At Axel's words, Sakazuki looked conflicted. He had only just met the man and knew nothing about his background.
All he could tell was that Axel seemed quite wealthy and strong. He knew nothing at all about his personality or character.
"Sorry, sir. I think I need some time to consider it," Sakazuki replied in a low voice after a moment's thought.
"Hahaha, of course. I'll be staying in this town for a while. Come find me once you've made up your mind."
"You don't have a teacher, do you? If you don't mind, you can come see me. I can teach you Taijutsu and swordsmanship."
Axel took no offense at Sakazuki's response and spoke with a smile.
"Now, try some of this Dragon's Tears. Even I don't have much of it. I usually can't bear to drink it myself."
Smiling, Axel opened the bottle of Dragon's Tears, asked the bartender for two glasses, and poured one for each of them.
A wine fragrance far more intense than before instantly filled the tavern and even began drifting outside.
Thanks to the plants Lind had mutated and the efforts of the scientists and brewers under him, many of the wines now produced on Oran Island had long since surpassed the bounds of ordinary alcohol.
They had a touch of the fantastical about them, almost like immortal brews or spirit wines.
The bottle of Dragon's Tears Axel had opened was one example. Even people who merely smelled it, let alone drank it, could feel slightly tipsy, while their physical fitness improved by an imperceptible amount.
Of course, Axel's bottle was a special supply reserved for the Lind Army. Its effects far surpassed those of the variety sold at outside auctions. Ordinary Dragon's Tears was nowhere near this potent.
Axel raised his glass