I Possessed a Game Where I Die If I Don’t Clear the Tower - Chapter 78

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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 78. Temporary Ally
To be fair, I hadn’t deliberately ignored Solandir.
The moment the plague source subjugation ended, I’d simply forgotten to remove him from my ally list—as if my work was done.
Since I couldn’t tell him the truth, I adopted a rather shameless attitude instead of placating the elf who’d stormed into the Reception Room.
“How rude. If you wished to converse, you should have made an appointment or requested an audience—not barged in like this.”
Solandir received my words with an expressionless face.
“Did you receive permission when you seized the World Tree’s branch?”
I couldn’t claim I hadn’t stolen it any more than I could admit I’d forgotten his existence.
I offered a bitter smile and gestured to the opposite side.
It was an invitation to sit, but Solandir remained standing as he spoke.
“There’s no need for lengthy conversation. You know why I’ve sought you out, don’t you? I’ve come to reclaim the World Tree’s branch you took from us.”
I didn’t answer him, instead resting my arm on the sofa’s backrest and studying him quietly.
As Solandir opened his mouth to speak again, he seemed to feel the pressure of my gaze and hesitated for a moment.
After a bit more time passed, as if accepting the inevitable, he finally sat on the opposite sofa.
Only then did I open my mouth with a composed expression, as if asking what had happened.
“Very well, let us have this conversation. What do you want from me?”
“Return the World Tree’s branch.”
“I asked what you want.”
Solandir’s porcelain-smooth face twisted faintly.
Engaging in a battle of wills with a Level 7 Spirit Mage and archer right before me was terrifying. Yet I couldn’t afford to back down.
Negotiations crumble the moment you appear weak. Even more so when dealing with a hostile opponent.
So I gathered every ounce of shamelessness and arrogance within me and adopted a haughty demeanor.
“Let me enlighten you, since you seem to be laboring under a misunderstanding—everything on this land, whatever it may be, belongs to me.”
I fixed him with a cold gaze.
“Did I steal the branch? No. You lost it. Because you were weak, pathetic, and foolish.”
“How dare you—!”
“How dare I? That’s what I should be saying. For over a decade you accomplished nothing, and the moment I lifted the city’s blockade, you come strutting back with your heads held high—and now you threaten the master of this land?”
I added with a cutting tone.
“Is retrieving the branch the will of the entire World Tree Kingdom? If they hadn’t lost their minds, they wouldn’t have sent just you alone.”
I knew he couldn’t answer easily.
‘I’ve already seen your entire character story, after all.’
[Solandir Rendil was an exceptional guardian.
He had protected the World Tree for four hundred years without a single failure.
But then came one mistake—truly catastrophic.
He failed to prevent the master of Nidst and the Tower’s administrator from stealing the branch.
“Please send me after them!”
Solandir had wanted to pursue the Tower’s administrator and retrieve the branch, but everyone refused.
After the Tower’s administrator returned to Nidst, they immediately forbade the entry of other races.
According to the ancient covenant, the elves could not break the rules set by the Tower’s administrator.
Thus, Solandir lost all means of recovering the World Tree’s branch.
The poor guardian’s noble pride was wounded, and he fell into deep despair.
Had Princess Kalariell, who was as precious to him as his own heart, not earnestly entreated him, he might have stepped down from his post as guardian.
Princess Kalariell’s requests did not end there.
“Solandir, you don’t have to confront your wounds directly. Sometimes, you must learn to look toward distant horizons.”
The wise princess encouraged him to venture beyond the kingdom’s borders to heal, and Solandir willingly followed her wishes.
Watching the World Tree wither and lose its branches had become unbearably painful for him.
Thus, Solandir Rendil spent decades beyond the kingdom as a wanderer, a traveler, an adventurer.
Then one day, shocking news reached his pointed ears.
“The Lord of Nidst has lifted the ban on non-human entry!”
In that moment, the wound that had festered within him for so long burst open, and blood began to flow.
Unable to bear the sudden, vivid pain that had resurfaced, Solandir shot to his feet.
And he eagerly set out on the journey to Nidst….]
Camilia recalled his story and pressed Solandir with her gaze.
‘You’re not the active World Tree guardian—you’re on leave and preparing. You’re in no position to defy the Lord of Nidst. What will you do when I refuse?’
And truthfully, even if a formal envoy had come instead of Solandir, I still couldn’t grant it now.
To open the workshop of the Previous Lord, who likely possessed the branch, I needed to break through at least fifty floors.
If he were willing to wait until then, there would be nothing I couldn’t give—but I had no desire to mention it first.
Level seven, elf or not, the one in need should bow.
‘I can build elf relations perfectly fine without you or the World Tree branch.’
For several minutes, I shot him a look filled with the resolve that I needed nothing from him.
Finally, Solandir lowered his eyes first.
His emotions had flared, and after clenching and unclenching his fists while taking deep breaths for a while, he lifted his head again to meet my gaze.
His expression remained fierce, but his tone was less aggressive than before.
“…What must I do for you to return the branch?”
Camilia let out a scoff. It meant his desperation was still insufficient.
“What must I do for you to return the branch? Please, I beg your wisdom.”
Now that his attitude was suitable for conversation, Camilia answered calmly.
“Nothing.”
“What do you mean….”
“It means I was planning to return it when the time comes.”
Solandir’s eyes widened at her unexpected answer.
Camilia chuckled softly and spoke.
“Why? Did you think I wanted something grand from you?”
I had never intended to use the branch as a bargaining chip in the first place.
Without such things, I could draw out the elves’ cooperation in countless ways.
How?
“Let me tell you—even if you take the branch, it will be difficult to heal the withering World Tree.”
“…!”
Like this.
“How… how do you know that!”
Perhaps it was because he desired the information so desperately—Solandir abandoned all pretense of composure, his entire body trembling with agitation.
“Then would I have laid hands upon the sacred relic of my race without reason?”
I packaged the Previous Lord’s reasoning with a subtle implication of ‘you had your reasons,’ and continued speaking.
“Since the opportunity presents itself, let me ask: what if breaking off that branch has granted me the knowledge to revive the World Tree?”
I smiled meaningfully, hoping my immutable charm would sustain him through this.
“And what if I were to place an exorbitant price upon it and sell that knowledge to you?”
[Solandir Rendil has pledged his allegiance to you!]
Duration: Until the World Tree’s Revival is Complete
Loyalty: 0/100
Affection: -50/100

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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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