A magic merchant infiltrating Fairy Tail

"...What's going on with you??"

"I've been focusing on health lately, going to bed early and waking up early, is that not allowed?"

Chapter 512 This is all thanks to Lord Kira!

Inside the office, Kira wore a pair of light gold, thin-rimmed glasses without lenses. On the left side of the glasses, a low-key yet luxurious silver chain hung down his handsome and elegant face, complementing his bright red hair.

At this moment, Kira's brows furrowed slightly, his lips pursed, and his expression was extremely serious and earnest, resembling a seasoned scholar struggling to solve a difficult problem but stuck at a loss.

On the table in front of him was a stack of important information he had collected and recorded during his visits to various parts of the city over the past few days. Each sheet of white paper, about the size of an A4 sheet, was densely covered with writing, and when stacked up, it was a full five centimeters thick.

The stack of documents, taller than his glasses, detailed the situation of every restaurant in the town: which restaurant used magic in its cooking, and the chef's level of magical skill; which restaurant used magic in the production of its ingredients, and where they came from; which restaurant used magic in its decoration, and how much it cost to design it; the size of the restaurant, its revenue, and how much tax it paid...

The details of over 300 restaurants are all recorded clearly!

"I've been to this restaurant before; the environment wasn't very good. I'd like to have someone check its food safety!"

"The owner of this restaurant provided excellent service, allowing me, a diner from Ishgar, to deeply experience the unique cultural and leopard-print style of the Western Continent. They deserve a spot in this competition!"

"I haven't visited these two companies yet. I'll go and check them out myself after I get off work!"

"This place..."

Just as Kira was busy and exhausted developing the town's restaurant business, an unbearable shout rang in his ears.

"You bastard, that's enough!!"

The girl in the black bodysuit, Heine, has lost her original aloof and arrogant demeanor after spending time with Kira. She has completely become Kira's吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical comments) machine.

"It's been a whole week!! This whole week you've been spending your work time reading food magazines and neglecting all your other duties. Is this how a mayor's assistant should behave?!"

Kira frowned even more, and impatiently picked at his ear, which was a little uncomfortable from being yelled at, with his little finger. He flicked out a small clump of earwax and sighed helplessly, "Why can't you understand? I'm evaluating the vendors for the town's 'Food Competition' in a few days!"

"As the mayor, I must personally take charge of things that promote urban economic development and carry forward traditional culture, and set an example by leading by example! Otherwise, wouldn't I be letting down Sister Eileen's trust in me?"

Snapped!

With a soft thud, a clump of yellowish-white earwax landed on the girl's delicate face, full of collagen, instantly destroying her pure and clean beauty.

"But this town has never had a 'food competition' before!! You insisted on holding one after seeing the news about the 'eating contest'!!"

Heine, enraged once more, pressed his face against hers and roared, "You did all this just for eating, drinking, and having fun, and you've completely neglected the work that really needs to be done!!!"

"And how many times have I told you to call me 'Lady Irene'?!"

Most importantly, Lady Eileen doesn't trust you at all!!

Kira ignored Heine's roar. He was used to Heine's outspoken but powerless behavior. So he snorted disdainfully and sneered, "Why should I listen to you? I'm the younger brother that Sister Irene personally recognized!"

"Just because it's working hours now!!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the clock struck twelve again.

Clang! Clang! Clang! ...

"Listen, what a beautiful and melodious sound..."

Heine was so angry that his face turned red and his chest ached. Faced with Kira's smug expression, he couldn't utter a single word.

She always felt that his workdays went by faster and faster, especially when she was about to win an argument with him, it would be time to leave work and the bell would ring.

'What on earth is going on?! Could it be that this guy's terrible lifestyle habits have unknowingly dulled my sense of time?'

Thinking of this, Heine's face immediately turned from red to white. 'If I become useless, I might be abandoned by Lady Irene at any time...'

Kira blinked in surprise, wondering why the girl had suddenly become so downcast.

'So what if I got slapped in the face by the chimes... Is it really that embarrassing? Oh well, I won't mess with the clock's time next time...'

Having made up his mind, Kira stopped caring, waved his hand, and got up to walk outside.

"Off work!! Time to find something to eat!!"

Slacking off at work, but getting things done quickly after get off work – that's how busy and fulfilling life is with the mayor's help!

……

Ten minutes later, Kira arrived at the restaurant he had decided to visit earlier.

"Boss, bring me all your most expensive dishes!"

Kira's tone was very impolite, behaving like a nouveau riche. If someone didn't know better, they would only think he was a wealthy person who was used to extravagance and waste when they heard him ordering food in this way.

But the owner of this shop is different.

Upon seeing Kira, the portly shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a fawning expression: "Lord Kira, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

"Ok!"

Kira responded coldly, then pulled out a black notebook and a pen from his pocket, struck a professional pose, raised his glasses, and said again, "Bring out all your most famous dishes!"

"As the person in charge of the 'Food Competition' event, I'm here today to rate and score your restaurant for the upcoming elimination rounds!"

The news of the 'Food Contest' had been released a week ago, and before that, Kira had already made no secret of inspecting restaurants throughout the town. After so many days of buzz, the news that 'Kira Hoplett, the mayor's assistant and head of the event, will inspect each restaurant' had spread throughout the town.

At this moment, all the restaurant owners were eagerly waiting in their shops for Kira to come and taste their food, rate it, and then satisfy his appetite so that they could become famous in the subsequent competition and win the title of the town's 'Number One Restaurant'.

Upon hearing the expected words, the fat boss immediately became excited, his greasy, fatty face beaming with a smile that was practically legendary in CD City: "Yes! Yes! It'll be ready soon!!"

"Thank you for your help."

Kira nodded to the shopkeeper, then pulled out a small, empty wallet from his pocket right in front of him, pretending to pay back the money, and asked insincerely, "By the way, how much is this table?"

The moment Kira pulled out his wallet, the fat shopkeeper's rat-like eyes narrowed, his gaze falling on the shriveled wallet in Kira's hand. He frowned, his face showing displeasure, and reached out his fat hand to push the wallet back into Kira's hand: "Lord Kira, you're too kind! How could we possibly take your money?"

Kira roared, "What did you say?! Do you think I'm the kind of person who doesn't pay for meals?"

You're absolutely right!

The fat boss was internally raging: Every restaurant in town these days knows that Kira is taking advantage of the elimination rounds to freeload everywhere! I heard those stupid restaurants that charged money all got eliminated—either the ambiance was bad or the ingredients were problematic, their ratings were incredibly low! If I hadn't received the news early, I might have really been ruined by this kid!

"No! No!! Of course not!!!"

The fat boss hurriedly waved his hands, "Kira is handsome, wealthy, and of high moral character. He's a role model for our entire town. How could he not pay for his meal?!"

"However, it is our duty as citizens to cooperate with Lady Eileen in organizing events, and we absolutely cannot accept it!"

"Besides, to receive Lady Eileen's praise is something we hardworking and honest merchants can boast about for a lifetime!"

He didn't speak against his conscience. Restaurant owners are businessmen, and most businessmen are unscrupulous in their profession.

Kira pondered for a few seconds, thinking it over carefully. He felt that what the other person said was sincere and logical. Even with his unparalleled eloquence, he couldn't muster any rebuttal. He could only nod regretfully and put his wallet back: "You're right. I didn't think it through this time!"

"Indeed... only with more restaurants like yours can this town develop better!!"

The chubby boss nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "The main thing is that we still have Lord Kira's wise leadership!"

"A mere one or two small restaurants are nothing compared to you and Lady Eileen!"

Chapter 513 Lord Kira is giving scores

This fat boss was really good at talking. Kira felt comfortable all over, and he felt his back straighten up. He unconsciously raised his head and puffed out his chest, his face full of pride and glory.

This is actually a kind of self-confidence.

"Lord Kira, this way please. I have prepared a VIP suite for you..."

Since the esteemed Kira was here to judge the restaurants for the competition, the chubby boss naturally couldn't just let him dine in the main hall, so he specially prepared a VIP suite for Kira.

After all, Kira represents Erin's reputation and is the mayor's assistant! We can't afford to be careless in the slightest!!

Ever since he heard about Kira's dine-and-dash from other business rivals a few days ago, this chubby boss has been making ample preparations at his restaurant. He not only cleaned the entire place spotlessly but also gave his head chef a raise, hoping they would perform well and help him get promoted.

In addition, he specially recruited a group of hot, beautiful young girls as temporary waitresses.

In fact, the more important the occasion, the more important the job of a waiter should be, and no mistakes can be made. Therefore, the original staff should be retained, and temporary staff should not be hired, since only the original staff have enough experience.

However, when he heard that a charming proprietress two streets away had scored a high score with a few dishes that he considered mediocre, he started to have wicked ideas.

'After all, they're just young people; it's normal for them to be tempted by beauty...'

Actually, the fat boss really misunderstood this time. What moved Kira was not the boss lady's beauty. Although leopard print is indeed very attractive, it's not to that extent. What really moved Kira was the boss lady's warm service attitude!

If Kira had to describe it in one sentence, it would be: far superior to Haidilao!

Kira believes that the service industry should treat customers like gods of magic!

This attitude is related to the development of the new era of magic, the economy and order of the Alvarez Empire, and he can't explain the specifics to these people. Anyway, it's important!

Merchants and chefs cannot rely on the existence of magic to arbitrarily defy the iron torrent of the empire's economic development; that would be tantamount to digging their own graves.

For example, Kira's current strength is comparable to the Twin Peaks, but when he runs the magic shop, he has never shown the slightest disrespect to his customers. He always puts himself in their shoes, recommending and selecting the most suitable items.

Of course, those who can't pay or frequently issue IOUs are not his customers, but debtors. Those with low moral character are also excluded; they are bad guys, and everyone can kick them while they're down. He doesn't need to follow any rules about 'customers are the gods of magic' when dealing with them!

Overall, Kira felt he was doing exceptionally well in the service industry, enough to be a benchmark for the town's more than 300 restaurants.

Thinking about this, Kira was very dissatisfied with the fat boss's differential treatment of customers: "I came to the restaurant to taste the food and to rate it for the upcoming competition. Everything must be fair, just, and transparent. Of course, I should eat in the main hall. What's with the VIP suite? People who don't know better will think I'm accepting bribes! Your behavior is very problematic!!"

Is it really possible to do something so obviously like this? They really don't understand the rules! Looks like this fat guy is a complete idiot! Restaurant deserves a bad review!

After saying a few words, Kira couldn't help but admire his own noble qualities, feeling his back straighten even more. He then strode confidently toward the most spacious and ornately decorated area in the lobby.

When Kira came over, the customers who were sitting there consciously moved their bowls to other places, making room for him. They didn't even mind being squeezed and having to stand up to eat.

"What are you doing? Come back here!... I'm not some terrible person! It's not that bad... Oh! You're all too kind!... Then I'll accept your hospitality!"

Kira straightened his collar, slowly sat down, a faint smile on his face, and silently sighed, 'The people here are even more enthusiastic than the citizens of Magnolia! No wonder the Alvarez Empire is so powerful!'

Soon, the waiters started serving the dishes.

The dishes were served by the new waitresses. Although they didn't wear bunny girl outfits like some guild taverns in the Kingdom of Fiore, they were still pleasing to Kira's eye.

The colorful, sexy lingerie that stimulated the nerves highlighted the alluring figures of the beautiful young waitresses, their slender branches laden with fruit. With makeup ranging from heavy to light and elegant to simple and beautiful, they greeted Kira with smiles, their high heels clicking as they walked, echoing throughout the restaurant and resonating in the hearts of all the diners.

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on the group of waiters.

Kira's approach to observation differed from that of the lecherous old men around him, whose eyes practically popped out of their sockets. He observed with a critical eye, his eagle-like gaze sweeping over every inch of the space from top to bottom and left to right. He scrutinized every detail, leaving no spot unchecked, determined to find anything that didn't meet the restaurant's standards!

"The storefront appearance... is acceptable!"