Gacha Kingdom Building Chapter 261: Stars Aligned

I returned to the Kingdom the sa way I had left, through the Infinite Hotel's doors.

Suddenly, I found myself on the walls, looking from above at the entirety of the land.

Reina, my newly summoned, yet unproven companion, stood by my side, or rather, slightly behind , as we walked towards the girls waiting for .

Miwen: "...What do you think? As a forr queen..."

Reina: "I believe it is splendid work, my lord. However, and you already know this, there is room for improvent."

Miwen: "Right, but I think I should take things slowly with them..."

The Snow White Wolves represented the vast majority of the Kingdom's citizens, making up almost 750 of our 782 citizens.

While we had led an incredibly successful campaign, it was impossible to completely restore the Snow White Wolves once they had lost their hos.

Most of the ones we recruited were won and children, with the number of fully fledged n reaching below 50.

Unsurprisingly, during the years after their tribe's conquest and our arrival, the males of the Snow White Wolves who weren't sold to nobles were used as a disposable workforce by Hamperlon in Maides Island's mines.

As for those who beca slaves...

They were on a tir.

Quite a few were used as entertainnt in battles, until their deaths, while most found themselves far from ho, serving nations they hadn't even heard of before.

It was easier to find won and children in "good" condition, but this has its own problems.

The most inhibiting factor right now is myself.

I feel the weight of my decisions more than ever, and I'm afraid of the negative or unforeseen consequences my ideas may have on them.

Thus, I trick myself into waiting for them to settle before making the changes I believe necessary.

After experiencing so many of their lives, it might be even harder for to act now...

Reina: "My lord, would you care for this one's advice?"

Miwen: "Yeah?"

Reina: "...For the good of those he rules, a king must do what his people won't. Most often, this requires montary sacrifice for the greater good that awaits."

Miwen: "Noted."

I hoped that she would offer a different perspective from Elizabeth's, but her words weren't too dissimilar to her answer when I presented her with the sa problem.

Not that this disappointed , though.

I could tell from her way of speaking that she was much more satisfied with her position than Elizabeth.

The two spoke to with reverence, but she lacked Liz's almost sarcastic, defiant cheekiness.

For so reason, unlike Liz, who acted dutifully due to her own pride, it felt to like Reina actively sought to work under .

I didn't know how to feel.

There were plenty of girls loyal to , but it took ti, which made sense to .

I found it hard to believe in imdiate devotion.

Reina: "...The truth is often strange, isn't it?"

Miwen: "I guess? I'm not going to trust you just because of a few words, though. I still want to see what you can do."

Reina: "A wise decision. However, for now, would you like to use to support yourself?"

Even though I was doing my best to act naturally, either due to keen eyes or because she had experienced my mories, she quickly noticed that my steps were heavier than usual.

They were ssy. I was having difficulties walking straight.

But that much should be obvious.

My body didn't feel like my own.

At tis smaller, at others bigger.

Sotis sturdy, sotis flimsy.

Faster, then suddenly slower.

I had forgotten how to walk like myself.

The wind touching my back felt strangely different.

I found the light of the Kingdom's sun both pleasant and unpleasant.

Each sensation was foreign, often contradictory.

I noticed then that this is how it should've been.

The only reason why I didn't feel like this before was, most likely, thanks to the First Daughter's influence and silent support.

Outside of the Infinite Hotel and the other cosmic places, without the First Son and her helping from the shadows, I was confronted with the toll of the many lives I lived.

Each voice in my mind was from a beautiful life.

Yet, like shattered stained glass, I couldn't see the whole picture or tell where each piece should be.

Where it started, or where it ended.

What was mine, and what wasn't.

The things that would take a mont to process now took minutes.

Sotis, I had to give up entirely and move on to the next thing.

I walked like a drunkard, each next step more frantic.

Even my words and answers were slightly delayed, the words I chose didn't feel like my own, as I could picture soone else saying them.

The aning I had for them was lost in the sea of so many others, all equally justified inside my brain.

Yet, in my confusion, I refused Reina's offer and walked forward on my own.

It would be fair to keep the others waiting after I gave them such an ominous goodbye.

Even if I wasn't...

I had to make sure they knew I was fine.

Miwen: "...! Wait!"

I wanted to apologize to the girls.

I knew I had made them worry.

However, in that state, I could barely formulate a thought.

And the most I managed vanished almost imdiately, all thanks to Licia of all people.

As soon as her eyes landed on , she jumped my way without a second thought.

She didn't an anything by this.

She couldn't know about my condition.

Yet, in doing that, she healed .

The familiar, precious feeling of her body pressing against mine was so precious to , it suppressed everything else I could feel in that mont.

Thanks to her, I knew exactly what thoughts and what feelings were mine.

They were, after all, the loudest.

And so, although her arms still squeezed my body with all of her strength, I could finally breathe like myself.

I could finally hug her like I wanted to.

Licia: "I can't believe you acted all dramatic only to co ho with a new woman."

Reina and the others silently watched the scene play out without saying a word.

To anyone who knew the two of us, this much was expected, after all.

Still, Licia's words were a little surprising.

Miwen: "Feeling jealous?"

Licia: "I was worried! But now... I'm relieved."

It took her a while to be satisfied and release , but while waiting, I couldn't help but think how well her words described everyone's feelings.

From the coldest, most detached and distant girls to the closest, most sensitive and sincere ones, in their own way, everyone seed glad to see return alive.

Although if I'm being fair, there were exceptions like Marin, who was too wasted to show complex emotions, and Nissa, who seed like she'd been happier had I shown up in a more sorry state.

Honestly, these two were more or less as expected.

However, the one who really caught by surprise was Claire.

She is both among the loudest and the most emotional girls we have, yet this ti, she was oddly among the quietest.

Even when approaching , she did it slowly, uncharacteristically carefully and gently.

As she silently faced , with her hands on her hips, I could only prepare myself for the worst.

With my mind back to a functional state, I imagined she would demand an apology for making her worry needlessly, however...

Claire: "...Miwen! You ended the event now, right?"

Miwen: "...Yes?"

Claire: "Good, good."

Surprisingly, she didn't even ntion my selfish request or my reckless decision.

Instead, in response, she simply closed her eyes and nodded her head.

The grin she had on her face before beca more smug by the minute, and then, with a step so powerful I could feel the ground shaking beneath ...

Claire: "Congratulations on a successful campaign!"

A bright smile with the energy of a few dozen stars, the likes only she could give.

During our Dungeon raids, Claire was always recklessly charging forward, with not a spare thought for enemy and ally alike.

This attitude made it hard to believe that she knew the concept of strategy.

Yet, during this war, she proved that she was undoubtedly the fearless commander she claid to be.

Even more than that, she felt like a goddess of not only war, but also victory.

The girls and I saw firsthand the commander she was in her previous life, and it was brilliant.

She quickly gained the trust and respect of the n around her.

They were inspired by her strength and felt that with her on their side, victory was nothing if assured.

Ti and ti again, this girl showed that to be stopped, the enemy better bring their biggest guns.

Either that, or an entire mage squadron focused solely on stopping her.

And they better be good mages too.

Because when it ca to long, drawn-out sieges and battles, attrition was always on our side.

There's simply no supply line or economy capable of resisting her power.

She is both an alchemist's best friend as well as a treasurer's worst nightmare.

That's not to say about the poor souls who tried to stand against her from behind the walls.

Who could bla them, though?

Castles that had proven themselves capable of holding for months, if not years, were brought down within the week by the flas of her sword.

And if that wasn't enough, her tactical insight was nothing to scoff at either.

She was able to read the enemy's movents well and helped prepare accordingly more tis than I could count.

And either due to instinct or experience, during battles, she knew exactly where her power was needed the most.

"I'll deal with the annoying ones", she'd say.

And just like that, the most precious pieces on the enemy board would fall, letting us run amok on the battlefield.

Her relentlessness and bravery, even if filled with carelessness, were the key to the success we saw against Hamperlon.

Thus, it's no wonder that my answer to her was ant with all of my heart.

Miwen: "Thanks. Couldn't have done it without you."

Claire: "Hehehe... Of course! I couldn't let you taste defeat on your first campaign! Next ti, I'll show you even more-"

rchant: "Ahem!"

While the two of us were having a small mont, like a neglected child, the rchant forced a cough out of his throat, drawing my attention to him.

This didn't feel too out of the ordinary since he can be quite childish sotis, until I noticed he was pointing to soone else.

Following his finger, I saw a bothered Elizabeth, doing her best not to seem obviously bothered.

rchant: "Sorry, I had a sore throat."

Liz: "Hmph. Please, forgive my uncle's rudeness, Miwen."

Interestingly, she didn't refer to as "Your Majesty" this ti.

It made wonder if she felt the rchant would disapprove, or if she didn't want to appear as "lesser" in front of him.

Whatever the case may be, though, I already planned on thanking her, too.

While she didn't participate as much in the frontline battles, she basically created and dominated her own frontline.

Together with the North Dragon, she decimated any hope the enemy had of even a pyrrhic victory.

I could never emphasize enough the damage they did to Hamperlon's war effort and to their soldiers' morale.

She even saved from Nissa that one ti, even if she seed happier at the chance of fighting a strong opponent.

Miwen: "Thanks, Liz, I'm happy I can count on you."

Liz: "That is hardly a question..."

rchant: "That's it. If you're going to show soone affection, make sure to show it to my adorable niece, too."

Miwen: "I really should, huh?"

Liz: "I would rather you don't... Miwen."

Oh, so close.

I could feel the words "Your Majesty" ready to leave her mouth, even in front of her uncle.

Such a sha, yet I was more satisfied seeing her cuter and tar side around the rchant.

Since she is always proud and fierce, I had to make sure to enjoy this cute side she rarely shows.

rchant: "Oh, I just rembered. Since I helped you this ti, and you already owe a favor, I'll be imposing on you."

As always, the rchant refuses to do anything without compensation.

Also... what help?

It'd be one thing if the Endless had dealt with and he had protected them, but since that didn't happen, all he did was hang out with them.

Well, the mont I called him over, I already expected him to ask sothing, but the request he had this ti was probably the most troubleso yet.

Miwen: "...You want to house the Caravan?"

rchant: "Not all of them."

Even with the girls being so kind and welcoming, I had trouble thinking of a way to bridge the gap between the Snow White Wolves and us.

After everything they've been through, they justifiably prefer to keep their distance.

It wouldn't be much of a problem if the rchant's group were a quiet bunch, but considering their leader...

Miwen: "Is Priscilla among them?"

rchant: "Oh... I'll have you know she's already head over heels for ."

Yeah, sure is...

However, that's not why I asked.

Miwen: "I need soone who can control them."

If the other Caravan mbers had a fraction of the power Priscilla and the rchant had, they would be able to walk all over .

While Priscilla also sohow found herself following this guy, she was by far more serious and level-headed.

I knew that with her around, we wouldn't run into nearly as many problems.

rchant: "I'll make sure she cos, then."

Miwen: "That'd be great."

Before going his way and saying goodbye, the rchant took as much beer as he could.

He also told that the Caravan mbers would arrive by tomorrow, but he couldn't say for sure the ti.

Of course, I was a little mad, but even if I could refuse, I wouldn't.

Apparently, they had lost another one of their bases, and things were looking grim for him.

And as much as I hate to admit it, the rchant never refused to help .

Even though he didn't do much this ti, the girls were in a better mood than when I left.

This alone is enough reason for to extend a hand...

Gabriella: "Oh, good... He's finally gone."

Miwen: "You really don't like him, huh?"

Gabriella: "A self-proclaid enemy of the Gods can't be a good man."

Miwen: "Well..."

Can't really argue there.

Not on the premise, but on the conclusion.

Still...

Miwen: "I was thinking... Wouldn't it be better for you to stay in that world? They sure seem to need a Saint right now."

Gabriella: "That world's God is already looking over its people, so their next Saint will be born soon enough. My mission here is much more important."

Her mission, huh?

Unfortunately, I couldn't see her thoughts past her death, so I'm not sure what she sees in the Kingdom.

If I had to guess, though, she probably wants us to get rid of the demons and monsters and live proper and virtuous lives.

Or at least what she would consider proper and virtuous.

Gabriella: "Speaking of that world, though, I think I deserve a reward, no?"

Miwen: "The church?"

Gabriella: "Yes!"

Miwen: "Sure."

Gabriella: "Really!? It's a promise, then!"

I couldn't bla the other girls for being confused by the way I was treating her.

At the sa ti, there was no helping it.

After seeing life through her eyes, I was a little more sympathetic.

Still, I knew exactly how dangerous this Saint could be, so I had a few surprises in store for her.

Just in case...

Isabella: "You're being surprisingly kind today, huh? Should I ask for sothing too?"

Miwen: "Don't push it, Isa-"

Huh? Isa?

Seriously, this girl....

Miwen: "...How?"

Only two real hours had passed since I entered the Infinite Hotel.

The drug I put in her drink should've had her sleeping for at least six.

Isabella: "The curse of insomnia."

Miwen: "You only had a few minutes before losing consciousness, though?"

Isabella: "It was plenty since I had prepared a charm beforehand."

I was careless.

Or rather, I cared a little too much.

Should've given her sothing stronger.

Isabella: "Just so you know, I'm not leaving."

Miwen: "...Are you sure? You achieved so much there. You were finally recognized, and no one could look down on or mistreat you. I can't offer half of the luxury you had there."

Isabella: "I can see that... You don't mind if I make myself at ho, do you?"

I wanted her to enjoy the life she had built for herself, but...

She didn't even bother answering .

Instead, she started ssing with the Kingdom, giving rise to a castle out of nowhere.

Miwen: "And you two are fine with that?"

Since I couldn't win against her, I had no choice but to rely on her brothers.

Sure, Isa can be incredibly stubborn, but she's also incredibly considerate towards her brothers.

She wouldn't force them to abandon their lives just for her sake.

Albert: "We wouldn't be here otherwise."

Lenard: "I promised to look after her. That's not going to change."

I never expected these two to change this much.

Well, I suppose their love for her was always there, just suppressed.

Ever since the death of their father, they've been doing their best to make ands.

They might even be spoiling her.

Miwen: "...Why is your family like this?"

Isabella: "Speaking of which, Miwen, I've been aning to ask, but... Why is Lady Pala here?"

Oh...

I hadn't planned an answer for that.

Isabella: "You didn't... You... Did you?"

Miwen: "There were circumstances..."

Isabella: "I can't believe you! Before !?"

Surprisingly, the fact that I slept with her mother first seed to bother her more than the fact that I had slept with her in the first place.

Her brothers also judged thoroughly for that...

I couldn't bla them, but at the ti, it was necessary.

And I don't particularly regret it either.

Miwen: "Well, whatever. I was going to need soone to help with the Snow White Wolves demographic crisis anyway."

Albert: "...What do you an by that?"

Miwen: "Ah, you know. There's plenty of pretty girls without a partner around here, and you two are still young, so... Maybe you could find a wife or two..."

Preferably, twenty or thirty...

Miwen: "Oh, but not with this one. She's already mine- Ow! I thought you said you weren't going to hit anymore?"

Mia: "...If you don't push it. For now, this is as much as I can do."

Honestly, I totally deserved the punch since I pulled her by the waist without notice.

The only unfair thing she did was look so cute awkwardly holding my hand after pushing away.

In any case, I gave up on leaving Isabella in her own world.

I couldn't stop her anyway since she had her own version of [Gacha Kingdom Building].

Although it was not a Gift, just a shell with the sa na and description that only gave her perks and permissions of a special role I had yet to unlock, the First Son was unwilling to take it away.

He said that the Third Son and the Fifth Daughter's failure in copying [Gacha Kingdom Building] would detain the other Endless from trying too, so ultimately, it was useful for him to have her keep it.

Miwen: "So... You said you need ti to show your Gift?"

Reina: "Among other things, yes. But I should be able to show its effects within the week."

Miwen: "Hm... Alright. Make a list, I'll see what I can do for you."

I was starting to get a little suspicious since it felt like she was pushing the deadline at every turn, but I planned on giving her a month to decide whether or not she'd like to stay anyway.

At level one, she shouldn't be much of a problem, either...

Still, I told Lana to keep an eye on her for for the ti being.

Then, I returned ho with the girls for the first ti in forever.

Miwen: "Elizabeth...?"

Elizabeth: "...I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I'm not sure what happened here."