Gacha Kingdom Building

After claiming the rewards for Isabella's Event, among other things, I was left with three [Ultra Rare Gacha Tickets].

I was looking forward to testing them since they were better than any ticket I had used previously and had a good chance of bringing something pretty powerful, no matter the banner I used them on.

However, the First Son had different plans.

Even though the First Daughter had prepared the same setup as when I summoned Cassandra and Angelica, limiting the number of available options in the banner and boosting my luck, her brother insisted that I should use one of these tickets for this summoning.

[Really? You're going to cheap out on me?]

It seemed excessive to waste such a good thing on what was pretty much guaranteed, but he didn't even give me the option.

As soon as I selected a normal ticket, before I could even begin the summoning ritual, my system displayed a very peculiar warning and returned me to the ticket selection menu.

If I was suspicious of his insistence before, this only made me more certain that he was up to no good.

Not that I could do anything about it, though.

As such, hoping that at least I wouldn't regret this, I used one of the [Ultra Rare Gacha Tickets].

What happened after was the usual.

The same thing that happened whenever I first used the normal tickets, or even the [Rare Gacha Tickets].

My consciousness quickly faded, and I felt myself being dragged towards a blank space.

Normally, I can't even see or feel anything, and the whiteness clouding my mind fades as fast as it comes.

This time, however, things were a little more strange.

The space around me slowly transformed into a dream-like landscape.

A gentle grass field that seemed to extend endlessly in every direction.

The usual headache went away immediately, and as I focused my eyes, I saw two figures sitting across from each other by a campfire, just a few steps away from me.

I immediately recognized the First Son.

His clothes were a little too urban for the wilderness.

But the second figure, an old man, was a complete stranger.

Or, at least, he should have been.

I couldn't recognize him at first.

But this was not the first time we had met.

It took me a while, but I remembered.

First Son: "Yo! You're late."

Miwen: "Can you blame me? It's been a busy day."

First Son: "Fair."

As usual, he acted nonchalant, as if he had no involvement with it whatsoever.

It was unbelievable.

Miwen: "Yo!"

Old Man: "Hello, Miwen."

The First Son was the only one who could forcibly return me to the Infinite Hotel, but considering he went through such a length to get me here, I didn't even bother asking him.

That and... Chances to sit with them were incredibly precious.

I felt like making the most of the opportunity, and took a seat with them.

The old man watched the fire flickering, occasionally gazing towards us.

His voice was soft and calm, but steady.

Miwen: "I thought we wouldn't meet again. At least not so soon."

Old Man: "I was surprised too."

His eyes landed on the First Son, and briefly, a smile formed on his face.

I couldn't tell whether or not he was telling the truth, since, surprisingly, the conditions in place made meeting the Old Man easier than meeting the First Son.

However, there was a limit to that.

First Son: "No need to thank me."

The more I heard these two, the more I wondered why I got involved with them in the first place.

Well, in this place, I actually remembered, but...

The beginning was meaningless.

Or, it will be, until I reach the end.

Miwen: "Speaking of which... The Third Son and the Fifth Daughter might be a problem."

First Son: "...True. I can't tell what they'll do."

Old Man: "Bwahaha!"

Even though it was a serious problem, the mastermind behind the First Son and I laughed loudly, hardly caring about the fact that two Endless out of the twelve were likely to oppose us.

It was obvious how serious a problem this could become, but at the same time, there was no merit in explaining it to him.

He already knew well, and unfortunately, he could do even less than the First Son.

Once things were set in motion, the only thing I could expect was for him to watch it until the end.

Realizing how much the odds were stacked against us, I couldn't help but sigh.

First Son: "No need to worry. I trust the First Daughter."

My other ally wasn't any better.

This siscon trusted his sister with his life, destiny, and mine.

Miwen: "Of course you do."

I wasn't so sure myself.

The First Son lost a lot of the goodwill, authority, and recognition he had.

While the First Daughter loved him just as much as he loved her...

Her love extended to all the others.

She is his soft spot.

But every other Endless is hers.

Well...

No one could judge her better than him, though, so I hoped he wasn't wrong.

Old Man: "...What about you, Miwen?"

Miwen: "...I'm not sure. I'm more selfish than you realize, so frankly, it's a fifty-fifty. But I suppose that only makes you happier?"

Old Man: "Yes. There would be no reason for me to watch if I already knew the answer."

From that perspective, I was doing well.

However, even at this moment, I wasn't sure what the future held in store.

The First Son was tied to [Gacha Kingdom Building], the Old Man was unable to move a finger, and every other piece, including me, was too unpredictable.

While I at least had freedom and flexibility, my position was also incredibly fragile...

First Son: "Time's up..."

Old Man: "Unfortunate."

Miwen: "It was a pleasure... See you around."

I didn't have the chance to say more.

In the blink of an eye, the grassland and the campfire disappeared, and with them, the Old Man.

The walls of the Infinite Hotel suddenly surrounded me, with the First Daughter and her brother both waiting for my return.

First Daughter: "Again? Just where the hell were you-"

She seemed incredibly concerned, but the headache I felt was too strong for me to hear her words.

To make matters worse, I couldn't help but get distracted by the naked girl I summoned with the [Companions Banner].

While the power of those summoned varies, when it comes to beauty, this banner never fails to deliver.

This time, it was no different.

The girl summoned was pretty enough to turn heads.

She had smooth and long, silk-like silver hair that flowed down her face and back.

Her sun-kissed skin was fair and beautiful, and her yellow eyes were as majestic as the sun.

They resembled a solar flare, powerful and unyielding.

Considering she should have received my memories, like Angie and Cass, those eyes of hers took me by surprise.

I approached slowly, but slightly carelessly.

??????: "...To me!"

With a shout, she jumped back, towards the Hotel's front desk.

Then, almost instantaneously, a loud thud echoed behind me.

I didn't have the time to turn around.

My chest was pierced by the sword I now saw her grab, and my blood and guts spilled on the floor, drenching everything in red before I fell face-first against the ground.

From there on, I struggled to heal myself as much as possible before losing consciousness.

Since the siblings didn't seem interested in helping me, I had to make sure to stand, in case she wasn't done yet.

That, however, was easier said than done.

The moment I could finally lift my face from off the ground, the only thing I saw was her charging against the Hotel's front door, vanishing from my sight after diving into the darkness waiting outside the Hotel.

Miwen: "What... T-The fuck...?"

This was a first.

In many ways.

The headache and the pain, and the speed at which everything happened, made things impossible for me to process.

First Son: "That was... Selene, I believe?"

First Daughter: "Yes... That's going to be a problem... You got the floor dirty with your blood, Miwen."

Miwen: "Sorry, I'll mop it after I regrow my organs."

First Daughter: "You better."

Without the First Daughter's help, it would've taken me hours to heal completely, but once the girl was gone, she lent me a hand.

I could hardly believe a newly summoned, level one girl managed to give me such a severe injury...

I guess that's an [Ultra Rare Ticket]. For better or worse, the girl was powerful.

Miwen: "So... You said you were my greatest ally?"

Between losing a ticket, the headache, and the lingering pain, the worst was seeing the First Son retain the same expression he had when I did the summoning, as if nothing major had happened.

First Son: "In my defense, I wasn't expecting this."

Miwen: "Sure. You could have helped, though."

First Son: "I couldn't. She's a Primordial."

Miwen: "...Weren't they a project of yours?"

First Son: "No, they were my youngest sister's. I just helped her with the fine details."

Huh.

That's not what the Fifth daughter said, but there was no way I'd trust her words over his.

Not that I trust his after this, but...

The better of two evils, I guess.

Miwen: "...And you? My dearest friend?"

First Daughter: "Hm? Same reason."

Miwen: "No, I get that. I'm talking about how you allowed the swords to break through your door and her to leave like it wasn't any of your business."

First Daughter: "Oh... I have an old agreement with the leader of the Council of Roses. Their members are allowed to leave the Infinite Hotel whenever they please..."

I wish that instead of reminiscing about it, she'd worry about me a little more, but the I get to know the First Daughter, the more I understand she's a bit of a lost cause.

She gets weirdly attached to anyone who gives her time, and she's the type to think more about the past than the future.

As for me...

While I didn't complain, I was justifiably annoyed with the whole situation.

First Son: "She was a captain, right?"

First Daughter: "Captain of the White Roses Second Division, yes."

First Son: "Oh... Oh, you're fucked, Miwen."

Exhilarating news.

Miwen: "...Why? Did I do something?"

First Son: "Not really. But the White Roses are known to value decency and preserve their chastity."

Miwen: "I didn't touch her, though?"

First Son: "That would be the ultimate crime. But showing them something indecent, and looking at their body in the nude... That's worth two death sentences."

As if that wasn't enough, the First Daughter explained that Council members can move freely through the Infinite Hotel.

And since the Kingdom is connected to the Hotel, they can all march straight into the Kingdom.

To make it even more fun, apparently, they can put up a fight with the Gods and the Caravan.

Miwen: "Well, that was a great use of a ticket. I'll be going now. It was pretty horrible to meet your family, but it was fun to spend time with you."

First Son: "Thanks! I was looking forward to it!"

Miwen: "I was talking with your sister. But whatever. Thanks for the help. Could've done without the problems, though."

I turned my back to them to leave the Infinite Hotel, but not only did I meet a newly-repaired closed door, but I also had my arm grabbed from behind, preventing me from moving.

Then, the ground beneath me and the First Son spun, leaving me between him and the First Daughter.

First Son: "I told you this wasn't what I was expecting."

Miwen: "Oh, really? That's a gacha for you. If you want advice-"

First Son: "You will do it again, Miwen."

Miwen: "..."

From the look on his face, I could tell he was serious as can be.

But the thought of wasting another one of these tickets consumed me.

I almost considered refusing, but...

They would probably keep me here for an eternity if that's what it took.

The First Daughter was my only hope for help, but if convincing her to go against her brother wasn't hard enough, she also seemed incredibly enthusiastic about it.

Miwen: "Fine. But this is the last one."

First Son: "If I get what I want."

Miwen: "Please, don't fall for the sunk cost fallacy."

First Son: "Believe in your luck."

I was saying this precisely because I knew my luck.

Miwen: "Look, what if instead-"

First Son: "I have all the time in the world~"

My advice fell on deaf ears.

Not only that, the two of them shared cookies that the First Daughter brought from who knows where.

Apparently, the condition for me to eat one was to perform a summoning.

This pretty much cemented to me that, unless I complied, I'd be stuck in the Infinite Hotel forever.

Their torture, or threat, or whatever that was, ended up working.

Only because I knew I couldn't win against them, though.

Miwen: "...Hello? If you're going to attack someone, can I convince you to start with him?"

The girl who appeared before me this time was completely different than the other.

She only looked at her surroundings for a second before sitting on her knees, staring at me with her sharp gaze.

Compared to the first girl, her body was a bit smaller in a place or two, but her face more than made up for it.

Out of all the girls I've summoned, she was probably the most serene.

Yet, her red hair and fox ears made me concerned, considering the only two times I was attacked, aside from Selene's, were during Claire and Lana's summoning.

At the very least, with my memories, she shouldn't-

??????: "T-This one wouldn't dare, my lord."

While I would've felt even better without the First Son's smug "I told you", it was such a relief to hear those words.

I still kept my guard up and didn't approach her as carelessly as I had done before, but her panicked voice and the way she immediately lowered her head when our eyes met made me believe in her.

Miwen: "...So? Is she the one?"

First Son: "Yes. Congratulations."

Somehow, I felt like this would also spell trouble for me.

Miwen: "Alright, then... You probably already know how it works, but..."

Explaining to someone that they lost their lives, offering them to join us...

I try to be as honest and just as possible.

I feel like it's the least I can do.

Yet, no matter how many times I do this, this part never gets easy.

Miwen: "...I can give you some time to decide, but without knowing your Gift, I can't allow you to walk freely in my kingdom."

The girl silently listened to my every word without raising her head even once.

Even after I was finished, she spoke without looking into my eyes.

???????: "I was known as Reina in my previous life. I was the founder of both the Kurenai family and the Myriad Sun Tribe. In this life, I wish to offer my everything to you, my lord. And if you so wish, even what I've built previously shall be yours. As for my Gift... It's hard to explain, so I ask that you please allow me to demonstrate inside your realm."

...It was hard to resist a beautiful girl saying she was going to devote herself to me.

But for the sake and safety of the other girls, I had to make sure.

Miwen: "Can I trust her?"

First Son: "Yeah. Before you, she was my project. I had to leave her, but you two should get along."

Reina: "It's an honor to meet you again, Great One."

These two somehow reminded me a little of Priscilla and the Merchant.

Not in a romantic way, though.

More like...

Being friends with a being so much greater...

It's a strange feeling, but maybe this is what my relationship with the First Daughter looks like to others, too.

First Daughter: "I was a bit disappointed when you didn't summon her..."

Miwen: "She was an option back then, too?"

First Daughter: "Yeah! The one I wanted you to summon the most was Angelica, but I was so excited to see how Cassandra and Reina would upend- I mean, would make the Kingdom more colorful!"

Miwen: "...Uh-huh? What do you mean by that?"

Upend was an understatement for Cassandra's impact, but this girl...

She seemed uptight and mild.

I felt like she would fit in perfectly with the others.

Reina: "As a former queen, I might have a few disagreements and suggestions, not too unlike Elizabeth, in that sense, but... I swear not to speak or act without your blessing!"

Obviously, I made sure to tell her she didn't need permission to speak, but the rest was pretty interesting.

I always appreciate Elizabeth's help, but I was looking forward to having another ruler with different ideals and insights to help me pave my own path.

If only because Elizabeth can sometimes be a bit... Absolute... Extreme...

First Son: "Miwen!"

Miwen: "What now?"

I thought he was going to block me again, but...

The First Son gave me a sincere smile before saying his goodbyes.

First Son: "Good luck. Unless my family or another project of mine is involved, I won't get many chances to show up, but... I'll be watching and rooting for you."

Miwen: "...You're really not going to tell me anything? About who contracted us, or when I signed the contract, or... I don't know... What you expect me to do with this Gift?"

First Son: "Absolutely."

He said those words, as if they were the most obvious thing.

Before disappearing, he spoke with the First Daughter, who seemed a little sad to see him go.

Yet, she took me to exit with a smile on her face...

Miwen: "You know... You could visit the Kingdom more often. The girls like you."

First Daughter: "Hm... I'm busy with the Hotel..."

Hard to believe considering her elevator was still broken, but...

Considering how much she cherished her project, I had no doubts about it.

Still, it shouldn't be enough to stop an Endless.

Especially her.

Miwen: "Since the Kingdom and the Hotel are connected... You can think of it as maintenance and supervision for a busy room? Who knows, you might learn more if you spend more time there."

First Daughter: "Oh..."

For a moment, her eyes sparkled, brimming with energy.

First Daughter: "I'll think about it..."

I entered the Infinite Hotel ready to make an enemy of the Endless.

Instead, I got closer to them.

For now, this was good enough for me.