AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 159

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Maria : Mebius World Online 

Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish

Episode 12-16

“R-Right! Let’s get back on track! Time to introduce the new product!”

“Yeah! Been waiting for this, Chloe-chan!”
“Your face is all red, clumsy knight!”
“Chloe onee-chan! You can do it!”
“Heh, amateurs. I already bought one.”

On the special stage, Chloe stood tall, flanked by two full plate-armored skeletons on either side, raising her voice to address the crowd. Even before her demonstration began, cheers erupted from the gathered audience—more aptly called customers.

As the former manager and holy knight, it seemed the elf Chloe was a crowd favorite.

It had been 40 days since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store. Today marked the fourth “Dragon Sale,” and it was time to unveil its star product. Although, to be fair, we had already been testing sales a few days prior.

“The featured product this time is…inside this small bag!”

“Huh? What is it, some fancy accessory or a magic stone?”
“Idiot, Chloe-chan wouldn’t be selling something so ordinary!”
“Then…it’s gotta be some ridiculously tiny lingerie! Heard that’s all the rage at the night markets lately!”
“Oh? You sure seem knowledgeable about that sort of thing.”

“S-S-Stop! Lingerie with such a minuscule fabric area that you can’t even tell if someone’s wearing it—those scandalous things?! T-There’s no way I’d ever wear such a thing! My pride as an elf would never allow it!”

“Chloe’s gone off the rails. The adventurer wasn’t even saying that much…”

Chloe flailed about, her face bright red, causing the audience to chuckle. Adventurers, farmers, and merchants alike watched her flustered antics with amused smiles. None of them seemed even remotely surprised—it was probably a well-known sight in town.

“A-Anyway! The product I’m introducing is not lingerie! Behold!”

“Whoa! It puffed up!”
“Is it…clothing?”
“It’s shiny. Maybe it’s coated in oil?”

With a confident flourish, Chloe pulled the item from the small bag. Upon exposure to the air, it expanded to reveal its full shape—this was the star product of the event.

The Super Light Down Jacket.

“This is amazing! It’s thin, light, and warm! Plus, it can repel light rain!”

Chloe spread out the coat-type Super Light Down Jacket dramatically, extolling its virtues. The two full plate-armored skeletons behind her each brought out their own jackets and stepped off the stage to hand them to the audience as samples.

“Whether it’s the cold of winter, the chill of spring or autumn nights, or even light rain, you can stay comfortable with just this one item!”

“What’s it made of?”
“Probably cotton or feathers…they must’ve packed a lot in there.”
“Pfft, bet it’s expensive.”
“Wow, Mom! It’s so light, it feels like I’m not wearing anything!”
“Hmm…but it looks flimsy. Besides, we wear armor when we go out. This won’t fit over that.”

Adventurers, farmers, and merchants all chimed in with their reactions. Their lively participation was appreciated, perhaps thanks to Chloe’s approachable nature.

“Fwahahaha! Worry not! This time, we’ve prepared extra-large sizes! Look!”

Chloe dramatically spread her arms, and the two full plate-armored skeletons helped her into one of the jackets, even over her usual armor. The result was a puffed-up Chloe, her usual knightly appearance transformed into something adorably fluffy.

“See? The extra-large size can fit over armor! But for adventurers worried about mobility, I recommend this!”

Chloe extended her right hand, and one of the skeletons swiftly handed her another item. Must’ve been a professional assistant.

“This is the vest type! It leaves your arms free, so you can even fight while wearing it!”

To demonstrate, Chloe swung a wooden sword around. The adventurers in the audience gasped in admiration.

“‘You can fight in it’? That’s not the point. Shouldn’t you emphasize how it’s unobtrusive when worn underneath or great for robe-wearers?”

I muttered my complaint quietly, but it seemed I was the only one who felt that way.

Still, thanks to Chloe’s energetic demonstration and the product’s quality, the Super Light Down Jackets sold like hotcakes. Despite the limited color options and sizes—coats only came in XL and vests in L—everything sold out in no time, well before noon.

Thank you for your purchases, everyone!

“Somehow…we managed to handle this crowd…”

By late afternoon, the customer rush had finally calmed down. I’d been worried about the lack of manpower, but the skeleton crew—literally—helped us survive the fourth Dragon Sale.

To hit our monthly sales target of 100 million yen, we’d need to hire more staff—and find more products that could sell in this world.

“In the end, both the picnic supplies and the Super Light Down Jackets were gone before the store even closed. It’s good that they sold, but still…”

I gazed idly at the plaza in front of the main entrance, which had served as the sale venue. Chloe, flanked by her skeleton team, looked triumphant after her successful demonstrations. Nearby, Barbera tidied up the eat-in area. Though her face was expressionless, her wagging tail betrayed her satisfaction. Anna-san, Colette, and the Peddler-san family also wore content expressions.

The Dragon Sale had been a success.

“Naoya-san, may I have a moment?”

“What’s the matter, Francine-san? Oh, if you’re tired, please feel free to rest. You’re still not fully recovered, are you—”

As I turned to answer Francine-san, I stopped mid-sentence.

“This gentleman here wishes to speak with you,” she said.

Standing beside Francine-san was the head of the Merchant Guild. His round belly and jingling accessories were as gaudy as ever.

“Quite the success you’re having here, Naoya-san.”

“…Is there a problem with our sale event?”

A cold sweat ran down my back at his knowing eyes and smug grin. The sale was going great, and I took pride in offering excellent products that made our customers happy. But… the entire staff consists of undead! When someone suddenly approaches you like this, all you can expect is bad news!

“Oh my, I think you already know why I’m here, don’t you? Go ahead, put your hand on your chest and think—surely something will come to mind.”

“Something…?”

There are too many things that could be wrong! Is it because I showcased the fully-armored skeletons in public? Or maybe it’s about the undead aspect of Anna-san or the mascot ghost in costume? Could it be Barbera being a dragon? Or perhaps her parents showing up? Wait—maybe it has to do with Francine-san and their connection?

I tried not to let any of this show on my face as I pondered. Seriously, there are just too many potential problems!

“Hmm. This isn’t a conversation for standing around, is it? Come to the Merchant Guild tomorrow,” he said.

“I… understood,” I replied.

Great. I’m being summoned.

Apparently, it’s not a topic for a casual chat. Even though I was trying to keep my cool, the sweat wouldn’t stop. How do you even smile in this situation?

“By the way, could you perhaps give me a hint about what this is regarding? I’d like to prepare if necessary…”

“Oh my, you mean you really don’t know?”

“I, uh… I regret to say I don’t.”

“Ah, I see. Then let me make it simple—I could just withdraw the matter if you’re not too interested.”

“W-Withdraw? Wait, what exactly—”

“You were the one who asked us to post that Tenant Recruitment Notice on the guild bulletin board, weren’t you?”

My jaw dropped as the Guildmaster shook his head, the rolls of his neck jiggling in the process.

Merchant Guild. Bulletin board.

“Oh.”

“It seems you finally remembered.”

“T-Tenant recruitment?! Are you saying we got applicants?!”

“Tomorrow at the Merchant Guild. We’ll discuss the details then.”

I tried to press him for more information, but he deftly avoided my attempts and left.

The Guildmaster’s rounded back disappeared into the distance as his carriage began to move. Feeling a hand on my arm, I snapped out of my daze—it was Francine-san, her touch concerned yet gentle.

“Aaaaaaah! I was overthinking the worst possibilities for nothing! Finally! Someone applied for a tenant spot!”

Fist pumping into the air, I let out an excited yell.

It had been three weeks since I asked the Merchant Guild to post a flyer about renting out spaces. Finally. Finally.

Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store might just live up to its name as a “mall.”

“Wait. Hold on. Calm down, me. This isn’t set in stone yet. Depending on the terms, we might have to decline.”

I took a deep breath, reigning in my excitement.

“Right. First, we need to finish today’s business properly, summarize the sales, and then plan. At least, I should draft our non-negotiable conditions tonight.”

As the setting sun bathed the front plaza of the Aion Mall in a warm glow, my muttering faded into the evening air.

“…Is he okay?”

“Hey Anna, what’s with Naoya?”

“It’s the usual, Chloe-san. Let’s just leave him be until he starts moving. Come on, Barbera-chan.”

On the 40th day since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store, the 4th Dragon Sale had concluded successfully.

But tomorrow? Tomorrow might just change everything.

Oh, please! Let the person interested in the tenant space be from a respectable business! No, I won’t ask for too much—just, please, at least let them be human!