Gacha Kingdom Building

Chapter 207 Lights Out

I was utterly impressed.

Even though I have walked through the academy's halls and corridors many times before, the Graduation Party made me realize how big and grandiose it truly is.

Given that the prince and the saint are among the graduates, the academy invested even more than usual this time.

Almost all renowned craftsmen in the capital were hired, and quite a few from outside were also brought in to ensure this would be their biggest event.

It's unfortunate though...

There's quite the celebratory mood, but knowing what's in wait for this event, I cannot help but be worried.

Isabella: "...No news from the girls?"

Miwen: "Yes..."

I sent Elizabeth and the others to face the North Dragon about a year ago.

However, it's been months since our last contact.

I initially envisioned Elizabeth being restrained by Angelica and the Valkyries just enough that she wouldn't perform her usual antics...

I feared she might underestimate her opponent and try to win them to her side, as she had done with almost everything that caught her interest.

However... I'm starting to regret this decision.

The Dragon Of The North is a nation-ending beast... This world's most feared creature.

I wanted to believe this was the case simply because they didn't know of Elizabeth, but...

Perhaps it posed more of a challenge than I first imagined...

While I can only think of bad scenarios to answer why they have been unable to respond to me through our psychic link, I can at least rest assured that whatever state they may be in, they are not yet dead, as [Gacha Kingdom Building] is bound to inform me were this to change.

Of course, that's hardly good news, but... It's still something.

Miwen: "Which is why I was against you coming here today."

The Graduation Party is not the same as the Graduation Ceremony.

This is a commemorative event, rather than an official one. Isabella doesn't need to participate, and it would be better if she stayed home...

But this girl was keen on seeing her academic life to its end, so...

I ended up not being able to convince her.

Isabella: "I'm not that worried though."

Miwen: "How brave. Do you know something I do not?"

Isabella: "Yeah. Whatever happens, you will protect me, right?"

There is no chance I can fight something Elizabeth could not, but...

Miwen: "Yes..."

I decided that if the worst happened, I would force Isabella and her brothers to enter the Kingdom.

We can wait out any storm there.

Sabrina: "...! Big brother!"

Miwen: "Ugh..."

Isabella: "Pfft... Hahaha!"

Miwen: "Stop that. You're the one who caused this."

Sabrina seems to have misunderstood me a little after she heard Isabella call me her big brother. She's been calling me this non-stop since this happened, and the timing couldn't be worse...

With the Graduation Party fast approaching and Skuld and the others not answering me, I started to seek as much of Sabrina's knowledge as a fellow player as possible in hopes of finding a way to stop the North Dragon.

Even though I couldn't ask direct questions, I still learned a lot thanks to her.

When the girls put the information I got to the test, they had a way easier time with the game and progressed their relationships with all characters faster than before.

They can now reliably get to this point of the game with either Isabella or Sabrina.

However, that only shows how ridiculous of a task defeating the North Dragon truly is.

Even though they are way more prepared and much stronger, they still can't find a way to defeat it.

And it isn't even close.

It is still the same impossible fight as ever.

Isabella: "Hm? Are you saying you would prefer if I called you my servant? Or perhaps... my beloved?"

Miwen: "...Is it so difficult to use my name?"

Isabella: "Of course it is, big brother!"

I would have never expected that out of everyone, the girl who would end up teasing me the most would be Isabella...

The hidden nature I saw in that meek image of hers when we first met... It has thankfully blossomed into a beautiful form.

She could have become cynical, calculating, and cold...

And in a way, all of those are there, but... They don't define her completely.

She's able to smile happily and enjoy honest relationships...

Even though I've become her target for harassment, I'm glad.

Isabella: "It's not fun if you react like that... Well, she's approaching so... Good luck, Miwen.

Miwen: "You too, my lady."

Wishing Isabella good luck might seem like a waste, but... Precisely because it is her that even the tiniest bit might go a long way.

As for me...

Sabrina: "Big brother, can we talk somewhere private?"

...The need for me to play pretend with Sabrina was almost over.

However, I wanted to extract as much as possible from her... Until the very last moment...

Miwen: "Of course."

Without much choice, I put up with her ridiculousness and we took a flight of stairs to the third floor, where only a few other people were present.

I've been alone with her quite a few times before, so I'm not worried about it, but... I wanted to be somewhere I could see Isabella.

Because of this, I wasn't willing to enter any rooms with Sabrina, but thankfully, she accepted this quite readily.

Miwen: "So? What is it that you want to talk about?"

Sabrina: "Isabella has been lying to you. She is not the person you think."

So it's the same old...

Our meeting at the gazebo usually revolves around this game of her trying to warn me about Isabella being an evil, sadistic, and two-faced woman, while I try to play along and ask her leading questions.

After it ends, I go back to Isabella, completely ignoring her words.

Miwen: "...Is that so?"

I don't believe her for a second, obviously.

Sabrina: "It's true! She is... Not from this world! She's playing with you."

Huh?

Is she saying that Isabella is also a-

Sabrina: "Please! You have to believe me!"

Miwen: "What are you talking about...?"

Sabrina: "...This is my last hope." Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

She took out of her pocket a small pendant. It had a black gem in its center, but... its bottom had a tinge of dark orange light, while the top was a little brighter, showing a yellow, almost golden light.

It was quite mesmerizing, for some reason...

Sabrina: "This artifact... Its gem was supposed to be entirely golden, representing the people I have by my side. Its color changes depending on the person I still have to ally myself with... Do you understand? This is your color... After everything that I did and told you, you are still choosing her..."

I instantly felt like there was something wrong, but I couldn't stop looking at it...

At first, it was like it was reflecting myself, but...

The more I looked at it...

The more I saw... someone else...

Sabrina: "I'm this world's savior. It's only hope... But I need you... I need all of you..."

All of us...

Right... If the artifact is another way of showing who she has won over... Why is it only showing my colors, and not Albert and Lenard's...?

The answer came to me in a flash.

First the golden light, then the black, and lastly the orange.

They all entered my body, and I felt Sabrina's charm become stronger and stronger with each passing second.

And then...

The pact I have with Elizabeth kicked in.

The effect was completely nullified, but the pendant's gem was now completely golden.

At the same time, I heard a lot of commotion happening on the first floor.

Looking at it, I saw Isabella, surrounded by Edmond's entourage, with one of his followers lying on the ground.

Sabrina: "Do you see? She was always a-"

Miwen: "Yeah, yeah. Sorry, but I don't really have the time for you now. Also, I'll be taking this."

Once I took the pendant into my own hands, its gem returned to the same colors it had before.

I jumped into the lower floor, just in time to help Isabella out.

Edmond: "You...!?"

Miwen: "Attacking my lady in my absence... How cowardly can you get? Have you forgotten who's watching?"

Isabella: "Miwen..."

Miwen: "...?"

Isabella is stronger than Edmond. Even though he had the help of his friends, they shouldn't have been able to overpower her.

However... Her body looked weak...

She was barely able to stand, and Lana had to come out to help her.

I didn't think something like this was going to happen... Sabrina and Edmond must have plotted something...

But... This party was much bigger than the end-of-the-year party. Not only were the sons and daughters of noble families present, but the family heads as well...

Including the Royal Family...

This couldn't have happened unless Edmond had their permission...

Lana: "She only sipped a drink offered by the king. She couldn't refuse."

Miwen: "...I see. Take care of her."

Lana: "...What about you?"

Miwen: "I'll take care of them."

It's been a long time coming...

Things would have been so much easier if Isabella had simply told me that she hated everyone. That she wanted them all to pay...

But alas, there is no turning back now.

While she might forgive them, I do not.

Edmond: "...!"

Edmond was never strong enough to push me back. With Cassandra in my hands, he had no hope of matching me, and I quickly sent him a few feet away from me.

Sadly, it seems like he truly had the support of his family this time.

There were various royal knights present in the hall.

They were supposed to be security for the Royal Family, but... They quickly surrounded us.

Miwen: "...I did feel like this party attendees were lacking. How about I bring my own?"

Instantly, the swords coming my way were intercepted by Licia and the other girls.

The Royal Knights do earn their title.

They are much better than the knights of the Evretis house.

The sound of swords crashing and the screams echoing drowned out the musicians playing.

The entire place had become a chaotic mess.

Sabrina: "Stop!"

The one to put a halt to it was Sabrina.

She came downstairs, accompanied by Isabella's brothers.

They made their way through the crowd, and she directed her words at me with a soft voice.

Sabrina: "You have something that belongs to me."

Miwen: "And you have a lot of courage. Plotting to the very end, huh? Do you not get tired of this? Can't you let the girl go?"

Sabrina: "You don't understand. I need the pendant. It is the key... If I can't have it... If I can't have all of you... When the calamity comes, we are all going to die!"

The calamity, as in... The Dragon, huh...

So there was a cheat item to defeat it...

Miwen: "I see... In that case, will you do the honors, Isa?"

Isabella: "...?"

I launched the pendant to her, but she didn't understand what I meant.

She was still shocked by her brothers being by Sabrina's side.

Miwen: "This is Sabrina's last hope. Everything she did to you, was because she wanted this thing to change colors. Apparently, it will save the world if it becomes golden. However, it also enhances her charm and gives her control over your brothers' minds. So... What do you want to do with it?"

After I explained, she didn't think twice and threw it on the floor with all of her strength.

Sabrina: "No!"

For a brief moment, while in her hands, the gem that was so dark suddenly became a bright tone of pink...

Miwen: "Darkest Star, huh..."

Calling my sister the brightest star was also a way of insulting myself.

If she was the light...

Well, it doesn't really matter right now.

Isabella broke the pendant using her dark magic.

The gem scattered everywhere, and her brothers seemed to regain their conscience, much to Sabrina's dismay.

However, while that was resolved, we still had a problem.

We were completely outnumbered, and I had to summon Raella and Agatha to take care of Sabrina while we fought to protect them and make a way out.

Sabrina: "Hah... Until the end... You still chose her... Well, congratulations. You have doomed this world. Enjoy your last day."

Now, even Sabrina decided to attack us.

It's a little ironic that she, the Saint, had chosen to abandon this world, while Isabella chose to keep believing in it.

But alas, our situation was starting to look a little dire.

I thought about summoning the Snow White Wolves, but...

Suddenly, the roof and the walls were destroyed, debris falling everywhere.

The chaotic situation we were in just deteriorated even more, as the face of a dragon appeared.

Sabrina: "From all corners of this world, I summon hope. May my body be forfeited in the name of justice... Hear my call, and manifest yourself! The Pillars Of Destiny!"

...

Sabrina: "Only two... And they don't even have all the colors... I hope you're proud of what you've done."

The barrier created by the first pillar was instantly destroyed by the dragon's feet.

That immense creature...

The second pillar was also destroyed. It managed to launch a single beam at the Dragon, but... It didn't do any damage.

Sabrina fell to the floor, completely exhausted and suffering from mana deprivation.

Before I could decide whether or not we should try to fight the monster, a second quake happened.

Edmond: "...There are two of them?"

A far more small, cute, and recognizable dragon showed her face on the other side of the academy's main hall.

And then, three Valkyries, like angels, descended from the now open roof.

Lastly, a demon came.

Elizabeth: "Your Majesty... I have brought you a gift."

...

I should have expected.

I quickly grabbed Sabrina on the floor and jumped into Angelica's back.

Lana threw Isabella to me, and together, we fled from the academy to heal Isabella in her state in Evretis.

Miwen: "Even if my lady forgives you, I will not. From now on, I am formally declaring war on you. As an act of mercy, I'll allow you time to prepare. That is... If you want this one back."

Edmond: "Monster! I should have killed you when I first laid my eyes on you!"

I could only laugh at the idea after hearing that.

But considering I was leaving with a Devil, this world's most feared calamity, the most villainous woman this country has ever seen, and a second dragon, all the while laughing to myself and kidnapping a Saint...

I can hardly blame them for mistaking me for a true villain.