Chương 102: Soma's Divine Wine

The moment Soma placed the cup on the table, Lili's face turned pale. She knew better than anyone what Soma's divine wine could do to people. Those who drank it and failed to resist became like the people outside the gate. They lost themselves to a pleasure they could never forget, until dignity, money, and even life itself became things to trade for another sip.

"Lord Cael..."

"Trust me, Lili." Cael picked up the cup.

"It is only one cup. Even if I drank every bottle in this room, my will would not break." Lili wanted to stop him, but she could not speak. Cael brought the cup close and smelled it. Fragrant. That word was not nearly enough. The aroma alone seemed to seep into his mind, wrapping his thoughts in warmth and pulling him toward a beautiful dream. Soma's divine wine tested the will more than the body. Those who endured it would have their will tempered.

Those who failed would be weakened by it, until they chased that pleasure like the addicts outside. Cael understood the danger, then drank it in one gulp. For a brief moment, the world melted. The flavor could not be described with ordinary words. Warmth spread through his body, then sank deeper, as if it were soaking directly into his soul. He felt as if he were lying on soft clouds beneath a clear sky, with every worry stripped away. Joy rose from nowhere. Freedom, comfort, and an urge to keep smiling filled him.

A faint drunken blush appeared on his face. Lili panicked and grabbed his sleeve.

"Lord Cael! Lord Cael!" Cael blinked. His eyes cleared almost immediately.

"I told you," he said with a smile, wiping wine from the corner of his mouth.

"I trust my will." He gently rubbed Lili's head, then looked back at Soma. The god's empty eyes had regained a little light. Surprise flickered there, faint but real.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Lord Soma," Cael said.

"It was very good wine." This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. After drinking it, his mind was even clearer than before. His thoughts moved faster, and his convictions felt sharper. Cael wondered if being tempered by divine wine might even create a Skill one day.

"Whose child are you?" Soma asked. His tone was flat, but at least it sounded alive now.

"I am a child of Hestia," Cael answered.

"I came here to ask you to release Lili from her contract. I want her to join Hestia Familia." He bowed. From Soma's reaction, Cael knew he had already won.

"Hestia..." Soma lowered his eyes.

"I understand."

"Thank you, Lord Soma." Cael straightened, but he did not leave immediately.

"There are many people in this world. Most of them do not have an unshakable will, but a few do. Among a thousand people, there will always be one. You simply did not meet them." He paused.

"No. You did meet one. You abandoned her yourself." Soma slowly raised his head.

"Who?"

"Lili." Cael rested his hand gently on Lili's head.

"A girl who was tortured, bullied, and exploited in Soma Familia since childhood, but still fought to survive. Suffering forged her will until it became stronger than you ever noticed." Lili's shoulders trembled.

"You abandoned her yourself, Lord Soma. Do not regret it later." Soma lowered his head again. Cael turned to leave with Lili. After two steps, Lili suddenly pulled her hand free and ran back. She knelt before Soma and pressed her forehead to the floor.

"Lord Soma, thank you for taking care of Lili for so long." For a moment, Soma's face showed a faint emotion that was almost impossible to see. Regret. Relief. A happiness that came far too late.

"Take care of yourself," he said quietly. Tears slipped down Lili's face. She had waited for words like that for so many years. She had wanted a god who treated her like family, even once. In the end, she received that comfort only at the moment of farewell. But it was enough. Lili wiped her tears, stood up, and returned to Cael's side. This time, she took his hand herself and walked out of Soma Familia without looking back. When they stepped onto the sunlit street, everything felt different.

The sunlight was warm instead of harsh. The air felt lighter. Even her body seemed easier to move, as if chains that had been wrapped around her for years had finally fallen away. Lili looked at Cael's profile. Her heart was so full it almost hurt. Lord Cael was gentle, strong, attentive, and hero-like. He had plenty of flaws too, of course. He was shameless, liked teasing her, and always made Lady Hestia worry. Even so, he was the best person in Lili's world.

Ever since that first ray of dawn entered her life, her whole world had changed.

"What is wrong, Lili?" Cael asked.

"Nothing, Lord Cael."

"From now on, you are officially part of Hestia Familia. No one can bully you with ridiculous excuses anymore." Seeing the joy in her eyes, Cael felt a quiet satisfaction. This was a different kind of happiness from overwhelming enemies with strength. He had cut away someone's chains. That feeling was real.

"Anyway," Cael said, his smile turning playful, "from now on, I am the only one allowed to tease Lili. Elf form, animal ears, all of it... I am looking forward to every version." Lili's ears reddened.

"Lili will not be bullied by Lord Cael."

"Oh?" Cael leaned closer and lightly blew against her ear. Lili lowered her head at once, cheeks burning, but she did not pull her hand away. After returning Lili to safety, Cael opened the World Gate alone. World travel was still a heavy burden for Lili. Instead of taking her to the Demon Slayer world, he had her help at the Jyaga Maru Kun stall where Hestia worked. As a Supporter, she could have joined other parties for income, but from now on, Lili would only support Hestia Familia.

Her eyes were firm when she said it. In the Demon Slayer world, Cael returned to the gathered Hashira. The severed heads of Upper Rank Six lay before them, wrapped tightly so that only their eyes remained visible.

"Then the plan begins," Cael said.

"I wonder how angry Muzan will be." He smiled.

"The angrier he gets, the more interesting this becomes."