I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 19

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 19. I Apologize for Being Weak
Camilia didn’t let herself get carried away by momentary victories.
She knew all too well that if she started looking down on this world’s people just because she’d heard a few exclamations like “My lord, a terrifying genius? Amazing! I’m so interested!”—she could easily find herself in grave danger.
The truth was, I only appeared impressive by exploiting an information gap; in reality, I was far from remarkable.
Without the aid of traits like Immortal Charm or Mirror-Clear Wisdom, I would have died long ago.
‘Remember this. One misstep and you’re finished.’
The fact that a few words could easily raise loyalty and affection meant they could just as easily be torn down.
If I made a careless mistake and they thought, “Hmm, not as impressive as I thought,” the expectation debuff would make everything twice as catastrophic.
Just as it had been with Zehar Al Rashid, my conversation with Netanel had succeeded largely through luck.
If she had been a science-minded person who didn’t know the first thing about administration—only how to make soap or gunpowder—would this outcome have been possible?
‘I’m incompetent. I have six stamina. One hit and I’m done for.’
After sternly reminding myself not to grow complacent, I spoke as though the gazes of admiration and suspicion were nothing new to me.
“Then I shall entrust the city’s administration entirely to you, Netanel. You may withdraw.”
“What? You’re sending me away right after giving me the work?”
“Consider it a courtesy.”
“That’s usually just an excuse, but… there really is a lot of work, isn’t there?”
Tax reform, standardizing ledger-keeping, re-educating the tax collectors—all while managing the city itself. There was no shortage of tasks.
Yet Netanel didn’t grimace; instead, he smiled with genuine anticipation.
“To prepare everything within a month, there’s truly so much to do. Oh, I can take these ledgers with me, yes?”
“If you wish.”
Though he remained wary of my intentions, Netanel was so delighted at having been entrusted with the work that he hummed softly as he left the chamber.
It was behavior that a modern person wouldn’t understand, but by Dark Tower’s standards, it was perfectly normal.
‘In this world, priests are philosophers and activists rolled into one.’
Through tax reform, the Golden Scales’ doctrine of “fair exchange” would spread far and wide—how could he not be overjoyed?
He would labor with full dedication without needing any supervision.
‘Netanel is happy, and though I was cautious, I’ve managed to secure the labor of a voluntary administrative… no, an administrative expert. That benefits me as well.’
It was a satisfying arrangement.
With that thought, I looked up at my last remaining companion in the Audience Chamber.
Zehar Al Rashid, who had been glowering at Netanel’s retreating back, instantly transformed his expression into one of pitiful innocence the moment he sensed my gaze.
It was clearly meant to convey his dislike of the man, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly.
“You disapprove so strongly?”
“My lord hired him directly, so surely my personal preferences are irrelevant?”
Zehar Al Rashid spoke with deference, yet added one more thing.
“Though if you would permit it, I would like to correct his rude and presumptuous manner.”
He meant that it bothered him how Netanel dared to talk back to his lord so freely and tell him what to do.
The right move here was to either play along or take Netanel’s side.
“There’s no need. He’s not a permanent retainer—why bother correcting someone who’ll leave when the time comes?”
I deployed the sophisticated divide-and-conquer technique only a lord could use: ‘He’s a contractor; you’re permanent staff.’
“I suppose that’s true, but…”
“You need only concern yourself with me.”
I disguised it as reproach while casting, “You don’t need to worry about such trivial matters. You’re precious to me.”
The barrage of techniques all hit their mark with critical precision, and Zehar Al Rashid’s cheeks flushed crimson as he obediently lowered his gaze.
“…Yes, my Lord.”
“Good. Now let’s attend to the next matter.”
“Pardon?”
Zehar Al Rashid’s pleased expression instantly transformed into bewilderment.
‘You’re working again?’
His eyes posed the question wordlessly.
Camilia crossed her legs to avoid the increasingly sharp pain radiating from her tailbone and made her declaration.
“Summon the Adventurer Guild Master. I need to hear a direct report on this incident.”
Zehar Al Rashid hesitated before carefully opening his mouth.
“My Lord, the sun has completely set. Perhaps you should rest for today…?”
“Does darkness prevent people from walking?”
“But…”
Zehar Al Rashid wavered to the end, but he couldn’t withstand the silent pressure Camilia exuded.
Finally, with drooping eye corners, he sent forth a magically-crafted messenger bird.
‘How could I not understand your heart, Zehar Al Rashid?’
Villain or not, his devotion to the Lord was genuine.
But just as the universe doesn’t answer desperate wishes, genuine feelings alone couldn’t solve problems.
To survive after being exposed for relying on flimsy game knowledge, I needed far more practical measures.
In an ordinary fantasy game, friendship, trust, and camaraderie built through shared conquest would be reliable. But in a treacherous game like the Dark Tower, the only things I could trust were higher levels, greater stats, and a wider arsenal of spell skills.
‘I need to clear the second floor this month… no, the third floor by month’s end.’
To do that, I had to resolve all territorial management today.
The embezzlement investigation ate up time, but there was no helping it.
So be it.
I’d work through the night until I collapsed.
‘This frail body can hold out until midnight. By then, I’ll have summoned all the administrators!’
After sending the messenger bird, Camilia turned to Zehar Al Rashid and issued another command.
“Tell the guards and the Harbor Master to arrive early and stand by.”
Camilia ignored the trembling in Zehar Al Rashid’s eyes and gripped the armrest of her chair.
Let’s go.
The next morning, what greeted Camilia was muscle soreness and a low fever.
‘Ugh, this is infuriating.’
I hadn’t even done much. I’d simply sat in the cold Audience Chamber for six straight hours in this frail body.
Yet here I was, groaning as if I’d contracted a fatal illness.
‘I need to figure out my stamina first… no, wait. Absolutely not. Raw stats must be
*
Min-Maxed
(Min-Maxing: the practice of concentrating stat investment solely on necessary attributes to maximize character efficiency)
.’
Stamina could be covered through alchemical potions or equipment.
Filling exactly 100,000 would solve the problem without issue, but I couldn’t waste precious early-game stat points on it.
With that thought, Camilia rang the bell.
Zehar Al Rashid entered through the door almost immediately, followed by a flood of maids rushing in.
Camilia stared at them intently. These weren’t the maids I’d grown familiar with over the past few days—they were entirely new faces.
Zehar Al Rashid seemed to notice her gaze and spoke carefully.
“There were some problematic individuals among the attendant maids, so I’ve reorganized the staff. If it’s inconvenient, shall I bring back the previous ones?”
“If I were going to do that, I wouldn’t have entrusted the Inner Castle to you. Well done. I appreciate your swift handling of matters.”
There’s no point in stopping someone who’s working hard.
Camilia praised him readily, and Zehar Al Rashid smiled shyly before gesturing to the maids.
As I received assistance with my clothes, reports naturally followed.
The Head Maid’s assets had been seized entirely, the Mayor and those under him had been sent to the Mines, and so forth.
“…That’s all that’s been completed so far.”
Though he made it sound trivial, considering all this had happened after I’d collapsed into near-unconsciousness, it was remarkably swift work.
This too was deeply satisfying.
At this rate, I could challenge The Tower’s second floor within the week.
‘I’d like to bring Shusu along if possible.’
Since the game mechanics themselves had changed, there was much to experiment with.
Unlike the soulless Shusu, I needed to see how the ensouled Shusu would respond to mental magic.
‘Characters with low Intelligence and Wisdom typically have weak resistance to mental magic, so there shouldn’t be immediate issues, but… one can never be too careful.’
Camilia grasped the hem of her robe dress draped over her slender frame and decided on today’s first task.
“What is Nashu Shumel, whom I left in Rohengreen’s care, doing?”
According to what Zehar Al Rashid told me, Nashu Shumel had been led by Rohengreen’s hand toward the Training Grounds since dawn.
As I walked through the corridor leading to the Knight Order Training Grounds, I furrowed my brow in thought.
‘That Rohengreen dragged Shusu to the Training Grounds in less than a day? Something seems off.’
Rohengreen Ashen was a cautious man.
Even with a lord’s command, he wouldn’t suddenly drag a maid who’d never held a sword to the Training Grounds.
I’d expected him to observe and assess her for at least several days before beginning her training.
‘Well, I’ll find out when I get there.’
Upon arriving at the Knight Order Training Grounds.
The first thing Camilia saw was large, muscular men collapsed on the ancient stone floor.
“My lord…? What brings you here at this hour?”
Next came Rohengreen Ashen standing with a bewildered expression, and Shusu sobbing uncontrollably while clutching her straw-like twin braids like a towel.
Camilia looked at the collapsed men again.
They all bore marks of having been beaten, their complexions poor, yet their faces were familiar.
‘Knight Order members… right?’
Knight Order members were NPCs and couldn’t be recruited as companions, but their performance wasn’t poor.
Whenever territorial defense battles or assassination events occurred, they always pulled their weight.
Most were level 2 or higher, and each carried at least three basic skills.
Yet here were all these reliable, dependable knights lying flat on their backs.
Camilia slowly lifted her head to gaze at Shusu.
Surely not you?
At that very insinuation, the girl who had been hiccupping and desperately holding back tears since Camilia entered the room suddenly turned ashen and cried out.
“Y-you’re just too weak… *hiccup*… I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I apologize for knocking down all those knights…!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————