By the time Zanis noticed the unrest within the familia, it was already too late to hide it. Thirty percent of the adventurers were now standing in formation—right behind a single pallum girl. Such a bizarre scene instantly set off alarm bells in Zanis's head. Without wasting time, he marched out of the main hall with his trusted men.
At the entrance, along the courtyard path, two factions within the Soma Familia were now standing off. On one side stood Zanis and his loyalists. On the other, Liliruca and the adventurers who had gathered behind her. Most of the other adventurers were either in the Dungeon or out handling various errands. The rest stood around the courtyard, watching in silence, yet to take sides.
"Liliruca!"
Zanis's face twisted into a scowl as he glared at the tiny pallum girl before him. He wasn't just furious at her act of defiance—but at the number of people who had joined her. Even if it was just thirty percent, that was already more than his own faction.
In truth, even as the so-called commander of the entire Soma Familia, Zanis's direct loyalists only made up around twenty percent of the adventurers. He had managed to maintain control this long simply because no other organized faction had ever emerged.
Until now.
"You dare rebel against your superior? Are you planning to defy the will of the gods?!" Zanis tried to suppress the situation by invoking divine authority, hoping to intimidate the wavering. Some of Liliruca's supporters did indeed start to hesitate—but she had already expected this move.
"Absolutely not. I would never disrespect the Great Gods."
"All we're here for today… is to propose a business deal to you, Captain." Dismissing the authority-laden accusation, Liliruca raised her voice for all to hear. And then, she laid out the terms of the business plan.
Hearing this, the crowd of neutral adventurers began murmuring. It was clearly tempting. A future where the Soma Familia became a commercial organization—safe, profitable, and still offering wine that rivaled divine quality? Who could say no to that? But Zanis was quick to shout back.
"Empty promises! There's no such thing as wine that surpasses divine wine!"
It was a reasonable point. Especially for those in the Soma Familia, who'd been taught nothing could top their god's brew. Those who had already tasted it had no doubt. But the ones who hadn't? They remained skeptical. That's when Chandra stepped forward, hauling in a full wine barrel.
"The wine that surpasses divine brew is right here. If you don't believe me, come try it for yourself!"
Everyone knew dwarves were fanatics when it came to alcohol. If even he said so, it had to be something. Maybe it was hunger, or maybe he just wanted to set an example—but Chandra popped the tap, filled a cup, and took a drink.
"This is far better than divine wine!" Before he could say more, adventurers swarmed in like bees.
"Don't hog it! That's for everyone!"
"Yeah, Chandra, you sneaky bastard!" Excitement rippled through the onlookers, and even some of Zanis's subordinates started to edge closer, eager to taste it.
"One at a time! Everyone gets one cup!" Chandra's booming voice rang out, his Level 2 strength enough to keep order. And just like that, anyone who tasted the legendary wine immediately believed everything Liliruca had said.
As the barrel was drained to its final drops, Chandra pushed the remainder toward Zanis's group. "If you don't believe us, Captain Zanis, try it yourself." Zanis's face contorted in rage. "You intend to oppose me?"
"What are you talking about?" Chandra replied with theatrical confusion. "We're just doing what's best for the familia!" Typical dwarf—not exactly a master of deception. His line delivery was awful. Clearly acting. But Zanis had no way to retaliate.
After a moment's hesitation, curiosity got the better of him. He poured himself a small cup, took a sip—
—and instantly pulled a sour face. Damn it. It really was better than divine wine. As the flavor lingered on his tongue, realization dawned. Because of all the commotion earlier, Liliruca had now gathered the support of half the familia's adventurers. And those who had tasted the wine… couldn't turn away.
Seeing the growing tide of people behind her, even Zanis began to panic. What was worse—after tasting it themselves, several of his own loyal adventurers hesitated… then stepped away from his side and joined Liliruca's faction. Even among his so-called loyalists, there were degrees of loyalty. The ones less close to him understood they wouldn't be getting any wine if they stayed. And so, Zanis found his position growing increasingly isolated.
Teeth clenched, veins bulging, he turned a murderous glare toward the girl at the center of it all.
"Liliruca." Zanis growled her name. "What exactly do you think you're doing?!" His voice boomed with hostility. In the past, a mere glare from him would've made Liliruca flinch in fear. But now, her gaze held nothing but calmness—and a trace of mockery. No fear. No hesitation. She faced the man who had oppressed her for so long with nothing but cool defiance.
"Why do you sound so upset, Captain?" she replied evenly. "I simply want to establish a business partnership between our familia and that esteemed individual."
"Partnership?" Zanis's fury only intensified as he stepped forward.
"You need this many people just to 'discuss' a partnership?"
"Many hands make light work, don't they?" Liliruca smiled innocently, as though this level of mobilization was perfectly natural.
"After all, this matter affects the entire familia. Isn't it better if everyone is involved in the discussion?"
At her words, the adventurers behind her began to nod. Most of them were genuinely supportive of this new development and were glad to be included. Truthfully, more than half the people backing Liliruca bore no real hostility toward Zanis. They didn't particularly care who led the negotiation. But after Liliruca's careful maneuvering, they now stood behind her—and that alone shifted the balance of power.
Zanis could barely breathe under the pressure. If he had been smart, he might have feigned illness or tactically agreed to Liliruca's proposal and looked for an opportunity to regain control later. But Zanis, who had always ruled through fear and intimidation, had no experience in power struggles like this. All he saw in her response was an attempt to sidestep his authority.
Fuelled by rage, he stepped forward, raising his hand—intending to slap the "insolent little rat" across the face. To put her back in her place. To remind her what it meant to speak out of turn before her captain.
But—
Clang! The slap met the solid surface of a shield.
"That's not how a captain should treat their familia, Lord Zanis." Chandra stood protectively in front of Liliruca, intercepting the blow.
One was a warrior who still honed his strength in the Dungeon for the reward of fine liquor. The other was a captain who had long since let his skills dull after seizing leadership. The result of their clash was obvious—Zanis backed off. With Chandra in the way, brute force was no longer an option.
Despite nearly being struck, Liliruca remained calm. She looked directly at Zanis and asked coldly:
"Is this how you treat the sole representative of that esteemed gentleman?"
"If you want to humiliate me, that's one thing. But if you dare insult the one behind me, then you'd best be prepared for the consequences." If Su Mo took offense, the consequences would be severe. At best, they'd lose the exclusive right to sell his wine. At worst, they might make an enemy of someone far more powerful than they could handle.
Realizing this, many of the onlookers gave Zanis hostile looks. Even his own loyalists started to waver. They all wanted the chance to distribute the wine. Zanis's followers simply hoped to centralize control so they could claim a larger share of the profits. But if their own leader was foolish enough to jeopardize everything, even they couldn't remain silent. Seeing the shift in expressions, Zanis hesitated, stepping back slightly. But almost immediately, a sneer crept onto his face.
"I've no intention of offending your mysterious backer," he said mockingly. "But Liliruca, are you seriously expecting us to believe you're their representative?"
"A mere, underage pallum? Why would someone so important choose you as their spokesperson?"
"Wouldn't they come to me, the captain of the familia?"
"I suspect you're twisting that person's words for your own gain!"
"No matter what excuse you give, no one would trust a filthy little thief like you with such a task!" His words dripped with contempt, treating Liliruca's very existence as a joke.
And Zanis truly believed what he said. In his mind, it made no sense for any serious negotiation to bypass him, the captain. Why choose someone like Liliruca—a rat from the sewers? He assumed she was just waving around false authority.
And the suspicion began to spread. While many adventurers were eager to get in on the deal, watching someone like Liliruca—a girl who had always been at the bottom—suddenly rise to the top rubbed them the wrong way. Zanis they could tolerate; after all, he was the captain.
But Liliruca?
Just some garbage that survived by digging through scraps. Many among the crowd, driven by petty jealousy and resentment, started to waver. They weren't siding with Zanis—but they didn't want Liliruca to succeed either. Their feelings were ugly, but all too real.
And Liliruca had anticipated this as well. She knew that if her position as sole representative wasn't solidly confirmed, Zanis would try to hijack the deal and demand a lion's share—something that would only harm Su Mo in the long run. That was unacceptable. Without hesitation, she reached into her coat and drew a dagger.
"I can prove I'm the sole representative." She declared clearly, so that all could hear.