PGCT 07

chapter 07

The Lord Doesn’t Hold Back

“…The High Priest? Of the Scales?”

[Jehar al Rashid’s Loyalty decreases.]

[Jehar al Rashid’s Affection decreases.]

The moment Jehar heard who her newly recruited party member was, the system notifications practically exploded.

“We do not even know why this person infiltrated the territory. And yet you intend to enter the Tower with someone like that?”

He openly objected, but Camellia did not back down in the slightest.

“You know my physical condition better than anyone, Jehar.”

I’m not some max-level lord anymore. I’m a sickly level 1 lord now.

Without a healer, I get shaky after walking a single lap around the training grounds.

And who’s responsible for making me like this?

You.

‘If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t be complaining, you mastermind villain.’

She shot him a fierce glare full of resentment.

Perhaps he understood exactly what she meant—or perhaps he simply wilted for another reason—but the sharp lift at the corner of Jehar’s eyes softened back into place.

“I’m merely worried about you, my lord…”

“I know. Keeping a stranger close at a time like this isn’t a wise choice.”

Camellia lightly tapped Jehar’s arm and whispered,

“I trust you, that’s why. With you at my side, who would dare harm me?”

“……”

The reaction was immediate.

[Jehar al Rashid’s Loyalty increases.]

[Jehar al Rashid’s Affection increases.]

As though the earlier drop had never happened, both his loyalty and affection returned to normal on their own.

Camellia wasn’t particularly surprised.

Jehar had always been this kind of character.

‘Seriously, he likes the lord way too much.’

She gently patted him once more. Then she casually met Lohengrin’s gaze.

‘See, Lohen? Nothing to worry about.’

She even gave him a small reassuring smile.

At that, something close to shock flickered across Lohengrin’s blue eyes.

[Lohengrin Eschen’s Loyalty increases.]

Suddenly?

I mean, sure, higher loyalty is good, but still.

Camellia immediately opened the detailed status window to check the reason for the unexpected increase.

And the answer she found was absurd.

—The Lord peacefully persuaded “Jehar al Rashid”! +2

Wait, that raises loyalty?

And by two whole points, no less. In game terms, that practically meant he’d been “deeply moved.”

Did the previous lord work this poor guy like a slave or something? Why’s he getting emotional over this?

‘…Well, whatever. An increase is an increase.’

It wasn’t as if kindness was a bad thing.

Thinking good is good, Camellia led the three of them into the office.

Then she got straight to the point.

“We move to conquer the Tower tomorrow.”

⸻

The concept of the first floor of the Tower was infiltration.

It was basically a tutorial floor designed to teach the classic turn-based CRPG mechanic of sneaking past enemies without being detected.

The route was straightforward, roaming monsters were few, and for a veteran player like Camellia, reaching the boss room with her eyes closed was easy.

‘…Back when this was a game, anyway.’

Reality was different.

In a game, all you had to do was memorize the map and place party members in the right positions each turn.

But real infiltration had no quarter-view perspective and no pause button.

You couldn’t spend an entire day thinking through your next move during your turn, either.

Still, it wasn’t exactly a crisis.

If she couldn’t even clear the gimmick of the first floor, could she really call herself a veteran?

Gazing at the Tower surrounded by magical barriers through the office window, Camellia spoke.

“I heard the enemy leaders have already come outside the Tower.”

The strongest monsters remained sealed in the boss room, but among the creatures wandering each floor, there were still especially dangerous ones.

Those were called leader monsters—or named monsters.

The named monsters of the first floor were the Goblin King and the Gnoll Lord.

Both relied on overwhelming numbers rather than intelligence, so the moment the Tower’s seal weakened, they immediately rushed outside.

Even now, they were rampaging within the barrier, venting their frustration on adventurers who had failed to escape in time.

“I intend to make them clash against each other.”

Since they were unintelligent, brainwashing would work well on them.

And once the leaders started fighting, their underlings would naturally join in.

If their numbers dwindled, they’d probably summon more of their kin from inside the dungeon too.

And if those monsters went berserk outside?

Naturally, the first floor would become empty.

“After that, we enter the Tower and repair the seal.”

Veteran strategy solution number one:

Having trouble with infiltration?

Then just rob the place after everyone leaves.

Simple, right?

⸻

Morning came.

The plan was flawless, and preparations were complete.

‘The party setup’s ready too.’

As Camellia changed into the combat outfit brought by her attendants, she checked the status window.

[Party] (4/4)

Synergy: None

Camellia Lord

Level: 1
Class: Mind Sorcerer

Lohengrin Eschen

Level: 3
Class: Knight

Jehar 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 level 15, but Dark Tower was a low-power setting.

Level 30 was the maximum level.

Anyone above level 20 was considered a transcendent being, something unattainable except for certain special classes or high-ranking races.

Level 15 was practically near the cap already, and even levels 3 and 5 were considered fairly strong.

‘Though Jehar’s real level definitely isn’t 5.’

Like the hidden mastermind he was, Jehar had placed restrictions on himself to conceal both his level and his class.

To see his true status, you either had to enter his romance route—or expose him as the mastermind.

Incidentally, choosing the latter immediately triggered an event boss battle, so that was absolutely not recommended.

Not that the romance route was much safer.

As a companion, Jehar was diligent and obedient.

As a lover, he became the embodiment of obsession and jealousy.

If any companion under the lord’s command reached affection level 70 or higher, he would either drive them away or outright eliminate them.

Couldn’t you just manage everyone’s affection carefully and reap all the benefits?

‘As if that’d work.’

Even in the game—where all you had to do was avoid certain dialogue options and events—things still frequently went wrong.

Believing she could perfectly manage affection levels in reality, where random events constantly occurred, wasn’t optimism.

It was delusion.

‘It’s fine. I’m not upset. Even without his unsealed version, Jehar’s still a top-tier mage.’

Camellia forcibly dragged her gaze away from Jehar’s level display and tried to calm herself down.

“My lord, preparations are complete.”

Right on time, the attendant finished helping her dress.

Camellia closed the status window and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her hair had been braided into a ponytail.

Considering her stamina and physical strength, she kept her outfit as light as possible: a shirt, leather pants, and a short knee-length robe.

Heavy leather boots.

A dagger for self-defense and a pouch hanging from her waist.

‘The equipment actually matches pretty well.’

In the game, she’d usually throw on whatever had the best stats and end up looking like she was wearing scraps.

Lost in pointless thoughts, she stepped into the hallway, where Jehar was already waiting.

He too had dressed lightly in preparation for entering the Tower, wearing a short robe and minimal gear.

Naturally, she expected him to greet her first.

Instead, he simply stared at her blankly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just… it’s been so long since I’ve seen you armed, my lord.”

Jehar’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he smiled faintly.

“It finally feels real. That you’ve truly returned. That this isn’t a dream…”

‘Ghk.’

Even though she knew exactly what he really was, the emotional impact of that line nearly shattered her resolve to stay cautious.

She could practically hear phantom voices in her ears.

—Everyone knows Jehar’s the true main husband.
If you don’t know, memorize it: “O.J.J.”

‘No, you demon.’

Camellia desperately steeled her resolve against the devastating attack on her heart.

I’m only focusing on the攻略.

I’m clearing the Tower and reaching the normal ending somehow.

There’s no room in that plan for obsessive, emotionally ruined, pure-love romance.

And Jehar’s true level might be a waste to lose… okay, maybe a little.

But I can survive without it!

“Right. It has been a long time since entering the Tower.”

Camellia forcibly changed the subject.

“How are the preparations for the operation?”

After explaining the overall strategy yesterday, she had left the details to Jehar, the steward.

Since he was absurdly competent, she expected everything to be handled smoothly.

Instead, she received an unexpected answer.

“There’s been a slight issue with the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“An issue?”

“We still don’t have even half the required personnel gathered.”

Jehar explained hesitantly.

Apparently, conflict had broken out while dividing people into the infiltration squad and the defense squad.

“Since the teams were assigned based on skill, some people seem dissatisfied with the arrangement.”

‘What the hell?’

Heat instantly rushed to her head.

Monsters were on the verge of breaking through the barrier and flooding the city, and this was what they were arguing about?

Sure, getting betrayed after showing generosity was part of dark fantasy tradition, but there had to be limits.

‘Is a contract some kind of joke? They’re threatening to break it because they’re upset?’

Perhaps sensing how dangerous her anger looked, Jehar hurriedly added,

“The Guild Master promised he’d gather everyone before the operation begins. There’s no need to be too angry—”

“With only a few hours left until sunrise? I doubt he’ll manage that.”

Camellia gave a short, cold order.

“Tell the Guild Master to come to the castle immediately.”