Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 170: The Second Shop
Tauro and Mardai finished their discussion about the Garfish Company’s new products in one of the company’s guest rooms.
“Now all we can do is wait and see how well they sell,” Tauro said.
“Indeed. There’s one more proposal I’d like you to consider.”
Mardai’s expression immediately became that of a merchant preparing a new deal.
“The curry shop in Saisi is registered in your name. Would you be interested in opening a second location in the Royal Capital?”
“Is there some urgent reason?”
“Not exactly. Paulo, who manages our Saisi branch, has suggested it several times. However, because the restaurant belongs to you, we couldn’t proceed without your approval.”
Mardai had also hesitated because he knew Tauro disliked having his name placed prominently before the public.
“The Saisi shop works because the local Adventurers’ Guild manages it responsibly. I don’t have anyone here who could fill the same role.”
“The Garfish Company will manage the Royal Capital shop. Curry is already firmly established as one of Saisi’s specialties. I’ve eaten it myself, and it’s excellent. If there were a shop here, I could have it whenever I wished.” Mardai paused, then added with conviction, “It’ll certainly become popular.”
His enthusiasm had become rather personal, but Tauro trusted the Garfish Company to operate the restaurant properly.
“We could make the Royal Capital branch famous and eventually open locations throughout the kingdom,” Mardai continued.
Nationwide expansion sounded far too ambitious, although Tauro liked the thought of eventually opening a shop in Dansas.
Money was the immediate problem. Tauro had little cash available after spending heavily while introducing Aeris to the nobility. The royal family’s intervention had ultimately made those negotiations unnecessary, but the expense hadn’t been entirely wasted. The visits had established Aeris’s presence in noble society and offered her some protection while the Van Dyne dispute was still unresolved.
“Mardai, please lend me the money required to open the second shop.”
Tauro disliked saying it. In his previous life, he had never borrowed money. This would be only his second loan in his current life; the first had come from Mauve when Tauro needed the registration fee to become an adventurer.
“We proposed the expansion, so the company can simply pay for it,” Mardai offered.
“No. I paid for the first shop, and it operates in my name. I want to accept responsibility for the second one as well. I’ll entrust its management to your company, but please treat the construction funds as a loan to me.”
“Very well. I’ll lend you the money.” Mardai laughed knowingly. “Although I suspect you’ll repay it far sooner than you expect.”
Tauro didn’t understand the remark, but he accepted the substantial loan with every intention of repaying it.
That same day, Mardai introduced him to a suitable commercial property. Tauro inspected it and immediately signed a lease. Unlike the Saisi location, he chose not to purchase the building.
He also decided to perform the renovations himself. He could have borrowed additional funds from the Garfish Company to hire craftsmen, but that would only have increased his debt.
Within a few days, Tauro completed the remodeling. The owner of a nearby restaurant was so impressed that he asked Tauro to renovate his establishment as well, an offer Tauro politely declined.
The second shop would begin with the same menu as the Saisi restaurant so the locations could offer a consistent product. Regional dishes and toppings could be introduced later if the chain expanded.
That gave Tauro an idea. Dansas could offer curry topped with pork cutlets, one of the village’s specialties.
By the time he left, he had already decided that the third curry shop should be opened in Dansas.