Today was finally the day I opened my hamburger stall. I offered three varieties: a Normal Hamburger for five copper coins, a Cheeseburger for eight copper coins, and a Teriyaki Burger for one large copper coin. The prices were a bit steep for stall food, but since I was using relatively expensive ingredients like eggs, cheese, and sugar, it couldn't be helped.
The locations for the stalls seemed to be somewhat assigned during the contracting process. We were given a spot in a plaza near the main thoroughfare that ran east to west. Foot traffic was heavy, and the potential to draw in customers looked high. It was likely a prime location; I suspected Luranna-san might have pulled some strings for me. Then again, she probably calculated that if the Teriyaki Burgers became a hit, the demand for her soy sauce would skyrocket.
While the locations for the actual day of the Cooking Contest would be decided by drawing lots, building up a reputation beforehand was a massive advantage. If possible, I wanted to amass as many "burger fans" as I could before the big day.
"Step right up! Delicious hamburgers here! Come try the hamburger that Wingfolk love!"
Halfa was out in front of the stall, calling out to potential customers. Shiroru stood beside her, doing her best to look appealing with soft wafuwafu sounds. I had forbidden her from using thought transmission, so I doubted anyone actually understood what she was trying to say.
Still, the "cute factor" was undeniably effective. People who loved fluffy creatures seemed to be drawn in as if by a magnet. Whether those people would actually buy anything was a different story, though.
Luckily, I had a secret weapon. I had gone out of my way to learn a new spell called Breeze for this very reason. Breeze was a low-level wind magic that produced nothing more than a faint, harmless puff of air. When I first saw it at the Mage Guild, I wondered what possible use it could have, but it turned out to be the perfect tool for marketing.
While most of the hamburger components were prepared in advance and kept in my Storage Ring, I made a point of cooking the teriyaki sauce right there on the spot. Since I didn't have mirin, it was just a makeshift teriyaki sauce—a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and a sugar-based liquor. As I heated it, stirring constantly to prevent it from scorching, a savory, appetizing aroma wafted into the air. I had to make the most of that scent. Using the Breeze spell, I adjusted the airflow so the fragrance of the teriyaki sauce drifted straight toward the main street. It was bound to be a powerful draw for anyone with an empty stomach.
"That smell... It's the Teriyaki Burger, isn't it?!"
My very first customer, lured in by the scent, was Master Zardan! Mark, his apprentice, was with him. It looked like they were on their way back from the Merchant Guild. Since we were close to both the Merchant and Adventurer's Guilds, I could maximize sales by targeting people finishing up their business there.
"I highly recommend the Teriyaki Burger, but we also have Normal Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers!"
"What? Hrm, those Cheeseburgers look mighty fine too! Urgh... which one to get, and how many...!"
Before I could even exchange greetings, Halfa had already slid over to the Master to deliver her sales pitch. He seemed genuinely torn between the teriyaki and the cheese, agonizing over how many of each to order.
By the way, cheese isn't exactly a rare food in this world, but securing it in large quantities is surprisingly difficult. It’s mostly treated as a preserved food that commoners eat sparingly. Because my Cheeseburgers used a generous amount of it, they apparently looked incredibly luxurious to the locals.
"Hey. Is the normal one really just five copper coins?"
"That’s right."
"I see. I'll go with that one, then. Give me one."
Ignoring the Master, who was still making a massive fuss over his choice, Mark decided on a Normal Hamburger. I assumed the price was the deciding factor, considering it was half the cost of a Teriyaki Burger.
"Wait, isn't the Master buying for everyone? He seems to be struggling over there..."
"Ah... no. That's not it," Mark said with a perfectly straight face. "He’s planning on eating all of them himself."
...You're kidding, right?
The Master was currently talking about buying ten burgers in total. I had assumed that number was meant for all the artisans at the workshop, but ten was way too many for one person!
Perhaps my shock was written all over my face, because Mark shook his head solemnly.
"The Master is a great blacksmith and a caring man I truly respect... but he never shares his food. Absolutely never."
"I-I see..."
That was a testimonial I didn't quite know how to respond to.
Still, even if he didn't share his snacks, he apparently paid his apprentices well and treated them fairly. Despite the Master's legendary greed, Mark seemed to have no complaints; it was a great environment to learn the trade.
Mark polished off his burger right there and told me that even the normal version was delicious. I was glad to hear it. As for the Master, he ended up buying five Cheeseburgers and five Teriyaki Burgers, looking thoroughly satisfied.
Since it was a bit much to eat on the street, he took them to go. For takeout, I wrapped the burgers in large, dried leaves from a plant called Raam. They looked a bit like oversized bamboo leaves and were a staple material for food stalls. I’d picked up a bunch of them for cheap at the Merchant Guild.
Even after the Master left, the stream of customers never stopped. Even Zephyr and his group dropped by. Before evening had even arrived, the one hundred servings I’d prepared for each of the three varieties were completely sold out.
I was happy and grateful, but a small part of me felt a mounting sense of anxiety. Was it really okay to sell this much on the very first day, when we were supposed to be unknown? Then again, the Master mentioned he’d be telling his Dwarf friends, and I'm pretty sure Zephyr said he’d introduce us to his fellow adventurers...
Well, for now... I guess I’d better make a lot more for tomorrow!