Valhalla Brewer

Tony was a man of tremendous initiative.

And he had an enormous amount of money.

So within half an hour, he selected a large factory district near the Great Lakes in Upstate New York, one with an excellent environment, for relocation and reconstruction.

It would not only become Jarvis’s new home, but also the Avengers’ New Headquarters.

Steve had never been able to appreciate Avengers Tower. Maybe things would be much better now.

Besides, there was enough space over there for the Avengers to train and wreak havoc to their hearts’ content. It was far more convenient than being stuck in a building.

By the time Oaks returned after handling the affairs of the Asia Branch, Stark Industries’ formidable construction crews had already completed the New Headquarters…

Meanwhile, Wanda and Pietro had also joined the Avengers, though they were stationed aboard the Nature Guardian and underwent field training at the training base.

It seemed that the Avengers had now split into two groups: one that fought criminals and one that benefited humanity.

Even Oaks joked that the people on his side ought to be called Service Providers rather than Avengers.

"So they just moved over there? That was way too fast! Bruce isn’t even around."

In the Little Rainforest, Oaks was complaining to Matt about Tony’s moving speed.

"What are they using the original Avengers Tower for, then?"

"For now, it’s back to serving as Stark Industries’ R&D center."

There were faint bruises on Matt’s face, causing Oaks to raise an eyebrow strangely.

"All right, I’ll go take a look later… What happened to you?"

"Uh, I got a few minor injuries while practicing with Xu Shangqi and Pietro."

Matt awkwardly rubbed his face, but soon looked proud again.

"President, I’ve completely adapted to my enhanced senses now. With vision added in, I think I can take on two of my former selves!"

"Oh? Congratulations… You’re progressing fast."

Oaks rubbed his fingers together and healed the bruises on Matt’s face. After thanking him, Matt hesitated for a moment before asking:

"President, what is our relationship with that bar called Valhalla Bar?"

Oaks froze, then heard Matt scratch his head with a complicated expression.

"After taking over the affairs of the America Branch, I noticed that New York has been rather strange lately—"

"The public safety in Hell’s Kitchen, where I grew up, has become unbelievably good. It’s like the whole neighborhood was replaced. I hadn’t gone back in a while, and when I did last time, I almost didn’t recognize it!"

"And my classmates who work as lawyers have reported similar things. Several of New York’s most dangerous areas, the ones with persistently high crime rates, have all undergone the same kind of change recently…"

"And what those neighborhoods have in common is that Valhalla Bar opened there."

Matt adjusted his sunglasses—he still wore them out of habit, though he could see perfectly well through them.

"President, this isn’t a bar run by Asgardians, is it?!"

"You noticed."

Oaks stroked his chin. Of course, given Matt’s profession, it was only natural for him to notice such things.

And now that Matt managed the Little Rainforest, there was no need to keep it from him any longer…

"Have you met Valhalla’s brewer?"

Oaks beckoned Matt to follow him deeper into the Little Rainforest, toward the brewing workshop Oaks had specially built for Old Man Odin. Not even Matt had been allowed inside.

"Uh, I have, but that was before, so we didn’t really talk."

Matt had been unable to see at the time. Although his enhanced senses told him someone often worked there, and he could smell all kinds of alcohol drifting over, he still had no idea what the brewer looked like.

"Perfect. He’s in the workshop right now. I’ll take you to meet him, then we’ll go to Valhalla and meet the owner together."

Oaks spread his hands.

"You guessed right. It really is run by Asgardians, and more than one of them… They’re not ordinary Asgardians, either."

Matt was full of questions. He had guessed it from the bar’s name, but actually going there made his imagination run wild.

It couldn’t possibly be that Asgard’s two princes were holed up in a bar, could it?

With Baldr and Thor’s personalities, there was no way he wouldn’t know about it.

"Hi, Mr. Solimens. Good afternoon."

Still thinking, Matt followed Oaks through a special doorway woven from vines. He had never been here before.

Oaks greeted the oversized white coat bustling among a pile of bottles and jars inside.

"Oh! President Oaks! You’re back?"

The oversized white coat turned around, revealing a face that looked somewhat… no, extremely fierce.

Only then did Matt notice just how broad-shouldered and powerfully built the guy was.

But upon seeing Oaks, the man in the oversized lab coat immediately broke into a smile and hurried over.

"President Oaks, let me tell you, the ingredients you provide here are simply outstanding, and many are unique treasures—"

"I’ve recently developed another exceptionally fine flavored liquor. Would you like to try some?"

As he spoke, he finally noticed Matt beside Oaks. Slapping his hands together, he laughed.

"President Murdock! Hehehe, sorry, sorry for occupying this precious place for so long… President Oaks, are you planning to?"

"Yes, Matt has officially taken over the America Branch for several months now. You are neighbors, after all—"

"I had business elsewhere before, but now you can get acquainted."

Oaks’s expression was a little strange as well. Every time he saw this brewer, he had a whole list of things he wanted to complain about.

So he introduced him to Matt.

"This is Mr. Solimens, Valhalla’s elite brewer, sommelier, bartender, and the capable assistant of Mr. Woden, the bar owner."

"Uh… I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare!"

The fierce-looking Solimens repeatedly waved his hands, his face full of humility.

"Mr. Randolph is Mr. Woden’s true capable assistant. I still have a long way to go…"

"And Mr. Randolph is the real master sommelier. I merely have some experience in brewing."

Solimens gazed blissfully at the newly mixed liquor sample on the workbench, looking utterly happy.

"The miraculous recipes the boss brought are all peerless fine wines that have never existed before. With my crude mixing skills, I live in constant fear of defiling them!"

"…"

Matt looked at the brewer, who had already become intoxicated with himself, and blinked. That name seemed familiar…

"President, don’t I remember there being a gang leader near Central Park called Solimens?"

He spoke very quietly, not noticing that Oaks’s mouth had already begun to twitch.

"I never saw what he looked like because of my eyes, but comparing the characteristics now…"

"President, you know I’m highly sensitive to criminal cases. I’m certain this guy is that gang leader!"

"But has he gone legit? He used to specialize in robbery, theft, and extortion…"

"Hm? He does seem to be obsessed with collecting fine wine…"

"Yes, you’re right. It’s him… Ah, I’m very interested in trying your new creation, Mr. Solimens. Could you pour Matt a glass too?"

Seeing that Solimens had snapped out of it, Oaks immediately sent him away, then quickly whispered to Matt:

"Not long after Valhalla Bar was established, this guy went there to demand protection money. Then he was conquered by the wine inside… No, he was intimidated into kneeling by the owner inside."

Only after Oaks saw Solimens happily mixing drinks did he rub his nose and continue in a strange tone.

"He insisted on joining the bar, even if it meant being a waiter, just so he could have a chance to get close to those wines—he said he would willingly die for them."

"Uncle Woden happened to need a bartender, so he kept him. Then his entire gang became the first group absorbed by Valhalla."

"…"

Matt could not help opening his mouth wide. This fucking worked?!

"He’s now a master bartender and brewer—you know Valhalla is run by Asgardians, so you understand what level their alcohol is to Earthlings, right?"

Seeing Matt nod heavily, Oaks cleared his throat.

"So Solimens’s specialty is using earthly ingredients to recreate those extraordinary liquors, preserving their basic flavors while adding many variations, without harming Earthlings’ bodies."

"So that’s why our Little Rainforest, which can supply so many high-quality ingredients, became the location of their brewing workshop?"

The moment Matt finished speaking, he could not help twitching his nose. Shocked, he looked toward Solimens, who was performing a string of dazzling operations.

His enhanced vision allowed him to see Solimens’s bartending technique clearly, but there was absolutely no way he could replicate it himself.

"Just now, I couldn’t smell anything special… But in an instant, this aroma…"

"Drink carefully. His liquor has special effects."

Just as Oaks finished warning him, Solimens approached with a smile, carrying two thumb-sized cups.

"President Oaks, President Murdock, please~ This is my newly mixed Delicate Touch. Be sure to finish it in one gulp!"

Matt accepted the cup and thanked him. He was still wondering what "special effects" meant when he saw Oaks drain his in one swallow.

So Matt downed his as well.

"This…"

The liquor slid down his throat, smooth, mild, and elegant, making Matt’s eyes light up. But then his eyes widened—

The range of his enhanced senses had not expanded by much, but their precision had abruptly increased!

Now, he could even sense a single speck of dust landing on his clothes!

"This is… Delicate Touch?!"

Liquor that could enhance perception was ridiculously powerful!

But he quickly calmed down.

Without enhanced senses, the effect probably would not be so obvious. Ordinary people would likely only feel that their five senses had become a little sharper.

Still, Matt was deeply shaken.

If he drank a cup before a fight, how much stronger would he become?

But this time, there had only been a tiny cup, and the sensation came quickly and faded just as quickly.

Ten seconds later, Matt’s senses returned to normal.

"Truly incredible, Mr. Solimens… Hm?"

He noticed Solimens staring at Oaks in confusion.

And Oaks, who had just opened his eyes, wore an extremely grave expression.

"Thanks, Solimens. That drink just helped me out…"

He suddenly turned to look west, his body instantly transforming into a Swift.

"Solimens, take Matt to see Boss Woden. I’ll be right back!"

In the blink of an eye, Oaks vanished.

Solimens and Matt looked at each other, then scratched their heads and chuckled.

"Haha… President Oaks actually thanked me. Come on, brother, tonight’s drinks are on my tab!"

But Matt knew that there were not many things left that could make Oaks wear such an expression.

"Let’s hope nothing serious has happened…"

PS: Brewer Solimens is a real-name guest appearance by reader Solimens~