Chapter 68: The Luxury Boutique Plan

Henry still puzzled over Sean's choices. Why a carpenter and a shoemaker for dwarven alcohol?

Sean stretched, newly awake. "The carpenter will craft brewing tools. Dwarven alcohol isn't complex—just need a still. The shoemaker? I saw divine footwear in the Light's realm. Replicating those designs could mint gold."

Henry gasped. "Divine shoes? Of course they'll sell!"

"Gather them at the mill outside the castle. And bring the slum children—light labor suits them."

Henry rushed off, nearly tripping in excitement.

…

Sean's real goal: a luxury boutique in Yorn. Four products:

Strong Alcohol: Distill local ale using copper stills (hence the carpenter). Dwarves crave it for their frigid highlands.Perfume: Distill flower petals with high-proof alcohol. A 6:4:1 blend of oil, water, and spirits—irresistible to noblewomen.High-Heeled Shoes: Crafted from monster hides, styled after "divine footwear" Sean "saw in the Light's realm." Practical for riding, elegant for balls.Romance Novels: Lodin's A Tear-Jerking Romance—perfect for bored nobles with disposable income.

…

In his study, Sean sketched blueprints:

Still Design: A wooden steam bucket over a boiling ale pot, bamboo tubes for condensation.Shoe Designs: Heeled boots and pointed pumps, detailed with intricate stitching and divine motifs.

An hour later, he joined Henry,two craftsmen, and twenty children at the mill.

"Lord Sean, meet Paul the carpenter and Jamie the shoemaker," Henry said. "Jamie crafted the old lord's boots—no one better in Riverside."

Jamie bowed, eyeing Sean's sketches. "These… curved heels? They'll need reinforced arches."

"Precisely," Sean said. "They're not just shoes—they're holy relics. The Light showed me this design during my divine vision."

Paul scratched his head. "And the still? You want a steam trap with a bamboo condenser?"

"Exactly. Build it sturdy—dwarves will pay for durability."

…

That evening, Sean tested the first batch of distilled alcohol. The pungent vapor made Lucio whistle. "This'll knock a bear flat! The dwarves will trade iron for this stuff."

Sean nodded. "And the nobles? Perfume and heels will drain their purses. They'll buy anything labeled'divine.'"

Windsor flipped through Lodin's latest manuscript. "What about the novels? Sophia's already obsessed."

Sean smirked. "Perfect. Noble ladies love drama. Lodin's books will sell themselves."

…

As night fell, Sean reviewed the mill's progress. The still took shape, Jamie's first prototype heel stood proudly on his workbench, and the children sorted flower petals for perfume.

"Constantinople's first export," he murmured. Not wheat or wool—luxury. Let the Church keep their indulgences. Real power is in gold.

Henry entered, carrying a flask of new brew. "The craftsmen whisper about divine inspiration, My Lord. Even the children believe you met the Light."

Sean sipped the harsh alcohol, ignoring the burn. "Good. Let the rumors spread. In Yorn, perception is reality."

Henry bowed. "And the boutique name? 'Divine Treasures of Light'?"

Sean laughed. "No. Call it… The Celestial Emporium. Sounds expensive."

…

Across the mill, Jamie held up a high-heeled boot, marveling at the design. "It's strange… but elegant. Do you think nobles will wear them?"

Sean clapped his shoulder. "They'll fight over them. Trust me—fashion is a religion for the rich."