Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Preparations for the Journey
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Tarros's Tower.
Around the massively towering spire, adventurers gathered, naturally forming a city.
In the game, it was a dungeon-type tower that protagonist Emily and her companions used as a grinding spot to build up their abilities through combat.
And once they'd gained a certain level of strength, they would leave the tower—nothing more than a training ground.
That's why, unlike the mansion event, Tarros's Tower wasn't programmed to be clearable.
'In the game, …but now that it's become reality, things are different.'
Like the mansion event, the tower—which had been absolutely impossible to clear under the game's programming—now held real potential.
Now, it all came down to what I did.
And above all, there was a reason I had to clear the tower.
The anticipated clear reward.
Just as the mansion event's reward was ownership of the mansion itself, the tower offered a clear reward anyone could guess.
The residents of the city built around Tarros's Tower often spoke of this legend.
Those who cleared the tower would obtain an ancient artifact.
An artifact infused with a god's power, capable of altering the past.
A legend no citizen of the Lillias Kingdom could ignore.
That's why Adrian dismissed my words as nonsense.
"You're talking foolishness. That tower appeared four hundred years ago, yet no one's ever reached the top."
His reaction was only natural.
In the lore, you could obtain the legendary artifact, but it was specifically designed to prevent clearing.
So of course, no one had reached the tower's end.
But that was this world's history.
I, a player who had played the game...
━Had reached that tower's final floor.
So I replied confidently to the skeptical Adrian.
"No one's reached it yet, but that doesn't make it impossible."
"…Even supposing you could reach the top. Why should I believe you can?"
"I get why I don't inspire confidence. But please keep this in mind."
Sure, my unremarkable build didn't scream power.
"I'm a man who died once... and came back to life."
"……."
He knew the demon king's forces had infiltrated this place not long ago.
And he knew I'd died in that incident.
After all, he'd been the one to tell Emily about my death.
He'd confirmed it himself—my body, cold and lifeless.
No illusion, no magic. My actual corpse.
Yet here I was, alive.
That was an indisputable fact.
"……You can really reach it? The top of that tower?"
Adrian's expression still screamed disbelief as he asked.
He might not believe me, but deep down, he wanted to.
Humans have always been drawn to miracles.
He wanted to protect this kingdom.
And if reaching the tower's peak and clearing the labyrinth could change the past...
There'd be no safer way to shield the kingdom from the demon king.
So I nodded firmly.
"Believe in me just once. I'll show you a miracle."
Adrian fell silent, his thoughts unreadable, as I smiled at him.
He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
And after a moment...
"So how do you plan to assemble the party? You aren't thinking of tackling it solo, are you?"
"Of course not. …You're actually the first I've told. …For now, I plan to bring Rafne."
While I was gone, the demon king's army might infiltrate the academy.
I couldn't leave Rafne behind.
Besides, she was someone I had to protect—and one of the academy's top powerhouses.
She was essential for conquering the tower.
Adrian nodded at that.
"Understood. Then I'll come along too."
"……Pardon?"
"Why the surprise? I have a duty to protect Rafne from the demon king. Where she goes, I go."
Thinking about it, that made perfect sense.
A slip-up during the journey could mean losing her. Even with my death-and-resurrection, that'd weigh on him.
It was an even better proposal.
Adrian's skills were top-notch; with him along, the tower run would be smoother.
"Then we'll depart in a month."
"Why a full month?"
"I'll send a letter to the palace for permission. I'll handle explaining my absence to the academy too. Round up the team and let me know."
"Got it."
And with that, Adrian joined my plan.
A month remained until our journey to the tower.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Wha—tr-travel? In a month?"
"Out of nowhere like that?"
The next day, after my talk with Adrian.
I let my close acquaintances know I'd be away on a trip for a while.
Emily and Mary were the most shocked.
Rafne, standing beside me, just listened quietly—I'd already filled her in.
"Something come up?"
Siegfried asked calmly after hearing me out.
The group here was the same as the one I'd gathered for the mansion recently.
In answer to Siegfried, I explained the tower challenge.
Omitting only that Rafne was the Child of Prophecy. Just that I needed to conquer the tower, so we'd be traveling for it.
After my explanation, silence hung in the air for a moment.
"I... I wanna come too…."
Emily murmured quietly, fists clenched.
"Come along? You heard where we're headed. It's dangerous."
"Exactly—that's why I have to go. I can't let Ken face danger alone again!"
"Yes, I agree. Count me in too."
Mary followed with a solemn gaze and quiet resolve.
Both radiated unyielding determination.
And Siegfried, arms crossed and listening silently beside them, spoke up.
"From what I hear, no one's ever conquered that tower. Must be crawling with nasty monsters."
"……Yeah."
The higher the floors, the tougher the monsters got.
Especially the ancient dragon Tarros at the summit.
I had a plan, but it was still a perilous foe.
"Then I'll tag along."
"Senior Siegfried too?"
"Z-Zeke?"
Not just me—Elis beside him looked stunned too.
She clearly hadn't seen that coming.
"Zeke…! Why risk such a dangerous place…!"
"Because it's dangerous. Can't send Ken off alone. I'm going too."
He grinned as he added,
"A month, right? …I'll sharpen my skills in the meantime. Get ready, Ken."
"…Right!"
No way I could turn down the three of them.
I'd considered inviting them at first, but the tower was brutally hazardous—I'd hoped to go with just Rafne.
But if they were volunteering for my sake? Honestly, it felt incredibly reassuring.
Emily, Mary, and now Siegfried.
With them as allies, we'd clear the tower faster than I'd planned.
"Guess I should study that recovery spell I picked up the other day."
"Ken, need any help prepping for the trip? Anything I can do, just say the word."
With the journey locked in, Emily and Mary buckled down, sketching out plans step by step.
In the end, my "heads-up" meeting morphed into full trip-planning central.
"Wooow~ Talk about heartwarming. I'll send good vibes your way from afar!"
Alicia, who'd been staring blankly till now, gave a cheeky wave.
Bringing the kid along would help plenty.
But she didn't seem interested in tower runs.
"Yeah, keep those prayers coming for my safe return."
No forcing her—I just ruffled her hair lightly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With the team set, we had a month to prepare.
Everyone seemed busy with their own training.
I couldn't just sit on my hands.
"What're you crafting this time?"
Rafne sidled up beside me at the workbench and asked.
She draped an arm around my neck, pressing her body against my back.
Ever since spilling my true feelings a few days back, her physical affection felt... intensified.
I'd specifically asked her not to overdo it.
Her warmth seeped through my back; she leaned her head next to mine, peering at the bench. The faint, pleasant scent wafted from her cascading red hair.
'No, focus. Stay calm.'
I'd get used to it eventually.
Crafting first.
I restocked the workbench with tools.
Our destination: a dungeon tower.
Fights inside were inevitable, and travel en route wouldn't be peaceful either.
With Siegfried, Rafne, Mary, and Adrian? Field mobs would be pushovers.
Still, I wanted to pull my weight.
One month left.
Only one thing I could prepare.
"Equipment for Rafne and the others."
My mana had ballooned, making material sourcing a breeze.
Shortages? Mana covered them now.
"Huh? You're making gear for me too, Ken?"
She perked up noticeably at that.
"Any requests? Favorite weapon or something?"
"Hmm…. I'm decent with most weapons. …Hehe, make it something that reminds me of you. Can't wait."
She was all about that surprise reveal thrill.
Got it. Rafne's weapon first.
Truth be told, I'd rarely seen her wield one in actual combat.
The few times? During my confinement, sparring Siegfried a bit with a wooden sword.
In-game, practice bokken or bare-knuckle finishes.
Mulling a fitting weapon for her...
"…Ah."
A perfect material and design clicked.
"Alright, let's get to it. Rafne, fire it up."
"On it!"
And for a good while, the clang of hammer on metal echoed through the tower.