"What's the situation over there?"
Albedo replied, "It's settled. I sent them back to the camp, and things are stable there now. They're clearing out the remaining monsters in small units."
He glanced at the woman staring blankly at the sky. "Still, I didn't expect someone to burn their life force to turn the tide of battle—and that person turned out to be a Fatui Harbinger."
"Don't smear her like that. Five hundred years ago, she was at least a Mondstadter."
Gu Sanqiu shrugged and then looked up at the two large creatures still entangled in battle in the sky.
"So, we're just going to sit here and watch these two fight it out up there? Doesn't it get boring?"
"Your definition of boring is... peculiar."
Albedo crossed his arms, watching intently. "A battle between creatures of this scale is rare. This is valuable data."
"Yeah, valuable data."
Gu Sanqiu was now certain that the giant eagle above was being piloted by Venti. As a manifestation of the will of the Knights of Favonius, it was impressive at long-range combat but couldn't possibly be holding its own against the Blood Dragon for this long.
Besides, as Albedo mentioned earlier, the Knights of Favonius were busy sweeping up residual monsters in small groups. That eagle should have dispersed by now.
It would be strange if Venti weren't involved somehow.
"But using this kind of method?"
Gu Sanqiu frowned slightly. Judging by the standards of an Archon, the Blood Dragon's combat abilities didn't warrant something as extreme as the likes of a Geo Spear or Musou Isshin.
For Venti, fighting from Windrise, there shouldn't even be a need to charge or aim. Why choose such a roundabout approach?
"So, what's our next move? Do we retreat?"
Albedo turned to Gu Sanqiu. "Or... are you planning to go up there and face that thing yourself?"
"Hah! No, I wouldn't dare. I've no confidence in taking it down."
If grinding the dragon to death with attrition were an option, it'd make more sense to focus on breaking through his own limits and blasting it into oblivion in one strike.
"Is something worrying you?"
Albedo nodded. "Aside from the fallen Knights of Favonius, some of the wounded knights have developed corrosive injuries. I'll need to prepare medicine for them."
Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "No need for medicine. Just let the blond kid handle it. That mysterious aura around him—don't you think it feels like he has some kind of purification ability?"
"Purification?"
Albedo frowned. "Are you implying there's something... impure about us?"
He didn't doubt Gu Sanqiu—there was no reason to lie about something so easily verifiable.
"Maybe it's because we strategists are morally compromised," Gu Sanqiu joked, but his body suddenly shuddered as uncontrollable bursts of Anemo energy spilled from him.
"What's wrong?"
Gu Sanqiu glanced at Albedo and then at the sky, his expression strange.
"Hmm. Don't head back just yet. Things here might be wrapping up soon."
"Might?"
A deafening roar of wind echoed above, where the eagle and dragon battled. The previously intangible wind now carried a tangible sound—an indication that the wind element above had concentrated beyond their comprehension.
And within it was something far beyond their imagination.
"What is that?!"
Tartaglia shouted, but even Gu Sanqiu, who had been watching intently, couldn't explain what was happening.
Above, a highly concentrated emerald-green wind shone like translucent jade, coalescing into the shape of a massive hand. In its grasp was a crumbling tower, which it hurled directly at the Blood Dragon!
Boom!
The Blood Dragon disintegrated upon impact, breaking down into its most fundamental elemental particles. Half dissipated into the sky, while the other half merged into the earth.
Even the green eagle, still locked in combat, wasn't spared. The tower's edge grazed its body, scattering half of its wings and torso into nothingness.
Tartaglia dragged the dazed Rosalyne to Gu Sanqiu's side at lightning speed.
"Shield us—now!"
"Oh, come on! I'm not a support!" Gu Sanqiu snapped back but still quickly summoned a Geo shield. The resonance between the Geo energy and Albedo's nearby alchemical devices suggested he also deemed this attack level catastrophic.
As for being blown away?
A joke. This level of wind-elemental attack wouldn't leave you the chance to become a bloody splatter on a rock—you'd be shredded to nothing mid-air.
But this attack, with its unmistakable signature... why had that being taken action? Wasn't this Venti's responsibility?
Or was this a sign of a new succession?
Gu Sanqiu shook his head reflexively. Judging by Decarabian's current disposition, he couldn't care less about the grievances of the past.
So, had the two powerhouses struck a deal?
As the attack descended, Gu Sanqiu and the others felt their elemental energy flood into Albedo's alchemical device, holding their ground against the relentless storm. Even so, they were being slowly pushed outward.
The ferocity of the wind was overwhelming.
---
Deep in the ruins, Venti leaned casually against one of Dvalin's legs, grinning as he faced Decarabian, who sat on a throne.
"Well, Tornado Brains, I told you the Knights of Favonius could handle it. You lost."
"Hmph. If it weren't for that brat and the perfectionist holding off that idiot, you'd have lost this bet."
Decarabian waved his hand, and the Gale Tower on Dragonspine returned to him, crossing the boundaries of space and rejoining the structure behind his throne.
"Well, you got what you wanted. Satisfied?"
"Hehe, Mondstadt's problem is solved, and I got some of the intel I was after. Of course, I'm satisfied."
Venti tapped his forehead with a playful grin. "Heh, I didn't think you'd truly reach that level. Should've expected no less from a former ruler of the old world."
"And what good did it do? Even the strongest ruler can be overthrown."
Decarabian spoke calmly. "I didn't expect your current state either. You were but a wisp of wind, and now you walk the same path as me. Surprising."
"Judging by your efforts in Mondstadt, I suppose you're also struggling down this path. Amusing."
Venti's expression dropped. "Hey, hey, no need to spill my deepest secrets."
Decarabian shook his head. "You spy on me, yet I can't return the favor?"
"Besides, this has given me much to think about. It's reinforced my resolve."
His gaze grew firm. "This path... it's the right one."
"Ugh, nothing more to discuss with you, Tornado Brains."
Venti waved dismissively. "I'll be off. But hey, better watch out—you might get targeted after this~."
Decarabian sneered. "Hah! Let them try."