Dourk Tavern, Walluo City

0810, 26 Jun 2025

During the last week, Dourk Tavern visitors had increased rapidly and were still increasing. The visitors initially captivated by Amur Beer, then became captivated by the various new menus offered by Dourk Tavern.

Since two days ago, nobles at Walluo Castle even started sending their servants to buy various new menus at Dourk Tavern.

The supply of spices and other commodities from Amethyst Merchant had made the quality and variety of menus at Dourk Tavern multiply. For example, steaks and roasts at Dourk Tavern now were served with a dozen different sauces made using a wide variety of wine as a base.

Large chunks of boneless canned salmon also sold well when lightly grilled and served with a fruit wine sauce.

Once every three days Old Dourk would also bring in smoked meat, sausage, cheese, bacon, butter, yogurt, pasta, and bread that Amethyst Merchant produces locally in Magwurt City.

In the Amstell Continent, the commoner could only consume black bread which was hard like wooden blocks, and it must be thinly sliced ​​if it was not served with soup. Therefore, the new kind of bread that Dourk Tavern had served, instantly became Walluo City residents' favorite menu.

The candied fruit, perry, and cider offered by Dourk Tavern also sold well even though they were immediately served with ice cubes, without any additional touch.

To this moment, Old Dourk was still amazed every time he looked at the ice cube machine and the solar panel that powers it. This magic mechanism made Dourk Tavern the only shop in Walluo City that was able to provide ice cubes.

Nothing beats the allure of a cold beer when you're exhausted after a hard day's work. Therefore, the popularity of Amur Beer at Dourk Tavern had increased dramatically. Moreover, Dourk Tavern also received an additional supply of Lada Whiskey, which like other Amethyst Merchant products, had premium quality at affordable prices.

However, on the advice of Lt. Col. Slane, Old Dourk had to impose a rule that each customer could only order alcoholic drinks for a maximum of two servings. That way only visitors who intended to fill their stomachs would visit Dourk Tavern.

Meanwhile, people who wanted to relax and chat while drinking would go to the bar, considering that Dourk Tavern's capacity was not much even though the expansion had been made.

Of course, this did not affect Dourk Tavern's profits because Amur Beer and Lada Whiskey were already became the main menus in almost every bar in Walluo City.

Initially only small bars took Amur Beer from Old Dourk. However, after the middle and upper-class bars realized that they could not possibly reproduce Amur Beer anytime soon, they ended up taking Amur Beer as well. Although they were secretly still trying to reproduce the new beer.

When Old Dourk expressed his concern over Amur Beer's plagiarism, Lt. Col. Slane casually asked him to stay focused on Dourk Tavern and ignore everything else. Without many words, Old Dourk carried out this advice.

Old Dourk also had to increase the price of Amur Beer at his shop to 10 coins/glass because he sells Amur Beer to bar owners for 8 coins/glass, that way the bar owners could get adequate customers and there was no unnecessary competition.

Ironically, Old Dourk was not aware that at this time he already had the earning equivalent of a middle-class noble who had a fertile field.

Since the beginning, Lt. Col. Slane had predicted that Amur Beer would provide massive income, and with access to cheap spices and modern food staples, it's only a matter of time before Dourk Tavern develop into a titan in food business.

Lt. Col. Slane looked at every corner of the Dourk Tavern which was being cleaned by Old Dourk's wife and two daughters before speaking, "As long as you don't enter the spices market that the nobles have monopolized on, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to draw their attention."

Lt. Col. Slane nodded in satisfaction before asking, "What about Sturk?"

"Now he helps me with the preparations. So my wife is demoted to become a washer and helps my two daughters clean."

Old Dourk glanced at his wife for a moment before continuing.

"But she doesn't complain because the cleaning items supplied by Amethyst Merchant greatly facilitate her job."

Lt. Col. Slane gave a small smile before holding out two clocks in front of Old Dourk, who immediately became dumbfounded.

As a cook who had lived in Walluo Castle, Old Dourk understood the concept of time. He also knew that the only clock in Walluo Castle was the size of two wardrobes with the price of a medium-sized field. As for clocks that are slightly smaller in size, the price could be up to two or three times.

Meanwhile, the two clocks offered by Lt. Col. Slane are only 30x30 cm in size, with elegant shapes and colors with the words 'Amethyst Merchant' in the middle.

While staring at the dumbfounded Old Dourk, Lt. Col. Slane said, "A small gift from Amethyst Merchant, one for the kitchen and one for the shop."

"It's no small gift. I can't accept it."

"Feel free, this is Amethyst Merchant's way of appreciating business associates." Lt. Col. Slane smiled before continuing, "This afternoon I'm going back to Magwurt City. If you need to talk to me, come to the Joker Trading Post, the personnel there will put you in touch with me."

Old Dourk took a deep breath before saying, "You have such a kind heart, may the gods who live in heaven always be with you."

Lt. Col. Slane realized the gods that Old Dourk meant were just figments, but he did not reject Old Dourk's good intentions.

"I pray they'll be with you too, and thank you for the breakfast."

Lt. Col. Slane then left Dourk Tavern with his bodyguards, and of course with Captain Rumus.

As the group from Magwurt City reached the city gates, Captain Rumus could no longer hold back the restlessness in his heart.

"Ser Slane, I'm sorry if I'm presumptuous, but I think Amethyst Merchant deserves a bigger partner."

"Captain, don't worry too much about it, because our mission in Walluo City has been accomplished well."

Lt. Col. Slane goal was a promotion, not finding big partners, and the promotions through Dourk Tavern gave very positive results. Walluo City residents did not show any negative sentiment towards Amur Beer, Lada Whiskey, or other Amethyst Merchant products.

Lt. Col. Slane didn't even need to ward off the negative rumors that were being spread by the merchants from the North Coalition. This was a great success according to him.

Of course, it wasn't because the residents of Walluo City trusted Amethyst Merchant's products, but because they believed in Old Dourk who had a good heart, and would never harm his customers no matter how much profit Amethyst Merchant offered to him.

With a cheerful heart, Lt. Col. Slane then left Walluo City.

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