The receptionist then went up with the group to the fifth floor, and when they arrived, she asked, "What kind of service would you like?"
And Gen said, "Kind of service?"
"Yes, don't you know the kinds of services we offer at Oasis?"
"No, this is our first time here."
"I see, no problem, I'll explain them to you. We have three types of services on the fifth floor. The oasis prince, the oasis king, and the oasis emperor."
"I see. Which one has all the services of the previous four floors included?"
"They all do. That is the base Oasis service."
"Wow, so what is the difference between them?"
"Well, let's start with the Oasis prince. In this mode, we give you the experience of all the other floors, plus separate an entire staff to serve only you."
"For me, that was the only service offered here. I didn't know there were others."
"Hahaha, don't worry, most people don't know. Well, next, we have the Oasis king. In this mode, you get the same treatment as the previous mode, only you have two more teams at your disposal to make a total of three, and we also offer special dishes."
"Three teams?! And did you say special dishes? What kind of dishes are these?"
"We call them royal foods. They are the favorite foods of many kings around the world."
"The favorite foods of kings? And how do you know that?"
"Well, before the restaurant was founded, the owner traveled all over the world for this information."
"All over the world?"
"Yes, it took him a few years to do it, but because of that, Oasis is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world."
"Wow, I didn't know Oasis was that popular."
"Hahaha, hardly anyone knows this, but many important people around the world love to go to Oasis."
"Wow, this food must be delicious to make these people come all the way out to the desert to eat."
"No, sir, you have it all mixed up."
"What do you mean?"
"They don't have to come here. Oasis has several other restaurants around the world."
"Isn't this the only restaurant?"
"No, and besides, each restaurant is different from the other based on the region it is in because, after all, it would be difficult for an oasis far away to sell the same food as ours since most of the raw materials we use come from the desert."
"That makes sense, but I didn't expect that. Is there an Oasis in Tólis?"
"Yes, we have a restaurant there."
"That's great. When I'm there, I'll look for it and try the local food."
"You won't regret it, sir, but when you arrive in Tólis, you shouldn't look for Oasis."
"No? The restaurant has another name there?"
"Yes, after all, an oasis is something typical of a desert. It wouldn't make sense to have that name in a city that is abundant in water."
"Got it. What is the name of the restaurant there?"
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you, sir."
"What? Why not?"
"Because each restaurant has to build its fame on its own, independent of the others around the world."
"What? Why is that so?"
"Well, that was a decision made by the owner of the restaurant. He said that if the restaurant couldn't become popular on its own, it didn't deserve to be part of Gourmet."
"I see, that's ambitious on his part, but what is that you said?"
"You say, Gourmet?"
"Yes."
"That's the big group that unites all our restaurants around the world. Here, see."
She then took a small book and handed it to Gen, and then said, "This book has a page for each city where a restaurant of our group exists."
Gen then opened the book, started flipping through the pages, and then asked, "What are those white circles in the book?"
And the receptionist said, "They are the space for each restaurant's stamp."
"Stamp?"
"Yes, each restaurant has its stamp, and each mode has its stamp as well."
"And what are they for?"
"Well, there are many people who take the stamps just to collect and say they've been there, but there is also a benefit to collecting all the stamps."
"A benefit? What is it?"
"The benefit is knowing the location of the owner's restaurant."
"The owner's restaurant? Aren't they all his?"
"Yes, they are all his, but this restaurant is special because the owner cooks there."
"The restaurant must be very popular then."
"Yes, it is the most popular restaurant in the world. Rumor has it that the dishes served there are the best there are and that depending on your luck, if you eat one of the dishes, you might even awaken."
"What?! Are you serious?!"
"Yes, that's what the rumors say."
"Wow. I wonder what food needs to have to make a person awaken an essence."
"Well, the only way to find out is to collect the stamps and meet with the owner himself."
"It's tempting, but I'll think about it another time."
"Okay, well, continuing with the previous subject. After the king, we have the emperor of the oasis. In this mode, each member of the group has an entire staff at their disposal, and in addition, we also serve other special dishes. We call it imperial foods."
"A team for each member?!"
"Yes."
"And these imperial dishes? Are they the favorite foods of various emperors around the world?"
"Haha, you could say that, but you got one part wrong."
"What part?"
"You said emperors, but this world only had one known emperor, and that was Dahji."
"So you are telling me that these imperial foods are Dahji's favorite foods?"
"That's right."
"And how do you know that? The empire ended hundreds of years ago."
"Well, we don't know. The owner made the menu."
"Got it. It makes sense that you don't know for sure. In fact, I don't think anyone could be sure."
Dehji then said, 'Relax, Gen, I'll tell you if the food they serve really was his favorite.'
And Gen said, 'What? What do you mean? Do you know the emperor's favorite foods?'
'Of course, Gen, after all, I am his son.'
"What?!"
Everyone around was startled, and Lina asked, "Gen, what was that?! Why did you scream out of the blue?"
And Gen said, "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
Everyone looked at him strangely, but then Raja said, "You and your tics, Gen. It seems that almost dying to get your essence has left some aftereffects."
After hearing this, everyone looked at Gen with understanding looks, and Raja gave a little wink in his direction.
Gen then said, "It's true. They have gotten better over time, but they still happen now and then."
The receptionist then said, "I didn't know you were an awakened one."
"Not just me. He and she are awakened too.", said Gen, pointing at Lina and Raja.
The receptionist then said, "Wow, what a rarity to see so many awakened people at once. We have a special service for awakened people. If you want, you can try it after you finish eating with your friends."
And Gen said, "Hm, I don't see why not."
"Great, well, which mode will it be? Prince, king, or emperor?"
Gen then said, "Well, how much-", but was interrupted by Lina, who said, "We'll go in emperor mode, please."
Gen then said, "Hey, Lina, I didn't even ask how much it is."
And Lina said, "It doesn't matter how much it is, I want to go in that mode. Do you have a problem with that?"
"... Ahh, no, I don't have a problem with that."
"Good."
The receptionist then said, "Emperor mode then?"
And Gen said, "Yes ..."
"Okay, but before we can move on, I need to get paid in advance in this mode."
"Do I need to pay in advance?"
"Yes, that's how it works."
"Ahh, okay. How much is it?"
"The emperor mode costs fifteen silver coins."
"FIFTEEN COINS?!"
"Yes."
"Why all that? Even with all those services you talked about, I don't see how it could cost fifteen coins."
"That's because you've never eaten the royal and imperial foods, sir. They are what make the value so high."
"Hmm, I see ..."
"Do you want to continue in emperor mode? King mode costs only five silver coins and is also an excellent mode."
Gen then thought, 'How dare you say, 'five silver coins' and 'only', in the same sentence!', and then he turned to Lina, who was standing a little behind him.
She then smiled in his direction, and Gen knew very well what that smile meant.
He then said, "Ahh, it looks like I have no choice. We'll go in emperor mode."