第９１２堀：ウィーモールの中 (Part2)
"Over there? ...Ah, you mean 'over there.' I see. So, the Hero's world has things like this, does it?"
"Hmm. As always, you truly come up with all sorts of ideas. I suppose that is the luxury of a world with such abundance."
I couldn't exactly mention Japan by name here, so I had phrased it vaguely, but Queen Miyabi and Lord Gaul understood immediately. Honestly, I was surprised myself when I first heard this shopping mall concept. Under normal circumstances, a method like this wouldn't succeed. I had even talked about it with Ratz, and even she had said...
*"Normally, people wouldn't even think to build a structure like this, nor would they expect to draw enough customers to justify it. It is only because this is Weed that it was possible."*
That’s right. Even Ratz said it would be impossible under normal conditions. And yet, it’s surprising to see that other nations are now looking to use this as a blueprint. Outside of Weed, they would surely struggle even more with customer traffic and security.
But anyway, back to the explanation.
"The greatest feature of this shopping mall is that every individual store is located indoors. Once you come here, you can focus on shopping at your leisure without worrying about the summer heat, the winter cold, or even the rain."
"We also have restaurants, and products from various countries that can only be found here. The spaces that are currently empty are slated to be filled by the nations that applied for storefronts after touring the facility during the Intercontinental Exchange Conference and the wedding."
"With this many people gathered, I can certainly understand what Yuki-dono was saying earlier. If there is any national leader who sees this and still fails to grasp the opportunity, they are unfit to lead."
"That said, I have nothing in my own lands that would be suitable for a shop here. That is what I find most regrettable."
"Oh, please don't worry about that. We have plans to provide support to those who need it, helping them brainstorm what their local specialties might be."
"If this were a purely commercial venture, we couldn't lease space to those who wouldn't turn a profit, but this facility also serves as a showcase for other continents and nations. We can basically ignore the bottom line; after all, one of our goals is cultural exchange. Though, of course, we would have to turn away anyone who doesn't put in the effort to develop their products."
After all, this is a shopping mall. We can't have shops that don't even bother to stock proper goods.
"Hmm. In that case, does this mean the Dragonfolk village could open a shop as well?"
"Yes. If you have any specialties that evoke the image of the Dragonfolk village, we would love to promote them..."
"Hmm. It’s hard to think of something on the spot."
"There is no need to answer immediately. Though, the shop our High Elf nation will be opening has already been decided."
Oh? So the High Elf nation has a specialty like that?
"A maid café!"
"Pfft!"
"?"
Everyone except Lord Gaul burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. A maid café is purely for entertainment; to call it a "specialty" feels... well, not just a little off, but fundamentally different.
"Well, jokes aside. I would like to look around the shops now. Where are the ones currently in operation?"
"Indeed. Looking around, I see mostly empty storefronts. Where are the shops run by the major powers?"
So, Queen Miyabi was just joking. I felt relieved. If Queen Miyabi herself were serving customers in a maid outfit, it would make people question the common sense of Weed itself.
Setting that aside, as I continued to guide them forward...
"Welcome! It’s delicious!"
"Welcome!"
I heard such cute voices and turned to see they were coming from a nearby shop. It was...
"Oh? It seems children are running a shop?"
"It appears so. But I thought only major powers or those recognized by Weed were permitted to open shops here?"
"That’s right. Those children’s shop was approved by Big Brother. Oh, and of course, not just Big Brother, but myself and Milly..."
"Yes. Queen Seraria personally approved it as well. Those children are students from the Weed school."
That’s right, students. Students from the school we started in Weed are running a shop here in this public space. Well, I did lend them a hand with a few things. And, naturally, among them were...
"Welcome! How about some freshly baked doll-shaped manju?"
"Mmm, this is delicious!"
"Hiiro. Stop snacking on the merchandise."
Vilia and the others are there, too. You know, when you go to a large shopping mall, there’s usually never enough space to rest, right? That nightmare of wanting to relax but not being able to! Everyone’s experienced that, haven't they?