The Otherworld Antique Bookstore is a Life-Risk Chapter 9

 

Chapter 9: Preparing for the Grand Reopening

 

"Miss Bergana, please wake up. It's morning!"

"Mmm... I hate mornings, I hate afternoons. Berga's still sleeping~"

After returning the key to the owner at the main store in the royal capital, I rushed back to the mansion only to find this situation. I wonder if Miss Bergana always sleeps all day when she doesn't have work.

This won't do for work, so I set up a snowball. I lead the sleepy-eyed Miss Bergana to the office.

In the office, Butler Yuke is already waiting with several documents stacked in front of him. These are the financial records for the past few years of the three directly-managed stores in the royal capital and branches in other countries, which I asked Yuke to prepare last night.

I immediately sit on the sofa and start checking the documents. While I'm frowning and muttering over the complex information, Miss Bergana keeps asking for my opinion on the main store, which is a bit annoying.

"How was the recreation of the otherworld bookstore? It was really hard work, you know."

"It was indeed like the bookstore I knew. Especially that old man, he was exactly the same."

"Right? It took five years to find that old man, Tubai. There aren't many who can capture that essence."

"Oh, so his name is Tubai."

"Your response lacks enthusiasm. Praise me more~"

"But as long as it's a commercial store, it needs to make a profit. Looking at these documents, the sales of the main store in the royal capital are significantly worse compared to others. There have been no purchases or sales for several months, and when you factor in the name-lending fee to White Trading Company, labor costs, and fixed costs like utilities, it's just hemorrhaging money."

"You see, the work in this table is just a supplementary cover for the collection of forbidden books and grimoires happening behind the scenes. Isn't it enough to just have the appearance of a store?"

"I see, so that's what you had in mind when setting up the store. I understand now."

I stand up, slamming the table.

"I understand, but I can't agree. I don't think that store is fulfilling Lady Laviola's intentions at all."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Increasing sales in a book-selling business isn't just about making money. It's about circulating books among the public. As more people try to read books, literacy rates will improve. The knowledge and sensibilities gained from books not only enrich people's minds but also contribute to the development of culture and technology, greatly contributing to the future development of the country. I believe Lady Laviola, who has been involved in nation-building alongside the first king, would surely want to see this kind of impact from the public-facing work."

"So, what do you want to do, Yuki?"

"Just to confirm, am I correct in understanding that I'm not just a company member working in the store, but serving as the store manager?"

"More like the head of the company, I suppose. I'm planning to entrust you with all the public-facing work eventually."

"I don't think I have the capacity to oversee everything else right now, so let's stick with store manager for now. It seems the other two stores are outsourced, so I'd like to focus on achieving results as the manager of the main store in the royal capital. For that, I want to renovate the store, which will require significant funds."

"What do you mean by 'renovate'?"

"It means rebuilding the store into a different form."

"Hmm, if you're saying all this, you must have an idea of how to make that store successful. I think you should do as you like, Yuki."

"If I may add one thing," Yuke, who had been listening to our exchange, spoke up.

"Regarding Yuki's renovation plan, as Yuki is still unfamiliar with many aspects of this world, perhaps it would be best to consult with Master White first."

"That's right. Well then, Yuki, let me add one condition to your renovation plan. You need to get the approval of the head of White Trading Company. If you can do that, I'll give you my full support."

"Understood."

As if timing the end of our discussion in the office, there was a knock on the door. A maid, seemingly scorched by the sun filtering through the trees, came to ask if she could prepare my meal.

"Yuki, let's take a break. Please order my portion as well today."

Soon after, a muscular man in chef's attire and two maids set up breakfast for two on the office table. I feel a bit sorry for the maid working while steaming from her body.

The meal is simple: soup, bread, and the usual glass of lukewarm water. However, the soup seems hearty with chunks of meat.

Come to think of it, I've never been this close to Chef Marrow before, as usually, the food is just brought in.

"If I may, I'd like to confirm Yuki's likes and dislikes for future reference."

"Likes and dislikes? Well, I'm not very familiar with the ingredients here yet. Hmm, for now, let's say I'm okay with anything except human flesh."

Miss Bergana is already enjoying her soup. Just as I pick up my spoon to start, my plate disappears from in front of me.

"Mr. Marrow?"

Chef Marrow, holding my soup bowl, averts his eyes from my gaze and starts sweating profusely.

I see, so that meat is...

"What's the matter, Yuki? The consumption of human flesh by us intelligent monsters is legally protected in this country. Though the source is limited to death row inmates and serious criminals like thieves."

Even if you say that... I was human until a few days ago, so the idea that it's okay to eat people just because I'm a monster now...

"Mr. Marrow, please use a different kind of meat from now on."

That's all I can say. For now, I bite into the bread, which is all that's left, but it's dry and tasteless.

"Mr. Marrow, don't you have butter or cheese?"

"What are those things?"

Oh, I guess they don't have dairy products. Then they probably won't understand if I say "cow." So I tried to explain that they're processed products from the milk of animals with faces similar to a minotaur's head, but everyone's face turned pale upon hearing this.

"Processed products from minotaur milk..."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"Yuki, minotaurs are male, you know. Does that milk even exist? Just imagining food processed from that is disgusting. Look, Marrow's eyes are rolling back."

I tried to explain, but it was hopeless.

After finishing the meal, I started working on the renovation plan in my room, but there was some commotion outside the window.

What I saw was Chef Marrow in full plate armor, with Bergana and Yuke desperately trying to hold him back.

I heard later that in response to my request, Marrow was about to venture alone into the middle levels of the Abyss Labyrinth.

 

 

 

* * *

For the renovation plan of the main store in the royal capital, my previous life's experiences from before my time at the used book chain store, including my previous occupation and university studies, proved more useful.

Ideas for interior design, shelf arrangement, and creating a comfortable working environment for employees keep coming to mind.

But the first thing that popped into my head was placing a big sign with the store's name on it.

Just the company name wouldn't be enough for first-time customers to understand.

The name will be "Rabbit's Used Books," a play on Lady Laviola's name, with a black rabbit character wearing a hood as the mascot. In the future, I'd like children to call it "The Rabbit's Bookstore."

However, these are details that should be communicated to the craftsmen who will actually carry out the work once the plan is approved. They won't be helpful for the presentation to the head of White Trading Company.

To get a merchant to say "yes," I need to propose something with potential for future profits.

In terms of future potential, children are key. My strong desire is to create "a bookstore where children can enjoy books."

The common language in this world is simpler than Japanese in my previous life. There's no need to learn multiple writing systems. Imagine that everything - not just books, but street signs and signboards - is written in what would be considered katakana in Western terms.

There's no need to combine hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Once you learn the pronunciation and corresponding characters, you should be able to read simple books like picture books quickly.

In merchant and noble households, tutors teach students by pronouncing words and having them repeatedly write out the characters. I need to think of a way to widely spread this method on the streets.

If literacy rates improve, book sales should increase dramatically, so this is crucial for profitability.

Next, we need services that benefit children who read books. It would be good to have something that encourages parents to send their children to the store.

If we can set up toilets similar to modern Japan, we could propose paid toilets as well. I'll keep this idea as the "Magic Toilet Strategy" and ask White Trading Company if it's feasible.

I'd also like to focus on uniforms, but that's another story.

Now that I have a rough draft, I plan to visit White Trading Company this afternoon.

If I fail, I'll revise and try again. It's all about the spirit of trial and error. Here goes nothing!

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