Chapter 82: That time when Keith arrived on the island

TL: kizen

PR: Filip/Gecko

Lunchtime the next day.

「Well then, I’ll be going back to the island so I’ll leave things here to you」

「Take care」

「’kay~. Take care~」

Latte, who looked glossy for some reason, was energetically waving me goodbye. Meanwhile, Suzuran, who was also in the same glossy state, just gave me a short one. The children were also there to see me off.

I waved back at them with a smile, then, with the barrel of sake by my feet, I activated the transfer magic to return to the island.

「I’m back」

「Ou, a guest is waiting for you」

As he said that, the cat-eared old man went to the forest while carrying an axe over his shoulder.

It would have been great if you also told me who it was though.

「Yo, Caam. It’s been a while」

「Ohー, Keith! What’s up? Why have you come to this island?」1

「I came all the way here after hearing rumors about you, you know? I heard that there was a dark-skinned demonkin who became the demon lord and was pioneering an island. There aren’t a lot of demonkin with dark skin after all. Good thing it was you who became a Demon Lord or else I would have wasted my time coming here」

「Are you serious? It hasn’t been that long since I became one you know? Just where were you back in the main continent?」

「Huh? You thought that rumors about you were already spreading all over the continent? I just heard about it in the port town you know? It was when I was looking for a subjugation or escort job in the guild. I boarded a s.h.i.+p going to the human’s continent and they dropped me off here. Did you know? The rumors have been calling this island “the island that the dark-skinned guy lives on” since it has no name」

That’s understandable since I only wrote the name on the paperwork for the church.

「Sorry ’bout that. I didn’t think it was necessary since we haven’t completely established our trading yet」

「Try to come up with one. It’s a pain in the a.s.s for the people who want to visit」

「If it’s a name then there is one you know……?」

「What is it then?」

「It’s Aquamarine」

「Ha! That’s a pretty nice name」

「Well yeah. I picked that since it matches the name of my home town」

Aquamarine is just beryl with iron mixed into it after all. It’s a shoal island that’s surrounded by a beautiful ocean so I think that name fits it perfectly.

「So? Was that the only reason you came all the way here?」

「That was the plan but I changed my mind, I’m going to live here for a while. Is that alright?」

「Well, I don’t mind but why all of a sudden?」

「I just thought of taking a little break from the dangerous adventurer’s life」

「I’m not going to pay you you know?」

「Do you even use currency on this island?」

「No, we can’t use it yet」

We both laughed after that, then I invited him to my house and brewed him some coffee.

「This is a subst.i.tute for tea that can only be found on the island right now. I opened a shop in the human’s port town to advertise it. It’s bitter so just add as much sugar as you’d like, stir it then wait for the beans to sink first before you drink it」

After saying that, I placed the cup of coffee in front of Keith then started drinking my own.

「Yuck!」

People’s reaction to drinking coffee for the first time is always interesting.

After that, Keith added some sugar to his drink then stirred it.

「It looks like muddy water but it doesn’t smell bad」

He had his eyes closed and his nose was twitching as he said that. Does he have a good sense of smell because he’s a canine type of beastkin?

「Yeah, the beans also smell pretty good when they’re being ground after all. It would be great if this becomes popular in town and sells well」

「I don’t know anything about business but I do know that you won’t get any money if it doesn’t sell」

「That’s right. That’s what I’m worried about. If this doesn’t sell, we won’t have any source of income aside from hunting pirates. If that happens, we won’t be able to buy things that we need on the island. I’m not completely sure about this but unless the population increases, I don’t think we’ll have any problems with food. However, we won’t be able to buy iron to fix the tools and other supplies. We can make money by increasing the yield of wheat and potatoes and selling them but we’ll need to reclaim the forest and expand the fields to do that. Even if we go with that, it will take a long time and it’s not like the iron that will be used to repair the tools is free」

「Wouldn’t it be faster to just hunt pirates then?」

「I don’t like putting myself into dangerous situations you know?」

「If that’s the case, how did you manage to hunt pirates as you said?」

「They attacked the island so I got mad and did them in. I don’t regret it」

「Is that something you should be regretting?」

「Not at all」

「d.a.m.n right」

After that, we drank our coffee.

「Ah, I just remembered something. Adding a small amount of liquor into this drink would give it an even stronger aroma and the flavor would change as well」

As I said that, I filled an empty bottle with sake from the barrel I brought from home, then added two spoonfuls of it into my cup.

「Oi oi, is this really alright? I have a policy of not drinking at noon you know?」

「This sake is strong but just two spoons of it won’t be a problem. I’m also adding it to something hot so the alcohol will just evaporate」

After I said that, he sniffed it again to confirm what I said.

「Oh, this is…… It’s hard to explain but the smell has changed for the better」

After saying that, he tasted the coffee.

「Amazing. The aroma is stronger now that I can smell it even from my mouth. Adding just a bit of liquor changes it this much huh!」

「Yeah. Once I have some money, I’m thinking of also making this type of liquor on the island」

「There’s no way tea and liquor this good won’t sell right?」

「We won’t know until after the fact. This liquor has become an important source of income back in my village you know?」

I shrugged and slightly tilted my head as I said that.

「So, about work. Is there anything that needs someone who can use a bow like hunting?」

「We do have hunting jobs but you’ll just end up taking over our current hunters. You might also take too much prey that their numbers start decreasing so it would be better if you just use an axe to help out in cutting the trees and driving away monsters from the fields. It would be fine if we could sell the meat you’ll get, but this is an island, so we can only dry it to preserve it. We already have more than enough dried meat in stock though」

「Wait a minute. I don’t want to boast but I’ve been using a bow to hunt prey since I was a kid. To start using an axe at this point is a bit……」

「Then how about just helping out with the harvest. Farming is pretty fun, you know? That’s right, you can help out harvesting the coffee beans」

「This conversation isn’t going as well as I thought」

「I’m glad that you came to the island but deciding your work is a different matter. You can also take care of the livestock but we don’t have that many at the moment so it’s already enough if you just remember to give them their meals」

「Can I really not hunt?」

「I’m not prohibiting you, but since you’re too skilled, other people will lose their jobs. If you absolutely have to, we’ll have to discuss it with the others or have you guys take turns. You could also teach the others about the bow though you’ll have to start from making the bow itself」

I folded my arms and took on a serious expression as I said that.

「Fine, fine. It can’t be helped so I’ll just give up on hunting for now」

「Please do. I’m going to cut through the forest until the evening so stick with me and observe the work process until I deliver this barrel to Corundum」

I stood up to put the cups away then headed towards the forest.

I used my 【Imitation Chainsaw】 to cut down the trees, the branches were cut off, then the stumps that were sticking out of the ground got dug up.

「Hey」

「What’s up?」

「You do realize that you’re the only one who can do that right……?」

「Yup. That’s why you’ll use an axe to chop down the trees, a saw to cut it into smaller pieces, then either split it into firewood or process it into lumber for the carpenter. After that, you dig up the ground around the stump and cut the roots to remove it. It’s hard work so I’m also doing as much as I can to help with the land reclamation work」

「Ohー, it’s impressive that you’re doing all of that even though you became a Demon Lord」

「Just because I became a Demon Lord doesn’t mean that I’ve changed. You’ve heard the rumors about the previous Demon Lord compared to mine and how they’re saying the current one is better, right?」

「Well, yeah……」

「Anyway, we’ll continue reclaiming the land like this, then we’ll start cultivating the fields for planting crops and gradually increase our food supplies. I’m thinking of doing that kind of work for a while」

「Sounds pretty tiresome」

「We won’t be able to do anything unless we do it though. We could just move to an open area without any trees to cultivate the fields but we would have to leave here by sunrise then we’ll get there in the time between breakfast and lunch before we can actually manage to go through the forest.

Even if we build a house there, it would still take some time to build enough to accommodate everyone. There’s also the fact that this is the only place with a bay that boats can come in and out of. That’s why it would be quicker to just clear out this area and develop it」

「I see! Reclamation! Seems! Hard! Huh!」

As he said that, he removed the branches off of the tree using a nata then took a saw to cut it into smaller pieces.

「You’re good with the nata but your saw technique still needs some work」

「Shut up! I don’t need your cheeky comments. I’ve only practiced with a dagger for times when I need to fight up close! n.o.body’s managed to come close though!」

「Yeah yeah」

We continued working like that till evening.

「My hand’s got blisters in weird places now」

「You were using an unfamiliar tool after all. You can just think of it as training for fighting against enemies who get close」

「Like what I’ve said before, n.o.body’s managed to do that」

He said that with a grin on his face. After that, he washed his hands then looked at his blisters which seemed to be painful.

「I’m going to deliver this liquor to the store now so you go ahead and rest together with everyone」

「Ou」

After that, I teleported to the shop’s storage room.

Chapter 82: That time when Keith arrived on the island

TL: kizen

PR: Filip/Gecko

「Good work」

I said that after going out to the shop floor. There were no more customers and they were already preparing to close the store. The couple was putting away the tables that were under the storefront canopy.

「Welcome back」

「I see that you also set up the tables outside. Did the number of customers suddenly increase?」

「Yes. We had a lot of them」

「Ahー, should we increase the number of staff?」

「It’s okay since we can still somewhat manage. We’ll decide once the number of people who are entering the store has settled down」

I think the man is pretty talented when it comes to these things. If it was me, I would have already panicked a bit.

「I see. I’ll leave it to you then. Anyway, please come to the storage room」

The couple followed me to the stock room where I showed them the distilled liquor and explained why I brought it here.

「This is the liquor made in my hometown. Please give it a try」

As I said that, I poured a small amount of the liquor into a couple of gla.s.ses then placed a cup of water right next to them.

「Here you go. This is stronger than the liquor around here and it can only be found in my village. Ahー, they also make it in the mountains where the dragonkin reside but they only make it for their consumption so you probably won’t be getting any from there. Anyway, please try it」

After saying that, they proceeded to drink.

「Hot! What’s this?」「Ugh, it’s so strong」

「It’s two to three times stronger than fruit wine. You can also set it on fire」

「Can you really drink this?」

「Yes. It’s the result of heating liquor until all of the water boils off, storing it in barrels then letting it rest for several season cycles. You need to add water to drink it」

I diluted it with some water until I thought it was enough then gave it to them to try again.

「It’s easier to drink now compared to before」

「It has a slightly peculiar taste but it’s not undrinkable」

「I think it will sell well by itself but I brought this here to suggest a different way of drinking it. We’ll be putting one to two spoons of this liquor into the coffee. Let’s move to the counter」

After saying that, I brewed some coffee, asked them how much sugar they liked before adding it in, then added two spoonfuls of the distilled liquor into the cups.

「Try it now」

I placed the coffee in front of them then they each had a sip.

「It smells different」「The aroma is……」

「Liquor turns into steam as soon as the temperature gets too high. Even heat of the coffee is already enough so utilizing that makes the aroma even stronger. You can do the same with tea but this liquor has a strong aroma so I think it suits coffee better. Let’s add it to the menu, shall we?」

・Adding a bit of strong liquor will make the aroma stronger. If you want to try it, please ask the staff. Availing this service will incur an additional charge.

「That should be enough」

「How much should we charge for it?」

「If it’s only as much as half of this small container with cow’s milk in it then a copper coin should be enough」

「But this liquor is a valuable commodity and there’s not a lot of supply, right? Are you sure it’s okay to sell it in this shop?」

「There were people in our village who approved of the idea of having more good liquor out in the world so we were already spreading the brewing techniques in various villages by sending people there under the pretext of training. Thanks to that, there were plenty of people from the surrounding villages and the nearby town came to our village to visit or learn the techniques so I don’t think it’s that rare. It’ll probably be fine. Anyway, I should just write down the price」

・It will cost one copper

「What do you think?」

「I think it’s alright」

「I see. Then it’s settled. We’re going to sell this liquor here. Since I have a key, please go on ahead and close up shop. I’ll go to Nils-san’s place to talk with him for a bit then I’ll come back here to transfer at the storage room」

「Understood」

「Well then, starting tomorrow, a small amount of alcohol will be served with the coffee if anyone wants to try it. I’ll be on my way」

After saying that, I filled two empty bottles with liquor then left for Nils-san’s place.

「h.e.l.lo. Is Nils-san in?」

「I apologize even though you came all the way here but he is in the middle of a business transaction right now. I think he will be back by evening but if you have a message, I’ll make sure to pa.s.s it on to him」

「Hmmー, this won’t work unless I meet with him so I’ll just wait. If that’s not possible then I guess I’ll have to come back later」

「No, it should be fine. I would have to apologize once again though since I’ve been told not to let anyone in the warehouse when Nils-san is not around」

「I don’t mind. I’ll just wait over there to pa.s.s the time」

I went to one of the corners of the warehouse then started training my magic to pa.s.s the time by making mana pa.s.s through a string that I found in the trash. Before I noticed it, people had started gathering around me.

「You were the demonkin guy who had boards hanging on you, right? I visited that coffee shop you know?」

「Thank you for your patronage」

「Wasn’t it embarra.s.sing to have those boards on you while calling out for customers like that? Well, everyone started copying you like it was natural though」

「It’s the cheapest and most effective method to advertise after all. It wasn’t embarra.s.sing for me because if we don’t sell any coffee, I won’t be able to pay everyone on the island」

「I see. You’re pretty much the island’s demonkin representative right? You must have been desperate, huh?」

Un, I guess that’s true. I’m also a Demon Lord though.

「You guys! What are you doing? Get back to work!」

A familiar voice echoed throughout the warehouse.

「h.e.l.lo, Nils-san. Sorry for distracting your staff」

「It’s you Caam-san. I guess it couldn’t be helped then. Coffee and that board advertis.e.m.e.nt has been the talk of the town recently, hasn’t it? At any rate, what can I do for you today?」

「I want to talk about something that might be profitable」

「Hou. What is it?」

「It’s liquor」

As I said that, I smiled and lifted the bottles that I brought with me. Because of that, the people surrounding me started talking among themselves.

「Liquor huh?」

「Now I’m curious」

「Certainly, if it’s a liquor that Caam-san brought, then it shouldn’t be a normal drink」

It seems like they also immediately perk up when liquor is brought up here.

「Then let’s talk more about it inside, shall we?」

Nils-san unlocked the door to his office then we both entered.

「So, what kind of liquor is it?」

「It’s something that a liquor loving dragonkin put his all in to make」

「I see…… That must taste really good then」

「It will depend on one’s tastes but it’s something that can be set on fire」

「Excuse me?」

「It’s flammable desu」

I borrowed a plate then poured a bit of the liquor in it. After that, I turned off the lamp in his room then set the liquor on fire.

As I did that, a pale-blue fire flickered and the aroma of the liquor started spreading throughout the room.

Once all of the alcohol evaporated and the fire was out, I relit the lamp then we resumed our conversation.

「Uhm…… can you really drink something that can be set on fire?」

「Yes. It’s surprisingly addicting once you get used to it」

I poured a small amount of the liquor into a cup.

「It might feel hot, spicy and painful at first but you won’t notice it anymore once you learn how to drink it」

「Er, I feel a bit hesitant now that you’ve said that」

Even though he said that, he took a small sip then started rolling it over his tongue. His eyes were moving from side to side at first then closed them to focus on the taste.

「It’s pretty strong, isn’t it? I’m starting to wonder how it’s made but I think there should be a demand for it among the liquor enthusiasts」

「Is that so? How about drinking it with one part liquor, one part water next?」

I poured a bit of water into his cup then had him drink it again.

「This time, the strong smell is gone and it’s become more mellow. It also has a different texture. I’m curious about how you made this amber color come out」

「I don’t really plan on keeping it a secret but, like what you said in our first meeting, information can be sold and that is one of those things we could sell. This liquor is made in the village I was born in but the dragonkin living there is generously providing the said info since he said that it should be spread throughout the world. As a result of that, merchants who came to buy the stuff and demonkin who want to learn the techniques gradually increased. We’ve even had the first human merchant come by the other day. Anyway, going back to the main topic, this color just comes from the wood that’s used to make the barrel it’s stored in」

「Eh? What’s the original color then?」

「It’s clear, just like water. You fill a barrel with the clear liquor then store it for about 2 cycles of seasons. The first liquor we made was five cycles of seasons ago so they’re ready to drink」

「Five cycles, huh……? It takes a lot of time to get stock, doesn’t it?」

「Yes. The longer you store it, the mellower it becomes and the deeper the color will be. The dragonkin even stored some in their treasure room which they plan to take out after a hundred end of the seasons festival pa.s.ses」

「Can you still drink that?」

「This liquor doesn’t spoil and molds don’t grow on it so it’s probably going to be alright. To be honest, even I would want to try drinking liquor that’s been through a hundred season cycles myself. There wouldn’t be much left in the barrel by the twentieth cycle though.

At any rate, I came here to sell this. Would you like to buy it? Just kidding. I’m just here to advertise that we’ll be offering the service of adding a small amount of this liquor into the coffee for one copper starting tomorrow. I’m indebted to you so please have this and enjoy it with everyone as thanks. You can really only find this in my hometown so it’s a rare commodity. There’s not much supply, since even if we immediately start making more, it’s not something you’ll be able to drink right away. Once the island’s operations get going, we’ll start making some ourselves so I’ll let you know when that happens」

「I see. That’s why you said it’s something that might be profitable. I understand. I will be waiting without any expectations. If it’s well-received, I will purchase more so please let me know the location of your hometown. Let me know when you start making it on the island as well so that I can make advance orders」

「Alright」

After saying that, I stood up then went back to the shop. After confirming that everything was locked, I went to the storage room to transfer back to the island.

Idle Talk

Liquor in coffee?

「Welcome」

「Good morning~. This has become my morning routine, hasn’t it? Oh my, strong liquor? Not really a fan of drinking in the morning…… Improves the smell huh? I’ll try it」

「Right away」

「Can I put all of this in?」

「Yes」

After saying that, the clothing store lady put all of the distilled liquor into her coffee then tried smelling the aroma as what was written on the menu.

「Oh my, that’s pretty good. It has a slightly different taste and I also won’t get drunk if it’s only this much」

「Thank you」

「So this is what Caam-san was talking about. One coffee with liquor please」

「Coming right up」

「Hmmー. It’s true. I wonder why it improves the aroma」

「Liquor in coffee? I can’t imagine how it’ll taste like but someone give it a try」

「Weren’t you complaining that adventurers don’t have any manners? Why don’t you ask them? Just wash away the bad feelings with alcohol」

「That’s not a solution okay?」

「Then let’s just all try it together. It’ll just increase the bill by a copper coin each after all」

「「Agreedー」」

「Ah, it’s true」

「Certainly」

「Muー, a slightly weird bitterness was mixed in」

「Oi, they say that it’s a strong type of liquor」

「Why don’t we have a little taste before putting it in? ……ugh, bitter. And it’s stinging my tongue. Is this really liquor?」

「Oi, I tried putting it in like what it’s said on the paper and it started smelling better」

「I know but I’ve never tasted this flavor before. What’s with this liquor? Ni-chan, do you know?」

「I don’t, but I hear it’s the liquor that came from the hometown of the demonkin who started this shop」

「What’s that? Did that demonkin nichan quit? That’s pretty gutsy of him」

「That person…… I guess it would be better to say that he’s the owner of this place. I’m just a hired worker here after all」

「Hou. That demonkin-nichan’s a pretty important guy huh? He was inviting people while wearing those planks on him so I thought he was just hired to advertise and do ch.o.r.es around here. You never know huh?」