◇17 Store Summoning 3
The next morning, after waking up, my father and mother immediately asked me all about yesterday.
When I talked about how I had gotten closer to Luca and Tifa, my father promptly sent someone to the hotel where both princesses were staying and, as promised, delivered a mountain of playing cards and candy.
Of course, the same was done for Estelle. I had forced her to join us yesterday, after all.
Well, the birthday party for Elliot, which had been a bit worrisome, is now over, so I can finally take a breather.
Though, I can’t help but feel uneasy about how the events from the party will come into play later on. For now, there’s nothing I can do about it. All I can do is pray that a disastrous ending won’t unfold in a few years.
Now, setting that aside, there’s something I need to test today.
When I woke up this morning, the emblem of the Summoning Goddess, Samonia, on my right hand had leveled up.
I’m not sure why. The only thing I can think of is that it might have something to do with playing with characters like Estelle, Luca, and Tifa. Perhaps improving the favorability of major characters is the key?
Or is it because I met Gene, one of the targets for romance?
What’s going on here? In games, leveling up the "Gift" happened due to event progression or raising the favorability of the targeted characters. Ah, there were also cases where special items helped level it up.
But in this world, it seems that the "Gift" levels up when the god who grants it is pleased.
So, if it’s the God of War, the more you fight, the easier it is to level up; if it’s the God of Commerce, the more you trade, the easier it is to level up.
However, if you go against the will of the god, the "Gift" won’t level up. Worse, you might even lose it permanently.
Going against the god’s will means actions like deceiving people with false products if you have the God of Commerce’s blessing, or plagiarizing if you have the God of Art’s blessing.
Therefore, receiving a "Gift" from the God of Commerce is a huge sign of trust. It proves you’re trading fairly as a merchant.
By the way, forging a god’s emblem is the greatest sin in the church, and it brings down divine punishment.
And it’s not just metaphorical punishment; it seems it’s a real divine retribution. That’s terrifying...
However, as for what exactly counts as going against a god’s will, it seems there are both lenient gods and very strict gods, so the boundary isn’t always clear.
For example, the God of War might still level you up as long as you fight, even if you’re a villain.
By the way, as for my Summoning Goddess, Samonia, it seems I won’t lose my "Gift" unless I neglect summoning for decades or intentionally harm what I summon.
Well, for now, I’ll just be happy that I can summon a new shop.
Now, let’s summon a new store!
“This is incredible… to receive another blessing in such a short period of time… I’ve never heard of such speed.”
“Truly. Sakuraile-chan must have really caught the Summoning Goddess’s favor.”
My father and mother commented on my level-up with such amazement.
Well… I’m not so sure about that. I don’t think it’s really the goddess’s doing…
As far as I’m concerned, I think it’s probably because I raised the favorability of characters from Starlight Symphony, or maybe it’s because of the "event" where I met them. But I’m not completely certain.
The reason I think it might only apply to characters from the game is because of my father and mother.
If their favorability were also counted, I think my level would have risen much more dramatically.
I’m not sure where the boundary is for which characters are included. Does it include people who only appeared briefly in still images, like the Emperor or the Prime Minister? What about A's entourage? I’m really unsure about these details.
At the very least, I think the heroines and the villainous daughters of noble families are included.
As for the targets of romance, I’m not sure. I’m not trying to raise their favorability. I have no idea what would happen if I did, so I’d rather not get too close.
But, since they don’t seem to dislike me, maybe my favorability with them has gone up a bit. Maybe it’s more like we’re friends, or perhaps less than that? How will this affect things...?
Maybe it’s the total favorability from all the characters in the game that’s acting like experience points and causing me to level up? Although I still can’t completely dismiss the possibility that it’s the goddess’s whim.
Well, in any case, I’m grateful for the level-up.
By the way, the speed of leveling up for a typical "Gift" varies depending on the god who grants it. For example, the God of Growth, Grow, and the God of Wind, Wind, make it easier to level up, and you might unlock new skills or increase their power and effects.
It seems that the Summoning Goddess, Samonia, is one of the harder gods to level up with. That’s probably why my father is so surprised. It’s said that a "Gift" that’s harder to level up tends to be stronger.
In fact, in the game, Estelle didn’t even level up until she was sixteen. Her "Gift" becomes much more powerful when it reaches level 2, so that theory might be correct.
If that’s the case, does it mean that the Store Summoning is a weaker "Gift" because it’s easier to level up?
Hmm… If it didn’t have the ability to summon things from Earth, would it really be all that useful of a "Gift"? I still need money for it, after all. It’s not that different from just buying something at a store. It’s just that the store comes to me. When I think about it that way, it feels a lot like online shopping.
Well, it’s still a useful "Gift" for me, so I’m thankful. I’ll give my thanks to the Summoning Goddess, Samonia.
And while I’m at it, I’d like to ask for something else. How about a convenience store next? If I’m being greedy, maybe even a supermarket... or, if possible, a department store...?
I prayed to the Summoning Goddess, Samonia, in the garden surrounded by a barrier, just like before.
Please, a convenience store... If that’s too much, at least a restaurant would be nice. I really want to eat something delicious from Earth, not just candy!
A family restaurant... that would be good too! And of course, a high-end restaurant is also fine! Ah, but I’ve never been to a high-end restaurant...
Wait, maybe I went to one when I was little?
Hmm? But how would I buy from a restaurant if there are no employees or cooks?
...Well, I guess I’ll find out once I summon it.
"Now then! [Store Summoning]!"
A brilliant stream of light envelops the area. As usual, the summoning is quite flashy. Eventually, the light begins to settle, and the full form of the store begins to appear. ...Huh? Isn't it a bit small...?
"Huh?"
"Is this... a store?"
"Oh my, it's such a lovely color."
What appeared in front of me was a small van-like vehicle with a colorful red and white body. The door had the English text 'HOT DOG,' and on the back were illustrations of delicious-looking hot dogs and hamburgers, just as the name suggested. The entire vehicle had a stylish and cute vibe.
On the side of the vehicle were a standing sign and two small round tables, each with three chairs. On the tables were condiments like ketchup, mustard, dressing, Tabasco, and salt, along with the menu.
Could this be the hot dog food truck that used to set up near my high school?
I bought from it just a couple of years ago—though it was two or three years ago now. It was a very popular spot, and I remember buying hot dogs with friends after school several times. Ah, how nostalgic.
"Sakuraile-chan, is this a food-selling store?"
My mother, likely judging by the illustrations on the vehicle, approached happily.
"Well, yes. It's called a hot dog. Like the picture, it's bread with a sausage... and you eat it by sandwiching the sausage inside."
"Oh, a wurst, huh. Hmm, with bread, huh."
It seems sausages exist in this world too, although they aren't commonly eaten in the Empire.
"So, do we put the money here? Where do we get the hot dogs from? Is the counter inside?"
"No, inside is the kitchen. The products are..."
My father had already placed a gold coin on the change tray beside the open counter on the side of the kitchen van.
But how do you actually buy the hot dogs? There aren't any pre-made ones set out. Do I have to make one myself with the ingredients in the kitchen? A self-service system, perhaps?
I looked at the laminated menu on the table. It was very helpful, as it had pictures that made it easy for the people here to understand.
Let's see... the menu includes plain dogs, cheese dogs, lettuce dogs, chili dogs... lots of options.
As expected of a popular shop, the menu is quite varied. There are not only hot dogs, but also soup, salad, hamburgers, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, and even some desserts.
Normally, I would look at this menu and...
"Um, I'll have a plain dog."
When I tried to place an order at the unattended food truck, a hot dog wrapped in paper suddenly appeared on the table, steaming hot.
"I see! The ordering is summoning-style too!"
My father, picking up a menu from the table, immediately raised his eyebrows and looked to me for help. Yeah, I guess he can't read Japanese.
It really is a bit inconvenient, speaking Japanese but not being able to read it... He can read numbers, though.
The prices on the menu seem to be the same, but I bet this shop is probably overpriced too.
"Sakuraile-chan, I want to eat this."
"Um, that's a 'cabbage dog.'"
"Then I'll have a cabbage dog, please!"
When my mother placed her order, a cabbage dog, with a generous amount of sausage and cabbage stuffed inside, appeared next to my plain dog. Wow, that looks delicious too.
"I think I'll have this one. Sakuraile, what do you call this?"
"Eh...? That? It's called 'Hot Sauce Special,' but, uh, Father!? That one is probably very spicy!!"
"Haha, sounds good! Despite how I look, I actually love spicy food. I've even had the red-roasted spicy meat from the Queen's Kingdom!"
I have no idea what that spicy meat is, but this one is definitely very spicy! It says something about habanero and there are several chili pepper icons!
"I'll have one Hot Sauce Special, please!"
Oh no, he's really ordering it... I should probably order some oolong tea, though it might be better to get ice cream instead.
"Sakuraile’s recommendation, huh? I guess this is how it’s done?"
Wow... What kind of punishment game is this? Did Father do something deserving of a punishment?
I stared at my father’s hot dog, piled high with hot sauce and mustard, in disbelief. Before I could react, my mother took a big bite of her cabbage dog, which was loaded with ketchup.
"Mmm! Delicious! This sweet and tangy ketchup sauce goes so well with the meat and the crisp vegetables! I've never had anything like this before!"
With a blissful expression, my mother chewed happily. Watching her, I heard a faint gulp from the servants who had gathered around us.
"Is it really that good? Well then, I’ll try it too..."
I couldn’t eat my own hot dog just yet, too concerned about how Father would handle his.
I-I hope it’s okay? Since they’re selling it, it should be edible, but still...
Ignoring my worries, Father boldly took a big bite. He was really going for it...
"Mmm! This ketchup is indeed sweet and sour, and it tastes great! The spiciness isn’t too much..."
But then, Father suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His face turned red, then pale, and beads of sweat started pouring down his forehead like a waterfall. Wait, is he trembling?
He glanced at me briefly, then, as if resolving himself, he slowly chewed in silence, swallowing carefully.
He really overdid it...!
I’m sure he didn’t want to show weakness in front of his daughter.
"Hahaha... It’s definitely a stimulating taste, and it’s delicious... I’d like to let my older brother try it too..."
Father? Are you planning to drag His Majesty the Emperor into this too? I think that might get you in trouble... I silently offered the vanilla ice cream I had ordered.
Father silently took the ice cream and sighed in relief after taking a bite, though his face still looked twisted in discomfort. It must have been really spicy for him.
Deciding to enjoy my long-awaited hot dog, I took a bite.
Delicious...! Was a hot dog always this tasty?
When I bit into it, the sausage burst open, releasing savory juices. A simple hot dog with just pickles and finely chopped onions tasted so good.
It wasn’t from a convenience store, but thank you for letting me eat something so delicious, Somonia-sama.
Once we finished eating, we immediately opened the kitchen van to the servants.
As for the menu, I had translated it, and Maid Alisa wrote it down.
"One cheese dog!"
"I’ll have a shrimp dog!"
"I’ll take a lettuce dog! Oh, and an iced tea too!"
In no time at all, the Duke's estate garden had transformed into the venue for a garden party.
Even after everyone had finished ordering, I continued to place orders from the menu. I needed to establish a guideline for how many items could be ordered in a single summon. By the way, the extra food would be for the servants' meals later.
Eventually, hot dogs stopped appearing, and drinks like oolong tea and cola stopped showing up too.
Hmm, it’s fewer than I expected. I suppose it can’t be helped since it’s not a full-sized store.
Well, that’s not the real strength of this place. The true value lies in it being a "mobile vendor."
It’s a vehicle. It comes with a kitchen, and now I have a car. If I can use this, it will be a highly convenient way to travel.
I opened the driver’s side door and entered the vehicle. …I’m in. This must be recognized as part of the "store." Since it’s a mobile vendor, this place is also considered part of the store to operate.
If that’s the case, I can’t take anything outside the store, but I should be able to "use" it.
I’m so glad I got my driver’s license. I’m thankful to my father in my past life for paying for it.
The car has keys too. …Wait, I can’t take it outside, right? Does that mean I can’t lock the door? If I lock it from the outside, would I be locked out? That would be a problem… but I could just dismiss the car and summon it again. That would reset everything.
The gas tank is full. Sitting in the seat, I thought this would work fine──── but then I realized something and quickly got out of the car, closing the door behind me. I collapsed onto my knees.
My legs… I can’t reach the pedals! I’m too short, and I can’t see out the front windshield either!
I can’t drive! A six-year-old driving is impossible!
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