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odorekijin[Vineyard]
Bacchus: …Guess it’s time for goodbyes to all this too, huh.
I really hoped ‘n prayed with all my damn soul for the vineyard to be blessed with a rich harvest, each ‘n every year. Hah, the irony.
Shylock: Are you certain that you want to see your decision through?
You would have to let go of everything you have cultivated up until now.
Bacchus: …Shylock.
Yeah, I’m sure, I don’t need it anymore, ‘n there’s no point in debating it now. Just leave me alone.
Shylock: …Fine, I understand.
In that case, I shall retrieve this vineyard for myself.
Bacchus: ...What, why?
Shylock: Why? Well, every year, I eagerly await the fruits of your labour, don’t I?
Thus, I wish to supervise your vineyard: when the day for your return to wine-making comes, your crops shall be intact for you to use.
Now then, if you'll excuse me, things are bound to get busy for me.
Bacchus: Hey, wait, Shylock…!
[Bacchus’ Cellar]
Shylock returned with unexpected news.
Bradley: A competition?
Murr: Against you?
Shylock: Yes, I am challenging you both with Bacchus’ vineyard as our grand prize.
Murr: Objection! That vineyard is ours already.
Shylock: Overruled, I’m afraid: if Bacchus resigned, I also have a right to join the race, don't I?
Bradley: Ya play yer cards well for a guy that joined the gamble when all bets were a’ready off. Fine, if ya wanna talk, then we’ll hear ya out.
Instead of thanking them, a slim smile spread across Shylock’s face.
Shylock: Oz, may I ask for a favour…
Shylock whispered something to his ear, prompting Oz to cast his spell.
Oz: 《 Vox Nox 》
In a split second, a multitude of bottles materialized before our eyes.
Akira: !?
Rutile: All this wine…!
On top of their quantity, each bottle contained a different wine: their shape and labels looked ever so slightly different—each highly refined, yet somehow antique.
Taking a closer look, Murr exclaimed:
Murr: This! This is Shylock’s collection, no doubt about it!
Nero: Fo’real?
Faust: I’ve heard rumours about it, but this is…
The older wizards were astonished.
Shylock's collection was famous among the older generation: tales go that his collection houses rare articles, treasures amassed over the centuries.
Perfectly aware of the attention his wine was gathering, Shylock spoke with unperturbed confidence:
Shylock: Well then, allow me to explain the rules of this little competition.
Once this town’s harvest festival begins, you two will be tasked to sell this wine while I, on the other hand, shall sell my very own collection.
Shylock: Whoever exhausts the most bottles acquires the vineyard.
…So, what do you say? I know you two love a good competition—you wouldn’t turn one down now, would you?
Shylock sweetly smiled, shooting a provocative gaze at them.
Bradley and Murr both answered with a laugh, eyes glowing with a distinct, daring spark.
Murr: Alright, we’ll take you up on that!
Bradley: Dun’ come cryin’ if you lose.
Thus, excusing a strategy meeting, the both of them left the premises.
Faust: I wonder if this whole competition is even a good idea…
Akira: But isn’t Shylock’s collection something precious…
Shylock: Indeed, it is extremely precious. However, Bacchus' wines are equally valuable and priceless to me.
I will spare no effort to recover his property.
Akira: Shylock…
Arthur: Shylock, allow us to assist you in this endeavour.
If it is something that a friend truly cherishes, then I think we ought to carry it in our hearts the same way.
Rutile: Prince Arthur is right. Please, allow us to protect it, together.
Let’s join forces to take back Mister Bacchus’ lands!
Shylock: …Is that… alright with you all?
Akira: Of course, please let us help you. Won’t you lend us a hand, everyone?
Both Oz and the Eastern wizards assented.
Oz: If that is our Sage’s wish, then we shall.
Faust: I may not be of much help, though.
Shylock: Thank you very much, your presence would reassure and encourage me immensely—I have the great leader of a bandit group for an opponent, after all.
Nero: That guy is pretty good at those kinda games: he knows what he’s doin’, but his moves ain’t totally unreadable either. Let's make him pay and send ‘im home tail between his legs.
Rutile: You sound like you know him very well, Mister Nero, almost like… …like you’ve known him for a while…
Nero: Ah, u-uh, naaah, it’s just rumours I’ve heard, y’know the deal…
Akira: Um, hrm, time is running against us so why don’t we get started on the preparations right away?
Shylock: Yes, let’s. First things first, we should make arrangements for the stall…
With that, we began the preparations with great haste.
⁂
[Western Country—Rural Town]
At last, the harvest festival began.
The small town was bustling with flocks of tourists who had come from far and wide solely to taste the local wine.
Murr: Come one, come all! Try this year’s show-stealer! One sip, and you’ll be sent straight to heaven—or burn in hell, who knows!
It’d be a reaaal loss to pass us by! We also offer free samples!
Passing Customer: What's with the sudden commotion? Is the wine really that delectable? It doesn’t even have a label on it yet.
Customer: It’s the most flavorful wine I have ever tasted. They had a slight change in name, apparently: we now refer to it as the “Calamity Wine”!
Passing Customer: Calamity?
Murr: It’s an exceptional wine, birthed under the influence of the Great Calamity! You wouldn’t be able to find such unparalleled quality anywhere else in the world!
Passing Customer: Let’s see... Mm-hmm... This indeed is exquisite.
Other Customer: Oh my, such flavour… I have never tasted something quite like this before.
Bradley and Murr had removed Mister Bacchus’ original label and advertised the bottles as the “Calamity Wine,” using the influence of the Great Calamity as their selling point.
Akira: Now that I think about it, calling it the “Calamity Wine” is rather straightforward.
Bradley: In other countries, we’d go bust with that kinda name, but here? Those guys get a kick outta anythin’ that excites ‘em. They just can't resist a booze named after the Calamity itself.
Akira: I-I see, I guess you’re not wrong there...
Even so, some people were still having second thoughts.
Customer: A wine influenced by the Great Calamity, called “Calamity Wine” no less… Is that really safe to drink...
Murr: Who knows! Certainly not me! Would grapes grow out of your body, or would your blood turn to wine with a single cup, hm?
Doesn't the mere thought make your heart thump so loud it could jump out of your chest? You’re in luck! You can enjoy both alcohol and exhilaration right out of that bottle!
Customer: Y-you’ve got a point, I guess…!? Alright, I’ll give it a try! Hand a glass over!
Murr: Coming right up!
Piquing their interest, winning the hearts of his customers one after the other, Murr’s sales were steadily increasing with his skillful rhetoric.
On the other hand, Bradley did not address any of the customers, wandering in front of their stall and sipping away the Calamity Wine.
