AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 62
Episode 7-1
“Good morning, Naoya! It’s another great morning, perfect for a day of work!”
“Good morning, Chloe. You’re in high spirits this morning.”
It’s the 14th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall in the otherworld.
Yesterday, it seems Chloe went back to the town.
Even though she commutes, she’s been staying on the rooftop in Barbera’s living space quite often lately.
Since the daughter of a traveling merchant was brought in until today, Chloe has been staying in Aion the whole time.
Just to be safe, because she can use healing magic.
“If only she didn’t have such strange leaps of thought, she’d be a really good guy.”
“Huh? Did you say something, Naoya? Haha, don’t tell me you’re having naughty thoughts early in the morning! I heard men are energetic in the morning! Ugh, gross!”
“Right after saying that, you’re the one with dirty thoughts. Okay, let’s get ready for the opening.”
Clapping my hands, I prompt Chloe, and she says, “Got it!” and quickly heads towards the entrance.
Barbera cleaning, the skeleton with an apron, the ghost in a rabbit costume – they’re all here. It should be fine to leave them to handle that.
“Good morning, Manager. I replenished the sold items from yesterday.”
“Ah, the traveling merchant. Thanks for stocking up.”
From the 13th day of business yesterday, I started selling everyday items in this world’s goods section.
I sell things like bags made of leather or cloth, water flasks made of bamboo-like wood, ropes, wheels and wood for emergency wagon repairs, nails and small metal fittings shaped like a ‘?,’ wooden dishes, small pots, and knives for cooking.
I heard there are second-hand clothes in stock, but I’m putting the sale of used clothing on hold.
“Is it really okay, though? The location fee is not fixed, and the sales ratio…”
“This month, well, until next month, let’s go with that. Currently, Aion Mall’s sales are meager, and if we set a fixed amount, it might be tough.”
“I see, I understand.”
“How about it? With this style, are there other shops that would join Aion Mall?”
“Well… even with this style, it might be difficult with the current customer base. Large stores usually have business in the town, and small shops might find it hard to calculate their sales.”
“Eh… seriously? That, well, you can calculate taxes, and I understand that it might be difficult to calculate the percentage from profits.”
“Some shop owners just leave that to the Merchant Guild. With stalls, if you pay the location fee to the Merchant Guild, they deduct taxes from there. We traveling merchants calculate it ourselves and pay through the Merchant Guild…”
“Since there are traveling merchants, the industries might overlap. Hmm, even if they’re dealing with specific products and selling through routes, maybe they can wholesale to us.”
Feeling indebted to Anna-san, who cured his daughter, the traveling merchant became the first tenant in our mall, having a selling space.
He was selling everyday items while going around the villages, so he continued selling them here.
Once his daughter is cured, he plans to leave the sales space in Aion Mall to his wife and daughter and resume his traveling merchant activities.
By the way, both the plump old traveling merchant and his wife used to be adventurers when they were young.
Even though they’re traveling merchants, they find one-horned rabbits and goblins easy and don’t need guards. The otherworld is scary.
“How about it? Merchants like that usually have significant sales outlets.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Well, for now, I guess I’ll have to check with various people.”
At the Aion Mall in the otherworld, we’re currently selling locally grown vegetables from nearby farms, prepared foods like cutlets, hamburgers, and beef stew, along with their ingredients, a drugstore section with medicines made by Anna-san, and a general goods section with items from this world.
It can’t really be called a “mall.”
“Oh, before that, we need to confirm how the monthly sales goal of one billion yen will affect the tenant’s numbers.”
“Naoya, the cleaning is done! The skeletons said they can even unlock the doors!”
“Just in time. Ask Chloe… Hold on, can Chloe even understand them?”
“Huh? What’s up, Naoya? If you have something to ask, go ahead! I used to be the manager, you know! I’m a holy knight!”
Although Chloe works as an employee, she is also a knight dispatched by the country.
The monthly sales goal of one billion yen is an order from the country, and if any employee knows about it, it would be Chloe.
“Because it’s Chloe…”
“Hmm, I feel like I’ve been somewhat offended, Naoya! Huh! Could it be my ‘3 sizes’ that you want to know about!?”
“Get a grip, you perverted knight. What I want to know is how the monthly sales goal of one billion yen counts for the tenants in Aion Mall.”
“…huh?”
“Don’t tilt your head. You were the former manager, right? A knight dispatched by the country?”
Apparently, she still doesn’t know.
Her tilting her head cutely is frustrating despite her being beautiful.
And the rabbit-costumed ghost behind her is also tilting its head. Cute.
“If it means ‘demonstrate the value of Aion Mall,’ I think it’s fine to combine the sales of the tenants. If it’s about ‘contributing to Aion in taxes,’ then it would be Aion’s sales plus tenant fees, I guess.”
“…What are you talking about, Naoya? Some magic I’m not aware of?”
“I’m not really sure if Chloe could understand. Where do I confirm this? I feel like only the country that gave the order and Aion Corporation know the answer. Explain properly, Iori!”
I complained to Iori, who is not here in the HR department.
Depending on the answer, it might be better to focus on direct sales rather than looking for tenants.
It frustrates me that I didn’t check it earlier, even though it’s an important matter.
“I guess I’ll have to ask the responsible person in this country. But Chloe is the contact point, right?”
Chloe looks at me with a puzzled expression.
I slump my shoulders.
“Ah, Chloe. Let me organize the things I want to confirm, and I’ll create a document. Next time, I want you to take it to the person from the country and ask.”
“Ah, got it, Naoya! If I just hand it over, right? Leave it to me!”
Relieved that she understands what to do, Chloe smiles brightly.
She seems motivated, and her abilities are undoubtedly high.
“Sigh, after the peak before noon, I’ll make the document. Graphs and explanations should make it clear… I can’t input this world’s characters on a computer.”
“Naoya-san, I finished stocking the drugstore section. Naoya-san?”
“Anna-san, there’s something I’d like your help with later. Can I call you in the afternoon?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Huh! Why do you need her, Naoya? Why not ask me!?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll ask Chloe after youcalms down. Now, let’s get ready for the opening.”
“…Done.”
“Thank you, Barbera. You’re truly a source of comfort.”
Petting Barbera, who came to report instead of dealing with Chloe, she narrowed her eyes as if ticklish.
I also pet the head of the rabbit-costumed ghost that was appealing to me by tilting its head. It’s fluffy. Because it’s a costume.
“Alright. On the 14th day of Aion Mall in the otherworld, let’s do our best today!”
“Ah, the old ladies are here! Naoya, I’m going to help, okay?”
“Oh, it’s already that time. Then, I’ll give instructions to everyone under me.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
Creating the document is one thing, but whether it will get through to the country’s representative or if Chloe will return with the correct answer is a bit uncertain.
For now.
Soon, on the 14th day since I became the manager, the Aion Mall in the otherworld will start its business.