I Was Reincarnated as a Commoner. I Can’t Stand Living Like This, so I’ll Become an Aristocrat! C146

146, Deciding on a store

Then we got back on the horse-drawn carriage and arrived at a place right in the middle of the city center. The shops around here now have a less luxurious atmosphere than before, and are also frequented by servants working in aristocratic mansions. Well, even if you're a servant, you're still a higher-ups' servant. It seems that the lower wages are lower for the servants. 

When I looked around from the carriage, there seemed to be quite a few high-end cafes. The atmosphere might be suitable for a sweets specialty store. The place I went to earlier only had a restaurant that looked like a high-end French restaurant, so it was a little different from what I had imagined. 

When I got off the carriage and took a closer look at the store, I noticed that it was much larger than the store from earlier. Moreover, it is made of brick and is very stylish. 

In this country, most of the mansions of aristocrats and the houses of wealthy merchants are built of stone or brick, but on the other hand, most of the houses of commoners are made of wood. So if you're going to open a shop for aristocrats, it's better to build it with stone or brick. 

When Roger unlocked the door and I went inside, there was a pretty spacious space inside. First, the door is on the right side of the store, and when you enter, there is a counter in front of you. And there's a lot of space on the left. There's nothing there right now, but it looks like this could be turned into a cafe space. 

“This store used to be a cafe, so there is a large dining space.The kitchen is also quite large.The problem is that the kitchen equipment is old and there is no second floor.”

I guess it used to be a cafe after all. This large space was probably the eating area. 

"For the time being, I feel it's better than the previous store."

"Yeah, I think so too. This store is really stylish!"

Ronnie seemed to like it quite a bit. It's true that not only the exterior but also the interior is stylish. Brick is used as an accent in the interior, and wallpaper is pasted elsewhere. This interior can be used as is. 

Where does the door at the back of the large space lead to? 

"Roger, what's behind that door?"

"That's the toilet. There's a toilet for customers."

That's right, it might be rare in this country. 

When I went to the back and opened the door, I found a fairly large flush toilet. This may be convenient for customers. 

"Let's just take a look at everything."

I looked back at everyone, said that, and returned to the counter. There's only a door behind the counter in this space, so there's probably a kitchen ahead. 

When you open the door, you will first find a hallway, with one door on the right and two doors on the left. 

Try opening the door on the right. Oh, it's the kitchen. It's also quite spacious. It's incomparably bigger than the kitchen at the store from earlier...I feel like it's about three times as big. 

“Leon-sama, this place is spacious enough.”

"It's spacious enough."

But the equipment is still old. There is no cooking stove, so it might be a good idea to get a new cooking table. The sink is also old... 

But the kitchen was originally intended to be renovated to make it easier to use, so the fact that it's old isn't a big problem. On the other hand, there is no need to hesitate to renovate. 

“It needs some renovation, but it’s spacious enough and I think it’s good. What do you think, Yoan?”

"I think it's good too! With this size, it doesn't seem to be a problem even if there are other cooks. Especially the space of the cooking table is good. Making sweets requires a large cooking table."

“I see, so even when we renovate, should we keep the size of the cooking table as it is?”

"Yes. Thank you!"

Then we all looked around the kitchen. Yoan's face was serious, and he seemed to be imagining what it would be like to make sweets in this kitchen. 

I headed to the back of the kitchen. There was a locked door at the back of the kitchen. I think it's probably a door that goes outside, but does it go out into a back alley or is there a backyard? 

Thinking this, I opened the door and found a small backyard, with a gate at the end. Beyond that gate seems to be a back alley. 

There was nothing special in the backyard, but there was an iron door on the ground. What is this? 

"Roger, do you know what this is?"

"This is the entrance to the basement. It seems to have been used to store food."

 Basement room! It is glad! If you put a lot of ice in your basement, the entire basement will cool down and become like a large refrigerator. 

“Can I see inside?”

"Yes. I have the key."

Roger said as he unlocked the door and pulled the door open. It doesn't seem to be as heavy as it looks. 

“Leon-sama, what do you have?”

"There's also a basement where food is stored. Do you want to see it too, Yoan?"

"yes!"

"Leon, I'm going too. This is my first time in a basement."

"Then let's all go."

It was pitch black inside, so I cast a light spell and went down the stairs. If I start using this place, I'll have to install a light sphere. 

While thinking about this, I went down to the bottom and found a fairly spacious basement with several shelves installed. The air is cooler than on the ground. It would be perfect if we put some ice here. 

"I like this place. It's perfect for preserving food if you put ice made in an ice machine. Sweets go bad quickly, so refrigeration equipment is essential."

But it would be convenient if there was a refrigerator not only here but also in the kitchen. Also, the showcase where sweets are displayed must have a refrigeration function. 

In that case, developing a refrigerator is essential. But I think this basement is definitely useful. 

"Leon-sama, both the kitchen and this basement are wonderful. I think it's the perfect store for making sweets."

“Leon, I think this store is good too.”

"I guess so. That's what I thought too. But, let's take a look at the rooms I haven't seen yet."

"That's true. There was a room on the other side of the kitchen, right?"

Then I went back inside the building and looked at the other rooms. The two rooms on opposite sides of the hallway were one large room with a flush toilet and the other empty. The large room was probably used as a break space for employees. It might be a good idea to put some furniture in here and make it feel like a resting space and office. 

Yes, this store is good, very good. The store is just as I imagined. However, if there is one problem, it is that there is no bathroom. I also want a changing room. 

It goes without saying that chefs, as well as restaurants, must be clean. I want them to change into their work clothes at this store, and if there are employees who don't have a bath at home, I want them to take a bath before work. 

After all, we should install a bath and changing room. But it would be difficult to build an extension inside the mansion...Yeah, I think I'll build an extension towards the courtyard. If that's the case, we won't be making any changes to the mansion, so the construction shouldn't be that difficult. 

I mean, I've thought about so many things, but I haven't decided on this store yet. However, I have already decided to buy this store. 

This is a pretty ideal store, and the location is perfect. There doesn't seem to be a better property than this one. 

“Ronnie, Yoan, I think this store is good, but what do you two think?”

"I think it's good here too."

“I think it’s good too.”

“Then is it okay to make a decision? Yes, Roger, how many other store candidates were there?”

“Yes, there is one more store candidate.However, from the way Leon-sama and others are talking, I think this store is better.The other store is a big store anyway, but it is located in the center of town. It's located on the outskirts of the city, and is a wooden, somewhat old-fashioned building."

If it's located on the outskirts of the city center and it's made of wood, that alone doesn't exclude it from being a candidate. It would have been good if there were no other good stores, but this one is just too good. 

"Then I don't need to look at the last store. I'll choose this one."

"Okay. Now, I'll go through the formalities. Starting tomorrow at the latest, I think Leon-sama will be able to renovate the store to his liking."

"I understand, thank you"

I'm really looking forward to renovating it. Listen to their opinions and create a comfortable space! That's how I got fired up.