AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 84
Episode 8-11
“Huh, can it really be built in such a short time?”
“If it’s something simple, yes. I’m not a professional, so luxurious mansions are out of my league, and I’m not up to date with the latest trends…”
“Yeah, I get that. No comments on your ‘not up to date’ though. So, assuming we can get the employee dorms built, the next issue is location.”
This is the 19th day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store. With the ‘Dragon Sale’ approaching tomorrow, Anna-san and I were setting up a special event space. The task of bringing out the tables and chairs stored in the back was handled by Barbera. Despite her small frame, she easily carried a towering stack of chairs. Dragons are amazing.
“The rooftop is out of the question because of Barbera and her parents. That leaves the area around Aion Mall. Hey Chloe, what’s the deal with the land? Can we buy or lease it?”
“Hmm? ‘All land in this country belongs to the king,’ you know?”
“That doesn’t sound very elf-like. Just what I’d expect from a dispatched knight… Wait, so what about the land Aion Mall is on? What about other nobles?”
After the lunchtime rush, customer numbers dwindled as usual. Chloe, who had been helping with customer service since the morning, was now assisting with setting up the special event space. Colette, the young girl selling galettes who had come for test sales again today, was also there, leisurely wagging her tail.
“Nobles who hold land are granted it by the king as a reward for their military service! It can be passed down, or sometimes it’s just for one generation. One day, I too will be rewarded as a holy knight!”
“Let’s try contributing in ways other than fighting, former manager. So, we can’t just build an apartment outside the town without permission?”
“Hmm? Is that kind of lawlessness allowed in the world you came from, Naoya?”
“No, it’s not allowed. It’s just disheartening to be lectured on law by an elf, especially you.”
“Hehe, Naoya-san, this land belongs to the family that ‘founded the kingdom guided by the gods,’ so the management is strict. Was it called the Divine Right of Kings?”
“Why do you know that, Anna-san?”
“I read it in a middle school history reference book.”
“Oh right, there are books lined up in the bookstore. It’s impressive that you taught yourself Japanese to that level.”
Apparently, it’s not okay to just build houses in another world either. I thought it might be fine to do business outside the town since I heard it was allowed, but that makes sense. With the government running on tax revenue, allowing people to settle and farm freely would lead to tax evasion.
“So, Naoya, if you’re going to build dorms, it should be within the Aion Mall premises! Wait, are you planning to build a hostel and lure me in, saying ‘It’s about time for a break, Chloe’ and then—how despicable!”
“The meaning of ‘break’ has changed. Chloe, you’re reading something at the bookstore, aren’t you? They don’t have anything too extreme, but they do have a decent selection, right?”
“W-what are you talking about, Naoya! A former manager, elf, and knight like me would never—! I buy them properly with an employee discount!”
“So, you do buy them. I see, Chloe’s ideas are influenced by both her parents and Japanese books… This might get worse.”
I have a headache. Chloe isn’t as proficient in Japanese as Anna-san yet, but once she-…
“Are you okay, Manager? If you’re feeling unwell, I can fetch some medicine from the apothecary.”
“I’m fine, it’s not that kind of problem. Thanks.”
Colette, the dog-like beastman, looked at me worriedly. Chloe tilted her head, and Anna-san smiled. I really hope Colette becomes a tenant here.
“We can’t use the surrounding area or the rooftop, so we’ll have to use part of this vast parking lot for the dorms.”
“Naoya-san, it would be better to place it behind the building, out of sight from the main road. For defense, it’s easier to manage if it’s not visible.”
“Yeah, our main defense force is, well…”
“You’re going to build it, right? I’ll go get the wood now! With one swing of my spirit sword Épée de Vois, I’ll chop down trees!”
“Hey Chloe, the wood needs to dry before it can be used, so we can’t use it right away.”
“…Burn it.”
“Ah, right, it burns as the caster wishes. That’s cheating, fantasy creatures. Thanks, Barbera.”
“Hehe. Then, Naoya-san, once the Dragon Sale is over tomorrow, we’ll all start the construction.”
“Thanks, Anna-san. I’ll look for some reference books tonight to bring over.”
I could leave it to them, but since it’s for Aion Mall employees, it should be as comfortable as possible. As the manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, I need to ensure employee satisfaction.
By the way, my current residence is an “empty tenant space,” and I plan to move to the dorms once they’re built, but that’s not why I want it to be comfortable. It’s unrelated.
…If only we could use substitutes for electricity, gas, and water here as we do in Aion Mall. And clean toilets, Aion-standard ones.