Zero’s Reign: Reincarnated with a Gacha Clone System

The night air settled over Pinecrest, carrying with it the last remnants of the bustling city sounds. Café Leblanc's open sign flipped to closed, and the final guest of the evening stepped out into the street, leaving the warm glow of the café behind.

Coincidentally, as the door shut, Erwin entered—his coat damp from the lingering drizzle. He unbuttoned it with a sigh. "Finally. I swear, today was—"

"Ah, perfect timing!" Soma, balancing several plates of food, grinned from the base of the stairs leading up to the living quarters. "Grab the rest of the dinner and bring it up, will you?"

Erwin blinked. "What am I, your waiter?"

Soma arched a brow. "Oh? You don't wanna eat? Alright, I'll just tell Gusteau to stop teaching me new recipes, then."

Erwin rolled his eyes, grabbed the remaining plates, and followed Soma upstairs.

As they entered the living quarters, the others—Zero, Sebas, Gojo, and the unnamed clones—were already seated around the table, waiting for dinner to start.

Soma placed the food down, and everyone began eating. 

Between bites, Erwin looked over at Sebas. "Alright, Sebas. I've got my list of noble houses for you to infiltrate, so I win this competition."

One snorted. "Oh please. Sebas already has his own list."

Erwin froze mid-chew. "Wait, what?"

Soma smirked. "Yeah, he just didn't want to crush your little detective ego."

Erwin narrowed his eyes. "Oh, very funny. Not like I was looking forward to winning or anything."

Zero leaned back, grinning. "How are you a detective when you lie like a rug?"

The room erupted in laughter, and even Sebas gave an amused smile. As dinner wrapped up, Zero stood. "Alright, let's take this to the Mind Hall. We'll handle Sebas' mission there."

Everyone nodded, closing their eyes.

In an instant—

They transitioned into the Mind Hall.

The Mind Hall, once an empty white void, had become a structured strategy room.

At the center was a large war map of Kaldarion Kingdom, marked with various territories, noble houses, and power structures. A meeting table surrounded it, its surface littered with documents, case files, and research materials Erwin had gathered. Soma had his own section, filled with recipe notes and meal ideas. Gojo had a workspace, cluttered with fashion designs and sketches.

Sebas, standing at the head of the table, regarded the map with sharp, calculating eyes. Zero leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Alright, Erwin. You wanted to go first?"

Erwin adjusted his cuffs, then tapped the map, conjuring small chess-like pieces to mark his research.

"Okay. Kaldarion Kingdom is basically structured like an empire, not just a kingdom. If Duke Brenford's territory is equivalent to Texas, then we need to look at other states—uh, I mean, duchies and counties—where Sebas can make a move."

He waved a hand, and three noble houses lit up on the map. "I've narrowed it down to three possible noble houses for infiltration."

Sebas nodded. "Let's hear it."

Erwin moved a pawn-shaped marker over a small northern territory near the United Federation's seas.

"House Deveric. Small, weak, and desperate."

Gojo raised a brow. "Weak? Why bother with them, then?"

Erwin tapped the table. "Because they need help. If Sebas infiltrates as a butler, he can gain influence quickly. They'd practically hand him control just to keep their heads above water."

Soma frowned. "Sounds... easy. Too easy."

Zero leaned in. "What's the downside?"

Erwin sighed. "They have no power. Even if Sebas controls them, they don't have the weight to shift anything major. It'd be like winning a chess game with only pawns."

Sebas rubbed his chin. "But if I build them up... they could become something more."

Erwin nodded. "That's the gamble."

Erwin moved another piece, this time farther to Pinecrest.

"House Vance. Now, this one is different. They're a small noble house, but they're gaining traction. Fast."

Soma tilted his head. "How?"

"They've been making all the right moves—smart alliances, good trade agreements, and they're pushing technological advancements. They're not rich yet, but they're on the way up."

Zero smirked. "Sounds like a stock to invest in."

Erwin chuckled. "Exactly. If Sebas gets in early, he could guide them to the top."

Sebas crossed his arms. "And the downside?"

Erwin's expression darkened. 

"Internal power struggles. The house has factions within it—siblings, relatives, advisors, all fighting for control. If Sebas isn't careful, he could get caught in a political mess before he even secures a foothold."

Gojo whistled. "High risk, high reward."

Erwin moved the final piece to an older, well-established duchy. 

"House Albrecht. One of the oldest noble families in Kaldarion. Respected, influential, and sitting on more wealth than they know what to do with."

Zero's brows raised. "Then why aren't they a threat?"

Erwin smirked. "Because they don't care."

Soma leaned forward. "Huh?"

Erwin tapped the piece. 

"They're comfortable. They don't make waves, they don't chase power, they just... exist. They're like an old lion too lazy to hunt. But if someone were to wake them up? They'd be a real contender against Duke Brenford's faction."

Sebas nodded. "So if I infiltrate them, I could turn them into a powerhouse."

"Exactly. But..." Erwin sighed. "They're deeply rooted in tradition. You'll have to be subtle. You can't just waltz in and start making changes."

Erwin stepped back from the map, crossing his arms. "So, those are the best three choices."

Sebas studied the options carefully. "Each has merit."

Zero leaned forward. "So, what's your preference, Sebas? You're the one infiltrating."

Sebas closed his eyes, thinking deeply.

Soma leaned back in his chair. "House Vance sounds fun. High risk, high reward."

Gojo nodded. "Yeah, if we're thinking long-term influence, House Vance would put us in a position to control Kaldarion's future."

Erwin tapped the table. "House Albrecht is the strongest. If we wake them up, they could challenge Duke Brenford directly."

Sebas finally opened his eyes. "Then the choice is simple."

Everyone leaned in.

Sebas extended his hand, his finger just inches from the map—

Then Erwin grabbed his wrist. "Wait, hold up."

Sebas tilted his head. "Yes, young master?"

"What about your list?"

Sebas smiled calmly. "There is no 'my list.' I trust your judgment, young master Erwin."

Erwin blinked. Then grinned. "So I win this. LET'S GOOO!"

The room fell silent.

Everyone else just stared at him. Zero, One, Soma, and Gojo all wore the same blank expression.

Soma, arms crossed, deadpanned: "I thought you said you didn't care about winning?"

Erwin straightened his posture, then cleared his throat, ignoring them completely. He turned back to Sebas with forced composure. "Ahem. Anyway—"

"Go on, Sebas. Choose from my... fantastic list."

Sebas, with his usual composed grace, nodded and placed his finger on House Vance. "Like young master Soma said—high risk, high reward."

He gestured at the map. "Like young master Erwin said, House Vance is still finding its footing. They will need assistance. And if I can remove their most trusted aide... I can seamlessly take his place."

Erwin grinned, rubbing his chin. "Smart. It's quite far from Brenford's reach too, which means you won't have to worry about the Duke interfering right away."

Gojo, who had been quietly observing, suddenly raised a hand. "I want to go too."

Zero, Soma, and Erwin turned to him simultaneously. "What?"

Gojo sat up straighter, his expression determined.

"House Vance is still growing, right? That means so is their territory. If I want to start my business, I need to position myself where there's room for expansion. It makes sense for me to establish my brand there."

Zero sighed, rubbing his temples. "If it were just Sebas, I'd say fine. But if you're tagging along, I need you better prepared."

Gojo nodded. "That's fair."

"Wait a month."

"A month?" Gojo frowned.

"Yeah. I'll be able to do my first monthly gacha pull. I should get a lot of cards from it. If we're lucky, we'll get something useful for you. Until then," Zero gestured at Gojo, "you need to study."

Gojo pouted. "Ugh, studying?"

"Your fashion sense is great, but business isn't just about making clothes. You need a foundation. How to market, how to manage operations, how to handle finances. You're still clueless in those areas."

Erwin nodded in agreement.

"For once, I agree with Zero. You've got talent, but you don't know jack about running a business. If you rush it now, you'll fail before you even start."

Gojo clicked his tongue but reluctantly nodded. "Fine. I'll wait."

Sebas gave him a warm smile. "Then I shall wait for you in Vance, young master Gojo."

Zero smirked. "Alright then, Erwin, Sebas—shall we talk about how to make Vance's trusted aide mysteriously 'disappear' so we can plant Sebas in the middle of the action?"

Erwin grinned wickedly. "Oh, I thought you'd never ask."

Soma, already stretching, stood up. "Alright, let the nerds think for themselves. Who wants pudding?"

One, Soma, and Gojo left the Mind Hall, disappearing from the space—

Leaving Zero, Erwin, and Sebas behind, grinning as they began planning their next move.

…

Soma stabbed his spoon into the pudding with unnecessary force.

One raised an eyebrow. "That poor pudding didn't do anything to deserve that."

Gojo chuckled, taking a slow, satisfied bite of his own. "Hey, Soma—how's your relationship with Monet?"

Soma visibly choked on his pudding. "W-What?!"

One leaned forward, grinning mischievously. "You heard him."

"We're just friends!" Soma said a little too quickly.

One narrowed his eyes, like a detective pressing a suspect. "Hmmm. If it's just friendship, why'd you give her your handwritten recipe notes?"

"It was just a pancake recipe!" Soma scowled, shoving another spoonful of pudding into his mouth.

One and Gojo exchanged a knowing look. Gojo tapped his chin, smirking. "Ohhh, I see now. So you're the 'play it cool but secretly care a lot' type, huh?"

Soma pointed his spoon at Gojo like a weapon. "Shut up."

One grinned. "If it's really just friendship, you wouldn't have panicked just now."

Soma scowled harder, trying to focus on his pudding.

Then—

"I mean, she is beautiful, especially in uniform." One added casually.

Soma's spoon froze mid-air. His eye twitched. "Don't say stuff like that about her!"

Gojo snickered. "Awww, look at you getting all defensive~"

Then, suddenly, Soma looked up—past them—toward an empty space in the room. "What do you mean I like her?! Not you too!" he shouted, pointing into thin air.

Gojo and One stared in confusion. Then, at the same time— "Wait... you're talking to Gusteau?!" 

Soma groaned, rubbing his temples. "Even my ghost thinks I like her. This is the worst day ever."

Gojo and One burst out laughing. "See? Even your ghost agrees with us." Gojo teased.

One shrugged. "Not gonna lie, Monet does look great in uniform. Just saying."

Soma grabbed his empty pudding cup, stood up, and marched toward the kitchen.

"I'm getting more pudding and then I'm going to sleep."

One and Gojo exchanged glances, smirking.

Gojo grinned. "He likes her."

One nodded. "Yep. He's probably gonna binge-eat pudding while thinking about her."

They both laughed, taking another spoonful of their own pudding.

Meanwhile—Soma, in the kitchen, aggressively scooped another serving. "...Stupid ghost. Stupid One. Stupid Gojo..." he muttered under his breath.

But—Even as he grumbled—He couldn't help but think about Monet.