Gacha Kingdom Building

Since I told Isa I preferred small gatherings over big parties, she told me she would invite only her closest knights and family to her victory celebration.

As such, I helped her as much as I could, thinking it would be nice to end the Event on a high note after everything that happened.

Miwen: "...I'm sorry about that."

Isabella: "It's fine~"

She had kept her promise, and I thought I had kept mine as well, but I miscalculated a little.

I knew Lily wouldn't cause any trouble, but Agatha and Lana were still a bit unpredictable since the last time they were still reserved around us.

Then, there were Marin and Celly, both practically guaranteed to stir something up, but considering how much they had helped, I couldn't leave them in the Kingdom.

Jackie was no different. If not for her help, I doubt I could've defeated Nissa the way I did, but when I invited her, Nissa insisted on coming too.

That alone was sure to spark a fire, but with knights commenting on Mia's fight and her power, Claire's jealousy, and Cassandra fueling the flames while provoking Elizabeth...

Things became heated, to say the least.

Isabella: "It doesn't seem like you hate it, though."

Miwen: "Well... I think they deserve it. Besides, I'm used to this type of party too."

Amidst the drinks, there were a lot of girls making fun of each other, telling secrets, provoking a reaction, or outright just embarrassing themselves.

It reminded me a little of the birthday parties my parents managed to throw for Sis and me.

Before acquiring [Gacha Kingdom Building], almost all of the celebrations I held were for my sister's achievements.

I couldn't help her with most of the things she tried her hand at, so at the very least, I hoped that by giving her a small gift and a special princess day whenever she was finished with what she was doing, she would have something to look forward to, and wouldn't cower in face of a challenge.

She ended up a little spoiled, though.

Her projects increased in scope, and it felt like there was no limit to what she could do when she set her mind to it.

It was almost like she was purposefully seeking to challenge herself to gain a reward, but...

Seeing her realize the potential I knew she had, there was no way I could complain.

However, aside from those, we also celebrated our birthdays, and sometimes, our parents managed to show up.

Whenever they did, our quiet, peaceful celebrations turned into a complete chaotic mess.

They would invite their friends, neighbors whom Sis and I had never spoken with, and maybe even random people from the street...

I always preferred when it was just the four of us, or even the two of us, but I have to admit, the times when they went all out were pretty fun too.

Especially since we got to hear a bunch of stories our parents would never otherwise tell us.

Isabella: "I get what you mean... It's chaotic, but oddly inviting..."

Miwen: "I'm sure they'd be happy to have you join. If you can handle it, that is."

Isabella: "I think I'm fine staying here... I feel oddly tired today..."

Miwen: "Is that so? Then I'll keep you company until the very end."

Isabella: "Thank... You..."

Miwen: "Those are my words, Isa."

The celebration went on for a few more hours after that, but soon enough, Isa and her brothers, as well as her knights, had all fallen asleep.

With the party officially over, the rest of us returned to the Kingdom.

Truth is, I wanted everyone to join the party so that I could coordinate with them.

Miwen: "...As you know, I'll be ending the Event today. However, there's something I need to do beforehand. I know some of you have a lot of questions for me, but... I need you all to stay here for the time being. In case I don't come back, I'll send someone to help you guys out."

Unfortunately, one way or another, I wouldn't step foot in Mia's world again.

But that doesn't mean the same was true for the others.

My words left them a little worried, but I couldn't predict what was going to happen from that point onwards, and telling them the truth felt like the best choice.

Although some didn't seem to respect my others as much.

Elizabeth: "I thought I would find you here."

Miwen: "Really? I wasn't sure where I was going myself."

Elizabeth: "Hmph. There's currently no better place than this to look at both the past and future of this world. Wouldn't you agree?"

Miwen: "I suppose."

I was looking for a quiet place.

One that would leave everyone within sight, but still far away enough for them not to hear me.

That ended up bringing me to the first line of the Kingdom's walls.

I wanted to make sure the Snow White Wolves had a place to call their own and live the way they wanted, even within the Kingdom, so I created a division between them and the girls.

They were always welcome to enter the "inner walls", though.

It's just that they barely had a reason to do so since they were often hunting in the woods and gathering their own resources.

The walls were also my way of keeping myself distant enough from them so that I had the strength to eventually let them leave for Maides Island.

Since that never happened, I considered demolishing it and uniting the two sections of the Kingdom, but ultimately, I decided to wait.

It should happen naturally. Once Mia has proved she has total control over them, and when they come to trust us more.

Elizabeth: "You seemed afraid."

Miwen: "I am."

Elizabeth: "I wonder what has scared you? Is it perhaps... Guilty? Don't tell me you think you went too far?"

...Liz is surprisingly considerate.

Seeing her cut to the chase like this, questioning me without a second thought, even at the price of ignoring my orders, I couldn't help but smile.

Her words were a little mean, but I knew her enough to know her true intentions.

No matter how good she was at hiding them, I knew why she only wanted to provoke me into affirming my thoughts.

Unfortunately, I had already planned something else.

Miwen: "Don't worry, Liz. Licia already promised me a scolding, and I'd be glad to hear your opinion. However, before that, there's someone whose opinion I need to hear."

Elizabeth: "...Is that in your hand-"

I showed Liz a small card that was in my hands, passing it through my fingers.

There was no way she wouldn't recognize it.

Elizabeth: "I see. You must be truly desperate if you're going to ask him of all people for advice, but... I admit he might be the best choice. Tell uncle to make some time for me one of these days, there's something I want to ask him."

Miwen: "Sure."

Understanding my reasons, Liz flew from the walls, making her way back to the other girls.

As soon as she was gone, I allowed my mana to run through the card.

Almost instantly, the Traveling Merchant arrived at the Kingdom.

Merchant: "...Oh. Miwen! It's been a while since you called me. What's this about? Another person I know giving you trouble?"

Miwen: "Kind of, but not really. Don't worry, I didn't call you to fight anyone. I wanted your help with something else."

Merchant: "...Eh? Me? Uh... I mean... Shouldn't you call your dad? He seemed like a responsible guy."

Miwen: "Believe me, if it were anything remotely mundane, then yeah, I'd go to him for advice a thousand times before asking you. But this time, it's gotta be you."

It's rare for the Merchant to be serious. He clearly doesn't like it too much.

However, the rare serious merchant was exactly what I needed.

He was a man who had outlived entire cycles of creation.

His knowledge was probably unrivaled, even if he never used it.

And, so, if anyone could help me, it was him.

I didn't want to hide anything, so I went into detail about everything I came across in Isabella's world.

Every action I took, every clue I noticed.

The Event description, my summoning, and Isabella's condition.

How it all felt like a provocation, a scheme designed to make my blood boil.

Whoever was behind it knew me well.

They could predict almost everything about me.

There were only a few candidates who fit the criteria, and the Merchant, after listening to it all, reached the same conclusion as I did.

But the look in his eyes...

There was even more seriousness than I had ever expected from him.

He seemed incredibly worried, but then again, so was I.

Merchant: "...You said you wanted to destroy that world. How?"

I started fiddling with the card in my hands again.

He immediately understood what I meant by it, albeit he didn't seem to like it one bit.

Not that I could blame him, though.

Using his presence to provoke the Gods into punishing the planet and then leading the people of that world into war until the Gods repeated what they did in Elizabeth's world was not something the Merchant foresaw me doing.

And it was not why he gave me the card in the first place.

Merchant: "Then... Why didn't you do it?"

Miwen: "It was too far..."

This was a half-lie.

After I heard how humanity responded against the worlds that attacked them, my moral compass shifted slightly.

I always tried to measure myself against how I perceive humanity, positioning myself right in the middle so that I wouldn't have to think too hard, but...

Recently, something changed.

Licia, Isa, and Mia...

I didn't want to betray their feelings and hopes for me.

While far from the ideal person they might want, I had already shifted much more towards their side.

Discovering the true identity of Hamperlon's knights was almost enough to push me to the edge, but I had already made a promise to Nissa, and...

There was something else bothering me almost as much as that world.

Miwen: "I hated what that world did to Mia. I hated how it treated Isabella. But... More than that, I hated being controlled."

I felt like the entire thing was designed to bring out the worst in me.

It was appealing to every one of my instincts.

However, knowing that there was a possibility this was exactly what they wanted, I refused to give in.

I already knew how revenge was empty.

And that any satisfaction I got from it was going to be temporary and meaningless.

I don't regret doing it, but at the same time, I know there were things I didn't want to trade for it.

And the thought of losing what I had built for this...

It didn't seem worth it.

I was already caught in the trap.

But if what they were looking for was entertainment, all I had to do was not give it to them.

Merchant: "I see... That's troublesome..."

Miwen: "...Unfortunately."

If I was right about who the mastermind was...

Well, it was pretty much hopeless.

There was no winning.

All I could do was resist.

Merchant: "...You've built something nice here, Miwen. I see too many happy faces to count."

Miwen: "...It had a hefty price."

Hearing that, a subtle smile formed on his face.

His posture relaxed a little, and I worried he had already exhausted all of his "seriousness".

However, even with the solemn look on his face, his next words felt more important than anything I had ever heard him say.

Merchant: "I'm not going to judge you, if that's what you wanted. You're the only one who can tell when you've crossed the line. Still... Since you told me a story, how about I tell you one in return?"

Miwen: "...Sure."

Merchant: "...There was a person I knew, long ago. They were a little like you. Their heart was, for better or worse, filled with passion."

His eyes drifted away, facing the horizon.

It was almost as if he were a little embarrassed.

I notice him moving his legs a little, though.

More than anything, it seemed like he was anxious.

Merchant: "...One day, the world came crashing down. They thought nothing of it. If this were the end or not, it would be fine. As long as those precious to them survived."

Miwen: "...I'm assuming that didn't happen?"

Merchant: "...They lost the most precious thing they had. The one they never imagined. And I think... Nothing was ever the same after. The love he had... it was still there, but it had turned into something else."

Miwen: "...Hate?"

Merchant: "No, it's not that simple. It's more like... Sheer determination. I do think they came to hate the ones responsible, but... They didn't look for revenge. It was worse. They just measured the world, and everything in it against what they had lost and... It wasn't enough. So... They decided there was no sacrifice too high to get what they wanted back."

The Merchant had clenched his fists.

His expression didn't change much, but immense pressure emanated from his body.

I felt afraid to approach him.

Miwen: "Doesn't seem fair, but... I can't judge them."

Merchant: "Right. It wasn't his fault, really. If anyone was to blame... It was probably me."

Suddenly, the pressure around him disappeared.

He looked my way again, and his hand slowly approached my shoulder.

His fists were not closed anymore, and he gave me a light tap.

Merchant: "I was afraid. Had I been like him, or you... Maybe things would be different now. That's why I can't decide for you, Miwen. It's your journey. When the time comes, it will be your decision. I've already made my mistake, I don't want to make another. Although... If you were to go down a path I don't like, I'll do everything to stop you."

As if I wasn't in trouble already...

Miwen: "...What does that mean?"

Merchant: "It means I'm here because I still believe in you. I see your potential. So, I'll help you protect what's important to you. I would hate to lose again."

Miwen: "I see... Thanks, Merchant."

Merchant: "Should I come with you?"

Miwen: "No... I'll face them myself. I'd rather you make sure the girls are safe, in case something happens to me. You can bring them to a girl called Isabella, she holds a Gift called [The Darkest Star], if you need something more specific."

Merchant: "...Be careful, Miwen. They are not to be taken lightly."

Miwen: "I know."

As soon as the Merchant was gone, I moved one of the Kingdom buildings closer to the walls.

While it floated in the air, I took one step forward and opened its doors.

Miwen: "Yo!"

First Daughter: "...Would you be willing to let bygones be bygones? I know they broke the rules, but I promise, I will punish them adequately."

Miwen: "Sorry. That's not going to happen. I want you to take me to the puppet master."

First Daughter: "...What if I refuse?"

Miwen: "I'll make sure the Infinite Hotel is never completed."

It was the only weapon I had against her, so there was no use hiding or waiting.

And as expected, she didn't like it one bit.

The doors behind me closed, and what was once a spacious hall shrank until there was less than a meter separating me and the First Daughter.

Then, she stood up from her seat behind the desk.

First Daughter: "It's my family. You, of all people, should understand. I can threaten you in a million different ways. I can make sure you will never leave this place. I can remove your ability to think, to feel, to act. Who do you think you are to threaten me?!"

Miwen: "...Go ahead."

First Daughter: "...Huh?"

Miwen: "Stop me if you can. Because I think you can't. I think you know I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't made my mind already... I think you are just scared. You fear breaking the rules, which means you can't interfere with me. And to make it worse, you need me."

I reached closer to her.

She was clearly agitated, but I didn't pay it any mind and stared directly into her eyes.

Miwen: "You will open the doors behind me. And when you do, they won't lead back to the Kingdom."

First Daughter: "...I understand your feelings, but-"

Miwen: "Please. You know it's not right."

First Daughter: "I know. But..."

There was no way I could win in a power struggle against the First Daughter.

She was second among the Endless, and I was just a human with an attitude.

However, I knew deep down she was a good girl.

After all, she tried to warn me before this had started.

Appealing to her humanity, as ridiculous as that might sound, was the only plan I had.

First Daughter: "...Follow me. But you owe me one. And I'm taking all the points you had with me. If you want them back, you'll have to play another game with me."

The doors of the Infinite Hotel opened to an endless pool of darkness.

There were no sounds, no life, nothing.

Everything was pure black.

The only thing I could see was her back.