Chapter 7:
The Lord Doesn’t Hold Back
“…The High Priest? Of the Scales?”
[Zehar al Rashid’s Loyalty has decreased.]
[Zehar al Rashid’s Affection has decreased.]
The moment Zehar heard who her newest party member was, system notifications flooded the screen.
“You intend to enter the Tower with someone who secretly infiltrated the territory for unknown reasons?”
He openly opposed her decision, but Camellia wasn’t intimidated in the slightest.
“You, of all people, should know the state my body is in.”
I’m not a max-level Lord anymore. I’m a level-one sickly Lord.
Without a healer, I’d be exhausted after walking a single lap around the training grounds.
And whose fault is that?
Yours.
If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t be complaining, you mastermind.
She didn’t hold back her reproachful glare.
Whether he understood what she truly meant or interpreted it another way, the sharpness around Zehar’s eyes softened.
“I was only worried about you, my Lady…”
“I know. Under the current circumstances, keeping a stranger close isn’t the wisest decision.”
Camellia lightly patted his arm and whispered,
“I only did it because I trust you. While you’re by my side, who would dare harm me?”
“…”
The effect was immediate.
[Zehar al Rashid’s Loyalty has increased.]
[Zehar al Rashid’s Affection has increased.]
As though nothing had happened, both his loyalty and affection returned to their previous values.
Camellia wasn’t surprised.
That’s just how Zehar is.
Seriously, he really does adore the Lord.
She gently patted him once more before glancing at Rohengrin.
See? Nothing to worry about.
She even gave him a faint smile to reassure him.
A look almost like shock flashed across Rohengrin’s blue eyes.
[Rohengrin Eschen’s Loyalty has increased.]
…Out of nowhere?
Well, higher loyalty was certainly welcome, but…
Curious, Camellia opened the detailed log.
The reason left her speechless.
- The Lord peacefully persuaded Zehar al Rashid! +2
Seriously?
His loyalty increased because of that?
By a full two points, no less. In game terms, that meant he had been deeply moved.
Did the previous Lord really work this guy to death? Why would something this trivial impress him so much?
…Then again.
Whatever. Higher loyalty is higher loyalty.
No point complaining if kindness produced results.
Satisfied, Camellia led the three of them into her office.
Then she got straight to business.
“We will begin conquering the Tower tomorrow.”
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The first floor of the Tower revolved around infiltration.
It was essentially the tutorial level designed to teach players the turn-based CRPG mechanic of sneaking past enemies without being detected.
The route was straightforward, roaming monsters were few, and veteran players like Camellia could reach the boss room with their eyes closed.
…Back when this was still a game.
Reality was different.
You couldn’t simply memorize the map and move party members to optimal positions every turn.
There was no overhead camera.
No pause button.
No spending an hour thinking through a single move.
Still, it wasn’t enough to worry her.
If she couldn’t even clear the gimmick on the first floor, she had no right to call herself a veteran.
Looking through the office window toward the Tower surrounded by its crimson barrier, Camellia said,
“I’ve heard the enemy commander has already left the Tower.”
Although the strongest monster remained sealed inside the boss room, there were still powerful enemies roaming each floor.
These were called Named Monsters or Boss-Class Monsters.
On the first floor, there were two:
- The Goblin King
- The Gnoll Warlord
Both commanded overwhelming numbers rather than intelligence.
As soon as the Tower’s seal weakened, they immediately rushed outside.
Even now, they were rampaging inside the barrier, taking out their frustration on adventurers trapped within.
“I intend to make them fight each other.”
With intelligence that low, mind-control magic would work perfectly.
Once the leaders started fighting, their followers would naturally join in.
If one side began losing, they’d call reinforcements from inside the dungeon.
And while all the monsters were busy outside…
Naturally, the first floor would be practically empty.
“After that, we’ll enter the Tower and restore the seal.”
Veteran Strategy No. 1.
Having trouble sneaking past enemies?
Then simply rob the house after everyone’s left.
Simple, isn’t it?
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Morning arrived.
The plan was flawless.
Preparations were complete.
Party assembled.
As servants helped her change into combat attire, Camellia checked her status window.
Party (4/4)
Synergy: None
Camellia Lord
Level: 1
Class: Mind Sorcerer
Rohengrin Eschen
Level: 3
Class: Knight
Zehar al Rashid
Level: 5
Class: Arcane Mage
Netanel Pragma
Level: 15
Class: Apostle of the Scales
It might seem strange that the Knight Commander was only Level 3 while the High Priest was already Level 15.
But Dark Tower was a low-power fantasy world.
Level 30 was the maximum.
Anyone above Level 20 was considered a Transcendent, something only certain rare races or extraordinary professions could achieve.
Level 15 was already close to the peak.
Levels 3 and 5 were also considered quite powerful.
Though Zehar’s real level definitely isn’t five.
Like any proper mastermind, he’d sealed away his true abilities and concealed both his class and level.
To see his real status, you either had to enter his romance route…
…or expose him as the mastermind.
The second option immediately triggered an event boss battle.
Never pick it.
The romance route wasn’t exactly safe either.
As a companion, Zehar was obedient and dependable.
As a lover…
He became the embodiment of obsession and jealousy.
If any companion under the Lord’s command reached over seventy affection, he’d either drive them away…
…or kill them.
Could you just carefully manage everyone’s affection and enjoy all the benefits?
Yeah, right.
Even in the game—where all you had to avoid were a few conversations and events—things frequently went wrong.
Believing perfect affection management was possible in real life, where random events happened constantly, wasn’t optimism.
It was delusion.
It’s fine.
I’m not missing out.
Even without unlocking his true form, Zehar’s still a Tier-One mage.
Forcing herself to stop staring wistfully at Zehar’s hidden level, Camellia looked away.
“My Lady, everything is ready.”
The preparations were complete.
She closed the status window and examined herself in the mirror.
Her long hair had been braided into a ponytail.
Considering her low stamina and strength, she’d chosen the lightest outfit possible:
A shirt.
Leather trousers.
A knee-length short robe.
Sturdy leather boots.
A dagger for self-defense.
And a waist pouch.
Not bad.
Back in the game she’d always worn whatever gave the best stats, often ending up looking like she’d dressed from a pile of rags.
Leaving the room, she found Zehar waiting in the corridor.
He, too, had exchanged his robes for lighter equipment suited for entering the Tower.
She expected him to greet her.
Instead, he simply stared blankly at her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well…”
His eyelashes trembled.
“It’s simply been so long since I’ve seen you dressed for battle.”
He smiled sadly.
“It finally feels real…”
“You’ve truly returned.”
“This isn’t a dream after all.”
Ugh…
The impact of those words nearly shattered even her firm resolve not to let her guard down around someone whose true identity she knew all too well.
She could almost hear phantom voices echoing in her ears.
“Everyone knows Zehar is the true heroine. Memorize it if you don’t.”
No, you demon.
Camellia desperately steeled her resolve against the devastating attack that was his face.
I’m only here to clear the Tower.
I’ll get the Normal Ending somehow.
There’s absolutely no room for obsessive, yandere romance in my plans.
His real level is tempting…
…Well, maybe a little.
But I don’t need it!
“Yes.”
“It has been a long time since I entered the Tower.”
She forcibly changed the subject.
“Is everything prepared?”
After explaining the strategy yesterday, she’d left the finer details to Zehar as Chief Steward.
He was incredibly capable, so she’d expected everything to be handled smoothly.
Instead, his answer surprised her.
“We’ve encountered a slight problem with the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“A problem?”
“Less than half the people have assembled.”
He hesitated before continuing.
“It seems there was some conflict when they were divided into the infiltration and defense teams.”
“Apparently some people were dissatisfied with how the groups were assigned based on ability.”
…What?
Instantly, anger surged through her.
Monsters were on the verge of breaking through the barrier and overrunning the city—
And this was the time they chose to argue?
Sure, betrayal was practically a defining feature of dark fantasy.
But there were limits.
Is a contract some kind of joke?
They’re backing out because they’re upset?
Sensing the dangerous edge to her anger, Zehar quickly added,
“The Guild Master assured me he’ll gather everyone before the operation begins.”
“You needn’t be too angry—”
“The sun will rise in only a few hours.”
“And he expects me to believe he’ll gather everyone by then?”
Camellia’s order was short and absolute.
“Send word to the Guild Master.”
“Tell him to come to the castle immediately.”
