Danmachi: Adventuring Till the End!

Denatus is a gathering where all the gods come together to have fun, often assigning bizarre and humorous aliases to adventurers who have recently ranked up.

Powerful Familias can use their influence to secure favorable alias for their members.

However, newly established or smaller Familias lack this privilege.

What Orsted was worried about now was that he might be given a particularly strange alias at the next denatus.

But worrying was pointless.

According to Hestia, the last denatus had been held two months ago, meaning the next one was still a month away.

Orsted could only hope for the good.

Soon, Orsted and the others arrived at the meeting point, where Hestia and the rest were already waiting.

"Let's go."

"Yes."

After regrouping, they headed straight for the Soma Familia's residence.

It had to be said that, despite being a small Familia, the Soma Familia had a sizable membership, and their residence was quite large.

This was likely due to the popularity of Soma's divine wine.

Because Hephaestus and Tsubaki had accompanied them, the Soma Familia's captain Zanis Lustra, didn't try to stop them.

Even when he saw Lili, his expression didn't change—he probably didn't even remember her.

After all, Lili hadn't returned to the Soma Familia in years, living alone in a small rented house.

Orsted had expected some resistance, but—

"Hestia, Hephaestus, what brings you here?" Soma's voice echoed from the dimly lit winemaking room.

The God of Wine, Soma, looked as gloomy as ever, his long bangs covering his eyes, making it hard to see his expression.

"Soma, I'll get straight to the point. I'm here to ask you to release Lili. I want her to join my Familia," Hestia said firmly.

"Lili?" Soma's gaze shifted toward Lili, his bangs barely revealing his eyes.

Lili trembled under Soma's stare.

She had a natural fear of this god, not because of Soma himself, but because of the years of mistreatment she'd endured from his Familia members.

"Soma-sama, please grant Lili's request," Lili said, mustering her courage.

"Hmm? You're one of my Familia members?"

"But it's strange that you want to leave."

"And you've managed to get Hephaestus and Hestia to vouch for you," Soma murmured, his tone indifferent.

He only recognized Lili through falna in her body.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have remembered her at all.

It was precisely because he recognized her that Soma was surprised.

None of the adventurers who joined the Soma Familia had ever voluntarily left.

They were all addicted to the flawed divine wine he brewed, willing to take insane risks to earn valis and get their hands on it.

They were hopelessly intoxicated, a group of lost souls.

"Alright, let's proceed with the trade," Soma said, his tone still detached.

"Eh? That's it?" Hestia was taken aback by how easily Soma agreed.

She had expected to argue with him.

After all, Soma had always been a reclusive and difficult god, even in Heaven.

Though she could talk to him, Soma wasn't the most approachable person.

The others were equally surprised.

"Is there a problem?" Soma asked, tilting his head slightly.

"No, no, nothing. Let's get started," Hestia said, shaking her head.

"Hmm."

***

In the corridor, Orsted leaned against the wall, waiting quietly while Hestia and the others were inside the room.

Next to him stood Zanis.

The Soma Familia captain seemed to have finally remembered Lili's identity and was glaring at Orsted with clear hostility.

Lili had approached Zanis years ago, asking to leave the Soma Familia.

At the time, Zanis had demanded a hefty withdrawal fee of 10 million valis.

But that was years ago, and he had forgotten about Lili entirely.

Now, seeing her bypass him and go straight to Soma, successfully securing her release, made Zanis furious.

He had lost his chance to claim the 10 million valis.

"Don't cause trouble, or I'll kill you," Orsted said calmly, meeting Zanis's glare.

"What did you say?" Zanis's eyes darkened further, his hand twitching as if ready to strike.

Orsted ignored him, continuing to wait.

If Zanis wanted to pick a fight, Orsted wouldn't hesitate to end it.

Soon, Hestia and the others emerged from the room.

"Thank you, Soma," Hestia said, holding Lili's hand and smiling at the god, who remained inside.

"Leave quickly," Soma replied without looking up, already focused on brewing more wine.

Hestia didn't linger, leading the group out.

After they left, Zanis entered the room.

"Soma-sama, why did you let her go?!" Zanis shouted, his anger boiling over.

"Are you questioning me, Zanis?" Soma's voice was calm but carried an edge.

The words made Zanis freeze, and he quickly bowed.

"I-I'm sorry, Soma-sama!"

---

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