AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 172
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 13-12
“The food was all delicious. I can understand why my sister recommended it so confidently.”
“Thank you very much! Well then, shall we take a tour of the store next? Only the areas that are open, though.”
“Please do.”
It’s the 48th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Chloe’s younger sister, Carol-san, had a taste of all the ready-made meals available in the dine-in space. She seemed satisfied and enjoyed the variety, despite personal preferences.
Ah, we’ll happily finish off the leftovers later. By “we,” I mean Barbera.
“Huh? Where did Chloe go?”
I thought it would be nice for Carol-san to see more of Chloe at work, but Chloe’s nowhere to be found.
She’s not at the outdoor dine-in space, the special booths, or even the carriage turnaround area.
“Is she on a break? If she’s not around, there’s no helping it, let’s continue the tour inside.”
“Chloe-san seems to have gone on patrol around the premises.”
“Whoa! Anna-san, please don’t startle me by speaking from behind so suddenly! You gave me a heart attack!”
“I’m sorry… I couldn’t sense your presence at all. You’re remarkably skilled at concealing your magical energy.”
“The captain and the others are helping in the store, so Chloe might be worried about the lack of security in the surrounding area.”
“Ah, I see. Still, I really want to hire more staff. Would lowering the hiring standards for security positions help?”
“Hehe, that’s one way to look at it.”
“Let’s hold off for now. We’ll discuss it if things get serious.”
Carol-san doesn’t join in the conversation with Anna-san. She just watches Anna-san intently as she talks to me.
…Does she sense something? I hope it doesn’t get discovered—or if it does, I hope it’s not a problem!
I look around, trying to find something to distract us.
Then, Chloe emerges from the forest through a gap, sprinting across the unused dirt parking lot.
“Ah, there’s Chloe!”
“You’re right. What’s she doing? She seems to be in a hurry…”
“Maybe she got too focused on patrolling and lost track of time. No need to rush like that.”
“No, that’s not it. Chloe-san is—”
Chloe stops in the dirt parking lot, turning back toward the forest, and draws her sword from her waist. The blade reflects the sunlight with a glint—oh wait, it doesn’t. Chloe’s sword is made of wood.
A few small shadows leap out of the forest, chasing after Chloe.
“Stray dogs? And five, no, seven of them? This is bad! We need to call animal control!”
“Please calm down, Naoya-san. Those aren’t dogs or monsters. They’re just wolves.”
“But Anna-san! If someone gets hurt, it’ll be a disaster! Even if it’s unintentional, if a customer or staff member gets bitten by a stray dog on Aion property, it’ll be all over the news, and we’ll face administrative action and inspections from headquarters!”
“Naoya-san, this is another world. Besides, Chloe-san is there, and I’m here.”
“Oh! Right, Chloe’s a holy knight and Anna-san is… incredibly strong. So, we’re okay, right?”
“I’ll help, Onee-chan! Hold on!”
“It’s fine. Just watch, Naoya-san, Carol-san.”
Anna-san, calm as ever, reassures me. Chloe seems composed, even surrounded by seven wolves.
Carol-san, who had taken out her bow and was readying it, gets stopped by Anna-san, just like me.
Ah, Carol-san uses a bow. That’s very elf-like.
“Had you returned to the forest peacefully, I would have let you go! You’ll regret targeting this Chloe!”
Chloe, striking a dramatic pose, points her wooden sword at the wolves. She seems more theatrical than usual—glancing our way occasionally.
“Uh, should we evacuate the customers just in case?”
“No need, Naoya-san. They’re just wolves. Even if Chloe-san were to falter, I’m here, as are the others.”
“So, even if she overdoes it and makes a mistake, it’s fine?”
“Exactly. Look, even some of the customers—”
Some adventurers from the outdoor dine-in space step forward, likely ready to defend merchants and townspeople if the wolves charge.
They seem more eager to watch Chloe’s fight up close than being in an actual defensive stance.
Out of sight from the customers, a few fully-armored skeletal knights are standing by.
And please, captain, don’t bring the skeletal horse. We can’t hide it! Just stay hidden.
Oh.
Barbera is peeking from the rooftop. Will she jump down if necessary? Or perhaps unleash a breath attack from there?
The Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store is as overpowered as ever.
There’s no way mere wolves, not even monsters, could cause any harm.
I turn back, reassured.
“If you won’t retreat, then become rust on my sword! Hyaaah! Take that!”
Chloe cuts down the lunging wolves with ease—one, two, without any danger.
“Whoa… Knights really aren’t just for show, huh?”
“Way to go, Chloe-chan! Keep it up! There, right there!”
“Do these beasts not understand the strength difference? If they were monsters, they’d retreat.”
“Would’ve been nice if it was a horned rabbit or a charging boar—at least they’d make a good meal.”
“Chloe-chan! If you do well, I’ll give you extra vegetables tomorrow!”
The adventurers admire her elegant swordsmanship and agility, cheering her on.
By the way, since her sword is wooden, it won’t rust.
In no time, Chloe cuts down six wolves. Only one large one remains.
Chloe points her sword at the last wolf.
“You realize you can’t win, right? If you retreat now, I won’t take your life. Let this be a lesson—never attack Aion or humans again.”
Realizing it can’t win, the last wolf lets out a pitiful whimper, turns tail, and runs back to the forest.
Chloe sheathes her sword, looking smugly in our direction, as if she’s brimming with pride.
“You’re still too soft, sis. What if it comes back for revenge? It could become a powerful monster fueled by its frustration.”
“…What?”
The wolf, just about to escape into the forest, lets out a yelp and collapses. An arrow is embedded in its head.
“…That was over 100 meters away, wasn’t it? And it was a small, moving target…”
“With such clear visibility, I wouldn’t miss even if I tried a hundred times.”
“A hundred percent accuracy… Elves are indeed skilled with bows. But…”
The one who shot it was Carol-san. Her archery skills are impressive. Still, the wolf was retreating—it seems like unnecessary killing.
“As Carol-san said, while it may seem fine now, it could pose a threat to people in the future. Aion is safe, but travelers on the roads or in the forest might be attacked. It’s better to eliminate such risks,” Anna-san explains, sensing my doubts.
Glancing at the adventurers, I see them nodding in agreement. The merchants and townspeople look relieved.
“I see. Feeling sorry for it is probably because I come from a peaceful world.”
“Chloe-san’s decision to let it live wasn’t wrong either. If that wolf learned that humans are dangerous, it might never leave the forest again.”
“There’s no clear right answer. Still, if there’s a risk it might come back, it’s probably safer to take it down. If something happened to a customer…”
“Naoya-san, you’re not as soft-hearted as my sister. That’s reassuring!”
“Uh, thanks?”
Carol-san smiles sweetly as I awkwardly express my gratitude.
Looking over, I see Chloe with a sullen expression, stuffing the wolf’s corpse into her <Item Pouch>. Whether it’s just cleanup or for its pelt, I’m not sure.
At least there were no casualties. I breathe a sigh of relief.
“…<Item Pouch>? And that sword… As I thought, my sister…”
Carol-san mutters quietly, her words reaching my ears.
…
………
Come to think of it, didn’t Chloe take several valuable items when she ran away from home? Including a rare <Item Pouch> and a family heirloom sword blessed by a spirit.
It’s the 48th day since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Branch Store.
Chloe’s runaway little sister seems both ruthless and keen-eyed—quite different from Chloe.