Dvalin lay silently on the ground, his body trembling, occasionally emitting strange sounds.
This made Barbatos very worried; she thought Durandal's treatment was too rough, which was why Dvalin had become like this.
"Did…did you cry, Dvalin? Don't…don't be sad, haven't you pulled through? Even the coagulated blood on your neck has been cleaned up; you've completely recovered. So don't cry, get up and let me see your spirited side, okay?"
Dvalin silently pushed Barbatos aside with his claw, continuing to lie on the ground, making incomprehensible gestures.
Go away! Don't appear before me! You only know how to stand by and watch the show, completely unconcerned about my safety.
Damn Barbatos! You lazy, good-for-nothing Anemo God, sooner or later you'll pay for your idleness!
"You're so noisy, Barbatos. His problems are already gone; he just needs a little time to recover slowly. What are you worrying about there?"
Durandal pinched Barbatos's cheek, finding Barbatos's cheek very soft and easy to stretch, just like Klee's face.
However, she usually pinched Barbatos's cheek but gently rubbed Klee's, a complete difference in treatment.
"Ouch, I'm just worried he might have some after-effects and wanted to show some concern for him."
"After-effects? You want him to have some after-effects, right? In that case, I'll give him an after-effect; then you'll be satisfied, won't you?"
It was a perfect treatment, but this guy insisted on finding some minor flaw. If that's the case, she would satisfy this strange request.
She would give him the Virus from last time. That Virus wouldn't cause him any DMG; it would just make him have diarrhea for a few days, a very minor after-effect.
"Absolutely not!" Barbatos quickly spoke to stop her.
If her words really led Durandal to add after-effects to Dvalin, Dvalin would probably eat himself.
He was already looking at her with terrifying eyes. If Durandal really gave him "after-sales service," then even at the risk of overstepping, he would let Barbatos know his power today.
"Are you sure you don't need it?"
"No changes needed!"
Barbatos said with a firm tone, and Dvalin next to him was also shaking his head frantically; he didn't want any strange after-effects, he felt perfectly fine now.
"Then don't ask so many useless questions. If you ask one more, I'll inject all the toxins I just extracted from his body into yours, so you can fully experience the pain he endured all these years."
If it weren't for Barbatos having a good relationship with her, Durandal would have acted already; why would she joke with them for so long?
Now Dvalin's problem was solved, and Mondstadt's crisis was also eliminated, but the matter did not end with Dvalin's recovery.
"Even if Dvalin has returned to normal, the people of Mondstadt don't know about it. If more people aren't made aware, even if Dvalin recovers perfectly, it will be useless."
Dvalin's previous attacks on Mondstadt had already turned him into the so-called Stormterror, an unstable factor threatening Mondstadt. Announcing that Dvalin was harmless now would likely not be believed by anyone.
"That's not my business. I've completed the commission you gave me, restoring him to normal. What to do next is your responsibility."
To help Barbatos with this matter, she hadn't played with Klee for several days, which was a huge loss, one that Barbatos couldn't possibly compensate for.
She also didn't want to do such troublesome things. Besides, she had no experience; she herself was the kind of person who was misunderstood. How could you ask a misunderstood person to help another misunderstood person clear up misunderstandings? It's impossible.
"Eh? You're not helping? I thought you'd help all the way."
"What made you have such an illusion? I think I've already done my utmost. Don't you think asking for more would be a bit unreasonable?"
"But... I'm just a Bard. I can't possibly change everyone's impression of him by singing stories of Dvalin's past, can I?"
"You're also an Anemo God. As the deity worshipped by Mondstadt's residents, can't you do something? Just showing a miracle could easily resolve this matter, right?"
"That's true, but..."
If things were really that easy to solve, it would be great, but she had another important matter to attend to. If she revealed her true identity, it could easily affect that plan.
Whatever Barbatos thought had little to do with Durandal. She left the space to Dvalin and Barbatos, then left Cape Oath, preparing to go outside and understand the situation in Mondstadt.
Dvalin watched Durandal disappear before speaking: "I never thought that poison God would have such a side. I was ready to be killed by her just now."
"Although she seems rough, she actually acted very restrained, didn't she? To make you think she was unfriendly, she deliberately acted that way to prevent others from approaching her; she's just that dishonest."
Dvalin nodded: "No wonder you were willing to let her stay in Mondstadt despite my and Andrius's objections. If you had driven her to other places, or even to Outside the Dark Sea, something terrible might have happened."
Mondstadt's freedom was very suitable for Durandal; at least she could live here undisturbed. In other regions, she would probably be disturbed for various reasons.
If she were in the domain of other Seven Gods, she would probably fight with the Gods. If she were in Outside the Dark Sea, those Gods who were expelled there would probably all be dealt with by her, eventually turning into her power.
Considering these factors, Mondstadt's environment was more suitable for Durandal. At least here, there was an Anemo God willing to approach her and be her friend.
"What are you going to do next, Dvalin? Do I need to reveal my identity and tell the Knights of Favonius about you? I believe the Knights of Favonius should be able to understand the Dragon of the East Wind's situation, and with their help in spreading the word, the residents will definitely accept you."
"But then your identity would be known to most people, which isn't what you want, is it?"
Dvalin shook his head: "You are not suitable to come forward, Barbatos. At this time... a hero who defeated Stormterror and saved Mondstadt needs to appear. So, the Stormterror script still needs to continue."
"Script? Oh~ I understand, but the Abyss will probably see through the problem immediately. Are you confident you can resist their corrosion?"
Previously, Dvalin became so irritable because of the Abyss's corrosion and instigation. He had just recovered. If he acted as before, he could easily be targeted by the Abyss. Is it really okay?
"I have fully recovered, Barbatos. Even if something urgent really happens, aren't you and Durandal still here? I believe with your help, the Abyss will no longer have a chance to act against me."
"Eh? Do we still need to find Durandal? This time she was willing to help for Mondstadt's stability. Next time I look for her, I won't be able to find any other reason."
The previous times she had used legitimate reasons to persuade Durandal to help. If something else happened this time, what reason could she use to convince Durandal?
"That's your problem. Anyway, you're friends with her; I'm sure you'll find a way to convince her."
"Easier said than done. You don't know that she actually holds grudges..."
Barbatos couldn't help but complain to Dvalin, but Dvalin didn't want to stay and listen to her. He spread his wings and flew into the sky, enjoying the long-lost joy of flying freely in the air.
Barbatos showed a helpless expression. She was very happy that Dvalin had returned to normal, but now the problem was not solved. How was she going to convince Durandal to continue helping?
"Durandal really likes little Klee, so if I become like little Klee, will I also be pampered by Durandal like little Klee?"
A plan that Barbatos considered brilliant appeared in her mind. This idea might just work!
On the other side, Durandal, who had left Cape Oath, walked casually, constantly looking around, observing the Hilichurls sleeping under the trees, the Slimes leisurely moving their bodies, and the small animals that occasionally walked past her.
Most people don't like such scenes because they're too boring; the vast majority prefer something more exciting, like combat or adventure—activities that involve movement.
But Durandal is different; these scenes, full of life everywhere, are exactly what she likes most. Otherwise, how do you think she managed to live alone at Cape Oath for so many years?
Unconsciously, Durandal arrived at Windrise, lying under the largest tree, enjoying the feeling of grass brushing against her face and the gentle caress of the breeze.
"So comfortable."
Durandal closed her eyes contentedly. She had done this countless times over the years, but she never grew tired of it; each time brought a new sensation.
She had originally planned to find Klee, but she decided not to play with him today and instead relax here.
This period had been very fulfilling. Besides playing with Klee, she also had to help Barbatos deal with Dvalin's problem and learn cooking. She had endless things to do every day.
Despite being busy, she enjoyed the feeling. These things were always more interesting than looking at the lifeless land and sky from before, wasn't it?
"How much longer will you watch, human? I don't like being stared at. If you intend to keep watching, I can't guarantee I won't do something."
From the moment she started walking towards Windrise, she felt someone secretly following her.
She initially thought it was just a passing member of the Knights of Favonius, like before, but this time, the other party hid, which immediately changed the nature of the situation.
She had finally gotten a chance to be lazy, only for it to be interrupted. This made her very displeased. If the other party couldn't satisfy her, she wouldn't mind giving them a punishment.
As Durandal stood up, a woman in a special nun's habit emerged from behind the tree, looking at her with a hint of nervousness.
"State your name, human."
"...Rosaria."