CH 20

Episode 4-2. The situation is worse than I imagined! The target goal of 100 million yen in monthly sales! It’s a [must achieve] goal!

“I have been assigned to Aion Mall by the Knights of the Country!”

“………… Yes?”

Err, hold up? What did she just say?

“Oh, so they dispatch knights these days, too. Dispatched knights. Sounds like a good job, no! From the country? Dispatched?”

“Ah, that’s right. When Aion Mall was built, Aion asked the government for permission to build and operate the store.”

“Naturally. I don’t know about the system in this country, but I’m convinced it’s a good idea to have one (permit).

“Various discussions took place at the top level. The guild of merchants was also against it, but the permission was granted anyway. But it is a store in a different world. The country has decided to dispatch a surveillance and …… advisor from the Order of the Knights.”

“No, I’ve already said it. I already said I’m just an supervisor”

“So the advisor was replaced and I was given the prestigious big role! As the manager of the Aion Mall’s Otherworldly Store, which was in need of personnel! I was sent there!”

“…… I see.”

I could not say anything to Chloe, who proudly puffed out her chest.

Even if Chloe was dispatched after the initial person is different, the Aion side and also the country side are not motivated because they think that it’s not as big a deal as they thought.

To the country, they rarely bring in rare Japanese goods that are not found in this world. The buildings are magnificent, but procurement is limited.

As for the Aion, they can hardly expect any sales because the culture is different and they can’t bring in their products.

Since they both fell short of their original intentions, the knights they dispatched were replaced, and Chloe, who was called a “Clumsy knight,” was dispatched …….

Furthermore, Aion is Aion, and the manager is …… the knight who was dispatched by Aion.

“Thus, I am! I kept trying as the manager of the Aion Mall Otherworld Store! No one would ever call me a clumsy knight or a disqualified elf again!”

“I’m sorry Chloe. I’m really sorry.”

“But no matter how hard I try, I don’t know the real Aion Mall. That’s why I asked you to send me a Japanese who knows about Aion Mall!”

“In other words, I’m in a different world because of Chloe, not because of my achievement! I see what she means(Iori). It’s too much to ask to set up and operate a new store with only locally hired staff!”

Chloe is proud of her work, carrying a defeated one-horned rabbit cub on her shoulder.

I feel too much pity for her positive attitude and hard work.

Even I have a feeling of distrust towards Aion Corporation, which didn’t dispatch Japanese from the beginning.

I guess Aion didn’t know if Transition Gate was trustworthy and didn’t dispatch them because it was too risky.

“Wait- I’m not sure I’m okay with that! Well, yes, I guess that was the plan from the beginning when they hired you! Ooooo, ooooo, oooo ……”

“What’s wrong, Naoya? Are you okay? Gasp! I was worried when I saw you cowering in the street, and then you just broke down and left me to take care of everything! You made me wipe you down, and of course he made me wipe you all over! Kuh- Kill me!”

Chloe looked worried as I cowered with an anguished voice – but she was the same as usual.

I feel guilty because I don’t think she’s aware of how she’s being treated by the country and Aiwon.

“Hmmm? Hey, Chloe, the government has discussed this, and they’ve given you permission to build and operate, right? Are they still expecting Chloe to be sent there now?”

“Yes, of course! Only a national project would send a knight to monitor and guard it!”

“National business. They actuality send out knights who watch over and guard the country.  Is it a bad thing that a business that dispatches knights will go out of business?”

“Yes, it’s a serious situation! I helped with the construction and the whole building will probably be confiscated! The construction was done with magic, and the court mages who helped with the construction seemed to be interested in the building materials that were brought in!”

“Ehh”

“But Naoya, if they don’t confiscate it, the merchant guild might try to get their hands on it! They may try to buy it, or worse, go behind your back and loot it while pretending they don’t know …… Kuh- what a prick!”

“Say what?”

“Of course, I’m going to take my revenge on those bandits! And we have Anna and Barbera!”

“As expected from elves, lich, and dragons, very reliable! That’s not it!”

“Is there something wrong, Naoya?”

“The situation is worse than I imagined! We must achieve our goal of 100 million yen in monthly sales! A goal that must be achieved!”

A government business that sent a knight in shining armor crumbles. The business that the country dispatched knights to will go under.

They are operating over the objections of the merchants’ guild. If it goes under, they’re going to try to get their hands on it, and that’s a bad thing.

Err, I’m starting to get the feeling that we’re in real trouble.

“How do we reach 100 million yen in sales by the end of the month? I’m afraid I’ll have to quit now if that’s the case. …… No, I can’t go home then. The [Transition Gate] leads to the Aion Mall’s otherworldly store near the loading dock.”

I was supposed to be walking on a dirt road, but my feet were so unsteady it felt as if I was walking on a cloud.

The voice of Chloe, who is worried about me, can be heard in the distance.

“A-are you okay, Naoya! Pull yourself together, we’re almost there! Do you want me to carry you?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine, I can do it, can I?”

“You don’t need to worry about that! The State’s ultimatum to achieve monthly sales of 100 million in Japanese Yen is five months from now, the month before the next Transition Gate is connected!”

“Aah, so there’s still time to do that, and also …… you said ultimatum. The country’s ultimatum.”

Chloe supported me as I wobbled around.

I could see a town in another world at the end of the road, but that’s not the point.

“In five months’ time, the moon will have closed and the [Transfer Gates] will not be connected yet.

In other words, there was less than a month after the decision was made that it was hopeless. With that much time, we can move forward with repossession and looting.”

I don’t mind the feeling of being supported by a girl in my first otherworldly city, even though it’s hard because of the armor.

“This is bad. This is even worse than I imagined. I’m not even sure if I can go home. What’s going on, Iori? You’ve got a serious problem, Aion!”

As I suddenly started shouting, Chloe peeked at me with a worried look on her face.

As I thought, her face is beautiful and surprisingly so. 

My lamentation disappeared into the otherworldly sky.