Yi Chen looked at Dvalin with complete sincerity.
"Of course, this is only a request.
Once Mondstadt gets through this hardest period and the Grand Master returns—
Whether you want to keep guarding, travel the world, or sleep somewhere for a few centuries, it's entirely up to you."
"I promise no one will ever force you again."
Dvalin was stunned.
More than the request itself, he was shaken by the words 'felt your emotions.'
That centuries-deep agony—being forgotten by those he loved—had been truly understood.
That understanding pierced his heart deeper than any power or absolution.
The being who had just erased an entire region like a god now stood before him as an equal, acknowledging his pain and sincerely asking—not commanding.
A long silence followed.
At last, Dvalin lowered his head solemnly.
"…I accept."
"Until Mondstadt recovers and gains new protection…
I, Dvalin, will continue my duty as the East Wind."
This time, not from guilt or coercion—but from relief, and a rekindled guardian's heart.
Yi Chen immediately beamed.
"Perfect! It's settled!"
"I'll head back to Mondstadt and make arrangements!
Jean and the others will be thrilled!"
"In a few days, I'll come back and give you a grand, city-wide return ceremony!
We'll let everyone see—the East Wind has returned!"
Before he even finished speaking, Yi Chen transformed into a streak of green wind and shot off toward Mondstadt, leaving only an excited echo behind.
Dvalin watched him disappear, emotions swirling—relief, gratitude… and a faint anxiety about that very enthusiastic ceremony.
Then—
That familiar, annoying voice sounded again.
"So? What do you think, Dvalin?
Pretty reliable pick for an 'Anemo Archon candidate,' huh?"
Venti had appeared on Dvalin's back, sitting comfortably.
Dvalin snorted.
"Barbatos… compared to you—a god who disappears for centuries, drinks all day, plays music, and avoids responsibility…"
"…That kid is far more reliable!!!"
Meanwhile, Yi Chen flew joyfully toward Mondstadt, already planning the ceremony—guest lists, budgets, whether to bill Jean or pay himself—
Suddenly—
A crushing wave of exhaustion hit him.
The raging wind energy collapsed instantly, like someone had unplugged him.
"Damn it! Is this the side effect of Mamba Elbow?!"
He barely managed to scream before turning into a free-falling meteor, plummeting straight into the forest below.
BOOM.
Birds scattered in panic.
Yi Chen lay sprawled in a human-shaped crater.
[That's right, Host-chan~]
[With Mamba's power, you have to lose something. Like… occasional crashes. Totally reasonable, right?]
"Reasonable my ass…"
Yi Chen barely had the strength to roll his eyes.
Let's see… liver cracked, ribs broken, leg fractured…
Three minutes and he'd be mostly healed.
Not urgent. Area seems safe.
…Screw it.
He closed his eyes, adjusted to a more comfortable "corpse pose," and waited for auto-recovery.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves. Warm.
Elsewhere in the forest—
"Paimon, are you sure this is the right way?
I feel like we've looped around three times already."
A blonde girl frowned at the identical trees.
"Of course it's right! Absolutely!"
The floating creature beside her puffed her chest.
"Follow Paimon and you'll reach Mondstadt!
Probably…!"
"You've said that five times already!"
Lumine groaned.
"We're lost, aren't we?"
"Traveler! This isn't being lost!"
Paimon stomped midair.
"This is… adventurous exploration!"
Suddenly—
A loud impact echoed through the forest.
Paimon squeaked and hid behind Lumine.
"What was that?! A monster?!"
Lumine steadied herself.
"Something fell from the sky…
Let's check it out?"
"W-What?! What if it's dangerous?!"
"What if it's someone who needs help?"
Lumine added with a glint in her eyes.
"And maybe… treasure?"
"Treasure!"
Paimon's eyes instantly turned into Mora signs.
"Then let's go!"
They parted the bushes and found a boy lying in a human-shaped crater.
Paimon circled him thoughtfully.
"Hmm… fell from the sky, not moving, pale face…
Traveler, is he… dead?"
Lumine poked his cheek.
Soft. Warm.
"Maybe… still alive?"
At that moment, Yi Chen let out a faint, comfortable groan as his body healed.