"To heck with it, the more I think about it, the more worked up I get. I can't hold back another moment! Let's do this now!"
The gloomy youth who had sworn to take advantage of Noelle's kindness had bloodshot eyes. He clasped his fists toward the other drunkards and said, "I'll leave the rest to you, brothers!"
As soon as he finished, he deliberately slumped onto the table, pretending to knock over his drink and soak his clothes. He exchanged glances with his drinking companions, and one middle-aged man immediately raised his voice and called for Noelle.
"Tch."
Victor Wang felt irritation rising. These drunkards suddenly stopped drinking at the critical moment. He stood up, preparing to use his backup plan, when a hand tapped him on the shoulder from a table even more hidden than his.
"Hey, what are you trying to do?"
Turning his head, he saw a man in plain clothes with a cap pulled low, face obscured, though his build and voice seemed familiar. Victor Wang frowned. "Sidney?"
The man tilted up his cap just long enough for his face to catch the lamplight, then quickly lowered it again. That brief glimpse was enough of an admission. He leaned in and whispered, "Don't make a move."
"…I don't understand what you mean. Someone over there's drunk. I happen to have some sobering medicine with me. Maybe he could use a little help."
"Heh…" Sidney gave a bitter smile. "After all this time, you're still on guard against me. I don't blame you—after what I did, it's not like I expect you to trust me. But Captain Kaeya is right outside. This is a coordinated operation. You don't need to worry."
"But I can't let you mess up the plan either. If our goals align, just sit back and enjoy the show. If not, then at least wait a little while longer." Sidney pressed down on Victor Wang's shoulder with one hand, trying to force him back into his seat. But it was like pushing against a mountain—Victor Wang didn't budge.
At that very moment, the Cat's Tail Tavern's front door burst open. A crisp, sweet voice rang out. "Is someone here in need of assistance?!"
Noelle's gaze swept over the drunkards, unshaken as if she had expected this scene. But when she spotted the two men standing among the seated crowd, her eyes flickered with surprise—especially when they landed on Victor Wang.
"The plan's starting," Sidney muttered urgently. "Do Kaeya a favor and don't cause an incident."
Fortunately, this time Victor Wang sat down quietly.
"You're helping Noelle deal with the drunkards?"
"Shh. Just watch."
The play within the tavern unfolded. Relieved to see Victor Wang sit back, Noelle exhaled softly, but then another rough, alcohol-laden voice barked, "I'm the one who called you! The other day I asked you to help me with some barbecue, and all you left was a seasoning recipe before running off. Today, you've gotta help me!"
"Hm? Just a seasoning recipe? I clearly left instructions on grilling technique and heat control as well."
"You—you mocking me?! Point is, you didn't help me cook!"
"I really didn't mean that. I only wanted people to leave their time for those who truly needed help. Why does everyone think I'm mocking them…"
"So, you're saying I don't need help? That I'm just a nuisance? That I wasted your time? What, just because I can't grill means I shouldn't ask for help? Even if I can't, why's it wrong to ask? You grill so well, why won't you help anymore?!"
Though her posture was still humble and polite, Noelle's words carried steady conviction. "I've simply come to understand some things."
"Understand some things…? So, you're saying I don't?!"
The middle-aged man's flushed, drunken face grew even redder. He was seconds from jabbing a finger in her face, but the youth feigning drunkenness under the table kicked him to silence his rant.
"This guy looks big and burly, older too, but his pride's as thin as paper. Loves twisting words too." Diona muttered.
"Already an adult but mentally still a child, totally immature—people call that a man-child."
"Man-child? That fits perfectly."
After wasting enough time with nonsense, Noelle pressed, "You were the one who called me just now, weren't you? What exactly do you need help with?"
"Hmph. My friend's drunk. Take him home."
"There's no need for that—"
Before she could finish, panic swept across the drunkards, as if the world were ending. Noelle refusing to escort a drunk home?
The middle-aged man stammered, "Don't give me that talk about what's important or urgent! He's drunk! He can't make it home alone! That's important enough, right? We're drunk too, can't even stand, so we can't send him. How can you refuse?!"
"Being drunk is indeed dangerous, so I had no intention of refusing. What I mean is, there's a better way." As unease spread among the men, Noelle drew out a vial of green liquid.
It looked… familiar?
The thought had barely crossed Victor Wang's mind when Noelle explained, "Excessive drinking causes serious damage—esophagus, stomach, liver, and more. Drinking to the point of unconsciousness is even riskier. If no one's nearby, vomiting can cause suffocation and death."
"That's why I asked the Knights of Favonius to develop a Strong Sobering Potion. It can restore clarity within one minute, neutralize alcohol, and protect the body. No need to send him home—just feed him this."
"A sobering potion? What kind of joke is that?"
"Yeah! Looks dangerous! Who'd drink that?!"
Every drunkard looked horrified. If they complied, they'd lose their last excuse to harass Noelle.
"I also brought the Principles and Effects of the Strong Sobering Potion, jointly published by Lisa, the Knights of Favonius Potion Supplier, and Albedo, the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius. It clearly states the potion is absolutely stable and safe. Even the sober can drink it. Don't believe me? Watch."
She pulled the cork, drank it in one gulp, and winced slightly. "A bit bitter. But compared to saving lives, bitterness is nothing. Don't worry—I have twenty vials. Enough for everyone."
"Ridiculous!" Fueled by alcohol and rage, the middle-aged man slammed the table. Even as patrons and staff gave him strange looks, he barked louder. "I won't feed that to my friend! You'll take him home! And me too after that!"
Ignoring him, Noelle placed the corresponding number of vials on their table. "Since he's your friend, you should be the one ensuring his safety—not me. If you refuse to give him this, then you're neglecting his life. I've already done all I can."
She shook her head silently, but her refusal resounded.
One man suddenly swung his arm, smashing the vials to shards. Glass and liquid spilled across the floor, and he sneered. "Now they're gone. Guess you'll have to stay and clean up!"
Noelle shook her head again, wordless.
Behind the bar, bartender Shuyun called out, "Midnight's passed, hasn't it? That means starting today, the Mandatory Sobering Law for Severe Intoxication is in effect."
"That's right! Any tavern in Mondstadt must ensure the safety of customers who drink themselves unconscious. Free sobering treatment, courtesy of the Knights and Mondstadt's wine industry. Thanks to Victor Wang and Diona's campaign, and Master Diluc's support, these potions are fully funded. But anyone wasting them? That's slapping both the Knights and Mondstadt's brewers in the face!"
The drunkards froze. This was their death sentence.
"Noelle! This must be your doing!"
Noelle didn't deny it. "It's only for your safety."
They gnashed their teeth, glared, and muttered threats. But none dared act. Against Noelle's raw strength, even without a Vision, they were nothing.
Except for one.
The gloomy youth who had been play-acting on the table had planned to take advantage of Noelle. Now, with his scheme ruined, alcohol and rage boiled over.
'Even if you refuse to take me home, I'm drunk! If I lay hands on you, what can you do?!'
He staggered upright, movements sloppy but practiced, and lunged for Noelle's chest.
"…."
Her brows knitted. Her gaze was sorrowful. Was this really someone she had once helped?
He missed, so he tried again, throwing his whole body at her, but she dodged with ease. He nearly fell flat on his face.
"Why?!"
He shouted in frustration, swinging a slap—and shockingly, it landed.
Victor Wang instantly shot up, but Sidney locked his arms from behind. "It's ending soon. Don't interfere."
Diona had also risen, and around the tavern, most patrons stood. Many clutched strange contraptions, their posture sharp, their aura unlike ordinary customers.
The door swung open again. Kaeya strode in with a dozen Knights at his back.
"Attempted assault and molestation of a Knight. Take him."
Several men restrained the youth. He thrashed and protested, "I—I was drunk! I didn't mean it!"
Kaeya nodded toward one of the 'patrons,' and at once, the drunkards' earlier words replayed crystal clear from a bizarre device.
"Phonographs, image recorders, and all these witnesses. Your vile intent is undeniable. You, and the rest of you—come along. Don't make us drag you."
"Why?! She's just a maid! She's not even a proper Knight! This is abuse of power!"
"Her rank is irrelevant. Drunken disorder, assault, attempted molestation—you've earned your stay in the cells. And Noelle has received the title of Rose Knight. Better accept your failure."
"Captain Kaeya, I already declined that title… I'm not worthy yet."
"It will be yours, sooner or later."
After this private exchange, Kaeya swept the room with a glance, nodded briefly at Victor Wang, then commanded, "Sidney, stay and clean up. Everyone else, withdraw!"
When the disguised agents and Knights were gone, only two tables remained—Victor Wang, Diona, and Sidney among the few left.
Shuyun bowed to Noelle. "I didn't know before whether helping those drunkards was truly your wish, so I always stood by. Forgive me."
"Please don't. That was my choice."
Turning down his apology with sincerity, Noelle started gathering the mess. "Let me handle this. It all began with me."
Sidney shrugged helplessly. "Orders are orders. If you don't want Kaeya scolding me, then let me do it."
"…." Noelle finally looked to Victor Wang. "I understand what you meant now. Thank you."
"As long as you don't hate me, I'm satisfied."
Noelle shook her head with a smile. "How could I? You'll always be my friend. A true friend."
Diona glanced suspiciously between them, sighed heavily, and muttered that she felt unnecessary here.
"Can you explain what happened?" Victor Wang asked.
"I learned to ask for help. Even if I changed, I couldn't ignore the drunk. So, I asked Lisa for the Strong Sobering Potion. She thought ahead, even pushed for the law. I also sought Kaeya's advice. When he heard, he set up this operation."
"So, Kaeya didn't know before? But I heard there's even an Anti-Noelle Alliance. How will you deal with that?"
"Kaeya offered to handle it, but I refused. I'll keep offering useful help. Maybe someday, when they truly need it, they'll understand the value of it. As for safety—hardly anyone in Mondstadt can overpower me."
"…And the Rose Knight? Your dream's come true. Why refuse?"
"I'm not worthy yet. That's the truth."
"Ugh, blah blah blah…" Diona suddenly yawned. "So sleepy. I'm going to bed!"
Victor Wang waved. "Go on. May Margaret not cling too much, and may your dreams be sweet. Good night."
"What kind of attitude is that? Hmph!" Tail swishing angrily, Diona stomped off.
"It's already 1 AM. Too late indeed… But I'm glad I met you again. I'm glad I could say thank you. That makes me very happy."