Chapter #68

The boat ride had taken considerable time as Zeno noticed. Though he only noticed after one of the crew members came to check up whether he was alive or not.

Though he didn't get to speak with him as the sight of him furiously writing on parchment scared the poor fellow.

Or it might be because Ao eating a steak bigger than his body might have scared him... Or Jean might have stepped on his toes, Zeno didn't pay attention.

Zeno made some progress in making the new sign but this time it proved too tedious to cast and too powerful for it to be practical.

He doubted that his brothers would like to have a Asari style mind melding with their horse or any other animals.

Zeno counted himself lucky that his mare didn't have any memories of mating.

Eventually the boat arrived at the docks of Vergen. Vergen is a dwarven town on the Aedirnian border. It has a unique architectural style, houses and buildings are carved in the rocks. The city is an important trade center.

While Zeno didn't consider himself to be an admirer of architecture he could certainly say that the city had its own charm. Though he certainly didn't want to settle in this city if he was ever given a choice.

'It is a nice city to roam around and enjoy but I don't think the scenery will be interesting after a week of seeing it again and again.' Zeno thought.

He didn't look for jobs here as the dwarves in the city were perfectly capable of handling small fries and the guard would have already approached him if there was something serious as he didn't hide his identity.

So Zeno decided to enjoy himself by trying out several dwarven alcohol that is being sold around the city.

'Should I make a medieval "Worth It?" series once I get my hands on magic. Holograms and illusions are possible and I could hopefully make them more practical.' Zeno thought it was truly sad that he didn't have a hobby other than working.

[Please don't ruin the setting with your modernity...] System muttered.

{Hmm, maybe you can create some traditions. Something small but will make some difference like Santa.} Ouryuu suggested.

<You know I always hated when an Isekai character decides to enforce their own traditions in a foreign world.> Dragon said.

{...} Ouryuu.

'I know! I am going to prepare a practical joke for Emhyr, but I need to create the legend of Santa for his childhood and open up Subway Sandwiches in Nilfgaard.' A light bulb lit up on top of his head gathering the attention of the people around.

Zeno scratched the back of his head with a wry smile. "I just had a great idea, hahaha..." His laughter drowned as he awkwardly moved on.

{...} Ouryuu.

<...> Dragon.

[HOW?! I NEED ANSWERS!]

_______

The taste testing of the dwarven alcohol didn't go as Zeno planned. He somehow couldn't find anything that suited his palate even if his passengers agreed on that.

And after hours of drinking nearly twenty different brands of alcohol Zeno was getting tired even though he is incapable of such thing.

He had tried the cheap stuff, he tried the expensive stuff but none had reached the taste of his own alcohol.

[We made that with modern methods after all...] System sighed.

'I just expected more from literal fantasy dwarfs in a world of magic. Maybe they keep the good stuff for themselves.' Zeno thought.

{You know, we have been brewing ever since the beginning of the boat ride. There is no way we can drink all of this, maybe we can sell it.} Ouryuu suggested.

Zeno couldn't handle the thought of them slacking off while he was working and forced the three to brew on the way.

Zeno found the idea feasible and it would be a good passive income for the Witchers of the School of the Wolf as Zeno automated the production back at the keep.

With renewed vigor he got up from his table, Ao who was drunk falling off from his shoulder in the process.

Zeno caught the drunk squirrel trying not to laugh at the sight before leaving the tavern.

It was already night and the trade center was basically closed, so Zeno traveled back to all the taverns he visited, promoting his own alcohol.

Oftentimes he was chased out since people would rather drink dwarven piss rather than Witcher Spirit.

Some even tried to break the bottles on his head, it was Zeno's first time experiencing discrimination but he didn't take offense.

Selling non-dwarven alcohol in Vergen would naturally garner such reactions and he honestly couldn't bother with them.

Still, one particular tavern decided to buy a bottle before deciding to buy his entire stock at a much higher price leaving Zeno satisfied.

That night Zeno went to his room with a smile on his face, that was until System reminded him of something.

[You still need to pay taxes on those profits... For your Witcher work too.] System said.

Smile washed away leaving it's place to a frown. It wasn't that he was running away from tax but paying it now would take the chances of him pranking tax collectors.

'Well, I guess I will shelve the idea of literally shitting gold in front of a tax collector for later.' Zeno sighed and moved on with his life.

[...] System stared at Ouryuu like he was blaming him.

{...} Ouryuu stared at Dragon in the same manner.

<Hey, don't look at me. We might be a part of him but none of us is messed up as he is.> Dragon shook his head regretfully dispelling the guilt off him.

'...' Zeno really wanted to punch himself but held back.

_____

In the morning Zeno's first stop was the local Vivaldi Bank, surprisingly he was greeted by the manager of the bank itself.

'I guess it would draw attention after all the commotion I caused.' Zeno thought to himself.

"Hello Master Witcher, my name is Grondir Vivaldi the manager of this branch, you're here to deposit if the rumours about yesterday is to be trusted." Grondir introduced himself before speaking.

"You would be correct, I already have an account but I don't think it was big enough to distract you from your work." Zeno said while shaking Grondir's hand.

Thankfully it wasn't awkward due to Grondir being tall for a dwarf and Zeno being short for a human.

"Well, I had the opportunity to taste the spirit you were selling and I know a successful product when I see it but let's not discuss it here, come on let's move to my office." Grondir invited.

Zeno was happy for this development, he would rather have the dwarfs sell the drink, deal with the money and calculate the taxes. He only needs a justification for his wealth.

Inside of the Grondir's office was lavishly decorated with gold and several marble statues.

After sitting down Grondir took out a bottle, it was a bottle Zeno sold yesterday before he pushed it towards him.

"Now, master witcher. I am not going to lie, this isn't anything like I have tasted before and that's how I know you were the one who distilled it." Grondir said while taking two golden cups from his drawers.

"So, I understand that you cannot turn this alcohol into a business but that's where the Vivaldi's come in." He continued as he poured the drinks.

"Well, I pretty much covered the production. I just need someone to handle the distribution and handle the money." Zeno explained while taking one of the cups.

"Good, good. That saves us the trouble of setting up a production line. Now, how many bottles can you produce in a month, ah right we need to come up with a brand name as well." Grondir said.

"Well, I can make a crate or two myself on my travels, I am not going to divulge the secrets of it but my brothers from the school of the wolf have the main production line." Zeno said.

"Well, it would be much better if we can increase the supply since I know this will sell." Grondir said.

Hearing him Zeno started to explain why a witcher was selling alcohol and the history of its creation.

The alcohol has a cringy name called The Wolves' Tears which was created after the sacking of Kaer Morhen to feed the children left surviving by earning coin since the surviving Witchers can't leave the keep without making sure the children are ready to be left alone.

The story was touching for Grondir Vivaldi, he nearly teared up and he was sure that he can market the shit out of it to jack up the prices with this tear jerker back story, the low supply would only help at this point.

Zeno signed a contract to drop a crate or two for sale everytime he finds a Vivaldi Bank branch on his path and any additional sales made by other witchers are to be priced separately with the price not going below their agreed amount.

"Well, I am happy with the deal we made. I hope you will have a long life distilling alcohol Zeno." Grondir said while they sipped on their drinks.

Grondir's wife barged in at that moment causing him to sprang up and curse in dwarven as he quickly sent his wife away.

Grondir returned while looking at Zeno with suspicion as all dwarves believe males of other races are after their wives and daughters.

"Grondir, I swear I will shave my head bald the day a non-dwarf lusts after a female dwarf... No offense." Zeno said with a wry smile.

Grondir sighed in relief before he said with all the seriousness he could muster while imagining Zeno bald. "You better not forget that promise."