AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 86
Episode 8-13
“The elf holy knight, the lich apothecary, and the dragon are why this store can operate safely in the dangerous ‘wilderness’ beyond human settlements…”
“Y-yeah, it seems safe, mom!”
Colette, the galette-selling girl, and her mother, Francine-san, calmed down quicker than expected. They likely felt indebted to us for helping them continue their business despite Francine-san’s frail health. Though it’s only been twenty days since I became the manager, Anna-san, Barbera, and the skeletons understand how hard it is for ordinary people to accept them.
Francine’s comment made me realize that running a store ‘outside human habitation’ might also be hard to accept. I need to think about how to recruit tenants.
For now, I set aside those worries and checked the displays prepared for the ‘Dragon Sale.’
There was a special booth for selling prepared foods and a freezer stocked with various meats. We even prepared recipe cards for easy meal ideas. A large billboard stood along the busy road in front of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, featuring Chloe, Anna-san, and Barbera in swimsuits. We also set up an eat-in space with tables and chairs in front of the store so customers could enjoy their purchases right away.
That wasn’t all. The Peddler-san had gone to the town with a free shuttle carriage, this time with his wife and daughter. The wife took turns driving with the merchant and organized the waiting line during her free time, while the daughter helped and contacted people who knew the family.
Hopefully, we’ll have enough customers to need a waiting line.
I looked up at the roof of Aion Mall. Above where Barbera—the dragon—had been on the first night we arrived in this world, there was now a balloon with a banner.
“Aion Mall Otherworldly Store: Sale Ongoing!”
Though the Japanese on the balloon might be unreadable here, it would still catch people’s attention. The skeleton captain had written the local language on the banner. Anna-san had commented on his excellent penmanship. Skeletons writing well—interesting.
Finally, everything was ready. Chloe, Anna-san, and Barbera were all eager for the sale to start. This was the second Dragon Sale, but the first time we were properly announcing it to the townspeople. This time, Colette and Francine-san, who would do seated tasks, would help out. The ghost mascots, with their red guiding sticks, were also ready to assist with traffic management.
I shouted to the apron-clad skeletons who had returned to the store and the skeleton troops hiding in the forest to ensure safety.
“Alright, let’s begin! Aion Mall Otherworldly Store’s second ‘Dragon Sale’ starts now!”
My declaration was met with applause from the employees and temporary helpers. Even without the Peddler-sans family, there were six of us, including myself. There were also some clattering noises from inside the store and the forest.
On the 20th day since I became the store manager, the second sale began, aiming for the monthly sales target of 100 million yen.
After unloading their goods, the farm ladies were promptly guided to the prepared food section by Chloe. There were more people than during the first Dragon Sale. They had brought their husbands or invited neighboring farmers.
In the eat-in space, the farmers immediately started eating, while Colette moved around selling galettes and other foods, reminiscent of traditional station vendors or stadium beer sellers, carrying a tray supported by straps over her shoulders. We set it up so that customers could buy food from Colette directly, making it possible to sell while walking around the eat-in space or even taking to the streets if the turnout was low.
Colette, who used to sell galettes in the nearby town, was adept at this style. Among our employees, only one apron-clad skeleton could do the same. Skeletons are curious beings, but apparently, they were once human.
“Naoya-san, it’s about time for the people who left the town as soon as the gates opened to pass by.”
“Oh, is it already that time?”
Watching the farmers and Colette, I hadn’t realized how much time had passed.
I turned my attention to the road in front of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store. My eyes widened in surprise.
“Naoya! What is that? Has a powerful monster appeared nearby? We must evacuate those who cannot fight!”
“Wait, Chloe-san! The person at the front is the Peddler-sans free shuttle carriage. So those people must be—”
“…So many adventurers.”
“Wow, wow! Amazing! Everyone, this is Aion Mall Otherworldly Store! Today is ‘Dragon Sale’ day!”
When Colette called out, the driver of the lead carriage, the Peddler-san, waved back energetically with a big smile. Following behind, adventurers spread out across the road, around twenty or thirty of them. There were also peddlers with backpacks and several more carriages.
It’s no wonder Chloe, Barbera, and I were all shocked. Only Colette, who was unfamiliar with the usual quiet of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, was simply delighted.
People from the town peeked out from the carriage awnings, adventurers pointed at the balloon, and some who usually wouldn’t venture out had stopped to look at the signboard. As Aion Mall Otherworldly Store opened, more and more people were heading our way.
On the 20th day since I became the store manager, the second Dragon Sale seemed to be off to a great start.
As the morning passed and lunchtime approached, the number of visitors increased even more. There were repeat customers from the first Dragon Sale, people who heard about it from them, and those who had heard about it from adventurers and merchants returning to town. There were also those who thought it must be safe with so many people and decided to come out despite usually not leaving the town.
In this other world, at least around here, those who cannot fight usually do not leave the town. If they do, they bring escorts.
…Wait, does that mean the farmers are capable of fighting? Like militia?
I avoided this shocking realization, as well as the fact that the skeleton troops ensure the safety between the town and Aion Mall Otherworldly Store. Hopefully, the adventurers wouldn’t find out.
The eat-in space was full. Despite Barbera bringing out more chairs and tables, it wasn’t enough. However, in this world, it seems eating outside doesn’t necessarily require tables and chairs. Adventurers sat directly on the ground, and the peddlers and townspeople laid out clothes to enjoy the freshly made food.
Chloe handled sales at the special booth, while Colette continued her mobile vending style.
Anna-san, smiling, worked at high speed as the head cook. She was also apparently replenishing the magic stone stove with magical power.
Fanchine-san managed the sales of groceries, everyday items usually sold by the Peddler-san, and Chloe’s recommended gardening supplies all by herself. Barbera and I were in charge of the eat-in space. Barbera handled the clearing and cleaning, while Colette and I took care of customer service.
It was a good decision to have Colette and Fanchine-san work not just as a “test sale of galettes” but as “temporary event staff.” However, even with both of them, we were barely managing.
According to the Peddler-san, there was now a waiting line at the free shuttle carriage stop, so it wasn’t possible to bring his wife and daughter over. Here, the lines were starting to form for dragon steak and tail soup, both for cooking and for purchasing the dragon meat.
As the lines got longer, we were considering what to do when the mascot ghosts started guiding people. Thank goodness. They’re really helpful, and apparently, we can increase their numbers.
“Hmm? The head of the Merchant Guild? I mean, we did prepare for his visit, but he’s actually standing in line for the dragon steak?”
“…Problem?”
“No, it’s not really a problem. Barbera, you don’t need to roll up your sleeves. We’re not kicking him out. The Guild Master is following the rules.”
The Merchant Guild Master, a rotund man dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jingling accessories, stood in line for the dragon meat. His guards, clad in gleaming metal armor, lined up with him. The merchants around them, unrelated to the Guild Master, seemed to be shrinking in on themselves.
…Yeah, it’s not a problem. There’s no reason to give him special treatment. Let’s just pretend we didn’t see him. Yes, let’s do that.
On the 20th day since I became the store manager of Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, the ‘Dragon Sale’ remained bustling even past noon, with no issues so far. Everything was smooth. At least, for now.