"Ugh… ugh…"
Robert kept struggling, but unfortunately, after years of indulgence in wine and women, his body was already beyond saving.
Not to mention the knights behind him, he probably couldn't even handle the monsters outside the city.
The Knights of Favonius escorted the traitor to the city square. The nearby citizens had no idea what was happening until Kaeya publicly announced the man's crimes. Only then did the people of Mondstadt realized something monumental was about to change.
Standing atop the high platform, Kaeya declared solemnly, "Starting today, the Knights of Favonius will strictly enforce training and evaluations, rooting out all those who laze about and waste our honor! We swear before the great and free Anemo Archon, to protect Mondstadt!"
His expression was so grave that no one could mistake his words for jest.
The surrounding knights straightened their backs, determination gleaming in their eyes. After this operation, the Knights of Favonius would undergo a complete reform, and the younger generation would finally have a chance to shine.
"From this day onward, not only will the Knights of Favonius be reorganized, but the administration of the city itself will also be restructured. We solemnly swear that no matter what disaster may come, we shall stand beside the people of Mondstadt!"
"Furthermore," Kaeya's voice rose, louder and more confident than ever before, "I have one more announcement to make."
As he saw the people's gazes turn toward him, filled with respect and trust, Kaeya couldn't help but nod slightly.
Just as Su Han had said, authority had been established. Now it was time for the next step.
At his command, several knights brought forth the items that had been prepared overnight. When the citizens saw the sigil of the dragon displayed before them, many faces twisted in disgust.
One man shouted excitedly, "Master Kaeya, are you here to tell us the weaknesses of that dragon?"
The people nearby quickly joined in, their excitement building.
They'd had enough of the dragon's terror. Perhaps this time they could finally be rid of it for good.
Seeing their eager expressions, Kaeya sighed lightly and said, "I'm sorry, but what I must tell you is quite the opposite. Please allow me to introduce the being you call the 'evil dragon.'
Its name may be familiar to some of you. Once, it was revered, not as a monster, but as a guardian.
The creature that has recently appeared and caused such calamity… is none other than the East Wind Dragon who once protected Mondstadt, Dvalin!"
The people froze in disbelief. The dragon that had brought disaster upon their city was actually the ancient guardian of the East Wind? Impossible!
"Master Kaeya… is that true?"
"But why would the guardian dragon attack us!?"
"Have we been abandoned by the Anemo Archon?"
As speculation spread, fear gradually replaced confusion. Being forsaken by the Anemo Archon, that would mean utter doom.
Seeing the situation spiral toward chaos, Kaeya raised his voice sharply. "Please, everyone quiet!"
Perhaps it was because he had just executed a long-standing knight that his authority now carried weight, the crowd actually obeyed.
They looked to Kaeya, eyes filled with doubt and unease.
If the Anemo Archon had truly abandoned them… what future awaited Mondstadt?
Once silence returned, Kaeya began to speak. "This matter must be traced back five hundred years ago…"
He shared everything Su Han had told him, the truths hidden within the Church of Favonius and the records stored in the Order's archives.
As the people came to understand the full story, many began to weep.
"So that's how it was… poor Lord Dvalin. He suffered so much for Mondstadt, yet received no care or gratitude in return."
"That's why, when he appeared those few times before, he didn't attack us, he was asking for help!"
"Damn those Abyss creatures! Why would they torment him like that? Dvalin is innocent!"
As more and more people realized the truth, Kaeya finally felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He had thought it would be difficult to change public opinion, but it was not as impossible as he feared.
But then, from within the crowd, a dissonant voice broke the moment.
"So what if he was a hero? Are those killed by the dragon supposed to just accept their fate?!"
The sudden outburst silenced the entire square.
Kaeya turned toward the speaker, inwardly sneering. As expected, the Fatui's agents had made their move. This man had hidden himself well, but Kaeya's overnight investigation had already identified him as one of the individuals under their sway.
Seeing Kaeya remain silent, the man stepped forward and shouted, "Answer me, Master Kaeya! Those people killed by the dragon, are they to be forgotten? Or do you think they deserved to die?"
The cutting words reopened wounds among those who had lost loved ones. Even if the dragon's identity had been clarified—did that mean the dead were any less dead?
Kaeya shook his head. "I have never said that the East Wind Dragon Dvalin can kill as it pleases. But he was poisoned by the Abyss, his mind corrupted by its dark blood, his actions not his own.
Tell me, if your dearest friend lost control and harmed others while saving you, would you personally execute them? Or would you help them regain their senses and atone?"
To judge by empathy, if Dvalin had sinned, it should be after he regained his clarity, not while under the Abyss's curse.
Kaeya gave the people a moment to think before continuing. "And one more thing, if not for Dvalin's help back then, the dragon Durin would have destroyed this city entirely. You never mention that, do you? Is your heart only capable of hatred?
Let me ask you another question. If you were gravely ill, unable to move, and your only friend stopped visiting you, how would you feel? Would you not be heartbroken?
Then remember this, Dvalin's temple has lain buried in dust for five hundred years. He has endured the agony of the Abyss alone, and yet… has anyone cared?
Now that he can no longer bear it and has gone mad, you want to kill him? Tell me, is that truly what justice demands?
When did Mondstadt become such a cold and heartless nation?!"
His words struck like thunder. Every person in the square, except the planted agitator, was shaken to the core.
Kaeya's story, told from the perspective of a friend, brought the tragedy to life. The sense of empathy and sorrow was overwhelming. Many citizens began to cry openly.
To think... if they were in Dvalin's place, injured while protecting the city, only to be forgotten, reviled, and abandoned… the pain would be unbearable.
Seeing the emotion reach its peak, Kaeya seized the moment and raised his voice:
"Dvalin, Mondstadt's eternal friend, should never be forgotten!"
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