Having received news of victory after victory, Rostam had already steeled himself for success. He had even begun to dream of a bright future with Rosalyne. But just as the dawn of victory was breaking, a new disaster had arrived.
After learning of the massive dragon's invasion at Mondstadt's border, Rostam immediately assembled the remaining knights in the city. He personally led a small squad out to investigate and verify the reports.
At the city gates, when the people saw Rostam mounted on his warhorse in his handsome knightly attire, they assumed he was going to welcome Grand Master Arundolyn's triumphant return. Cheers erupted.
"Deputy Grand Master, are you going to meet Grand Master Arundolyn?"
"Please, let us come with you!"
"Grand Master Arundolyn held back the monsters and slew them all. He is one of the greatest heroes in Mondstadt's history."
"Not only Grand Master Arundolyn—Deputy Grand Master Rostam is a hero as well."
"May the Anemo Archon bless you!"
The people of Mondstadt believed the war against the monsters was already won. They cheered and celebrated. But they did not know that Rostam's departure was not to welcome Arundolyn, but to scout the dragon situation along the border. A new calamity was about to befall Mondstadt.
Under normal circumstances, Rostam would have reined in his horse and greeted the crowd. But now, he could not afford to waste a single moment. Under the puzzled gazes of the citizens, the knight squad galloped through the gates, leaving a trail of dust, and soon vanished beyond the hills.
The people murmured among themselves.
"Why did Deputy Grand Master Rostam look so grim?"
"What's going on? Grand Master Arundolyn is about to return victorious. Why isn't Rostam happy? Have they fallen out?"
"Impossible. They've been best friends since childhood."
"Could something have gone wrong?"
"Just now, I heard someone say a huge monster appeared at Mondstadt's southern border."
"Nonsense. Grand Master Arundolyn has already slain all the monsters and won the final victory. How could there be another monster?"
"Maybe it has something to do with Lady Rosalyne?"
Unaware of the truth, the people gossiped at the gates. To them, Mondstadt had already won. Mondstadt was safe. As for any other concerns, they trusted the Knights of Favonius to handle them.
...
While Rostam and his small squad rode out, from another direction, a host of over ten thousand knights marched in formation toward Mondstadt. At their head was Grand Master Arundolyn.
Now, Arundolyn rode his warhorse, gazing toward Mondstadt. He could almost see the cheering crowds and hear their shouts of joy.
"Hahaha—by now, that rascal Rostam should have the people gathered at the gates to welcome us home. We are Mondstadt's heroes! Rostam, I'm alive, so get ready to treat me to the finest wine!"
He laughed heartily, imagining the reunion with his dear friend. Just then, a knight beside him murmured, "Grand Master, at our current pace, we should reach Mondstadt in about six hours."
Arundolyn grinned. "Six hours? That's too long. Full speed ahead. I want to see Rostam within five hours. Then, he'll buy drinks for everyone."
Fresh from victory, Arundolyn was carefree, his face beaming with joy. This triumph would be recorded as one of the most important victories in Mondstadt's history, sung by bards and praised by all. He could hardly wait to return, to see his best friend, and to share the joy of victory.
Under his command, the host of over ten thousand knights advanced at full speed. Soon, they would enter Mondstadt as heroes.
But Arundolyn did not know that while he was returning, his brother Rostam had already led a squad of knights toward the snowy mountains to face the dragon and protect the people.
...
As Arundolyn neared Mondstadt and Barbatos rushed toward the mountains on Dvalin's back, Rostam and his squad raced toward Dragonspine. Yet after traveling so far, they still had not seen the dragon. Some knights began to doubt.
"Who spread this false news? There's no dragon here—we've come all this way for nothing."
"Good—no dragon is best."
"Deputy Grand Master, let's return to Mondstadt. Grand Master Arundolyn might already be back."
The knights murmured among themselves. Only Rostam kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his expression grave.
Just then, a ragged old farmer, his clothes stained with black, poisonous blood, burst from the forest beside the road, startling all the knights.
"Old man, what's wrong? Why are you so frantic?"
"Is that... blood I smell?"
"Old man, is that black stuff on you... blood?"
The knights eyed him warily. He appeared to be an ordinary old man, yet he carried an aura of death and a pungent stench that made them uneasy.
The moment the farmer saw the knights, hope flickered in his eyes. "Knights, save us—"
He rushed forward and clutched the leg of a knight's horse. The moment the black blood on his hands touched the horse, the animal, which had been lively a moment before, suddenly became frantic and aggressive.