Bringing Culture to a Different World

he door when it opened without warning.

“Your… Your Highness.”

Ynor had sensed Joshua’s presence as he approached the building.
Feeling respectful and anxious, the succubi went to the door and opened it for him.

“Where’s your mother?”

Joshua did not refer to her as “the human merchant, Melina”.
Ever since Melina accepted Ynor as her own, the succubi had followed the human willingly.

“This way, Mr.
Annerlaude.
I didn’t expect you to visit us so soon.”

Melina came down the stairs hastily as Joshua stepped into the building.
The ground floor was mostly empty except for some furniture like a few display cabinets.
The goods that were supposed to be those cabinets had already been burned to ashes.

“You’re the only merchant I know in this city, Madam.
As an outsider to the trade, I can only rely on your expertise.”

Joshua sat down at a table and Ciri took the seat next to him.
After an indicative nod from Joshua, Ynor sat down on the opposite.

“What kind of business are you interested in, Joshua? I will do everything in my ability to assist you.”

Melina took out a teapot from one of the cabinets and also something that looked like a spirit lamp.
However, the lamp utilized magic as fuel instead of alcohol.
In the world of magic, even a merchant like Melina could do such tricks.

“I want to convert the ground floor into a tavern.”

Joshua took a sweeping glance at the ground floor area once again.
The place was just right for the purpose.

“A tavern… But, Joshua… There are already many taverns here in Norland.”

As a competent merchant, Melina had a sharp sense of business.
By all practical measures, residents of Norland were mainly humans and dwarfs.
For the dwarfs who worked underground, drinking was a favorite pastime after-hours.

For that reason, merchants came in droves to Norland in the hopes of profiting from the locals who had cash to spare, luring in their customers with manmade liquor and grilled meat.
However, the dwarfs were not indiscriminate in their spending and tended to stick only to a few taverns that suited their tastes.

Human mages, on the other hand, would usually stay away from substances such as liquor that could cloud their minds.

Running a tavern could be a lucrative business in Norland, but the risk was high as well.

“I want to build a special tavern with a menu that will entice our underground friends and even the mages in this city.
I will finance the structural works, while you, Madam, can help me look for a liquor supplier and a building contractor for the renovation works.
According to my estimations, it’ll take half a year to get the new tavern up and running.”

Joshua thought of the Hearthstone Tavern as a long-term project that could also put the profits from “Beauty and the Demon” to good use.
After all, he only needed very little money to produce his next movie.

“In that case… Joshua, what do you plan to do with the first and second floor?”

Melina had little left to herself, and her future relied heavily on Joshua’s investment.

If you want to support us, please download our awesome cultivation game Taoist Immortal!