Chapter 322
Chapter 322
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 322
Chapter Title: Gehenna's Host Bar (5)
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The bottle Takasho willingly brought out was Dom Pérignon.
Siu could once again confirm Takasho's fanatic obsession with the stuff.
Wearing white gloves, Takasho handled the champagne in the ice bucket like it was a priceless heirloom.
"The moment I heard you'd be helping out, I finished chilling it just for Lady Periwinkle. Champagne bottles need to withstand the carbonation, so the glass is thicker than regular wine, which means they require longer chilling times."
He carefully wrapped the bottle—cooled to the perfect drinking temperature—in a white napkin and presented it for inspection.
"What I've prepared is Dom Pérignon 1973 P3 Plénitude Brut. It's from the legendary '70s vintages and highly acclaimed even among them."
"Now that's a different story altogether."
Siu noticed Periwinkle's eyes sparkling.
Truth be told, Siu didn't know much about vintages or anything like that.
But judging by the bottle's imposing aura and Periwinkle's utterly delighted reaction, it was clearly no ordinary luxury liquor.
"I'll open it now."
"Yes, please do."
Takasho cradled the bottle against his chest with military precision, tilting the neck forward at an angle.
Then, with a blunt knife that resembled a ceremonial saber, he sliced through the neck in one smooth motion.
It was the sabrage technique—using the pressure from the bubbles inside the champagne combined with the blade's strike on the lower neck to cleanly sever the top.
Pop!
A crisp sound accompanied a wisp of frosty vapor.
As the cork and neck flew off into the distance, Periwinkle clapped her hands in delight.
"Nice form!"
"Thank you."
Takasho steadied the base with one hand while wrapping the body in the napkin with the other, then carefully poured into Periwinkle's and Siu's glasses.
A slightly deeper golden hue than before.
It was almost magical to see the bubbles still lively after fifty years.
"Here, you drink some too."
Combined with the elegant champagne flutes and the lighting, it shimmered like a sea cradling stars, exuding pure luxury.
Periwinkle happily handed a glass to Siu as well.
"This looks way too expensive for me to drink."
"Does it? Madam, how much is this?"
"Including Gehenna's tariffs, it's about 24 pounds in gold. We price it at 35 pounds for sale."
"Doesn't this make you feel properly treated?"
Siu's jaw dropped.
Gehenna's economy operated on a completely different structure from the modern world, so it was hard to pin down exactly what one gold pound was worth.
But from rough estimates during his slave days, one pound was around 840,000 won.
In other words, this single bottle of champagne cost over 20 million won just to import—nearing 30 million with markup.
While Siu sat there stunned, Takasho continued his sommelier-like explanation.
"First off, you'll get the signature Dom Pérignon gunsmoke aroma in full. It's not as fruity as a rosé, but instead, you'll taste nutty notes like roasted almonds and feel those creamy, clinging bubbles."
"You've done your homework, huh?"
"I figured it was necessary if I wanted you to feel properly treated. I'm making the other hosts study up too."
"Good, very good."
Periwinkle sipped the champagne with a satisfied smile.
"I like your spending style too. If you'd skimped like some cheapskate, I'd have been disappointed. You've got spirit."
"How could I haggle over prices when you're giving me such valuable advice?"
Takasho might be struggling now, but he was clearly no ordinary guy.
Siu wouldn't have dreamed of such lavish treatment in this tough business climate.
The consulting session kicked off right alongside the champagne.
"Alright, where should we start fixing things? Let me see the ledger again."
"Right here."
1.
"First off, scrap the entry fee. Like I said earlier, it makes customers feel tiered. Provide the entry wine and Dom Pérignon for free as standard."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Huh?"
Takasho nodded readily, but Siu was the one who looked shocked beside him.
Siu had been glancing at the same ledger Periwinkle was reviewing.
This wasn't some cheap soju or canned beer.
Those bottles were priced at 1 or 3 pounds each.
"If the witches just drink the free stuff and leave without ordering more, won't you take a straight loss?"
"Simple math says yes."
Periwinkle crossed her arms with a knowing smile.
"But I told you, didn't I? Witches and rich folks both have their own brand of arrogance. We're going to flip that against them."
Gehenna's witches were generally wealthy.
Especially those lingering in Lenormand Town and visiting the Malkuth Gallery for leisure.
"You think an arrogant witch would snag free drinks and bolt? With other witches watching? That'd trash her dignity and reputation."
"Even if one tried, she'd catch flak from everyone and never set foot here again."
"Makes sense."
"Oh, our cute little Siu. I have to spell everything out from one to ten—adorable."
Periwinkle pinched Siu's cheek before continuing.
"Anyway, replace the entry fee with tips. Turn it into the customers—feeling like they've been treated rather than just buying service—handing over gold as a sign of satisfaction. That nuance matters more than you think.
The Dom Pérignon lineup feels off if you're paying for it outright, but it's also too pricey to just grab for free without a second thought. Out of pride, they'll tip generously—more than the booze costs—if you entertain them right."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"One more thing. Add extra meaning to the 'gifts' customers order.
Cut back on mid-tier cognacs, whiskeys, wines, brandies—go for the top-shelf stuff whenever possible. Like that champagne you served me: something that makes them think, 'Wow, I had something special tonight.' Your selection's too limited and low on stock right now."
"What about the mid-tier we've already got?"
"Keep stocking them but reduce order quantities. If you only have ultra-expensive bottles, it'll scream 'These guys are out to bleed us dry.' Leave some mid-range options for contrast—that really drives home the luxury feel."
Takasho, scribbling down Periwinkle's advice furiously, looked a bit troubled.
"Still, sourcing these high-end liquors one by one isn't easy for me. Supply's scarce compared to demand, money aside."
Takasho only had connections through the Adonai Merchant Guild—he couldn't snap up rare bottles at will.
"Hmm, fair point. Fine, I'll help with that too. My hotel has multiple suppliers."
"Really?"
Takasho's eyes went wide, his earlier hesitation vanishing as he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
"Of course. He's your best friend's buddy, right? I had business here anyway, but I'm tied up now. Next time I'm in the modern world, I'll hook you up. What you've got should tide you over till then."
Takasho's face eased as Periwinkle's generous support rolled in.
Sure, he'd played it cool, but it had to have been stressful as hell.
His life was on the line with the business wilting away.
Periwinkle flipped through the ledger, pointing out more tweaks.
She roughly sorted the monthly liquor orders by type and price, even promising intros to Gehenna firms that rented art for interior decor.
"Think about running events on a regular schedule too. Key is not letting it get stale too fast."
"Already on it."
"Once you're established, issue membership cards. Scarcity screams exclusivity."
"Never crossed my mind. I'll look into it."
"Your margins are too low compared to operating costs."
"We're already at 40-50%."
"Yeah. Raise prices instead—comp with better service or freshen up the decor to keep the vibe alive."
Three hours had flown by amid the business talk.
In short, Takasho's lackluster performance stemmed from a too-commoner mindset; Periwinkle polished it to a shine.
"And the last issue..."
Not everything was solved yet.
This host bar still had a major problem.
"How to draw in customers. Gehenna businesses thrive on witch word-of-mouth, but you missed the timing and lost momentum. Bad buzz is probably spreading by now."
"Hmm..."
"Plus, the brothels and grand bathhouses' Pleasure Gardens have over a century head start. As a latecomer, you'll need serious effort to catch up—you're poaching regulars."
"So, promotion's the hurdle."
Even Periwinkle had no sharp fix for this, letting out a thoughtful hum.
"Newspaper ads...?"
"No. Too tacky. Oh, and ditch that sidewalk sign outside."
"Got it."
Siu, who'd been quietly observing, spoke up.
Actually, he'd been mulling this since hearing Takasho's plight.
He'd sought Periwinkle's help for a fundamental solution, but he had his own idea.
"Lady Periwinkle, would I make decent promo material?"
"Oh? Yeah! There you are!"
Periwinkle's face lit up, while Takasho—who still didn't get it—tilted his head.
"A bar where you can meet the first male witch? Irresistible."
Siu wasn't just some minor celeb.
As he'd seen in Border Town, witches flocked to him just by walking by—like the Pied Piper.
In Gehenna's word-of-mouth booze biz, what could top this bold hook?
His infamy already kept him off the streets anyway.
Might as well put this tainted rep to good use for a friend.
"Siu's handsome, sure, good at hosting, knows magic—but really that big a draw?"
"Nobody in Gehenna's got more buzz than Siu right now. Every witch in Lenormand Town will drop by at least once."
Takasho eyed Siu with a mix of doubt and wonder.
"I didn't ask for this life. Guess it's a blessing in disguise."
"What the hell have you been up to...?"
Takasho dropped his host persona in sheer disbelief as Periwinkle wrapped up.
"No starting tomorrow—day after, we launch Project Save the Host Bar full throttle."
After final tips on details—and a generous tip covering the champagne—Periwinkle left in high spirits.
That very evening, Siu dove into intensive training under Takasho: table manners, witch etiquette, light trivia for smooth chat, Gehenna current events for cultured talk.
It was surprisingly detailed and rigorous.
"Memorize this cold."
Table manners alone: When adding ice to a glass, angle the depression sideways.
Keep both hands above the table.
Lower glasses silently, cushioning with fingertips.
Pour so the spout doesn't point toward the customer.
How to light a lady's cigarette.
And so on.
Strict, formal etiquette training.
He got basic witch-handling tips too, but beyond manners, nothing was too tough for Siu.
Five years as a slave had drilled in witch mindsets and pandering basics.
After an all-nighter of crash course, the day arrived.
Gehenna's one-and-only host bar, Rose Glass, was set for its grand reopening.