Before leaving, Lin Mo didn't forget to turn his head, his voice cold as he spoke:
"I came this time only to warn you."
"Don't let me find out that you plan to harm my friends in the future."
"Otherwise, even if you're Lumine's brother, I won't show mercy."
"I won't kill you—but locking you away in some lightless prison forever? That, I can do."
…
Aether watched as Lin Mo leapt down from the battlefield.
His gaze was filled with mixed emotions.
But when he saw Lumine fighting with all her strength behind Dvalin,
a relieved, gentle smile crept onto his lips.
"Lumine… you're far luckier than your brother," he murmured softly.
"You've made some truly reliable friends…"
…
At this moment, Lin Mo spread his Wind Glider and slowly flew back toward the battle platform.
Looking down, he saw that Dvalin's enormous body was no longer shrouded in corrupted black.
Aside from a single black spike embedded in the tip of his tail,
the mountain-like dragon had returned to a healthy emerald green.
However, that final black spike hung straight beneath the platform.
From such an awkward angle, it was nearly impossible for anyone to remove it.
Everyone stood on the dragon's back, brows furrowed, clearly discussing what to do next.
Just then—
"Windstep!"
A sharp shout rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Wrapped in swirling Anemo energy, Lin Mo transformed into a streak of green light,
shooting straight toward Dvalin's tail like a falling star.
"Traveler, look! It's that diplomatic envoy with the amazing sword skills~!"
"Brother Ganqing~!!"
"You brat… I almost thought you'd disappeared again…"
"Teacher… that move was so cool…"
…
Under everyone's gaze, the emerald streak cut through the gloomy sky.
Clang—!
A crisp sound echoed as the final spike shattered.
"ROOOAAAR—!!!"
A thunderous dragon's roar shook the heavens and earth.
At last, Dvalin was completely freed from Durin's curse, fully purged of the Abyss's corruption.
But at that very moment, the entire tower began to tremble violently.
"Rumble—!!!"
Cracks spread rapidly across the platform where Dvalin rested.
"This is bad! The tower is about to collapse!"
Paimon cried out in panic.
"Boom—!"
With a deafening roar, all the platforms inside Stormterror's Lair shattered completely.
Along with Dvalin's weakened body,
everyone began plummeting toward the seemingly bottomless depths of the tower.
…
…
When they came back to their senses,
Venti realized the sensation of falling had vanished.
Opening his eyes, he saw an endless expanse of azure sky.
Everyone was seated on the dragon's back, having flown out of the raging storm,
soaring above the shattered ruins of Stormterror's Lair.
Venti lay against Dvalin's back, gently stroking his scales as he sighed:
"It's been so long since we flew together like this… Dvalin…"
His voice was filled with nostalgia and relief.
"Just now… why didn't you…"
"…ask me to 'protect' you, like before?"
Dvalin's deep voice rumbled with confusion.
"I don't want you to listen to the Abyss," Venti said softly, standing up and smiling at him.
"But that doesn't mean you must listen to me."
"A 'freedom' commanded by a god… isn't that still a kind of bondage?"
At that moment, a wisp of emerald light gathered in Venti's palm,
then flowed gently into Dvalin's body.
"This is… the power of the Anemo Archon's blessing…"
Dvalin said in surprise.
The instant the energy entered him,
all his wounds healed completely.
Yet his voice still carried a trace of sorrow.
"But… I am no longer one of the Four Winds…"
Venti smiled warmly.
"Even without that title, didn't you still protect us all just now?"
"From now on, carry our blessings with you—
and fly with greater ease."
Everyone watched as master and dragon finally reconciled.
Seeing Venti's gentle smile,
they couldn't help but smile as well.
The dragon crisis had finally come to an end.
Mondstadt's Eastern Wind Dragon had cast off the name of Stormterror,
returning once more to being Dvalin, the Eastern Wind.
Guided by him,
everyone returned to Mondstadt—to the Knights of Favonius.
…
…
Inside the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, in the Grand Master's office.
Jean smiled as she looked at everyone who had taken part in resolving the dragon crisis.
"The dragon crisis in Mondstadt has come to an end."
"In the eyes of ordinary citizens, Stormterror appeared suddenly and vanished just as suddenly. There will surely be many questions."
"I will speak on behalf of the Knights, clarify the truth for the people, and formally announce the conclusion of the incident."
As she spoke, Jean's gaze shifted—
landing on Lin Mo, who was sitting on the sofa, carefully helping Klee make a Dodoco Diary.
Following Jean's eyes, everyone else also looked toward Lin Mo,
who was absorbed in his work.
Jean spoke again:
"For this dragon crisis, our diplomatic envoy, Mod Ganqing,
made outstanding contributions to its resolution."
"As Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius,
I propose to grant him the title of Honorary Knight."
"Does anyone here have objections?"
As Jean spoke, her eyes swept across the room.
Everyone nodded, smiling in agreement.
Lin Mo: ???
"Eh? Wait… I wasn't paying attention just now."
Lin Mo finally snapped out of it, lifting his head and looking at Jean.
He asked seriously, just to be sure.
"Because of your contributions to resolving the dragon crisis,
I wish to grant you the title of Honorary Knight,"
Jean repeated with a smile.
Lin Mo's eyes went wide.
The plot—
This kind of ridiculous deviation absolutely couldn't be allowed to happen!
"I… I refuse!"
--------
T/N:
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