AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 54
Episode 6-5
“Oh, if it is not Naoya-san, the new store manager of Aion Mall? It seems like yesterday was quite busy, huh?
I had come to this town with Anna-san as my guide to investigate the medical situation in this area.
As we were walking, having been told roughly what we needed to know, a carriage stopped behind us.
“Oh, it’s the renowned pharmacist from the town. This is perfect; there are a few things I’d like to ask,” she was addressed in a somewhat oily voice.
A man, adorned with lots of accessories, descended from the luxurious carriage, the head of this town’s Merchant Guild, the Guild Master.
“It’s been a while, Guild Master.”
“This person is the one Chloe was talking about…”
“Oh, you’ve heard about me from the useless knight. Well, I’m curious to know what you’ve heard.”
“Anna-san, please forget what Chloe said. Business isn’t all just nice words.”
“I see… I somehow understand.”
Facing the Guild Master who was grinning from ear to ear, I quietly warned Anna-san.
At least when I helped the young girl selling galettes, what the Guild Master said made sense. There was no way unpermitted food sales were allowed in places that required business permits. I understood Chloe’s desire to help, and that’s why I lent a hand. For now, it’s probably best not to let Anna-san make her judgment based solely on Chloe’s words.
“So, Guild Master, what is it you want to ask? We were actually about to head back.”
“Oh, in a hurry, are you? Well then, let’s get straight to the point. Miss, do you have the medicine you’ve sold in stock? I’d like to make a wholesale purchase.”
“Yes, I brought extra, so it’s possible to sell it.”
“Well, that’s fortunate. Hey.”
“Yes.”
When the Guild Master signaled, a man in armor-like attire approached. Anna-san handed him several small bags of fabric. Following the Guild Master’s instructions, the armored man handed money to Anna-san. From Anna-san’s nod, it seemed the amount was acceptable.
“Guild Master, what do you plan to do with this medicine? Don’t you need permission for its sale as well?”
“No no, Naoya-san, what Miss here is doing is wholesale, so there’s no need for permission. As long as the medicine shop, itinerant merchant, or pharmacist has made the proper notifications, it’s not an issue.”
“I see, so the responsibility falls on the seller rather than the manufacturer.”
“Well, well, the new store manager of Aion Mall’s Otherworld Branch understands quickly. Yes, that’s the basic idea. Of course, if it turns out to be illegal drugs, the manufacturer will also be held responsible.”
As he spoke, the Guild Master directed his gaze toward Anna-san, scanning her from top to bottom. Chloe might be bothered by it, but Anna-san didn’t seem to mind. Anna-san is surprisingly composed; her heart doesn’t seem to be beating at all. Hasn’t she been exposed as an undead? Is she okay? Is the ‘illusion’ still working?”
“I see. So, you want to purchase a set of medicines from Anna-san, investigate them, right?”
“I’m not doubting Miss here, you know? She has a good reputation among apothecaries and pharmacists.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s natural to be suspicious when a pharmacist of unknown origin is selling medicine, especially in this town.”
Anna-san smiled at the Guild Master with a slight nod.
She’s incredibly composed for her age. She may be 21, but she definitely has the composure of someone who has lived for a long time.”
“Anna-san? What do you mean by ‘especially in this town’?”
“Oh, it seems the new store manager of Aion Mall’s Otherworld Branch is unaware of the old tale. Even though it’s a story from several hundred years ago, it’s a fairy tale set in this town.”
“It’s going to be a long story. I’ll explain it to you when we get back to Aion Mall, Naoya-san.”
“I see.”
The Guild Master and Anna-san seemed to understand each other somehow. It appeared to be an old story related to this town, but I had no way of knowing since it was only my 12th day in this otherworld.
“Hehe, it seems we’ve resolved one concern. Well then, let’s get to the main topic.”
“Oh, the previous discussion wasn’t the main topic? Well, you did approach me after seeing me.”
The plump Guild Master came closer to me.
“It seems that yesterday at Aion Mall’s Otherworld Branch, something called ‘Dragon Steak’ and ‘Dragon Tail Soup’ was being sold.”
“Yes, it seems you’re well-informed.”
“…Is that dragon meat authentic, isn’t it?”
The Guild Master stared into my eyes and asked. I didn’t particularly enjoy being stared at by this greasy-looking fellow, but I met his gaze firmly.
“It’s undoubtedly real dragon meat. Would you like to come and buy some next time? The next ‘Dragon Sale’ is scheduled for the 20th.”
“What! There’s a way to continuously obtain it?… Yes, yes, I will definitely make a purchase. If it turns out to be fake.”
“If you can correctly identify it, it’s no problem either way. Or is there something you’d do if it’s authentic, Guild Master?”
Even if he investigates whether the dragon meat is real or not, it won’t cause any harm. Well, maybe Barbera’s rear end might hurt. Sorry, Barbera.
“Right, would you like me to show you the uncooked dragon meat, Guild Master?”
“No, no, that’s unnecessary. You can tell if it’s real or not by eating it. Well, I’m glad you have confidence. I never thought the new store manager of Aion Mall’s Otherworld Branch would deal with fake dragon meat, did you?”
The Guild Master grinned while keeping his gaze fixed on me.
“The new store manager may not be aware, but dragon meat is said to not only have great taste but also to ‘increase one’s magical power and strength’ when consumed. That’s why there’s no shortage of people trying to make a profit by selling fakes, and others who get deceived.”
“I see, so you wanted to confirm whether the dragon meat we dealt with was real.”
“Yes, that’s right. Well then, Naoya-san, I look forward to the 20th. I’ll definitely come to try it. Oh, and you don’t need to make any special arrangements for me, okay? I’ll wait in line like everyone else.”
With a sly smile still on his face, the Guild Master finally averted his gaze from me. He swayed his plump body and turned his back to me, heading back to his carriage.
“Oh, by the way, Naoya-san. It seems the girl who was selling galettes is struggling with her livelihood. With her earnings reduced due to the rent.”
Turning back to us, the Guild Master mentioned this, as if he could see through that I hadn’t thought about what to do with the galettes. It was as if he was saying, “Your talents and efforts as a merchant are like this.”
“Naoya-san?”
“Oh, sorry, it’s nothing, Anna-san. Well, that Guild Master, despite his appearance, seems to be decent after all.”
“Is that so? I, like Chloe-san, didn’t have a very good impression of him based on his appearance…”
“If you think about it, it’s not strange when you line up his actions: examining unfamiliar potions from an unfamiliar pharmacist, confirming the authenticity of the dragon meat that became a town’s topic, and worrying about struggling merchants. Look at it this way, whether he’s suitable for the Guild Master position or not.”
“…You’re right. I suppose I judged him based on appearances.”
“If we judged based on appearances, we wouldn’t hire undead, especially ghosts and skeletons. Anna-san seems to have the ‘Illusion’ magic, so it’s fine.”
“Fufufu, Naoya-san, really…”
To relieve the tension from the encounter with the Guild Master, I threw in a witty undead joke. Anna-san covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.
“Well, there are a lot of things to think about. Anyway, shall we head back, Anna-san?”
“Yes, that sounds good. It’s gotten later than I thought… So, this concludes our date, doesn’t it?”
This time, Anna-san and I started walking towards the town gate. As we did, we thought about the fact that the Guild Master would be visiting Aion Mall’s Otherworld Branch on the 20th, as well as the challenge of helping the struggling galette vendor.
It was my 12th day since arriving in this world. Doing business in this otherworld wasn’t going as smoothly as I had hoped.