While the former Captain Zanis had done many stupid things, the one "good" thing he had done was sell only diluted wine. Very few people had ever tasted the original. As long as they raised the banner of "Original Divine Wine," everyone who had ever tasted the inferior version would come flocking...If the diluted versions tasted that good, wouldn't drinking the original Divine Wine feel like ascending to the heavens?
The future strategy for the Soma Familia had to change. They would shift to an auction-based model, transforming the Divine Wine into a luxury, high-end product. They weren't going to waste time on the poor anymore; they would target those who actually had money to burn.
The potency of the Divine Wine was simply too overwhelming anyway. For ordinary people or low-level adventurers, drinking it was no different from falling into a drug addiction. It was far better to let it "corrupt" the gods instead.
At Roy's command, the remaining three hundred members of the Soma Familia fanned out across the city to promote the event, holding signs and distributing flyers in every alleyway. The recent "Soma Incident" was already the talk of the town, so when this news broke, it spread through Orario like wildfire.
The Soma Familia is holding a Divine Wine Auction?
Gods, adventurers, and citizens alike discussed the news. When the topic of the wine came up, people were still livid—realizing they had been drinking "diluted trash" all along. Even though the advertisements promised the original version, who knew what those bastards in the Soma Familia were up to now?
One god sneered, "They're just trying to scam me again. Whoever wants to go can go, but I'm staying home!"
"If you're not going, I'm not going either!"
"Me too!"
"Anyone who goes is a dog!"
A group of gods quickly reached a consensus: they would boycott the auction and refuse to bow to unscrupulous businessmen.
A few hours later, at the entrance of the Soma Familia compound, the very gods who had vowed to stay away bumped into each other. They all wore awkward smiles.
"Brother... since when did you become a dog?"
"What's wrong with being a dog? Woof woof!"
The thickness of a god's skin was comparable to the legendary shields forged by the Goibniu Familia.
Without missing a beat, they collectively agreed never to mention their previous conversation. Like the best of friends, they walked into the compound arm-in-arm, laughing all the way. Just as Roy had predicted, anyone who had tasted the diluted version couldn't resist curiosity about the original. Gods, adventurers, and major trade guilds charged toward the auction like a cavalry unit.
Of course, not just anyone could get in.
Gods were admitted automatically, but adventurers had to provide proof of assets totaling at least one million Valis just to participate. Roy stood at the entrance to welcome the guests.
As the face of the Soma Familia, Roy had changed into an expensive, tailored black formal suit. It complimented his lean physique, and with a refreshing smile on his handsome face, he drew constant glances from girls and goddesses alike.
When the gods learned that Roy had been hired as the Vice-Captain of the Soma Familia, they were stunned.
You can do that?!
Soma usually looked so dull and straightforward, yet he had pulled a fast one and snagged Roy first. The gods' eyes darted around, clearly plotting something devious.
A handsome god leaned in close to Roy and grinned. "Roy, my boy, I'm actually looking for a Vice-Captain myself. Interested in a part-time gig? I'll pay you five hundred thousand Valis a month!"
"Roy, I've got a Vice-Captain spot saved for you too! Eight hundred thousand a month!"
"Hiring a Vice-Captain—specifically requesting Roy!"
The gods swarmed him with offers. The surrounding adventurers were dumbfounded; they usually had to pay tribute to their primary gods, yet in Roy's case, the situation was reversed—he was getting paid a salary? The massive gap in treatment was enough to make anyone break down.
Facing the wave of envious invitations, Roy's lips twitched. Do they think I'm that easy to fool? Unlike Soma, these gods had "ulterior motives" written all over their faces. Entering their service would be easy; getting out would be the hard part.
Roy politely declined their malicious invitations. "Honored Gods, we have prepared samples of the Divine Wine for your tasting. Please, give us your professional opinion."
Members of the Soma Familia stepped forward holding trays lined with glasses of the original Divine Wine. The rich, intoxicating aroma that wafted out was irresistible. This mellow fragrance was in a completely different dimension compared to the diluted swill they had drunk before.
Even before taking a sip, everyone was 100% certain: this was the real deal.
The eyes of the gods and adventurers turned red with greed, nearly sparking a brawl. It was only after Roy warned them that excessive consumption would lead to a drunken stupor—rendering them unable to participate in the auction—that they managed to restrain themselves. They couldn't let a small indulgence ruin the big prize.
Except for a certain red-haired alcoholic goddess.
Loki was knocking back glass after glass, shouting boisterously, "Aiz-tan! Mama-san! Quick, help me collect the rest!" She was actually trying to pack the free samples to take home.
Riveria desperately wanted to pretend she didn't know her embarrassing primary god. The air-headed Aiz actually tried to follow Loki's instructions before Riveria firmly held her back.
Riveria wore a white formal gown, looking every bit the elegant socialite. The dress highlighted her graceful neck and collarbones, her skin pale and flawless, while a delicate belt accentuated her slender waist. Her noble and magnificent presence completely overshadowed the other goddesses. Every movement exuded the grace of High Elf royalty.
Countless male gods and adventurers stared in awe, but every time someone tried to approach Riveria or Aiz, they were repelled by Loki, who hovered nearby looking like a vengeful demon. Perhaps only Freya, the pinnacle of beauty, could have outshone Riveria.
"It suits you," Riveria said with a smile as she approached Roy. Like a kind elder, she reached out to straighten his clothes, which had been ruffled by the swarming gods.
"Thank you," Roy said softly.
The onlookers were shell-shocked. The Sprout of Justice has a connection with the Nine Hell (Nine Muse) too? The gods were losing their minds, shouting that Roy's next alias should be "The Orario Lady-Killer" or "The Dream of a Billion Elf Girls."
Loki, weeping tears of blood, wailed, "I do not give this marriage my blessing!" as she dragged Riveria and Aiz into the venue, far away from the "lady-killer."
Since Roy was holding an auction, his own family had to show their support. Lady Astraea arrived at the entrance with Ryu, Daphne, and Cassandra. Astraea had no objections to Roy becoming the Vice-Captain of the Soma Familia; instead, she encouraged him not to feel burdened by it.
Miss Ryu looked at him with an expression of utter numbness. Daphne and Cassandra, however, looked at him with pure admiration. To become the Vice-Captain of another Familia as an outsider was something unthinkable until now.
In reality, the Soma Familia had essentially become a subsidiary of the Astraea Familia. At least, that was how it looked to everyone else. Soma didn't mind either. After everything that had happened, his trust in Roy was absolute. He only wanted to brew wine; if his own people couldn't manage things properly, why not let an outsider do it?
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Danmachi : Starting with an Elf (378 Chapter – Ongoing)
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