I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 47. The Middle Ground Between Misunderstanding and Truth
“It would be awkward to settle the wager immediately after the duel. Let’s do it tomorrow instead.”
The moment the duel ended, Lord Camilia declared this.
Vlad thought things had wrapped up reasonably well, but Mina clearly disagreed.
“Then, may we take our leave?”
“Very well.”
The instant she received Lord Camilia’s permission, she seized Vlad’s ear with an iron grip.
“…Follow me, you idiot.”
Mina huffed indignantly as she dragged him toward the private Alchemy Workshop that Lord Camilia had prepared for her.
Despite the sparse foot traffic in the surrounding area, she locked the door firmly before finally erupting.
“You fool, you absolute simpleton! Do you have a death wish? Are you trying to make Lord Camilia look ridiculous!? Why would you do something so reckless! What gives you the right to wager with me like that!?”
Vlad rubbed his throbbing ear as he responded.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? SORRRRRY!? You don’t even look sorry as you say it!?”
“Tormenting someone for lacking sincerity in their apology is unkind, Mina.”
“Kyaaaah!”
Cat ears sprouted atop Mina’s head once more. Her skirt rustled as her tail threatened to emerge.
She stomped her feet in uncontrollable fury.
“You promised you wouldn’t do assassination work or swordplay! If you were going to do this anyway, why did you run away with me in the first place!?”
“I’m sorry.”
“So stop just saying you’re sorry and—!”
Unable to bear her frustration any longer, Mina retrieved a potion from the satchel she always carried at her side and drank it.
“Phew, phew… Fine. I’ve calmed down.”
“That’s not a calming draught, is it?”
“Quiet! I need to understand exactly what happened between you and Lord Camilia. Tell me everything.”
Succumbing to her not-quite-a-threat, Vlad obediently revealed everything that had transpired days earlier.
“So… she said if you won, she’d overlook your intrusion into her chambers and your pestering about assassination requests, but you lost?”
“Yes.”
“…”
The situation was so dire that Mina felt the urge to abandon everything and flee.
‘But… fleeing won’t be easy either…’
Mina glanced around the workshop.
It was difficult to believe the workshop had been assembled in just a single day after they arrived—it was far too perfect.
Advanced equipment that only an alchemist capable of creating elixirs—one who possessed the Philosopher’s Stone—would need had been provided.
What could be the reason for preparing such equipment?
‘Lord Camilia must be… No, she’s certain that I possess the Philosopher’s Stone.’
I had stolen the Philosopher’s Stone from my Master during our escape. Yet I had never used it even once.
I had kept it secret even from Vlad, just to be safe.
But the fact that she had prepared equipment capable of utilizing the Philosopher’s Stone was unmistakably a warning.
‘I know everything, so don’t harbor any foolish thoughts.’
If Camilia, who had decorated the Alchemy Workshop without much thought, just copying what she’d seen in games, had heard this, she would have protested with a wounded heart: “No… I was just trying to do well…” But such was the misunderstanding she’d invited upon herself.
However, the perceptive and intelligent alchemist had already stacked misunderstandings upon themselves without prompting.
“Did you do something so foolish knowing what Lord Camilia would propose as the price of the bet? You really…”
What should I do? All this innocent(?) one knows how to do is kill people…
Unlike Mina, who was filled with worry, Vlad remained utterly composed.
“It’s fine, sister. Lord Camilia said she doesn’t need someone like me.”
“How can you say it’s fine after hearing that? Think about it! She picked a fight with someone useless—do you really think she’ll let you live?”
Mina continued to grab and shake him, but ultimately gained nothing from it.
Not knowing what Lord Camilia would demand of him, she only trembled more—one could say she’d suffered a loss.
It was the next day after spending the night awake with worry.
“The Lord summons both of you.”
Lord Camilia’s personal Maid had finally arrived.
Terrified, she struck Vlad, who was mumbling through boiled pork liver served for breakfast without even responding, and clenched her fists tightly.
If it came to that, if it truly came to that, she would have to offer even the Sage’s Stone she possessed to save this fool…
“Soon I’ll be entering The Tower with Mina Alkes. Vlad de Vil, you’ll participate as well.”
Even after Lord Camilia finished speaking, Mina waited a while longer.
She was certain there would be more—something beginning with “And your punishment is…”
But it seemed that was all.
Lord Camilia looked at Vlad and Mina as if asking why they weren’t responding.
“Do you dislike it? If you’ve caused trouble, you should at least bear this much.”
“…Are you truly forgiving us with just this?”
“What’s the big deal about one bat hiding away?”
Camilia answered indifferently, then turned her gaze to Vlad de Vil, whose face had grown sullen.
“Vlad de Vil. This is both a punishment I’m imposing on you and an opportunity.”
“…You said earlier that someone like me isn’t needed when going to The Tower.”
“I still believe that. But it seemed wrong to tell you not to live like your parents and then offer you no alternative path.”
Vlad de Vil stared at her for a moment, then asked.
“What if I said I have no interest in receiving such an opportunity?”
“You’ll regret it.”
Lord Camilia neither smiled nor grew angry. Her expression was indifferent, as if stating an obvious truth.
“If you wish to do so, then do it. That too is your choice.”
“…”
Both Vlad de Vil and Mina instinctively understood.
If they didn’t follow this person’s words, they would surely regret it enough to die.
‘If he receives this opportunity, what happens? Does Vlad de Vil become part of Lord Camilia’s forces?’
It was terrifying, yet at the same time, reassuring.
Beneath the shell of an extraordinarily beautiful woman lay a monster who had lived a thousand years.
A monster who had protected The Tower for a millennium, standing alone against greedy kings, mages who coveted mysteries, and sects seeking to destroy The Tower.
Perhaps this person could easily stop even Master and the terrifying Assassination Unit leader.
Mina swallowed dryly and spoke.
“Y-yes, I’ll work hard, Lord Camilia. I’ll work even harder to make up for this idiot—I mean, Vlad’s share too. So…”
Whether moved by her desperate determination or harboring his own thoughts, Vlad also softened his stubborn demeanor.
“…Fine. I’ll just follow along and work hard.”
[Mina Alkes’s loyalty has increased.]
[Vlad de Vil’s loyalty has increased.]
[Vlad de Vil’s favorability has increased.]
Camilia stared at the consecutive notifications appearing before her, somewhat bewildered.
‘What? Did my words sound like a threat or something?’
It was merely a simple proposal I’d offered to test the system’s leveling effects through Vlad, yet both of them reacted unusually.
Even when I pressed “More Details” to understand the reasons for the loyalty and favorability increases, all that appeared were cryptic messages like “Wishing to repay the opportunity granted by the Lord!”
‘Do Mina and Vlad share the same taste as our Rohen—preferring a stern and dignified lord? This is intense…”
Regardless, one problem was solved.
Now all that remained was assembling the party.
Fortunately, there was no need to rack my brains this time.
Gold grinding benefits from having more party members, after all.
Therefore, I planned to bring everyone available.
‘Oh, right. Except Zehar Al Rashid.’
His city reputation is in ruins, so it’s unavoidable.
I’m not sorry, so the lord is sorry, Zehar Al Rashid…

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