I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 48

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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 48. Preparing for Entry
“You’ve only just recovered. And now you’re saying you’ll enter The Tower again?”
The moment Camilia declared she would visit The Tower soon, concern etched itself across Zehar Al Rashid’s face.
And the instant she added ‘without you,’ a chill threaded through that concern, but there was no helping it.
‘You can’t complain, Zehar. It’s your own fault for being so charming, politically astute, processing documents swiftly every single day, and being such an all-around capable worker even with household management.’
Camilia gently tapped the back of Zehar Al Rashid’s hand.
“I won’t be touching the Seal Chamber. So there’s no need to worry so much.”
“…You said the same thing last time—that you were only taking a brief look.”
“Do you want to hear me begging from my own lips? Should I cling to you pleading to be sent?”
As Camilia applied subtle pressure with a mixture of jest and reproach, Zehar Al Rashid’s sharp eyes finally softened.
“How could I do that? It’s just…I worry so much.”
He whispered while gauging her reaction.
“Even if we set aside Commander Ashen, the others are people I cannot trust. And they haven’t been by your side for long.”
‘The Rohengreen you trust has loyalty of 80, and Netanel Fragma and Shusu are at 100? You really have no eye for people, you schemer.’
This was exactly why the Previous Lord had deceived him—she decided not to harbor the same dark thoughts.
Instead of tapping his hand again, she gently squeezed it and whispered.
“You can’t use yourself as the standard, Zehar. How could there be anyone to trust then?”
She had merely deflected saying she trusted him most, but it proved quite effective on Zehar Al Rashid.
The red butterfly mark on his cheek disappeared as his entire face flushed crimson.
-Well, after all it’s me….
‘Hush. Be quiet.’
Camilia swiftly suppressed the devil’s whisper echoing in her mind and spoke with emphasis.
“I entrust this to you. Care well for the City.”
“…Only if you promise to return safely.”
“If mere words can put your mind at ease, then of course I must keep them. I promise I will return safely.”
Zehar Al Rashid nodded despite his anxiety.
With that, I had successfully sealed away the schemer’s concerns.
What came next was simple. Preparing for entry.
“In two days’ time, I will enter The Tower.”
Camilia gathered her companions and made her declaration.
“Each of you should prepare what you need, and if anything is lacking, make your requests known.”
In the game, she had prepared supplies directly for them, but in reality, that wasn’t possible. She had given them only guidance and ordered them to manage on their own.
The Tower was a space cut off from the outside world, so it required far more supplies than one might think.
Oil, rope, water, some rations, eating utensils, cloth for washing and spare clothes, equipment maintenance tools, and so on.
Suddenly, Vlad raised his hand with a completely unbothered expression and asked.
“What if we don’t have money for equipment?”
“I will cover all expenses, so don’t worry about funds.”
However, the final inspection of equipment and organizing the contents of their packs were tasks each would handle themselves.
After explaining this point, Vlad nodded in understanding.
“The Lord is surprisingly kind. Explaining all this.”
“Y-yes, the Lord has always taken good care of me!”
Nashu chimed in with evident pride.
“She teaches me so much about The Tower, and when I memorize things well, s-she even gives me rewards. I got candy before.”
Mina’s expression grew somewhat peculiar at this, but I paid it no mind. I stroked Nashu’s head and responded with perfect composure.
“That’s right. You did learn quite well back then.”
Then I lowered my voice conspiratorially.
“So when you go in this time, you’ll review what you learned. If you’ve forgotten anything….”
“W-wait! If I f-forget?”
“Then there will be no candy.”
“…!”
Nashu’s expression grew serious, but the same could not be said for the others watching.
Netanel burst into open laughter.
“You certainly are mischievous, employer.”
“I’m serious. The Tower always tries to devour the ignorant first.”
Despite the somewhat eerie words, no one seemed intimidated.
‘Good. The atmosphere isn’t bad at all.’
I glanced over my party members and began in earnest.
“…So, inside The Tower, no matter what happens, you must obey my commands. It’s more important than anything else.”
My gaze finally settled on Vlad.
“Can you swear to that as well?”
“…What if I say I can’t? Will you not take me?”
Truly, a carefree attitude befitting someone with -50 loyalty.
As a result, a small crease appeared between Rohengreen’s brows.
Mina seemed to be deliberating whether to pinch his arm.
As for me, I wasn’t bothered in the slightest.
【I’ve never done party combat before…】
I was reading all of Vlad’s thoughts through mind-reading, and besides, speaking so openly made it easier to broach my next proposal.
“Then could you contract to obey my commands under certain conditions, no matter the circumstance?”
“If necessary…?”
“Then that will do. Netanel.”
I gestured to Netanel.
The quick-witted priest understood what I intended and extended his hand first.
“The notarization fee is paid upfront. There are no exceptions, even for an employer.”
I silently placed three gold coins into his palm.
Netanel pocketed the coins, brushed off his robes, and clasped his hands together.
“Under the protection of the Golden Scales, I shall arrange a sacred contract. Swear your oath.”
I responded in a light tone.
“Vlad de Vil shall receive a binding oath.”
During the Tower exploration to take place in two days, he shall obey my commands at all times.
Exceptions: when his own life is in danger. And when Mina Alkes’s life is in danger.
“The seal will be lifted the moment we exit The Tower.”
Netanel murmured a soft prayer before turning his gaze toward Vlad.
“Do you accept the contract under these conditions?”
“What exactly are you doing here…?”
Netanel answered with a gentle, smiling face to the somewhat bewildered boy.
“The Golden Scales is the deity of commerce and trade. We also oversee the notarization of contracts.”
“So you’re guaranteeing whether something is true or false?”
“Precisely.”
Vlad studied Netanel quietly.
And he also observed Camilia’s face.
Camilia met his gaze with feigned composure, though she was somewhat tense.
‘I have no idea how he’ll react, so I’m a bit nervous….’
Vampires are naturally born with the ability to use fascination.
Vlad’s own birth came about through that very fascination.
Therefore, the probability that he would have an aversion to mental magic was quite high.
‘Still, I need to confirm it.’
It was better to clarify things than to be caught off guard without knowing.
He might show extreme resistance, but we’re prepared for that as well.
If necessary, I could have him focus on equipment crafting or….
“My lord, are you a witch?”
‘Huh?’
The reaction was surprisingly mild.
But it seemed to sound like a provocation to Rohengreen Ashen. The loyal knight cleared his throat and looked at her.
‘My lord, would it be alright if I disciplined this disrespectful wretch a little?’
Sensing roughly that meaning, Camilia gave a light wink indicating it was fine.
Vlad wasn’t trying to insult her—he was simply confirming something.
A sorceress who uses mental magic is very likely a witch.
‘More precisely, there’s a high probability she belongs to the Puppet Wandering Troupe.’
The Puppet Wandering Troupe is a sorceress clan composed of mental magic specialists.
Just from the name of the organization, you can tell they’re not doing good deeds.
Rather, they could be called villains among villains.
Two of them have their names on the Empire’s list of enemies, and some even work as executives in the Assassination Unit.
By the way, the witch who burned the village of Ken and Lena, both S-rank adventurers, also belongs to the Troupe.
Truly, you could call them a group with a long and sordid history of depravity.
‘It’s also connected to the Mind Sorcerer job story.’
But since I had no intention of doing that quest even if I died, Camilia shamelessly insisted.
“The witches of the Troupe? I have no connection with them. But if you’re asking whether I can do something similar… yes, I can.”
Despite the honest admission, Vlad’s attitude didn’t change much.
The boy folded his arms and pondered before asking.
“If I become useful without the seal, does my value increase?”
“It won’t be sufficient without proper restrictions.”
“You’re demanding. Fine, I’ll accept the seal.”
Mina startled and seized Vlad’s sleeve.
“Vlad, magic of this nature affects the brain….”
“It’s fine.”
Vlad answered without concern and turned his gaze toward Camilia.
“Place the seal on me. That settles it, doesn’t it?”
‘…What is this? He can actually do this?’
He pays no mind to mental magic whatsoever?
Was Vlad truly this audacious?
But if he was genuinely unaffected, then I had just acquired a Level 6 assassin as a combat operative.
[Special Quest Appeared]
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward: Vlad de Vil (Level 6)
-Quest in Progress!
‘…Could this actually be a character I can recruit as an ally?’
I had dismissed it, thinking the Dark Tower had deceived me, but this was a genuine recruitment quest after all?
I thought I’d drawn a blank, yet suddenly I’d won the lottery.
Should I complete the quest then? Could there be another one after this?
“Won’t you place it?”
Vlad asked again, as if I’d been lost in thought for too long.
Snapping back to attention, I returned to my dignified demeanor as lord and answered.
“No, let’s begin.”

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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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