Absurdity

Lowell thought for a moment.

"Anyway, Adonis, you're also looking for Emperor's Wine, right?"

Adonis nodded. His blond hair, like flowing sunlight, was casually draped over his shoulders, and his eyes looked back calmly.

"Yes. In my long life, the only thing I can truly call a hobby is wine. Emperor's Wine is said to be a wine that only emperors could taste upon ascending the throne during the reign of the Unified Dynasty. I have been searching for it for five hundred years."

Lowell gave a soft "tsk," then turned his gaze to Frieren, his eyes conveying a clear message—look at what Millialdai has done.

Frieren blinked, her expression utterly innocent, as if to say, "What does this have to do with me?"

Lowell remained silent for a moment, his expression conflicted. Not letting him go? That didn't seem to make sense.

"... Then let's go take a look first," he finally said.

The group followed Fass, leaving the town and heading towards the foothills on the outskirts of the city.

The entrance to the tunnel dug by the dwarves was well hidden, but once inside, it opened up into a spacious area.

The passageway was wide enough for several people to walk side by side. The rock walls on both sides were supported by densely packed wooden planks, and at intervals, oil lamps fixed to wooden frames provided lighting, with a steady beam of light. The ground was flat and even covered with a layer of gravel to prevent slipping. The joints of the wooden frames showed signs of careful workmanship. Although the entire tunnel was buried deep underground, it did not feel simple or oppressive at all. The wooden frames were neatly and firmly supported, showing great care.

Fern walked inside, his pale purple eyes scanning the surroundings.

"This is... a tunnel? Did you dig it?"

"Indeed," Fass said, walking ahead with a hint of pride in his voice. "I dug them all by myself. When you think of dwarves, many people immediately think of miners, right? But unfortunately, I grew up in the city. To find that supreme wine, I learned all about mining from scratch."

Frieren followed behind, her silver hair swaying gently.

"Yes, the old man who spent over two hundred years searching for the Emperor's Wine. Last time he asked us for help finding Emperor's Wine, Heiter cried and begged to give up the fight against the Demon King and stay here, but he was still dragged away by Himmel and the others..."

Lowell raised his hand to cover his mouth, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"She really cried. Those tears, wow."

Fern tilted his head slightly.

"Then why dig tunnels to find wine?"

"Because legend has it that the Emperor's Wine is buried in some underground ruins nearby." Fass stopped in a slightly more open area, pointing to a tall stone tablet embedded in the rock wall, "And I found these on this tablet... which confirms that the Emperor's Wine really is nearby."

Fern took a few steps forward and looked at the stone tablet by the light. It was covered with smooth and beautiful ancient characters.

"Emperor's Wine, the finest brew in the world— Millialdai..." she murmured, pausing for a moment, "It's written in Ancient Elvish. Oh, Lady Millialdai?"

Fass looked at her with some surprise.

"Young lady, you actually know the Ancient Elvish, you're truly learned..." He stroked his beard, his eyes brightening slightly. "Wait, do you know the person on the stone tablet?"

"Uh..." Fern's expression paused subtly, her pale purple eyes drifting to the side. "Lady Frieren insisted I learn Ancient Elvish when I was little, saying that nearly half of the Spellbook were written in Ancient Elvish, and if I couldn't even do that, I couldn't talk about learning magic..."

Images from her childhood flashed before her eyes: she was pouting, looking unwilling, but had no choice but to sit at the table, while Frieren piled up a small, rickety mountain of magic books next to her.

"As for Lady Millialdai..." She didn't finish her sentence, turning her gaze to her master.

Frieren narrowed her eyes, her lips curving into a slightly stiff smile. Pretending not to hear, she turned her head to examine the mortise and tenon structure of the wooden frame next to her.

Lowell immediately chuckled, raising his voice slightly.

"Haha... Millialdai? Who's that? Never heard of her!"

Fern: "..."

Seeing her master and Lowell's obvious blatant attempt to cover up their misunderstanding, she silently swallowed her words.

Although Fass was a little confused, he didn't delve into it; his mind was entirely on the wine. He patted the stone tablet, his tone becoming impassioned again.

"It all started with this stone tablet! I gave my whole life... Now, it's within my reach. Let's go, the ruins are just ahead."

Adonis gazed silently at the stone tablet, his emerald eyes reflecting the ancient inscriptions.

"That's really exciting," he said softly.

After walking for a while, at the end of the passage, a heavy stone door was embedded in the solid rock wall. The stone door was ancient, and a faint magical light occasionally flashed across its surface.

Fass pointed to the stone gate, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and eagerness at finally arriving.

"As you can see, there's a powerful barrier around this stone door. You should be able to open it, right?"

Adonis stepped forward first. He stretched out his hand, hovered it a few inches in front of the stone gate, and closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he withdrew his hand, opened his eyes, his expression calm, but there was a rare flicker in his eyes.

"Unbelievable... so powerful. I can't do that."

Frieren stepped forward and touched the surface of the stone door. Her emerald eyes stared at the shimmering light, and after a few seconds, she withdrew her hand.

"I can't do it."

Fass's eyes widened immediately.

"How could you possibly not be able to do it!"

"The barrier is very strong," Frieren said, her tone unchanged. "It will take a long time to break it. At least three months."

Adonis turned his head to look at her upon hearing this.

"Frieren, three months is nothing to us elves. I'll pay you."

Fass quickly echoed this.

"I'll contribute too! Money! Twenty Larsi Gold Coins!"

Adonis added.

"I have a wide variety of fine wines in my collection; you can choose whatever you like."

Upon hearing this, Frieren turned around decisively and started to walk back.

"Then it seems there's no need to talk. Three months isn't much to me, but Fern won't be willing to wait that long."

Fern stood to the side, and upon hearing this, he tapped his chin lightly with his finger and muttered to himself.

"Twenty gold coins are equivalent to the entire fortune of a minor nobleman. They could actually buy so many spellbooks... Although we're wealthy now and don't need them... but," she looked at Fass's eager and sincere face, "It's clear that Lord Fass really wants this Emperor's Wine, after all, he's been searching for it for over two hundred years. Lady Frieren, how about you help him?"

Frieren stopped, her shoulders slumped slightly, and she sighed.

"... There's just no way around it. He usually hates it when I waste time in town, always rushing me like I'm in a hurry to get somewhere." She glanced at Fern. "Sigh, there's a reason I don't want to help him... Oh well. Lowell?"

She turned her head.

You shouldn't need three months, right?

Lowell stepped forward and placed his hand lightly on the stone door as well. He closed his eyes and sensed it for a few seconds before opening them.

"Let's get this straight, we're not responsible for what happens afterward... Let me see," he withdrew his hand and crossed his arms, "Analyzing the barrier and safely opening it will take a day. Directly destroying the barrier is simpler, but it will cause a huge commotion, probably an earthquake, and quite a few people might die."

He changed the subject, his gaze falling on the silent man by the wall who seemed ready to fall asleep at any moment.

"But isn't there a convenient door here?"

Frieren blinked.

"A convenient door?"

Elder, who was standing against the wall, suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, revealing a slightly offended and confused expression on his grayish-blue face.

Calling me a 'gate' is a bit much. I'm just... um...

He seemed to be struggling to find the right words, but couldn't, and his voice lowered again.

"... Never mind, whatever, a door it is."

Lowell waved his hand.

"Alright, alright, let's go."

Elder didn't refute this. He leaned back, his body blending seamlessly into the rock wall beside him like a shadow sinking into water.

Immediately afterwards, the solid rock next to the stone door, which had been seamlessly integrated with the mountain, seemed to come alive. It began to wriggle and deform, silently caved in and contracted, revealing a neatly shaped gap large enough for several people to pass through.

As Fern watched this scene, a knowing glint flashed in his pale purple eyes, and his finger unconsciously tapped in front of him.

"So that's how it was solved."

"Generally speaking, of course not." Lowell took the lead and stepped through the gap. "But Demons who specialize in this can certainly do it. However, ordinary Demons wouldn't happen to have a lot of time, the ability, and a fondness for alcohol... This kind of rock wall is extremely hard. To break through it by force would require a highly skilled warrior, and the resulting landslide would be too loud, causing damage similar to directly breaking through the barrier. Elder's method is much simpler."

The group passed through the gap in the rock and entered the space behind the stone gate.

Inside was a downward-facing passageway. The air was stale but not stuffy, indicating the presence of other ventilation openings. Marks of a long-dead lighting magic circle remained on the walls.

Walking down the passageway, Fern turned her head to look at Frieren beside her. The silver-haired elf's expression was calm, but the corners of her mouth were slightly pursed, and she seemed to be in low spirits.

"Lady Frieren doesn't seem very happy," Fern said softly.

Upon hearing this, Frieren turned her emerald eyes around, her lips pursed downwards, revealing a subtle expression that mixed guilt and "you'll find out soon enough," before she remained silent.

Finally, the passageway came to an end, leading to a small stone chamber.

The stone chamber was spacious. Only against the wall stood rows of heavy wooden shelves. The shelves were surprisingly well preserved in the dry underground environment. Thousands of large, uniform pottery bottles were neatly stacked on them. Some of the bottles were covered with cobwebs and a thick layer of dust, but the bottles were intact and tightly sealed.

Fass quickened his pace and came to the wooden shelf. He reached out a slightly trembling hand, brushed away the dust from a bottle, and leaned closer to examine the bottle and the seal. His breathing became somewhat heavy.

"It's well preserved... no wonder it's Emperor's Wine..." he murmured, as if talking to himself, or perhaps in amazement, "I never thought... I would actually get to drink it."

He turned around abruptly, a huge, pure smile of excitement spreading across his face. He opened his arms wide, his voice echoing in the stone chamber.

"To celebrate, let's all have a drink!"

Adonis was the first to act. He walked to the wooden shelf, took down a bottle of wine, gracefully brushed off the dust, and then gently pushed with his thumb to break the seal. He first brought the bottle to his nose and took a light sniff.

Immediately, a slight, distinct frown appeared on his usually calm face.

But he didn't stop; with impeccable manners, he tilted his head back and took a small sip.

The liquor slid down his throat. Adonis stood silently, holding the bottle, a rare, almost blank, bewilderment appearing in his usually calm eyes. He seemed to be carefully discerning and confirming the lingering taste in his mouth.

Fass, on the other hand, was much more unrestrained. He grabbed a bottle, pried open the seal with a dagger, and without even looking at it, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful.

The alcohol went down my throat, and my body stiffened noticeably for a moment.

"..." He was silent for a moment, staring wide-eyed at the bottle in his hand, his eyes filled with disbelief. "This wine... it tastes awful..."

Frieren had been watching quietly until she slowly walked to the shelf and took a bottle. She didn't drink it herself, but turned to Lowell, her emerald eyes curving into a mischievous gleam.

"Lowell, have a taste."

Lowell immediately took half a step back and waved his hand.

"No. I don't like drinking, especially awful alcohol..."

"Drink it!"

Without a word, Frieren stepped forward, pinched his nose with one hand, and poured the liquor bottle into his mouth with the other.

"Ugh--! Glug... cough cough!!"

Caught off guard, Lowell was forced to swallow, his face contorted in pain as he fanned himself violently, looking as if he was about to suffocate.

"Ugh! Bah! What is this... cough cough... this awful stuff! I really didn't expect it to taste this bad... Is this what you call alcohol?"

Frieren and Fern, standing beside him, couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled appearance. Frieren's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter, and her shoulders trembled slightly. Fern also raised her hand to cover the corners of her slightly upturned mouth, her pale purple eyes brimming with a bright smile.

Lowell straightened up, wiped his mouth, and glared at Frieren, who was still laughing incessantly, gritting his teeth.

"Damn it... Frieren, you drink too!"

"No!" Frieren immediately turned and ran, her silver hair billowing behind her. "You said I'm still a minor, I won't drink, I won't drink..."

But she was no match for Lowell. She was caught in just a few steps and pulled into his arms.

Let me go!

"No, we'll share the hardships!"

After a few struggles, Frieren took the bottle Lowell offered her. She looked at the murky liquid inside, wrinkled her little nose, and then, as if making up her mind, closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and took a small sip.

"Ha... Ah..."

She quickly removed the bottle, stuck out her tongue, fanned herself with her hand, and a layer of water rose in her emerald eyes, but her face carried a "just as I thought" and cheerful smile.

"Hahaha... It really tastes awful. It's the worst-tasting alcohol ever."

Fass looked at her, then at the wine bottle in his hand, and then at the entire stone chamber filled with the "supreme wine" he had been searching for for over two hundred years. He remained silent for a few seconds.

Then, he suddenly burst into a loud laugh.

"Ha ha!!"

Laughter echoed in the stone chamber, shaking dust from the beams and causing it to fall in rustling sounds.

"This wine tastes awful! It's really awful!"

He smiled, raised his arms forcefully, and looked around at the mountain of ceramic vases piled on the wooden shelf. There was no disappointment in his eyes; instead, they shone with an astonishing brightness.

"This wine is awful! And there's so much of it!" he shouted, turning towards the entrance of the stone chamber, as if declaring to the entire town, "Everyone in town has to try it! They absolutely have to!"

Adonis stood aside, quietly watching Fass laugh loudly, watching him spend his whole life searching, only to find this kind of wine. His gaze then swept over Lowell, Frieren, and Fern, whose expressions varied.

A rare flicker of emotion crossed his handsome face.

"Is that so?" he said softly, almost inaudibly, yet with a hint of realization. "How absurd... The Emperor's Wine that I spent my whole life finding... turns out to be this."

That night, news of the legendary Fass 'Emperor's Wine spread like wildfire throughout the town.

He opened the ruins and generously distributed the "supreme wines" to everyone in town.

Men, women, and children gathered in the square, surrounding the open barrels of Emperor's Wine. At first, there was curious probing, followed by furrowed brows and strange expressions, but soon, someone burst out laughing.

Then, the laughter spread.

More and more people raised their cheap liquor, clinked glasses, and shouted, "For the Emperor's Wine!" Then they laughed and took a swig, only to cough from the strange taste and laugh even harder.

The flickering firelight illuminated relaxed and joyful faces. The air was filled with the aroma of cheap liquor and roasting food, along with waves of cheerful laughter and commotion.

Amidst this boisterous sea of laughter, Fass laughed the loudest. He put his arm around his old friend in town, patted him hard on the back, and shoved bottles of liquor into the hands of everyone who passed by.

Adonis sat alone on the stone steps at the edge of the square, holding an Emperor's Wine in his hand. He sipped it slowly, his expression serene in the firelight. He gazed at the bustling crowd and at the carefree figure of the dwarf in the center.

"Absurd, a cruel joke... maybe."

Frieren, Lowell, and Fern did not join the crowd. They stood in the shadows a little further away, watching it all unfold.

Frieren held an unopened bottle of Emperor's Wine in her hand and gently swirled it.

"Should we take it back to Heiter?" she asked.

"Bring it," Lowell said. "He'll definitely want to try it. Otherwise, he'll keep nagging about it. Hmm, I'll set him up with a real challenge before giving him the wine. I can't just give it away for free."

"That's a good idea."

Fern looked at the jubilant people in the square, his pale purple eyes shining brightly in the night.

"It's really lively," she said.

"Yes," Frieren replied, putting the bottle away.

The night was still deep, and the laughter and noise would continue for a long time.

The wind blew from the northern wilderness, swept through the town, carrying away some of the smell of alcohol, and also taking away two hundred years of obsession and searching, leaving only empty bottles scattered all over the ground, and a hearty laugh about "the worst-tasting liquor".