At this moment, the people of Mondstadt had all arrived.
Not only was Cao Zhong stunned by the adorable, tiny Dvalin—
Everyone else in Mondstadt was equally dumbfounded.
Was this really the same Stormterror that had just ravaged the city?
Venti stared at the tiny, cute Dvalin and cried out:
"Where's my Dvalin?! Where's my huge Dvalin?!"
He instinctively reached out, trying to scoop the little dragon into his arms.
But—
Tiny Dvalin slapped his hand away with a look of pure disgust.
Barbatos, you useless, no-work bard—don't touch me!"
Saying the fiercest words—
With the cutest face imaginable.
"Eh-heh…"
Venti awkwardly scratched his nose.
Even after shrinking, this little dragon was still as unlovable as ever.
"Wow, so cute!"
Amber excitedly scooped up the tiny Dvalin, hugging him tightly.
Soon, the other girls crowded around—
Taking turns holding him, completely smitten.
Seeing this—
Cao Zhong couldn't hold it in anymore.
"What's this supposed to mean?! I'm the one who saved Mondstadt! Shouldn't yo
all be hugging me instead? I want hugs too—come on, hug me!"
All the girls rolled their eyes at him in perfect unison.
Yeah, right.
As if we don't know what you're thinking, you shameless flirt.
[Hu Tao]: Waaah, baby Dvalin is so cute! I want to squish him!
[Klee]: Where?! Where?! Let Klee see!
As expected—
Women have zero resistance to cute things.
Only Jean remained quiet.
She looked at Dvalin, her expression complicated.
This small creature before her—
Had nearly destroyed Mondstadt's thousand-year legacy.
And yet—
He was also the one who once protected Mondstadt from Durin's poison.
Now…
How to deal with Dvalin—
That was the real problem.
Cao Zhong noticed her hesitation.
He understood.
Facing someone who was both savior and destroyer—
Anyone would be conflicted.
But Dvalin had only fallen like this because—
He once protected Mondstadt…
Was forgotten by its people…
And was corrupted by the Abyss Order.
Now—
He had regained clarity.
Even reverted to his younger form.
There was still hope for him.
"It's all over now."
Cao Zhong gently wrapped an arm around Jean's shoulder, comforting her.
Jean instinctively wanted to pull away.
After all—
Barbara, Amber, and Eula were right there.
Though they had just fought side by side—
On another battlefield…
They were rivals.
But when she remembered—
Cao Zhong standing alone against Dvalin, risking everything—
Her heart softened.
"…Fine. I'll let him have this moment."
Meanwhile—
Barbara, Amber, and Eula—
Though playing with the little dragon—
Had never taken their eyes off Cao Zhong and Jean.
Tiny Dvalin, who had been enjoying himself—
Suddenly felt the grip on his neck tighten.
"W-wait—can't breathe! Help! Help! Someone save me!!!"
The three girls exchanged glances—
Sparks flying between them
"Hmph!"
But in the end—
They didn't interfere.
No one stopped Cao Zhong.
Consider it a reward—
For his heroics today.
But if there's a next time—
They'd definitely deal with him.
(…After using him first.)
Then—
They returned to "gently" playing with the little dragon.
"So you're Dvalin, huh? Look at the mess you made of Mondstadt—bonk!"
"Bonk!""Me too—bonk!"
Soon—
Dvalin was completely dizzy.
Who am I?
Where am I
What am I doing?
Nearby—
Kaeya, Venti, and Bennett huddled together, faces serious.
"Do you smell that?"
"Yeah…"
"Gunpowder. A lot of it."
"Should we retreat?"
"Retreat. Definitely retreat."
"You want to stay and die?"
The battlefield between women—
Was far more terrifying than fighting a god.
Meanwhile—
Cao Zhong, still being affectionate with Jean—
Had no idea he had just walked past death's door.
[Xingqiu]: Sigh… now that Boss Cao is this strong, it feels a bit hard to adjust.
[Hu Tao]: Exactly! I don't even dare laugh at him anymore… this is so sad!
[Yae Miko]: True… what if he gets upset and flies to Inazuma to spank me… how excit—ahem, terrifying!
[Kujou Sara]: ???
[Kamisato Ayato]: Lady Guuji, you meant "exciting," didn't you?
[Yae Miko]: Oh? Was I found out? Ahahaha~
[Kamisato Ayaka]: ...
[Cao Zhong]: No need for that. Just treat me like before.
[Kaeya]: Really?
[Cao Zhong]: Of course.
[Bennett]: You won't get mad?
[Cao Zhong]: Why would I?
[Venti]: Then we're starting!
[Cao Zhong]: Wait—what?
[Kaeya]: Damn it, Cao Zhong, you deserve death! Hugging Acting Grand Master Jean right in front of us—my teeth are grinding to dust!
[Venti]: I've always despised playboys like you! From now on, we're done—never speaking again!
[Bennett]: I cannot coexist under the same sky as a playboy!
[Cao Zhong]: ??
[Hu Tao]: It's back, it's back! That familiar feeling is back! Everything is back!!! 🎆🎆🎆
Meanwhile — Mondstadt, Goth Grand Hotel.
La Signora paced gracefully across the room.
Several Fatui agents knelt before her.
"Lady Signora… since we already know Venti is the Anemo Archon, why not just take his Gnosis directly? Why provoke Cao Zhong?"
CRACK!
A whip lashed out instantly.
The speaker was sent flying.
The others trembled in fear.
"You dare question my decision?"
Signora stepped forward—
Her heel pressing down hard on the fallen agent.
(Out of her sight…)
The other
Fatui agents looked at their colleague—
With envy.
"I-I wouldn't dare! Please forgive me!"
Only then did Signora lift her foot.
"Remember—your job is to obey. Not to question."
"Yes, Lady Signora!"
She smiled, satisfied.
"The Gnosis is important…"
"But if we can bring Cao Zhong into our ranks—"
"Our strength will rise to another level."
"And Her Majesty's grand plan will be unstoppable!"
"Lady Signora is wise and brilliant!"