A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

“Really?” Amy asked doubtfully as she looked at Mag.

Mag gave a serious nod. “Yes.” Then, he asked in his mind, “System, I believe you have toys for kids, right?”

“I’m a God of Cookery Cultivation System! I don’t have toys for kids!” the system replied angrily.

“Then I guess I’ll buy some on the street,” said Mag bluntly.

“Well…” The system sounded a little hesitant. It paused for a moment. “I don’t have any right now, but I have a toy production line. What do you need? I can have it made in five minutes. Free delivery and reasonable price.”

“I’ll have to see the price first,” Mag said as his mouth twisted, his voice still calm. Then he smiled at Amy. “Would you like a toy, Amy? I can conjure one for you.”

“I…” Amy cocked her head to one side and thought for a while. Then her eyes lit up. “I want a little guy who can sing.”

The first thing that came into Mag’s head was Lilliput. “System, I don’t suppose you traffic in human beings?” he asked subconsciously.

“Trafficking in human beings violates the second rule that the God made for me. I’ll be reset and you’ll be killed once I do that,” the system said seriously, its voice mechanical and without emotion.

“Take it easy. I was just joking. Make a pretty music box for me then,” Mag said quickly. He had wanted a Thumbelina or something, but obviously that was out of the question, so he bit back the words.

It seems the system has to follow rules too. That reminded Mag of the Three Laws of Robotics.

It was not a bad thing. It meant the system would still be under control and wouldn’t cause any trouble even if it gained self-awareness.

Mag was already thinking about how to trick the system into telling him those rules. Taking advantage of the system was so much fun for him.

Now he was not confident of beating a normal human, let alone an orc or a demon. To be sure, he could totally hide behind Amy, but he wasn’t very proud of it. A father should be able to shoulder all the hardships for his children.

That was why he was trying hard to make money to buy strength. When he was capable of picking up his sword again, he could deal with almost anything that got thrown at him with the swordsmanship in his head.

After all, Mag Alex had slaughtered dragons. He and his sword had feared no one.

It wouldn’t hurt if I could procure something from the system to protect us while I improve my strength. I would feel safer, Mag thought.

“I have 500 different types of music boxes for you to choose from. Prices vary from 50 copper coins to 500 gold coins.” The system now sounded like a seasoned businessman.

Mag looked through the music boxes that had appeared in his head. The one that was priced at 500 gold coins was made of pure gold, and inside it stood a golden little man. Too extravagant. Amy won’t like this one.

He looked down, and one that was priced at 50 gold coins caught his eye.

It was a brown wooden box with a hemispherical glass cover inside which was a blond elf girl in a purple dress. She was playing on a violin. It was very well made. From the look of it, it should be able to simulate snowing as there was a layer of white particles on the ground. It could play 50 songs, and the price was relatively reasonable.

“I want that 50 gold coins one with a violin girl in it. Make that one for me,” Mag said.

“You will pay 50 gold coins for that one?” the system asked, incredulous. After all, Mag had haggled with it over the price of to-go boxes for a long time, but now he didn’t even think twice before spending 50 gold coins on a music box.

Mag knew what the system was thinking. “Of course. I’m willing to pay anything for Amy.” Then he added, “I want to see it in five minutes, or I’ll demand a refund.”

“Making the music box. It will be ready in five minutes. The money has been deducted automatically,” answered the system quickly.

Mag had done all that in his head. He was a man of action, so it had only taken him a minute to make this deal with the system. Amy thought her father was considering her request, so she reckoned she was asking too much. “Father, I don’t need a singing little man. I love anything from you,” she said quietly, shaking her head.

Her thoughtfulness made Mag want her to be a little stubborn sometimes and made his heart ache. He shook his head with a smile. “But Father wants to give you a singing little man, a very pretty singer. Just wait a little longer. This magic needs time to work.”

“Really?” Amy’s eyes brightened and she became expectant immediately. It must be a very fun toy!

She had no doubts about her father’s words. He had said he would conjure up a beautiful house for her, and now she had a pretty restaurant; he had said he would give her pretty dresses, and now she could wear them every day. Her father had delivered on all his promises.

Mag nodded. Then, he said solemnly, “While we’re waiting, I have one last question for you. If a kid said he liked you, what would you say?”

Perhaps every father who had a daughter wanted to know the answer to that question. Nobody liked the idea of their daughter marrying some punk.

Although Amy was only four, it was never too early for her to know this stuff.

He would protect her from those boys until she grew up and developed an integrated world view and could tell right from wrong. That was one of the reasons why he wanted to regain his strength.

Those boys had to think twice before making him, a dragon slayer, their father-in-law. They had to consider if they were able to stand a blow from his heavy sword.

“I don’t like those brats,” Amy said as she crossed her arms like a grownup. Then she looked up at Mag and her sweet smile returned. “I’ll marry Father when I grow up,” she said cheerfully and seriously. “Father has magic powers, can cook tasty food, and always tell me stories. Father is the best. There is no one better in the world.”