The Former Holy Knight. Having Lost My Job and Childhood Friend, I Decided to Start a Dark Guild - Chapter 23

Heretic liquor, crafted by the hands of heretics, is transported from an underground distillery to various taverns throughout the capital via an extensive network of underground tunnels. In the Loser’s District, a formal contract has been signed with a heretic liquor merchant to deliver twenty bottles of this heretic liquor each week.

By mixing this heretic liquor with soda water produced by a magic machine and bottling it, one creates what is known as a heretic highball. Even to my unrefined taste, it’s clear that this drink is far superior to anything Pitt’s liquor could offer.

The price for a heretic highball is set at three copper coins. An ale, secured through a contract by Sofia, is priced at five copper coins. Although it can’t compete with Pitt’s liquor priced at two copper coins, we aimed for a fair pricing strategy.

Our liquor store also includes a simple tavern, and we’ve employed staff from the Loser’s District.

However, it seems that business is not as sweet as expected. Despite managing to open, the customers are few and far between, and those who come in often leave as soon as they see the prices of the drinks.

“The wallets of the residents here are tight,” Kano remarks while trying to attract customers. “But once they try our heretic liquor, becoming a repeat customer is guaranteed. Hey, mister! How about a drink?”

A man walking by smiles at Kano’s call but quickly leaves after seeing the price of the drinks.

“We need to get the locals to try at least one drink,” I say.

While Kano and I are out front attracting customers, our store’s biggest rival approaches, looking quite pleased with himself. Of course, that man is Fatty Pitt.

Seeing our nearly empty store, Pitt looks at us with utter disdain. “Amateurs in the customer business, really foolish. With cheaper and tastier Pitt’s liquor available, no one’s going to buy this crap.”

Pitt then turns to Kano with a smirk spreading across his face.

“Kano, if you marry me, you won’t have to lure customers. I’ll treat you like a princess and spoil you rotten.”

Kano glances at Pitt coldly before responding sharply, “If you’re just here to tease, please leave, Pitt-san.”

“That attitude won’t get you praised. It’s clear as day that you’ll fail in business and beg me for money. When that happens, don’t expect a single coin from me until that so-called former Holy Knight bows down in apology. Alright, let’s start getting ready to open!”

At Pitt’s command, his lackeys begin setting tables in front of our store and lining up bottles of Pitt’s liquor.

“Hey, what are you doing in front of our shop?”

Pitt taps his temple lightly. “You might be a bit confident in your martial skills, but what’s needed to run the streets is this: a sharp mind.”

Pitt then raises his voice for all the street to hear. “Listen up, everyone! Special massive sale! My famous Pitt’s liquor for just one copper coin, half the usual price!”

The residents of the Loser’s District moved quickly. In no time, a crowd had formed around the makeshift liquor store set up by Pitt and his crew, with people carrying away multiple bottles of Pitt’s incredibly cheap liquor. Our store didn’t stand a chance.

Kano was furious. “Pitt-san! Enough is enough! Doing business before our store’s entrance is clearly against the rules!”

“I believe it’s wise to crush those who try to encroach on my territory early on! I’ll keep this half-price sale every day until your store retreats!”

“This place isn’t your territory or anything of the sort!”

“Ever since Kano, you started living with that man, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll become a better man and wake Kano up because I’m a more suitable marriage partner than him!”

“I’m not fickle and will definitely not marry you, Pitt-san!”

At that moment, horse hooves could be heard in the distance. Turning our attention to it, an unusual sight for the Loser’s District—a carriage—came racing down the street and stopped near our liquor store.

Pitt, Kano, and the street’s residents watched the lavish carriage, an odd sight for the slums. Their expressions turned to astonishment as three women, wearing succubus costumes, alighted from the carriage.

Standing before me, the three women said, “Lord Don, Lady Sofia has sent us to help at your shop. We’ll do anything, so please use us as you wish.”

In the end, the store’s opening day was a smashing success beyond what could have been hoped for.

The men of the Loser’s District who visited the store were all dazzled. After all, women who worked at the capital’s most renowned brothel, possessing charm skills, were serving them directly.

Despite being more expensive than Pitt’s liquor, our prices were still quite reasonable. Many residents enjoyed the true taste of liquor more than we had anticipated. Among the customers was a familiar stall owner who expressed his desire to sell the heretic highball at his stall, a direct challenge to Pitt’s liquor dominance. We readily agreed to his proposal.

Pitt was the only one hurling insults in the bustling store. “This is unfair! And where did these girls come from anyway? This will disrupt the public morals of our district!”

Yet, even as he complained, Pitt couldn’t help but ogle the women in succubus costumes, even going so far as to order heretic highballs at a rapid pace and tucking silver coins into the cleavage of one of the girls.

Observing the scene next to me, Kano remarked, “I’d be happy if Pitt-san’s attention shifted to the succubus ladies.”

“He might become their number one patron.” 

“Ah, Don, it’s about time for your undercover skill to wear off, right?”

“Yeah, let’s leave the shop to the staff and return. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”

“That’s right, the Dark Guild’s headquarters launch is finally happening tomorrow!”