I, Noelle, Persuade With Reason! [10]

Could it be… she’s also a mysterious figure summoned here by fate?

Wrapped up in pink pajamas, Fischl burrowed beneath her blanket, eyes shining with excitement, her heart pounding so hard she couldn’t sleep.

Just moments ago, she’d witnessed everything that happened at the fountain plaza through Oz’s eyes.

When the Electro Cicin Mage and Abyss Mage appeared at the same time, Fischl’s first instinct was that Noelle was in danger. She almost activated [Midnight Phantasmagoria] to rush to the rescue.

But before she could make up her mind, Noelle had already knocked out the Electro Cicin Mage with a single punch, then captured the Abyss Mage with lightning speed. In just a few seconds, she’d shown a terrifying strength—then left as calmly as if nothing had happened, as if it had all been an illusion.

Fischl could hardly believe her eyes: an ordinary, gentle girl, suddenly unleashing overwhelming power under the cover of night, taking down two tough foes in seconds, then quietly returning to her peaceful life, with no one the wiser about her hidden deeds for Mondstadt. It was as if a reclusive master had been living in their midst all along, indifferent to fame or glory.

This striking contrast was exactly her weakness. Since childhood, Fischl had often indulged in such fantasies—though she’d never managed to realize one herself.

“So cool!” Fischl whispered in awe.

Oz landed on the windowsill, watching the girl rolling around in bed with affectionate amusement.

He knew all too well—his young mistress had become deeply interested in Noelle. Everything she saw tonight had thoroughly fueled Fischl’s imagination; she’d probably spend the whole night lost in her dreams.

As Oz predicted, Fischl hugged her pillow, already lost in fantasy.

Within the long river of fate, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung and the gentle, adorable maid meet beneath the night sky. When sin creeps into the world and evil spreads, the Prinzessin stands tall to resist, but can’t sever the chains of destiny alone.

At that moment, the gentle maid draws her sword for the first time, transforms into a true knight, and with one stroke sweeps away all darkness, saving countless lives and winning endless cheers and admiration.

Yet, the knight cares nothing for fame or reward, quietly sheathing her sword, choosing instead to remain by the Prinzessin’s side, disguised as a maid, to watch over her through countless long nights.

As her imagination ran wild, Fischl couldn’t help but giggle to herself.

What kind of girl is Noelle, really? Would she think I’m weird? Fischl wondered hopefully, If only we could be friends…

Oz cocked his head, curious—what on earth was Fischl imagining to get so worked up?

“Oz!” Fischl suddenly sat up, staring at him with unusual seriousness.

“What is it?” Oz shivered inwardly. She’s not going to send me to kidnap Noelle, is she? Sorry, not happening!

“Do you think Noelle would dislike me?” Fischl’s tone was surprisingly uncertain.

People naturally reject and mock what they don’t understand—Fischl had felt this keenly all her life.

If not for her [Vision] and Oz, even the Adventurers’ Guild probably wouldn’t have accepted her. What about Noelle? Would she accept the master of the “Immernachtreich,” the Prinzessin der Verurteilung?

Oz hesitated. He honestly didn’t know.

Back when Fischl would read novels in the library, Noelle would sometimes bring her snacks and tea, so they at least kind of knew each other. But Oz remembered Noelle never understood Fischl’s dramatic speeches, and often wore a baffled expression.

Fortunately, Noelle was a gentle and kind soul. Even if she didn’t understand, she’d always respond with a smile, never with mockery.

That thought eased Oz’s mind a little. Maybe even if Fischl couldn’t become friends with Noelle, at least she wouldn’t get hurt.

“No, she won’t dislike you. But not disliking you isn’t the same as liking you—you’ll have to get to know her slowly if you want to be friends,” Oz advised gently, not wanting to dash Fischl’s hopes but also not wanting her to get carried away.

Fischl nodded, falling into thought. After a few minutes, she seemed to make up her mind. Her face lit up with a bright smile.

“Oz, I grant you permission to peer into her destiny,” Fischl declared, burrowing back under her blanket.

“Spying on others isn’t right,” Oz replied at once.

“Hmph~” Fischl pouted, burying her face in the covers and refusing to speak to Oz again.

“All right, all right, I’ll just tell you where she goes,” Oz relented. He was simply too softhearted.

“As expected of my loyal familiar!” Fischl beamed with satisfaction, finally ready to drift off to sleep.

---

Meanwhile, Noelle had returned to her room. After washing up, she lay in bed and took out a branch from her backpack.

An old Ley Line branch? Doesn’t look like much… How did the Abyss Mage use this to manipulate the elements?

Noelle studied it for a long while, but couldn’t make sense of it.

Still, she guessed it was something akin to a [Vision]—an external magical organ, maybe even related to the fallen kingdom of Khaenri’ah or alchemy itself.

Ley lines run everywhere, with elemental power flowing through them, recording all that happens in the world. So what is an old Ley Line branch, really? Elemental energy in solid form? Or perhaps, like artifacts, a vessel for will and memory?

She tried to reason it out from the perspective of ley lines and elemental energy, but was left with nothing but questions. This world has so many secrets. Maybe all of Teyvat is just some kind of testing ground, and the ley lines are like a giant supercomputer, running on elemental energy…

Of course, it’s just speculation. For someone who’s already living here, the simpler things are, the better. Only then can I truly enjoy life.

Speaking of artifacts, Noelle suddenly remembered there were still many places in Mondstadt she wanted to explore—beyond Wolvendom, there were still domains, ley line blossoms, Hypostases, the Cryo Regisvine… Once the problems with Stormterror, the Fatui, and the Abyss Order were solved, she’d have to check them out.

The night grew late, sleepiness washing over Noelle. She tucked away the Ley Line branch and soon drifted off.

---

While Noelle slept, Diluc was still on the road back to Dawn Winery. As one of the few claymore users around, his stamina was impressive, but hauling two unconscious prisoners through the night was not exactly pleasant.

Noelle, what other secrets are you hiding? The question gnawed at him, but there was no one he could discuss it with. Still, Noelle’s composure after exposing her power put him somewhat at ease.

She probably doesn’t have any shady motives. If she did, she wouldn’t have let me go, Diluc reasoned.

At last, near dawn, Diluc returned to the winery.

Out of concern for his safety, Head Maid Adeline had been waiting in the hall all night. Seeing Diluc return safely, she finally relaxed.

“Cellar?” Adeline pulled out a ring of keys, utterly unfazed by the sight of Diluc dragging back two unconscious people.

“Yeah, second level down.” Diluc trusted Adeline deeply; she’d served the Ragnvindr family for years and knew many secrets.

Together, they brought the captives to the cellar and chained them up.

Adeline yawned, lifting the Cicin Mage’s mask out of curiosity.

“Quite pretty. She’s young, too.”

Diluc nodded, then fetched a bucket of cold water and splashed it on both prisoners to wake them.

“Go on and rest. I’ll handle the questioning tonight.” Diluc planned to interrogate them through the night.

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This is a fan translation of 我，诺艾尔，以理服人！ by 暗香浮动 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!