It wasn't because the Knights of Favonius weren't working hard enough, nor because of any external factor, it was purely Mond's own doing!
What kind of statement was that?!
Even though Eula had always been ostracized in Mond, she would never believe that the innocent people deserved to die.
Amber too felt that Su Han's words had gone too far.
Only Kaeya remained calm the entire time. He gently tried to soothe the angry knight beside him. "Eula, don't be hasty. Let's first hear Mr. Su's reasoning. I suspect there's more to this than he's letting on. Think about it, if Mr. Su were truly cold-blooded, would he have founded an orphanage for abandoned children?"
At his reminder, Amber's eyes suddenly lit up.
That was true. If Su Han really wanted to mock them, there was no reason to go this far. And someone who could still show kindness to children could never be a bad person!
"Su Han, stop keeping us in suspense. Please continue."
Meeting Amber's earnest gaze, Su Han nodded lightly and continued.
"Kaeya understands me well. But… I don't think what I said earlier was wrong. First of all, you all keep calling it a 'Dragon Disaster,' calling it the 'Stormterror Dragon.' But have you ever truly understood what this so-called demon dragon is?
It's not an enemy, but the East Wind Dragon of Mond, Dvalin, who guarded this land five hundred years ago. To not even know this identity… how heartbroken must he be? He sacrificed so much to protect Mond, and in the end, not a single person remembers him.
Think about it. He's been healing his wounds for five centuries, yet has anyone from Mond gone to visit him? Offered prayers to him? I bet the temple dedicated to him hasn't even been cleaned, everyone's too busy enjoying their so-called freedom and happiness."
Su Han's words dripped with scorn and irony.
The three knights flushed red with shame. As natives of Mond, they didn't even know this basic truth, how derelict of them.
Freedom?
Yes.
Mond was indeed a land of freedom and joy. People did whatever they pleased. But when the being who once protected them fell ill, they treated him as a calamity.
How heartbreaking that must have been for Dvalin.
After her initial shame, Amber suddenly thought of something and turned to Su Han. "Su Han… when the dragon... no, when Dvalin first appeared, it wasn't trying to attack us, was it? It was calling for help, right?"
"It does seem that way. I remember the first time Dvalin appeared, its eyes carried a pleading look. But everyone was terrified and even attacked it. Later on, that look of longing was replaced entirely by anger and destruction."
Eula's eyes widened as realization dawned. She had been there when Dvalin first appeared, she had even struck it once. Back then, she had briefly made eye contact with the dragon.
She had always thought she was mistaken, but now, with Su Han's reminder, she understood, it had truly been seeking salvation.
But sadly, the best chance to save it had already been lost.
Kaeya took a deep breath and looked at his companions, sighing. "So that's what you meant, Su Han, when you said the people of Mond brought this upon themselves."
The hero who once protected Mond had fallen into hardship, and when it came seeking help, it was instead met with brutal attacks. How despairing that must have been.
Amber thought back to that moment, and tears welled up again. "Dvalin is so pitiful… Su Han, please tell us... what should we do? Is there a way to save it? It was our fault this time…"
Seeing the tear-streaked girl, Su Han felt another pang of tenderness. He took out a handkerchief once more and gently comforted her. "Don't cry. I'm analyzing things for you, aren't I? The thing I hate most about this situation is that neither the Knights of Favonius nor the citizens ever talk about it.
Dvalin is Mond's great hero. Shouldn't heroes be remembered by all? And with all the profit Mond makes each year, wouldn't it make sense to set aside some funds to hold commemorative events for it?
To forget him so completely, no wonder he's angry."
Su Han paused, waiting for Kaeya to finish taking notes, before continuing.
"To save Dvalin, one person isn't enough. Even if the entire Knights of Favonius mobilized, what good would it do? Could you really restore its clarity? That's why I have a suggestion, reveal Dvalin's true identity publicly."
"But that would definitely cause misunderstandings!"
Eula immediately objected. Mond's citizens were narrow-minded, her own lineage was living proof of that.
But Su Han shook his head. "Even if there are misunderstandings, the people must know the truth. They need to understand that Mond doesn't just belong to the Knights, it's their homeland too!
Everyone should have the resolve to protect this home. Should the truth be buried because of a few traitors?
It's time for the people of Mond to stand up. They can't keep living sheltered lives in their sugar-coated world. Reality's harshness should be known to all!
Dvalin is Mond's guardian deity. Now that he's sick, no matter the cost, everyone should unite to save the East Wind Dragon who once protected their homeland!"
Su Han's voice grew more impassioned as he spoke. He truly loved the world of Teyvat, before crossing over, he had achieved 100% exploration in every nation. Whenever he was worn down by real life, only Genshin Impact had brought him peace of mind.
A nation of freedom shouldn't remain in chaos like this. Its people needed to rise again!
His words set the three knights' hearts ablaze. Even Eula, who had cursed him earlier, now looked at him with newfound respect.
Kaeya even clapped his hands and said loudly, "Su Han! For those words alone, you have my full respect. Miss Hu Tao was right, you're truly a man of great insight! Not only have you pinpointed Mond's flaws…
You've also reminded us of what we've forgotten to awaken.
Yes, the hero who once protected us now needs help. As members of Mond, we have no reason to abandon him, no right to treat him as an enemy. You're right, no matter how the traitors slander him, a hero is still a hero. He should never be insulted or forgotten!!!"
Once, Mond had been ruled by cruel nobles, its people trapped under tyranny, stripped of freedom.
But when the will of freedom awakened, courage returned to their hearts. Now that Mond faced a new crisis, the citizens should no longer be deceived. They needed to know the truth and find the courage to face it.
Just as Su Han said, Mond's people shouldn't stay trapped in their jar of sugar.
They must rise. No matter the enemy, Mond will never bow!
Amber's tears still streaked her cheeks, but her gaze was now resolute. Clenching her fists, she declared passionately, "Yes! Just like Su Han said, we can do this!
We must do this! We can't let the hero bear this pain alone!"
As the group spoke fervently, none of them noticed the faint, emerald breeze that quietly swept across the roof of the manga shop.
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