Chapter 52

"......It's like that, you see. My hometown is bustling with trade, so it's easy to get all sorts of alcohol."

After finishing the explanation,

"Whaaah..."

The adventurers let out a large sigh.

The hunter closed his eyes, lost in thought about the unknown alcohol.

The mage, who had been listening to the explanation, drooled.

The old dwarf regretted not being able to drink a liquor so strong it could light a fire.

Stella kept muttering "wine, wine," while Aina looked worried about her.

Their reactions were varied.

But there was one thing in common.

Most of the adventurers here liked alcohol.

"Hmm. In that case..."

I began to think to myself.

Could this be a huge business opportunity?

I took a sip of the ale, which was still 80% full.

...Yeah, it's still bad.

It would be easy to prepare something better than this ale.

I could just pop into a convenience store and buy some alcohol.

And the tavern was full of skilled adventurers who loved alcohol—meaning they had money.

"...It could work."

I could feel my eyes starting to gleam with the prospect of money.

"Ahem!"

I cleared my throat loudly.

The adventurers' gazes turned to me, drawn by my exaggerated cough.

"......By any chance, are you all interested in the alcohol from my hometown?"

"Wha!?"

"Actually, there's a bit of my hometown's alcohol at the first store..."

"Wha!?"

"Well, a fair amount..."

"Wha!?"

"Yeah, actually, quite a bit."

"Wha!?"

"If you all want it, I could consider selling the alcohol from the first store..."

"Wha!?"

"I'm thinking about it. What do you think?"

Their response was faster than the speed of light.

"I'll buy it! I'll definitely buy it!"

"I want to drink something as sweet as fruit!"

"I'll have the orange wine!"

"Japanese sake! I want to try Japanese sake!"

"Monk! Get me the alcohol that can light a fire! I'll drink it to the last drop, for the pride of the dwarves!!"

"Me too! I want to drink something sweet and delicious!"

"......Shiro, chocolate alcohol please. Choco. Choco. Choco."

The adventurers pushed their tables aside and crowded around me.

I think I heard Kiki and Neska's voices in the mix at the end.

I was pushed and shoved by the adventurers and found myself backed up against the wall in no time.

The adventurers' thirst for alcohol.

This could work. It definitely could work.

Just to be sure, I looked at the waitress and the cook.

"......"

Both of them gave a thumbs up without a word.

That means it's okay.

"Monk! So when will the alcohol be ready—hmm?"

I raised a hand to cut off the old dwarf's words.

"I understand how you all feel. So,"

And then—I said the words I had always dreamed of saying.

"Please come back here tomorrow. I'll treat you to the alcohol from my hometown."