Ch.2626. Brandy (1)

About three weeks after the minor incident of being attacked by bandits.

Despite this being a rare journey, I quickly traversed through territories with unstable political situations on Astra’s back, finally entering some viscount’s domain right next to the capital of the Frankish Kingdom, which was my destination.

Due to the relatively blurred boundaries between territories, I didn’t encounter any soldiers at the borders, but things would be different if I wanted to enter the city where the lord’s castle was located.

As soon as the stone walls came into view, I dismissed Astra and concealed any conspicuous elements about myself before walking toward the main gate.

Silver-green fur holds considerable value in this world, and I had no desire to get involved in troublesome situations.

Anyway, at the territory’s entrance was a fairly long line… though it was moving at a decent pace. The soldiers conducting inspections at the gate were impressively equipped.

Chain shirts, helmets, leather gauntlets, and greaves—they were properly outfitted. The man who appeared to be in charge, with noticeably higher vitality, wore proper plate armor and carried a quality longsword at his waist.

While equipment doesn’t completely determine a warrior’s combat ability, one cannot discount its influence when discussing a warrior’s strength.

With this in mind, I mentally raised my evaluation of the viscount ruling this territory. After joining the queue and waiting for about five minutes following a cargo wagon, it was now my turn to be inspected.

“…Excuse me. Are you perhaps a resident of the viscount’s territory?”

“No.”

“I see. Then do you have any means to verify your identity?”

“Just a moment… Here. This is Baron Dren’s identification document.”

As I handed over a parchment document I had carefully preserved in my bundle, the nervous soldier briefly examined it and then…

“P-please wait a moment. Sergeant, here’s the document.”

“Alright, give it here.”

Perhaps he couldn’t read. The sergeant who received the document written in the continental common language read it, suddenly widened his eyes, and carefully approached me with a question.

“Excuse me. Are you truly a druid as stated in this document?”

“Not officially yet, but yes, I am. Is there a problem with the document?”

“…No, not at all! We’ve confirmed the identity certificate written by Baron Dren. Please enter freely!”

“Thank you, soldier.”

Taking back the document, I responded to the soldier and passed through the gate, pondering the usefulness of this identification certificate.

From an objective perspective, Baron Dren is merely a provincial noble, yet his authority is recognized even in this wealthy viscount’s domain.

The fact that they never questioned the possibility of forgery demonstrates the authority nobles hold in this world.

In this world’s unique class-based society founded on personal strength, formal noble status can grant privileges beyond imagination.

Anyway, as I lifted my head after these brief thoughts, my eyes took in the panorama of the largest city in this viscount’s domain.

Rows of buildings with similar structures. Well-paved stone streets.

Soldiers constantly patrolling and showing their presence. Substantial crowds and continuously moving goods.

The medieval fantasy cityscape I had vaguely imagined matched my expectations perfectly.

And then…

‘…Huh?’

As I stood in a corner of the street looking around, I began to feel the gazes of passersby focusing on me.

My instincts—sharpened by wild magic—told me these stares were specifically directed at me, too intense to dismiss as mere imagination.

So as I walked along the street pondering this… I suddenly realized that my appearance could indeed attract attention.

It feels somewhat boastful to say directly, but one of the changes from harmonizing with nature’s mysteries as a druid includes physical growth.

My current height far exceeds the average for this era, probably close to 190cm.

Add to that the bear fur I’m wearing and the visibly high-quality staff in my hand.

From their perspective, I might look like some barbarian warrior carrying a magician’s staff—quite a peculiar sight.

Well, as long as there’s no malice behind their stares, I needn’t worry too much.

※ ※ ※

After entering the city, the first place I visited was, naturally, lodging for my stay.

Normally, I could live anywhere thanks to “Nature’s Hut,” but in places like this city where the concentration of natural mysteries is subtle, I can’t properly create a dwelling.

Besides, there’s no place to deploy Nature’s Hut in the city anyway.

So, using the funds I obtained from the baron recently, I rented a five-person room at the most expensive high-class inn in the city.

It’s an inn where money was deliberately invested to build various magical infrastructure, complete with magical security and all sorts of defensive measures, approaching the standards of a modern hotel.

[Master, it’s so soft here!]

[……..Yawn. Have a good time, Gregory.]

[Yeah! See you later!]

With Astra trying to sleep from exhaustion and the excited Corin and Robo, I let them loose inside the inn… and headed to the market district for my real purpose in this city.

I could go directly to the druid gathering, but the reason I specifically came to this Dreu Viscount’s domain was to purchase the specialty brandy as a gift for my mother.

While my mother shows considerable restraint when I’m around, I’ve seen her secretly enjoying strong, rich wines from the dozens of barrels stored in the basement.

So… the brandy from the Dreu Viscount’s domain, renowned for premium liquor, would make an excellent gift.

Brandy, a fruit-based distilled spirit… typically made by distilling wine and then aging it. Given that it uses already expensive wine as its base material, its price is astonishingly high.

The farmlands of the Dreu Viscount’s domain are not only nutrient-rich but also well-drained, and being located in the southern part of the kingdom, they enjoy abundant sunlight year-round—perfect conditions for growing grapes.

As a result, the wine from this region is considered premium in the Frankish Kingdom’s capital, and the brandy distilled from this high-quality wine is of such quality that it’s supplied to the royal family.

The viscount’s brandy is rich with sweet aromas. Though often masked by the high alcohol content and scent, once accustomed to the alcohol, one can appreciate its smooth taste and fragrance.

For a distilled spirit made from fruit wine, it’s remarkably smooth—despite its high alcohol content, it goes down easily without the typical aversion to alcohol, according to the reputation among the barony’s drinkers.

Of course, it’s also true that among distilled spirits, it has a particularly strong flavor profile.

Anyway, to purchase the brandy, I headed to the direct sales shop of the distillery operated by the lord himself—a shop located in the most prominent and crowded part of the market district.

Perhaps due to the high price of brandy, the shop selling only brandy didn’t have many customers.

Thanks to this, I immediately entered the shop intending to purchase two bottles of brandy, but…

“…I’m sorry, sir. The brandy you’ve inquired about is currently sold out.”

“Sold out…you say?”

“Yes. This month’s production hasn’t arrived from the distillery yet… However, a ship carrying the brandy is expected to arrive within three days.”

According to the clerk, the current stock of brandy in the shop was sold out, but a ship that regularly passes through the distillery via the river was expected to arrive within three days, which gave me some consolation.

“Then, is it possible to reserve two bottles now?”

“Yes! If you pay half the amount as a deposit, it’s certainly possible!”

“Good. I’ll make the reservation then.”

“Understood!”

So, judging that I could stay for about three days anyway, I placed a reservation for the brandy that would arrive in three days at this shop directly operated by the Dreu Viscount.

Even in an era where merchants are half swindlers and half unarmed robbers (sometimes armed), would anyone dare to embezzle money in a shop operated under the lord’s own name?

Especially when I had openly proven my identity as a druid, a mid-level or higher magician, through documents vouched for by a territorial noble (Baron Dren).

Therefore, as I was spending my time with peace of mind, suddenly a bolt from the blue was delivered through the shop clerk…

“…What?”

“I-I’m terribly sorry! Actually, river trolls have appeared in the river near the viscount’s domain, and the ship has been halted! It will take at least a few more days before your reserved items arrive!”

The news was that river trolls had appeared in the river that formed a major part of the viscount’s logistics flow, stopping all water transport, including the transport ship carrying the brandy.