Arriving at Mondstadt, the streets were much quieter because of the dragon disaster. Many residents had their windows and doors tightly shut.
The architecture of Mondstadt was full of medieval European romantic Gothic style, with touches of fairytale fantasy. To Koji, it felt like a poem written by the free winds, carrying the scent of wine, poetry, and liberty. Though not modern, the atmosphere was cozy—if only the elemental currents weren't so unstable.
"Because of the dragon disaster, most residents stay indoors. The streets used to be much livelier than this," Amber said with a sigh.
"Do you know how to use a Wind Glider?" Amber asked.
"Wind Glider?" Lumine's eyes lit up. From the sound of it, it seemed like a tool that could let people fly.
"I don't need a Wind Glider, since I can already fly."
[Blessing of the Sky: allows free flight in the air.]
Koji could literally manifest blessings as he wished.
"You can fly?" Amber's eyes widened in surprise. Even with a glider, you could only glide briefly, not hover freely.
Lumine glanced at Koji. Yup, must be another one of his weird blessings.
Before losing her power, she too had been able to fly. Now, without her abilities, something like the Wind Glider was a perfect substitute.
"Lumine, come with me. Koji, since you can fly, I'll leave Klee with you for now."
Amber led Lumine to a higher platform—obviously, a glider couldn't be tested standing on flat ground.
"Koji-oniichan, here's a Dodoco Bomb for you." Klee, carefully checking that Jean wasn't around, pulled a cute little bomb out of her pack.
If Jean caught her, it would just get confiscated again.
"Adorable little bomb," Koji said seriously. Typical of a child's creativity. If it were him, he'd have made them look scary and intimidating.
Pantyhose-style design? Negative points.
Above them, Lumine spread her Wind Glider and soared gracefully overhead. Perhaps because she was once able to fly, her mastery was instant.
"Lumine really has talent," Amber praised as she jogged over. She had only pointed out a few basics, and Lumine was already gliding as if she'd been doing it for years.
"Of course, I'm naturally gifted," Lumine boasted, landing smoothly and planting her hands on her hips. A little glider like this? Please—she'd flown across worlds before.
But the Wind Glider was indeed practical. A perfect tool for treasure hunting.
Whoooosh—
The wind suddenly picked up. The clear blue sky darkened as black clouds swirled, dimming the world.
"ROAR—!"
A deafening dragon's roar shook the air, filled with fury and chaos, lacking reason.
"That sound… it's Stormterror!" Amber's face paled. The dragon had come again to wreak havoc on Mondstadt.
Violent tornadoes tore through the city, sending citizens fleeing in panic. Before such force of nature, humans were frail.
One dark tornado barreled toward them, sweeping Koji and the others into the air. Amber panicked, but there was nothing she could do.
"Whee, higher~!"
Klee spread her arms wide, not frightened at all—in fact, thrilled.
Koji flew steadily, holding the little girl in his arms, while Lumine relied on her Wind Glider to stay aloft.
"Damn, even this little troublemaker got caught up," Koji muttered.
Stormterror had entered the city. For once, Venti wasn't drinking. The moment he saw Klee swept up by the storm, even his scalp tingled.
If anything happened to this child, Alice would blow up Mondstadt itself. She'd probably blast the ruins of Stormterror's Lair a second time for good measure.
He couldn't just sit back.
"Friend from another world, please hold on to Klee. I'll use the winds to shield you."
Venti's voice rang in Koji's ears, and currents of pure Anemo gathered around them, protecting their flight.
Heh. This drunkard—acting weak when he clearly had the power.
Koji smirked, then looked at Klee. "Klee, did you bring enough bombs?"
"We're going to drive off this dragon and protect Mondstadt. Captain Jean will definitely praise you."
Klee's eyes shone. She nodded firmly. "Klee has lots of bombs! Klee will protect Mondstadt!"
"Soldier Klee, sortie!"
Koji carried her high above Stormterror. Venti suddenly felt a bad premonition.
"Big bad dragon, I'll blow you up!"
Dodoco Bombs rained down one after another, each perfectly landing on Stormterror's back.
For once, Klee could throw her bombs without restraint. She giggled happily, hurling one after the other. No fear of Jean confiscating them this time.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The blasts thundered like an airstrike. A single bomb might only sting, but a barrage was too much even for Stormterror.
Klee emptied her whole pack, eager to earn Jean's praise.
If not for the dragon tanking it all, those bombs would have dealt "10000 damage" to Mondstadt itself.
Stormterror—truly great, protecting the city from Klee's wrath.
Lumine joined in, hurling blasts of Anemo at the crimson crystal on the dragon's back. Two demons teaming up—Stormterror writhed in pain.
Venti clutched his chest, heart aching. His poor Twalin.
This little girl had definitely inherited Alice's specialty.
"ROAR—!"
Stormterror's eyes briefly cleared. That attack style…
It was hers.
Memories of the past struck him like a hammer. The pain of that woman's bombs—the trauma ran deep.
Many years ago, on a peaceful afternoon, Stormterror had rested at his lair. Out of nowhere, massive explosions shook the land. His home was reduced to rubble, the proud Stormterror's Lair turned into the ruins it was now.
And the culprit? Alice.
When he sought revenge, another bomb hit him square on. His eyes went glassy, his will broken.
Never again. He could not face her.
That woman… she was a witch.
Alice: Ehe, but of course, I am a witch~
"Yay, Klee drove away the big bad dragon!"
Klee beamed. She had nearly run out of bombs, but her heart was soaring.
Lumine looked at the girl in Koji's arms and swallowed. She would never underestimate her again. Those bombs, thrown one after another like free candy—utterly terrifying.
Venti, watching in secret, winced. No doubt about it. She was Alice's daughter.
(End of Chapter)
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