AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 119
Episode 10-21
“I’ve never had fish dishes as delicious as the ‘fried horse mackerel’ and the salt-crusted fish I had today!”
“Thank you very muuuch!”
“…It was delicious!”
“When I first came here, I thought this was a pretty amazing place, but you’re really something, Manager-san!”
“Thank you very muuuch!”
“…Of course.”
It’s the 26th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
After the tasting event, I was giving an iguana a tour of the store.
Since its line of sight would be too low if it walked, the iguana was on a cart pushed by Barbera.
The iguana, who sold us seafood from the fishing port, was wriggling its body in what seemed to be a good mood. At least, I think it’s in a good mood. It’s hard to read an iguana’s expressions…
“This is the supermarket area. Right now, we only sell meat, vegetables, and some condiments.”
“Ho ho, so if you get fish, you’d sell them here, huh?”
The iguana moved its head from side to side, observing the surroundings. It was very iguana-like… though it could talk, which is quite something for another world.
“Well, since it’s seafood, we’d probably get some refrigerated and frozen cases and display them there. Sales would be at the register over there—”
“Refrigerated and frozen? Do you have a mage stationed in the store or something?”
“Haha, no, it’s not like that. We have machines that can do that. Although Chloe and Anna-san can use magic… I wonder about Barbera.”
“…No.”
“Milady’s ability isn’t magic, it’s a unique trait of dragons—hey, wait, wait, wait, a machine!? A refrigerated and frozen one!?”
“Yes. See, some of the meat is kept in a refrigerated case like that. We haven’t brought out the freezer cases yet, but we keep them in the back room.”
“What the heck!? What’s that!?”
“…That area. It’s cold.”
The iguana stretched its neck toward where Barbera was pointing, its eyes wide open and frozen in place. It seemed surprised. Probably.
Then, suddenly, the iguana jumped out of the cart, ran three steps in mid-air, and—
“What? Did the iguana just fly?”
“…Wind magic.”
“Oh, magic, of course. So iguanas in this world are a bit bigger, can talk, and use magic? That’s amazing. Haha…”
A dry laugh escaped me.
It seems that the iguana, or rather the “dragonkin,” is highly advanced. Despite being a reptile… are they really?
“Whoa, it’s cold! Amazing, amazing, Manager-san… and this store, Aion, is incredible…”
Alongside selling ready-made dishes, we also sell meat from horned cattle, charging boars, and battle chickens.
But due to limited stock, we only use half of the refrigerated case.
The excited iguana, still in high spirits, jumped into the empty case. After a while, it began to move slowly. Its words came out sluggishly.
Looks like I’ll need to clean the inside of the case later. Though, maybe Chloe’s ‘Purification’ spell would suffice? I wonder if dragonkin, who look like iguanas, are indeed cold-blooded creatures…
“Wait, are dragonkin okay with low temperatures?”
“…No, they can’t move.”
“Hmm, so they still have some reptilian traits. Hey, wait a minute! It’s already immobilized! Get out! Use your magic and get out!”
“Hehe… Manager-san… if you cut open my belly and stuff it with herbs, please make it like that salt-crusted fish…”
“I’m not going to eat you! Oh no, where should I grab an iguana? It’s an emergency, so I guess it doesn’t matter. Ah, it’s cold!”
“…Are you okay? Should I blow on you?”
“Please, Barbera! But since we’re inside the store, make it light! A light breath, please!”
I put the limp iguana back on the cart. Barbera blew gently.
Well, “gently” might be a bit of an understatement since it was a thin stream of fire.
“Ouch!”
“Stop! Barbera, stop! Cease fire!”
At that moment, the iguana started moving again. I hastily stopped Barbera.
“Whoa, that was close! I almost got roasted!”
“Careful! You were about to freeze to death before becoming roast!”
“I’m sorry, Manager-san. And thank you, Milady, for saving me once again!”
“…It’s fine.”
“Seriously, be careful. If there were a major accident in the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, we’d have even fewer customers than we already do…”
“Sorry about that. If I died without being properly prepared, it wouldn’t be any good as a dish, would it?”
“Yeah, proper preparation is crucial—wait, that’s not funny! I’m not going to eat or sell you!”
The dark humor from someone who nearly died just a moment ago was a bit much.
Barbera, looking a bit exasperated, also gave a sidelong glance at the surprisingly light iguana. Maybe being saved by Barbera was really just his own fault…
“Still, it’s amazing. You can refrigerate and freeze things here, huh?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Man, if we had something like that at the port, it might work out. With the right cooling, the goods could last for the two-week trip by wagon…”
“Hmm, it runs on electricity, so setting it up outside the store would be impossible.”
“Maybe if you used ‘Purification’ and stored them in an ‘Item Pouch’… though fresh goods would be a challenge, even dried ones might work…”
I pushed the cart carrying the muttering iguana over to the register. Barbera followed behind, likely worried about the iguana who had nearly died.
“Also, at the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, we provide ice for takeout. It’s a small bag, but we give it to customers who buy refrigerated goods.”
I opened the ice maker running next to the register. The lid opened at an angle, allowing access from the top to take out the ice.
Small, cube-shaped ice rattled inside.
“What!? Really…? Maybe… if I stuffed ice into the ‘Item Pouch’…”
“Oh, so it would keep things cold like that? I have no idea how magic tools work, but wouldn’t it still be tough for a month-long round trip?”
“Yeah, even on horseback, it would take at least three weeks.”
“The main issue is still delivery, huh… is there any transportation other than horses? Aside from Barbera and her parents, who can’t be seen in public.”
“Hmm…? Yeah, dragons are tricky, but if there’s another way… and that delicious food could be the key…”
“Do you have an idea? Please tell me!”
“Yeah. But there are some obstacles. Manager-san, do you have the resolve?”
“Uh, well… I won’t do just anything, but I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Heh, good, good.”
The iguana narrowed its eyes and let out a strange cackle.
It seemed to be laughing after all.
It’s the 26th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall store in another world.
The initiative to “enhance the supermarket division to achieve a monthly sales target of 100 million yen” is finally making progress.
I’m counting on you, Iguana! Oh, I haven’t asked for your name yet!
Daily Report
May 26, 2019
Aion Mall Otherworldly Store
Manager / Naoya Taniguchi
Daily Sales: ¥443,000
Daily Customers: 172
Monthly Cumulative Sales: ¥11,218,000
Monthly Cumulative Customers: 3,541
Notes / Report:
We conducted trials and tasting sessions for seafood dishes. Some of the dishes received positive reactions, and we believe that sales will increase if we can procure seafood. Additionally, the individual in charge of the fishing port seems to have some ideas on how to solve the distribution problem.
Before the Dragon Sale, we will make another trip to the port town. This time with a small team. If the sale of seafood is confirmed, we will adjust the order. However, if there isn’t enough time, please proceed with the previous order!