IWRIT-07

Chapter 7 – The Lord Doesn’t Tolerate Nonsense

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“…A High Priest? Of the Scales?”

[Jehar al Rashid’s Loyalty has decreased.]

[Jehar al Rashid’s Affection has decreased.]

The moment Jehar heard who her newest party member was, the system notifications practically exploded.

“Someone whose purpose for secretly entering our domain is completely unknown.”

“And yet you intend to take such a person into the Tower with you?”

He openly objected.

Camellia, however, wasn’t intimidated in the slightest.

“You know my condition better than anyone, Jehar.”

I’m not a max-level Lord anymore.

I’m a level-one Lord who’s barely holding herself together.

Without a healer, I’d be exhausted after walking a single lap around the training grounds.

And whose fault is that?

Yours.

If you’ve got even a shred of conscience, you don’t get to complain, mastermind.

She shot him an unreserved look of reproach.

Whether he understood what she really meant…

Or simply lost his nerve for another reason…

The sharpness in Jehar’s eyes gradually softened.

“I was only worried about you, my Lady…”

“I know.”

“Keeping a stranger close at a time like this isn’t the wisest choice.”

Camellia lightly patted his arm before leaning in to whisper,

“I made this decision because I trust you.”

“With you at my side…”

“Who would dare lay a hand on me?”

“…”

The response was immediate.

[Jehar al Rashid’s Loyalty has increased.]

[Jehar al Rashid’s Affection has increased.]

As though the earlier penalty had never happened, both values returned to where they had been.

She wasn’t surprised.

Jehar had always been this kind of character.

He really is hopelessly devoted to the Lord.

Camellia gently patted him once more.

Then she casually met Rohengrin’s eyes.

See?

Nothing to worry about.

She even offered him a small reassuring smile.

Something very much like shock flickered across Rohengrin’s blue eyes.

[Rohengrin Eschen’s Loyalty has increased.]

…What?

Well…

Loyalty going up was certainly welcome.

Still puzzled, Camellia opened the details window.

The explanation left her dumbfounded.

• The Lord peacefully persuaded Jehar al Rashid! +2

Seriously?

That alone raised his Loyalty?

Not by one point.

By two.

In game terms, that meant he’d been genuinely moved.

Did the Previous Lord work this poor man like a slave or something?

How is this enough to make him emotional?

…Well.

Whatever.

As long as it goes up, that’s all that matters.

It wasn’t as though anyone disliked kindness.

If he appreciated it, who was she to complain?

Thinking that, Camellia led the three of them back to her office.

Then she got straight to business.

“We enter the Tower tomorrow.”

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The concept behind the First Floor of the Tower was infiltration.

It served as a tutorial for one of the defining mechanics of turn-based CRPGs—

Sneaking past enemies without being detected.

The route was straightforward.

There weren’t many roaming monsters.

For a veteran like Camellia…

She could reach the boss room with her eyes closed.

…Back when this was just a game.

Memorizing maps…

Learning routes…

Positioning party members one turn at a time…

Reality wasn’t nearly so accommodating.

There was no quarter-view camera.

No pause button.

No spending an entire day calculating the optimal move during your turn.

That didn’t mean she was worried.

If she couldn’t clear a gimmick as simple as the First Floor…

She had no business calling herself a veteran.

Staring at the Tower beyond the office window, enclosed within its crimson barrier, Camellia spoke.

“I’ve heard the enemy leaders have already emerged from the Tower.”

The strongest monster remained sealed inside the boss room.

But there were powerful monsters wandering each floor as well.

They were known as Named Monsters.

The First Floor had two.

The Goblin King.

And the Gnoll Warlord.

Both relied on overwhelming numbers rather than intelligence.

The moment the Tower’s seal weakened…

They charged outside.

Even now, they were venting their frustration on the adventurers who hadn’t escaped before the barrier went up.

“I’m going to make them fight each other.”

Their low intelligence made them especially susceptible to brainwashing.

Once the leaders started fighting…

Their followers would naturally join in.

And if one side began losing…

They’d call for reinforcements from inside the dungeon.

If the monsters were all outside tearing each other apart…

Then naturally…

The First Floor itself would be left empty.

“Then…”

“We enter the Tower and restore the seal.”

Veteran Strategy Number One.

Having trouble sneaking through a dungeon?

Then just rob the house while everyone’s away.

Simple.

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Morning came.

The plan was flawless.

The preparations were complete.

Party assembled.

As the servants helped her into her combat gear, Camellia opened her status window.

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[Party] (4/4)

Synergy: None

Camellia Lord

Level: 1

Class: Mind Sorcerer

Rohengrin Eschen

Level: 3

Class: Knight

Jehar al Rashid

Level: 5

Class: Arcane Mage

Netanel Pragma

Level: 15

Class: Apostle of the Scales

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At first glance, seeing the Commander of the Knights at Level 3 while the High Priest was Level 15 seemed strange.

But Dark Tower was a low-power setting.

Level 30 was the maximum.

Anyone above Level 20 was considered a Transcendent, something unattainable unless they belonged to certain exceptional races or occupations.

Level 15 was already close to the ceiling.

Even Levels 3 and 5 were considered quite powerful.

Of course…

Jehar’s real level isn’t five.

Like the mastermind he was…

He had imposed restrictions upon himself to conceal both his true class and his real level.

To reveal them, players either had to enter his romance route…

Or expose him as the mastermind.

The latter immediately triggered an event boss battle.

Which was exactly why no sane player ever chose it.

The romance route wasn’t exactly safe, either.

As a companion…

Jehar was diligent.

Obedient.

Reliable.

As a lover…

He became the very embodiment of obsession and jealousy.

If another companion serving the Lord reached 70 Affection or higher…

He would either drive them away…

Or simply eliminate them.

Could you exploit the romance route by carefully managing everyone’s Affection?

Yeah, right.

Even in the game, where you only had to watch out for specific conversations and scripted events…

Things still went wrong.

Believing she could maintain perfect Affection management in the real world—

Where unexpected events happened constantly—

Wasn’t optimism.

It was delusion.

It’s fine.

Really.

Even without his sealed version unlocked…

Jehar’s still a top-tier mage.

She forcibly tore her gaze away from his level.

“My Lady.”

“We’re ready.”

The servants had finished dressing her.

Closing the status window, Camellia studied herself in the mirror.

Her hair had been braided into a ponytail.

Keeping her low Strength and Vitality in mind, she’d chosen the lightest equipment possible.

A shirt.

Leather trousers.

A short robe that reached her knees.

Sturdy leather boots.

A dagger for self-defense.

And a belt pouch.

Not bad.

Everything actually matches.

Back in the game…

She usually equipped whatever had the best stats.

Fashion was always sacrificed for efficiency.

Thinking such pointless thoughts, she stepped into the corridor.

Jehar was already waiting.

He, too, had exchanged his usual robes for lighter gear suitable for entering the Tower.

She expected him to greet her.

Instead…

He simply stared.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just…”

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you dressed for battle.”

His eyelashes trembled.

A wistful smile spread across his face.

“It finally feels real…”

“You truly have returned.”

“It wasn’t just a dream…”

Ghk.

Despite knowing exactly who he was, the sheer emotional force of that smile almost shattered her determination to stay on guard.

For a moment…

She could practically hear imaginary voices echoing inside her head.

“Everyone knows Jehar’s the true endgame romance.”

“Just accept it.”

No.

You devil.

Camellia desperately steeled herself against the devastating attack on her heart.

I’m only here to clear the Tower.

I’m getting the Normal Ending, no matter what.

There’s no room in this run for obsessive, emotionally destructive romance.

His real level is tempting…

…Well, maybe a little.

But I don’t need it!

“Yes.”

“It has been quite some time since we entered the Tower.”

She quickly changed the subject.

“How are the preparations?”

After explaining yesterday’s strategy, she’d left all the details to Jehar.

He was exceptionally capable.

She’d assumed everything had gone smoothly.

Instead…

He gave an unexpected answer.

“A minor problem has arisen at the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“A problem?”

“We’ve gathered…”

“…slightly less than half the required personnel.”

Jehar hesitated before continuing.

“It seems an argument broke out while dividing them into the infiltration team and the defense team.”

“They were unhappy with how the assignments were determined.”

…Excuse me?

Her temper flared instantly.

The city was on the verge of being overrun if the barrier failed.

And this was what they were arguing about?

Sure…

Dark fantasy loved repaying goodwill with betrayal.

But there were limits.

Is a contract some kind of joke?

You’re seriously going to break it because your pride got hurt?

Seeing the dangerous look on her face, Jehar hurriedly added,

“The Guild Master assured me he’d have everyone in position before the operation begins.”

“You needn’t be too upset—”

“There are only a few hours until sunrise.”

“And he expects me to believe he’ll sort everything out before then?”

Camellia’s voice turned cold.

“Send word to the Guild Master.”

“Tell him…”

“…to come to the manor immediately.”