Adam looked at the ceramic gourd placed before him with suspicion. He shifted his senses to Hisaki, who sat with a straight face and arms crossed, then back at the white gourd.
First, he let out a howling laughter.
Then, he stopped abruptly and asked in a solemn voice:
"So you're telling me… this wine is made from rice?"
"Not wine, sake," Hisashi corrected. "We brew it from polished rice, clear water, a touch of koji, and the blessing of time. It is the pride of Yen-Lu. One sip and you'll understand why we call it the drink of the spirits."
"Brewed?!" Adam blurted out. "Not fermented?"
"Brewed, yes." The stout tavern owner nodded.
Adam was speechless. He wasn't an ale drinker. He always preferred wine, finding it very classy. But considering he hadn't had a sip of alcohol in two and a half years, he wasn't going to decline this drink.
"Well, whatever." He shrugged, then let out another crazed laughter.
