sensed a surge of Anemo energy.
Lumine perked up—this intensity of elental power was beyond any ordinary person's capability.
Hurrying over and hiding behind a tree, Lumine saw a green-clad youth speaking to the dragon.
"Don't be afraid, Dvalin. I've returned. It's alright."
"He... he can actually talk to the dragon?!" Paimon exclaid.
Lumine was also amazed but remained silent to maintain her mute persona.
Amber noticed them too and moved closer, trying to peek at the green-clad youth's identity.
But before she could get a proper look, Dvalin and Venti detected their presence.
"Roar—!" With a mighty cry, the dragon spread its wings, stirring up violent winds.
"Who's there?"
Venti's braid glowed, but when he saw the Traveler, he withdrew his aura and vanished like the wind.
"Waaah! Help! The dragon's gone crazy!"
Paimon clung to Lumine's hair, eyes shut tight as she scread.
"Paimon... ease up..." Lumine winced from the pain.
"Ah, I missed it!" Amber lanted.
Both Dvalin and Venti had already left.
"Little Paimon, the dragon's gone," Amber said to the still-eyes-closed Paimon.
"Eh?" Paimon opened her eyes, confird the dragon was indeed gone, and finally relaxed.
"That scared to death! Its mouth looked big enough to swallow whole."
"Well, you are ergency food—ant to be conveniently edible," Lumine remarked while rubbing her sore scalp.
"I am not!" Paimon protested.
While Lumine and Paimon bantered happily, Amber grew sowhat worried.
Since the book's contents were proving accurate, it seed the Stormterror's attack on Mondstadt was inevitable.
"Let's get going," Amber said.
"Wait—look! What's that?"
Paimon noticed a red crystal left where Dvalin had been.
"It's a dragon egg!" Lumine declared confidently.
"Dvalin is male..." Amber pointed out.
"That color looks really ominous. Should we take it with us?" Paimon asked.
Leaving it here might endanger ordinary people.
"I'll take it. Maybe we can hatch a baby dragon."
Lumine stored the 'Dragon's Tear.' Though she lacked a Vision, she did possess a small dinsional storage space.
"I told you it's not an egg!"
As the trio chatted cheerfully on their way to Mondstadt, back in the city's tavern, Lisa found Kaeya.
"Kaeya~"
Before Lisa could state her purpose, Kaeya stood up and said:
"Got it, ti to get back to work, right?"
Kaeya left first, putting on an enthusiastic front.
"Wait." A voice called from behind him.
"Pay your tab first." Diluc's tone was icy.
"Tch." Seeing his ruse failed, Kaeya reluctantly returned.
"198 Mora." Diluc said while polishing a glass.
"How boring." Kaeya quietly took out his wallet.
Diluc turned his attention to Lisa.
"After letting the dragon crisis rage this long, is the Knights of Favonius finally taking action?"
"So harsh~"
Lisa smiled without engaging further, leading Kaeya away.
Diluc set down his glass and told the bartender: "Mind the bar. I have business to attend to."
"Understood, Master Diluc." The bartender nodded.
A prophecy book? Might as well buy one to learn about the Four Winds' temples.
After Diluc left, Venti sneaked in.
With that stubborn "Uncle Diluc" who refused to serve him gone, he finally had his chance.
"Bartender, drinks!"
"We don't serve minors."
"I'm an adult! I just look young!" Venti protested.
Calling him a minor was one thing, but denying him alcohol was unacceptable.
"Really?" The bartender eyed Venti skeptically—the youth looked undeniably underage.
"Really, really! I'm a bard who knows countless stories. How could a minor know so much, right?"
"Hmm... that makes sense. What'll you have then?" The bartender was easily convinced.
"Hehehe, let's start with so dandelion wine."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice • Diluc: About His Depiction in the Book
"Nothing worth ntioning. That's simply how I am."
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