Rola tossed Klee's Jumpy Dumpties one by one, each landing with pinpoint accuracy among the swarm of monsters.
With each explosion, the monster numbers gradually dwindled.
Fewer monsters surged forward now. Malice's aim had been merely to sow chaos; he held no deep grudge against Mondstadt.
Jean led the Knight Order in fierce combat against the remaining monsters. Her ultimate ability had healing effects, and the Knights rallied around her, fighting with unparalleled valor.
"Commander Jean, something's coming from over there!" Rola shouted, holding a Jumpy Dumpty in one hand as she called down to Jean below.
Jean gazed into the distant sky and saw a massive Fell Dragon hurtling toward them.
"That's..."
The dragon moved with astonishing speed. One moment it was a distant speck, the next it loomed overhead.
Abyss Energy coalesced within Zombie Durin's maw, as if targeting them directly.
Startled by the sight, Jean immediately barked orders:
"Retreat! Everyone retreat! Find cover!"
But it was too late. Durin's attack was imminent. Jean gripped her longsword tightly, channeling nearly all the Elemental Power from her Vision, preparing to intercept the blow at the cost of her life.
"Commander Jean!"
Amber's eyes burned crimson as she strained to draw back her bowstring, a crimson arrow materializing on the string.
Noelle erected a protective shield around the group, while the others braced for impact.
Durin showed no mercy, but just as he was about to unleash his attack, a cyan arrow struck him. The Anemo Energy infused in the arrow disrupted the Abyss Energy coalescing in his maw, scattering the dark energy.
In the next instant, Dvalin materialized, his massive form slamming into Durin's flank and sending the Fell Dragon soaring into the sky. The thunderous collision shook the very ground, making onlookers grit their teeth.
Durin quickly regained his balance after the impact, while Dvalin, despite initiating the attack, was hurled back hundreds of meters.
When crafting this Fell Dragon's form, Malice had not only drained Abyss Energy but also nearly exhausted all the Emotional Feedback that had accumulated, all to orchestrate this grand spectacle.
After all, Emotional Feedback wasn't just about revealing one's true colors; spectacular, heart-stopping moments like this could also generate it.
The lingering impact of such revelations was potent, creating a sustained and abundant yield, though they tended to be less frequent.
Even a small sparrow is still meat—collecting everything comprehensively is the right approach.
Dvalin had only recently escaped the Abyss and hadn't fully recovered his strength. Now, he faced Durin, who was even more formidable than in his prime, amplified by the Abyss Energy the dragon wielded.
Under these circumstances, it was no wonder Dvalin appeared so utterly overwhelmed.
Venti, dressed in his bard's attire, stood atop Favonius Cathedral. Gone was his usual carefree demeanor, replaced by a fierce anger blazing in his eyes.
Durin's attack had ignited Venti's fury—Mondstadt and its people were the sacred scales no one dared touch.
Seeing Dvalin faltering against the Fell Dragon, Venti knew he could no longer remain hidden.
A gentle wind lifted him into the air, enveloping him in a swirl of cyan Anemo energy. In an instant, the wind dissipated, revealing Venti transformed—no longer the wandering bard.
He now wore a pristine white crown, and massive wings unfurled from his back. Though sparsely clothed, his aura radiated absolute divinity.
Venti's cyan eyes locked onto the Fell Dragon, devoid of their usual playful indifference, now brimming with divine authority.
At that moment, he donned the Anemo Archon's Divine Crown once more, ascending to Mondstadt's Divine Throne!
-
Meanwhile, within Liyue...
An elderly man, who had been leisurely enjoying a theatrical performance while sipping tea, suddenly paused. The teacup, halfway to his lips, remained suspended in mid-air before he slowly lowered it.
Zhongli turned his gaze toward Mondstadt, his expression enigmatic.
What could possibly compel that fellow to wear the crown?
-
Player World:
The sight of Archon Venti's divine form sent all players into a collective frenzy.
Chen Xiyao screamed at a volume that nearly prompted her neighbors to call the police:
"Venti, you're so cool!!!"
She clenched her fists in excitement, her eyes glued to the screen. The final look Venti gave Durin sent a thrill through her.
"Ah~ I'm dead! What kind of god-level beauty is this? So divine!"
"Chat, even Venti's angry look is hot!"
The live stream chat exploded with comments:
[Still sayings Venti's weak?]
[See? See? I told you guys their confrontation with La Signora was just an act! Now who's full of shit?]
[This is Venti wielding his full authority as an Archon! So majestic! Completely different from his usual self!?!]
[Venti: The Abyss? You've overstepped your bounds! How dare you harm my Mondstadt!]
[Venti's really pissed this time! That final look of his made my heart race!]
[If you've done Venti's Story Quest, you'd know how much he loves Mondstadt. How could he not be furious that the Abyss is trying to destroy it?]
-
Leaving aside the players' delirious comments for now...
Mondstadt.
When Venti appeared in his Archon form above the city, the excitement in the hearts of the Mondstadt citizens far surpassed that of the players.
This was Mondstadt, where even the dogs worshiped the Anemo Archon. For generations, the elders had lamented that the Anemo Archon had vanished, their entire lives spent unable to glimpse his true form, left only to express their reverence before the Statue of the Anemo Archon in the city square.
And now, before their very eyes, Lord Barbatos himself had descended!
Barbara could scarcely believe her eyes. Lord Barbatos had truly appeared!
She immediately lowered her head and began to pray to the Archon.
Rola's small face flushed crimson with excitement. She had never seen the Anemo Archon in such a form before!
Standing at the highest point, she was closest to the Anemo Archon:
"Lord Barbatos, you must defeat that vile Fell Dragon!"
Venti turned and nodded at Rola.
Jean also looked up at the Anemo Archon high above, her expression suddenly relaxing. If Lord Barbatos has appeared, everything should be resolved properly, right?
Venti summoned the Elegy for the End and drew back an arrow.
The surrounding Anemo converged on the arrow, forming a massive vortex.
The arrow shot toward the ground with unparalleled speed. The gale-force winds pulverized every monster it touched, while the people of Mondstadt caught in the same gale found themselves healed by its touch.
One arrow—a complete battlefield clear!
Boom!
Before anyone could marvel at the Anemo Archon's might, Dvalin crashed heavily to the ground in the distance.
Venti gripped his bow and advanced to meet Durin.
Dvalin struggled to his feet, joining Venti in facing their foe.
-
Diluc and his group, who had risked their lives to return, witnessed Dvalin being shot down.
Before they could even process their shock, Archon Venti materialized, radiant in his divine attire.
Diluc rejoiced that Venti had finally taken matters seriously, yet he couldn't help but marvel at the Abyss's formidable power, which had forced the Archon to unleash his full might.
Paimon exclaimed in astonishment, "T-that's the bard?!"
Lumine gazed silently at Venti high in the sky.
Aether, is all of this really your doing?
-
Durin was no match for Venti, but Malice never intended for him to defeat the Archon.
Durin's sole mission was to stall Venti long enough.
Hidden in the shadows, Malice watched as the figures of the Archon and the two dragons vanished into the sky. Now was his moment to strike.
With a grand wave of his hand, several Abyss Gates materialized outside Mondstadt's walls.
Emerging from these portals were no longer the lesser monsters, but Ruin Guards and Elemental Lawachurls.
Come, Rola! Prove yourself, then take your final bow in glory!