Gacha Kingdom Building

We lack a jail or a clinic in the Kingdom, so both of them were taken to normal rooms for the time being. Lenard was at Angelica's and Skuld took Jackie to hers.

I could see some blood on the ground... No doubt Lenard's as following it led me to Angelica's room.

Angelica: "I tried my best but... I can't regenerate the skin or anything... The bleeding is not stopping either..."

He was lying on the bed covered by bandages. Many towels had been deeply stained with his blood.

It was a terrible sight...

And I also felt bad knowing Mei would be the one to clean the towels and the blanket.

That woman is really something...

Aside from the Valkyries, Mia and I are the quickest in the Kingdom.

While Lenard is not on the same level as the two of us, he is not such an easy opponent either.

Yet, even with the three of us protecting a single target, the attack still went through.

Frankly, we were lucky this time.

Any, or all of us, could have been injured like this. Even Isabella, the very person we were trying to protect wasn't safe.

Thankfully, he was hit in a place where I can apply the same method I did for Elizabeth, but... I can't avoid thinking how much more lethal this could have been...

Isabella: "...Is he going to be alright?"

Oh...

My emotions ended up showing a little...

Miwen: "Oh yeah, Dr. Miwen is the best surgeon around. My trusted nurses and I will make him as good as new."

Lenard: "I feel like my chances are better without you..."

Miwen: "Now, now. I know they are cute, but your case needs a specialist... Agatha, did you manage what I asked?"

Agatha: "...One of them. I'm not sure about the effects of the other one since I never did something like this."

I could see Lenard's face filled with confusion and shock when he heard that, and I could barely blame him.

However!

I do trust my staff with my life.

Or at least with someone else's life, which by all means should be worth about the same.

Miwen: "Don't worry. They are optional. One will make you sleep, the other should make the process painless. A special service by yours truly."

I asked Agatha to prepare them while Isabella and I fled from Rodky.

She's been using the [Quest Center] to place requests for the Snow White Wolves inside the Kingdom, and even though the rewards are small since her requests are all about collecting herbs and plants and so are easy to do while they hunt, she's been able to build quite a reserve.

I became a little more aware of Agatha's abilities after seeing Lenard drink her concoction and quickly lose consciousness.

As for the effects of his second drink... we weren't sure, so we also gave him the strongest alcohol we had.

And so, his treatment began.

I cleaned the blood, but it was still spewing out, making it hard for me to be sure about the hole's size and shape.

Thus, I made a small wind tube with magic to get it out of the way.

The intense gaze I was getting from everyone around was more stressful than the process itself, but once I could see the wound clearly, it was just a matter of cutting the area around it.

Surprisingly, Cassandra is capable of becoming a scalpel.

It's not something I'd ever want to use in a fight, and I knew she was showing off, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Sadly, I had to cut him as deeply as Nissa's magic to be sure everything was healed when it came time to use [Light Magic], so I made her transform into a thin but long knife instead.

Isabella looked pretty worried about it when she saw Cassandra's size, but while biting her lips she showed her trust by remaining in silence.

I didn't tell her, but... I pierced his body. Cassandra even cut through the bandages and the blanket.

I'm not a medic and I didn't want to depend on luck with Isabella around.

Going all the way was the safest option, as insane as it may sound.

Once we were done, I had Agatha redo his bandages while Angelica, Gabriella, and I cast [Light Magic] on him.

Yes, Gabriella.

Our very own Saint.

I don't really like to have her around, but a situation like this is the best stage for her stage to shine.

And she did help a lot.

Neither I nor Angelica had thought about it, but even though we couldn't heal the wound directly, we could increase his chances by healing his heart and the rest of his body so that he wouldn't die of blood loss.

She was the one to take care of that, and she did it splendidly.

However, this alone wasn't enough to improve my opinion of her.

Sure, she helped, and I'm grateful for that, but this wasn't a good test since Lenard is human.

Only when we have a demon or monster will I know if she has improved her attitude.

Miwen: "You can go back now. Elizabeth will be here soon and there are things I want to discuss with her."

Gabriella: "Oh, excuse me then..."

...

Yeah... I can't tell what she's thinking.

Before she would definitely react upon hearing Elizabeth's name, but now...

Nothing...

Miwen: "Did she say something to you while I wasn't here?"

Angelica: "No..."

Well...

I guess I can call this an overall improvement at least.

Isabella: "...Can you do me next?"

Miwen: "...Yeah."

Isabella ended up getting bruised as well.

Thankfully, it wasn't even close to being as bad as Lenard's.

I decided to pretend I hadn't noticed it until the last moment to see why she was hiding it from me, but the timing made it pretty obvious.

She wanted me to concentrate on her brother first.

Pretty idiotic of her, but I knew well I was the last person who could criticize that.

Heer treatment was way easier since it had just grazed her arm. It was still a little painful and scary though.

Once we finished with that, Elizabeth finally came from her battle.

Miwen: "...So? How did it go?"

She didn't have a single wound in her body and she seemed to be in a good mood...

Elizabeth: "Hmm... She's quite experienced, but... In terms of creativity and determination, I like the witch better."

I couldn't tell that.

But Bea is always coming up with something new with her magic, and when it comes to Arcanum she's quite persistent, so Liz's assessment was probably on point.

Miwen: "...I'm just glad we don't have to worry about her or Rodky anymore."

I was hoping that with this out of the way we could concentrate fully on the labyrinth and the coming game events that will happen throughout Isabella's academy life, but Elizabeth had other plans for me.

Elizabeth: "That's not true. She'll come back for us."

Miwen: "...You didn't finish her off?"

I know she likes to play and test her opponents, but I felt like I gave her ample time...

More importantly, it's strange for Elizabeth to underperform and miss the opportunity to deal with a threat to the Kingdom.

Normally, if she can't make them submit she'll quickly...

Ah...

Miwen: "...You tried to recruit her."

Elizabeth: "Yes, but it seems like she needs a little more convincing."

Haah...

I didn't really like that.

I liked it even less when she told me that she made sure that the woman was going to come after us sooner or later.

However, Elizabeth was adamant about having her become a citizen.

But there were too many problems with her idea.

First, Nissa has a strong and comfortable position where she can rule Rodky from the shadows, her existence being known only by some workshop owners.

It's pretty clear that this is by design, a position she's more comfortable with.

We can offer a similar way of life, but it would lessen her value tremendously.

And if she has a taste for luxury or being in charge, then it's basically impossible for us to reach an agreement.

From what Liz told me, it seems like our interests are bound to clash as well...

I simply cannot see that working.

And then, there's the biggest problem...

Miwen: "...I can keep you in check with [Hollow Destiny], but I cannot do the same to her. If she decides to go rogue, you're pretty much the only person who can stop her."

I could maybe control her with a [Special Role], but due to our level difference, even that might not be enough for me to be satisfied...

Elizabeth: "Worry not. Leave her to me. Even if we were to fight a thousand times, I'd come out victorious in all of them. And I swear to you that I'll make her leash short and tight."

Hm...

Sure, there's that, but I also meant that... Elizabeth would essentially gain an unstoppable ally were they to rebel together.

Nissa might be able to fight the entire Kingdom by herself. And with Elizabeth, their victory is almost guaranteed as long as Nissa forces me as her opponent.

But... I guess it is not worth imagining Elizabeth betraying me.

I've been with her for long enough now to understand that this is not the way she acts.

If she were to desire something, she'd conquer it, fairly and unquestionably.

Instead of backstabbing me, she'd challenge me for it, without any tricks.

And when it comes down to it... Our souls are now linked.

I can almost tell her feelings just by focusing on hers even though she still has to teach me more about souls and magic related to it.

Miwen: "...Alright. If we have the chance, we'll try. But don't forget our plans. If I feel like it's too much of a hassle I'll go with the easier option."

Elizabeth: "As you should. But now... Can you please remove your hand?"

Miwen: "Not even a blush, huh? Well, I'll keep testing to make sure there are no side effects to our souls being connected."

Elizabeth: "My word should suffice, but... I can't complain. It was shortsighted of me to not imagine you'd find a way to take advantage of this condition."

Ever since I started questioning her I had the palm of my hand planted to the wall behind her.

I had only good reasons for that, like being able to look her straight in the eyes to be sure she wasn't lying, or as I said, making sure she wasn't developing any feelings for me.

Sadly, every time I do something like this she only looks amused. Not a trace of shyness or any cute reactions at all.

It makes me a little disappointed, but maybe one day this will change.

Miwen: "Well, since my trustworthy assistant is the same as always, can I ask you a favor? Can you take a look at his soul?"

Liz: "Hm? Of course... But what should I be looking for?"

Miwen: "A Saint's Charm."

NovelFire-unofficial-chapter

...I had an inkling.

I wished I was wrong about it, but...

Elizabeth confirmed it for me.

Sabrina's charm had also affected him. It was rooted deep into his soul, and it seemed like it was a little more powerful than mine.

With me taking the place of a love target in the game and Lenard being one from the start, this made me way more suspicious than before. It practically confirmed a few things I had on my mind.

Sadly, Liz wasn't able to eject the charm, and she also told me she wouldn't like to do the same for him as she did for me.

Of course, she also made sure to add that she would do it if I ordered her to.

While I don't want Lenard to be hurt, I decided to have Elizabeth use the chance the analyze the charm a little more as she said she might be able to get rid of it if she understands it better.

With that, I decided to have Lenard be her test subject for a while.

But before she could have her fun, I decided to take Liz to Skuld's room where Jackie was being kept.

Miwen: "Yo!"

We had forcibly woken her up at Isabella's home to turn her into a citizen and make her come inside the Kingdom.

At the time she understood her situation pretty well, and the same seemed to be true now. That she was surrounded by girls even stronger than Mia...

While her level is decently high, she's... weak.

All of her status are lacking. It seems like she invested most level-up points into skills related to curses instead of increasing them.

It does mean her curses can be pretty effective even against someone more powerful, but... To make one so strong she would need a lot of time and preparation, and with a master of [Dark Magic] such as Elizabeth by our side as well as a Saint... Even the most carefully crafted curse might not be enough to give anyone but herself a death sentence.

Miwen: "You get why I picked you up, right?"

Jackie: "You're... Going to make me a hostage... A chip to trade with Nissa if... she attacks you..."

Yes. Initially, this was my idea.

As long as Jackie is a citizen inside the Kingdom, no matter how powerful Nissa may be, she can not reach her.

They seemed like good friends, so I was sure that having her would work like a charm to keep Nissa away.

Thanks to Elizabeth's actions I doubt that this will last, but... I think it will still be enough to buy us some time or make Nissa carefully consider her options before coming to us.

Miwen: "Well, since you get that, I think we can skip ahead a little... First, your conditions..."

The reality of the situation started to hit her.

In this place, where I decide everything, she'd only have as much value as I decided.

Her living conditions would be as I dictated, and her rights would all be decided by me.

Forget being a hostage, if I wanted to, she could simply be a slave and there would never be any hope of this changing, ever.

Miwen: "I'll add a second floor to this house as your living quarters. I'll also make a basement floor where you can work on charms and talismans. We can provide some materials, but you'll need to go through the proper means most of the time... Aside from that, three meals a day and clean water. How does that sound?"

Jackie: "Eh? What? Are... Aren't you too kind? I won't even have to cook my own meals... Isn't this...

Even better than before?"

Somehow, she seemed even more shocked than before.

But her reasons were completely different and I couldn't help but find her reaction to it adorable.

Miwen: "Oh yeah, I also have a job for you while you stay here. But don't worry, I'll prepare the materials you need for it."

Jackie: "Uh... May I know..."

Miwen: "It's simple stuff. I need to protect one place, but I'd also like to booby-trap it. The curse I have in mind is a little complex though, but... I'm sure you can figure it out."

I could have Liz do it, but... She already has a lot of jobs, and this one is a bit of an annoying side quest. She already has a lot on her plate and I'd rather her focus and be available for the more important tasks.

Before the day ended I also sent a request for the girls to join the Kingdom again once they woke up.

I also made sure to explain to all of them that our activities in Rodky would cease for the moment, which led to a strange situation.

Claire brought with her a new girl.

Tabitha, who is a self-proclaimed explosives expert.

We definitely didn't need that in the Kingdom, but I decided to give her a chance since Claire seemed so fond of her.

To my surprise, she was actually a serious researcher. She focuses on quick and explosive applications of magic, making multiple elements burst.

The girl herself can only use fire and wind effectively, but through the help of other mages, she was able to develop things like flashbangs and smokescreens.

It seems like Claire was helping her create a continuous firework system that would change colors easily and could be used as a type of warning system or information relay.

Pretty interesting stuff, but...

I know what I saw in Rodyky. While her research is interesting, she's most definitely another pyromaniac.

Or maybe even something worse since she's not content in using only fire as the basis for her magic booms.

No matter how polite and modest she may appear at first, for her to have clicked with Claire so fast, they must be birds of a feather.

Since the Kingdom has some rare people capable of using a multitude of elements, Claire convinced her to join saying that she had a high position and could have anyone help her with her research, as well as guarantee a place for her to keep doing it without being disturbed.

This was similar to what I offered Jackie, except that it came from the girl who was probably the one to move the least to guarantee such things.

I ended up accepting Tabitha since I was interested in how she could further develop her research, but I also worried a little since Claire asked to be in charge of helping and supervising her for the time being.

I didn't even know who was the bad influence between them, but with the addition of another pyromaniac, my lovely Kingdom was now in more danger than ever.