The Supermarket System

Chapter 7: 7. Warm steamed buns

Kai let out a long sigh as he gazed at the forest view outside his bedroom window.

Kaileon’s room had a window facing the forest behind the pavilion; he could also see part of the lake from that window.

It was still early morning—too early for anyone, in fact. It was a few minutes past four in the morning.

Kai wrapped himself in a soft, thick down blanket he’d bought from a supermarket chain back on Earth.

In addition to the blanket, that morning he’d also bought sweet red bean steamed buns and meat-filled steamed buns. For his drink, he’d bought a hot latte.

Kai remembered clearly that back on Earth, he used to buy brewed coffee at the mini-market. Since mini-markets are now high-tech, there’s a section where you can brew your own drinks or make cold beverages. Cups with ice cubes are provided as well.

While daydreaming and eating his warm buns, Kai thought about everything he needed to do in this new world.

After hearing Keith’s explanation and brief story, Kai was actually confused about what he should do. The only thing on his mind at that moment was to open a mini-market stocked with items needed by the residents.

He didn’t need to be in the capital; Kai wanted to open his first convenience store in Arslan. Since Arslan was a large city with a very large population.

Because Duke Arslan had focused solely on the war against the Demon race at the kingdom’s border in recent years, the Arslan region could be said to have been neglected.

Due to the war, many food supplies were diverted to the front lines, leaving very little food for the residents. The residents themselves grow potatoes and other vegetables suited to the local climate. However, a portion of the harvest must be handed over as taxes. Some of those potatoes and vegetables go to Arslan Castle and are also used for the war effort.

Furthermore, since shops and merchants are generally monopolized by the nobility, ordinary people can only earn money by working in their shops or selling their harvests.

Their wages were meager, but market prices were very high.

Despite living like that, the residents were very content in Arslan because of the peaceful atmosphere. In other cities, they might not have the same peaceful life with such low taxes.

That reminded Kai of Kaiden’s life in his own country.

It was a peaceful tropical country that had everything—from delicious food, beautiful culture, natural scenery, friendly people, and adequate facilities. But finding a job was very difficult, wages were low, the cost of living was high, and the competition was fierce.

Kaiden himself could still get by thanks to shops selling cheap food, or convenient minimarkets that sold just about everything.

Simple things like a warm, delicious cup of coffee or a warm sweet bun made him happy.

Even if it was only temporary happiness.

Kai wanted there to be a convenience store like that in Arslan, one where residents could enjoy warm food and drinks and buy daily necessities at reasonable prices.

But for that, he had to get approval from Duke Arslan, his father.

Kai let out another long, heavy sigh, then looked at the steamed bun he’d already eaten half of. He finished the bun, then bought two more boxes of warm steamed buns. Each box contained five large, warm steamed buns. The box would keep the buns warm for at least the next three hours.

"Young master, I’m ready." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Kai gestured to Keith with his hand peeking slightly from under the blanket, motioning for Keith to come closer.

"Keith, as I told you yesterday, go and speak to the Duke. Give him one box of steamed buns; the other one is for you, Keith. Also, give him this letter—I wrote it myself. You can mention my abilities if necessary, but don’t let anyone else find out. Especially those people who came with father yesterday; I know they’re more supportive of the Duchess."

Keith accepted the two boxes of steamed buns and the letter with a pleased expression.

"I understand, young master. But may I eat these before I go?"

Kai turned back to Keith and nodded. Then he pointed to the chair and table in front of him.

"Sit there and eat with me for a bit. Oh, would you like some hot coffee, Keith?" Kai asked.

Keith looked at Kai in confusion, "Coffee?"

Kai was also confused by the question, "Yes, like the drink I gave you last night, Keith."

Hearing that, Keith became enthusiastic, "If it’s okay, I’d love to have some more, young master!"

Kai laughed at that, "I think you should learn how to make coffee yourself, Keith. I’ll buy you the equipment and ingredients later; you’re lucky because I once learned from a barista."

Keith didn’t quite understand what his young master was saying, but he listened intently to every word Kaileon spoke. It sounded really fun to him.

Afterward, Kai bought another coffee for Keith—a latte—because of its creamy and light flavor. Since it was Keith’s first time drinking coffee, he had to start with something mild. But unlike the latte Kai bought for himself, which had more milk than coffee, Keith’s had a better balance of coffee and milk.

Kai deliberately chose a latte with less coffee, since he was still considered a kid. He couldn’t handle much coffee. Even so, he was eager to show Keith all kinds of coffee drinks, and Keith seemed very interested in coffee.

"Wow, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this ability of yours—how did this cup of coffee just appear out of nowhere?"

"You’ll have to get used to it, Keith. Oh, by the way, what do you think about that idea we discussed yesterday... is it really that good?"

Keith nodded without hesitation, "It’s an amazing idea. Especially since we’re currently recovering from the war. Plus, we’ll need a lot of energy to prepare for the next war."

"Uh, I also wanted to ask about that—the war. You’re fighting demons, right? What happened?" asked Kai, who was already very curious.

"It’s not as bad as it used to be, young master. For over a hundred years, the Demon Kingdom has been invading other kingdoms. This time, they’ve invaded the Kingdom of Nagreize, where nearly the entire population is human. Since they’ve never succeeded against the other kingdoms. Perhaps the Demon Kingdom thought humans would be easier to control. But they forgot that these seemingly weak humans are actually the most cunning. The Kingdom of Nagreize has long been cooperating with other kingdoms. In fact, this kingdom maintains good relations with the Whiteblood Empire. The war against the Demon Kingdom has become a mission for the kingdoms, so we’ve managed to drive them back. Even though the Demon Kingdom, with its highly advanced black magic, deployed various monsters to cause trouble across different regions. Because of that, we have several adventurer guilds to exterminate the monsters and profit from them. Some monsters can even be eaten."

Keith had expected Kaileon to make a disgusted face upon hearing that monsters could be eaten. Keith laughed at that.

"Hahaha, sorry, your expression is so funny, young master. But I’m serious—monsters like that stone bird can be eaten, and they taste just like chicken or duck."

"Teach me how to fight them later, because I’m afraid I might get attacked suddenly," Kai interjected, half-joking, half-serious. Little did he know that afterward, after Keith had left, a monster would approach him from the direction of the forest.