odorekijin

chapter nine

[Vineyard]

Murr: Well, we all saw that the Calamity Wine wasn’t harmful in itself, which means that the plants aren’t too affected by the Great Calamity.

So, if we all cast a purification spell on the vineyard, we should be able to settle this issue no problem.

Akira: Really...!?

Rutile: That’s good to hear! In that case, let’s not waste any more time...!

Through the sudden rousing excitement, Bradley’s gaze pierced right through Mister Bacchus.

Bradley: We can purify the shit outta that phenomenon, but that’s it.

You got that?

Bacchus: …Yeah, don’t worry, I don’t mind. Just do what you have to.

All the wizards held their hands out towards the field.

Shylock: Well then, let us begin.

《 Invibelle 》

The other wizards followed suit; Mister Bacchus also stood among their circle.

Murr: 《 Eanul Rambul 》

Bradley: 《 Adnopotesum 》

Faust: 《 Salliuqnart Mullcredo 》

Nero: 《 Adnodis Omnis 》

Oz: 《 Vox Nox 》

Arthur: 《 Pernoctant Nixzo 》

Rutile: 《 Ortonik Setomaouge 》

Engulfed by a white glow, the vineyard swayed for a single instant, with drafts of wind swept up from below.

Once the wind had settled, the arrayed grapevines, heavy with fruit just moments ago, looked to be empty of their burden

Oz: The purification is complete.

It was as Murr had predicted: the strange phenomenon had been easily settled. However, no outpouring of joy and happiness rose through the air.

Akira: The plants, they’re…

Faust & Nero: …

The vineyard before our eyes was a desolate shadow of its former vibrant greenery.

These lands, that once seemed stuck in eternal bloom, had suddenly resumed their course in time: weeds had overgrown and spread through withered trees and snapped sprigs.

Shylock: It seems that, due to this incident, the fields have not been tended to with the care and time it should have.

Its abnormal richness having deserted it, the land must have simply returned to the way it should have been.

Rutile: But... such a precious vineyard, it’s...

Arthur: …

Akira: (And it’s happening just when Mister Bacchus was getting his drive back...)

Worried gazes drew back to Mister Bacchus.

Anyone would be concerned for him, in that situation: seeing the wasteland that was his vineyard would break his heart once more, wouldn’t it?

And yet...

Bacchus: I can just grow them from the ground up again. It’s a rare chance, actually, I’ll get to refine my methods.

Like, I could try out a new soil combination, improve on the fertilisers and, oh, right! I could look into studying other grape varieties too!

Rather than dejection, Mister Bacchus’ smile was radiating with positivity.

Carrying a cheerful liveliness, he was like a young boy dreaming with his eyes open, rambling about the changes he would bring, appending to his own ideas.

Bacchus: …Somehow, I’m even more pumped now. We wizards might live a long time, but I don’t think it’ll ever be enough!

There’s tons of things I wanna try out, and the only way to make wines far more delectable than the ones before is through a good ol’ challenge.

Next time, I’ll definitely surpass Bennett’s wines! Just you wait and see!

Shylock: In that case, I shall eagerly await that day.

Eagerly speaking of his project, Mister Bacchus’ gaze was not set on the current poor state of his lands, but on the future he envisioned.

His wine-coloured eyes were neither gloomy nor empty—on the contrary, they were burning with passion and enthusiasm, glistening like juicy, ripe fruits.

⁂

[Bacchus’ Cellar]

After we had helped clean up the harvest festival and handled the strange occurrence that had taken over his lands, Mister Bacchus extended to us a more formal invitation to his cellar.

Arthur: The amount stored here is truly a thrilling sight, how grand…

Rutile: Mhm, and they're all made by Mister Bacchus too!

Stored in the barrels before us were an immense number of wines from different eras.

The proof of his life-long devotion crammed full the vast cellar; just looking upon the barrels was overwhelming in itself.

Bacchus: There’s several hundred years' worth of wine in here. I use spells for an optimal, long-term preservation, though that’s the only part that relies on magic in my process.

Aside from that, I don’t use any form of magic. The time and effort I’d have saved would just wind up tasting like something I’d have half-assed.

Nero: I getcha, and I suppose that’s something no one can change your mind on, yeah?

As we walked through the aisles, Mister Bacchus showed us around the cellar.

Bacchus: ‘N as you can see, all the barrels are organised in chronological order. I know they may look the same, but I try to get creative with their taste by switching up ingredients for a completely different flavour.

Wines that are getting too old get bottled, while most of the rest are in the barrels here.

The more recent wines are near the entrance, and the further you’ll go the older they’ll get—for example, the barrels around here are roughly four hundred years old.

Akira: F-four hundred...?

Faust: So from my generation, huh...

Dumbfounded, we all cast our gazes on the rows of wine—and something suddenly caught Oz’s attention:

Oz: …

Arthur: Is there anything wrong, Master Oz? ...Ah, it seems this barrel is the only one with some sort of distinctive symbol.

The large, red cross painted on said barrel seemed to make Mister Bacchus uncomfortable.

Bacchus: Oh that, um… Yeah, it’s one of those mistakes I made when I was younger ‘n when, y’know, I completely ignored what proper winemaking process was ‘cause I wanted to produce my own, unique wine.

Shylock: Fufu, indeed, that vintage was amusingly unique; no other could have been quite like that one.

Bacchus: Dun’ even mention it, the quality was awful. Ugh, c’mon, it’s too embarrassing! Can we move on already? Just rememberin’ it is torture in itself…!

Akira: (Is this, like, an embarrassing secret past that he pretends never really happened...?)

Bacchus: Leaving that aside, here y’all, take a glass.

At the mention, a glass lightly floated towards each of us: with a simple aesthetic, they almost looked like the ones we had previously used for sampling at the harvest festival.

Once everyone had their glass, Mister Bacchus smiled and loudly clapped his hands:

Bacchus: C’mon, let the fun begin! Feel free to try any wine y’all fancy, as much as you want, regardless of the vintage! Unlimited drinks for everyone!

Murr: Yay! Unlimited!

Bradley: Well ain’t you a generous fella, now yer speakin’ my language.

Faust: Are you sure we can? That’s a huge drinking feast you’re treating us with.

Bacchus: It’s no biggie, really. You guys brought my passion for wine back after all, it’s the very least I can do.

Nero: Man, I’m so happy, you can’t even imagine. Never thought I’d ever drink all the wine I ever wanted, made by none other than the Bacchus himself.

Rutile: Thank you so much, Mister Bacchus!

Bacchus: Don’t be shy, ‘n drink up. There’s also grape juice for the li’l ones that can’t be touchin’ alcohol. They’re my most excellent and most refined, ‘n I only open ‘em on special occasions like this.

Akira: Wow, they look incredibly delicious...! It’ll be a treat for sure.

Arthur: The juice is bound to be exceptional, knowing that Bacchus was behind its production.

Bacchus: …Also, uh, there’s still some of the Calamity Wine left, so if any of y’all are interested, you’re welcome to try that as well, I guess…

Bradley: Not so passionate all of the sudden now, ay?

Nero: Well, we can’t really blame him…

Taking him up on his kind offer, we were all set to enjoy our respective glasses of juices and wines to our heart’s content.

Rutile: Which one shall I taste first? Even drinking a single cup of each would be too much to get a chance to try them all out.

Bradley: Hey, Southie Big-boy, we didn’t get ta fix a winner last time, so let’s settle our drinking showdown right here, right now.

Rutile: Oh, of course, that sounds like fun! However, since we get to enjoy such delicious wines, we ought to appreciate and carefully savour them throughout our competition.

Bradley: Took the words right outta my mouth. That’s too good of a booze to just chug it down.

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