Chapter 53

The next day.

After readying the store early in the morning, I went shopping to buy some things to welcome our two new employees.

“There’s this many people already?” [Ryouma]

I opened the store at 8 AM and spent about an hour shopping, so it should currently be around 9 AM.

I wonder what time the customers prefer to come. Also, I wonder what time the number of customers peaks.

As I thought that, I entered through the employee-only entrance. I had Carm-san and Fei-san deal with the customers, while I tasked Carm-san and Leelin-san with carrying the laundry. The store is doing fine for now, so I decided to leave everything to them, while I went to prepare fbod.

There’s no telling when it’s going to get busy, so they should eat while they still can.

I kneaded the dough and stretched it, then I covered it with my meat sauce.

Speaking of which, this meat sauce is left over from the party two days ago. I stored it in my custom made refrigerator, which makes use of barrier magic, so it’s been preserved. Just to be safe, though, I checked it with Identify first, and as expected, there weren’t any problems. Serge-san will probably make another fuss, if he catches wind of my refrigerator.

…Or maybe Pioro-san would make a bigger fuss? He did say his company handled food goods.

I sprinkled some cheese, cut onions, and herb over the base, then I put everything in the kiln. While that was cooking, I started working on the salad and the beverages.

After a while I was able to successfully make the pizza.

A delicious aroma wafted in the air and I took a bite from my portion.

…Yep, it’s done. The customers haven’t started to flood the store yet, so the timing is just right.

“Guys, I made some food. I’ll help out, so please take turns with each other to eat.” [Ryouma]

“Thank you.” [Carm, Carla, Leelin, Fei]

I first substituted for Leelin-san and Carla-san, then after they ate, Fei-san and Carm-san substituted with them. Like this all the employees were able to get their break and eat.

But when afternoon came, the situation ended up just like yesterday and the store became jam-packed, so all the employees had to work together just to barely scrape by.

“Good job, everyone.” [Ryouma]

“You too, Boss.” [Carm, Carla, Leelin, Fei]

It’s better than yesterday, but only to the extent that the workers aren’t about to faint out of exhaustion anymore. If even one of the employees are absent, the situation will quickly become fatal. The employees won’t even have the time to eat.

“There were a lot of customers today too. How much did we make this time?” [Ryouma]

“After calculating everything, our income for the day totals to 11,877 suits.” [Carla]

Carla took out her notebook and showed me.

That’s 50% more than yesterday. That’s amazing progress after only one day.

“The store is really doing well.” [Ryouma]

“It’s actually pretty crazy.” [Leelin]

“At this rate, the customers will probably keep on increasing.” [Fei-san]

“You think so too, Fei-san, Leelin-san? Do you think we should hire more hands, after all? We were originally planning to hire 3 or 4 workers anyway. The way things are now, if even one employee isn’t able to work, the burden on the remaining employees will be too great.” [Ryouma]

“It would probably be for the best to get more hands.” [Carm]

“We just asked for more workers yesterday, but it would be a huge help if you could get some more from the guild.” [Carla]

“Alright. By the way, I was thinking of also hiring a cook. Can you hire one from the guild too?” [Ryouma]

When I asked that, it was Carla-san who answered.

“Yes, but why would you need a cook?” [Carla]

“Everyone’s working hard in the store, so you don’t have time to cook, right? So, to remedy that, I thought I should hire a cook.” [Ryouma]

“That’s true, but you should just leave that sort of stuff to the workers.” [Carla]

“But it would be a load off your shoulders if someone specifically meant for that one job were to take care of it. Besides, if you’re going to eat, then you might as well have something good. This is what you call ’employee welfare”.” [Ryouma]

“Well that’s true, but what do you mean by employee welfare?” [Carla]

“Ah… How to put it… Basically, it’s a kind of thinking that says employees should be able to work at their workplace comfortably.” {Ryouma]

They don’t have employee welfare here? Or is it just not popular?

“Ryouma-sama certainly does take care of his employees a lot.” [Carm]

“Even though we’re live-ins, our salary is so big. Conditions this good are very rare.” [Fei]

“With a good salary, a warm and comfortable room, not to mention, and on top of that, good food. Dad and I probably won’t be going anywhere.” [Leelin]

“Glad to hear. Then, can I leave the rest to you? I’ll be going to the guild to get more workers, but I won’t be coming back, as I’ll be going home after.” [Ryouma]

“Take care!” [Leelin, Fei, Carm, Carla]

When I got to the guild, I was brought to to the reception office again, where the guild master interviewed me.

“Did you come to hire workers today too?” [Grisiera]

“The store is unexpectedly doing well, so I have some spare funds.” [Ryouma]

“I see… So, how many are you hiring?” [Grisiera]

“3 more employees to handle the store plus one cook.” [Ryouma]

“A cook?” [Grisiera]

“The store is usually pretty busy, so the employees don’t have time to cook, so I thought I’d get someone to cook for them. At the same time, I figured I might as well make it so that the food is delicious. It’s for health and nutrition too.” [Ryouma]

“You don’t really have to go out of your way to hire a specialist, though. You sure do some weird stuff.” [Grisiera]

“Is it really that strange?” [Ryouma]

“Normally, one of the employees will cook if it’s that busy. Although it’s true you’ll have to hire various employees as your store gets bigger, but it’s fairly rare for someone to specifically hire a cook. Not that it’s a particularly bad idea, though. Wait here for a bit. I’ll look for some promising ones.” [Grisiera]

After waiting for a while, the guild master personally named 4 people and introduced them to me.

“Greetings! I’m Jane!” [Jane]

“I’m Maria~”

“I’m Fina]

“And I’m the cook, Sherma.” [Sherma]

The first three are all young women. They came from a poor village in hopes of making money. Jane-san is lively, Maria-san has a gentle aura about her, and Fina-san looks like a levelheaded person. At least, that’s my first impression of them. Shelma-san is older than the three and feels like a mother.

The guild master picked these people out herself, so they’re definitely good. But even as I thought that, I made sure all the same that they were willing to work. When I did, they all nodded. As for why, some of them heard rumors that the store is really popular, while some of them saw the line outside yesterday. On top of that, the guild master herself told them that my store is safe.

Well, most of the people including me have already been acquainted with the guild master, so there’s indeed less to fear for the women workers.

The three village women are villagers through and through. They don’t have any special abilities, but that’s okay.

Sherma-san’s previous workplace was apparently an inn, so she can’t make luxurious food, but that’s okay too.

Everyone seems to be easy to get along with, so I decided to hire them all.

Just like that my business was concluded. It only took me 10 minutes.

Connections really are important… Seriously.

Tl Note: Better suggestions for Sherma’s name?

Also, PDFs and ePUBs have been updated. Credits to a kind reader and Byggvirr.

 Volume 2 Chapter 53 part2