Decree called Keare 'Leader,' so what was he?
It had come to this.
The betrayal of a Familia member had already sealed Chanis's fate; he just never dreamed things would happen so suddenly.
It all started that night with Liliruca's probing—"Calling me 'Leader' isn't appropriate, is it?"
Keare hadn't really considered how to deal with the Soma Familia, but Chanis, who knew his disguise secret, certainly couldn't be allowed to leave the Familia's base alive.
And the best person to deal with him was now right in front of him.
Liliruca definitely had to be taken away.
As a Supporter, it would be very difficult to control the Soma Familia, and his future development would primarily focus on improving his strength.
He didn't have that much time to stand on the stage.
Keare pulled open a chair beside him and looked at the rather flustered Adventurer in front of him with a half-smile: "Decree, tell me about your Familia's situation?"
"No problem."
"Currently, there are two L2 Advanced Adventurers: that bastard Chanis, and Bellwere. As for the other members, they are all Lv1."
Decree could figure it out with his eyes closed: Keare's strength was definitely not something he could contend with.
"What about you?"
He didn't understand the underlying meaning, but he still answered truthfully: "As for me, I'm alright. I'm considered in the first tier with a few other teammates."
"Then let me ask you, are you interested in…"
"Replacing Chanis and becoming the new leader of the Soma Familia?"
The surprise came too suddenly. Decree could even feel his heart pounding violently; he had never imagined such a good thing.
Would it actually fall to him?
He didn't answer immediately, his attitude as humble as a lackey: "That wouldn't be appropriate, Mr. Keare."
"Whether from the perspective of strength or otherwise, I think managing the Soma Familia is much more suitable for you than for me."
"It is my honor to be able to assist you."
Decree's words weren't flattery; in reality, as long as he could get some kind of position, it would be the biggest gain for him in this turmoil.
"Do you think I want to hear that?"
What nonsense was he babbling?
Keare frowned, his attitude clearly becoming serious: "I don't have time to manage your Familia. The best way is to find someone with decent strength."
"And an obedient Adventurer to take over."
"If I become the Familia leader, the first thing I'll do is have the Familia members stop tracking Liliruca. As for the rest…"
Decree pondered carefully.
Then he looked up again:
"Everything will be according to your arrangements, Mr. Keare!"
Keare did not answer immediately.
If Liliruca could resist the temptation of the Divine Wine, the chain reaction would inevitably be the Wine God Soma regaining hope for his Familia members.
Sealing the Divine Wine and continuing the Familia's operations.
Openly controlling it, as a member of another Familia, was somewhat inappropriate.
Seeing that Keare didn't answer, Decree thought his attitude wasn't firm enough and thumped his chest hard: "Mr. Keare, you know."
"Loyalty is my true color."
Keare's eyes were full of smiles, and his gaze swept towards Chanis, who was sprawled on the ground, completely dealt with: "Now, I have a task for you."
"I don't want to see Chanis in Orario again."
"You should know what to do?"
"Of course."
His future was right in front of him.
Of course, Decree could understand the implied meaning of these words. After being an Adventurer for so many years, if he hadn't gotten some blood on his hands, it would be truly unbelievable.
However.
Facing the blatant threat in his former leader's eyes, he smiled helplessly but acted extremely quickly:
"Former leader, I think… you should be able to understand me. The days of being treated like a dog by you, just thinking about it makes me feel suffocated."
"Now there's an opportunity right in front of me."
"I… I really want to improve!"
Second floor of the Familia's base.
Arriving at the Wine God Soma's brewing room again, Liliruca took a deep breath to calm her emotions, then finally reached out, her heart pounding with trepidation,
And gently knocked on the wooden door.
There was no reply.
But she still stood patiently, waiting for a moment before knocking again.
"Please… please come in."
Only after a soft, yet emotionless voice reached her ears did the girl push open the door to the brewing room. What greeted her eyes were various materials.
Cluttered around the room.
And in front of her sight was a figure with long black hair covering his eyes, only half of his face vaguely visible.
He was wearing a white robe and had stopped his various brewing processes. He originally thought it was Leader Chanis looking for him, but looking at the girl in front of him,
Soma was clearly a bit surprised.
Compared to the little girl nine years ago, her appearance hadn't changed much.
"Liliruca, you came to see me… is there something you need?" To Liliruca, whom he had once held hope for, but who had eventually transformed into a demon as well.
Soma's tone of voice was completely flat.
And having found her future direction and clearly understanding what she wanted, when answering Soma's question, Liliruca did not lower her head as she usually did.
Her voice was firm and clear: "Soma-sama, I want to leave the Soma Familia."
An unexpected answer.
Soma had thought she came to ask for Divine Wine and didn't immediately reply. He just turned around by himself and took a bottle of Divine Wine from the cabinet.
After pouring Liliruca a cup.
He said softly: "Drink this cup of wine, and if you can still make the same request, I will agree to it."
She didn't even let Soma finish speaking.
The girl picked up the wine glass, without a trace of hesitation in her eyes, and resolutely drank the cup full of Divine Wine in front of the god Soma.
Could she resist the addictiveness of the Divine Wine?
She actually wasn't sure, but thinking of her experiences during this time, and how much Keare had done, how could there be any turning back!
A better, brand new future lay before her.
Liliruca's smile carried the resilience cultivated over the years in the high-pressure environment of the Soma Familia: "My parents, it was because of the Divine Wine you brewed…",
"They explored the Dungeon every day, and eventually died there…"
"I know you must be very disappointed in me, why I chose to accept that cup of Divine Wine back then, but if I hadn't, would I truly have had a space to survive?"
"Of course."
"Saying all this now is meaningless."
Feeling the full impact of the Divine Wine on her mind and taste, the girl remained expressionless, but the tiny beads of sweat on her forehead already explained everything.
She gritted her teeth:
"I saw many Familia members go mad because of the Divine Wine. That scene is unforgettable for me."
"At that moment, I thought, no matter what means, no matter what method, I had to save enough money to leave the Familia. Now the opportunity is right in front of me. I must consider if this is my only chance in this life…"
"Soma-sama."
The Divine Wine's effect was quite strong, but Liliruca still clung to the goal she hoped for in her heart: "I hope… I hope… to be able to leave the Soma Familia!"
She urgently.
Wanted to seize the future, full of hope, that was right before her eyes!