AIWON Mall Isekai Store, Grand Opening Today! - Chapter 94
Episode 9-3
On the 22nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, the landscape I saw had changed due to the magical power settling into my body. However, compared to the possibility of “being able to use magic,” such details were minor.
Chloe’s hair color, or Barbera’s tail in her human form—these differences in perception just meant that I had been seeing things differently from the people here all along.
As the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store, it’s better if we see things the same way.
So I decided not to worry about it.
“Water and earth magic would be convenient. But disinfection? Or pest control? The [Purification] spell is also appealing.”
I muttered to myself, Naoya Taniguchi, 24 years old, manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
According to Anna-san’s examination, there were no abnormalities other than the “magical power settling in.”
Incidentally, my magical power level is apparently “on par with an average mage.”
Anna-san said that, depending on compatibility, I should be able to use simple magic.
“Well, I’ll have Anna-san teach me after business hours… For now, I need to focus on increasing sales.”
Dreams are expanding, but the usual routine continues.
Running a mall store in another world is an unusual routine, but it is what it is.
When I lifted my gaze, business was proceeding as usual.
“Is this it? This cart is not for sale. If you want it, you can ask Naoya…”
“That’s a shame.” “Indeed.” “The materials are…” “Unknown.” “The workshop is…” “Unknown.” “But the craftsmanship is excellent.” “Indeed.”
Chloe, with her light blue hair swaying, was diligently attending to customers.
Surrounding the shopping cart were small, bearded men, presumably dwarves.
“…Beef stew. Delicious.”
“It smells amazing!”
“Hey, wait, this cutlet looks good too!”
Barbera, tail flicking, was promoting the prepared foods.
The bipedal beastmen, with their ears perked up and tails wagging furiously, seemed excited.
… Oh, so there are furry-type beastmen different from Colette. Maybe they’re a different species.
“The water is over here!”
“Thanks, beastman girl!”
Colette, with her tail swaying, was guiding a customer to the fountain beside the store entrance.
The customer, a quadrupedal iguana, wore a small hat and carried a modest backpack.
… In this world, iguanas can talk. Huh.
…
…
“Wait, hold on! Otherworldly vibes! It feels overwhelmingly otherworldly now that I can see so many new things!”
Dwarves are fine.
In a world with elves, it makes sense to have short, stout, bearded men.
Chloe, an elf, didn’t seem bothered by them. So, maybe elves and dwarves aren’t particularly antagonistic here. Whatever, that’s a minor issue.
Bipedal beastmen with dog-like appearances are also fine.
Colette has dog ears and a tail, so it’s not strange for there to be such species. Probably. Kind of makes sense.
But, what kind of beastman was Francine-san’s deceased husband? Is Francine-san not just a paragon of common sense but also a potential beast lover?
Personal preferences vary, so that’s fine too.
“Wait? An iguana? Not a beastman, but an actual iguana? Well, it’s a bit bigger than the iguanas in my world? Oh, it can talk. The iguanas here can talk.”
My eyes wandered.
The iguana that Colette guided to the water was taking a dip in a small bucket filled with water.
Its hat and backpack seemed waterproof, repelling the water.
Oh, it climbed out of the water and started sunbathing.
Definitely an iguana.
“Naoya-san? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Anna-san. Well, I thought I heard that iguana talking just now. Maybe I’m just tired from working so many consecutive days. That can’t be right, can it? Haha.”
“That’s quite rare. That was a ‘Dragonkin.’ Naoya-san, you mustn’t call them ‘iguanas’ or ‘lizards,’ as they have a lot of pride.”
“Dragonkin. Dragons. I see.”
“They’re known for their rivalry with Lizardmen. There’s an ongoing debate among scholars about which group truly represents the ‘Dragonkin’ and which is the ‘Lizardmen.'”
“Is that so? They both seem dragon-like. Interesting. The other world really has a lot going on.”
Though I thought, “I don’t care,” I didn’t say it out loud.
Careless remarks about ethnic disputes or debates could lead to trouble. Well, there’s no internet here to cause a storm, but still.
“Yes. Both groups claim their ancestors were dragons and hold dragons in high regard.”
“Huh. …Huh?”
I stopped trying to dismiss Anna-san’s words.
The iguana that had exchanged a few words with Colette was now approaching me.
“You say we can use such a fine water spot freely? Thanks, Manager.”
“Oh, no, thank you for visiting. I thought having a water spot might attract carriages and customers like you.”
“Good thinking. To think I’ve been missing out on such a fine establishment. I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
“Uh, thank you.”
His voice was unnecessarily deep.
The iguana’s voice was deeply resonant, and he had a somewhat nihilistic vibe—what’s this about?
“Located near a town between the capital and the port city, close to the Dwarven town and the Elven village. There are dungeons around too. You’ve set up shop in a very convenient spot.”
“Thank you for the compliment…?”
“Well, I can’t just leave after getting free water. Let’s see, I’ll do some shopping.”
“Thank you.”
I watched the iguana—or rather, the Dragonkin?—customer walk away, his body swaying.
Even if he buys prepared foods or vegetables, will they fit in that small backpack? Or is he planning to eat them on the spot? No, that’s not the issue here.
“The Elven village is probably close enough since Chloe, who ran away from home, managed to reach the nearest town. The road in front of us has a decent amount of traffic, so it makes sense that it connects the capital and the port city…”
“What’s wrong, Naoya-san?”
“Um, is there really a Dwarven town and a dungeon nearby? Was that always the case?”
“Yes, indeed. The nearest town was rebuilt precisely because it’s a ‘transportation hub.’ Even if it was a cursed town, leaving it in ruins would be inconvenient… Cursed… It’s not cursed… It was my fault for being so incompetent back then…”
“Cheer up, Anna-san! Remember, the cure for that incurable plague has been completed! People will be saved from now on!”
It seemed my casual question had hit a sore spot for Anna-san.
I was curious about the ‘transportation hub’ thing, but I decided not to ask Anna-san any more about it.
I’ll check with Francine-san or the traveling merchant later.
Just as I was thinking that—
“Ojou!? Is this your store, Ojou? Long time no see!”
A deep voice echoed from the iguana.
I turned to face it.
“…Who?”
The iguana was bowing slightly to Barbera in her human form.
Barbera tilted her head in confusion.
“Ojou?” What’s the connection between an iguana and a dragon… well, they do look similar in dragon mode, except for the size.
“Anna-san said their ancestor is a dragon, so maybe that iguana guy will become a dragon when he grows up? Barbera is already 140 years old, so maybe in another 100 years, the iguana guy will be a dragon too.”
“No, he won’t.”
Apparently not.
Anna-san’s response was a bit cold. Understandable, given her undead nature. Cold indeed…
A world with magic is mysterious.
Is it a good thing that I can see so many new things now that I have magical power?
Wait, weren’t dwarves, beastmen, and iguanas unrelated to magic in the first place?
Wouldn’t I have seen them even without magic?
On the 22nd day since I became the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworldly Store.
I’ll just tell myself that it’s natural to learn new things, even after over twenty days here.
… This other world is full of mysteries.