Chapter 55

――And finally, the day of the grand opening arrived.

……However.

"What the hell is going on?!"

In the morning, Uga's puzzled voice echoed through the store.

"Why isn't it open yet?!"

"Uga, calm down."

We had decided to open the store from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, just to align with the surrounding shops, though there was no rule that we had to set specific business hours (we could have been open 24 hours if we wanted to).

However, on the first day of opening, I hadn't opened the store even when it was time to start.

Moreover—

"Moreover, you're saying you'll open at 7:00 PM today… That's when other stores are closing!"

The grand opening was set for 7:00 PM today.

Yes, there was a notice posted at the entrance of the store.

"By then, it'll already be night. Are you sure it's okay…?"

"Calm down, Uga."

Gurai placed his hand on Uga's shoulder, who was getting anxious.

"Mako has a plan. This is her judgment."

"Yeah, I get that, but…"

"I'm sorry, Uga. And everyone, I know you're worried too."

I looked around at everyone gathered in the store.

The decisive week had arrived.

Today was the day that would determine whether the store we had all worked so hard to build would survive.

"But, everyone worked late yesterday and didn't have a chance to rest. Some of you might have been too nervous to sleep."

A few of the *Beowulfs* reacted with a start.

Maur and Meala also reacted.

"I slept like an artist."

"Delphi, be quiet. So, today we'll do the final checks until the evening opening. Everyone, review the product placements, explanations, and how to handle customers."

And, make sure the store's cleanliness (cleaning and organizing products) is perfect.

"Can we really just take it easy like this?"

Bagoz muttered, and I turned to him with a confident smile.

"It's fine. In fact, if we don't do a thorough final check now, we'll be too busy later."

"Huh?"

"Mako! So, you do have a secret plan!?"

"Hehe, of course."

As I said this, everyone's faces brightened with renewed hope.

Yes, I'm glad they believe in me.

"Alright, everyone, let's thoroughly prepare for the evening opening."

"Huh? Mako, are you going somewhere?"

Maur asked.

"Yeah, Maur and Meala, do you want to come with me? I'm going to scout out other stores with Iksa."

"Scout out?"

"By the way, where did Entia and the black wolf go?"

Meala noticed that Entia and Kuro-chan had disappeared some time ago.

They had actually been gone since the night before, but only now did anyone notice, which probably meant they hadn't had a chance to rest their minds and bodies.

To change the mood, let's go out.

"Entia and the others are on a special mission. Okay, Maur, Meala, Iksa, let's go out for a bit."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

The first place we visited was the produce store, likely our strongest competitor in the area.

The store operated by the Grossem family, a famous merchant family that rivals the Weeble family, where the young lady had come to declare war the other day.

"Wow."

We had heard that this store had the highest sales among its competitors in the area, but when we actually visited, it was bustling with customers.

"Amazing…"

"We can't even get inside…"

Maur and Meala's eyes widened.

"Indeed, it's impressive, but it's not usually this busy, right?"

As I said this, Iksa showed me a piece of paper.

"Is this the store's flyer?"

"Ah."

"Oh, who's there?"

At that moment, a familiar voice called out.

Turning around, we saw a blonde twin-tailed girl in luxurious clothing.

"What brings you to the store I manage, the direct sales store of Abatos Village?"

"It's been a while, Lady Rayle."

I bowed deeply, and Rayle huffed.

"I heard your store is opening tonight. What's the plan?"

"Thank you for your concern."

"I'm not worried. I just can't understand your actions. Because—"

At that moment, Rayle noticed Iksa.

"…Eh? Prince Iksa?"

"More importantly, Lady Rayle, it's quite busy today, isn't it?"

I said, looking around the store while she was confused.

"Y-Yes, it is. I didn't do it to compete with you, but I decided to have a special sale today."

Rayle answered, slightly flustered.

This crowd and the good customer flow were indeed the result of some sales promotion.

"I'm selling high-end fruits that are usually out of reach for commoners and rare crops from abroad at a 20-30% discount from their regular prices. We also distributed flyers. It became a topic of conversation and attracted quite a crowd."

I see, the promotion is a discount strategy.

Indeed, from what I can see, it seems to be effective.

This is a good piece of information.

As expected in the capital—when you create a topic, many people will react to it.

"But, it's so hot today. With so many people, the valuable products might get damaged."

Rayle fanned her face with her hands and looked inside the store.

It was indeed a nice day, and the temperature was high due to the crowd.

"There's no choice."

She muttered, then raised her hands towards the store and closed her eyes in concentration.

Instantly, a white phosphorescence seeped from her body.

"Ah!"

Maur also noticed the phenomenon and exclaimed.

A cold air current was generated from her hands and flowed into the store.

"…Phew, I just adjusted the air conditioning a bit."

Rayle exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and looked at us with a "What do you think?" expression.

"Surprised? My mother is of noble birth, so I have magical power and can use the magic to create cold air."

She said confidently, but from the fact that she was sweating profusely after generating cold air for a few seconds, it seems her magical power—MP—wasn't that abundant.

"Ugh…" she swayed on her feet, perhaps feeling dizzy.

"Standing here talking is tiring, so I'll take my leave. Thank you for the conversation."

With that, I turned to leave.

"…By the way, you guys, are you sure it's okay to be taking it easy here?"

Rayle warned us as we left.

"Let me tell you, I won't hold back. If you challenge me, I'll crush you seriously."

…She says she's not worried, but she still gives us a warning.

She may be arrogant and competitive, but she's probably not a bad person at heart.

"I understand, Lady Rayle. We're not giving up either."

"…Right. Well, do your best. It won't be a good experience for me if there's no challenge."

With that, we left the Grossem family's store.

"Mako, are you sure? There were so many customers there?"

Maur asked, worried.

I hummed in thought.

"Yeah, I think it's not a bad strategy. Discounting might seem like an easy method, but it's a surefire way to create a significant impact that meets the demand."

However, I continued.

"Discounting itself isn't bad, but the way it's done needs more thought."

"Discounting method?"

I nodded at Meala's repetition.

"Discounting high-end and rare items does catch the eye, but it often doesn't have much meaning. Even if something is usually too expensive and you lower the price a bit, most people will still think, 'I don't really need it.'"

The ideal is to discount high-end items while also discounting everyday items.

"The demand is clearly higher for the latter, so the number of customers will increase. If there are more customers and they have the means to buy the discounted high-end items, they might loosen their purse strings and think, 'I'll take this opportunity.'"

By lowering both high and low items, the total sales can increase through a multiplier effect.

With that conversation, we headed to the next store to scout.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

After visiting a few more nearby stores, we decided to return to our own store.

On the way back,

"Oh, Prince Iksa."

Two people approached from ahead.

One was a man in a black coat with black and white hair, wearing a cheap smile.

The boss of a gang—Braed.

"Today is the very important first day of the competition! Yet, you're taking a leisurely stroll. Are you confident, or just careless?"

Braed said with his usual smirking attitude.

"Prince Iksa."

The other person was the elderly supervisor who managed the prince's battle.

"Hello, this is unusual. What brings you here?"

"Starting today, we will determine the winner based on the sales over the next week… I came to reconfirm this and pay my respects, but I learned you weren't at your store. Coincidentally, I encountered Lord Braed nearby."

The supervisor said this, but Braed was probably just keeping an eye on our store.

"…Is it alright, Prince Iksa?"

The supervisor whispered to Iksa.

"During the rule-setting, you didn't object and agreed, so I didn't advise further… but this seems quite disadvantageous for you."

"It's fine."

Iksa looked at me calmly.

"This battle is entrusted to her. As a man, I won't flail around pathetically. Besides, if we win, it will lower Nero's stock, and we can negotiate from a strong position, just like with Antimishka."

"…I see."

"By the way, Prince Nero will visit to see the outcome of this bet."

Braed recalled.

"Right, four days after the opening. So, the day after tomorrow. Prince Nero will be in the capital."

Braed grinned.

"I hope you can put up a good fight by then, at least."

"Thank you for your concern, but it's unnecessary."

Iksa smiled confidently.

Hmm… It's nice to be trusted, but it makes me nervous to be relied on so much.

…But, I have no intention of losing.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

…And the time approached the decisive moment.

It was just before 7:00 PM.

Finally, the moment had arrived.

All preparations for the store were complete.

The staff was waiting anxiously for the opening.

A few customers had already lined up outside, having heard the rumors.

…However, the number wasn't very high, probably because it was outside the usual business hours.

"…So, what is it?"

At the back of the store.

"Why did you call me here, Mako?"

I was with Delphi.

"I need your help, Delphi."

"What? Is it something that will use my artistic sensibilities?"

"Absolutely, it will."

I quickly explained what I wanted to do to Delphi.

"…What, Mako?"

Delphi sighed deeply, letting his silver hair fall.

"I still don't like you."

"Why?"

"Because your ideas are something I would never think of."

"Then, you won't help?"

"Of course I will!"

Delphi smiled, grabbed a glass orb in his hand, and squeezed it.

"I'll use my artistic skills to literally elevate your artistic ideas!"

"Thank you, Delphi!"

I handed him something I had prepared in advance.

It was a glass tube, like a test tube, that Delphi had made.

Inside were various "metal powders," and the opening was sealed with a cork.

This was inspired by "Color Sticks," a party item that, when burned in a wood stove or fireplace, colors the flames with a rainbow effect.

Delphi used his glass skills to create "bubbles" and insert the tubes I gave him.

"Let's go, Mako!"

"Sure! Go all out!"

Delphi threw the "Color Stick" filled bubbles high into the sky.

His bubbles contained the fire lizard's magic from his blood, and when they were impacted—

—The high-flying bubbles exploded, creating a rainbow of light in the night sky.

—Like fireworks.

"What was that sound just now?!"

"And the light!"

Everyone in the store rushed out.

The colorful light that illuminated the night sky could be seen from anywhere in the capital.

People were drawn to the source, wondering what had happened.

"Yesss! More, more, Mako!"

The dazzling light and sound from the bubbles Delphi launched advertised the store's existence throughout the capital.

"Here they come, everyone!"

And, attracted by the spectacular light, people started to gather at our store, which opened at 7:00 PM.

"Alright, open the doors! Abatos Village Direct Sales Store, grand opening!"