Neuvillette was completely dumbfounded.
Even he himself did not understand why, from the moment of his birth, he had taken on a human form.
And yet now—
The returning Dragon King Nibelung had passed judgment on him without hesitation.
If Nibelung truly descended upon Teyvat, then the very first thing it would do—
was likely to come looking for him.
Furina:
"Neuvillette… it really seems to hate you."
Neuvillette:
"I don't know why, but I find this extremely unreasonable—and I firmly believe this has nothing to do with me."
Focalors:
"If I remember correctly, Elemental Dragon Sovereigns are usually born from the remains of the previous sovereign.
A case like yours—being born directly in human form—is truly unique."
Barbatos:
"Well, didn't Nibelung already say it?
The Hydro Dragon Sovereign's will leaned toward the order established by that one."
Ningguang:
"The Primordial One's order was rooted in love for humanity…
So the Hydro Dragon Sovereign took on human form as a result?"
Yelan:
"Our world really is fascinating.
A shift in will alone can reshape destiny—
even determining the form future Hydro Dragon Sovereigns will take."
Navia:
"So when Nibelung descends… Fontaine will be its first target?"
Wriothesley:
"Chief Justice Neuvillette already fainted once.
Could this be backlash between dragons?"
Apep:
"We may be Elemental Dragon Sovereigns, but Nibelung is the true Dragon King.
No dragon can resist its authority."
Clorinde:
"The true master of Teyvat is in Fontaine."
Navia:
"When Nibelung arrives in Fontaine, it'll finally learn what true terror is.
Its pride will be worth nothing."
Reading the messages, Neuvillette would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous.
Like Morax, he always maintained a dignified, composed demeanor.
If Nibelung found him and made him lose face in public—
that would be unbearably humiliating.
He sighed heavily.
"That ancestor clearly sensed Nibelung's presence already…
So why does he still have the leisure to watch the Khaenri'ah sinners bicker?"
"And Nibelung itself admits this was the previous Hydro Dragon's will deviation.
So why vent its rage on me?"
Neuvillette's Office
After Neuvillette's sudden collapse, Furina led Focalors back to his office.
Focalors gathered a palmful of pure water and gently guided it into Neuvillette's body.
Only then did his eyes slowly open again.
"Neuvillette! What just happened?"
Furina asked anxiously.
She was terrified that her newly gained power had harmed him without her realizing it.
"I'm fine," Neuvillette said after steadying himself.
"But just now… I heard a furious roar inside my mind."
"My consciousness shattered instantly. That's why I collapsed."
"A roar?" Focalors frowned.
"Did you go against our master's wishes?
Did you fail to arrest those on the list?"
Neuvillette rubbed his temples and shook his head.
"I followed the list precisely."
"And that roar didn't belong to him."
"It felt more like… a call from another will."
Furina blinked blankly.
"What kind of strange thing is that?"
"I'm not sure either," Focalors replied.
Just then—
Urgent footsteps thundered outside.
Bang!
The door was thrown open.
Clorinde froze when she saw two Furinas in the room, then quickly remembered Aerin's earlier words.
So this is the real Hydro Archon…
But she had no time to dwell on it.
"My lords—something terrible has happened."
"Dragonlizards have attacked the towns outside Fontaine."
"According to refugees, they're advancing toward the Court."
"Dragonlizards?!" Furina cried.
"Why would they suddenly attack settlements?"
Focalors' gaze immediately shifted to Neuvillette.
Neuvillette's expression darkened.
"I don't know why," he said slowly.
"But I believe it's connected to my collapse."
Liyue — Beneath the Sealed Azhdaha Tree
Azhdaha suddenly lifted his head.
Since being sealed again by Morax, he had noticed changes in the ley lines.
They not only resisted erosion—
they were empowering him.
He didn't understand why.
But it felt… comfortable.
So Azhdaha chose to remain silent.
"My vishaps… the Geo Dragonkin…
They're ignoring my summons and rioting again?"
"What is this—"
"…Wait."
Azhdaha had sensed a strange call earlier too.
But it vanished the instant it appeared.
His consciousness expanded outward.
Elsewhere in Liyue
Morax was drinking quietly with Barbatos when a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Morax!"
Morax's hand trembled. Wine spilled across the table.
"Was that… Azhdaha?" Barbatos jolted upright.
"The Geo Dragon King you sealed?!
Is it breaking free again?!"
"Morax!" Azhdaha's urgent voice boomed.
"Something is terribly wrong in Liyue's mountains—go look!"
"So strong an intent…" Barbatos muttered.
Before Nibelung had even descended—
it was already commanding dragonkind.
Dvalin lowered his head uneasily.
"Am I being controlled too…?"
Then he glared at Barbatos.
"Look at what you've done, Barbatos!"
"Nibelung is trying to force dragonkind into war,
and you're drinking in Liyue?!"
"Azhdaha can resist using the ley lines empowered by Aerin.
Neuvillette survived thanks to Focalors' Valkyrie power."
"What about me?!"
Barbatos broke into a cold sweat, apologizing profusely.
Then he frowned.
"I didn't know Nibelung could command dragons from beyond the world."
"And you said it yourself—
Azhdaha resisted because of Aerin's reforged ley lines."
"If you lose control, the only thing I can do is fight you."
Dvalin's dragon face twisted.
"Tch. Useless at critical moments, as always."
Mondstadt
A massive emerald figure swept across the sky.
The moment Dvalin reached Mondstadt's airspace—
A sharp green beam descended from above, piercing straight through his body.
He roared and plummeted.
Citizens screamed and scattered—
Until a powerful gust caught him mid-fall.
"Dvalin! What happened?!"
Jean rushed forward.
She had sensed ominous winds earlier.
"This wasn't your will… was it?"
Dvalin slowly rose, shaking his head.
"Jean… I don't know why, but an irresistible command appeared in my mind."
"After that—I remember nothing."
"…Did I hurt Mondstadt again?"
He frantically scanned the city.
Seeing it unharmed, he finally relaxed.
"Thank Barbatos you were here…"
Barbatos arrived in a flash.
"Your situation is exactly like Azhdaha's," he said grimly.
"What's happening?" Jean asked.
"I don't know," Barbatos replied.
"But Liyue is under massive Dragonkin attack."
"Dragon-type beings being mind-controlled?" Jean murmured.
Barbatos nodded.
"But this isn't Aerin's doing."
Jean agreed.
"Controlling wills is the one thing Master despises most."
She paused, remembering Eula's story about Bella—
then shook her head.
"No… that can't be it. She's already been dealt with."
Inazuma
"Now—perish."
Lightning tore the sky apart.
All Dragonlizards were annihilated instantly, leaving nothing behind.
Yae Miko approached with a teasing smile.
"You seem angry, Ei."
"I'm not," Raiden Ei replied calmly.
"Protecting Inazuma is my duty."
She gazed into the distance.
"And I want Master to see my resolve."
Sumeru — The Desert
A massive green dragon lay across the sands.
"Feeling better?" a gentle voice asked.
Apep opened her eyes.
Before her stood Buer.
Behind Buer, Nahida peeked out nervously.
"You stopped me?" Apep asked.
"Yes," Buer nodded softly.
"I sensed your agitation."
Apep stared at the star-filled sky.
"That feeling… it was familiar."
"The command in my mind was irresistible."
"…Like a king's presence."
Buer's smile vanished.
"A king?"
In this world—
that would mean a god.
She caught herself, tongue clicking.
She had nearly struck Apep by reflex.
"Watch your words," Apep snorted.
"My apologies, Dragon Sovereign."
Suddenly, Apep panicked.
"Buer—look at the sky!"
Buer followed her gaze.
And froze.
The starry sky—
was cracking.
Brilliant daylight poured through the fractures.
"The sky of Teyvat is false…" Buer whispered.
"But something beyond it… is trying to break the shell."
Nahida trembled, gripping Buer's dress.
"What's happening to the sky?"
Apep surged upright, eyes locked on the裂 sky.
"No… that's impossible."
"It should have died in the Year of the Dark Fire."
Buer's pupils shrank.
"You mean… the Dragon King—Nibelung?"
The moment she spoke the name—
A deafening crack echoed.
Light flooded down.
The sky split wide open.
And it kept spreading.
"No—!" Buer cried.
"The sky of Teyvat… has completely shattered!"
"Nahida, return to the Sanctuary immediately!"
"I must report this to Master."
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