Deep beneath Mt. Hulao, in the lightless caverns below—
When words suddenly appeared upon the glowing screen before him, Azhdaha froze for a moment.
"Vortex God?"
A swirl of fragmented memories surfaced from his muddled mind.
If he remembered correctly, that sea creature had been speared and sealed beneath the waves by Morax himself, hadn't he?
At that thought, Azhdaha couldn't help but let out a low, rumbling laugh.
[Azhdaha]:@[Vortex God]And what are you, exactly? A pitiful insect pinned beneath the sea by a single spear of Morax—how dare you presume to scheme alongside us dragons?
[Vortex God]:A moment of carelessness, that's all!
A "moment of carelessness"?
Sure, keep telling yourself that.
Zhongli's golden eyes—like finely polished amber—shifted toward the distant Guyun Stone Forest.
He sighed quietly.
These days, everyone seems to talk big.
Maybe because there were so many onlookers in the chatroom, nobody could afford to lose face.
But really, what was the point? Facts were facts—no need to pretend.
[Azhdaha]:Are there any other elemental dragons in this chat? I, Azhdaha, shall raise my banner against the despicable Seven Archons of this age! Who will join me?!
[Furina]:Excuse me?! When exactly did I become "despicable"?!
[Neuvillette]:While Lady Furina is a somewhat… dramatic god, "despicable" is not an adjective that applies.
[Dragon of the Sands]:…Currently unwell.
[Lumine]:Holy—so there really is another elemental dragon in here?!
[Zhongli]:That would be Dragon of the Sands, the Dendro Dragon of legend. Ancient beyond measure; few records remain. Yet Dragon of the Sands's power was said to be immense. Even the God-King of the Great Red Sand once made a pact with it.
[Venti]:Wow, you sure know a lot. Suspiciously so. Are you hiding a secret identity, perhaps? (wink)
Hiss—
Was Zhongli's true identity about to be exposed today?!
[Keqing]:It's well known that Consultant Zhongli of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is widely read and learned. Surely he just read this in some ancient texts?
[Zhongli]:Precisely.
Ah, now that was a timely save! The Yuheng Star really did have a way with words.
[Dragon of the Sands]:Retreating.
[Azhdaha]:How unfortunate.
[Venti]:@[Dvalin] Don't listen to Azhdaha!
[Dvalin]:?
[Dvalin]:What's that supposed to mean?
[Dvalin]:You did tell me to be free and make my own choices, didn't you? Well then—I choose to join Azhdaha and overthrow you! (smirk)
Seeing the sarcastic emoji, Venti exhaled in relief.
Good—he was joking.
[Venti]:Hahaha, let's get back to watching the video, shall we? Look—we're already back in Mondstadt. Wait, hold on—
"Acting Grand Master Jean," Gu Chen said calmly, "I don't know why the Temples of the Four Winds were abandoned, but in my opinion, the people of Mondstadt should be reminded of the Four Winds' devotion—and the Wind God's sacrifices.
People must learn gratitude.
If the Mondstadters themselves forget the heroes who once protected them, then should those heroes ever fall and turn their blades upon Mondstadt, the people would have only themselves to blame."
Jean's expression grew solemn. "I understand. I'll make sure that's addressed."
"Good." Gu Chen nodded. "Then that's settled. Lumine, Venti—the Sky Lyre's return is up to you two."
"Leave it to me!" Lumine replied confidently.
[Dvalin]:I knew it! That young man truly shines when he's doing something righteous!
[Venti]:What a bootlicker.
[Kaeya]:That's true freedom—speaking one's mind and pointing out Mondstadt's flaws. Without the Stormterror incident, how many would even remember the East Wind's guardian, Dvalin?
[Dvalin]:When I was lost to madness, the Fatui hunted me, the Abyss sought to use me… those pains I could endure. But the fact that Mondstadt forgot me—that wounded me deeper than any blade.
[Diluc]:Not all Mondstadters are ungrateful. Still, Gu Chen's suggestion makes perfect sense.
[Dvalin]:Hmph, Mondstadt could stand to learn from Liyue!
[Zhongli]:You flatter us.
[Keqing]:The deeds of our forebears should be remembered.
[Ningguang]:The Geo Lord, the Adepti, the Millelith, and every generation of the Liyue Qixing—forever carved into Liyue's heart.
[Cloud Retainer]:This generation of the Qixing, this one acknowledges.
[Mountain Shaper]:Duty fulfilled, nothing more. But, have you all noticed? This is the first time the story shifts away from Gu Chen's point of view—to Miss Lumine's!
Everyone looked closer—indeed, it was.
Lumine, Paimon, and Venti were shown heading toward Mondstadt Cathedral to return the Sky Lyre.
Barbara, the church's deaconess, looked puzzled at their arrival—until she learned why they'd come.
"No wonder the Sky Lyre went missing! So it was you?!"
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Venti waved his hands frantically. "We used it to awaken the East Wind Dragon!"
"Huh?"
Barbara blinked.
After their explanation, she finally nodded with a sigh. "Well, that's a good thing, I suppose… but the Lyre's broken now. Sigh… never mind. Just go—go! I'll have to put it back myself."
[Barbara]:The Sky Lyre in the cathedral is fine, by the way.
[Paimon]:Eh? Didn't Venti say it was an illusion?
[Venti]:Ehe~ Just a little joke!
[Lumine]:I've got a really bad feeling about this…
[Kaeya]:Details, please!
[Lumine]:Just watch.
In the video, the trio exited the cathedral—
Suddenly, two Fatui Debt Collectors burst out from underground, lunging at Venti!
Thankfully, Lumine reacted fast—dispatching both with ease.
She barely had time to catch her breath when a woman approached from the side—
her expression cold, her posture regal.
[Childe]:The "Lady"? Oh ho, she's been waiting for this, hasn't she?
With a flick of her wrist, a howling blizzard surged forth.
The air itself froze.
In midair, Paimon was instantly turned into an ice cube and sent flying into the distance.
[Paimon]:…
At the same time, frost climbed up Venti's legs, rooting him in place.
Lumine barely had time to react before the two remaining Debt Collectors pinned her down.
"Well, well," the Lady said, approaching slowly.
"Looks like I've finally found the little hamster that escaped its cage."
She grasped Venti's chin, forcing him to look up at her—eyes filled with disdain.
"Nibbling on wood, gnawing at the granary… You've caused quite enough trouble for Mondstadt."
Before she could continue, Venti frowned and muttered,
"You mean rat, not hamster—"
SLAP!
Her hand lashed across his face, sharp and sudden.
[Zhongli]:?
[Furina]:?
[Raiden Ei]:?
[Nahida]:(shocked)
[Childe]:?
[Dvalin]:As much as I'd love to cheer her on, striking a god on Mondstadt soil? That's far too presumptuous!
[Zhongli]:Clearly fake. A god couldn't possibly lose to a mere Fatui Harbinger.
[Raiden Ei]:This "Harbinger" woman… has she always been this bold? (curious)