"You... are interesting. You've been tracking the Abyss, yet you carry a very strong Abyssal aura. While I don't know your identity, you must be closely connected to the Abyss, aren't you?"
Dainsleif, this mysterious man, carried a very strong Abyssal aura. However, judging from the information Lumine provided, he seemed to be an enemy of the Abyss.
This was intriguing. Had he been captured by the Abyss Order, corrupted by it, and then managed to break free from its control through his own power, with the Abyssal aura remaining ever since?
Or perhaps, he was originally a part of the Abyss, but for some reason, he eventually chose to leave the Abyss and become their enemy.
"Maybe it's because Dain has been tracking the Abyss and has had many encounters with it, which is why he's picked up the Abyssal aura. Don't misunderstand, Durandal. Dain really isn't a bad person. If he were, Lumine and the Traveler would have been in trouble long ago."
Paimon tried to soothe Durandal's emotions. Durandal ignored the chattering Paimon, her gaze fixed on Dainsleif.
Dainsleif was also observing Durandal. The situation was completely beyond his expectations; he could clearly sense Durandal's hostility towards him.
This was normal. He emitted a strong Abyssal aura, and although he usually hid it very well, it clearly hadn't escaped Durandal's eyes.
Dainsleif looked at Lumine. He knew he absolutely couldn't gain Durandal's trust on his own, but Lumine was different.
He could tell that Durandal trusted Lumine. If Lumine was willing to speak for him, Durandal, even if unwilling, wouldn't do anything to him.
"I think we can trust him, Durandal. I know you're worried he might harm me. But this is already my second time meeting him. If he truly wanted to hurt me, he could have acted the first time we met, when you weren't with me. He wouldn't have waited until now."
Lumine took Durandal's hand and pulled her to the side, whispering in her ear.
"I also see that Dain has intricate ties to the Abyss, but we need him to understand the situation of the Abyss. Besides, we need his help to resolve this matter. So, can we work with him for now, okay?"
"...I will keep an eye on him."
Ultimately, Durandal agreed to work with him. Although the atmosphere was a bit strange, at least the gears started turning again.
"So this is what you're looking for, the eye of the 'first Ruin Guard in the world'? It doesn't look like much."
Durandal curiously examined the device removed from the Ruin Guard. She remembered that Lumine had obtained similar devices from other Ruin Guards when collecting materials.
But those Ruin Guard devices were all made using this one as a template. The Ruin Guard equipped with this device had left, and even its creator had no way to control its power.
"Is it really that powerful? If it's truly that powerful, then wouldn't thoroughly researching this thing allow us to mass-produce machines with immense power?"
If that guy, the Doctor, were still alive, he would definitely be interested in this thing. Although it deviates from his research, this was something developed by a civilization with an extremely advanced level of technology.
"Unfortunately, it's no longer possible. The materials needed to create this device can no longer be gathered. Even when it was first made, it took a great deal of effort to gather the materials and complete this device."
"It was already so difficult to make back then? I thought it was the result of continuous trial and error. But why do you know so much about this?"
Doesn't this person know a little too much? It's as if he personally experienced those events, which is why he understands them so thoroughly.
Dainsleif did not answer. He just silently looked at the Ruin Guard, seemingly lost in thought.
"It seems you also have quite a few secrets. It doesn't matter if you don't tell me. Just keep hiding them, and let's see how long you can keep this secret."
Durandal looked at Dainsleif with a half-smile, placing the Ruin Guard's eye into her spatial inventory.
"This thing, I'll keep it for now. Hidden places will eventually be discovered, and entrusting it to others for safekeeping is prone to problems. So, if I keep it, you have no objections, right?"
"You keep it..."
Dainsleif frowned. Just as Durandal had no trust in him, the same was true for Dainsleif; he also didn't trust Durandal.
However, Lumine and Paimon thought this was a good idea. Only by being strong enough can one protect someone or something.
Furthermore, Durandal is hostile towards the Abyss. There's absolutely no way she would hand the item over to the Abyss Order, so letting her safeguard the Ruin Guard's eye is the safest option.
"You can question my stance, but if it's as dangerous as you say, then we must prevent it from being taken by the Abyss Order. Do you think you have the ability to protect it if the Abyss Order discovers you possess something they desire?"
No matter how unfathomable his strength, facing the threat of the Abyss, he would eventually show a weakness. At that time, the Abyss Order could seize the opportunity to take the item from him.
But Durandal is different. She fears no methods of the Abyss Order, and her strength can also resist their attacks.
"If you doubt my strength, you can experience it yourself. Of course, I cannot guarantee that you won't get hurt in the process."
Durandal would not be as polite to Dainsleif as she was to Lumine or Noelle. If he wanted to experience it, Durandal would fulfill that wish and let him fully understand the gap between them.
Under the nervous gaze of Lumine and Paimon, Dainsleif could only accept this arrangement.
To fight against the Abyss Order, he didn't want to get injured. Once severely wounded, the Abyss Order would take the opportunity to attack him.
"Then, next, we will go and deal with that the reversed statue of filth. Although we discovered the eye, that statue is still dangerous. Before the Abyss Order moves that statue, we must destroy it."
"Des-destroy it? This... how can this be! That's a statue of the seven! If the Church finds out about this, it will be a huge problem!"
The first to be affected would be Barbara. This Preacher, who has strong faith in the Anemo God, would definitely go crazy. Perhaps in the future, she wouldn't heal people and would directly switch professions, picking up a weapon and going "bang bang bang" at others.
"What? Do you think I would cherish that statue like those in the Church? You should have seen the condition of that statue. Do you think it still has a chance to recover?"
Dainsleif already had no good feelings for the Seven Gods. Moreover, that statue had already been modified by the Abyss Order. Although he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, it must have condensed a very strong Abyssal aura.
Ordinary people would have adverse reactions once infected with the Abyssal aura. If the members of the Church didn't mind the residents of Mondstadt being harmed by the Abyssal aura, he could let the Church handle that statue.
"If it's just polluted by the Abyssal aura, I should be able to deal with the aura on it."
Just as Lumine and Paimon were about to give up, Durandal stepped forward, and a light remark seemed like a slap across Dainsleif's face.
"That's right! I forgot that Durandal can absorb Abyssal aura! If that the reversed statue of filth only has Abyssal aura, Durandal can definitely try it."
Paimon looked at Durandal in surprise. Fortunately, Durandal came to find them so late; it was a huge help.
Without Durandal, they would probably only be able to destroy that statue of the seven.
Thinking of Barbara's pitiful appearance, it would truly be a shame. If they could bring the statue of the seven back to Mondstadt, that would be an immense contribution.
"...Then let's try it."
Since Durandal has this ability, Dainsleif couldn't stop her. He would observe the situation first. If she could really handle the statue's problem, he would leave it to them.
"However, that statue is very important to the Abyss Order. Even if you just eliminated an Abyssal Apostle, there will definitely be other Apostles guarding it. When we go to the ruins this time, we will definitely encounter other Abyssal Apostles, so remember to be prepared."
"I've always been doing that. I'm not a new Adventurer. I've encountered many difficulties in my travels so far, and I won't make such mistakes."
Besides, there's also Durandal as a safety measure here. Even if she gets overconfident and can't resist trying some flashy moves, Durandal will prevent accidents from happening.
"Wait a moment, if we encounter other Abyssal Apostles, can I handle them?"
"Just like always, if you're in danger, I'll act immediately, no problem, right?"
"Yes, leave it to me. I definitely won't give you a chance to act."
Although she could leave everything to Durandal, Lumine didn't want to. This was her journey. If she wasn't willing to experience even a little hardship, she would eventually become useless, unable to do anything without Durandal.
She didn't want to become such a person and also hoped Durandal would see her in a new light. She would handle most of the combat herself.
"Then let's go. It's already very late. After dealing with this matter, we still need to bring the statue of the seven back to Mondstadt. It will probably keep us busy until tomorrow morning, so don't let fatigue affect your mind. If you feel sleepy, tell me, and I'll help you with it."
"Okay, I'll rely on you then."
Dainsleif watched the three talking from behind. Looking at Durandal, who was conversing eloquently with Lumine, the wariness in his eyes receded a little.
Compared to our journey back then, your sister's companion is more formidable, Aether. No wonder you, who dote on your sister so much, haven't appeared until now. It turns out it's because she's by your sister's side.
It's just... why is their relationship a little too intimate? Is it my imagination? I always feel like your sister has ulterior motives, Aether.
The other party is a God; your sister is too terrifying.
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