The Supermarket System

Chapter 25: 25. Camping before the hunt

A broad smile was fixed on Kaileon’s lips. Finally, he had a way to make a lot of money and promote his supermarket at the same time.

Because of this, the supermarket’s grand opening was postponed so they could promote it at the edge of the forest during tomorrow’s hunting event.

"Are you sure about this, young master?" asked Keith; he was genuinely worried, even though he knew his young master’s idea was brilliant.

So that afternoon, Kai and Keith took their four store employees, as well as Peoni and Lily, to the edge of the forest. freewebnovёl.ƈom

Coincidentally, Keith’s men had already set up large tents there for the nobles.

Kai himself asked them to set up a tent for him as well; two large tents would be enough for the supermarket.

But the tents that were set up were Kai’s own, which he had purchased specifically from his supermarket system. He bought tents that were fire-resistant and safe for cooking.

One tent was used to sell snacks like cakes, donuts, pastries, drinks, and other treats typically sold at festivals. Essentially, it was a place to sell ready-to-eat food that would stay fresh all day long.

Meanwhile, the other tent is used for cooking or warming up prepared food. In the second tent, Kai will sell various foods typically found in supermarkets, just like the supermarkets on Earth back then.

Such as crispy, flavorful fried chicken, burgers, pizza, various types of sandwiches, chicken skewers with delicious peanut sauce, and more.

Later, after a huntable animal has been caught, Kai will cook it for the local residents who come to watch the hunt.

There is an interesting magical device, commonly used for hunting events like this.

A magical device resembling a camera. Of course, it’s an expensive device, so it’s only used for important events, especially hunting.

Kai and Duke shouldn’t have needed to use it, but the nobles who were coming said it was an important event that had to be broadcast.

That’s right, broadcast.

The camera-like device is round and hovers above one’s head to record everything around it. It’s also connected to a large screen that can display live footage of whatever the camera-like device records. By the way, the device’s name is a recorder; that’s what they call it.

So, later there will be one expensive device called a recorder floating above Kai’s head.

Far from being afraid, Kai actually felt happy about the device’s presence.

He was actually surprised that they were willing to bring in that expensive device—which cost hundreds of large gold coins—just to see if Kaileon could really hunt.

It’s ridiculous.

After all, up until now, that device had been safely stored in the Duke’s vault because of its exorbitant price. During major events, the recorder was rarely taken out, as they didn’t want it to get damaged.

But they were willing to use it just like that for Kaileon.

It’s very strange, but Kai likes it.

"Are you sure you’ll be staying the night here, young master?" asked Keith.

Indeed, Kai and the others would be staying in that tent until tomorrow, when hunting time arrives.

Kai nodded, "Right, let’s just think of it as camping, Keith. Since some preparations are already done, I want to take a walk around here—come on! I see a river over there." Kai said, clearly excited to explore the area near the forest edge.

At the forest’s edge, there was a small hill, a clear river, and a beautiful field of wildflowers.

Keith agreed to his young master’s request. Since Kaileon rarely ever left the pavilion, moments like this were very precious.

"By the way, young master, what are you wearing? Why is it so thin?" asked Keith, confused. He had just realized that his young master was dressed unusually that afternoon.

Kai was wearing just a simple outfit—a short-sleeved shirt and shorts made of rayon-cotton. The fabric was cool and lightweight. It was perfect for a scorching hot day like that.

In fact, Kai also gave the girls long dresses with short sleeves made of rayon-cotton. They loved them because they featured beautiful floral patterns in lovely colors.

Keith only realized it after they had left and caught a glimpse of Rose wearing a pink dress with a beautiful pattern of red roses.

Clearly, fabric like that wasn’t available there, since most of the fabric there was solid-colored. Even if there were patterns, only the nobility could afford them.

But don’t get the wrong idea—the global textile industry is quite advanced; they have the machinery to produce fabrics in large quantities. But those beautiful fabrics are, of course, expensive. No one has yet been able to create complex patterned fabrics, except by painting them directly onto the fabric. Since it requires skilled artisans, patterned fabrics are very expensive.

Keith was worried that the clothes Kai and the girls were wearing would cause a commotion.

"Clothes like this are perfect for a summer like this, Keith. They feel cool when you wear them. Do you want to wear some too? I can buy some for you," said Kai. He was already ready with clothes for Keith, complete with lighter, more comfortable undergarments.

When Keith looked around, he saw that Raka and Arga were also wearing the same clothes as Kaileon, featuring unique coconut tree patterns.

"Keith? There’s no one else here but us, so just relax. It’s more comfortable to move around in clothes this thin, right?"

Finally, Keith agreed to wear the clothes. He was surprised by the different feeling he got when wearing them.

It felt strange, but in a good way. He liked it.

It felt light, comfortable, cool, and easy to move in.

"Keith, hurry up! We might be able to catch some fish in the river for us to eat!" Kai shouted from outside the tent Keith was using to change.

"Yes, young master."

When Keith stepped out of the tent, Kai and the girls were already there, staring at Keith in admiration.

"You look very handsome in that outfit, Keith," said Lily.

Keith, feeling both confused and flustered, simply smiled and led Kaileon to the river.

Not only clothes, but Kai had even given them sandals, which were more comfortable to wear in a place like that than thick shoes.

"It looks like we can bathe here, young master. The river is very clear and refreshing," said Keith, once they had reached the river.

Kai, seeing the clear river, whistled in admiration. He had only ever seen a river that clear when he visited the countryside. It was so clear that they could see everything inside the river. Like rocks, small fish, and also shells... hmm?

Kai stepped into the river, which turned out to be only knee-deep. He crouched down to pick up a shell.

"Is there an ocean around here, Keith?" Kai asked.

"Of course, young master, but..."

"But?"

"In a summer like this, even the fishermen are afraid to sail out to sea, because monsters like the Kraken and others are surfacing. Besides, Arslan has very few fishermen, since we here don’t particularly like fishy-tasting fish. Fishermen can catch fresh fish, but they can’t sell them because the people don’t really know how to prepare fish. Also, access to the sea or the beach is quite far, so the fish that reach the city of Arslan aren’t fresh. Because of that, the only people who can eat fish are the villagers of Arslan, who live near the sea. So eating fish has become ingrained in the villagers’ habits."

Kai had forgotten that the ice storage boxes in Ardhez were a luxury, so the people there still used traditional methods.

"Can you find me a fisherman, Keith? I want to go to the beach and catch fish myself, so I need a fisherman to guide us," Kai asked.

"Young master, why are you always so curious about things? The ocean is dangerous."

"I have you, Keith, or we can bring Duke along so you’ll feel more at ease. I love the beach... what color of the sand of the beach here, Keith? Black? White?" Kai asked enthusiastically.

"Oh, the beach here is pink and white, young master. As it happens, I used to go there with my father and my brother; they’re fishermen."

Hearing that, Kai became even more excited, "Really? In that case, we don’t need to look for anyone else—we’ll just go with your family, Keith! That’ll be fun... oh, by the way, when was the last time you went back home? Where do they live?" Kai asked excitedly, in stark contrast to Keith, who had actually become sad.

Seeing the change in Keith’s expression, Kai knew something was wrong with the man.

"Keith?" Kai called out.

"Oh, that... I’ve never gone home, young master."

Kai was utterly

shocked to hear that.

"What? Why?"

Keith just chuckled softly, then replied, "Because I’ve been busy ever since I started working for Arslan. Oh, right, my family does live in a village near the coast, but that’s on the border between Arslan’s territory and Count Verdez’s territory. Still, it’s pretty close from here, young master."

Kai nodded in understanding; he was still eager to go, though he was holding back from being as excited as before.

"In that case, once the hunt is over, we can go there, Keith, to visit your family. Let’s just treat it as a vacation to see them; Duke Arslan will surely approve."

Keith smiled with tears in his eyes, moved by his young master’s words.

"You must miss them terribly... you’ve been working in Arslan for years, but you’ve never gone home even once. That must be really hard, right?" Kai murmured, though he didn’t really know how Keith truly felt, since he’d never experienced having a family himself.