Volume 5 – Chapter 21(Dragonspine I)

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Author Note:

[ ] = When Twilight is speaking.

{ } = When talking through Telepathy.

' ' = When thinking in your mind.

<<  >> = When talking with your Pokémon or Tamed Beast.

--- --- = When describing a certain period of time OR Another place.

** ** = Point Of View i.e., POV

/// /// = In Call

" " = System and when talking to it.

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Dragonspine is an enormous mountain engulfed with ancient ruins and snow-capped areas.

The mountain holds the remains of the Vile dragon, Durin. The Venomous Dragon who fell in the battle with Dvalin.

There are some peculiarities with how the snow gathers but never melts on the mountain. Due to its extreme cold, Dragonspine is also one of the most dangerous places in Mondstadt.

Few adventurers dare attempt to conquer this unforgiving environment marked by deep snow, sheer cold, poisonous blood, and monsters.

It was also said that the mountain was named Vindagnyr, prior to Durin's fall.

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Standing in front of a broken bridge that led to the mountain, Primis started pondering about something.

While he was doing so, Makoto was looking around.

'Makoto: There is light smell of blood in the air...Since it still didn't fade completely, this means it's not that long since the person died.'

???: Mr. Herrscher!!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly an energic voice snapped both out of their thoughts.

Looking back, they saw Amber approaching them while waving her hand in greeting.

???: Lower your voice, Amber. That's not how a Knight of Favonius should behave.

Amber: Hehe. Sorry.

???: *sigh* Hello, Mr. Herrscher. Never thought we would see each other this soon.

She was not alone though. There was another person with her.

Amber: Eh? Have you already met with Mr. Herrscher, Eula?

Yes, another person with her was Spindrift Knight, Eula.

Eula: Yes. I was the one stationed to guard him when he was unconscious.

Amber: Oh, ok. Speaking of which, are you alright Mr. Herrscher? I am sorry that I can't come to see you right away since I had to help with the Four Wind Temple.

Showing a worried expression, she looked down while her bandana also lowered feeling sad.

"That headband of her make her look like a bunny-girl."

"Primis: When we will go to Liyue Harbor in future, you will see someone who tied her hair in a way they look like cat-ears."

"...…"

Raising his hand, Primis put it on her head and started patting her.

Primis: I am fine now. So, don't worry.

Amber: Ehehe. Good to hear that.

Saying she closed her eyes in content as it felt too comfortable.

"Lumine will be jealous... if she sees this."

"Primis: They why am I sensing it from you?"

"Y-Y-You...must be m-m-m-m-mistaken."

Shaking his head, Primis decided to no longer continue this topic before removing his hand from Amber's head. She seemed disappointed at that but didn't voice it out.

Amber: By the way, who is she?

Asked Amber while pointing at Makoto.

Primis: My maid.

Amber: Maid!? Is Mr. Herrscher some aristocrat or----

Makoto: Royalty.

Hearing this both Amber and Eula widened their eyes in shock.

In the next second, they straightened themselves up and did a salute.

Amber & Eula: It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Excellency! We are Knights of Favonius of Mondstadt!

Here they bowed their heads and continued.

Amber & Eula: Please forgive us if we have offended you in any way!

Instead of saying anything to them, Primis moved his gaze towards Dragonspine.

Primis: Are you here to find the Treasure Hoarders?

Amber: H-How did you---

Eula: We are. We got an intel that there is a big Treasure Hoarders base in this mountain.

Primis: I see. I am also here to check something. Let's go together.

Amber & Eula: Y-Yes!

At this Primis turned to them and offered.

Primis: You both first.

Getting surprised, they nodded and started walking towards the broken bridge.

Looking at their back as they jumped across, Primis thought.

'Primis: This won't be a nice journey.'

His attention was on Amber's and Eula's fate. Their fate lines were fading at each passing second.

'Primis: Let's just hope you both will survive until the help arrives. Otherwise, this mountain will also become your tomb alongside Durin.'

Here Primis glanced back and saw three people who were also making their way here. However, they were still too far and will take time to arrive.

Primis: Let's go.

Makoto: Yes, My Lord.

With this, they followed Amber and Eula who were ahead of them.

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Eula: They are really hiding here. We just entered the mountain and found their camp.

Just when they crossed the bridge to reach the other side, they saw a camp.

After looking around and investigating, they confirmed that it was really made by Treasure Hoarders.

Amber: Yeah. Though no one is here. Maybe they have trekked the mountains to meet up with their members to make some plans.

Eula: Um. Let's follow their tracks.

Amber: Yes.

As they started climbing the mountain, their gaze started wandering around. Their surroundings were frozen white. Snow was covering almost everything. Starting from the ground, wall, vegetation to even sky.

Yes, the sky of the mountain was also covered in white clouds making it impossible for light to penetrate through.

They had just walked for a few minutes, and they were already starting to feel cold. Hence, they hurriedly use their elemental powers to protect themselves.

Glancing back, they saw Primis and Makoto under a parasol some distance away. They didn't seem to be affected by the cold.

GRR!!!

Suddenly, they heard an inhumane voice and saw someone jump at them from above.

Since they both were veterans, they hurriedly collected themselves and moved out of the way.

BANG!!

A cryo club hit the ground hard and snow scattered around.

After it settled down, they saw that it was a Hilichurl with a cryo club and cryo shield.

Eula: To think a mere Hilichurl sneaked attack on us. I will make you pay for it and then vengeance will be mine.

She took out blue claymore from her vision and charged.

Reaching in front of it, she raised her sword with her both hands and attacked.

DING!!!

But to her and Amber surprise, Hilichurl brought its shield and blocked it. Not only that, but it also barely moved from its spot.

TING!

Without wasting a single second, the Hilichurl deflected her shield away and attacked with its club.

CLING!!

In the last moment, Eula put her sword in front and protected herself.

TAP!

TAP!

TAP!

Though the force behind it still pushed her three steps back.

At this, Eula expression had turned solemn.

'Eula: This is first time I have seen a Hilichurl this strong.'

Holding the handle of her claymore tightly, Eula attacked again.

SLASH!!

DING!!

Hilichurl stopped it again with its shield. Though this time, it was one to be pushed back some steps.

TAP!!

TAP!!

TAP!!

TAP!!

TAP!!

TAP!!

After stabilizing itself, it looked at Eula intensely. Clearly indicating that it didn't like the fact that Eula overpowered it.

Unknown Hilichurl: Grrr…

SWOSH!!

It then moved at such a speed that was not possible for some ordinary Hilichurl and rush at her.

Eula was also feeling astonished at it but still she made sure not to get distracted before slashing to her left.

CLING!

Even if the Hilichurl was faster, it was still not enough in front of her.

Taking a spin, Eula attacked.

SLASH!!

PSST!!!!!

A deep cut appeared on the Hilichurl chest as it jumped back.

FWOOSH!!

But it didn't have any chance to look at its wound as a pryo arrow came for it.

Ducking it dodged the arrow before looking at Amber behind Eula.

GROWL!!

Glaring menacing at her, the Hilichurl raised the club high as cyro power started gathering in it and smashed at the ground.

BANG!!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

...

…

Spikes of ice started coming out of the ground towards the duo.

Narrowing her eyes Eula moved her sword and chopped them.

By the time she destroyed the last one, the Hilichurl had already reached her and attacked.

Too bad that its sneak attack was useless since Eula was prepared for it.

Sidestepping, she dodged it.

FWOOSH!!

BOOM!!

Since Hilichurl never expected that, it got hit by another pryo arrow that Amber shot at the right moment.

The arrow hit its mask and exploded which resulted not only in the Hilichurl being burnt but also the force behind it threw it back.

Deciding to end it, Eula swung her claymore with her full strength.

DANG!!

But at the last second, Hilichurl used its shield and protected its life.

CRACK!!

THUD!!

The shield got destroyed but Hilichurl survived.

Eula and Amber were looking at the Hilichurl with shocked expressions on their faces.

'Amber & Eula: Not only this Hilichurl has high strength and speed, but it also has sharp battle instinct! We must kill it! Otherwise, it will become a big threat for Mondstadt!'

Glancing at each other they nodded as they realized that they were thinking of the same thing.

Nevertheless, they didn't get any such chance because Hilichurl again gathered the cyro element in its club and smashed on the ground.

BANG!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

SHIN!!

...

…

Spikes of ice attacked them again, but they got rid of it in a matter of seconds.

Still, by the time they were done, they realized that the Hilichurl had run away.

Eula: Oh no, you don't!

Amber: We can't let it escape!

They both then desperately tailed it.

While they were doing so, Primis and Makoto of course saw the whole incidence.

Makoto: Lord, do you know about that Hilichurl?

Primis: .........It was no longer a Hilichurl.

"Lord, do you know… about it?"

"Primis: It's a Mutation."

"So… you do know."

"Primis: Nothing can be hidden from my eyes."

"Um......Oh, it's done."

"Primis: You were using System to check that Hilichurl, Huh."

"Yes. I got the result......It's just like you said."

Saying this, it brought a window in front of Primis.

"I also did so tweak and unlocked its Appraisal feature."

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+

+

Eula Lawrence ---> Level 78

Amber ---> Level 75

??? Ice Shield Hilichurl Guard(Mutation 37%) ??? ---> Level 74

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+

+

"As its Mutation increases, so is its Level. I am afraid that by the time its Mutation will reach 100%, it will..."

"Primis: I know. But if they can't even handle this then they should forget about saving Mondstadt."

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*A/N: Please throw some power stones.

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