NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Chapter 25
On the uneven, broken surface of Star Snatch Cliff, the wind brought new seeds that grew rapidly under divine power, covering the ground again.
Klee climbed off Hiroshi's lap and ran towards Dvalin.
"Wow!" Klee's eyes widened in wonder as she approached the gigantic Dvalin standing beside Venti.
She happily ran around Dvalin's massive dragon body, her eyes glistening as she noticed the spots of light shimmering on his azure scales. Extending her tiny hand, she touched his wing, bursting into cheerful laughter.
Dvalin lowered his huge head, watching the little spirit who was touching his wings. As a dragon born from the wind element, Dvalin felt a deep sense of affinity for Klee.
With a slight shake of his wing, a feather detached. The feather, glowing with a faint blue light, floated down in front of Klee.
Klee curiously looked at the feather glowing in front of her. Tilting her head, she glanced up and met Dvalin's gaze.
"Take it, little spirit. It is a gift from the dragon of the sky," Dvalin's gentle voice resonated in the wind.
Klee looked into the azure eyes of Dvalin, then gratefully waved her hand at him and accepted the Sky Feather. She tucked it beside the white feather on her hat.
"Thank you for saving me, fellow kin from another world," Dvalin then turned his gaze towards Hiroshi, who sat not far away.
"Huh?! Hiroshi, are you really a dragon?" Paimon, who had just managed to escape Lumine's grasp, exclaimed in surprise as she heard Dvalin's words.
Hiroshi grabbed Paimon, who was almost sticking to his face, and flicked her forehead lightly. Smiling, he shook his head at Dvalin. "I'm just someone who has awakened the bloodline of a true dragon, not a dragon myself. In my homeland, there is a saying that we are the descendants of dragons. We carry on the spirit of dragons. Our ancestors faced countless disasters, fought back bravely, and lived with the spirit of resilience to protect our homeland."
"Oh! A land of dragons? I'd love to see it someday," Dvalin said in awe.
Standing up, Hiroshi shook his head at Dvalin, his eyes shifting to a Cecilia flower growing out of the crevice of a rock nearby, its petals blooming under the gentle breeze.
"It is a land of humans. It embraces, absorbs, and becomes stronger. People fight against nature, invaders, and foreign enemies, passing down their spirit and civilization through generations." Hiroshi gently touched Klee's head as she returned to his side and pointed to the Cecilia flower. "Just like this flower, no matter what happens, it always blooms beautifully."
Hiroshi turned to Dvalin and grinned. "As for bloodlines? Speaking of a nation with 56 ethnic groups, what are you implying about bloodlines? Humans are both the most accepting and the most exclusive species in the world."
"Humans, huh?" Dvalin looked at the flower Hiroshi pointed out, then raised his head, gazing towards Mondstadt. "Humans, truly a race worth witnessing with my own eyes."
"By the way, Hiroshi, do you know what is the source of that fading aura surrounding this little spirit?" Dvalin nodded towards Klee, who was crouching in front of the Cecilia flower. "When I was lost in the curse, I sensed an aura that seemed to contain everything in this world. It was faint, but it made me regain consciousness for a moment, and I followed that aura all the way here."
"The invitation, huh?" Remembering that aura, Hiroshi rubbed his chin and smiled. "It truly lives up to its name as an invitation."
Suddenly, a notification rang in Hiroshi's mind, prompting him to open the group chat.
[Group Mission: Due to the invitation, the city of Axel in Kazuma Satou's world is under siege by two Demon King's generals and their army.]
[Mission Objective: Defend Axel from destruction, repel or eliminate the Demon King's army.]
[Mission Duration: 24 hours]
[Mission Rewards: 120,000 points, 80,000 experience (distributed based on contribution).]
Kazuma Satou: ???
Megumin: ???
Hiroshi: ???
Hiroshi: What are you guys questioning for? Your city is surrounded; how come you don't know yet?!
Kazuma Satou: I just woke up. Aqua cried herself to sleep last night, and we drank until we passed out to comfort her.
Kazuma Satou: And why on earth does the invitation attract monsters?!
Hiroshi: A dragon came to me, Dvalin. (Dvalin Photo.jpg)
Megumin: Oh! That's such a cool dragon!
Megumin: Ahaha! It's time! The hour has come for my ultimate magic – Explosion Magic, to save the world!
Megumin: Ah! Kazuma, why are you hitting my head?!
Kazuma Satou: The table isn't meant for you to stand on; my breakfast fell to the floor!
Luo Xiaohei: Kazuma, you really have no sense of urgency, do you?
Luo Xiaohei: I'll go ask my master and his friends for help. They sensed the aura, but they didn't ask for details.
Kazuma Satou: The streets are still peaceful here, so it's hard to take it seriously…
Kazuma Satou: Ah! The alarm's going off now; everything's chaos outside.
Kazuma Satou: We're doomed! We're doomed! There are thousands of monsters surrounding Axel!
Megumin: Kazuma, do something!
Hiroshi: ...Kazuma, your reaction speed is incredible...
Kazuma Satou: @Hiroshi, help! I was half-asleep earlier, but now I'm fully awake!
Kuroneko: Heh! Heh! Now is the time for the [Fallen Saint Black Cat]'s debut!
Kuroneko: Huh? Will the invitation attract monsters?
Hinata Gokou: Kuroneko, you didn't give me an invitation. Last night you just had me sit in your magic circle and patted my head to invite me in, didn't you?
Kuroneko: Oh, in that case, that's fine.
Klee: Huh?! Is this what you mean by a group mission, Hiroshi? Yay! I want lots of stuff, but I don't have enough points—the sign-in only gave me ten, which isn't enough for anything.
Kuroneko: ??
Kuroneko: Sign-in only gives 5 points or less, though?
Megumin: +1
Kazuma Satou: Hahaha, I only get around 6 points when I sign in.
Kazuma Satou: Never mind that! Come help us! I can see the Demon King's army now!
Infinite: An alternate world, huh? I want to see that too.
Infinite: Xiaohei, let's go.
In Luo Xiaohei's world, Infinite wiped the oil from his lips after finishing his burger. He turned to Luo Xiaohei, who had just swallowed his fries. "Let's go, Xiaohei."
Throwing away his paper wrapper, Luo Xiaohei ran after Infinite with some sauce still on the corner of his mouth.
Infinite gently wiped the corner of Xiaohei's mouth, then led him into a bathroom stall, ignoring the puzzled stares of others.
Daily Life World
Kuroneko entered her sister's room, wearing her self-altered gothic Lolita outfit. Seeing Hinata Gokou brimming with anticipation, Kuroneko hesitated, "Hinata, maybe you should sit this one out. When I return, I'll exchange points for you to gain abilities, then you can join us next time."
"I trust that you'll protect me," Hinata responded, eyes full of curiosity—towards her sister's friends and towards the other world.
Seeing her sister's determination, Kuroneko pondered for a moment before nodding. "Just stay close to me and be careful."
Glancing at her new attribute panel, Kuroneko held Hinata's hand. She hoped her family could gain extraordinary abilities, for more choices and time. And as her sister, she'd protect them along the way.
Teyvat World
"Acting Grand Master Jean!"
Klee got up from the flower patch and ran to Jean.
"There's a group mission. I want to go to another world with Brother Hiroshi to complete it!"
Jean looked at the eager Klee, initially wanting to refuse. But recalling Klee's recent growth, she turned to Hiroshi.
"It's alright, I'll stay with Klee," Hiroshi reassured Jean. He then called Klee over, "Klee, just remember not to wander off this time."
"Mm!" Klee nodded obediently, returning to Hiroshi's side and holding his big hand. Smiling, she said, "Alright then, Brother Hiroshi, let's go!"