Gacha Kingdom Building

Chapter 167: Entrance Ceremony (01)

A little more than a month after being summoned to this world by Isabella, it was finally time to start the next chapter in her life.

Most of the game takes place in the academy, and it's also where the girls get stuck the most.

While we made a lot of progress in the game, no one has managed to get her to graduate safely yet, which is quite troubling.

There are numerous reasons for that, but in this event, we have a bunch of advantages. If everything works out, we should be able to prevent most of the disasters that await her.

On the other hand, there are also a few things the game doesn't touch on that are problematic for us.

And this morning, we had one such case.

Isabella: "No... No... Everything is ruined...

Miwen: "Good morning to you too."

Isabella: "Oh... Right on cue! C'mon, help me."

Ever since we moved to the mansion in the capital, Isabella's been treated a little better.

There are different servants here, and most of them didn't have a relationship with her so with some meddling it wasn't too hard to make her well-liked.

Thus, the past couple of days have been quite bright and peaceful.

This morning was no exception. There weren't any incidents inside the house, and even though the streets had become busier with traders and merchants, the distance from the mansion was so great that we couldn't really hear any noise from them.

And so, her desperation was intriguing.

Even more considering there was no one else in the room, and from a first look, there didn't seem to be anything wrong with her either.

It's true that recently she's been asking me for help and advice way more often, but she always has a reason for that, even if minor.

What's more, she doesn't usually act like this anymore. She's a little more dignified now so seeing how desperate she was, I thought something quite big had happened.

Isabella: "Can you fix this?"

She used two fingers to point at her cheek, but I couldn't see anything strange there...

Miwen: "...You want me to... fix your face?"

Isabella: "This pimple!"

Pfft.

I couldn't believe it.

The girl who was slowly becoming more capable, learning how to do things for herself... was now desperate because of something so ordinary.

It was pretty inconspicuous all things considered, but since it was an important day, I could understand why it was such a big deal for her.

Miwen: "...It might bleed if I pop it, so let's just hide it with some makeup."

Isabella: "Hm... Do your magic."

When I first tried to help her with these things, she was very against it, but she allowed Claire and Licia do to it for her.

They also taught her while at it, and eventually, due to their insistence, she allowed me to try too.

Even though she doesn't express it too much, she ended up liking it a lot, so whenever it's an important date, I get tasked with this too.

However, I might've gone a little overboard yesterday.

She wanted to experiment, and I followed her wishes, but it might've been the cause for this. Since we tested a bunch of different things, her skin might've reacted negatively.

I thought that this might be the result, but I couldn't say no to her since she was so excited...

Isabella: "So you're saying it's your fault?"

Miwen: "...Maybe. But your excitement might also have contributed after all..."

Isabella: "I guess... but I couldn't help it..."

Miwen: "It's fine. We'll deal with everything."

No matter if this was a natural reaction or a result of yesterday's experiments, since it was her idea, to begin with, she should be the one to blame.

However, I accept some of the responsibility as well.

I thought that blaming her for being excited was unreasonable.

This was just unlucky. Something I've become accustomed to seeing with Isabella.

It's a little amusing how she attracts the worst results.

When it's small things like this, it's fine, but the range seems to be quite extreme as even kidnapping is on the table.

Miwen: "...So what are your plans for today?"

Isabella: "We'll attend the entrance ceremony and then perform the ability test. After that, we can head home."

Miwen: "...I was talking more about your expectations."

Isabella: "Ah... Well... I'd like to do well in one test at least. And..."

It seemed like she wasn't sure whether or not she should say it.

However, it only made me think it was important, so I pressed her a little more.

Miwen: "...And?"

Isabella: "It would be nice to make a friend or two..."

As expected of such a solitary girl.

Miwen: "It should be fine. Even if don't, you can still count on us."

Isabella: "But it's different. The others are friendly to me thanks to you."

Miwen: "You underestimate yourself too much..."

While the girls and I have incentive to help and be friendly with her, it's not like we're being false either.

As always, Licia takes care of her like a mother. That's just the type of person she is. Whenever she can help someone, she does.

Claire is not that friendly with everyone she meets at first, but she has reasons to like Isabella due to being her fangirl before even meeting her.

While I asked everyone to support her, I didn't ask them to become friends with her.

It's her own merit that this happened.

Miwen: "And done. I'll wait by the carriage until you finish changing, alright?"

Isabella: "Certainly... But... don't talk to the others about what I told you. And also... don't manipulate someone behind my back, please..."

Miwen: "Sure."

Since no one likes their happiness to be manufactured by someone else, I've become used to this type of request as I'm always convincing or meddling with something to favor her.

While she has caught on to it, she's unaware of the details most of the time.

Still, it's not like I can brainwash someone. All I can do is provide reasons for them to act a certain way.

But I can understand why she's not thrilled about me doing this to her classmates. Most of the examples she has are in situations that I've had with her brothers.

Which is slightly more harsh than what I usually am, but at the same time, I take their behavior a little more personally as I always tend to compare it with the way I act toward my own sister.

And speaking of which...

Albert: "What are you doing here?"

Miwen: "Checking for a flat tire. Luckily, it seems there's none."

The fact that this thing doesn't even have tires might contribute to this result.

Albert: "...I see? Well, if you're looking for potentially dangerous hazards, there are none. I've already checked all three carriages."

A very organized man. He and his brother are currently in their third semester at the academy. From what I hear, the last one.

But this level of care and attention towards her sister is something he's been developing only recently.

???#????%?

After the trial with Count Brisco to be more precise.

He ended up in charge of her case, and the result wasn't that good thanks to the intervention of the crown.

This made Lennard quite pissed off, and even Albert seemed dejected.

He tried to offer Isabella some consolation, but he was surprised to see that she didn't throw a fit nor blamed him.

Ever since it seems to me like he's been trying to make amends and see her in a new light.

Well, the fact that he was pretty much forced to enter an agreement with Count Brisco wasn't too bad for me though.

The guy is apparently quite rich, and Albert made sure that all the money he received was sent directly to Isabella.

Which in turn, ended up with me as I'm also managing her finances and she wanted to pay me back for saving her.

With the money, the three of us have been going to a few auction houses to buy whatever Snow White Wolves they possess.

Albert: "Also, I've received news that three will be auctioned off next weekend. Would you like to attend?"

Miwen: "Three huh? I'll have to sell a few items then."

Albert: "You won't. I've yet to thank you personally for saving my sister, so leave this to me."

After we've acquired about 15 Snow White Wolves my reserves started to run a little dry.

There was a chance I could buy all three, but their price varies a lot and can be very expensive.

I think having Albert own me one is more valuable but... I couldn't compromise on this. It was one of the most important matters for the Kingdom.

After everything was said and done, Isabella arrived at the carriage, and together with her brothers, we parted from the mansion.

Isabella: "Claire is not with us?"

Miwen: "She can't give it everything she's got inside such a small space without hurting you."

Isabella: "I see..."

The two of them are the closest, and Isabella has seen time and time again how strong Claire is. I think she feels safe around her.

Still, I thought that it would be better to have the least dependent on magic to defend the carriage, so I brought Anna and Mia for the job.

Anna is unparalleled when it comes to defense. There's probably no one in this world who can defeat her quickly.

Mia on the other hand is excellent at tracking and the fastest in the entire Kingdom. If we need to give chase, remember, or identify someone she's our best option thanks to her enhanced senses.

Isabella might not fully understand this, but the crew we escorting her could easily fend off dozens of enemies.

And if somehow this wasn't enough... calling for reinforcements is quite easy.

This should've made us prepared for everything, but sadly, the incident we found didn't involve any fighting.

[Darkest Star] is truly an absurd power...

Our carriage was leading the others, and unfortunately, an incident occurred.

A kid fell in front of it. Thankfully, we were able to stop before he was stomped, but of course, he was in shock and couldn't stop crying.

A small crowd started to gather. The parents of the kid were nowhere to be seen and the coachman started to get impatient with the kid who wouldn't get out of the way.

This is a small event that can randomly trigger any day in the game and ends up making Isabella late to the academy. Depending on the day it triggers, it can fuck up any planned routine.

Since dating sims are all about maintaining relationships and participating in points to gain favorability with your target, this type of thing that ends up messing up an entire day is one of the reasons why the game is so hard.

Even important days can get messed up this way.

We thought the only exception was the entrance ceremony since it seemed like no events could trigger to interrupt it, but of course, it seems like the chances were there, albeit extremely low.

Not that it matters for this girl though. The initial chances are secondary when it comes to her. It's better to be prepared for the worst scenarios since they are the most likely to occur.

Miwen: "I should've expected... change of plans then. Get out of the carriage."

Thankfully we still had options available.

Once we stepped out, I started hearing a bunch of comments from the people that had gathered.

Many of them wondered what the infamous daughter of Evretis was going to do.

Most of their expectations were that she was going to hurt the boy.

Isabella: "What is wrong with you?"

She approached the boy, but she wasn't too careful.

Her words also didn't contain much gentleness at all, and in this situation, it only made the boy more scared and the citizens more hostile.

Miwen: "...Where are your parents?"

My comment also didn't help. While I was trying to be more careful, the people around us seemed to think that the ones responsible for the boy would be punished.

Boy: "...Ah... They... told me to bring my own food..."

...His clothes were dirty.

He also seemed quite skinny.

Perhaps the reason he collapsed was due to hunger.

Miwen: "...I see. Isabella, give him your lunch."

She didn't really hesitate too much to do it. Even more so when I told her I'd get more from Mei.

However, the boy didn't start eating immediately.

Miwen: "...Something wrong?"

Normally when someone is hungry they aren't picky, so I thought maybe there was something else going on.

Perhaps this incident had been orchestrated...

If I were to consider the game, it was quite strange that the boy would be so likely to fall in front of Isabella's carriage on random days.

Boy: "...N-no... I was just thinking about giving this to my sisters..."

He looked to his side for a moment. It could be that he was nervous, but I felt like he was seeking someone's approval.

I snapped my fingers as if I had just realized something, and then I went to Lenard and Albert who had already stepped out of their carriage to check the situation as well.

I made sure to collect everyone's lunch and give it to the boy.

This only made him more nervous.

We were wasting a lot of time, but I couldn't tell whether or not this was the intention.

Miwen: "...Do you need more? Gimme a second."

I quickly brought some leftovers from the dining hall. Even with the time dilation, it didn't take me long to reappear in front of him since the dining hall was the last place I had been in the Kingdom anyway.

I also made sure to bring a stupid amount.

Boy: "...T-this is enough, thanks..."

He ended up running with everything I gave him.

Thankfully this demonstration ended up earning us some favor with the crowd.

Isabella: "We're definitely going to be late now... Why did you go so overboard? And why did you make Lana follow him?"

Miwen: "Don't worry. This is because of a promise between me and her. And we won't be late. Mia, and Anna, return to the Kingdom for now. I'll bring you out when we arrive at the academy. As for you three...

enjoy the ride."

I called the Valkyries as well as Angelica to bring the four of us as high as possible.

Once we were out of sight, Angelica entered her dragon form, and we ended up arriving at the academy even earlier than expected.

Although the landing wasn't as smooth.

But at least the most important day was saved. I had no idea how missing this day could affect the rest of the story, and making sure it didn't go haywire was a top priority since as long as Isabella's life followed the game for the most part, we would be able to cheat a little by seeing into her future.