Cherreads

Chapter 57 - Shattered Truce

"So… so big!"

The colossal figure blotted out the sky.

At the call of the Holy Lyre der Himmel, he slowly descended before Starsnatch Cliff.

Seeing this enormous body before them.

Although they had seen him once before in the Whispering Woods not long ago.

Even so, when observing him in such close proximity.

Little Paimon couldn't help but open her mouth, her adorable face filled with shock.

"Is this the Dragon of the East, Dvalin?"

"This isn't just 'one punch, one little Paimon' anymore."

"If he sneezed, I'd probably be gone on the spot, wouldn't I?"

No… be more confident.

Remove the word "probably."

With your small stature.

One sneeze, and you'd absolutely die on the spot.

No chance of survival.

Kai narrowed his eyes, looking at Dvalin who had descended before them.

He sighed slightly.

Although during his many journeys through different worlds over the years.

Kai had seen plenty of large dragons.

He had even successfully slain quite a few.

But even so, when facing such a creature as a dragon again.

He still couldn't help but show a hint of awe.

It was like a dazzling battle scene.

Even if he had seen it countless times, when confronted with it.

He still couldn't help but feel his blood boil.

"It actually succeeded?"

Beside him… Diluc frowned, looking at Dvalin who had truly appeared at Starsnatch Cliff under Venti's summons, his gaze somewhat surprised.

Although he had indeed decided to help Venti earlier.

Collecting the tear crystal and even repairing the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

But even so, Diluc didn't have much expectation for the success rate of this matter.

After all, communicating with the Dragon of the East.

This was not something an ordinary person could achieve.

But he hadn't expected… with the help of the Holy Lyre der Himmel, this Bard.

Had actually accomplished this.

"Who exactly is this guy?"

Diluc's gaze was somewhat solemn as he scrutinized Venti, suddenly thinking of a possible truth.

"Could it be…"

"It's probably similar to what you're thinking."

Hearing Diluc's hesitation.

Kai nodded, sighing slightly.

"The Bard… that's him."

"So, from now on, just watch his performance."

Almost as Kai's words fell.

Before Starsnatch Cliff, the Dragon of the East, Dvalin, flapped his wings.

Stirring up a terrifyingly powerful energy storm.

In the air, the originally orderly Anemo energy.

Fell into complete chaos with the flapping of his massive wings.

His dragon eyes, glowing with a faint blue light, stared fiercely at Barbatos.

Even under the calming influence of the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

He still showed a somewhat strange ferocity.

"Is ~ that ~ you ~?"

"It is I."

Barbatos took a deep breath, raising his head with a gentle expression.

Looking at his former familiar.

"There's nothing left to discuss now!"

A low dragon's roar slowly began to sound.

Dvalin glared fiercely at the crowd on Starsnatch Cliff.

Restless energy constantly raged from his back, as if it could corrode the soul.

Making one feel a sense of foreboding even from afar.

Jean frowned slightly, looking at Dvalin with a complex expression.

She murmured, "He can really talk to Dvalin, but what's with that power?"

"Abyssal power?"

"It should be."

Kai nodded, looking up.

He quickly located the source of the Abyssal power.

"It seems to be coming from two wounds on his back."

"In other words, Dvalin was indeed injured during the battle with the monster dragon."

"That's why the Abyss Mage was able to take advantage of the situation, right?"

"It's just like what that green fellow said!"

Paimon nodded with a surprised expression.

"If that's the case, then Mondstadt owes Dvalin."

"It truly has a debt to him."

Jean's gaze was somewhat complex.

As the Dragon of the East who protected Mondstadt.

He paid such a huge price to guard this city.

However, after awakening, it was due to the corrosion of Abyssal power.

Without anyone understanding, he was regarded as an enemy by all of Mondstadt.

This feeling… although she hadn't experienced it personally, as one of the Four Winds.

Jean could still feel a resonance from it.

"Oh? Is there nothing left to talk about?"

"But your eyes seem to be recalling this melody."

Barbatos held the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

Looking at Dvalin, he showed a knowing smile.

"Hmph~"

To this questioning, Dvalin had no room for rebuttal at all.

He could only let out a somewhat muffled roar.

"Come back, Dvalin."

"This current situation is merely caused by a misunderstanding; they are unaware that you were gravely wounded in a past battle."

"If the residents of Mondstadt knew that the Dragon of the East suffered the influence of Abyssal power during a bloody battle to protect Mondstadt, which then led to all of this."

"They would not only re-accept you, but would even express their sincerest apologies for what has happened during this time… As one of the Four Winds, for the people living in the land of Mondstadt."

"Dvalin, you… you should be most familiar with their character, shouldn't you?"

Venti said with a gentle gaze.

The Holy Lyre der Himmel emitted an incredibly soft light.

That light, infused with Barbatos's God of Anemo power.

Accompanied by the drifting sea breeze, it continuously merged into the wound on Dvalin's back.

The violent aura gradually subsided under the caress of the wind.

Dvalin slowly flapped its wings.

Staring at Barbatos, it seemed to fall into thought.

After a long while… that slightly hesitant dragon roar finally sounded.

"You mean… really?"

"Of course, I swear on the name of Anemo Archon Barbatos."

Venti confidently patted his chest, subtly increasing the infusion of God of Anemo power.

As the God of Anemo who governed Mondstadt.

Barbatos's promise clearly played a crucial role.

Dvalin's gaze gradually softened.

As if this persuasion was slowly taking effect.

"It seems to have succeeded, hasn't it?"

Little Paimon showed an expectant expression, unable to help but mutter.

However, just then.

"Bang!!!"

A fierce stream of ice suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Before anyone could react, it instantly struck the Holy Lyre der Himmel in Barbatos's hand.

Knocking it directly to the ground.

"Hm?"

Jean was slightly startled.

Having lost the suppression of the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

Dvalin's gaze, which had gradually softened.

At this moment, an incredibly violent energy suddenly burst forth.

Accompanied by a hoarse, cackling laugh like a male duck.

Several small figures dressed in aquamarine mage robes quickly appeared beside Dvalin.

Exhibiting an incredibly dense Abyssal energy.

"Abyss Mage?"

Diluc was slightly startled, looking at the stagnant void.

His gaze instantly became grave.

"No."

"More than one!"

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