Chapter 82: That time when Keith arrived on the island

TL: kizen

PR: Filip/Gecko

Lunchtime the next day.

Well then, Ill be going back to the island so Ill 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.

Im 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. Its been a while

Oh, Keith! Whats 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 arent 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 hasnt 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 ship going to the humans 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

Thats understandable since I only wrote the name on the paperwork for the church.

Sorry bout that. I didnt think it was necessary since we havent completely established our trading yet

Try to come up with one. Its a pain in the ass for the people who want to visit

If its a name then there is one you know?

What is it then?

Its Aquamarine

Ha! Thats 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. Its a shoal island thats 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, Im going to live here for a while. Is that alright?

Well, I dont mind but why all of a sudden?

I just thought of taking a little break from the dangerous adventurers life

Im not going to pay you you know?

Do you even use currency on this island?

No, we cant use it yet

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

This is a substitute for tea that can only be found on the island right now. I opened a shop in the humans port town to advertise it. Its bitter so just add as much sugar as youd 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!

Peoples 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 doesnt 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 hes a canine type of beastkin?

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

I dont know anything about business but I do know that you wont get any money if it doesnt sell

Thats right. Thats what Im worried about. If this doesnt sell, we wont have any source of income aside from hunting pirates. If that happens, we wont be able to buy things that we need on the island. Im not completely sure about this but unless the population increases, I dont think well have any problems with food. However, we wont 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 well 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 its not like the iron that will be used to repair the tools is free

Wouldnt it be faster to just hunt pirates then?

I dont like putting myself into dangerous situations you know?

If thats 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 dont regret it

Is that something you should be regretting?

Not at all

Damn 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 wont be a problem. Im 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 Its 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, Im thinking of also making this type of liquor on the island

Theres no way tea and liquor this good wont sell right?

We wont 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 youll 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 youll 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 dont want to boast but Ive 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? Thats right, you can help out harvesting the coffee beans

This conversation isnt going as well as I thought

Im 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 dont have that many at the moment so its already enough if you just remember to give them their meals

Can I really not hunt?

Im not prohibiting you, but since youre too skilled, other people will lose their jobs. If you absolutely have to, well have to discuss it with the others or have you guys take turns. You could also teach the others about the bow though youll 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 cant be helped so Ill just give up on hunting for now

Please do. Im 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

Whats up?

You do realize that youre the only one who can do that right?

Yup. Thats why youll 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. Its hard work so Im also doing as much as I can to help with the land reclamation work

Oh, its impressive that youre doing all of that even though you became a Demon Lord

Just because I became a Demon Lord doesnt mean that Ive changed. Youve heard the rumors about the previous Demon Lord compared to mine and how theyre saying the current one is better, right?

Well, yeah

Anyway, well continue reclaiming the land like this, then well start cultivating the fields for planting crops and gradually increase our food supplies. Im thinking of doing that kind of work for a while

Sounds pretty tiresome

We wont 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 well 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. Theres also the fact that this is the only place with a bay that boats can come in and out of. Thats 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.

Youre good with the nata but your saw technique still needs some work

Shut up! I dont need your cheeky comments. Ive only practiced with a dagger for times when I need to fight up close! Nobodys managed to come close though!

Yeah yeah

We continued working like that till evening.

My hands 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 Ive said before, nobodys 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.

Im 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 shops 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, should we increase the number of staff?

Its okay since we can still somewhat manage. Well 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. Ill 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 glasses 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, they also make it in the mountains where the dragonkin reside but they only make it for their consumption so you probably wont be getting any from there. Anyway, please try it

After saying that, they proceeded to drink.

Hot! Whats this?Ugh, its so strong

Its two to three times stronger than fruit wine. You can also set it on fire

Can you really drink this?

Yes. Its 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.

Its easier to drink now compared to before

It has a slightly peculiar taste but its not undrinkable

I think it will sell well by itself but I brought this here to suggest a different way of drinking it. Well be putting one to two spoons of this liquor into the coffee. Lets 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 differentThe 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. Lets 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 its only as much as half of this small container with cows milk in it then a copper coin should be enough

But this liquor is a valuable commodity and theres not a lot of supply, right? Are you sure its 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 dont think its that rare. Itll probably be fine. Anyway, I should just write down the price

It will cost one copper

What do you think?

I think its alright

I see. Then its settled. Were going to sell this liquor here. Since I have a key, please go on ahead and close up shop. Ill go to Nils-sans place to talk with him for a bit then Ill 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. Ill be on my way

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

Hello. 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, Ill make sure to pass it on to him

Hmm, this wont work unless I meet with him so Ill just wait. If thats not possible then I guess Ill have to come back later

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

I dont mind. Ill just wait over there to pass the time

I went to one of the corners of the warehouse then started training my magic to pass the time by making mana pass 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

Wasnt it embarrassing to have those boards on you while calling out for customers like that? Well, everyone started copying you like it was natural though

Its the cheapest and most effective method to advertise after all. It wasnt embarrassing for me because if we dont sell any coffee, I wont be able to pay everyone on the island

I see. Youre pretty much the islands demonkin representative right? You must have been desperate, huh?

Un, I guess thats true. Im also a Demon Lord though.

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

A familiar voice echoed throughout the warehouse.

Hello, Nils-san. Sorry for distracting your staff

Its you Caam-san. I guess it couldnt be helped then. Coffee and that board advertisement has been the talk of the town recently, hasnt 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?

Its 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 Im curious

Certainly, if its a liquor that Caam-san brought, then it shouldnt be a normal drink

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

Then lets 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?

Its something that a liquor loving dragonkin put his all in to make

I see That must taste really good then

It will depend on ones tastes but its something that can be set on fire

Excuse me?

Its 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. Its 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 wont notice it anymore once you learn how to drink it

Er, I feel a bit hesitant now that youve 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.

Its pretty strong, isnt it? Im starting to wonder how its 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 its become more mellow. It also has a different texture. Im curious about how you made this amber color come out

I dont 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. Weve 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 thats used to make the barrel its stored in

Eh? Whats the original color then?

Its 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 theyre ready to drink

Five cycles, huh? It takes a lot of time to get stock, doesnt 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 passes

Can you still drink that?

This liquor doesnt spoil and molds dont grow on it so its probably going to be alright. To be honest, even I would want to try drinking liquor thats been through a hundred season cycles myself. There wouldnt 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. Im just here to advertise that well be offering the service of adding a small amount of this liquor into the coffee for one copper starting tomorrow. Im indebted to you so please have this and enjoy it with everyone as thanks. You can really only find this in my hometown so its a rare commodity. Theres not much supply, since even if we immediately start making more, its not something youll be able to drink right away. Once the islands operations get going, well start making some ourselves so Ill let you know when that happens

I see. Thats why you said its something that might be profitable. I understand. I will be waiting without any expectations. If its 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, hasnt it? Oh my, strong liquor? Not really a fan of drinking in the morning Improves the smell huh? Ill 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, thats pretty good. It has a slightly different taste and I also wont get drunk if its only this much

Thank you

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

Coming right up

Hmm. Its true. I wonder why it improves the aroma

Liquor in coffee? I cant imagine how itll taste like but someone give it a try

Werent you complaining that adventurers dont have any manners? Why dont you ask them? Just wash away the bad feelings with alcohol

Thats not a solution okay?

Then lets just all try it together. Itll just increase the bill by a copper coin