Chapter 119 : Finely Brewed Honey Wine
Chapter 119: Finely Brewed Honey Wine
"Only, I believe that compared to food, perhaps these would be more suitable instead."As he spoke, Clement gestured with his hand, and a young girl appeared, her head lowered as she carried a bottle of wine.
The girl was about thirteen or fourteen years old. Her delicate face still carried a trace of baby fat, her skin was fair, and her brown long hair had been carefully braided and tied behind her back.
"My Morgan Family runs a brewing business, and the honey wine we produce is a premium honey wine that is very popular even in Greenwood City. It is specially supplied to the lord."
"Of course, now that the lord has been away for a long time, the family has a surplus batch of honey wine."As he spoke, the girl took small steps and walked to Marl's side.
Marl looked at her, his gaze narrowing as he sized her up from top to bottom.
Under Marl’s gaze, the girl slightly bowed, looking somewhat timid, like a young fawn—afraid yet trying hard to explore this unfamiliar environment.
She took the wine vessel, pulled out the wooden cork with effort, poured the honey wine into the vessel, then set down the empty bottle. She picked up the wine vessel and gave it a gentle shake, letting the rich sweetness spread through the air.
Compared to an actual maidservant, the girl’s movements were a bit clumsy.
"This batch of honey wine has been stored in the warehouse. I have been waiting for the lord’s return to offer it to him."Clement’s voice came again, drawing Marl’s attention.
"Only, as Monk Marl knows, the lord’s family is not populous, and the territory currently lacks a matron. Although there have always been rumors of a legitimate son, this son has yet to appear and maintain order in the territory."Clement smiled as he looked at Marl.
"So with the lord absent, this honey wine has been piling up."
"This is premium honey wine, something someone as humble as me cannot afford to drink, but letting it continue to sit would only spoil it."
"Waste is never a good thing—especially not for this honey wine that I take pride in."
"Thanks to Knight Wolf and the Church’s help in clearing out the bandits in the territory and securing the trade routes, we were able to connect with nobles from other territories, allowing this honey wine to be enjoyed by the noble."
"Therefore, I believe that the Servants of the Lord from the Church, who are willing to perform good deeds for people as humble as us, must also be noble. That’s why I’m willing to provide five hundred bottles of this honey wine to the Church free of charge."
"This is the Morgan Family’s gratitude to the Church."
After Clement finished speaking, the girl beside Marl took a cup, poured a full serving from the wine vessel, and carefully placed it on the table in front of Marl.
Then she stood back, holding the wine vessel, to Marl’s right side—at a spot where she would not interfere with Marl and Clement’s conversation, but where Marl could see her with a slight glance.
“Sarah is my youngest daughter, spoiled by the family. When she heard that Monk Marl would visit today, she insisted on coming to serve the wine.”Clement spoke after the girl, Sarah, finished her task.
"However, her skill in serving wine is still quite unrefined. One should not pour a cup of honey wine so full."
Marl laughed and said,
"Ultimately, when it comes to honey wine, it’s all about the taste."With that, he picked up the cup and took a sip. His rough motion caused some of the honey wine to spill from the cup.
"It is indeed delicious, much better than those fishy-smelling rye beers."Marl rolled up his sleeve and wiped his mouth.
"If this honey wine were sent to the Church, I think the bishop would be quite pleased."
"But it’s only a beverage. What our warriors need is food—flatbread, meat—so I hope Mister Clement can be accommodating."
"Of course, whether it’s food or this honey wine, the Church will pay according to market price."
"This is the Lord’s Teachings. We are not bandits. We follow the order set by the Lord."
After speaking, Marl leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Clement. This leaning motion also caused the girl, Sarah, to fall out of his line of sight.
"As you say."Clement nodded."Although the family’s food supplies are currently strained, I certainly support the noble act of you and the warriors clearing out the bandits."
"I will provide enough food for you and your warriors for five days. Before the Morning Star rises tomorrow, I will have someone send it to you."
"Thank you for your support."Marl nodded slightly, then stood up.
"Please send the honey wine to the Church. I only brought gold coins to purchase food when I left. These extras require Miss Melia’s approval."With that, he turned to leave.
Melia had yet to be officially recognized and to don the monk’s robe to become a monk.
"Are you not staying in the manor tonight? I’ve already had a room prepared for you."Clement stood up and asked.
"No, I am now one of the warriors, so I need to stay with them."Marl didn’t look back. He simply waved a hand and walked out.
Clement quickly followed him to the door, watching as Marl walked into the darkness toward the nearby campfire-lit encampment.
The manor’s main gate closed. Clement’s expression darkened. He returned to the hall and walked over to Sarah, who was still standing with her head down. With one hand, he snatched the wine vessel from her arms and, as if venting his emotions, poured it into his mouth.
The honey-colored wine, golden like honey, dripped from the corner of his mouth, soaking the collar of his clothes.
"Hah～"He finished the wine in the vessel in one breath, then casually threw it aside. Bloodshot eyes glanced at Sarah.
"Useless thing, take off those clothes and go crawling back to your lowborn mother."His voice was low and cursed.
Sarah’s body trembled. She bowed deeply and, with shaking legs, left.
"After all, she carries your bloodline. Why treat her so harshly?"Only after Sarah left did a voice speak.
It was a young man in his early twenties. His pale yellow undershirt hung loosely, and his stance was somewhat slack.
"She couldn’t even entice a monk born of commoners. What use is she then."Clement looked over."A lowborn illegitimate girl like that—if she wasn’t somewhat pretty and still had some value—how could I possibly allow her to stay in the manor."
"And you, Ishus. I know you’ve had your eye on her for a long time, but she still has her uses. If you can’t control that thing of yours, I won’t mind helping you with it."Clement’s gaze darkened, his words cold.
"Oh, Father, dear Father. I am your only child still at home."Ishus spread his arms, speaking without a trace of fear.
Clement sneered coldly and looked at Ishus.
"Your older brother is already a knight, and your younger brother has entered the Monastery for study. Only you remain at home."
"That’s because you neither have the ability to become a knight, nor are you within the age range for the Monastery."
"If you wish to inherit my position, to become the head of the family, then you must learn restraint."
"If you can’t learn it, then as a father who loves you, naturally I must help you."
"You already have two children. Even if that thing of yours is gone, it doesn’t matter."
"Its mission is already complete."