AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 68
Episode 7-8
Since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherwordly Store fifteen days ago, I’ve apparently gained some magical power from eating an Ancient Dragon steak. At the moment, I don’t feel any different and I still can’t use magic. Maybe it’s because I’m not even thirty yet.
“What an exquisite taste… Manager, what kind of meat is this? Where did you get—no, it’s rude to ask about your suppliers.”
“It seems that consuming the meat doesn’t pose any problems for those who already possess magical power, Naoya-san.”
“It’s terrifying how you had no hesitation in letting the merchant try the meat that knocked me out, Anna-san. Although, I was fine when I tried it again just now!”
The merchant devoured the Ancient Dragon steak, tears streaming down his face from the sheer deliciousness. Unlike me, he didn’t faint after eating it. This suggests that ordinary humans, like the merchant, can also consume it without issue.
“The magical power… it’s slightly increased, just like when Naoya-san ate it the second time.”
“Wow, you can tell such things, as expected from a lich. No hesitation in human experimentation either, true to being an undead.”
Anna-san nodded thoughtfully as she observed me and the merchant. It turns out, Anna-san is even more dangerous than the quirky knight Chloe or the dragon Barbera, she’s not even human anymore.
“Ah, Naoya!”
“Yeah?”
“So, are you planning to sell this meat and dish as part of the take out food or maybe a Dragon Sale?”
“Uh, I think we should hold off for now. We can’t ensure a stable supply, and knowing its true value, well…”
“What!? Surely you can’t be withholding it just to… ask something of me in return for a taste?”
“That’s not it, Chloe. Also, your tricks are becoming too predictable.”
Stopping Chloe, I turned my attention back to the chatting merchant and Barbera and his wife. The merchant was enthusiastically recounting how Barbera helped cure his daughter from the Red Death disease, embellishing the story a bit, which seemed to make Barbera really happy.
Interestingly, the merchant family doesn’t know that Barbera is a dragon or the true nature of his wife. They’re aware Barbera is not an ordinary human, having seen her blood act as a cure, but they’ve decided to overlook it since she saved their daughter.
“Alright, Anna-san, Chloe, let’s wrap up the tasting and prepare for the afternoon rush.”
“…Work.”
“Barbera, you can take the day off and relax with your parents on the rooftop. It’s for everyone’s peace of mind.”
As always, there were few customers during the early afternoon lull. However, the automatic doors opened, which was unusual for this time.
“Welcome! Hmm? Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Your greeting is spot on, but your tone! How can you speak to customers like that, Chloe!”
Five adventurers rushed in through the front door. I quietly reprimanded Chloe. The adventurers didn’t seem to mind her tone, though.
“Chloe, it’s serious, you need to hide!”
“It’s already too late! Chloe, lower the shutters!”
“Can we also come in? We’re not the ones being chased but—”
“What? Thieves? Monsters?”
Despite the adventurers’ panic, Chloe remained calm. As expected of a holy knight, but this isn’t the time for admiration.
“Of course, you can take refuge inside. What exactly is chasing you? Monsters? Chloe is a holy knight, she should handle the monsters around here with no problem, right?”
“Indeed, leave it to me, Naoya! No enemy can defeat me, a holy knight!”
“That’s the thing, it’s strange—”
“Yeah, usually you wouldn’t see things like man-eating bears or thunderhorn deer running wild.”
“I saw it! Cockatrice and basilisk!”
“That’s absurd. The monsters wouldn’t just abandon their territories. It must be a mistake.”
“So, basically, you don’t know.”
“Powerful monsters not usually seen around here… Don’t worry, with Anna and Barbera, we’ll be fine!”
Chloe, after listening to the adventurers, turned around. I also turned to see Anna speaking with a bunny mascot, which was actually a ghost in disguise. Barbera looked puzzled, and the merchant had a pale face while Barbera’s parents—
“Oh.”
“Naoya? What is it?”
“Adventurers, did those monsters come from that direction? Were they running as if fleeing from something, utterly exhausted as if they’d been running for half a day?”
“Y-yeah, how did you know, Manager?”
“Amazing, you’re no ordinary manager!”
“Just as I thought. It’s because of the two dragons that flew in last night after closing. Their presence must have scared the monsters out of their territories, causing them to panic and run amok.”
“Oh! Naoya, you’re sharp!”
“Naoya, our leader has come to the same conclusion. He’s leading the monsters here to avoid collateral damage elsewhere.”
“Thank you, Anna-san. Umm…”
“Dad? Mom?”
“Well! Then we need to take responsibility! Let’s go, dear!”
“Indeed. Velto’s daughter, Anna, and the humans should stay back! I’ll handle this. Watch closely, Barbera!”
The pair known as the Fire King Dragon and Water Queen Dragon who visited last night are likely the cause of this chaos. Their presence must have driven the monsters out of their habitats in panic.
“Please maintain your human forms. We don’t want to scare off any customers.”
“Hmph, my true form is more—”
“Dad. Trouble.”
“Alright, I’ll show my strength in this form!”
“Nice assist, Barbera.”
“I can’t believe Naoya dares to command like that. His heart must be made of steel.”
“That’s amazing, Naoya! No fear at all, this is what it means to be the manager of Aion Mall Otherwordly Store!”
As I gently patted Barbera’s head, I noticed Anna-san and Chloe looking a bit worried. Ignoring them, I watched Barbera’s father heading outside.
“Hey, Chloe, will Barbera’s father be alright? Should we prepare to fight too?”
“Don’t worry, human. No matter his form, he can’t lose.”
“…Dad, strongest.”
While the adventurers panicked, Barbera’s mother and Barbera herself remained calm.
Since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherwordly Store fifteen days ago, this is the first time monsters have approached. Any beings that attack Aion Mall will not be considered customers.