Brewing Alcohol in Another World for Living

Chapter 5

Buying and Selling a Little Part 1

Translated by Omkar
Edited by Omkar

 

I had just taken a considerable amount of money from the elf peddlers and was now on my way to the nearest town to my house. The main purpose was to get rations. I plan to buy salt, meat, vegetables, wheat, chickens, and spices. After a full day’s walk from home, I came down the mountain to a port town. I had asked the goddess to prepare a place near the sea.

The reason being, by exposing the whiskey barrels to the sea breeze, it is possible to give the whiskey a sea-like flavor. I myself loved and often drank such whiskey. So one day, I was thinking of buying a warehouse in this port town and storing my whiskey therein.

“You don’t look familiar. Is this your first visit to Aqualindel ?”

As I approached the city gates, I was accosted by a guard. He was probably going to collect the toll and find out if I was a suspicious fellow.

“Yes, I’m a businessman and I’m interested in selling alcohol.”

The guard was clearly in a good mood when he heard the word ‘alcohol’. I guess soldiers like to drink, even in other worlds.

“Alcohol ? Is that in that barrel you’re carrying ? What kind of alcohol is inside ?”

“This alcohol is called vodka.”

“Vodka ? What’s that ? I’ve never heard of it. Is that a new wine ?”

“Let’s just keep this between us, okay. It’s so strong that it will burn your mouth.”

At that, the soldier bent forward to confirm if it was true.

“I’m a very picky drinker. I’m sure what you just said is true.”

“Of course. I will be retailing them at the open market, so please come and buy them.”

“All right. I’ll be there for sure. Just try not to cause any problems.”

It’s strange how you seem to get along with people who like to drink. I paid the toll at the gate and parted with the guards. The port town was overflowing with people and goods. As I had seen from the hill, there were many large boats docked, and the traffic never stopped.

“Oniichan, don’t you want some skewers ? Ours is excellent, you know ?”

It was lunchtime and he was hungry. Indeed, the main street lined with food stalls smelled good.

“Then I’ll take three.”

“Thank you for patronage, It’s just one copper coin.”

The taste of the skewers was perfectly that of chicken. The sauce was moderately tasty, probably due to the spices used and the fact that it was made over a charcoal fire. The use of spices in a food stall level restaurant was indeed a key point of trade.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to earn my keep until nightfall. No, I’m supposed to drink at night, right? All right then.”

In this city, there is an open market, a section of the city where open-air stalls can be opened even if you are not a member of a commercial guild. And since they don’t charge taxes, it was just fine with me, a stranger. Well, I did say in advance in my meeting with the goddess that I wanted to be near such a town.

The open market was located along the main street leading to the harbor, just inside the city gates. The main street, which was more visible to the public, was occupied by fierce merchants, so I went into an alley and found a vacant spot.

“Is this place free ?”

“Yeah, it’s open.”

“Very well, then, if you’ll excuse me.”

I placed the furoshiki and the barrels of alcohol that I had carried up to this point, and finally put a sign that said “Alcohol” on it to start my business. After I heard from Ariel that the item box was valuable, I could no longer use it in public, so I carried various items on my back before entering the town. The alcohol barrel was the size of 40 liters, so even with the blessing of goddess, it was still quite hard work.

Then for the next four hours–

“Damn, this place is deserted !”

“Don’t be in such a hurry. You’re new, aren’t you ? It takes a lot of luck to sell from day one.”

“That’s right. Ha-ha-ha.”

The old man selling nuts next to me comforted me. Compared to the main street, this is a less popular place with fewer customers. One out of every five people who pass in front of me glances in, but they all pass by busily.

“After all, who would drink on the job ?”

If you want to sell alcohol in the daytime, why don’t you just sell it at the Adventurers’ Guild’s bar ?

“The Adventurers’ Guild ?”

“It’s a place for ruffians and for anyone who is looking for a place to do anything. Many of the guys with money to spare drink from noon on, and selling your stuff wholesale to innkeepers is one way to do it.”

I walked up next to the old man, squared my shoulders and showed him the alcohol I had made.

“I appreciate the suggestion, but ? It is no exaggeration to say that this alcohol is the water of life, which I made with the utmost care and diligence. I can’t stand it when it is drunk by someone who can’t tell the difference between ale and cow piss !”

The old man made a gesture as if he was a little concerned about my bad breath.

“You reek of alcohol. You’re a stubborn craftsman, aren’t you ?”

“There are no guests coming, so we’ll just have to drink! Damn. Give me some nuts, old man.”

“Four coppers a bag.”

I bought some snacks from an old man nut and drank vodka that I brought myself. Then I saw a soldier who approached me.

“Oh, there you are ! I’ve been looking for you ! You were next to the old man with the nuts.”

The old man with the nuts lightly bowed to the soldier.

“Ah, you met me at the gate. Welcome.”

“As promised, I’m here for those mouth-burningly strong drinks you told me about ! It was time for me to switch shifts, so I jumped at the chance. I was afraid I’d run out of my share in that barrel.”

“Don’t worry. Not a drop has been sold yet.”

“Hahahaha, that’s bad luck for you, but lucky for me.”

It’s not a laughing matter. Well, if I can sell my alcohol to this kind of drinker, then it’s worth making alcohol. I poured about 30 ml into a shot for tasting and handed it to him.

“Why are you only selling me this much ?”

“That’s for tasting. It’s free of cost, so please go ahead and take a big gulp. If you like my alcohol, please buy as much as you like.”

“Oh, how chic ! Well then, I feel free to guzzle…… and ～～～～! What the hell is this ! Hooooo ! That’s a really strong drink that really does burn the inside of the mouth ! And there is no bitterness or sweetness at all. Oh, I love this ! I bought i t! Nii-chan, sell me as much as you can for this money.”

A soldier in his late twenties, his face flushed with excitement, popped a coin purse into my hand. Inside were several small silver coins and a little over ten copper coins.

“Thanks for your patronage ! Do you have a container to put the alcohol in ?”

“Ahhhhh, okay, just give me a minute.”

The soldier took out a canteen made of leather, which was hanging on his waist. He then dumped out all the water in it and asked me to fill it with this. I filled the canteen to the brim with vodka.

“This is the first service. Enjoy my drink to the fullest.”

“Thanks~ ! I’ll definitely be back for more~ !”

The soldier left in a good mood, water bottle in hand. Then, perhaps he saw the exchange between me and the soldier. The old man of the nuts wanted to drink my drink, too, so I gave him a shot to try.

“Kaaahhha, Ho-ho, Ho-ho, how come this strong drink is so long in the business ? I’ve never had such a strong alcohol. This will sell, brother ! You’ve made something amazing…… That’s why you’re so stubborn.”

“How about it, old man, come sell alcohol with me ?”

“That’s how……”

I explained to the old man of the nuts. I told him that if customers came to buy nuts, they would have a great time if they ate nuts with my drink. I would suggest that they also have nuts to go with their drinks.

“That’s a good idea. Your drinks will definitely sell. Then maybe my nuts will sell, too. I’ll take the offer !”

After that, until it was completely dark, old man’s regular customers were buying my drinks while they were at it. And they were so happy. I had about 40 liters of vodka, but it had been reduced to about half of what it used to be.

“Well, I guess I’ll close up the store and head to the inn today.”

“Alcohol brother, I’m gonna need it again.”

“Oh, old man ! So, you know any innkeepers with pretty sisters ?”

“Hehe, you’re too young, brother. If that’s the case, I know a good place. It’s a brothel called “Red Lips”. It’s a little pricey, but I’m sure my brother will be fine.”

“Hiccup….. Brothel ? Ah, the bath house. Hmmm…that’s good. I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

I asked the old man of the nuts where the brothel was located and we parted ways. The brothel was located right next to the harbor, parallel to the entertainment district. It was a four-story building with walls painted bright red.

“There’s no mistaking it.”

As I entered the brothel, the smell of the prostitute’s perfume and sweat hit me with a whiff.

Ugh, I think I’m going to throw up. Oh well, it’s a civilization where you can’t even take a proper bath. I’ll just stay at a regular hotel. I never thought the day would come when I would miss Tokyo’s Kabukicho……

With that thought, I was about to turn on my heel when someone grabbed me by the hem of my dress. I turned around and saw a young woman with slender black hair standing there. She was about 18 or 19 years old, with long, thin, dignified eyebrows, long, narrow eyes that were black with a lascivious light, and lips painted red. Above all, she was blessed with a large pair of breasts.

Oh my god, the punk ass type !

“Brother, don’t tell me you just crossed into my establishment and now you want me to leave without even hugging a woman ?”

What the heck, cheeky.

“How much is ……?”

“Phew, that’s how it should come. For me, it would be a gold coin. If you don’t have any money, you can get yourself another one ! Wait ! Oh, you’re in a hurry.”

I held her in a princess hug and ran up the stairs asking her for her room. I honestly don’t remember anything after that.

Next day.

I woke up. First I saw the naked woman sleeping in my arms, and then I saw that the barrel of vodka that was supposed to be unsold was empty. I guessed what was going on.

“Ah~ I’ve done it. No matter how strong I get with alcohol, I can’t get rid of my drinking habit.”

When I was drunk, I used to go running to a bathhouse in Kabukicho, regardless of my intention. Then I would find myself waking up on my futon at home. My wallet would be empty and I would realize that it was not a dream.

I wish that Goddess would have fixed my drinking habit, too.

“Hmm, you woke up, Mister……, yesterday was awesome. That’s the first time I’ve ever passed out at this job.”

And the only thing different from my previous life is that the bathhouse girl is with me sober ! ! I don’t know what to do. I’ve had girlfriends before, but I’ve never spoken soberly with such a beautiful stranger.

“It’s time for me to leave. Here’s the money.”

“Are you sure? I’m getting this much.”

“I don’t care. Think of it as a nuisance fee.”

“Hehehe, I can’t believe you’re bothering me. I’m the one who had a good time. Well, next time you come back, I’ll give you a service.”

The prostitute was groping me. Whoa, is this a second attack, Chance ? I’m not an idiot.

I mean, look closely…… She’s so young, this girl ! ! I didn’t notice it yesterday with all the booze and darkness. What the hell have….. I done. Let’s not ask her just how old she is. And I’ll never come here again.

I left the brothel as if I were running away, sweating strangely, even as I was getting dressed.

 

Author’s Afterword

Illustrations of the sister with the red lips and the old man with the nuts are now being posted on the “Status Note” ☆.

ILLUSTRATIONS

 

 

 

Old Man of Nuts

He’s the old man of the nuts ! I’ve decided to leave the leg hairs out of the painting for you ! Originally, it was a bald head, but now it looks like it’s not.

 

 

 

Red Lips / Julianne

Somehow, I wanted to draw it as if I were possessed. It took me a long time because I’m not very good at it. I’m really impressed by people who can draw.

In the setting, she is 16 years old, but she is a prostitute, so she is very mature. (Translator: Isekai FBI ?)

I just don’t have enough drawing skills and I feel like an old lady.

 

Footnotes

風呂敷 = Furoshiki. Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods.お兄ちゃん = Oniichan. (Big Brother)にいちゃん = Nii-chan. (Big Brother)