"A-Apostle-sama?!" On an open space in Stormterror's Lair, the Abyss Mages, who hadn't rested for long, immediately stood up.
Because a higher existence had appeared before them. The tattered gray-red cape, the spiky halo floating behind him, and the levitating circular Catalyst in his hand all spoke of the newcomer's identity—Abyss Lector: Abyss Fire.
The Abyss Mages felt the nearly overflowing Abyss power and Pyro element power emanating from him, and couldn't help but lower their heads.
Abyss Lectors are monsters that wield Abyss Fire and pursue the meaning of the scriptures. Although they are not pioneers of the Abyss like Abyss Apostles, their power is no less than that of an Abyss Apostle, as they constantly recite the Chapter of Grace.
"You've been very negligent lately. Why has Mondstadt's wind calmed down?" Abyss Fire looked at the several bowed and kneeling Abyss Mages before him, his tone filled with impatience.
The power of the Abyss had clearly been injected into Dvalin's body; if only these Abyss Mages guided him slightly, Dvalin could be made to submit to the Abyss.
But now he saw nothing. Mondstadt's Dragon Scourge had subsided, Dvalin was in the tower, and these Abyss Mages were resting here?
If it weren't for the fact that there was no such thing as betrayal in the Abyss Order, he would have suspected whether these guys had truly betrayed The Order.
"M-My Lord, it's not that we're not trying, but a strange fellow has appeared in Mondstadt recently. Any fluctuation in the circulating wind is stopped by him."
The Pyro Abyss Mage was the first to step forward, explaining tremblingly. It wasn't that they weren't trying; it was just that every time they started to make progress, it was snuffed out by a guy in full armor.
"Useless! I told you to guide Dvalin to submit to The Order, and what are you doing now?" Abyss Fire looked at the four Abyss Mages before him, feeling they were utterly hopeless.
No wonder everyone else was sent out to execute The Order's plans, and only they were left here to incite Dvalin.
"If you're so capable, go convince that dumb dragon yourself!" The Pyro Abyss Mage secretly retorted in his heart.
Inciting Dvalin sounded like a good assignment, but in reality, it was practically a death sentence. Dvalin hated the Abyss's aura, and he was also being corroded by poisoned blood, making his temperament unstable.
Almost all the guys The Order sent to brainwash Dvalin before were "accidentally touched" by him.
And being touched by a giant like Dvalin, the outcome was predictable. Only the four of them, relying on their genius eloquence and an extraordinary spirit of slacking off compared to other Abyss Mages, were barely noticed by Dvalin.
If this Abyss Lector were sent to incite Dvalin, he would probably be swallowed by Dvalin in less than a second.
"How has Dvalin been recently?" Abyss Fire glanced at the Pyro Abyss Mage, who was still bowing before him, and asked as a matter of routine.
The Pyro Abyss Mage immediately stammered, pausing for a long time before saying, "R-Replying to My Lord, Dvalin seems to..."
"Seems to what?" A bad premonition suddenly rose in Abyss Fire's heart. He stared intently at the Pyro Abyss Mage, awaiting his next words.
"Seems to want to break ties with The Order!"
"What did you say?!" Abyss Fire instantly flashed forward, grabbing the Pyro Abyss Mage by the neck and lifting him up forcibly.
"Ugh..." The Pyro Abyss Mage instinctively clutched Abyss Fire's glowing red arm, constantly hitting it, hoping to make Abyss Fire let him go.
"My Lord! It's not his fault!" The other Abyss Mages, seeing the Pyro Abyss Mage's eyes roll back, immediately stepped forward and said anxiously.
"My Lord, a new dragon appeared, and after Dvalin met him, he no longer wanted to contact The Order," the Cryo Abyss Mage said quickly, seeing Abyss Fire's hand loosen slightly.
"If you want to see Dvalin, you'll definitely need him. He's Dvalin's friend, and they have the best relationship!"
"Oh? It seems you are still somewhat useful." Abyss Fire released his hand, and the gasping Pyro Abyss Mage greedily inhaled the air, letting out heavy, ragged breaths.
The Hydro Abyss Mage beside him immediately began to drench the Pyro Abyss Mage's body with Hydro element. He couldn't use healing magic, so he could only use this method to alleviate the Pyro Abyss Mage's pain.
"Cough, cough..." A brief suffocation was not unbearable pain for an Abyss Mage. The Pyro Abyss Mage merely lay on the ground for a while before standing up.
"My Lord wishes to see Dvalin? I will lead the way." The Pyro Abyss Mage bowed to Abyss Fire, then led Abyss Fire towards the tower.
The tower's seal and height might be a problem for an Abyss Mage, but for an Abyss Lector, they were nothing.
Under Abyss Fire's impatient urging along the way, the group of Abyss Monsters finally reached the Domain entrance of the tower.
Abyss Fire saw the wind eye and eagerly reached his hand into it. However, the rich Anemo element inside the Domain quickly taught him what caution meant.
"Hmph!" Abyss Fire quickly retracted his arm. He looked at the deep green interior of the Domain, and a flowing fiery color instantly covered his entire body.
"Follow!" The Pyro Abyss Mage saw Abyss Fire enter the wind eye and immediately signaled the others behind him to follow.
Even though the Pyro Abyss Mage and Abyss Fire disliked each other, the Pyro Abyss Mage still didn't want to see Abyss Fire die like this.
After all, they were companions in the Abyss Order, working hard for The Order's plan. Although he didn't know a single thing about The Order's grand plans...
Inside Stormterror's Lair, Dvalin, after his leisurely stroll, began to 'study' again. Actually, calling it studying wasn't quite right; he was simply watching the excitement.
"Hmm?" A strange aura came from afar, interrupting Dvalin's thoughts. He raised his head, closed his book, and looked back. He saw Abyss Fire, covered in faint red flowing patterns.
Behind him were the Abyss Mages, closely following, clad in elemental shields of various colors.
"Is there something you need from me? If not, then leave. We are not on the same path." Dvalin looked at the Pyro Abyss Mage and said slowly.
Since he had decided to return to the past, he could not have an unclear relationship with the Abyss Order.
"Dvalin, you need to think carefully; the poisoned blood on your back is not so easily removed. Besides us, the Abyss Order, no one can help you." The words were similar to the Pyro Abyss Mage's, but Abyss Fire's tone was much harsher.
If the Pyro Abyss Mage's words were a warning, then Abyss Fire's were a threat.
However, Dvalin paid no attention. He looked at the Pyro Abyss Mage and said, "Are all your words cast from the same mold? If there's nothing, then leave!"
With that, Dvalin flicked his tail, and a huge gust of wind swept through, blowing Abyss Fire far away.
"Damn it! Dvalin, you are defying The Order! You need to consider the consequences!" Abyss Fire was somewhat unsteady from Dvalin's gale, but his mouth didn't soften at all.
"Boom!" A huge Anemo projectile suddenly exploded beside Abyss Fire. The scattered wind blades cut through the temporary elemental shield condensed on Abyss Fire's body. The rich Anemo element immediately surged in through the gap, beginning to corrode Abyss Fire's body.
"Hmph!" Abyss Fire let out a muffled grunt, but that was all—monsters of Abyss Apostle level had strong resistance to elemental power, which was their reliance for walking across Teyvat.
After the Anemo projectile, there was a sense of crisis that made Abyss Fire's hair stand on end! Abyss Fire looked up and saw Dvalin's cold, gleaming claws hovering less than a palm's distance from his eyes.
The dragon's claws were unexpectedly smooth and unexpectedly sharp. Abyss Fire had no doubt that if he moved one step further, they could tear his body apart.
"Are you mistaken about something? I and your Abyss Order were always enemies." Dvalin's huge shadow covered Abyss Fire's body, and an incomparable pressure emanated from him.
Dvalin is one of the Four Winds, an existence that can rival a God.
But very quickly, Dvalin retreated. He turned his head and said to the Pyro Abyss Mage, "Don't bring such idiots to me in the future. I don't want my claws to be stained with filth right now."
"Let's go!"
"Th-Thanks." The Pyro Abyss Mage thanked Dvalin, then pulled Abyss Fire and left the Domain.
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