After the weakened Anemo Archon Barbatos—the green-clad bard known as the "Tone-Deaf Bard"—broke through the barrier at the entrance to the ruins, Acting Grand Master Jean, former captain Diluc, Lumine, Paimon, and Venti fought their way through, dealing with the many hilichurls and elemental creatures they encountered. At last, they reached the enormous, crumbling Stormterror's Lair.
"Wow!"
"So this is Stormterror's Lair?"
Paimon couldn't help exclaiming as she took in the huge tower before them and the scattered ruins surrounding it. She had never seen anything like it before.
"It's amazing!"
"It looks even bigger than Mondstadt!"
After comparing it with Mondstadt, she quickly realized that if the ruins were intact, they would be even larger and more imposing than the city built on the biggest island in the middle of Cider Lake.
"Of course!"
"This ruin was once an ancient city. Dvalin only lived here temporarily."
"It existed even before the Four Winds."
"Perhaps Dvalin had its own reasons for making this place its home?"
Venti didn't try to hide anything. He admitted it openly.
Still, as he looked at the ruins, he couldn't help feeling wistful. He had once seen them in all their glory. It was a shame they had ended up like this. What was harder to come to terms with was that he had played a part in it. He had fought in the war and witnessed the city's destruction firsthand.
"So that's how it is?"
"Looks like you're not completely useless after all, god of wind!"
"Then..."
"Tell us how it ended up like this!"
Seeing that everyone, Lumine included, seemed curious but hesitant to ask, Paimon promptly floated forward and asked without a trace of awkwardness.
"Now?"
"All right!"
"This goes back to the days before Mondstadt was founded..."
Everyone turned curious eyes