Chapter 114: Store Summoning 14

“…Why?”

The next morning, waking up in my own bed, I tilted my head looking at the leveled-up crest on my right hand. Did I complete some event? Regarding the Empire, since that Ore-sama Prince hasn’t appeared, there shouldn’t be any still events or movie events. Ah!? Could it be Elliott’s engagement (confession) event!? Normally that’s a confession meant for the protagonist Estelle though… Is it okay if the partner is different? No… thinking back, Elliott was the one who defeated the Dark Dragon in the game too, and Estelle‘s awakening wasn’t triggered by me either.

“Then, whatever…”

No use thinking about things I don’t understand. I crawled out of bed, got dressed by Arisa-san, and reported the level up to Father and Mother at the breakfast table as usual.

“…Really, whenever some big problem happens, Sakuraile gets a new store, huh…” “Not aiming for it, you know?” “No, yeah. I know though.”

Pouting my lips as if offended, Father stopped his hand drinking coffee and smiled wryly. Well, sometimes I did aim for it. Won’t say that now though.

“However, Highness Elliott engaging to Highness Risha, huh… Sakuraile, umm, do you not mind?” “Mind what? Isn’t it joyous?” “Ah, I see…”

When Father shrugged slightly, Mother next to him giggled—kusukusu. What? Finishing breakfast, adding Ritsu to Arisa-san, headed to the summoning ground as usual, found Estelle and Yulia-sensei waiting in the entrance hall. Today is sword practice day. Naturally Bianca is there too. It’s become routine to stop by Bianca‘s house on the way here with the kitchen car entrusted to Yulia-san and come together.

“Good morning! Heard Highness Elliott and Highness Risha got engaged! Truly joyous!” “Ri-Right…”

Estelle is several times more hyped than usual. Face beaming, somehow glossy. Felt like I heard a small ‘With this the obstacle is gone!’, but probably imagination. Taking the three, head to the summoning ground to summon a new store. Sword practice decided for after that. Everyone is used to it, no one questions it. What store next. Since we just ate breakfast, food place would be a miss. Arriving at summoning ground, infuse magic power and activate ‘Gift’.

“[Store Summoning]!”

Oh, took decent amount of magic power. Model shop level? Seems slightly large store. Light subsided, appearing in front was a fancy building like a small castle in white and pale pink. Inside the glass show window, various stuffed animals were placed crowdedly. Ah, this shop. ‘Plushie Specialty Shop Little Pocket’. A shop in the city where I attended vocational school in previous life. Remember shopping once to buy a present for my niece. Umm, good or bad it wasn’t a restaurant…

“Lovely! A plushie shop!”

The one hyped up is Estelle. Eyes shining at the bear plushie larger than a person inside the show window. Plushies exist in this world too, but honestly speaking, quality isn’t that good. No, rather than quality… as mentioned before, concept of deformation doesn’t really exist in this world. So, strong realism and not very cute. And instead of soft cotton filling, things like sawdust or rags are commonly used. Nobles’ plushies use cotton, but very expensive. Feeling impatient Estelle behind, ring the doorbell—karan koron—and open the door.

“Waa…!”

Receiving Estelle‘s voice from behind, we entered ‘Little Pocket’. Plushies of various sizes welcome us. Dogs, cats, animal plushies, to frogs, kappas, dinosaur-like plushies. Surprisingly few character goods from anime or games. Also globally famous plushies. Like the bunny with X mouth born in Holland, or the kitty weighing three apples. No bear plushie wearing only a jacket either. Similar ones exist though. In a corner of the shop, plushie making kits were placed. Can make hand-made plushies. Even specialized sewing sets sold. Cotton sold too, huh.

“Mom, this is cute!” “My, true. Cute dog… no, boar maybe…?”

Yulia-san tilts head at the plushie Estelle holds, but both wrong. That’s a capybara. Rodent, I recall.

“This is cute… Very good for small child’s gift. Maybe give as souvenir to those returning to territory with children.”

Mother holding an owl plushie, plotting something. No negligence in strengthening faction. Conversely Father doesn’t seem that interested. Wandering around looking at the shop. Ritsu doesn’t seem that interested either, but seems curious about bird plushies. Because they resemble Oboro the Simurgh? Surprisingly Bianca and Arisa-san have sparkling eyes. Uumu, cute is justice.

“However, this is huge…”

Bear and rabbit plushies larger than me leaning on left and right of the bay window-like show window. Standing up, bigger than Father… Price is… over 50,000. Quite expensive, you… With otherworldly ripoff pricing, it’s 500,000 yen… Well, nobles can buy but… Huge plushies are only these two, and the lazily lying dog and crocodile in the back. Those could be body pillows. Kinda want the red panda plushie. Oh, discovered white tiger plushie.

“Doesn’t this look like Kohaku-san?” “Where. I am much more dashing.” “Really? Ah, blue dragon plushie too. This is cute too!” “Hmph, blue lizard. I am cuter!”

Kuwa, Kohaku-san roars. Don’t know why competing. Ah, this is a keychain type plushie to hang. Cute too.

“Haaa… Want to stay here all day…” “That much?”

Estelle is defeated by plushie cuteness bombing. Understand the feeling though.

“Whatever unusual creature… Does otherworld have such magic beasts?”

Father mutters looking at the displayed giraffe plushie. Not magic beast though. Zoo’s popular star.

“Estelle, this plushie with big nose is cute!” “This one has a small child in the belly!”

Bianca and Estelle showing koala and kangaroo plushies to each other. Neither exists in this world probably… If making plushies in this world, would they become magic beasts or monsters? Goblin plushie… no way. No goblin. Ah, isn’t this a puppet plushie. Put on arm and move mouth—paku paku. Should I put cow and frog on both hands here.

“Sakura-chan, this is Sushi, right?” “…Sushi, indeed.”

While I was hesitating whether to become a puppet comedian, Mother brought a huge tuna fatty meat (toro) plushie. What is this…? Ah, rather than plushie, a cushion? Pillow substitute? Not just toro, salmon, egg, even shrimp exists. Sleeping with that as pillow, feels like I’d have fishy dreams. For now, everyone bought what they wanted, then usual buying up and transport work. Slight trouble was the extra-large plushie getting stuck at the door, struggled to take out. Probably system is order only, delivery to home later normally. Plushies are cute, but as Ducal House, utility is low, summoning priority low maybe. At least not a shop to summon daily.

“Perfect for souvenirs though.”

Ah, wonder if Risha would be happy if I gave this plushie. No, in this case, calling Elliott too and making it a present from fiancé would score higher points, right? Kingdom and Empire are on bad terms now, but as Highness Leticia said, if we bring in pro-Kingdom faction there and get First Imperial Prince, the Crown Prince, on our side, might be possible to drag down Second Imperial Prince, even Emperor. If so, Risha‘s position becomes very important. Can be said to be Kingdom’s spokesperson in Empire, and eventually coming to Kingdom to be Empress Consort, so can’t treat poorly. In addition to Highness Leticia, pro-Kingdom faction will protect Risha. First Imperial Prince faction too, who can’t let go of this ally. Those who treated Risha poorly will pale when this news reaches there. Only concern is First Imperial Prince’s illness… If First Imperial Prince suddenly passes away, Second Imperial Prince takes the throne. Even Second Imperial Prince wouldn’t kill Risha who became Elliott‘s fiancé since demerits are many, think he won’t do it anymore but… don’t know what might happen. Or rather, in the game First Imperial Prince passes away, right… undoubtedly. Don’t know when, but it’s certain. Whatever illness, Estelle‘s ‘Gift’, [Holy Miracle] can cure it, but can’t send Estelle to dangerous Empire, and can’t expose Estelle‘s ‘Gift’ before that. What to do… If First Imperial Prince came to Kingdom, could do something… Well, impossible. …No, wait? Ah, can I use that? If I get Kohaku-san to play along a bit…

“Estelle, have a little favor…” “Okay. What is it?” “You see…”

I broached the subject to Estelle who was in good mood hugging the capybara plushie.