Following the Knights, Lumine and her little partner Paimon also brought back a few more of Dvalin's Tears, already fully purified.
Counting the ones Richard had previously purified, restoring the Holy Lyre der Himmel should no longer be an issue.
Under everyone's gaze, drop by drop, the Wind Dragon's crystals merged into the Holy Lyre. As the Anemo energy flowed in from the crystals, the Lyre's body began to shine once again.
They could feel the Lyre regaining its former glory, and the swirling Anemo around it turned into a visible emerald glow.
"The Anemo… is brimming with liveliness again. That should do it," Venti nodded in satisfaction.
"So, where should we summon Dvalin?" Furina asked curiously. Her question was exactly what everyone else, except Richard and Venti, was wondering too.
"Judging by the terrain, it definitely shouldn't be inside Mondstadt. Not only would that cause panic, but if it failed, the damage would be incalculable…" Jean analyzed calmly.
"I think we should consider the size of the dragon. We need a wide-open place, preferably without trees blocking the view, easier for me to capture clear footage too," Charlotte suggested.
"The surroundings matter too. If it's a beautiful, comfortable place, I think the chances of waking Dvalin's consciousness would be higher," Paimon chimed in enthusiastically.
"The Holy Lyre calls the Stormterror with its music, so it's best to choose somewhere windy, the wind will carry the song far, increasing the chance that Dvalin hears it," Furina added, offering her perspective from an acoustic angle.
"And the air shouldn't be too dry either. Dvalin doesn't like dry, stifling places," Venti added knowingly, after all, he knew his old friend best.
Richard gathered everyone's input and then named the spot he'd prepared in advance.
"In that case, the only suitable place is Starsnatch Cliff."
Jean had clearly thought of it too. "Yes, it's a perfect spot. Hardly any people, right by the sea, and the surroundings are beautiful."
Paimon tugged at Lumine's sleeve and whispered, "Hey, isn't that the place where you overslept last time?"
Lumine whispered back, "That was the beach under Starsnatch Cliff! Aren't you supposed to be my guide?"
Faced with Lumine's jab, Paimon could only giggle awkwardly.
"Let's not waste time, the boring opening act is over. It's time for the climax, or the audience will want a refund." Furina clapped her hands and announced to everyone.
"What a weird metaphor… but oddly fitting somehow…" Paimon muttered.
"Hmm? Do you have a problem with my lines?" Furina shot a look at the 'Emergency Food.'
"Ah? N-no, not at all! I mean… Yes, Lady Furina!" Paimon quickly waved her hands and, imitating Richard's tone, gave Furina a salute.
"Strange, when you say it, it doesn't have that special feeling," Furina frowned.
"What feeling?" Paimon asked curiously.
"I don't know… Sometimes it feels reassuring, sometimes it makes my heart race… Why am I telling you this?" Furina snapped out of it and gave Paimon a disdainful look.
"What the heck, so secretive!" Paimon grumbled under her breath and floated back to Lumine's side, deciding not to talk to Furina anymore.
Since this mission was to purify Dvalin, not fight him, too many people might only make him wary. So Jean instructed the rest of the Knights to stay and guard Mondstadt, while she herself, Venti, Lumine, Paimon, the reporter Charlotte, plus Richard and Furina, just the seven of them, would head to Starsnatch Cliff.
But while they set out for the Cliff, there were eyes in the shadows of Mondstadt watching them.
Inside the Fatui's local base, La Signora stood by a window where she could see the group emerging from the Cathedral.
"My Lady, we've confirmed that the Hydro Archon Furina and Anemo Archon Barbatos are heading to Starsnatch Cliff to purify Stormterror," a Debt Collector emerged from the shadows and bowed.
"Understood. The plan can begin. So, that man actually came back to Mondstadt, and even brought the Hydro Archon. Almost ruined my setup. Hmph! But of course… this is the land where he grew up…"
The Eighth Harbinger of the Fatui clearly wasn't pleased with Richard's arrival.
Her subordinate, the Debt Collector, asked hesitantly, "My Lady… since that person is there too… will this plan risk angering… I apologize!"
Sensing his superior's displeasure, the Debt Collector immediately bowed his head. Under his hood, cold sweat soaked his mask.
As an elite under the Fair Lady's command, no one knew better than he how moody, or rather, how mad, his superior was. Beneath her refined appearance lurked a fury of 'arrogance' and 'pride' that had long consumed her from within; all that remained was a body driven by hatred.
"That person? Watch your tongue. He betrayed Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa. He's lost the Tsaritsa's protection; now he's nothing but a pathetic dog wagging his tail for the Hydro Archon. Now… all he can do is talk big!" the Lady sneered.
The Debt Collector recalled how Richard had behaved in front of the Hydro Archon; he didn't look like some pitiful lapdog at all. On the contrary, Richard always seemed to have the upper hand with Furina, almost as if he were the god, and Furina was just his personal secretary, adding emotional flavor.
But since The Fair Lady had spoken, he didn't dFairare contradict her. Knowing her temper, he'd be lucky to see the sunrise if he did.
"That's enough. I have my arrangements. Just do your job properly, and if you mess up… well, I don't need to remind you what happens next, do I?"
The Fair Lady watched the group disappear from view, then finally pulled her eyes away, waved dismissively, and turned to leave the Executive's office.
"Yes, My Lady!" The Debt Collector bowed low to see her off. When she was gone, he too melted back into the darkness…