Chapter 5 - Meeting Soma
After Zanis used the potion, the complexion of his severed arm finally improved slightly.
For now, Zanis could only treat the wound temporarily.
Once he'd sent Mahiro away, he planned to dispatch someone to purchase High Potion.
"Take me to meet your god," Mahiro said.
"Well…, Soma-sama never sees outsiders. Even if you wish to meet him, he likely won't agree," Zanis replied with a dry laugh.
He had no real desire for anyone to meet Soma.
In truth, the only thing that satisfied him about the Soma Familia was that Soma cared for nothing at all, delegating full authority over familia affairs to him.
Even Soma himself only heeded his counsel.
"Do you really think I can't kill you?" Mahiro glanced at Zanis coldly.
At those words, a chill ran down Zanis's spine.
He understood now.
This guy treated the guild's rules as if they were nothing.
If Zanis defied him, he'd be killed on the spot.
"I… I understand. Follow me," Zanis stammered.
"Lili, what do you think about becoming the captain of Soma Familia?" Mahiro asked abruptly.
"Me?" Lili was taken aback.
"Yes. After all, the Soma Familia is now my property, and I don't feel at ease handing it to just anyone," Mahiro said.
"I've never managed a familia. I can't do it," Lili shook her head, her face devoid of confidence.
"It's not that hard. I'll have Zanis assist you."
"Besides, don't you want to change the Soma Familia's atmosphere?" Mahiro asked with a smile.
Zanis couldn't be disposed of just yet—he still handled many of the familia's affairs.
Killing him now would cause disruptions.
Lili's expression shifted slightly at Mahiro's words.
They struck a deep chord within her.
The Soma Familia's atmosphere had always repulsed her.
In the past, she'd only wanted to escape it.
Powerless to change anything, she'd sought to distance herself from such a familia, desperately saving money to pay her way out, hoping to live a better life or atone for her past.
But now, an unexpected opportunity had arisen.
Perhaps this person's presence wasn't so terrible after all.
"I'll do my best," Lili said, gritting her teeth and nodding firmly.
Zanis, leading the way, felt his temper boiling over.
'Couldn't they show a little restraint?'
'I'm still the captain of Soma Familia, and they're discussing stripping me of my position right in front of me!'
But what could he do?
He was desperate.
Faced with a powerful and unreasonable person, what choice did he have but to comply?
He could refuse, of course—but refusal meant certain death at Mahiro's hands.
Compared to losing his life, losing his position as captain seemed trivial.
A slender god clad in loose, robe-like clothing sat on the room.
Soma gently swirl liquid in a transparent bottle.
He slowly poured several different-colored liquids from other containers into it.
With each motion, the mixture began to emit an enchanting aroma.
The aroma of the wine softened Zanis's expression, but it caused Lili's face to pale little by little.
Undoubtedly, Soma was making his divine wine.
Though unfinished, its fragrance was potent enough to intoxicate ordinary people.
Yet, engrossed in preparing the wine, Soma paid no heed to anything else—neither the trio entering from outside nor the earlier explosion at the gate.
He showed no concern.
The aroma wafted into Mahiro's nose, stirring his senses.
Even someone like Mahiro, who rarely drank, couldn't help but feel drawn to it.
The scent ignited a desire to drink it.
If it could tempt even him, it was easy to imagine how lethally alluring it was to ordinary adventurers.
"Soma-sama, I have something I must report," Zanis said.
"Handle it yourself. No need to tell me," Soma replied without looking up, continuing his work.
"It's a matter I must bring to your attention," Zanis persisted.
"I feel I can no longer serve as the captain."
"I'd like to transfer the position to Liliruca Arde. I hope you'll agree."
Tears welled in Zanis's eyes as he spoke.
This was his surrender—relinquishing his status and power within the familia.
From now on, he could no longer act as he pleased.
But above all, his life mattered more.
"I understand," Soma said, finally lifting his head.
His long, messy hair obscured his eyebrows.
His slightly haggard face now bore a strange glint in his eyes.
"Soma-sama, I'm Liliruca Arde," Lili said quickly, noticing his gaze.
"The familia's affairs are yours to manage from now on," Soma said.
His eyes lingered on Lili for a mere second before returning to his divine wine.
"Yes, I'll take good care of the familia."