AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 69
Episode 7-9
“Ha ha ha ha! Barbera, let’s go! See your mighty papa up close!”
“Just please remember to stay within the human limits, okay? Just because you’re in a human form doesn’t mean you can do anything you want, alright?”
“Don’t worry, Naoya-san. If it comes to it, I’ll use magic on any witnesses.”
“That’s terrifying! Anna-san, haven’t you been falling to the dark side lately? Let’s not start with brainwashing as a given, okay?”
“I’m coming too, Naoya! My healing magic will be useful if needed! Me! The holy knight!”
“Wow, Chloe is being reasonable. Very reasonable. Thanks, Chloe.”
It’s the 15th day since I became the manager of Aion Mall Otherwordly Store.
The adventurers who rushed in told us that a horde of monsters was approaching.
Last night, a pair of dragons flew overhead, causing monsters that usually stay far away to panic and head this way.
“…I’m looking forward to this.”
“I see. So fighting monsters like cockatrices, basilisks, and others that make adventurers flee is something you can look forward to. Dragons are terrifying.”
The unwanted guests, or rather, attackers, will be dealt with by Barbera’s dad.
Barbera’s dad is an Ancient Dragon, specifically the most powerful of the Red Dragon lineage, known as a Crimson Ancient Dragon.
Barbera, her parents, and Anna-san all headed outside with ease.
“Wait, hold on! We’re going to fight too!”
“Leader… yeah, this mall has done a lot for us. Alright, let’s do this.”
“I’m in too! Watch me, Anna!”
“Damn it, fine. Hey, you lot, don’t die out there.”
“Don’t run away, don’t run away, don’t run away, don’t run away.”
The five adventurers who had taken refuge started following us outside. For some reason, a bunny mascot ghost was also following us.
The traveling merchant saw us off without any intention of coming along or looking worried. Maybe they have an idea about who we are? Like, thinking there’s no way we’d lose since we’re partying with dragons.
“Dear customers, please stay inside the store for your safety. And if possible, avoid looking outside.”
“Hey, manager, isn’t that a bit cold?”
“Yeah, that’s right! We might not be able to handle a basilisk or two, but still…”
“Abandoning us here would be disgraceful for adventurers!”
It’s really fine.
Or rather, having you see this might be problematic.
Honestly, you lot are just in the way.
I can’t say that out loud though.
Swallowing down those harsh words, I tried to reassure the customers.
“Everything’s fine, there’s no need to worry. Aion Mall Otherwordly Store has quite the defensive capabilities, you know? So please, take your time inside. And if you can, enjoy some shopping too.”
Maybe my wording was off because I was also nervous.
Still, the adventurers seemed determined to follow us.
Just when I was wondering what to do, I felt something.
A strange, unsettling presence.
Turning around, I saw Anna-san smiling.
“Anna-san?”
“Let’s go, Naoya. See, the adventurers seem to understand now.”
“It’s okay. We’re okay.”
“We don’t have to go outside. We don’t have to fight.”
“Everything’s fine, sorry for the trouble.”
“H-Hey, guys?”
“Let’s take it easy. Yeah, let’s relax.”
…I see. That was Anna-san’s magic at work. I can sense magic now that I have some of my own.
Anna-san is seriously scary! As expected of a lich, a high-level undead!
“What is it, Naoya? Wait! Could it be that you’re imagining me being defeated by the monster horde, captured and toyed with? Just kill me!”
“No, we’re going to win. And isn’t ‘just kill me’ a bit too casual?”
With my usual retort to Chloe, I followed them outside.
Chloe, the elven holy knight, Anna the lich, Barbera the dragon.
And Barbera’s parents, who are famous dragons.
Outside, there were also the skeleton captain and the skeleton troops.
Even I, who don’t fully understand this world, can tell this is a formidable force.
Aion Mall Otherwordly Store.
Its first defensive battle seems like it’s going to be an easy victory.
The expansive dirt parking lot of the Aion Mall in the other world.
In a world without cars, it’s just an empty field, extending out to a forest. The trees deep within the forest are shaking—perhaps there are large monsters there.
“Oh, is that… undead? Anna-san?”
“They’re my undead minions. They won’t die even if caught in the fray, but I’d prefer if they avoided a direct hit from a breath attack…”
“Understood. Let’s be considerate.”
The first to emerge into the parking lot were the skeleton troops. They appeared from both ends of the parking lot and formed ranks, as if guiding us to a hunting ground.
“I’m glad we didn’t let the adventurers come outside. It’s still daytime; I hope no one else witnesses this.”
I sincerely prayed. But my small hope didn’t seem to matter as the skeleton captain galloped into the center of the parking lot. Mounted on a skeletal horse, its helmet and cape fluttered as it charged forward. Chasing after it were monsters.
Leading the charge after the skeleton captain was a herd of unicorn rabbits. No, looking closer, the lead rabbit had three horns. Following them were a herd of lightning-horned deer and two oversized bears. Those must be the thunder antlers and killer bears.
Seeing us in defensive mode, the skeleton captain steered its bony horse to the side and retreated.
“…They look tasty.”
“Barbera, your comment is too much. As expected of a dragon, these creatures aren’t even considered enemies. The deer and bears seem pretty strong to me, though.”
“Hmm, then I shall defeat them in a way that preserves their edibility! If they’re annihilated, they can’t be eaten!”
“Wow… You can annihilate them… As expected of an Ancient Dragon. Other worlds are terrifying. The employees and families of Aion Mall in the other world are incredible.”
Perhaps influenced by Barbera’s comment about them looking tasty, her father decided to defeat the monsters in a more gentle way. It must be a gentle method, surely.
Barbera’s father raised his hands in front of his face.
“Fuu—!”
With a forceful exhale, beams of light streamed from his mouth. Passing through a triangle formed by his thumbs and index fingers, the beams extended outward.
“Wow! Amazing! This is the breath of an Ancient Dragon, a Crimson Ancient Dragon!”
“Dear, please be careful not to blow your breath too much. Also, keep the penetration power low.”
“I’m not surprised anymore. No more ‘Wow, a Crimson Ancient Dragon’s breath!’ I’ve seen Barbera’s breath in human form before.”
The beam-like breath struck the monsters. They were sliced cleanly and fell apart.
Listening to Barbera’s mother, the breath was controlled delicately, not sweeping across. It was much more controlled than Barbera’s pottery-firing breath.
“…Papa, amazing!”
“Really amazing. Rabbits, deer, bears—all instantly killed. Oh, even that big bird, probably a cockatrice—instantly killed too. Haha.”
“Oooooh! Even the cockatrice! And the basilisk, both taken down in one hit! The legend of the Crimson Ancient Dragon is true! When I return to the village, I must boast, ‘I saw the breath with my own eyes!’”
“Is that really okay for a runaway? Didn’t you leave Verto Village without a word?”
“Ha ha ha ha! How about that, Barbera! When faced with Papa, such small fry are nothing! Isn’t Papa amazing? The strongest, right?”
With no more moving monsters, the breath finally ceased. The monsters, which had terrified adventurers to the point of fleeing and preparing for death, were mere small fry to Barbera’s father.
“…Yes. Papa is strong!”
Barbera’s eyes sparkled as she hugged her father. Barbera’s father, grinning broadly, looked just like any ordinary dad. At least in appearance.
“…Well then, let’s have everyone gather the corpses. Some of these monsters are edible, and there are materials useful for potions.”
“Understood, Anna! Now, Barbera, let’s have a feast today! Human, I expect delicious cooking from you!”
“That’s right! We’re counting on you, Naoya! I’m looking forward to trying meat I’ve never tasted before!”
“I’m not a chef, but well, you did protect the Aion Mall, so I’ll do it. You remind me a lot of Chloe.”
The skeleton troops that had guided the monsters away from the human settlement now became the retrieval team. Perhaps the real MVPs of this battle were the skeleton captain and his troops.
Monster corpses lined up in front of the Aion Mall in the other world, with Chloe, Barbera, and Barbera’s father drooling—ah.
“Anna, let’s handle the rest ourselves. It’s still daylight. We don’t know when people might come by, and we don’t want them seeing skeletons.”
“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.”
On the 15th day after I became the manager of the Aion Mall in the other world, our first defensive battle ended without much of a fight. Dragons are terrifying!