Chapter 64: Prohibition (3)

When the Twelve Towers implemented the Prohibition Act, I realized that this law was targeting the White Tower.

The one profiting the most from the distilled spirits was our White Tower.

The Twelve Towers, with their sense of authority, would never have looked kindly upon this.

"I never thought they would go as far as to introduce a Prohibition Law."

The fact that the Twelve Towers could enforce Prohibition was surprising, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't entirely impossible.

The Ministry of Magic, responsible for the health of the citizens of the empire, was composed of wizards from the Twelve Towers.

It was a foregone conclusion that the Ministry of Magic was tacitly endorsing Prohibition.

Of course, it was only possible if the autonomous lords agreed...

"This would have been easier for them."

The local lords had negative feelings towards me because I took away their 'Gruit Power' by creating hop beer.

It was rather strange that there were no ill feelings considering that the tax on alcohol had been reduced to a tenth.

In addition, there was also a record of popularizing oil, which had previously been the exclusive domain of the upper class.

If it was about restraining the White Tower, the ones who would welcome it with open arms were the local lords.

On the other hand, the reason the royal family was merely observing the prohibition law was to keep the Church in check.

Because the monasteries started selling distilled spirits, the Church also began to thrive.

In many ways, this prohibition law can be seen as a result of the alignment of each party's interests.

The problem was that, regardless of the interests involved, the law itself had no basis in reality.

"Even though the brewers went bankrupt, it is said that the alcohol on the streets has actually doubled compared to before."

"It seems like they're using a loophole."

"Yes their methods are quite clever."

Count Trion chuckled dryly as he spoke.

Brandy potions became available to the masses and at the apothecary, their most popular product is 'disinfectant.'

'Whiskey is alcohol when you think about it.'

Of course, whiskey below 70 degrees won't help with sterilization, but since it wasn't originally bought for disinfection purposes, no one seems to care.

Besides, it seemed that the cold medicine whiskey was popular as a sister product.

"The nobles are said to take a boat to a territory without Prohibition, enjoy a drinking party, and then return."

"Isn't it better to go by land?"

"It seems merchants have created a thorough crackdown on land routes for alcohol tourism."

"Are boats not being stopped?"

"I heard they registered under foreign flags. If it's not an imperial ship then there's no way to stop them from sailing."

Count Trion shook his head in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe it himself.

"They say that dwarves secretly hide and brew alcohol to sell."

"...Dwarves?"

"They say the alcohol sold by the pharmacists is bad, so they make it themselves."

"...."

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

I never imagined that dwarves would be bootlegging and making moonshine.

The reason itself was quite absurd.

"Hey, this is tasteless. You sell this kind of crap for this price? I'd make it better than this myself."

If an ordinary person had said something like that, they would have been laughed at, but the problem was that they were dwarves.

The dwarves, known for their strong execution and natural craftsmanship, undertook the bold act of brewing their own alcohol.

Even if it didn't taste good, the liquor distilled by the dwarves was far superior to the brandy made in the monastery, making it worth every penny.

The typical example of "I could do better than this" was the dwarf.

It is said that their stubbornness was so extreme that they completely ignored the Prohibition laws, which became a societal issue.

'...Is the bootleggers in the otherworld are dwarves instead of the mafia?'

There were many smugglers who secretly brought in and sold alcohol from outside, but it seemed that the dwarves were the ones leading the groups that made the alcohol themselves.

Thanks to that, it was an advantage that cheap alcohol containing 'methanol' didn't come out.

Because of the dwarves' influence, the quality of the alcohol has even improved compared to before Prohibition.

Whether this is good or bad was ambiguous.

"It seems that the ones smuggling alcohol are vampires."

"Of course that makes sense."

I nodded as if I had expected it.

In the empire's underworld, there exists a humanoid race known as vampires, in addition to humans.

The kind that sucks blood.

It was a story about those who had become entrenched in the darkness of human society were promoting the smuggling of alcohol.

Even if the lords enforce strict measures, the vampires, who are residents of the night, are a species specialized in hiding.

Dwarves and vampires.

It seems that even the wizards from the Twelve Towers have ventured into the 'Brandy Potion ' side.

They made the Prohibition law and then sold distilled liquor themselves, it was unbelievable.

"Anyway, it's a total mess."

I expected there would be confusion due to Prohibition, but this was complete chaos.

As Count Trion's explanation continued, Aria asked me.

"Did you know it would turn out like this?"

"Roughly."

When Prohibition was enacted, I told Aria that it would have the opposite effect.

Historically, there has never been a precedent where the law has triumphed over alcohol.

Above all, the Eastern countries that the Ministry of Magic used as 'role models' while pushing for the Prohibition Act were in different circumstances from the Empire.

The eastern countries of the otherworld were 'food-scarce nations,' and therefore, alcohol was considered a 'luxury' enjoyed only by a very few.

Given that there was already nothing to eat, making alcohol would mean people would starve to death, so the Prohibition Act was enacted for practical reasons.

It wasn't that they couldn't drink because it was prohibited, but because there was no alcohol available.

On the other hand, the empire was a country where even the state Church encouraged drinking.

'Ignoring the foundation entirely and enacting prohibition laws, how could that possibly work?'

Of course, it was true that our magic tower suffered immense losses due to the Prohibition Act.

However, since I anticipated how the Prohibition Act would turn out, I made the necessary preparations.

The reason Count Trion came to see me was also to inform me of the progress.

Welch's grape juice was released in the central region today. The southern and eastern regions will also receive distribution in sequence.

Grape juice.

To be precise, it's 'grape brick'.

What I brought up as an alternative to Prohibition was none other than the famous "grape brick."

'You can't stop this.'

During the Prohibition era in the United States, when wine was restricted, "non-alcoholic wine" emerged.

That is the very first grape juice, 'Welch's.'

However, other grape farmers, except for Welch's, did not know how to make grape juice.

Welch's naturally did not reveal their secret formula, and the grape farms were devastated.

In the meantime, a certain grape farmer comes up with an incredible idea.

─No, you just need to sell it with the name grape juice, right?

It was just like Welch's, which sold products under the name 'juice.'

If left alone, fermentation would proceed and it would turn into 'alcohol,' but until then, it could be called 'juice.'

Selling juice in brick form was a means to delay fermentation as much as possible.

It was ultimately a struggle for survival by grape farms that didn't know how to make juice, but it garnered a lot of support from many Americans.

When you buy it, it's 'juice,' but when you drink it, it turns into 'alcohol'—a magical product has been born.

It was a loophole created by Welch's pioneering a new category called 'juice.'

"But is it okay to sell a drink that turns into alcohol?"

"What's the big deal about selling juice?"

"...."

"...."

At my bold assertion, Count Trion and Aria were simultaneously left speechless.

I told you not to sell alcohol, but I didn't say anything about selling juice.

"How do we stop this?"

It's like saying it's a brick, but it's actually a lump of fruit. If we block this, we should prevent the entire empire from selling fruit.

Even the emperor can't do that.

"Still, wouldn't there be a problem if we trip and fall?"

"I knew it would happen, so I put up a warning notice."

I showed the grape bricks I had set aside.

However, despite the opposition from the citizens of the empire, the Prohibition Act was enacted.

"Is this a warning notice or a recipe?"

"A warning notice."

Depending on how you read it, it could be a recipe, but that's up to interpretation.

"...You really are clever with your tricks."

Aria shook her head vigorously.

*

[Healthy grape juice Welch's!]

A healthy grape brick that is both delicious and good for the body has been launched in the empire.

And the citizens of the empire doubted their eyes after reading the warning written below.

※ Warning: If you store this grape juice with sugar and water for more than 7 days, it will turn into wine.

To eat healthily, be sure to consume within 7 days.

"What is this?"

"Are you saying it will turn into wine?"

"Is he a genius? How could someone come up with such an idea..."

The citizens of the empire, having read the warning message carefully, all rushed to buy grape bricks.

Of course, no one followed the warning.

And on the seventh day.

"Oh, it's wine!"

"Crazy! It's real! It's real! "

"Woo!"

The citizens of the empire were ecstatic to witness the miracle of bricks turning into wine.

The story that grape bricks could turn into alcohol spread through word of mouth.

"I don't need to go to Church anymore!"

"Welch's is tastier than Church wine."

"Try adding a little MSG. This adds a mature taste, you know?"

A month later, all the citizens in the street walked around holding a grape brick each.

Naturally this caught the attention of the guards enforcing the drinking ban.

"Hey! Hey, you over there! Do you not know that wine is illegal?!"

"This isn't wine, it's grape juice."

"Don't play dumb. I came because I received a report that it turns into wine after a week."

"So, in your eyes, is this wine or grape juice?"

"...Ju, Juice."

"So, you stopped me from drinking juice right now? Then are you saying I shouldn't drink juice right now?"

"...."

The guard, who was at a loss for words, had to let go of the citizen he was holding.

"Mm."

Is grape brick juice or alcohol?

The guard, lost in deep contemplation, headed towards the headquarters.

The guard, coming out of the warehouse, was holding a grape brick in his hand.

*

"Wine is made from grape bricks, how can it become juice!"

"This guy is up to his nonsense again!"

The local lords who heard the news about these grape bricks went into a frenzy.

They brought the prohibition law to take revenge against the White Tower, but then this guy came out with some ridiculous item again.

Oh my, juice and alcohol together?

What kind of wordplay is this?

Of course, they sent a letter of protest to the White Tower. The response they received was astonishing.

"Is there any problems with selling juice?"

The moment they saw the heavy grape brick that had been sent along with it, saying to take care of my health.

"Y-you crazy bastard!"

"Ahh!"

The sound of bricks breaking and screams echoed through the lords' mansion.

*

It didn't even take three months for Welch's to sweep the Prohibition Act.

The upper class secretly interacted with dwarves or vampires, but for the common people, a single grape brick was enough to soothe their hearts for the day.

The sales of the White Tower, which had been hit hard by Prohibition, also began to recover with the launch of Welch's.

The lords had fits, saying this made no sense, but it was of no use.

"They say it's juice, but what are they going to do about it?"

Of course, not all problems were solved by just the grape bricks.

It was true that brewers and farmers were still suffering because of Prohibition.

Unfortunately, it was beyond my ability to solve all the problems.

It was one of those days when Prohibition continued on.

"Senior, have you heard the news? Vampires are getting into dairy farming."

"Dairy farming? Are you talking about milk?"

 "Yes, milk."

Why are the guys who used to sell moonshine suddenly start messing with milk?

I felt puzzled, but with Aria's subsequent words, I couldn't help but fall deeper into confusion.

"They say they're threatening the Dairy Farming Association to produce fresh milk."

"???"

What on earth is this nonsense?