Having lost the Wolf King's devastating suppressive fire, the black tide of monsters surged forward violently toward Mondstadt like a bursting dam!
The deafening roars and howls sounded as if they were determined to completely swallow this City of freedom.
"Hold the line! For Mondstadt!"
Kaeya shouted, drawing a sharp flourish with his Favonius Sword, and the icy blue Sword Energy instantly left the Blazing Axe Mitachurls charging at the front Frozen.
The inscrutable smile still hung on his face, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.
Beside him, Diluc remained silent, but the massive Favonius Greatsword in his hands swung like the Grim Reaper's scythe.
Searing flames wrapped around the blade; every swing brought forth a conflagration, causing the monsters to shriek as the air filled with the smell of charring.
He was like a silent bedrock, complementing Kaeya's agility, firmly guarding the most crucial position at the city gates.
Behind them, a squad of Knights of Favonius formed a tight formation, their long spears like a forest and their shields like a mountain, staunchly resisting wave after wave of the monsters' frenzied assault.
The gleam of swords, the shadows of spears, Elemental Power, and the roars of monsters intertwined into a cruel yet magnificent battle hymn.
"Aim for their joints and eyes! Mika, watch the three o'clock direction, there are some trying to climb!"
Amber stood on the rampart, her gaze sharp, the bowstring in her hand almost never resting.
Arrows imbued with flames flew as if they had eyes, accurately piercing the monsters attempting to climb the city walls using grappling hooks or sharp claws, sending them plummeting down with shrieks.
"Understood, Senior Amber!"
Mika held a crossbow, his movements swift and steady, precisely taking down approaching flying monsters.
Occasionally, a small number of swift monsters broke through the outer defenses, scaling the wall and dropping into the city, but they immediately met with an even more terrifying "disaster."
Noelle stood in Mondstadt City's central plaza, her petite frame contrasting sharply with the Favonius Greatsword in her hand, which was taller than she was.
Her eyes were resolute, and dense Geo Elemental Power permeated her surroundings.
Any monster that entered her sight was met with the giant sword's storm-like swings!
There were no complex moves, only pure, ultimate strength and the determination to protect; the wind pressure generated by her greatsword swings could even directly launch nearby monsters away!
She was like a fortress that would never fall, guarding the heart of the city.
Meanwhile, in the complex alleys and on the rooftops, Bennett and Fischl (along with Oz) moved rapidly like firefighters.
"Bad luck, bad luck, bad luck! We need backup here!"
Bennett yelled while using his sword to parry a sneak attack from a Whopperflower. Although the ground beneath him suddenly cracked, nearly causing him to fall, he always narrowly avoided the attack and managed to pull a civilian cornered by monsters behind him.
"Hmph! Despicable monsters, how dare you disturb the Immernachtreich of this Prinzessin! Oz—! In the name of Retribution, purge them!"
Fischl directed them with a dramatic flourish. Oz, like a bolt of black lightning, declared, "Hmph! Witness the Young Lady's great power!" and unleashed dense Electric Projectiles, accurately striking the scattered monsters and creating opportunities for Bennett's rescues.
A temporary aid station had been set up in front of the Cathedral of the Favonius.
Barbara wore a gentle smile, and although sweat beaded on her brow, her singing never stopped.
Soft Hydro Elemental Light sprinkled down like sweet dew onto the injured knights and civilians, healing their wounds and soothing their fears.
"Everyone, hold on! May the Anemo God protect you!"
Her presence was like a light in the darkness, bolstering everyone's spirits.
Facing the gathered monster army, Hassan of the Hundred Faces understood that splitting her power further was meaningless.
She decisively recalled most of her Clones, retaining only twenty individuals.
This granted every remaining "her" significantly enhanced strength, speed, and endurance. While still not suited for direct legion combat, dealing with scattered monsters attempting to infiltrate from the flanks or rear was more than enough.
Twenty purple phantom figures, like hunters merged into the shadows, roamed the edges of the battlefield.
They no longer sought absolute silence, but instead focused on clearance with extreme efficiency.
An Abyss Mage attempting to sneak in through the sewer had barely poked its head out before its throat was slit by a short blade extending from the shadows.
Several Hilichurl Rangers approaching the wall using the cover of buildings were instantly dealt with by simultaneous surprise attacks launched from different angles... The Hassan of the Hundred Faces divided into smaller units, acting like the most precise killing machines, accurately pruning the monster army's "tentacles" reaching toward Mondstadt, ensuring no stragglers could cause further damage within the city.
Throughout Mondstadt City, from the sky to the ground, from the city walls to the streets and alleys, every person was fighting to protect their homeland.
Perhaps the Anemo God's gaze was fixed upon this place, and a seemingly hopeless defensive battle was stubbornly continuing, thanks to these brave people and certain "unexpected" reinforcements.