AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 59
Episode 6-10
“Everyone, thank you very much for yesterday. I will never forget the kindness of helping my daughter. No matter how much time it takes, I will definitely repay the favor.
A stout traveling merchant bows to a large number of undead, along with me, Chloe, Barbera, and Anna-san.
The Red Plague.
A dreadful disease with a 100% mortality rate once contracted, and it’s also a contagious disease.
If it weren’t for Anna-san, who has been researching for 800 years, the merchant’s child would not have been cured.
In fact, it seems there has never been a cure before, and Anna-san used it for the first time, other than in experiments on the undead.
Yesterday’s treatment seems to have been even more critical than I thought.
“I’m really glad we made it in time for the help. Truly…”
Anna-san is genuinely smiling.
She’s relieved that they were able to treat the Red Plague, the disease that once destroyed them.
“Yes, please, both of you and Naoya-san, Chloe-san, for precaution, please drink this.”
“Anna-san, what’s this?”
“Hmm, it’s bitter and smells like grass, Anna! Hah! Could it be that this tastes like the rumored thing? Naoya is trying to get me used to it under his command! Damn it, Naoya, that’s sneaky!”
“Chloe, drink it before hearing the explanation. And what’s with that, it’s more confusing than usual. Are you half-asleep?”
What Anna-san handed over is a small, transparent bottle about the size of a nutritional drink.
Inside is a clear red liquid.
It doesn’t seem to be reflecting the early morning sunlight but rather seems to be faintly glowing.
“It’s a medicine for the Red Plague. Well, it’s a diluted version of yesterday’s medicine. But if taken before the spots appear, it should be effective enough.”
“Oh, right, we came into contact with that child with the infectious disease. Huh? What about Barbera?”
“…Am strong. Not affected.”
“Ah, Barbera is Barbera, so of course she wouldn’t get the Red Plague. It’s natural since she’s more like a material for the medicine.”
I wondered if there was any medicine for Barbera, and it seems that’s the reason.
As expected of a dragon.
Come to think of it, the medicine had dragon blood in it.
It’s a relief it wasn’t some pointless self-harm.
“Ugh, it’s bitter! The smell of grass is strong too. They say good medicine tastes bitter, and it does cure the Red Plague, so I’ll endure it, but…”
The pharmaceutical science of my world, which adjusts the taste, forms it into capsules, tablets, granules, and various other forms, is amazing.
Well, since it barely made it in time, there’s no choice but to accept it.
After gulping down the unpleasant medicine, I ask Anna-san again.
“Anna-san, what’s the consultation about?”
“Before that… Naoya-san, I’m sorry for yesterday. I made medicine on my own and used it… there were things like nutrient drinks, blankets, and cooling agents that could have been sold.”
“Haha, no problem, Anna-san. More than a small profit like that, the store’s reputation is more important.”
If the child of the traveling merchant died on the premises of Aion Mall’s otherworldly store, especially from a contagious disease, without a doubt, customers would stay away. I wouldn’t go.
Moreover, no one would visit a shopping mall where there was a 100% mortality rate infectious disease. Even if it’s “scientifically safe” in this otherworld, proving “safety” is more challenging than ensuring “peace of mind.”
“That’s why I’m truly grateful that Anna-san treated us, and the opportunity to sell goods for nursing a single person doesn’t matter at all. It doesn’t hurt at all.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that… Truly, Naoya-san.”
“Hmm! Anna, even if I were the store manager, I would’ve been okay with it! There’s nothing more important than saving a child suffering from illness!”
“Haha, that’s true, Chloe-san.”
“Really, Chloe, you say sensible things occasionally. If it weren’t for your perverted mind, you might not have been called the Clumsy Knight, huh?”
“Hey, that’s rude, Naoya! I’m a proud elf of the Vertu Village and a holy knight!”
“Despite being a runaway girl. So, Anna-san, about the consultation?”
“I want to distribute medicine to those who came into contact with the child infected with the Red Plague. The people who might have come into contact but are not present here are the city gatekeepers and everyone in Aion yesterday morning, right?”
“Ah, I see.”
The Red Plague is contagious.
Not only us, who received medicine just now, but others who came into contact with it may also be infected.
Anna was looking at me with a serious expression.
Behind her were the Skeleton Captain and Skeleton Squad, Skeleton with an apron, and even zombies.
The ghost possessing the rabbit costume seems to be clinging to me somehow. Maybe it’s asking for something.
“Is that not possible?”
“Of course, it’s okay. And Anna-san, by the way, please advertise that a drugstore will be opening soon.”
“Eh? Naoya-san?”
“Anna-san can make medicine. Moreover, a cure for the incurable Red Plague. And both Anna-san and Chloe can use healing magic. As a drugstore, don’t you think you can rely on them?”
“Oh, that means it’s my turn! Naoya is relying on me!”
“Even so, we can’t sell the medicines brought from my world because the stock is low. Is that sufficient?”
“…Yes. Yes!”
Ignoring Chloe, who seems enthusiastic for some reason, I tell Anna-san.
Anna-san agreed with a beaming smile.
Even the skeletons behind her clattered their bones in excitement.
Oh, can the zombie not applaud? There’s a wet sound like something is splashing around. Does that contain pathogens?
“We can’t use devices, and we can’t replenish the medicines there, so let’s give up on the medical mall. Also, it seems like it would be a good idea to prepare bandages and other daily necessities for this world. Especially for adventurers who get injured outside the city.”
“I see, I see. Manager, may I ask something?”
“Oh, yes, what is it, Mr. Merchant?”
“Could you let me wholesale daily necessities, including bandages? I also deal with daily necessities for trading in the rural areas.”
The traveling merchant, who had been silent until now, responded to my words.
The plump old man must have thought it was a chance to repay even a little.
” I see, it’s easier when you narrow down your suppliers to some extent. However, that means involving middlemen, which may result in higher costs compared to dealing directly.”
“Haha, I’ll definitely learn from that! After all, everyone here is my benefactor! Profit can be earned elsewhere! Besides, with an increase in the quantity of purchases, you can negotiate the procurement price.”
The traveling merchant laughs, patting his round belly.
He seems to plan on wholesaling to us without adding extra profit, offering a discount on the procurement price for the increased quantity, and then selling elsewhere to secure a profit. Despite talking about repaying kindness, he doesn’t seem willing to incur losses. His shrewdness makes him reliable as a businessman.
“Let’s discuss that in detail later. For now, Anna-san, may I ask for your assistance?”
“Yes! We’ll get ready then!”
Anna-san and her companions aim to overcome the Red Death, a long-cherished goal. To prevent its spread in the city, Anna eagerly heads towards the backyard, followed by her undead subordinates.
“Ah, can you have the zombies avoid passing through here? Not for the dirt, but to prevent contamination.”
I’m being cautious as the undead pass by.
If Anna-san’s words from last night are true, zombies seem to be carriers of the Red Death. The zombie, hand in hand with the ghost in a costume, stops and tilts its head, not because it’s cute, but because its floppy head is about to fall.
“Blood is medicine. Sell?”
“No, won’t sell. So stop cutting like a habitual self-harmer, Barbera.”
I stop Barbera, who is showing her wrists.
Even though dragon blood is known to have medicinal properties and quick healing effects, Barbera’s self-harming with the appearance of a 10-year-old is bad for my mental health. Running my fingers through her hair, Barbera squints as if ticklish.
“Alright then. Since Anna-san is not here, let’s start preparing for the store opening! …For now, Chloe, ‘purify’ the area where the zombies were.”
“Sure thing, Naoya! Leave it to me, the holy knight!”
“…Hmm. Breath. Disinfect.”
“Please stop, Barbera-san. The ladies from the farms will be here soon, and they might see you.”
On the 13th day since I arrived in the other world and the 12th day as the store manager of Aiwon Mall in the other world, today seems to involve both running the business and preparing for the opening of the drugstore.
Come to think of it, is it okay to let Anna-san go to the city alone? Oh, to avoid complaints from the Merchant Guild head, it might be a good idea to get permission for selling medicine.