Mondstadt, Angel's Share Tavern.
"Hic~ Diluc~!"
Venti sat at the bar, completely plastered. "Can't you guys be a little more creative, like the Cat's Tail? Hic~ Apple cider~ dandelion wine~ I'm sick of them all~!"
"Sure," Diluc replied flatly. "Then please settle the tab for the fifty-seven drinks you still owe."
"Ah~ how can you be like this~ You know I'm the Anemo Archon now~!"
Venti immediately protested. "You treat the Anemo Archon to drinks, the Anemo Archon blesses you—let's call it even, okay~?"
Diluc's gaze remained cold.
He looked at the drunken bard before him and said nothing.
Originally, he'd planned to head back to Dawn Winery. He'd only stopped by the tavern on his way out of the city to take a look. Who would've thought that the Knights of Favonius would arrive right after, insisting on holding a celebration banquet.
Diluc, being generous, had hung up a sign reading Closed for the Day at the entrance, letting the Knights reserve the entire place to enjoy their post–Stormterror victory feast.
He glanced around at the tables full of people drunk out of their minds. Seeing how happy everyone looked, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
The only regret was that, according to Venti, Lin Mo had been delayed by something and might not make it before the party ended.
Just then—
Creaaak.
The tavern door opened.
Lin Mo stepped inside and met Diluc's gaze head-on.
"You made it?" Diluc said calmly. "They're all pretty much wasted. You arrived just in time to clean up the mess."
"Huh?"
Lin Mo froze.
He noticed Venti already slumped over the bar, eyes shut, arms wrapped possessively around a huge jug of dandelion wine, muttering something under his breath. Judging by his state, he was completely out cold.
Lin Mo looked further into the tavern.
"…This really is cleaning up the aftermath…"
He shook his head with a wry smile at the scene.
Lumine had collapsed against Noelle, eyes closed, breathing evenly—fast asleep.
Noelle herself wasn't doing much better. A light blush colored her cheeks from the alcohol, her gaze hazy and unfocused. She'd clearly had a few drinks too.
Damn it—Noelle isn't even of age. Who let her drink!?
As her instructor, Lin Mo felt a surge of anger.
But the very next moment…
He saw who was happily pouring drinks for the already drunk crowd.
It was the adorable Paimon—and his precious little daughter, Klee.
"…Well, it's a rare celebration… a little bit should be fine…"
Lin Mo usually wasn't a hypocrite.
Unless the other party was his beloved daughter.
However—
As he walked toward them, his expression suddenly stiffened.
At that moment, Acting Grand Master Jean and Eula were staring at each other with dreamy, unfocused eyes.
"Eula… I… I really can't drink anymore…" Jean murmured.
"Oh? Skipping a drink you owe me?" Eula slurred. "This… this grudge… I'll remember it…"
…
Listening to their drunken rambling, Lin Mo could only shake his head helplessly.
They might still be talking now, but in that state, a gust of wind outside would probably knock them flat.
"Oh? Little brother finally showed up~"
Lisa noticed Lin Mo approaching and smiled lazily.
Klee immediately turned around in delight, raising her arms excitedly.
"Brother Lin!!! The grilled fish here is sooo tasty! Over here, over here~ Klee saved you a skewer~!"
"Alright, alright~"
Lin Mo smiled and walked over.
…
…
The joyful celebration soon drew to a close.
After all, everyone was thoroughly drunk.
Even Noelle, who hadn't had much to drink, swayed unsteadily when she stood up.
The only ones still clear-headed were Lisa, Klee, and Paimon.
Thankfully, Lumine seemed to be the first to sober up. With Paimon pushing at her back with all her might, she could at least manage to walk.
But Jean and Eula were another matter entirely.
Both were sprawled over the table, dazed and barely conscious, unable to stand at all.
"What should we do…"
Lin Mo looked at the two women, who still clutched their wine glasses even while passed out.
Eula's case was understandable—she genuinely enjoyed the heady feeling of alcohol.
But Jean too?
Why was she so obsessed with drinking tonight?
Was it because the Stormterror crisis had exhausted her completely, and she was finally using alcohol to let herself relax?
Lin Mo couldn't help but think so.
What he didn't know was that Jean had drunk herself into this state because of him.
Because the idol she'd admired in her dreams actually existed in reality.
Because with Lin Mo around, Mondstadt's future felt bright and secure.
And so, the tension she'd carried for so long finally snapped, letting her drink herself senseless with Eula for once.
"What should we do~?"
The same murmured question sounded beside his ear.
Lin Mo turned to see Lisa watching him with a thoroughly amused expression.
"Lisa, how about we each support one of them and take them back to the Knights' dormitory?" Lin Mo suggested.
"That won't do~"
Lisa immediately put on a mock-dazed look, her violet eyes half-lidded. "Big sister's a little tipsy too, you know~"
Clearly, she had no intention of sharing the burden.
"Sigh…"
With no other choice, Lin Mo supported Jean with his left shoulder and Eula with his right, wobbling his way toward the tavern door.
As he passed the bar, he couldn't help but glance worriedly at Venti's unconscious back.
"No need to worry about him," Diluc said with a smile. "He often spends the night here. We're used to it. Just take good care of those two beautiful ladies."
"Alright, I'll get going then."
Lin Mo nodded.
With Lisa and Klee accompanying him, he finally managed to get Jean and Eula back to their dormitory and tucked them into bed.
"So this is what Acting Grand Master Jean is like when she's drunk~"
Klee looked amazed.
On the way back, she'd noticed how much Jean trusted Lin Mo—her arms had been wrapped tightly around his neck the entire time, refusing to let go.
Eula wasn't much better. Since Lin Mo's neck was already "occupied," she'd ended up clinging to his chest instead.
Thankfully, both of them were now safely back in their room.
If they'd collapsed on the street instead, who knew what might've happened?
"Klee, don't mention this tomorrow, okay?" Lin Mo said with a smile.
"Huh? Why?" Klee blinked in confusion.
Lisa gently rubbed Klee's head and smiled.
"Because if you do, your Acting Grand Master might be so embarrassed that she'll make little Klee stay in solitary confinement for a whole day~"
"Ah—then… then Klee definitely won't say anything!"
Klee's big eyes filled with determination.
Lin Mo and Lisa exchanged a smile.
Afterward, they escorted Klee back to her dorm as well.
Once Klee closed her door, Lisa turned to Lin Mo with a gentle smile.
"Alright~ everything's cleaned up. Big sister's going back to her own room to rest~"
"Uh… could you not leave just yet, Lisa?" Lin Mo quickly stopped her.
"There's something… I'd like to talk to you about. In private."
As he spoke, he glanced toward the door of his own room.
"Oh?"
Lisa's eyes glinted with playful interest.
"So late at night? Is little brother inviting big sister to share a room?"
Her lips curved into a teasing smile.
"When did you become this kind of man? Or is it that even Eula and Rosaria couldn't manage to satisfy you?"
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T/N:
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