As the God of Wine, he was renowned throughout Orario for his alcohol. Even the remnants of his divine wine were coveted by countless people, to say nothing of the legendary brew that made his name.
From the highest gods to the lowliest mortals, all eagerly sought his divine creations.
However, he wasn't merely the God of Wine. In the ancient Hindu pantheon, he was one of the oldest deities, and through mythological evolution, he became the Moon God.
That's right — the blessing he spoke of was none other than the Moon's Blessing!
"Adam Carter, I see great potential in you. If you can withstand the trial of Ambrosia, I shall bestow upon you my blessing as the Moon God. What do you say?"
Soma was making an extraordinary offer. Whether he had seen something special in Adam or this had been his intention all along, he wished to grant his blessing.
Of course, this hinged on Adam's ability to resist the divine wine's temptation.
To be honest, Adam was tempted. His heart stirred at the thought. A God's Blessing... It was undeniably alluring, pulling at his restless heart.
Yet he knew well that every gift demanded a price. Given how generous Soma's reward was, the divine wine's temptation would surely be formidable.
Beside them, Hestia had latched onto him like an octopus.
She was using her body weight to physically restrain Adam, fearing he wouldn't be able to resist drinking that bottle of Ambrosia.
"Hiss—haah—" Adam took deep breaths to cool his heated mind, "Please let go, Lady Hestia. I'm quite rational right now."
"Really?" Though Hestia questioned this, she released him.
Bell and the others watching from the side were completely confused.
Observing the strange behavior between the two Gods and one mortal, they couldn't comprehend why everyone was so tense over a single bottle of wine.
After taking a deep breath, Adam asked softly, "Lord Soma, what happens if I don't drink it?"
"It doesn't matter. As I said, whether to drink or not, the choice is yours." Soma had no intention of making things difficult.
Perhaps in his view, whatever choice this child made would stem from an accurate self-assessment. He wouldn't force the issue.
"Then Lord Soma, I choose... to drink!"
Adam's words shocked everyone. They had expected him to refuse — why would he choose to try it?
"Oh?" Soma was astonished.
Not just him, but Hestia, Bell, and the others couldn't fathom Adam's decision.
"Adam!" Beatrice panicked immediately. She gripped his hand tightly.
Of course she wouldn't agree to let her most important contractor try such dangerous divine wine.
"Lord Adam!" Lili's objection rang out the loudest.
Having endured the trial herself and knowing its terrors, she desperately wanted to prevent Adam from drinking it.
Especially since Soma had warned this wine was even more potent than what she had experienced — it wasn't something to be tried lightly.
But Adam had his own reasons.
Beyond his desire for Soma's Moon God blessing, he felt drawn to this divine wine. It called to him with an inexplicable attraction that grew stronger by the moment.
It felt like destiny, though that comparison didn't quite capture it.
If he weren't still clear-headed, he might think Aqua had possessed him, turning him into that foolish water Goddess with her notorious weakness for alcohol.
"Lord Soma, what will this divine wine do to me?"
"I don't know." Soma replied coldly, shaking his head, "The wine affects each person differently. Even I, its brewer, cannot control its mysterious properties. Whether it brings you good or ill, I cannot say."
"...I see." This was the answer Adam had expected.
If Soma could control the divine wine's effects, his Familia wouldn't have fallen into such corruption.
Yet Adam remained resolute. The God's uncertainty wouldn't deter him.
"Beatrice, call it my selfish whim, but I want to try it."
"No! Absolutely not!" As the great spirit bound to his fate, Beatrice rejected his reckless request instantly.
Adam understood her concern, but his determination wouldn't waver.
"Beatrice, I want to try." Meeting the tsundere loli's gaze, his eyes blazed with resolve.
It was a look that brooked no argument. Beatrice knew it well.
"Adam, this wine is dangerous, really dangerous!"
"I know, but I still want to try."
"Adam... hmph, if you insist on being so foolish, then go ahead — Betty won't care about you anymore." Seeing that no amount of persuasion would work, Beatrice could only mask her disappointment with her typical tsundere attitude.
Yet her small hand, still clutching his, betrayed her true feelings. Her concern for Adam was genuine.
He turned to the petite Goddess, "Lady Hestia, is it alright?"
"Sigh, if you're this determined, Adam..." Hestia sighed and nodded.
The room erupted in protests.
Everyone cried out in anxiety, united in their desire to protect Adam.
"What choice do I have?" Hestia swung her twin tails, arms crossed over her chest, "This is a request from the most outstanding child in my familia — how could I, as his Goddess, stand in his way?"
Her words carried both frustration and resignation.
Seeing her predicament, Bell and the others couldn't fault her. Not only was she their Goddess, but her willingness to let Adam try showed her deep trust in him.
They fell silent, moved by her faith.
"Adam, the wine is yours." Soma handed him the divine wine, then shepherded Hestia and the others away.
Adam found himself alone in the room.
The divine wine's temptation was so powerful that even its aroma could entrance the unwary with a single breath.
To protect the others from its spell, they needed to leave.
Even Beatrice was led away. Though her reluctant gaze as she departed made Adam's heart ache, he knew it was for her own protection.
"Phew..." He took a deep breath.
He broke the bottle's seal.
A silent explosion of fragrance erupted from the bottle's mouth. As it met the air, the room filled with the rich, mellow aroma of wine.
The liquid in the bottle emitted a dazzling aroma. The clear contents were visible to the bottom, though they reflected Adam's already reddened cheeks.
His throat turned dry as dense sweat beaded on his forehead and his legs began to tremble. Just the wine's fragrance was enough to make him tipsy.
Taking deep breaths, he no longer fought against his desire. He poured the divine wine down his throat in one gulp!
His brain crashed, leaving him unable to think. His hands, feet, and entire body went soft and limp. The floor, walls, and ceiling began to distort and spin around him.
With a thud, he collapsed to his knees.
Though he couldn't see his own expression, he knew it must be as unseemly as Lili's had been earlier — perhaps even more pathetic.
But Adam didn't give up. Even as his vision blurred, his consciousness scattered, and his body refused to obey—
He still guarded his heart! That last touch of Purity!
Blue. It spread outward bit by bit. Sky and earth merged as pure blue filled his vision. Everything became blue.
Adam's body began to emit bright light as〚Last Hope〛activated. His body and spirit stretched to their maximum.
A cool sensation surged from his mind through his entire body, washing away his polluted heart again and again until his consciousness gradually cleared.
Only then did he realize that even among blessings, there were different levels.
"Saved by that idiot again."
Aqua, I really love you!
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