118 118. Let Them Grow In Battle
In the old capital of Mondstadt, now a desolate place known as Stormterror's Lair, the scene unfolds with an air of eeriness and decay. The ruined city is characterized by crumbling architecture, overgrown vegetation, and a sense of abandonment.
At the heart of this desolation stands a young maiden of striking beauty, her pale complexion a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. She possesses a slim figure and blonde hair with a bob cut at shoulder length. Her golden-yellow eyes hold an enigmatic allure. She wears a pale white sleeveless dress adorned with blue lines and tail capes, along with gloves covering her thumbs, white stockings, and boots. Her appearance exudes an air of elegance and grace.
Kneeling in submission behind her are two figures: one clad in imposing black armor and the other an Abyss Mage. Both address her with the utmost respect as "Your Highness," illustrating a clear demonstration of loyalty and reverence to this enigmatic character.
The young maiden, with an air of elegance and grace, inquired, "How is it?"
In response, the figure in imposing black armor explained that they had lost contact with the Cryo Abyss Mage. The air of loyalty and reverence persisted in their interactions, and the mystery surrounding their situation deepened.
The figure in black armor proceeded to explain the situation further. It had undertaken an investigation to determine the cause of the Cryo Abyss Mage's disappearance, entering a different dimension during this mission. However, during this covert operation, there were three individuals who had noticed its presence.
The figure in imposing black armor proceeded to explain its investigation into the cause of the Cryo Abyss Mage's disappearance. It described how it had hidden in a different dimension while conducting this inquiry, aiming to remain discreet.
However, during this covert investigation, it had an unexpected encounter with three individuals who detected its presence. The figure went on to describe the appearances of these three individuals to the young maiden.
The three individuals were Ryūhei, Veldora, and Rimuru. The figure provided detailed descriptions of their appearances, mentioning that Ryūhei was a human from Inazuma, Veldora, whose appearance resembled an Oni affected by a disease from Sumeru called Eleazar, and Rimuru's distinct appearance as well.
The young maiden couldn't help but murmur to herself, "Who would have thought there were people who were so sensitive."
The figure in black armor, his tone grim, added, "Other than that, your brother was also there, Your Highness!"
The young maiden's eyes flashed with surprise at the mention of her brother's presence. She asked, "Are you sure my brother was there?"
In response, the figure in black armor described Aether's appearance, providing a clear picture of the individual who had been identified as the young maiden's brother.
Upon hearing the description of Aether's appearance, the young maiden became certain that he was indeed her brother. The recognition of her sibling's presence in the unfolding events added a personal dimension to the story, and her emotions were no doubt a complex mix of surprise, concern, and curiosity.
"Brother." She muttered.
With a sense of determination, the young maiden ordered her loyal followers, "Let's just wait and see. Prepare for another plan!"
"As you wish, Your Highness."
Her command revealed that she was not one to be easily discouraged by unexpected developments. Instead, she intended to adapt and formulate a new course of action, keeping her plans shrouded in mystery and intrigue as they moved forward.
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As the confrontation with Dvalin continued and it became evident that the dragon was hesitant to fly due to Veldora's presence, Ryūhei, with his keen perception, recognized the fear in Dvalin's eyes. Understanding the significance of this moment, he turned to Venti, perhaps with a request or a suggestion that could aid in the situation.
Ryūhei suggested to Venti, "Everyone might need your help to come down." They were situated at the top of the Starsnatch Cliff, with a significant distance separating them from the beach below. It was evident that Venti's Anemo abilities could potentially aid in their descent, ensuring a safe passage for the group. Though, Ryūhei could do that by himself.
Venti, the Anemo Archon, nodded in agreement. He began to skillfully manipulate the wind in the surroundings, creating a gentle breeze that would serve as a means of transportation. With the wind beneath them, he allowed the group to descend from the Starsnatch Cliff safely, ensuring a smooth journey down to the beach below.
As they descended to the beach below, Dvalin unleashed a mighty roar, his mind clouded by negative emotions and fear. He mistakenly believed that Venti intended to harm him.
The group, fully aware of the imminent battle and the formidable opponent they faced in the corrupted Dvalin, prepared themselves for the challenge. Aether, Jean, and Ayaka unsheathed their swords, while Diluc gripped his greatsword firmly. Fischl, with her bow in hand, readied herself for the confrontation.
Venti, noticing Ryūhei's crossed arms and his indication that he didn't intend to join the battle, couldn't help but ask, "Don't you want to help? That Veldora too, why does he just float in the sky?" His words sought to understand their reasons for holding back in this critical moment.
Ryūhei turned to Venti and explained his perspective. He conveyed that Ayaka sought to become stronger, and this battle was a valuable opportunity for her, as well as for the others. He further pointed out that if he and Veldora were to intervene and help them defeat Dvalin, the group wouldn't gain the necessary experience.
Ryūhei's view was one of preparing his companions for potential future challenges. He believed that opportunities to confront a dragon, like this one, might arise again, so it was better for all of them to gain the rare experience of fighting a formidable opponent like Dvalin, allowing them to grow stronger and more capable in the process. His words carried a sense of wisdom and long-term thinking, emphasizing the importance of self-improvement through facing challenges head-on.
Venti, after hearing Ryūhei's explanation about the importance of allowing their companions to gain valuable experience in this battle, would likely understand and respect the rationale behind the decision. His reaction would likely be one of acknowledgment, recognizing the wisdom in Ryūhei's words and the consideration for the growth of their group.
Venti might express his support for this perspective, appreciating the long-term thinking and the desire to empower their companions to face future challenges with confidence and skill.
Venti, known for his control over the wind element and his ability to enhance the movements and agility of the group, made a thoughtful decision. After considering Ryūhei's perspective on the importance of allowing their companions to gain valuable experience in this battle, he chose not to intervene with his wind manipulation.
By withholding his assistance, he allowed their companions to face the challenges ahead and learn from the experience, aligning with the group's long-term goals and the desire for personal and collective growth.
In a surprising turn of events, Ryūhei witnessed Paimon suddenly disappearing into thin air. His eyes widened in astonishment as he scanned the surroundings, attempting to locate Paimon. However, what he saw was beyond words. Due to his heightened sensitivity to space, a result of his Limitless technique and his Rikugan, Ryūhei perceived a blurry image of Paimon concealed within a different dimension.
This remarkable ability allowed Ryūhei to perceive the hidden dimension where Paimon was currently situated, unveiling a unique skill that set him apart from the ordinary.
Ryūhei's newfound ability to perceive things in a different dimension proved valuable as he detected a figure in black armor, emanating Abyssal energy within that figure. In response, he telepathically informed Veldora and Rimuru to direct their attention in a specific direction.
Veldora acknowledged this and commented, "Heh, someone is spying on us cleverly. If you didn't tell me, I wouldn't have noticed that figure."
But, that person immediately fled after three of them noticed its presence.
Rimuru, upon seeing the figure disappear, inquired, "Umm, that person fled. What to do?"
Ryūhei's response was cautious and forward-thinking. "Let's be careful. In the meantime, I will try to summon a monster that can travel to other dimensions." Although he said he would summon it, he actually created it. He recognized the potential utility of such a creature but acknowledged that he needed a deeper understanding of the concept of different dimensions.
Meanwhile…
As Aether, Diluc, Jean, and Ayaka engaged in a careful dance to evade Dvalin's relentless assaults, Jean couldn't help but wonder about Ryūhei's absence from the battle. She knew that Ayaka, who held a significant place in Ryūhei's life as his fiancée, was present to confront Dvalin. The concern for his reluctance to assist during this crucial moment weighed on her mind.
Jean decided to approach Ayaka, her curiosity getting the better of her. She spoke to Ayaka in a gentle and considerate manner, asking, "Miss Ayaka, may I inquire about Ryūhei's decision not to participate in this battle? Given the importance of this confrontation, I'm curious to understand his perspective, especially when you, as his fiancée, are here."
She explained, "Master Jean, Ryūhei has his own reasons for not participating in this confrontation. He believes in the importance of allowing us to gain experience and grow through challenges like this. While it may seem unconventional, he has a long-term perspective on our group's development and preparedness for future trials." Ayaka replied with an understanding tone, aware of Ryūhei's choice not to interfere in the battle.
Ayaka's response conveyed her trust in Ryūhei's judgment and his commitment to their group's growth, emphasizing that his decision was rooted in a deeper strategy. She appreciated Jean's inquiry but wanted to assure her that they were all working toward a common goal, even if their methods differed at times.
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