Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 309

Wine

Chapter 309 Ice Grape Wine

Riley nodded beside them, gesturing for the four natives to put their money pouches away.

Jack sheepishly slipped the pouch back into his clothes. He thought for a second and spoke up.

“We were short–sighted. Honorable mages would never care about ordinary coins. We have nothing valuable to offer.

“We can give you one barrel of our Ice Grape Wine. That is the most we can spare. Any more would get us in trouble with the winery.

“Right, exactly. It feels awkward eating in front of you while you watch. I’ll go grab a barrel so you can taste it

Jack called Tom over, and the two men headed into the yard to fetch the wine.

They soon carried an oak barrel back into the house.

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The barrel was thick with brass hoops wrapped around its body. A carved flower emblem was stamped onto the dark wood surface.

“This is our Ice Grape Wine.”

Jack carefully set the barrel on the table while Tom fitted a wooden spout onto it.

“Wine from Winterhold City is famous across the entire continent. High Court Winery is one of our best vineyards,” Jack explained proudly.

“I’m definitely excited to try it.”

Riley’s interest was piqued.

TartKing pulled out several clear glass cups and passed them around.

Jack and his group politely refused any wine for themselves, insisting the barrel was purely a gift for the three girls.

Pop–the cork popped free.

A rich, strong wine aroma instantly filled the whole room.

The liquid inside glowed violet, shimmering with tiny flecks of light under the indoor lamps.

“It smells amazing!”

Even TartKing, who knew nothing about wine, breathed in deeply.

“This smells way better than those expensive bottles I bought from supermarkets back home?

Tom proudly puffed out his chest.

“Of course. This is our highest quality batch of the year”

As a winemaker, Tom gained confidence the second he started talking about tus craft.

Chapter 309 Ice Grape Wine

Before he could keep boasting, Riley poured herself a glass. She swirled the liquid gently and took a small sip.

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The wine tasted cold with a faint sour sweetness at first. Bold fruity flavors burst across her tongue, followed by smooth oa with subtle cream and vanilla hints.

It easily outclassed every bottle of wine Riley had ever tasted back on Blue Star. Not that she had ever drunk anything fancy

anyway.

The strangest part was the warmth. Once the cold liquid hit her stomach, it turned into a soft, gentle heat that chased away chill in her body.

[System Notification: You have consumed Ice Grape Wine.]

[Buff Received: Warm Buzz]

[Effect: Cold Resistance +10%, Mood slightly improved, Mana Affinity +5%.]

Riley’s eyes lit up. She stared down at her glass in surprise.

“This wine gives an actual buff?”

“How is it?” Tom and Jack stared at her eagerly. Seeing her smile, they waited proudly for her reply.

“It’s incredible.”

Riley did not hold back her praise.

“We’re glad you like it.”

Jack let out a relieved breath with a simple grin.

PineappleBeer usually kept quiet around strangers, but even she found herself giving genuine compliments after taking a sip.

“It’s okay. You guys should drink too. Don’t be tense. We’re easy to get along with.” Tartking offered warmly.

Thinking back to how brutally the three girls had crushed the stone golem, Jack still felt cautious. But without that terrifying image fresh in his mind, they really did seem kind and approachable.

Slowly, the four natives relaxed. Everyone poured themselves a drink, and the atmosphere grew warm and casual

Riley told everyone to sit down on the soft carpet.

Like a magician, Tartking pulled a pile of snacks out of her inventory: jerky, seasoned nuts, plus chocolate and potato chips Rhey had stocked up from vending machines.

“Try these!”

Tartking handed Lily a strip of jerky. “It’s a little spicy, but it pairs perfectly with wine?

Lily took a tiny cautious bite. The sharply burning spice made her cough instantly Still, the strange savory flaver hooked her. She gasped for air while taking another bite

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