Volume 3, Chapter 32 – The Too-Popular Margaret

At the same time, this also made Yisi realize how expensive storage items were. Just this one ring cost Yisi a full ten gold coins. When she first opened Margaret’s tavern, Yisi had wondered why people in this world didn’t use storage items for transportation. Now it seemed it wasn’t that they couldn’t do it, but that they couldn’t afford to.

“Spiritual warmth can’t be worn as clothes. If you’re cold, Mary, you can carry Tiffany. Tiffany is warmer than a firestone right now.”

“Okay~”

Mary’s brilliant smile made Yisi feel a sense of being healed. Perhaps she really saw Mary as her cute and obedient daughter—even though, by actual age, they were sisters.

After asking each of her companions, Yisi returned to the front of the team. In her memory, they would soon reach the cave where the Stone Giant used to live, which was where she had tied up the Swamp Python. When they passed by, she would suggest to Clementine to take a look inside, and then Clementine could easily resolve his grudge.

It seemed like a meddlesome act, but it couldn’t be helped. With Clementine’s level 19 strength, the possibility of him defeating the level 32 Swamp Python was slim to none, even in twenty years. After all, as Clementine grew stronger, the Swamp Python wouldn’t be standing still.

Noticing Yisi’s approach, Clementine waved the flask in his hand. It gave off the scent of ale.

“Miss Yisi, would you like a drink of this? It’s a good thing for warming the body. I’ve been meaning to ask, Miss Yisi, aren’t you cold wearing so little clothing?”

“No, I don’t drink alcohol. I’m not wearing much for ease of movement.”

The truth is, I forgot to bring my winter clothes when I left Margaret’s.

However, as a vampire, she was naturally very resistant to cold. A little chill was fine, as long as she didn’t do something foolish again like teleporting to the snowy mountain while only wearing a single layer of clothing, like she did last night.

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Yisi took out another flask from her storage and handed it to Clementine.

“Instead of ale, how about you try this, Clementine?”

“Oh? What is this?” Taking the flask, Clementine first inspected it, then twisted the cork and took a sniff. “Damn, my nose is so cold it’s blocked. I can’t smell anything.”

“Well, you can try a small sip first. I recommend starting with a very small sip.”

“Something given by a cute girl like you, Miss Yisi, I will try without question. This is the highest honor.”

With that, Clementine tilted his head and took a large gulp. Then—

“Cough, cough, cough. It’s so fiery, but I like it.”

Probably choked by the liquid, Clementine’s face flushed. The other adventurers peered over curiously.

“Guild Leader, what are you drinking?”

“A liquor Miss Yisi gave me,” Clementine said, smacking his lips as if savoring the taste. “…It must be a liquor, right? This mellow flavor and high proof are completely different from ordinary ale. Is this another new thing concocted by the nobles?”

When Clementine held out the flask, the adventurers, upon hearing it was a strong liquor, immediately swarmed him, their faces flushed as they scrambled to get a taste.

Clementine shook his head helplessly and chuckled.

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“These drunks. They go crazy the moment they smell alcohol.”

“That’s what makes them feel like adventurers.”

“Well, if I may ask, Miss Yisi, what is this liquor called? If possible, I’d like to purchase some for the guild’s cellar.”

“It’s Margaret.”

Yisi said casually.

Clementine also nodded casually.

“Oh~ so it’s called Margaret—wait?” As if he had been choked, Clementine’s voice abruptly stopped. He then anxiously took a step forward. “M-Miss Yisi, what did you say? That’s Margaret?”

“Yes. It’s Margaret, originally from Margaret’s Tavern. It might even have been brewed by Mary.”

“Ugh!”

Clementine’s body suddenly froze. He then turned with a grim expression and, like a monster, barged through the adventurers who were scrambling for the flask.

“Stop it, all of you! That’s Margaret, worth a gold coin for a single mouthful!”

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“Huh?”

“What?”

The scrambling crowd paused for a moment, then, as if they had been given an energy boost, they became even more frantic, and even Clementine was forced out of the crowd.

Hmm… it seems Margaret has spread to Antonio City over the last month.

Warning herself not to pay attention to the exaggerated price, Yisi pretended not to know anything and started whistling.

It took Clementine a full five minutes to quell the chaos caused by Margaret. But by the time he got the flask back, all the Margaret inside had been replaced by the adventurers’ spittle.

Hesitantly moving his gaze between the flask and Yisi, Clementine only managed to speak after a long pause.

“I-I’m so sorry, Miss Yisi. My men accidentally drank all the Margaret… But when we get back, I will definitely compensate you according to its value!”

“There’s no need for compensation. In fact, I was planning to give this to you anyway, so what you do with it is your business, Clementine.”

Perhaps thinking about how he could have had all of it for himself, Clementine’s mouth twitched unnaturally. But he still controlled his emotions with great grace, showing an awkward yet polite smile.

“How can you casually take out such a valuable liquor, Miss Yisi…”

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“Clementine, you really don’t have to worry. This amount of Margaret isn’t even one percent of what I have in storage.”

And I can brew more on the spot whenever I want.

“I-Is that so… Then that’s great.”

Only after Yisi emphasized it repeatedly did Clementine believe he didn’t have to pay her. At the same time, Yisi finally understood why Margaret was sold at such a high price. It was because Margaret was only sold at Margaret’s Tavern, and her tavern only sold it to diners. It was thus extremely difficult to collect, and because nobles loved this transparent and pure liquor, considering it a symbol of nobility and luxury, Margaret became extraordinarily expensive in other regions.

According to Clementine, even the royal family was shocked by this liquor and planned to send someone to specifically invite Margaret’s Tavern to set up a shop in the capital.

It seems I should visit Shinku and Fran soon. If the royal family really does contact them, those Fallen girls would probably be so shocked they wouldn’t know what to do. Since Margaret is selling so well, I should guide them and try to get them to form a merchant guild or something. Even if it fails, it’s fine. For them, as the Fallen, besides a peaceful life, they probably also hope to be liked by others.

Well, never mind Shinku and Fran. It seems Fran has feelings for Shinku.

Maybe I can learn from Fran how a woman can make another woman accept her.

“It seems that’s not necessary…?”

I just have to wait for Camilla to grow up.

For some reason, Yisi felt that thought was a crime.