He seemed to think that having a crowd around made him braver…
"May I ask for your name, sir?"
The tone was still arrogant, full of haughtiness.
Having held a high position (or at least thinking so) for so long, your skill at reading people is even worse than that idiot whining on the ground over there (Canoe).
When the main gate of the Soma familia headquarters opened for the first time, Renjiro looked at Zanis's overly confident face and gave him that mental evaluation.
Then…
"First time meeting you, Zanis Lustra."
Renjiro spoke without a hint of friendliness, his tone purely formal.
"I am Higashikata Renjiro, Lv.3, currently without a title."
"Lv.3?"
For the first time, Zanis's expression became serious.
He had been busy "enjoying himself" inside and hadn't noticed the giant fireball at the gate.
But naturally, he had heard the panicked reports from his subordinates.
Now, combining those exaggerated pieces of information…
"Hello, Mr. Renjiro,"
Zanis spoke with noticeably more courtesy.
"I wonder what brings you personally to visit the Soma familia today?"
"There's no need for long-winded explanations,"
Renjiro replied, and now he could afford to appear impolite.
"My request is simple: immediately have the Soma-sama remove the Falna' from Liliruca. A talented individual like her, whom he fails to appreciate, I will take back to nurture properly."
"This…"
Zanis's face darkened.
"Mr. Renjiro, are you saying you intend to forcibly take one of my familia members?"
"Even if you're Lv.3, doing such a thing would…"
"Don't misunderstand,"
Renjiro cut him off before he could finish his attempted threat.
Annoying.
Then…
"This isn't a negotiation. It's already a decided matter."
"After all…"
Ignoring Zanis, who was frowning, Renjiro raised his eyes to a section of the building behind him.
There, a man in plain, tattered clothes appeared on a semi-circular balcony.
The next moment…
"Effective immediately, Liliruca Arde is no longer a member of the Soma familia. I, in the name of the God, approve her resignation."
"Then…"
The plain-clothed god, Soma, turned to the gate and said loudly:
"The Soma familia hereby officially initiates a 'War Game' against the Frigg familia."
The surrounding members were stunned.
In that instant, Renjiro smiled.
Then…
"Although my god hasn't come personally, I, as the current leader of the Frigg familia, accept your challenge."
The black-haired youth's expression bore a dangerous, slightly unsettling smile.
"The subsequent details will be discussed by our Goddess Frigg with your god at a 'temporary divine meeting.'"
"This…"
Everything happened too suddenly.
Zanis froze in place, unable to comprehend.
That Soma-sama, who only knows how to brew wine, has started taking action?
Is it really him?
He hasn't been kidnapped, has he?
Even scoundrels sometimes have a surprisingly accurate instinct.
Yes, the Soma-sama was kidnapped.
But the one capable of influencing his lethargic, dead-fish-like will wasn't just a single person…
It was…
"Is this enough?"
"Mm, the wager is complete."
While Zanis remained oblivious at the gate, inside Soma's mansion, in the god's room, two uninvited guests had appeared.
One stood at the door with arms crossed.
The "flower arm" was particularly noticeable.
It was Xiao, the Demon Conqueror of Liyue.
He had simply fulfilled his role as a guide.
The rest of the matter…
"After the War Game, if the Frigg familia wins, the Blessing ability of Zanis Lustra must be immediately sealed and he permanently imprisoned."
"And on that basis, the Soma familia's liquor business and the new familia leader position will be taken over by me."
Then…
The cat-like girl from the Teyvat Kätzlein family seemed to glow in her eyes.
"Soma-sama, how does the 'Dandelion Wine' from another world taste?"
Hearing the question…
"Excellent."
The God of Wine's tone was calm.
"It has given me many new inspirations."
"Really?"
Diona's lips curved slightly.
"Then this round of tasting… I win."
"Because your wine is useless to me."