Raising Simulation: Queen of Maryland Maker (5)

The system in Queen of Maryland Maker was definitely closer to a real-world 'game' than Dead Wizard's City.

You can't faithfully depict eight full years leading up to the ending, after all.

Besides, having already suffered through over-immersion a few times, Eugene and the dev team deliberately set the time flow to progress at an 'insanely fast' pace to create some disconnect.

Once you set a month's schedule, a few cutscenes play, and time flies by.

Do that twelve times, and a year passes.

Completing the schedule boosts stats accordingly, and your daughter grows.

Pavel Ishinkiore quickly adapted to this bizarre mechanic.

His daughter, Riana Ishinkiore's initial stats were as follows.

"The condition to seize the throne is to win the Royal Selection eight years from now, beating all competitors, right?"

Pavel nodded as he checked his daughter's stats.

"Simple enough. To claim the crown, she must first master noble etiquette, of course. And she can't neglect her studies."

He started with the first unlocked option, Home Education, focusing on noble etiquette and law studies.

With limited initial resources, he mixed in part-time jobs here and there.

Of course, at the cathedral.

It boosted faith and had the best reputation efficiency among part-time gigs.

In no time, Pavel had grasped even these fine details.

A true Golden Duke.

And so Riana diligently ran around the cathedral doing odd jobs with her small body.

At night, she studied with the tutor.

When the month's schedule finally ended, the stat gains were as follows.

"The cathedral job failed nearly half the time."

Pavel sighed.

"Ah, Father..."

As Riana glanced at him nervously, Pavel barked.

"Even so, can't you try harder?! Every bit of work builds character!!"

Riana shrank back, bowing repeatedly to her father.

Tears welled up in her throat, but the girl held them in.

She knew crying would only make it worse.

Pavel checked the opaque panel's message, then turned and headed to his room.

With the success rate boosted, she could handle tougher schedules.

Or maybe focus purely on part-time jobs now.

Starting funds were too low.

Wandering priest tutors gave minimal gains.

Earn hard for two months, hire a former royal tutor, and those tiny gains could skyrocket.

Pavel filled Riana's next month's schedule with part-time work.

Of course, not letting health drop too low—he slotted in rest days appropriately.

A trip to the nearby cathedral town? A picnic by the lake?

Useless schedules.

They boosted affection a bit, but home rest was more efficient for health.

Over 30 days, Riana succeeded at 5 farm jobs, 4 grocery store gigs, and 10 cathedral shifts.

5 solo home rests, 2 external tutor 'law' sessions, and 2 guild jobs.

The guild jobs especially—low odds for a 12-year-old, but last month's buff nailed both.

"Ah, Father... I really worked hard this month..."

"Yes, Riana. See? Nothing's impossible with effort. Good girl!"

Pavel beamed, patting her head.

Riana flinched at the unfamiliar touch but soon giggled under his hand.

"I did well, right? So, Father! June's coming—let's picnic by the lake..."

"A picnic? What nonsense is this?"

"Pardon...?"

"We've saved enough. Next month, a royal tutor will teach you. Law's covered—now languages and finance. Early knowledge pays off later."

"Ah... um... Got it, Father..."

In the end, next month, the month after, right up to year-end.

Riana was buried in self-improvement, never spending proper time with Pavel.

Eventually, she barely spoke to him at all.

Even in this grueling schedule too harsh for a 12-year-old girl, the remaining affection was her last hope in her father.

You bought all the items.

No money left for a birthday gift.

But it'll be fine.

Once she's queen, she can have or do anything.

The mage snaps at you.

"She was a wreck! What do you even think of your daughter?!"

You feel offended.

No need for outsiders in family matters, you snap back.

"I-It's fine... Don't blame Father too much."

Tension peaks. Riana, now awake, mediates, and the mage backs off.

How dare a lowborn overstep.

Royal insiders say Riana leads all Selection candidates.

What matters is the Selection, not some nobody.

But months later, something felt off.

Her expeditions spiked.

Month-end summaries showed Charm rising alongside Combat and Health.

Tailing her, you discover she's secretly seeing that mage.

You decide to use palace connections you yelled about before.

An inspector visits the town.

After the inspector leaves, the mage vanishes.

Riana seems devastated, but you keep the pressure on.

The light fades from her eyes.

Can't allow distractions with only 4 years to Selection.

As queen, she'll have far better suitors than some origin-less mage.

Dozens, even.

Another year passes.

Riana excels in nearly every field.

The kingdom watches her; her prestige soars sky-high.

Even famed knights can't match her martial prowess.

Archmages marvel at her knowledge and magic talent.

The archbishop says she belongs on the throne.

The saintess warns she seems deeply anxious.

Men blush as she passes.

Women gather to praise her beauty.

Yet even back alleys buzz with Riana talk.

They say she's the one gripping the kingdom's darkest shadows.

You dismiss the rumors.

Selection next month.

Victory over that mad librarian mage.

He'll pay for provoking Ishinkiore.

"Riana, it's almost time. You worked hard."

You open her room door.

"...Riana?"

But she's gone.

Only cold silence remains.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Selection Day approaches...

Selection Day dawns.

In the dim pre-dawn, someone stands before your mansion.

You fling open the doors and rush out.

"Wh-What is this?! Riana!! Come back now! What’s with that freakish, shameful outfit?! How could you do this to your father...!!!"

"Pavel Ishinkiore. I never saw you as my father. Not since I grew up."

"What...?!"

"You never treated me like a daughter, yet you expect fatherly respect? Isn't that a bit greedy?"

"It was all for you! Once on the throne, you can have anything—what else ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠could it be for?!"

"Wrong. It was for you, not me."

Riana stared at you with dead eyes.

"I just... wanted more time with you. Queen? Never cared for that crap. Later, I just wanted it over quick."

She gestured, and figures poured from behind the wall.

"My real family. You might think they're rootless thugs, but they saw my true worth."

Mostly infamous wanted criminals.

Rapists of women, robbers of elders, child-killers—human scum.

Yet they knelt at her gesture.

Riana perfectly controlled these beasts.

Like an alpha wolf.

"Oh, know that inspector you were chummy with? All prim and proper, but he begged me disgustingly. Tie him up and step on him? Did it a few times, and he oinked like a pig! Ahaha!"

Stunned briefly, she added,

"Final goodbye. Hope we never meet again."

Pavel could only watch powerlessly as his daughter walked away.