AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 74
Episode 8-1
“Traveling merchant, are you really sure about this?”
“Yes, it’s fine, manager. I was just thinking of setting up my own shop.”
It’s the 16th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall otherworldly store.
After handling the morning and lunch rush, I was working with the traveling merchant behind the store.
“It wouldn’t fetch much as a second-hand item. Considering it will still be useful from now on.”
Saying this, the traveling merchant gently stroked the wooden surface.
He’s not a weirdo or anything. He’s just bidding farewell to his “precious partner.” Or perhaps he’s sending it off with a “good luck in your new place.”
“Naoya, I brought it! What should we do with this?”
“Thanks, Chloe. And you too, Barbera.”
What Chloe and Barbera brought was a wooden bench with a backrest. It’s a three-seater, but four people might fit if they squeeze in.
Despite its considerable size, the two of them carried not just one each, but two each.
“…It’s light.”
“Is it really? That size should be quite heavy.”
Chloe, a slender elf who is also a knight, and Barbera, who looks like a ten-year-old but is actually a dragon, found it light. In this other world, appearances can be deceiving, and it always feels strange no matter how many times I see it.
“Wow. Anna-san’s skeleton minions are really impressive…”
But it seems the traveling merchant was more interested in something else.
Following Chloe and Barbera, skeletons approached us, carrying carpentry tools.
“Thanks for your hard work. Oh, you’re not the skeletons with the aprons. So it was the skeleton unit that made this.”
“That’s right, Naoya-san. These are the engineers.”
“There are engineers too? The commander is a knight, so the skeleton unit is well-rounded! Well, given their background, I guess it makes sense.”
Apparently, the skeleton unit under Anna-san’s command originally served as a town’s military force. The apron-wearing skeletons are nurses and housewives, while those equipped with armor are capable of carpentry work.
“Shall we start the installation, manager?”
“Are you really sure about this?”
“No problem. My horse, cart, will become a means to transport customers. Both my wife, daughter, and… this guy will be satisfied with that.”
Saying this, the traveling merchant gently stroked the wooden surface again.
“…Got it. Let’s proceed with modifying the horse and cart.”
“Naoya-san, it’s not my specialty, but I have some knowledge from books. I’ll help too.”
“Thanks, Anna-san.”
“Naoya, what should I do? I want to help too!”
“Chloe, I’ll need you to watch the store. Even during idle times, customers might still come.”
“Eh? Naoya? M-my spirit sword Épée du Pois can cut through wood with a single swing… Ah! Is this what they call ‘neglect play’? Where I endure until I can’t take it anymore and then Naoya will…!”
“No, that’s not it. The wood cutting is done, we’re just at the installation and modification stage, so there’s no need for you, Chloe. Alright, let’s get started, skeleton unit.”
“I-I wasn’t defeated by the undead… No, it’s just that Anna-san’s undead are impressive. As a holy knight, I wasn’t bested by mere undead…”
“Barbera, you can go back too. Thanks for your help.”
I patted Barbera’s head as she stood there. She squinted her eyes and smiled, looking a bit ticklish.
“…Got it.”
“Na-Naoya? Aren’t you treating me differently from her? C-could it be that you are a ‘lolicon’?”
“Alright, Chloe, just be quiet and get back to work. Also, I’m not a lolicon. I like mature women.”
“Naoya? Was that just a confession?”
“Uh, no, Anna-san, you’re undead, and besides, you’re too…mature. Workplace romance, especially between a manager and an employee, can be troublesome…”
Anna-san’s smile was as serene as ever, but her eyes were different. She was teasing me.
“Aaaah! This is so frustrating! My employees are competent and reliable, but they’re way too quirky!”
Ignoring me as I clutched my head, the traveling merchant and the skeleton unit began installing the wooden bench. Anna-san began inspecting the cart, while Chloe and Barbera, holding hands, headed toward the main entrance.
The employees of the Aion Mall otherworldly store were as laid-back as ever today. Wait a minute, even the traveling merchant is blending in. I thought he was the sensible one.
For now, we finished the simple modifications to the cart and the installation of the customer bench.
As it grew dark, we continued our work in the atrium on the first floor of the Aion Mall otherworldly store. It’s spacious, customers don’t come this far, and the noise from our work wouldn’t be as bothersome as it would be in Japan.
“Alright, Naoya, it’s time for a test run! Leave the security to me!”
Chloe, who had decided to stay at the Aion Mall again tonight after closing, came in excitedly. Was she curious about the carriage or something else?
“No, today we’re just going to move it in the parking lot.”
“What? Then why did you prepare cushions that could be sold for a high price? I thought I could test the ride quality while providing security.”
“The Dragon Sale is approaching. We need to get done what we can, while we can.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Today we’ll test it in the parking lot, and if there are no issues, we’ll do a trial run to the town tomorrow. I’ll need your help then.”
“Oh! Yes, of course, Naoya! For security, it should be an elf and holy knight like me, not the skeletons!”
Chloe, puffing out her chest, glared at the skeleton unit that had excelled in carpentry work. It seemed she wanted to assert her usefulness over the undead. If it were okay for undead to be seen by the public, they might outdo her since they don’t need rest. Anna-san’s skeletons were remarkably efficient.
It looked like Chloe was worried the skeletons might take over the role of guarding the carriage.
“Yes, I’m counting on you, Chloe.”
“Wha?! Naoya is counting on me!? W-what’s your aim? My body? Even if you flatter me, I won’t just give myself up! But I did feel a bit thrilled…”
Ignoring Chloe’s usual delusional outburst, I headed to the cash register. There, Anna, Barbera, the traveling merchant, and his wife were gathered. Anna-san, having finished the actual register closing, seemed to be explaining the procedures to the three of them. The merchant family, treated as tenants, appeared interested in the closing process itself.
With a quick “please continue,” I checked today’s sales.
The 16th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall otherworldly store came to an end.
Number of visitors: 133.
Sales: 273,000 yen.
Like yesterday, the number of customers didn’t increase. Although Barbera’s parents had defeated the rampaging monster nearby yesterday, it would take some time for people to feel completely safe again.
With this level of busyness, we should be able to start the trial operation of the round-trip carriage service by the 20th day, just in time for the Dragon Sale.