AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 167
Check my other translation works for other interesting stories
Maria : Mebius World Online
Ouren/Yuuzen : I Was a Small Fish
Seneca : Unrivaled Sewing Skill
Episode 13-7
This marks the 42nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Having passed the morning and lunchtime rush, I was now standing at the roundabout in front of the main entrance.
“Currently, this is what things look like from the morning to lunchtime. I plan to bring in even more customers, though.”
“Wow, there are so many adventurers and merchants visiting.”
“Everynyan was happily eating fish! It must be a huge draw to enjoy it every day!”
“You mustn’t decide just based on your preferences, you know.”
“Ah, that’s right! Of course, it’s not just that!”
During business hours, I had two Catkin, who were hoping to become tenants, observe the customer demographics.
The number of customers and their makeup seemed promising, and both appeared to be positively considering the idea.
However—
“The issue will be whether we can secure enough goods to sell.”
“Ugh… I’ll try my best… but everynyan’s such a free spirit…”
Apparently, there currently aren’t enough products to meet the expected demand.
On top of that, since the Catkin are all whimsical by nature, it seems negotiations back in their village will be necessary.
How very cat-like. They find it embarrassing, though, thinking that being “cat-like” is a sign of immaturity.
“By the way, if we decide to move forward, Nyaoya-san, would you accept us?”
Mike-san, who had parked a small cart at the roundabout, asked this.
The way she tilted her head quickly to look at me was cat-like and adorable— no, focus.
“Yes. If you can secure enough products, I would be more than happy to have you.”
“Yay!”
“Fufu, isn’t that wonderful? Let’s do our best to negotiate with everyone!”
When I answered without hesitation, the two Catkin beamed with joy and started hopping around.
Yesterday, after introducing and receiving approval for the Undead staff, I gave this situation some thought.
To be clear, my hesitation wasn’t because it’s a shop run by Catkin.
Bipedal cats are cute, not that it matters—well, actually, it kind of does.
The customer base of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store and the magic-infused fabrics, clothing, and accessories handled by the two Catkin seemed highly compatible.
Apparently, which pattern—or magic circle—is sewn into each item depends on the mood of the Catkin artisans, but considering each piece as unique should make that a non-issue.
What caused me to hesitate was that this would be my first time deciding to bring in a tenant.
Ultimately, I consulted Chloe, Anna-san, Francine-san, and a Peddler-san for advice and encouragement.
“I’ve got a long way to go as a manager.”
“Ufufu, I think that’s just fine for you, Naoya-san.”
“Anna-san?”
Without answering my question, Anna-san motioned behind me.
There stood a fully armored, cape-wearing skeleton in full plate armor.
At its waist hung a sword, and it carried a large shield on its back—something it didn’t usually have.
Of course, there was no face to be seen, as it never had one to begin with.
“It’s pretty imposing when you see it up close…”
“Fufu, thank you. To make sure it doesn’t frighten anyone, we’ve equipped it with padding, gloves, and a ‘rubber mask.’”
“Wow, that’s very reassuring.”
I think my reply came out a bit flat.
When I tried to peek through the slit in the helmet, a puff of black mist emerged.
“Whoa! Oh, it’s got a ghost inside?”
“It’s always good to have combat strength in case of emergencies. Plus, these guys don’t tire or sleep, so they’re perfect for night watch duty.”
“Wow, that’s incredibly reassuring.”
The ghost quickly retreated.
Even with our current low customer traffic, this was a big help.
Still, I doubted everyone would be as accepting as the two Catkin.
“Um, are the two of you okay with this?”
“Nyot problem at all!”
“Yes. Even though we can fight, having an escort is very reassuring. Thank you so much for everything.”
“If you’re okay with it, then fine… but please be careful on the road, alright? And I mean in the ‘don’t get caught’ sense.”
I couldn’t shake my worry.
Kijitora-san is apparently a fencer who fights with a rapier—and wears boots, by the way.
Mike-san, on the other hand, can fight with both a bow and magic.
They managed to travel here together, and I know the fully armored skeleton is strong, but still, I worry.
Not about their strength, but about whether they’ll stay under the radar.
“You don’t need to worry, Naoya-san. I have a hidden card in case something happens.”
“That’s a peaceful kind of hidden card, right, Anna-san? Like using an illusion spell or something, right?”
Anna-san just smiled without answering.
As I started to think, maybe we should reconsider having the fully armored skeleton escort them—after all, they managed to make it to the nearest town on their own—something interrupted my thoughts.
“Naoya! You’ve got a customer!”
“Chloe? If it’s a customer, just serve them like usual—”
“No, no! This one says they’ve got business with you!”
I turned around when Chloe called out to me.
But no one was there.
“Hey, Chloe? If you’re trying to mess around, do it after work. I’m busy right now.”
“Oi, oi, oi! I heard everything, Manager!”
Even though no one was there, I heard a voice.
Looking past Chloe, I glanced at the ground where the voice seemed to come from.
“You’re being cold, Manager! Catkin are opening a shop, and you didn’t think to invite me?”
There stood an iguana.
It wore a small hat, carried a backpack, and looked just like an iguana—but no, it was a Dragonkin who could talk.
“Oh, it’s been a while, Quano-san.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since we last met face-to-face! But that’s not the point!”
“Uh-huh.”
“If the Catkin are opening a tenant shop and selling stuff from their village, then how about I open a shop selling goods from the port town!?”
The iguana puffed out its chest and hissed dramatically, as if to emphasize its point.
“Ah, I see.”
“We’re not just about fish, you know! We’ve got all sorts of rare goods brought over from across the sea!”
“Oh yeah, that’s true. Hmm…”
“Don’t mind us, please go ahead and talk,” said Kijitora-san.
“Yes. Well then, we’ll be on our way. No matter the outcome of the negotiations, we’ll return straight here,” added Mike-san.
“Thank you so much. Please take care, and I’ll look forward to seeing you again.”
“Stay safe. And everyone, make sure to protect them properly.”
“…Everyone? Anna-san, what do you mean by everyone?”
“Listen well, you two. Be very cautious not to be deceived by humans! Remember, you’ll need fare to ride the stagecoach! Otherwise, they might say, ‘You’ll have to pay with your body instead!’ and—‘Guh, just kill me already!’”
“They made it here together, so they’ll probably be fine. Honestly, it’s more surprising that Chloe managed to make it to town alone safely.”
Kijitora-san pulled a small cart as they set off.
Mike-san walked alongside it, and the fully armored skeleton took a position slightly ahead.
Honestly, the intimidating presence of the armor seemed enough to deter anyone from attacking them.
“Oops, sorry for interrupting you, Manager!”
“No, no, I was just seeing them off. Now, let’s discuss your proposal.”
“Yeah, let’s get to it!”
I watched the two Catkin and the one armored skeleton—plus the ghost—head off, then turned back around.
Quano-san, the iguana-like Dragonkin, was all fired up as he waddled forward eagerly.
It’s now the 42nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
It seems a second potential tenant has already appeared.
Perhaps, once the first tenant shows up, the rest start coming in quick succession.
But with a Catkin village shop and now a port town shop, is the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store going to turn into some kind of regional exchange center?
Well, given the lack of a solid distribution network in this world, that might actually be a good idea…