Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 61: Aswad 8 of 15 “To know who I am” (Part 06)
The sun was rapidly rising at the end of the horizon, its rays exposing the warm surface without any cloud cover. The warmth was not favoritism and also came to the city of Mylta, bringing a beautiful and sunny day in the coastal city. Even after what happened yesterday, everyone still started their routine when the new day came.
Fear seems to change nothing from the city, everyone needs to eat and economic activities continue as usual. The wagons began to fill every major street, the main gate began to be filled by the then-passage of the merchant chariots that were coming in and out of the city, and every district in the heart of Mylta began operations to drive the wheels of the economy.
What was different than usual were just the soldiers and guards seen at some vital point of the city. Even with them, the merchants and people did not care much because they all had their own activities that could not be delayed. For the first time outside traders came to the city this morning, the presence of guards made them a little worried and unable to move freely in regulating the trading prices.
About 15 minutes before the Ordoxi Nigrum store opened, Odo returned along with a witch from the Hulla Workshop, Canna Miteres. The young man in black hair was seen carrying a sack, while the witch wearing a plain purple dress was seen carrying a jar filled with golden yellow liquid.
Matthew who has arrived and has been preparing for a few dozen minutes then immediately came to them, then immediately reported, “Master, coffee powder and cow milk I have got. But since it costs more than I thought, for coffee grounds I only buy the low quality ones. That's only 80 grams.”
Odo and Canna's footsteps came to a halt in front of the store, just before they went inside. Staring at the blond guy, Odo made sure, “If cow's milk?”
“If it's no obstacle. There were people from the farm who had just arrived, so I bought them from there at a slightly cheaper price.”
“Hmm, means no problem.”
Odo lowered the sack he was carrying, he briefly looked around and felt that the market had begun to bustle with people passing by. Most of those who look are still mothers who shop for staples, vegetables, and meat. But among them, also seen the conglomerates who are reviewing the condition of the business district.
Looking back at Matthew, the young man with black hair ordered, “Bring this sack inside. Tell Elulu that lidi made the skewer already exist.”
“Lidi?” ask Matthew in wonder.
“Hmm, I tipped Canna to order it. Puncture from bamboo, making it easier for buyers to eat later if the message is taken home,” explained Odo. He stepped towards the stairs next to the building, but stopped when he remembered something.
“Oh, yes!”
The young man immediately turned his head, then while pointing at the sack said, “In it there are also some additional materials if less later. Take that to Elulu or Isla. The shopping note is inside, tell them to save it first.”
Odo moved to point to Canna, then quickly said, “And also, later the jar that this woman brought was also placed in the kitchen. I'll put it first on this front desk.”
“Ready!” Without further questioning, Matthew immediately shouldered the sack that Odo had brought earlier and went inside the store.
Odo Luke turned his head towards Canna, then stared flatly saying, “What are you waiting for? Put that down and let's go upstairs! I have a job for you.”
At first glance the white hair woman was astonished, seeing the figure she called the Father was so eager and deft to handle his work. Smiling, he put the jar on the table and replied, “Siap~!”
Odo's reason for taking Canna along was to help Nanra on the second floor, taking care of files that could be said to be too much for a little child. Judging that Canna was an educated person, taking care of the files shouldn't be too difficult for her.
After driving the woman up, Odo went back down and prepared to open the store for the first time. Everything he needed was ready, the employees had also prepared themselves and just opened the shop doors wide to start a business.
Standing in front of the shop, Odo Luke momentarily closed his eyes and counted down in his mind. Feeling that the right time had come, the young man immediately clapped his hands once so loudly that it made everyone who was passing by near the shop turn to him.
“Mari start! Ordoxi Nigrum with this unlocked!”
Without saying any more, he immediately turned around and opened the shop door wide. Stepping inside, he directly pointed towards the kitchen and said, “Prepare each food menu, one, wrapped!”
It doesn't finish there. He immediately pointed towards Ritta and Sittara alternately, then firmly said, “You are preparing at the door to welcome customers!”
Approaching Mattari at the counter table, the young man with black hair reprimanded, “Don't keep his head down, raise your face! Look into your customers' eyes and listen to orders! They didn't come to see the crowns of your head!”
“Si-Ready!” mattari replied a little scared.
Not until a minute after Odo asked for one-on-one from each menu of food, the small bells of order signs were ready to be heard. Mattari immediately took the order from the kitchen, then handed it to Odo.
“Good! In less than fifteen minutes the wave will come, prepare yourself!”
After throwing the warning, the young man in black hair stepped out while carrying a tray full of all the food in the store. While at the door, he looked towards little Sittara and subtly said, “Tell to Kak Elulu, all drinks menu, two. Later brought to the front, yes.”
“Good, Sister Witch!”
Odo immediately came out after conveying this. He placed the tray on the stall table, then stood straight behind the table, closing his eyes for a moment. Ritta slightly looked out, then wonderfully muttered, “Wave?”
Not even ten minutes after Odo stood at the kiosk table, the people who used to pass by the business district at breakfast finally came. They were officials and civil servants from the row of offices around the town hall, mixed with the officers who had not yet entered their working time.
The crowd immediately led to their respective subscription food stores, really like a big wave passing by. Ordinary residents who shopped to get out of the way, the carts could not go and the road became full quickly.
Of all the people who passed by in front of Odo's shop at the end of the district, there was absolutely no turning because they had indeed heard of the incident last night. Instinctively people tend to avoid problems, Odo clearly understands this. Because of that, this young man from the Luke family used a way that could be said to be a little cheating.
The young man with black hair stared at the crowd of soldiers, then raised his right hand loudly calling, “Uncle Iitla Lots!! Stop dong!”
The name made some of the soldiers in the crowd turn their heads, then of course the owner of the name who was also among them looked towards Odo. Putting on a friendly smile that looked so suspicious to the person like him, the young man in black hair waved and said, “Let's stop by here first! Coincidentally we are giving free samples, loh!”
Hearing what the son of his Master said, the Head Warrior could not directly reject him directly. Passing through the crowd on the street, he crossed over to where Odo Luke was. Of course his subordinates who came to the district for Iitla's breakfast followed.
Most soldiers are single because they focus on their training, do not have a wife yet but already live alone in the barracks dormitory. Because of this, most of those who are bored with the dorm menu tend to often go out for breakfast like now.
“Do not just flatter, dong.” Odo slightly threw a smile with a sharp glare. Lifting one of the teak leaf containers contains Fish Nuggets that have been given mayonnaise, the young man offers, “Please taste, mumpung is still warm.”
Iitla took one Nugget that had been pierced with a small lid, then immediately ate it up in one bite. As he entered his mouth, he was quickly startled and his eyes opened wide.
“Hmm, what is this? Delicious too .... It was fresh, a bit wry but the taste of the fish meat was very pronounced inside! Eng's? Fish?” The Warrior's head was at a glance confused, then while chewing asked, “This, really a fish, huh? How fishy is not felt at all, but even the taste of the fish is very strong? What fish is this? I lived 35 years here never tried fish with this taste.”
“That cob fish mixed with some other types of fish and given a secret seasoning,” Odo explained in a slightly exaggerated tone.
Hearing what the young man with black hair said, the soldiers standing behind the Chief Warrior began to be curious about what was presented. One of the Soldiers behind Iitla looked at one of the teak leaf containers on the table and was attracted to the menu with a similar outer shape, then pointed to him asking, “If this one is the same? Looks like the smell is very different ...”
“Ah, if it's a Nuggtet of beef.” Odo placed a container of teak leaves containing Fish Nuggets on the table, then while pointing one by one menu he mentioned, “From right to left, Beef Nuggets, Chicken, and Fish. Then for the one like the snail house it is Rolade, and the one next to it is Chicken Fillet.”
“Ayam Fillet?” asked the soldier in surprise.
While lifting the teak container containing food that made the soldier interested, Odo Luke again offered, “If you want, please try one bite.”
As if impatient, he immediately took a skewer of Chicken Fillet that had been cut in such a way that it could be eaten easily. Putting it in the mouth and chewing it, the tender taste and sensation of boneless chicken meat broke in the mouth. Not only that, the seasoning of mayonnaise sauce on it adds a festive flavor to the spices. Every time he chewed, the crisp sound of powdery skin enveloping the meat was heard, but on the inside the meat felt so soft.
“This ..” The soldier chewed his meat passionately, looking so enjoy it until soft in the mouth and swallowed it completely into the throat. “Hmm, better than I thought. Though only removing the bone but it can be as good as this,” he said while wanting to take one more stab.
But before he could take it, Odo pulled the teak leaf container containing Chicken Fillet and said, “This is only a sample, should not be spent so. If you want ...” Picking up the board from under the table, the young man with black hair showed the price of the menu of food served. While putting on a smile he said, “Please buy in, the price is affordable, really. Can be eaten on the spot or taken home can also.”
Seeing the affordable price with such a good taste, the Soldier immediately reached into his pocket and said, “Alright, I bought it! Mr. Iitla, I'm sorry but I stopped by here!” He walked into the store impatiently.
Seeing his comrade say that, the soldiers who had come with Iitla became more and more interested and took a taste. They have their own taste, some like Fish and Chicken Nuggets, some like Rolade, some like Cow Nuggets, and some like Chicken Fillet. Of all the available menus, as Odo plans Nagget Fish is the best-selling because the menu is what he first suggested.
Crossing each other at the door with a Soldier who was the first time buyer, little Sittara came out carrying a tray containing two Apple Juices and a Whipped Milk Coffee. Although his body is small, the boy looks quite adept at carrying a tray filled with drinks despite his slow pace. Putting that to the table, Sittara with the story said, “This Sister Witch, apple juice and coffee shake-shake!”
“Copy milk shake,” Odo correction.
“Hmm, milk-milk shake.”
Hearing him keep mispronouncing the menu name, Odo just put on a knotty smile. He rubbed the little boy's head and said, “Thank you, yes. You can go inside and help Ritta.”
“Hmm, sure!” answer the boy with passion. At a glance the girl's garbil ears twitch, indicating she is so enjoying her activities.
Odo lifted the tray containing the drink to offer to the soldiers who tasted it, then while putting on a friendly smile said, “If you are thirsty, you can drink this. Our special drink! Please, Uncle Iitla! It's also still free sample, loh.” The first-time Odo tawari was of course the most important among them, to ensnare the interest of others.
Realizing this, Iitla sighed at a glance and reluctantly entered into the invitation. He picked up a wooden glass filled with apple juice, then while lifting it he said, “I tried this one first.”
“Hmm, please.”
As one gulp passed through the middle-aged man's throat, instantly his eyes were wide-eyed and felt an extremely strong fresh sensation. The sour taste makes his body seem to tremble, but the sweetness of apple cider makes him unable to stop drinking the juice. Spending it in one gulp, the man immediately placed the empty glass onto the table.
“Viv! The taste is similar to Beer but it is very fresh and there is no alcohol! What is this drink?! How do you process apple juice like this?!” ask Iitla with a little frenzy.
“It's our secret.” Odo put on a big smile. While pointing his index finger forward, he kindly reprimanded, “Do not ask the recipe directly without buying, dong. If you want something interesting again, please come in and try first. All our menus have not been sold in any store, loh!”
Iitla and the soldiers who were with her were getting more and more interested. Several officers passed by and saw the Head Warrior coming together, then talked to each other about the samples that had been sampled.
After tasting and finding the menu they liked, the Soldiers and Officers flocked into the store. Not directly following them, the Head Warrior stared at Odo Luke with a faint smile widened until his cheeks slightly raised.
“I don't think you are also good at attracting people like this in business,” he said while shaking his head. Without saying anything else, he also entered the store because of interest and indeed enjoyed the new taste presented by the store.
The arrival of the Officer and Soldier entourage made civil servants who came to the district interested in tasting. Like a fishing hook that snare a fish, then the fish lure other fish, people began to come back and forth. There are those who order to be eaten in the store, there are also those who choose to be taken with teak leaf containers because the place is full.
After the entourage of soldiers and officers brought Iitla finished breakfast and out of the store, the group of civil servants entered, then the surrounding merchants who also pulled to try the new food. It lasts until the breakfast hour is over and into working hours. At 10:00 until noon, shops that sell food like that tend to be quiet visitors.
It was during the rush hour that the clerks at Ordoxi Nigrum store began cleaning the tables and washing the cutlery. The men went out to buy materials that had been used up, then for those who worked in the kitchen took a short break before the materials came. The servants also rest after cleaning the table and washing, then for the cashier must move the money first because the drawer is full of money coins.
For Isla who still had children, she immediately went up to the third floor because she was a little worried about her daughter's condition. The Demi-human family chose to spend some time resting on the first floor, talking to each other about their first experience with Elulu which could be said to have been one of the teaching figures in their eyes.
In the two hours before lunch time is also their chance to prepare processed food and beverage stocks that are almost exhausted, then really can take a break. But when lunch comes, the second wave hit and this time the number of buyers was certainly more than usual to the point that Odo had to intervene to the cashier and leave the stall that had exhausted the sample.
In the concept of service, dissatisfied customers will immediately protest or say bad to a company or store in the back, then in the end will not come back and prevent colleagues from coming to the place. But when customers get the satisfaction they get, they will spread the word about the company or store, then at its climax will invite others to try it too.
Exactly what Odo predicted, the second wave of buyers doubled in comparison to the first. Even before the store's predetermined closing time at the beginning, they ran out of materials and could not serve buyers anymore at 14:00 p.m. Although in the middle they have added the stock of materials before lunch came.
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