The sour, zesty taste of the wine lingered on my tongue before sliding down my throat as I took a sip.
"——!"
My eyes widened the moment I realized what I had done. My hand shot down as I set the glass back onto the table, the aftertaste of the wine still lingering at the back of my throat.
T-that...!
"Don’t worry, there’s no poison in it."
Leon’s calm voice reached me from next to me as he similarly placed his cup down.
He smacked his lips before muttering, "It’s actually amazing wine."
My lips parted slightly as I stared at him.
He looked back at me from the corner of his eye.
"...It looked nice, so I had a taste. I’m sure you were also the same."
No, I wasn’t.
I didn’t even like wine to begin with.
But...
’Yeah, it was quite good.’
Massaging his throat, Leon continued.
"I’m quite well versed with poisons or any tricks. There’s nothing wrong with the wine. In fact, the fact that it’s such good wine is what worries me. Not even on the islands is the wine this good."
"Is that so?"
I looked at the cup in front of me. The wine was blood-red, its surface glistening under the bright light of the sun above.
When I looked around me, the others had also appeared, sitting around the table and taking a sip of the wine as well. They showed similar expressions of surprise as they had a taste of the wine.
I felt that something was wrong with the action, but I also didn’t detect anything wrong with the wine.
’Is the wine really just wine?’
I didn’t want to believe it.
"Are you all enjoying the wine?"
The man approached us as he smiled at us. Although he wasn’t very handsome, he still had a certain charm to him. One that felt warm and friendly.
But...
’He knows our names.’
None of us had ever met him, and yet, for him to know our names, I knew that he was no regular being.
’Let’s see where this is going before deciding what to do. I’ll wait for him to leave before exploring the castle to see if he’s lying about the exit.’
"So, how was your journey through the forest?"
He started to make small talk with us.
Strangely, he seemed to blend in quite seamlessly with all of us. As if we had known him for a very long time.
He turned to look in Drake’s and Esteban’s direction.
"...I heard about your loss. Sam and Jordan were good people. Unfortunately, they left so early. The forest is not for the faint-minded."
Drake’s and Esteban’s expressions darkened slightly.
Perhaps because of it, they started to eat the food. Their eyes lit up the moment they did.
I grew curious too, reaching for one of the snacks and having a taste myself.
’——!"
This...!
My tonsils danced with joy the moment I had a taste.
This was beyond good!
"You see, the forest is rather special in the sense that it amplifies a person’s thoughts. However, for such thoughts to appear, one must already feel them in the first place. So while it is unfortunate that they chose to go that way, in the end, they found liberation in their own way."
For some strange reason, I found myself agreeing.
"I know that your line of work isn’t easy. You’ve all probably seen all sorts of things. Some of you have worked yourselves to the bone in order to escape poverty."
The man turned his attention to Drake, who paused as he reached for his glass and clinked it with his.
"Some of you, on the other hand, do it for survival. To cure yourself of the terrifying disease that has plagued you since childhood."
I felt a gaze directed my way, and subconsciously, I raised my hand, clicking my glass with his as I felt a certain warmth run down my chest. I felt watched. Acknowledged. As if I were talking to someone who understood my struggles.
"...Some of you, on the other hand, do it because you’re good at it. You don’t really find much pleasure in your line of work, but you do enjoy being the center of attention. You like showing your abilities and receiving all the praise from the media and your fans."
Clink!
Leon clinked his glass.
"I understand all of your woes and can sympathize with all of you. The pressure that comes with your job, and all the expectations. I really do feel for you all."
Placing his glass down, the man smiled once more, his warm expression gentle, like a soft breeze.
"I do hope that all of you enjoy your time over here. In the meantime, I will go and tend to the other guests who are present."
Standing up, he was just about to leave when he paused.
"Oh, right."
He turned his attention back to us.
As he did, he pointed in a certain direction. Where a certain group appeared.
"Those guys over there should be the ones that you’re looking for. They got lost on their way, eventually reaching this place too. I suggest you talk to them. Especially since it was your goal to find them. After which, you all can enjoy this place or leave at your own will. Nobody here will stop you."
Warmly laughing, he shifted his attention elsewhere, walking towards another group to make small talk with them.
Wherever he walked, laughter and smiles followed.
I traced his back with my eyes, following his every movement.
He didn’t feel like the main character of the place, but rather an extremely competent and friendly host who tried to make everyone feel welcome.
This place...
It felt warm and nice.
’At least, compared to the forest outside, this place is quite nice. It almost feels like a luxurious resort. Kind of makes me want to stay here longer.’
But I couldn’t.
I shook my head.
’There are things I need to do.’
My thoughts were broken by the scrape of a chair as Leon stood up, heading towards the distant group the man had pointed towards.
I hesitated for a moment before standing up. As I did, I took one last bite of the food.
’It’s really good.’
Though it seemed like I was the only one who followed Leon as the others remained where they were, savoring the food and drinks.
I couldn’t even blame them as I walked behind Leon.
Eventually, the two of us arrived before the group in question. They looked exactly like in the profiles that were given to us, but as opposed to the profiles, they were all wearing different clothes.
The clothes were white, and as they stood together, they appeared to be enjoying the food and wine while talking with one another, only stopping when they took notice of us.
"Hello."
Leon was the first to greet them as he bowed his head slightly.
The group paused, tilting their heads as they looked at Leon.
But eventually, they smiled.
"Hahaha, if it isn’t Leon. I recognize you."
They looked at him warmly as they placed their cups down and extended their hands, almost as if trying to embrace him.
"You’re one of those famous Paragons from a decade ago, the one who was ranked really high. Top ten, right? Did you manage to reach the top rank?"
Leon blinked his eyes slowly before he answered.
"...I’ve only recently made it in the top rankings."
"Recently?"
The group paused, looking at each other before bursting into laughter.
"How could that be?"
"That’s a good one, hahaha."
Taking a step forward, one of the group members patted Leon on the shoulder as he laughed along with the others.
"It’s been almost a decade since we’ve been here. There’s no way you’ve only recently joined the ranks. I guess that memory must mean a lot to you for you to cling to it so much."
He continued to pat him.
"Come on, what rank are you now?"