"The western wind brings the scent of wine—"
"The mountain breeze carries tidings of victory—"
"The distant wind tugs at my heart—"
"Whispering my longing for you…"
In Rostam's arms, Rosalyne felt the warmth of his embrace as she sang in her sweet voice, hoping the song would forever keep him in her memory. When the song ended, she held his hand tightly, unwilling to let go, unwilling to part.
If she could, she would stay by his side forever—helping him with his work and guarding Mondstadt together. But now, because of her unstable Pyro power, they had to separate.
Seeing her reluctant, sorrowful, worried expression, Rostam guessed her thoughts. Even in her own peril, she was still concerned for him.
He said earnestly, "Don't worry. Arundolyn is holding the front lines—he'll stop most of the monsters. Even if some break through, Mondstadt's forces are strong enough to defeat them. Besides, we have the Anemo Archon watching over the city in secret. If Mondstadt faces a crisis, Barbatos will surely appear. I swear—I will wait for you to return."
He made the promise with conviction. He was confident that Mondstadt would survive this crisis. After it was over, he would personally go to the Sumeru Akademiya and bring his beloved Rosalyne back.
Hearing his vow, a faint smile appeared on her delicate face. "Promise me—after this disaster ends, you won't forget to come to Sumeru for me. Then we'll hold our wedding before the statue of Barbatos. Together, forever."
Rostam answered seriously, "I promise. Trust me—I will do it."
Before parting, they savored each other's warmth. When the Knights' carriage arrived, Rostam carefully lifted Rosalyne's frail body and gently placed her inside.
"Beloved—take this water clock. When it has completed one full turn, I will come to Sumeru and bring you home."
He placed a brand-new water clock in her palm. Holding it tightly, Rosalyne knew it was a token of their love, a promise between them.
"I will wait for you," she said.
And so, because of Rosalyne's uncontrollable Pyro power, the two lovers were forced to part. At the moment of farewell, both believed they would soon be reunited and stay together forever.
But neither could have known that this parting would be their last.
At Mondstadt's grand gates, Rostam watched the carriage disappear into the distance and silently resolved to protect the city. After the disaster ended, he would go to Sumeru immediately and bring Rosalyne home.
Inside the departing carriage, Rosalyne, weak as she was, struggled to sit up and lean out the window, wanting one last glimpse of Rostam and Mondstadt.
Gradually, escorted by the knights, the carriage faded from view. Rostam returned to the Knights of Favonius, sorting through intelligence and handling endless affairs.
Just then, news arrived from the front lines. Only half a day after Khaenri'ah's fall, countless monsters had surged across the continent and were already massing at Mondstadt's borders. Fortunately, Arundolyn had prepared well. Relying on pre-built fortifications and innumerable traps, he led the Knights to an easy victory in their first engagement, slaughtering all the monsters at the border.
Though Rostam was not on the front lines, the news lifted his spirits. But when he opened a second dispatch from the front, worry crept back onto his face. After the first wave was defeated, a second had appeared, charging toward Mondstadt.
Though Arundolyn expressed confidence in holding the line, Rostam was still uneasy. Who could guarantee the second wave would be the last? Who could say stronger monsters wouldn't appear?
To reinforce the front, Rostam immediately ordered all newly trained Knights to march to the border and support Arundolyn. He also issued a new decree: expand recruitment in Mondstadt. Any citizen who met the standards could learn Favonius Bladework and become a Knight.
Under Rostam's leadership, more and more citizens volunteered, learning his sword techniques and bolstering Mondstadt's defenses. Even without the Anemo Archon's help, the Knights of Favonius gradually stabilized the situation. Arundolyn sent victory after victory from the front.
Great victory after great victory. Countless monsters were slain by Arundolyn's forces, falling into pre-laid traps. This was not only Mondstadt's triumph but also a landmark victory in human history. After successive wins, the pressure on the front lines eased. Before long, Arundolyn would return a hero.
Even Barbatos, still in Khaenri'ah dealing with the ruins of the fallen nation, could not help but rejoice when he learned of these developments. A relaxed smile crossed his face.
"Eh heh, well done. This generation of Knights has truly not disappointed. Keep it up—guard the Dawn Winery well. Don't let those damned monsters ruin the wine. That would be a terrible loss."
But just then, gusts of wind brushed past his ears, carrying distant sounds. In the breeze, he felt the chill of the snowy mountain. He heard the roar of a dragon and the sound of withering.
"Eh, how could this be? What kind of monster has come out of that mountain? Dvalin! We need to hurry back."