NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 290.2
Chapter 290.2. New Market
Every job involves many people. The larger the market, the more employment opportunities there will be. Konoha reminded herself of this as she steeled her resolve to keep up with the two of them. If she didn’t stay focused, her company might be taken over before she knew it. Even within the family, there was no mercy when it came to business.
One month later. It was mid-March, the time when cherry blossoms were about to bloom, and Konoha and her team had prepared a company to sell preserved foods and magic heat-retaining tools. The company was named Jester Clowns, Inc.
The store, Jester, opened in front of the adventurer’s guild in the Amatsugahara Special Zone. Despite only a month passing, they had poured money, resources, and manpower into opening it at a rapid pace.
Inside the store,magic heat-retaining tools and preserved foods lined the shelves. Unfortunately, only the samples were displayed in reinforced glass cases. Since it was in the ruins, trust was still an issue.
Alongside the magic heat-retaining tools, preserved foods that could be used with them were also displayed. The temperature was set at 60 degrees, so the meals weren’t piping hot, but they were warm. Konoha and Rei had struggled to come up with a lineup.
What they ended up creating were meal sets priced at 300 yen, containing a few pieces of bread or rice balls mixed with a small amount of beginner potion. It helped with fatigue recovery, and the taste was subtle enough to not be a problem.
Since themagic heat-retaining tools could warm up any food, they also included smoked meats and dried fish. The menu was still a work in progress, but they had to rush to prepare before other food companies joined the market.
Hoping for the best, Konoha looked around. Word of the store’s opening had already spread, and people were watching them with great interest.
Only Konoha and Rei were receiving such attention. A maid stood in the corner, and Takeda Shingen was a short distance away.
Her mother and the others had gone to greet the opening of the second store in the inner city. That store was aimed at households and restaurants, not adventurers.
The magic heat-retaining tools were made using wooden sticks obtained from the core store, but they were also made into scrolls by processing fibers into paper. They could be attached to knife handles or placed under plates to keep meals warm.
High-end restaurants would appreciate such items, and for household use, they marketed them as safe for children, easy to warm up, and perfect for heating baby’s milk. They were likely already planning to create cooling magical tools as well.
Recently, magical crops had become more common, and ways to use them in cooking were being explored. There were breads that looked like they were on fire, fruits that emitted cold air but weren’t frozen, and other surprising crops that had everyone excited.
Konoha’s first priority was to appeal to adventurers. For this job, they had hired 100 enchanters. In addition, they had also hired store clerks, warehouse managers, office workers, and more. She was thrilled to be able to employ people from the ruins.
Next, she hoped the adventurers would take to the product. Konoha steeled herself internally.
“Everyone, today we’re launching a new, convenient magical tool for everyday life. The magic heat-retaining tool will surely add a touch of comfort to your meals. Please, take one home with you! We’re confident in this product.”
The store clerk sat at the checkout counter, smiling warmly. Konoha felt a little anxious. What if people thought they didn’t need to keep their food warm? She nervously glanced around, gauging the reactions.
Even though it was groundbreaking, similar products already existed. There were things like cup noodles, after all. If people thought they didn’t need it and it didn’t sell, the initial impression would be ruined. First impressions were crucial.
But then Rei raised a hand and said something outrageous.
“The security cats owned by Amatsugahara Corporation have a fondness for smoked meat warmed by magic heat-retaining tools. If you feed them when you meet, they might prioritize protecting you in an emergency. It’s a possibility, at least.”
What a cunning statement. Konoha was shocked and looked at Rei, but Rei didn’t seem to care, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The reaction was dramatic. At the very least, adventurers who risked their lives and those with adventurer family members began whispering among themselves.
“Would they really come to help in an emergency?”
“Nah, it’s just a marketing ploy.”
“Right…”
They swallowed hard, forced a laugh, and then rushed into the store.
“One magic heat-retaining tool, please!”
“I’ll take three for my family!”
“Two for me and my wife!”
They crowded the checkout counter, pushing and shoving to make their purchases. The magic heat-retaining tools would sell out in no time. People from the ruins were sensitive to anything that could protect their lives. This was an expected outcome.
“Hey, Rei! Was it okay to say that?”
Konoha elbowed Rei in the side, and the masked girl chuckled.
“Everyone knows it’s just a marketing pitch, and the security cats are programmed to protect people in emergencies. Plus, if they pet the cats while feeding them, there’s no problem.”
“It feels a bit underhanded… but selling is the top priority, after all.”
Konoha sighed but admitted that she had wanted to sell out from the start.
Well, it’s fine, she thought, watching the magic heat-retaining tools sell out in no time. They’d have to increase production. Konoha couldn’t help but smile wryly.