Gacha Kingdom Building

Even though we were entering the rainy season, there were no signs of rain clouds forming. The day was bright and the sky was clear.

It also wasn't overly hot thanks to a gentle breeze making it all just a tad bit more refreshing.

Sabrina: "Hm... It seems like you're bothered by something. As I thought, maybe I shouldn't have gotten in the way of your work with something so silly?"

Funnily enough, I quite enjoy spending time like this. Even if I wasn't simply fulfilling my promise to Sabrina, if I were to take a day off from Isabella on my own, the chances of me choosing to spend it like this are quite high.

However, I can't exactly relax as much around Sabrina as I can when the girls are with me.

Even though I never felt the effects of her powers over my mind again after I accepted a soul-binding contract with Elizabeth, the truth is that I'm still a little afraid of this place.

The old gazebo, in the game, is quite a powerful tool.

It works almost as a last resort.

Thanks to how much it increases the rate at which favorability with characters is earned, it is easy to go from 0 to 100 with a chosen character within the semester.

The only downside is the characters that can be affected by it.

Since Lenard and Albert rarely come to the school, the two main targets the heroines can focus on are me and Edmond.

For Sabrina, who is already a close friend of Edmond, the optimal path is to abuse the gazebo's effects on me, the butler who she rarely gets a chance or event with.

Well... Unless she also wishes to target secondary characters such as Edmond's friends.

However, since she already has developed a good relationship with them as well, even that wouldn't be necessary.

Miwen: "Don't worry about it. Isabella is quite reasonable, so I can get a day off whenever I need."

Sabrina: "Is that so...? How strange..."

So she doesn't believe me...

I can't really blame her though.

From her perspective, Isabella is a mean girl who is jealous of her relationship with Edmond and has started to plan incidents against her from the shadows.

Her being nice to me is probably something that Sabrina can't really understand, especially since Isabella usually comes out as a little cold and distant to others, normally giving her the image of someone who thinks of themselves as superior.

We've tried dealing with that, but I think it's just her way.

She gets a little anxious and becomes robotic while talking with other people because she worries about the chances of the meaning of her words being distorted or that she might carelessly hurt her family's name.

Even with us, it took her a while to get comfortable enough to say whatever was on her mind more naturally.

Sabrina: "If you don't mind me asking... Since she treats you so well, do you think you like her? Or that she might like you?"

Oh, so it's about that...

Miwen: "I do like her. As for liking me... I'm not sure. I think it's best if you ask her directly."

I'm sure she appreciates me for everything I've done for her.

Even though it wasn't necessary in the slightest, she even went as far as taking the role of the Duchess of Evretis just so that she could become someone resourceful enough to offer me help and stand by my side as an equal force.

Of course, there were other reasons for that as well, and I have to remember that she is supposed to play the role of the Umbral Duchess, so this world might just be forcing her to fall back into the game's script, but...

She seemed truly determined. It's something I rarely saw with her before.

I can only imagine that her feelings were fueling her decisions and actions.

And when it comes to me, it's pretty obvious that she has a strong feeling of thankfulness.

Miwen: "Oh, but more importantly... Why did you invite me? I thought you and Edmond were dating, so... Wouldn't it be better to call him instead?"

Sabrina: "E-Eh? N-no! That's not it at all!"

As expected of a game's heroine, her reactions are incredibly cute.

Miwen: "But you two like each other, right? It's pretty obvious."

Sabrina: "We are good friends, but I like everyone equally, so you don't have to worry!"

All the embarrassment in her face went away and she put on a beautiful smile.

It's a lovely act, I can see why people would have a hard time resisting the saint if she were to say that to their faces.

However... I wasn't worried about it at all.

Miwen: "So you say, but... Haven't you grown distant from Isabella last semester?"

Sabrina: "Ah... But that's... Well... I'm a little afraid of her, hehe~"

Miwen: "...You think Isabella is the one behind the incidents?"

Sabrina: "I don't know who the culprit is. But Isabella always looked at me strangely..."

Right.

Isa was obviously envious of Sabrina. Anyone could tell that.

However, it was justifiable. Sabrina seemingly effortlessly was able to approach Edmond.

Everyone looks up to her as an innocent, kind and capable woman, and so, they often come to her for help even though her scores are inferior to Isabella's and she always looks more busy.

She also has a type of magic that people look up to, contrary to Isabella's which is feared and disliked.

There's also the matter of their reputation...

In the end, Sabrina, without any efforts of her own, seems to get everything Isabella wants even though the latter is the one who does her best every single day.

It's obvious that Isabella would feel envy towards Sabrina.

However, such eyes should have started to change for the better with time due to them getting closer.

It's strange for Sabrina to continue being afraid of her after seeing such a change, especially since she's the Saint.

She should be optimistic about others and give them as many chances as possible, especially when there is no proof against them.

It might sound a little too idealistic and naive, but I know one girl who would do that. And she's not even a saint.

...She's also aware of her position and the influence her actions have over others, so I think she should be a little more careful.

It makes me wonder...

Miwen: "I just hope you don't let the rumors cloud your judgment. After all... You've also suffered from something similar, right?"

Sabrina: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Miwen: "Oh, have you forgotten? It was quite widespread a few years ago... About a problem you had with one of the priests at your church... I don't really remember his name, but for a time there were even people questioning your identity as a saint. It was quite the big deal for us common folk."

Sabrina: "Ah... Yes... I guess something like that happened, huh..."

Uh-huh...

Miwen: "Did you really do those things though?"

Sabrina: "C'mon, of course not. I'm sure that was just a misunderstanding..."

A misunderstanding...

Well, if she says so.

I just find it interesting that she did not deny it immediately.

By all means, she should have...

Sabrina: "Putting such things aside for a moment, I'm a little curious... You were with Isabella during the vacation, right? Is it true that she has manipulated her brothers to usurp the duchy? Is she doing something to you as well?"

I should've imagined it would come to that.

This topic is simply unavoidable.

This school is home to the sons and daughters of the most prestigious noble families in the kingdom of Terith.

Most of them remained in the capital and simply sent a representative to complete their homework projects.

Not only that, they kept in touch and had plenty of gatherings between them.

Even Edmond and Sabrina who were sent to Cobierzh had time to participate in such things.

The only exception was Isabella. She disappeared from day one and wasn't seen in public until the day the Academy reopened.

No one was aware of what she was doing, and then...

Both of her brothers suddenly renounced their claims to the Duchy of Evretis, leaving her as Albris' sole heir and Duchess of Evretis.

Since the royal family officialized Isabella as the duchess, a mystery started and rumors have been spreading like wildfire.

No one seems to have any idea of what might have happened in the Evretis house for both the prestigious brothers to renounce and support their infamous sister.

Because of this, while foul play was suspected, it was hard for factions against Isabella to form as no one knew who had supported her from the shadows.

Many even believed that to have been the royal family themselves in an attempt to weaken the Evretis house.

Since no one knew who to trust regarding this matter, the noble families decided to keep quiet.

At least in public. It's obvious that in their houses the situation was completely different.

However, the inexperienced alumni of this academy seem to have failed to keep that in mind.

We can often hear them freely speaking about the topic, sharing the most outlandish ideas without a care.

It has become the hot topic of the academy, and somehow, this has managed to obscure Sabrina's achievement of being recognized as a saint to some extent.

It's understandable though.

While the two have cemented themselves in quite enviable roles, one of them was already on this path, while the other took it suddenly and mysteriously.

It's quite obvious which one would be talked about more.

The kids just love a mystery.

Although interestingly, even though there are so many theories, Sabrina seems to believe in the one that places the blame on Isabella.

The one that portrays her as an evil and manipulative shadow that had calculated every step, bidding her time while plotting to usurp the title...

Miwen: "I can't really talk about such things, but... You've seen Isabella for yourself. Do you think she's capable of that?"

Sabrina: "I'm not sure... She's changed a lot... She's become way more... assertive..."

She said assertively, but I could tell she was holding herself back.

It's understandable though.

Especially since Sabrina doesn't seem to know or care to know too much about Isabella.

However, the truth behind her current behavior is quite simple. She is playing a little into the bit to sell the lie to the noble families and prevent them from acting against her outright in fear of her hidden abilities, but...

The truth is just that the students are pissing her off.

Most families have accepted that at least for now, with the perceived backing of the royal family and whatever method Isabella used to control her family, they have no option but to accept her as the Duchess.

And they also noticed that... No one has any favor with Isabella.

She was always remembered as the problem child of her house.

She was third in the line of succession. An incredibly misbehaving woman.

If compared to her two brothers, there was nothing she could offer, and no one would be willing to spend a single copper coin to gain any favor with her.

If anything, most families told their children to be away from her due to rumors and her always creating problems.

But now that she had become the Duchess of Evretis, the situation flipped completely.

It became a race.

Although they couldn't tell why, Isabella thankfully decided to attend the academy until completion.

This meant that there was an opportunity for the families to course-correct their approach through their youngsters.

And so... Isabella even though the academy has just returned, Isabella has already been bombarded with requests to attend tea parties, gifts, attempts at casual conversation, and many, many other pleasantries.

Whereas before everyone would welcome her with anxious faces, now, they put on the best smiles they can muster.

Quite happy times if you ignore the insincerity of everything.

However, Isabella cannot do that.

A situation like this, but genuine, is everything she hoped and dreamed about. She worked hard to obtain her place and clear her name so that everyone would respect and look at her without prejudice.

And now... She's seeing this distorted version of her dreams. One where she superficially gets what she wants, but everyone is an actor trying to gain her favor so that they can use her for their own benefit.

All of that after discovering her father's intentions of using her...

Not to mention... It shows how much everyone was keeping from her.

She had never been invited to anything before, no one ever tried to approach her on their own.

The only time was when she went to Rodky, but now... She must have realized that even then, it was because she had something to offer in the form of her pockets.

I'd truly be amazed if she acted gently towards these people.

She can see through everything that they are doing, and she truly hates it.

It's almost an insult, and so... She's denying everything. Every invite, every attempt at talking...

She lived a life where many people have tried to use her, so she barely gives others a chance to speak. From the way they move and act, from their first words... She already knows what they want, and she doesn't give them the chance.

She's simply not lying to herself and giving them the chance to fail her.

I get that someone from the outside can look at this and say that she's being mean. Harsh. Cold.

Especially considering the new and old rumors about her. The way she always had trouble coming across...

And now she's even seen by some as someone willing to murder and manipulate her own family to get what she wants...

Yet, everyone has to keep up with it and force themselves to pretend to like or care about her...

This is feeding into their negative sentiments...

It should be a matter of time before they truly hate her.

Sabrina: "If she treats you badly, you can always count on me, okay?"

And people expect the worst out of her...

However, for even the Saint to do that...

Miwen: "I see... Do you mind if I ask a question, Sabrina?"

Sabrina: "Hmm?~ Go ahead!"

Miwen: "Do you love this world?"

Sabrina: "Of course I do! What's there not to love in it?"

Miwen: "But don't your responsibilities weigh on you? I mean, you'll have to face a calamity, right? Aren't you afraid of what that might be?"

Sabrina: "...It scares me a little, but if we are together, I'm sure we'll defeat it."

...

Miwen: "Together? You mean, me and you?"

Sabrina: "Yes! And Edmond as well! And Lenard and Albert! Together we'll surely emerge happy and victorious!"

Ah, yes... That's pretty much the strongest party we can make in the game.

With her blessings and their high levels, the girls have managed to last about three or four turns against the dragon, dealing a ridiculous 0 damage to it.

Not exactly the one I would bring... But well, I already sent my own party, so all I can do is hope for their success.

I guess she wouldn't consider me and the girls though.

Even if they are more powerful than the game characters.

Miwen: "I see... I need to return to Isabella, but... I'll be looking forward to meeting you here again."

All that's left now is for me to extract as much information from her as I possibly can.