'The Finest Nectar'

Although Frieren didn't know exactly how Rienta had used Fern.

But overall...

She was very happy with this result.

After returning to the stone gate and examining it carefully,

He said, "It will take about three months to remove this Barrier..."

Rienta smiled and said, "It didn't take very long, did it, Fern?"

Fern blushed slightly, gave a soft hum, and did not reply.

Stark looked on in bewilderment at the scene.

He also saw Rienta whispering to Fern.

But I don't know what they were saying.

After their conversation, they also discussed taking on the commission with him.

Since Rienta has already convinced Fern, there's no need for him to object.

"We'll take this commission," Rienta said, looking at Fasi.

Fasi looked at Frieren with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

"I don't care what happens after the Barrier is opened," Frieren said, looking at Fasi with a meaningful expression.

But Fasi was unaware of this.

Immersed in the joy of Frieren accepting the commission.

Seeing this, Frieren didn't offer any further explanation.

Seeing that the commission had been finalized, Rienta looked at Fasi and said:

"Senior Fasi, let's go back to town first. We'll officially dispel the Barrier tomorrow."

The four of them had only just arrived in town, and after trying the local specialties, they were brought here by Fasi.

They encountered countless Demons and Magical Beast along the way.

Although my body can still hold up, I'm already mentally exhausted.

Upon hearing this, Fasi quickly understood.

He said apologetically, "Of course."

At night.

Inside the Personal Space.

Rienta sighed as she looked at the four magical research manuscripts in front of her.

Three of them are: [The Magic That Makes You Never Gain Weight, Version 2.2], [Domain Magic, Version 1.0], and [The Rho Aias, Version 4.0].

The last one is [Heroic Spirit Summoning Magic].

This manuscript was finalized after a conversation with Heiterge.

But even now, there's still only a general idea.

The original idea was that since that Rienta could use Dark Chi to create the Eight Great Demons.

Then he should be able to achieve a similar effect.

Just like the Holy Grail War, it summons ancient heroic spirits.

The idea itself is sound.

He has solutions for all of these, including mediums, summoning magic circles, and Noble Phantasm.

But.

He was unable to communicate with the heroic spirits of this world.

Moreover, although his goal in communicating was clearly a conceptual Heaven, he would always inexplicably end up in another place.

The Mana required to maintain communication is terrifyingly high; even with his current Mana, he can only maintain communication for a fleeting moment.

That's outrageous.

I gave up after a few attempts.

In addition to communicating with heroic spirits, it is also necessary to collect Light Chi to strengthen them.

There's still no clue about this matter.

The concepts of Light Chi Dark Chi are originally just vague and ethereal ideas.

I have absolutely no idea how to collect them.

Therefore, this high-potential magical research had to be temporarily put on hold.

It just so happens that it will take three months for Frieren to remove the Barrier.

During this time, you can try to complete the research and development of three spells besides [Heroic Spirit Summoning Magic].

The most urgent matter is Fern's request—[the magic to eat as much as you want without gaining weight].

What if, after three months, Fern really does become a fat Philon under Stark's influence...?

Three months passed quickly.

During this period of time.

Rienta spends almost every day researching magic in her Personal Space.

Fern's request was completed in a week.

The magic was accomplished because he figured out something.

That is, folk magic doesn't need much rationalization.

It's like [Bird-Catching Magic].

It's a very simple magic spell, and there's absolutely no learning curve to it.

Anything that resembles a bird in shape can be trapped, even Magical Beast.

Similarly.

The magic of "eating whatever you want without gaining weight" shouldn't be that complicated.

It doesn't need to be that reasonable.

It can be accomplished with just one logically consistent Mana circuit.

As for other aspects, the Rules of the idealistic world will take action.

[Domain Magic] has also been gradually improved over the past three months.

Inside the mine tunnel.

Frieren has completed today's decommissioning progress.

Fern didn't go shopping with Stark today; instead, she chose to stay with Frieren.

Seeing that Frieren had stopped trying to dispel the Barrier, he said, "The Barrier will be dispelled soon."

Frieren nodded and said softly, "This request should be completed by tomorrow."

The two walked out of the mine tunnel.

"Lady Frieren doesn't seem very happy?" Fern asked, somewhat puzzled.

In the past, Frieren was usually very happy when a commission was completed.

After all, they would receive their payment soon.

Although the reward this time wasn't Grimoire, it shouldn't have made Frieren look like this.

"A little." Frieren sighed almost imperceptibly.

He then explained, "[Imperial Sake] tastes terrible; it's not something worth spending a lifetime searching for."

"But the inscription on the stele..."

Frieren interrupted Fern.

"Among the elves, there are also those who use unspeakable methods to kill time..."

"Milliarde has been sitting here doing nothing, just spacing out," Frieren said softly, looking at Milliarde was sitting on a rock with a bottle of wine in her hand.

Milliarde glanced at the still very young Frieren and said calmly:

"Throughout their long lives, most elves dedicate themselves to exploring a particular subject."

"Frieren, why do you think that is?"

Frieren was taken aback and instinctively asked, "Why?"

"To avoid ending up like me," Milliarde continued, "Can you imagine what it would be like to spend your entire life searching for something that turns out to be nothing but worthless junk?"

"... No." Frieren was even more confused and asked directly, "What are you talking about?"

Milliarde took a sip of her drink.

She said softly, "That's how I used to be."

This wine is really hard to drink.

"[Imperial Sake] was a type of wine distributed when the emperor ascended the throne; it was both unpalatable and cheap."

"Before coming to this village, I spent some time carving inscriptions on a stele to pass the time. It read, '[Imperial Sake] is an unparalleled brew.'"

Frieren still somewhat puzzled and asked, "What's the point of doing this?"

Milliarde looked at the bottle of wine in her hand.

She murmured softly, "It's completely meaningless... what's the point..."

The next day.

Rienta also learned that the Barrier was about to be lifted, and she followed Frieren and the others to the mine tunnel.

The research on [Domain Magic] has just been completed; all that's left is to see how effective it is in actual combat.

Wrong.

The magic was complete.

However, it still lacks a section of lyrics that sound sophisticated and classy.

"This day has finally come." Fasi looked at Frieren, who was dispelling the Barrier, with excitement.

A few minutes later.

Frieren stopped dispelling the Barrier and looked at everyone, saying, "The Barrier is gone."

Fasi eagerly opened the stone door and entered the stone chamber.

Rienta and the others followed them into the stone chamber.

Fasi looked at the numerous bottles of [Imperial Sake] on the shelf and took one down.

After examining it carefully, he said, "It looks very well preserved. I never thought I would actually be able to drink this kind of wine myself."

Then he took four more bottles from the shelf and handed them to Rienta and the others.

"To celebrate! You should all try it too!"

Frieren accepted the drink but did not try it.

He simply watched quietly Fasi was already eagerly beginning to enjoy the [Imperial Sake].

"... This taste..."

"... How should I put it...?" Fasi was momentarily confused.

As a dwarf who has lived for over a hundred years.

He has drunk countless amounts of alcohol.

This "Imperial Sake," hailed as the finest brew and nectar, tasted like cheap, inferior liquor.

Seeing this, Frieren also smiled and took a sip of the [Imperial Sake] in her hand.

"It tastes awful."

"This is the worst drink I've ever had."

Rienta looked at Fasi, who had a strange expression, and Frieren had commented that it tasted awful, with some confusion.

According to his understanding.

Shouldn't wine become more mellow and flavorful the longer it's stored?

The period of unification is now many years ago.

Even if this [Imperial Sake] was stored here later.

It has been at least several hundred years.

It shouldn't taste bad, right?

Probably not...

Rienta uncorked the bottle and took a small sip.

"..."

To be honest, this Barrier is really powerful.

The [Imperial Sake] is preserved as if it were just diluted with water.

It doesn't have that flavor that comes from fermenting over a long period of time.

Frieren looked at Stark, who hadn't moved, and said, "Don't just watch us drink, Stark, drink up too."

"Hey? I don't want to..." Stark said with a look of resistance:

"Based on your assessment and Rienta's expression, I already know this drink must be terrible."

Upon hearing this, Rienta took a large gulp of water.

Then, looking at Stark, he smiled and said, "How could that be Stark? I was just too amazed by the deliciousness of the [Imperial Sake]."

"You should try it! Friendly reminder: the more you drink at once, the more you'll appreciate the wonders of this [Imperial Sake]."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Stark looked at Rienta with a skeptical expression.

Rienta looked at Stark with a subtle expression and said softly, "Stark isn't afraid to drink it in big gulps, is he?"

"How could that be!" Upon hearing this, Stark uncorked the bottle of [Imperial Sake].

Then, mimicking Rienta's earlier actions, he took a large gulp.

Immediately afterwards.

"... cough... cough... Damn it... Rienta..."

"Haha... cough... cough..." Rienta had only been laughing for a short while when the urge to cough, which she had just been suppressing, suddenly surged up in her throat.

He coughed along with Stark.

Fern looked at the two goofing around with a hint of helplessness.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

But.

There's no need to taste this [Imperial Sake].

"... It really tastes awful," Fasi murmured softly, looking at the [Imperial Sake] in his hand.

Watching the two Stark and Rienta, already locked in a power struggle.

He chuckled softly, then looked at the [Imperial Sake] on the shelf.

"Wow! There's still so much [Imperial Sake]!"

"We need to let everyone in town taste this awful liquor!"

Rienta was taken aback by what she heard.

Fasi gave him a thumbs up.

He then stepped forward and said to Fasi, "Senior Fasi, shouldn't we let everyone in town taste the legendary [Imperial Sake], which is known as the supreme brew and the finest nectar?"

Having said that, he unleashed a Special Effects Magic on all the [Imperial Sake] in the stone chamber.

Every bottle of [Imperial Sake] began to radiate golden light.

From the outside of the bottle, the liquid inside even appears to be constantly changing colors.

It's really amazing.

"This is more in line with the status of [Imperial Sake]."

Rienta watched this scene with satisfaction, then put all the [Imperial Sake] in the stone chamber, along with the shelves, into her Personal Space.

He addressed the crowd, "Then let's go back and distribute the legendary [Imperial Sake]!"

Fern remarked with a hint of exasperation, "Rienta really has a twisted sense of humor..."

At night.

News has spread that Lord Fasi has successfully found the [Imperial Sake] and is preparing to share it with the townspeople.

Rienta took the shelf full of [Imperial Sake] directly from the Plaza.

They then began distributing them to the public.

Due to time constraints, Rienta performed the [Special Effects Magic] again.

Every villager who received the [Imperial Sake 'Imperial Sake] stared in amazement at the wine in their hands, which was constantly emitting a seven-colored light.

Some villagers couldn't wait to drink the Imperial Sake as soon as they received it.

Only.

They all had strange expressions on their faces.

They then spontaneously began boasting to their acquaintances about the deliciousness of the [Imperial Sake].

Then they were urged to go to the Rienta to collect the [Imperial Sake].

Rienta suppressed a laugh and used Telekinesis to distribute the Imperial Sake to the people in the Plaza.

After ensuring that every villager present received the Imperial Sake.

He approached Frieren and the others with a bottle of [Imperial Sake].

He said with a smile, "It's all in the wine."

At this point, the quality of the wine becomes less important.

Frieren and the others laughed and began to drink the [Imperial Sake].

The various food stalls nearby, having received news of the cocktail party, also became lively.

[Imperial Sake] was originally a celebratory wine.

The lively crowd strolled around the Plaza, occasionally taking a sip of the "Imperial Sake."

This unique party lasted until the early hours of the morning.

As Rienta and the others were preparing to return to their inn to rest.

Fasi found the group and looked at Frieren, saying softly:

"Although the result was somewhat disappointing, it was the first time I've ever had such a happy night."

"It's so great to have you all here."

Frieren smiled, turned, and walked towards the inn.

The three-month-long commission has come to an end.

They should continue their journey.

After bidding farewell to Fasi, Rienta and the others followed in Frieren's footsteps.

As Fasi watched the group depart, he murmured to himself, "Indeed, wine is meant to be enjoyed."

"Frieren, why did you refuse the request to find [Imperial Sake]?" Heiter asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Heiter really likes to drink, right?" Frieren asked, looking at Heiter.

Heiter replied naturally and firmly, "Of course."

Himmel, standing nearby, grumbled, "This wine-and-meat monk actually admitted it without any hesitation..."

"Heiter, what would you do if you discovered that the wine you've been searching for your whole life was just a particularly awful wine?" Frieren said softly.

After Heiter looked at Frieren and said with a smile, "I think I'll laugh out loud."

Then, looking into the distance, he said with a touch of emotion:

"This wine tastes awful..."

"Then everyone should have a chance to try it."