While Jiang Bai was unaware that Hu Tao was currently freeloading dinner from a Snezhnayan diplomat, he climbed onto the outstretched palm of the Anemo Archon's statue, still carrying the faint scent of alcohol.
He wasn't drunk—just thought the view from here would be good, so he wanted to sit and relax for a while.
And indeed, sitting on the palm of a statue was quite an unusual experience.
He leaned back, hands propping him up, and gazed quietly at the night sky.
A gentle breeze brushed past, and the sky was perfectly clear.
Countless stars sparkled, and the Milky Way shimmered vividly overhead.
The faint scent of wine lingering from the tavern quickly faded with the wind.
He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or something unique about himself, but apart from tasting the drink, he felt no dizziness at all—drinking felt no different from drinking water.
Yet, back at the tavern, everyone had gotten tipsy. Even Kaeya, who'd joined him, was slightly intoxicated. Clearly, the issue was his own.
Maybe his body saw alcohol as a harmful substance and flushed it out immediately after he drank it.
If his body could neutralize toxins this quickly, perhaps next time he should bravely try the Director's infamous dark cuisine?
Forget it… Hurting his body was fine, but torturing his taste buds was unbearable.
As Jiang Bai sat pondering this nonsense, the wind suddenly picked up.
He turned toward the wind's source and saw an enormous azure dragon descending from the distant horizon.
"Oh, so Venti's group managed to resolve everything already? I wonder where they found Dvalin so quickly…"
Riding atop the dragon's back, Klee spotted Jiang Bai from afar and happily waved at him. Jiang Bai smiled, waving back.
The massive dragon soared gracefully over Mondstadt, drawing alarmed gasps from the people below before gently landing in front of the plaza near the statue.
Knights quickly assembled at the sight of Dvalin, herding the braver citizens who'd gathered out of curiosity behind them.
Under everyone's wary gaze, Jean gracefully jumped down from Dvalin's back, followed by Venti, Aether, Paimon, and lastly Klee, who happily slid down one of Dvalin's wings.
Still buzzing with excitement, Klee shouted, "That was so fun! Klee wants to fly again!"
Jean glanced sternly at Klee. "Klee, Dvalin just recovered and still has injuries. Be careful and don't cause trouble."
"Oh." Under Jean's authoritative gaze, Klee instantly calmed down.
Venti stretched lazily. "Well, that's over! I'm exhausted—I deserve a reward, like the most expensive Dandelion Wine at Angel's Share!"
"You Tone-Deaf Bard, you barely did anything!" Paimon complained indignantly, hands on her hips. Aether had done all the work, while this lazy bard had been slacking the whole time!
"Hey, don't say that! Finding Dvalin took plenty of effort from me too!"
Seeing the mighty dragon had no intention of causing trouble, the knights cautiously approached, one asking Jean with evident confusion:
"Acting Grand Master Jean, what exactly is going on?"
Jean gently stroked Dvalin's enormous wing, her expression warm and reassuring as she loudly addressed the gathering crowd with a speech she'd prepared beforehand.
"This is Dvalin, one of the Four Winds—Guardian of the East. Five hundred years ago, he fought valiantly against the evil dragon Durin to protect Mondstadt and sustained grave injuries. Recently, due to Durin's poisonous blood, the Abyss Order woke him from his slumber and took control of him. Now, thankfully, Dvalin is free once again."
This explanation not only clearly identified Dvalin and his noble past but also placed all blame squarely on the Abyss Order, exactly as she'd agreed with Dvalin himself.
Jean's explanation caused an immediate stir in the crowd.
The wary hostility vanished, replaced by reverent respect toward one of Mondstadt's Four Winds.
"So that's the truth about Lord Dvalin! We Mondstadters must never forget his heroic sacrifices!"
"We've misunderstood him this whole time!"
"I was one of those calling for his destruction—thank goodness Acting Grand Master Jean didn't listen, or we'd have become Mondstadt's shame!"
"The Abyss Order are despicable, exploiting his injuries to control our noble dragon!"
"Is Lord Dvalin fully healed now? Will the Abyss Order ever control him again?"
The crowd's animated discussion showed that everything was moving in a positive direction.
Jean cleared her throat, addressing the gathered crowd firmly:
"Tomorrow, I will formally explain everything in the plaza. With this dragon crisis now resolved, trade routes will reopen, and the city gates will no longer need to remain sealed."
As people slowly dispersed, Klee waved cheerfully at Dvalin. "Bye-bye, big dragon! Klee will come play with you again next time and make you an even better flower crown!"
Looking fondly at the small red figure, Dvalin seemed pleased.
A single turquoise feather gently drifted down into Klee's waiting hands as the dragon lifted off once more.
The great dragon soared away into the night sky. Petals from the flower crown on his back, now withered, fluttered gently downward.
Jiang Bai caught one of the petals as he jumped gracefully down from the statue, landing lightly beside everyone.
"Looks like Dvalin's doing well," he observed.
Venti grinned broadly. "With Durin's poison purified and five centuries of pain relieved, Dvalin's feeling better than ever!"
Paimon's eyes widened in shock. "Where did you come from?"
"I was sitting up on the statue. Everyone else saw me—didn't you?"
"No!" Paimon glanced at Aether, who silently nodded confirmation. He'd spotted Jiang Bai there earlier.
"Mr. Anemo Archon, what's this feather for?" Klee stared curiously at the feather in her hand, unable to understand its purpose.
"Shh!" Venti placed a finger against his lips and whispered conspiratorially, "My identity is still a secret, and our Spark Knight can keep secrets well, right?"
"Klee promises she'll keep it secret!" Klee saluted solemnly, then tilted her head, confused. "But then, what should Klee call you?"
"Just call me Venti." He pointed at the feather. "That feather is Dvalin's special gift to you. It'll help you fly higher and farther than ever!"
"Really? Klee loves it! Thank you, Venti, and thank you, big dragon!"
Klee carefully tucked the feather into her backpack.
Paimon patted her flat stomach impatiently. "Now that everything's resolved, isn't it time for a feast? I'm starving!"
"No problem! To thank you all for your help, the Knights will treat you tonight!" Jean generously declared.
"Yes! Free drinks!" Venti cheered gleefully.
Jiang Bai groaned slightly. "Oh no… I just drank with Kaeya and I'm already full."
"You drank without us! Hmph, flyer boy, you'll just have to watch us eat then!" Paimon teased smugly.