I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 68

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

Chapter 68. Emergency Quest
Camilia found herself at a loss for words at Netanel Fragma’s bold assertion.
Wasn’t this gambling rather than investment?
Yet she couldn’t very well back out when he was willing to bet on her like this.
Camilia tapped the armrest of her chair and made her declaration.
“Very well. From today onward, Noma Sterea, you shall be the Mayor. I delegate all city administrative authority to you, excluding security matters which remain under the Guard Corps.”
“Surely you’re not intending to process the mayoral appointment through a verbal contract alone?”
Rather than answer, Camilia gestured to Zehar Al Rashid.
Zehar Al Rashid, his expression openly displeased, produced the prepared letter of appointment and deed of authority, handing them to Noma Sterea.
Noma Sterea accepted both documents willingly, speaking with a gentle smile.
“Within days, I shall bring results that will satisfy you.”
At those words, Camilia felt a slight sense of bewilderment.
Though Netanel Fragma had worked diligently, there remained mountains of overdue ledgers to organize. The tax reform proposal hadn’t even been solidified yet.
What results could possibly be achieved in such a timeframe?
A week later, Camilia witnessed firsthand the results Noma Sterea had promised.
“Please spare me! I’ll pay the taxes, just please spare my life!”
“Wahhhhh, I shall never again attempt to bribe a City Hall administrator…!”
“I won’t smuggle, I won’t smuggle, I won’t smuggle…!”
Noma Sterea had gathered together in the center of the Plaza every delinquent guild that hadn’t paid taxes, merchants who’d attempted to bribe their way through checkpoints, smugglers, and more—all bound and restrained.
She adjusted her gleaming spectacles and spoke.
“The Territory’s people lack sufficient firewood, so burning would be far too extravagant. Therefore, I’ve decided to proceed with stoning.”
Camilia, seated in a carriage alongside Netanel Fragma and observing the Plaza, maintained her silence.
She’d come to the Plaza specifically to witness these promised results, yet here awaiting her was a live broadcast of a stoning execution.
Still, she couldn’t afford to show alarm.
She responded with measured composure.
“…I see. Stoning, then.”
“Yes. As you can observe, they are all quite enthusiastic about it.”
Indeed, everyone surrounding the Plaza appeared delighted, clutching stones of unknown origin as they waited—they seemed genuinely pleased.
As a result, the modern sensibilities within Camilia grew somewhat troubled.
Smuggling was certainly a serious crime, granted. But were tax delinquency and bribery truly offenses warranting death by stoning?
As if sensing Camilia’s misgivings, Noma Sterea’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Fear not, Lord Camilia. The administrator—not the Priest—has prepared healing magic for this purpose.”
Even if they had committed crimes, they remained the Territory’s people and couldn’t be allowed to perish.
Thus, Noma Sterea explained, she would periodically cast healing magic to ensure the criminals didn’t actually die from the stones.
Afterward, they would proceed directly to the labor camps to work or pay their fines.
So it was essentially a public participation form of flogging?
Still, it seemed excessively brutal.
Rohengreen Ashen, standing guard outside the carriage, voiced the question that represented Camilia’s troubled thoughts.
“Mayor, is stoning truly necessary?”
“Of course it is!”
Noma Sterea spoke, her golden eyes gleaming with intensity.
“Humans can only find answers through suffering. If we fail to demonstrate the consequences of breaking contracts, how can we expect anyone to obey the law?”
Her words carried a touch of madness, yet they were not without merit.
Managing a dungeon city like Nidst, where every criminal syndicate and power-hungry faction converged, required harsh measures.
To prove she was nothing like the corrupt Mayor who had preceded her, this display of authority was necessary.
The inhabitants of Nidst, true to their dark fantasy world, barely flinched at ordinary atrocities.
Still, I could not simply permit a public torture spectacle without verification. At minimum, I needed to confirm the facts.
“What exactly are their crimes?”
Noma readily recited their detailed charges.
From her account, I learned the tax evader had embezzled not only guild fees but also the wages of craftsmen.
The bribe-taker had been caught attempting to cover up deliveries of grain mixed with stones and rotting meat.
The last was a genuine monster—he had murdered a witness and stabbed a guard to conceal his smuggling operation.
True to her nature as a heretic inquisitor, she had selected criminals who truly deserved to be stoned.
After her explanation, I activated my mind-reading ability to verify the facts myself.
‘I see.’
My decision came easily.
“There’s no reason to keep the smuggler alive.”
“Of course not. Why would we spare a murderer? Once we learn where he’s hidden his contraband, we can proceed immediately—”
I already knew that answer. I had just read it from his mind.
“It will be aboard an old ship docked at the Harbor, in a district near the Underground Sewers. There’s a skull embroidered on the sail, so it should be easy to find.”
Noma flinched momentarily, but she recovered her composure with the practiced ease of a seasoned heretic inquisitor.
“Yes, understood. I will handle it at once.”
“See that you do.”
I continued without emotion.
“Your competence is not lacking. I acknowledge you possess the skill to warrant confidence. However, excess is never desirable.”
I gazed down at Noma quietly, the unspoken question hanging in the air: did she understand?
It meant not to conduct stonings too frequently, and certainly not to stone petty criminals.
I had worried my words might circle too much due to my immortal charm for her to grasp properly, but Noma proved her competence without difficulty.
“Of course, Lord Camilia. I shall ensure all matters are handled with such efficiency that you need not concern yourself.”
【Perhaps once a month, focusing on those with the gravest crimes, would satisfy you.】
Both her spoken words and her true thoughts were perfectly calibrated.
Satisfied, I turned my gaze to Rohengreen Ashen, who stood outside the carriage.
“We’ve seen enough. Let us depart for the Underground Sewers construction site.”
The Knight Commander, whose expression had grown somewhat strained, seemed relieved by my decision and moved with haste.
“Yes, Lord Camilia. We shall depart immediately.”
Noma appeared disappointed that I had not allowed her to complete the stoning demonstration, yet she released me without protest.
As the carriage began moving again, Netanel Fragma, who had been sitting quietly across from me, asked with a gentle smile.
“So, are you satisfied with the new Mayor?”
“She is acceptable.”
“Of course. I went to considerable lengths with the Religious Order to recruit someone who could meet your exacting standards.”
He made a show of his accomplishment, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together as he spoke.
“The Golden Fleece Trading Company’s branch is also in its final stages. So what I meant to say was….”
“The gold is being prepared smoothly, so there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll have it delivered to Horan shortly.”
“As expected of you, my lord—you’re always one step ahead. By the way, the task you entrusted to Horan is also progressing well. I heard he’s already made contact.”
I’d given him a hint, but he’d already made contact with the eccentric from the Magic Tower?
It seemed the position of vice-director at the Golden Fleece Trading Company wasn’t obtained through mere luck.
Everything was proceeding flawlessly—I couldn’t have asked for better.
“My lady, we’ve arrived.”
“Very well.”
Delighted by the progress, I opened the carriage door and took Rohengreen Ashen’s offered hand as he helped me down, thinking to myself.
At this rate, I’d soon be able to focus entirely on conquering The Tower.
[Urgent Quest] The Plague of the Underground Sewers
Beneath your territory lies an ancient waterway.
All that has been discarded has sunk into its depths.
Yet not everything remains submerged.
Beneath the stagnant waters, something putrid and vile is rising to the surface.
Objective
Identify the source of the plague
Reward
Origin of the Plague Lord
???
???
Time Limit: 72 hours 2 minutes 15 seconds
If not for the Quest window that blazed into view the moment the entrance to the Underground Sewers appeared.
I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in shock.
‘…What? Why is a plague Quest appearing now?’

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