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"Divine wine… was that really divine wine?"
Outside the room, Lili stood there in a daze.
"Probably not… right? Could Lord Soma's divine wine really have that kind of effect just from the smell?"
She had tasted divine wine before.
And she clearly remembered that it didn't smell like that.
"Could it be… that the divine wine Lord Anos brought out is even stronger than Lord Soma's?"
That was the only explanation she could think of.
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Inside the Room
For the first time, the eyes of the god Soma lit up with interest.
This aroma…
It was truly extraordinary.
It was actually comparable to the divine wine he himself had brewed.
He had created divine wine in the mortal world using mortal ingredients.
Yet even his own creation didn't seem to possess this kind of presence.
"So? Would you like to compare whose wine is better?"
Anos smiled calmly.
He would only say something like that because he had absolute confidence.
The wine he produced was essentially Divine Wine Plus.
Once he had deduced Soma's brewing ingredients and process, the outcome was already decided.
All he had to do was take one small step.
That alone was enough to surpass the original divine wine.
"If possible… yes."
Soma's voice carried the faintest tremor.
He had never expected a mortal to bring out something like this.
Just from the aroma alone, this wine had already surpassed his own.
For the first time…
He felt curiosity toward someone else's alcohol.
"Please."
Anos handed him the glass.
"…."
Soma unconsciously swallowed.
He had actually become interested in the wine offered by a mortal.
"What kind of vessel is this?"
Now that he had become interested in the wine, Soma also became curious about the container holding it.
"Shouldn't the taste matter more than the cup?"
Anos chuckled.
After all, explaining that the glass was an industrial product from another world would be a bit complicated.
"You're right."
Soma smiled faintly.
He found this human interesting.
This was the first time he had tasted someone else's wine.
As the god of wine, it was usually he who offered drinks to others.
"Then I won't hold back."
He lifted the glass.
The liquid inside shimmered like a gemstone.
As the wine approached his lips, its fragrance grew stronger and richer.
It almost felt suffocating.
Then the wine touched his tongue.
His eyes widened instantly.
It was similar.
Extremely similar to his own divine wine.
But also completely different.
The flavor.
The aroma.
Everything surpassed his own creation.
He had to admit it.
Though similar, the wine this human produced was clearly superior.
As the liquid slid down his throat, warmth spread through his entire body.
Comfort.
Peace.
It felt like stepping into heaven itself.
Every breath seemed filled with divine energy.
Soma didn't know how long had passed before he finally returned to his senses.
"This… is wine that surpasses divine wine."
He sighed softly.
He had lost.
Lost to the one who brewed this drink.
"May I know… who brewed it?"
His gaze turned toward Anos, filled with desire for knowledge.
He had created divine wine from mortal ingredients without using divine power.
That alone was genius.
Yet now someone had surpassed him?
He was certain the wine contained no divine power.
So who could possibly surpass him in brewing?
Another god?
Perhaps a harvest deity or a wine god from another pantheon?
That was the only explanation he could imagine.
But the next moment…
The human in front of him shattered that assumption.
"The brewer?"
Anos casually formed another magic circle.
A glass of wine appeared in his hand.
He drank it in one gulp.
Then smacked his lips slightly.
"The brewer is standing right in front of you."
To him, the taste was decent.
Just good wine.
He couldn't quite understand why everyone reacted as if they were ascending to heaven.
Maybe it was simply the difference between bodies.
"You… you drank divine wine without any reaction?!"
Soma's voice became urgent.
Even gods reacted to divine wine.
Who exactly was this person?
For the first time in ages, the wine god experienced genuine shock.
"Yes... No reaction."
Anos calmly poured two more glasses.
"So Soma, shall we talk about business now?"
"Of course."
Soma nodded.
"You have the right."
Regardless of whether the wine was truly his creation or not, the mere fact that he could drink divine wine so calmly was enough to earn Soma's respect.
"First, I have here the complete ingredient list for the wine you just drank."
Anos placed a sheet of paper on the table.
"You can verify it yourself if you want. Or I can demonstrate the brewing process right now."
Internally, he couldn't help sighing.
These gods were almost absurdly straightforward.
Though it wasn't really innocence.
When you lived long enough, most worldly matters simply lost their meaning.
Only obsessions and sources of entertainment remained.
"No… that won't be necessary."
Soma raised a hand.
"I believe you."
He almost reached for the glass again before quickly stopping himself.
Now was not the time to get lost in the wine's effect.
To the gods, Anos was still just a human.
None of them could see through the secret behind the Ark's crimson sphere.
That artifact had been designed to rival the legendary wish-granting crimson sphere.
The difference was specialization.
The wish-granting sphere focused on miracles.
The Ark sphere focused on survival, reincarnation, escape, and dimensional travel.
Even a world where gods could destroy planets could not easily perceive its power.
After a moment of silence, Anos finally stated his purpose.
"My goal is simple."
"I want to cooperate with the wine god Soma."
"I want you to help sell something for me."
"Sell something?"
Soma frowned slightly.
Business was not his specialty.
"You don't need to sell it personally."
Anos pointed at the glass.
"You would simply act as the name behind the product."
"I can produce this wine in large quantities."
"We would use your reputation."
"It won't harm your interests."
Anos gently swirled the wine.
Selling divine wine directly would be extremely dangerous if exposed.
That was why he needed a proxy.
And the best proxy was right here.
Soma.
A god who devoted his entire existence to brewing.
If he conquered Soma in that field, he would gain his cooperation.
"You want to sell wine using my name."
Soma's frown deepened.
"Do you lack money?"
If necessary, he could easily lend some.
After all, he rarely spent much himself.
If it meant tasting even better wine, a little money meant nothing.
"I know you're wealthy."
Anos smiled.
"But that isn't the money I'm after."
"Of course, I won't destroy the market."
"The wine sold will be diluted versions."
"One part divine wine to ten parts normal wine."
"Or even one to a hundred."
Anos had already calculated it.
Soma's wealth exceeded three billion valis.
But Anos wanted the entire industry.
An empire worth tens of billions.
Maybe even trillions.
Pure divine wine would destroy the existing market overnight.
Diluted versions would keep the price accessible while still dominating the market.
Soma fell into thought.
But only briefly.
Then he stopped thinking altogether.
He had found something he desired.
Right in front of him.
A higher level of brewing.
That alone was enough.
The gods had descended to the mortal world because they were bored.
Unlike most gods, Soma still had a passion to pursue.
And this human might lead him to new heights.
"I have no objections."
"As long as the wine carries my name."
He made his decision.
Exactly as Anos expected.
"Then it's a pleasure working with you, Lord Soma."
Anos extended his hand.
Soma hesitated for a moment.
He recalled the meaning of a handshake.
Then he slowly reached out and accepted it.
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