Reborn As A Beastman With A System

Chapter 57: Selling Wine!

Following a modest morning meal and bidding farewell to Jean, Logan hefted a few kilograms of wine under his arm and made his way to a well-frequented wine shop in the heart of the town.

Upon entering, he was greeted by the warm, bustling ambiance of the store. "Good morning! Could I speak with the proprietor?" Logan inquired, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious shop.

This wasn't his first visit to this establishment; it was renowned for its extensive selection and thriving business. A sprightly fox girl, whose charm added to the shop's appeal, looked up from arranging bottles. "Hello! How may I assist you today?" she asked with a friendly tilt of her head.

"I'm a wine merchant and I have a proposition for your manager," Logan explained, opting not to divulge the full extent of his intentions. Claiming to be a merchant might facilitate a meeting with the boss more swiftly.

With a knowing nod, the fox girl responded, "Certainly! Please, give me a moment, I'll fetch my father for you."

Her father? Logan thought, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. So, the boss's daughter was his first point of contact!

Shortly, a figure emerged from the back of the shop. The boss of the Fox clan, a figure well-remembered by Logan, greeted him with a raised eyebrow. "Ah, our esteemed guest! It's good to see you again," he exclaimed, recognition sparking in his eyes.

"You've been here before, asking some basic questions about wine," he continued, puzzled. "But you're now a merchant?"

Gando, the shop owner, scrutinized Logan, wondering if perhaps he was a newcomer to the bustling wine scene of Canyon City. "Would you care to step inside for a more private conversation? I'm indeed a wine merchant, and I'd love for you to sample my offerings," Logan proposed earnestly.

With an inviting gesture, Gando ushered him into a cozy back room, surrounded by shelves laden with bottles from floor to ceiling. Though his store boasted only three primary types of wine, the variations exceeded twenty, each curated meticulously.

"I always look forward to discovering exceptional wines," Gando admitted as they settled into the intimate setting. "Please, make yourself comfortable. And how should I address you?"

Their discussion promised not only the potential exchange of fine wines but also the unfolding of deeper intentions hidden beneath the surface.

"My name is Logan," he declared, introducing himself with a nod.

"Mr. Logan, as a wine merchant, might I sample your wine?" Gando inquired, his eyes keen with professional curiosity.

Negotiations would come later; first impressions in their trade were made through taste, not numbers. "Absolutely, please do," Logan responded warmly.

Gando called out to the adjoining room, "Annie, bring us a bowl, please!"

Moments later, the boss's daughter, the same fox girl who had greeted Logan earlier, entered with a small bowl in hand and placed it delicately on the coffee table.

Without delay, Logan stood, unsealed the wooden wine bottle strapped to his side, and poured a careful measure into the bowl, the contents barely reaching the rim due to its modest size.

"Oh, what a delightful aroma and so clear!" exclaimed Annie, her expression one of genuine surprise as she admired the wine.

Gando, however, was wholly absorbed by the wine itself, his experienced eyes scrutinizing its clarity which reminded him of pristine water. The rich scent filled the room, challenging his decades of experience with its uniqueness.

"If it weren't for that rich aroma, I might mistake it for water," Gando murmured to himself, puzzled yet intrigued.

"What exactly is this variety?" he asked, turning back to Logan, his face etched with curiosity.

Logan, noticing Gando's bewilderment, simply gestured towards the bowl, inviting him to taste rather than continue guessing. "The true test of any wine lies in its taste," he suggested.

Gando prepared to sip, but as he brought the bowl to his lips, Logan offered a caution, his voice low but clear, "This wine is quite strong. It's best enjoyed slowly, just a sip to start."

Gando nodded, respecting the advice, his senses primed for an experience that promised to be as intoxicating as the aroma suggested.

Gando nodded affirmatively and brought the bowl to his lips to take a careful sip.

A sharp inhale followed, the wine was unexpectedly potent at first, but the initial pungency swiftly faded, replaced by a rich mellowness that blossomed across his palate.

"Remarkable!" Gando exclaimed, his eyes widening in appreciation. "In all my years, I've never encountered anything quite like this. It's magical!"

"Father, may I try some?" the fox girl, Annie, asked with an eager sparkle in her eyes.

With a fond smile, Gando passed her the bowl and then turned his attention back to Logan, his gaze intense with interest. "Mr. Logan, I am Gando Brand. You may call me Mr. Gando, or Mr. Brand, if you prefer."

He continued, slightly flustered by his excitement, "Where does this wine originate from? No, rather, is there a large enough supply? If the price is right, I am very keen to establish a partnership."

Logan responded with a confident smile. "I am not only the merchant but also the winemaker. There's plenty available, crafted by my own hands."

The revelation visibly startled Gando. The honor of meeting a master winemaker was not lost on him, a sentiment echoed by Annie, who paused mid-sip to gaze at Logan with wide-eyed admiration.

Recognizing the rarity and value of such a talent, Gando knew a winemaker was akin to a treasure trove for a wine merchant.

"Boss Gando, I would propose five silver coins per pound for this wine. Do you think we could work together under those terms?" Logan asked, shifting the dynamics of their negotiation.

"Yes, yes, of course!" Gando agreed eagerly, his response almost immediate.

As Gando savored another sip, realizing that compared to this exquisite wine, the usual fare he sold might as well be mundane, Logan interjected with a slight grin, "However, I do have one condition."

"Please, go ahead," Gando urged, leaning in with interest.

Logan cleared his throat, "As it stands, you're the only one aware of this unique wine. I'd like to leverage your network within the wine community here in Canyon City. It would be immensely helpful if you could introduce me to some other wine merchants or shop owners."

Gando, a seasoned veteran in the wine trade, certainly had the connections Logan needed. The plan was to use Gando's extensive network rather than approaching each potential client individually, which would be both time-consuming and less effective.

"To encourage your efforts," Logan continued, "I'm offering a tiered incentive. For every five introductions, you'll purchase my wine at four silver coins per pound. Introduce ten, and the price drops to three silver coins. Bring twenty, and it's only two silver coins per pound."

"And these rates will be permanent."

Gando's interest visibly peaked at the proposal. "Really? Are you serious about this?"

"Absolutely," Logan affirmed. "I'll include all these details in our cooperation agreement."

"Then it's a deal!" Gando declared, his eyes alight with the prospect of such a beneficial arrangement.

...

By mid-afternoon, Logan was back at his hotel, a signed cooperation contract with Gando securely in hand. The deal was set, but Logan was far from resting on his laurels. His next task was to secure 10,000 kg of rice for brewing, this batch was going to be substantial.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, however, he was unexpectedly greeted by Jean and Fisher.

"Why are you here?" Logan asked with a cheerful grin, genuinely surprised to see them so soon.

"This one," Jean said, grabbing Logan's wrist and gesturing towards her brother Fisher with her other hand, "ask him!"

Logan turned to Fisher, noting the mixed emotions playing across his face, anger, excitement, and a hint of resentment. "What's going on, brother Fish?" Logan asked, his smile remaining but his eyes searching Fisher's for an explanation.