Tower of Tarlos.

Adventurers gather around this towering structure, and naturally, a city forms around it.

In the game, the protagonist Emily and her companions use this dungeon-like tower as a place to grind their skills through battles.

Once they have gained enough abilities, they leave the tower, using it primarily as a training ground.

Therefore, like the Mansion event, the Tower of Tarlos doesn’t have a programmatically created clear.

‘If it were in the game... but now that it’s become reality, it’s different.’

Just like with the Mansion event, clearing the previously impassable tower has now become a possibility.

Now, it’s all up to what I do.

And most importantly, there’s a reason to clear the tower.

That is the anticipated clear reward.

Just as the clear reward for the Mansion event was ownership of the mansion, there’s also an expected clear reward for the tower.

The residents of the city where the Tower of Tarlos stands often speak of this legend.

Those who clear the tower can obtain an ancient artifact.

This artifact, imbued with divine power, can alter the past.

A legend that no citizen of Lillias Kingdom could be unaware of.

That’s why Adrian dismissed my words as nonsense.

“You’re talking nonsense. That tower has been there for 400 years, and no one has ever reached the top.”

His reaction was understandable.

According to the game’s settings, an ancient artifact could be obtained, but the game had blocked anyone from completing the tower.

So, naturally, no one had ever reached the end of the tower.

However, that’s the history of this world.

As a player of the game.

I have reached the last floor of that tower.

Because of this, I confidently responded to the sceptical Adrian.

“Just because no one has reached it doesn't mean it's impossible.”

“…Even if it’s possible to reach the top of the tower, how can I believe that you can do it?”

“I understand it's hard to trust me. But please remember this as well.”

Despite having a body that’s not very strong and credibility that’s not high—

“I am someone who has come back to life after dying once.”

“…”

Not long ago, the Demon King's Army infiltrated this place. He knows that.

And he also knows I died in that incident.

He was the one who informed Emily of my death.

He personally checked. My body, cold and lifeless.

That was not an illusion or magic but my actual deceased body.

But I came back to life.

That much was an undeniable fact.

“…Can you really reach it? …The top of that tower.”

Adrian asked, still wearing a face of disbelief.

He may not believe it, but he surely wants to.

Humans are inherently drawn to miracles.

He wants to protect this country.

If it’s possible to reach the top of the tower, clear the labyrinth, and change the past, there’s no safer way to defend the kingdom from the Demon King.

That’s why I nodded with a firm expression.

"Please trust me just once. I'll show you a miracle."

Adrian maintained a silence that revealed nothing about his thoughts in response to my smiling face.

He folded his arms and closed his eyes.

And then, after a moment:

"Then how do you plan to form your team? Surely, you’re not thinking of going alone?”

"Of course not. ...You are the first person I'm sharing this with. ...For now, I plan to take Raphne with me."

There is a chance the Demon King's Army might infiltrate the Academy in my absence.

I can't leave Raphne behind.

Moreover, she is someone I must protect and one of the top fighters in the Academy.

She absolutely has to come with me to the tower.

Adrian nodded at that explanation.

"Understood.

Then I'll go with you."

"...What?"

"Why are you so surprised? I have a duty to protect Raphne from the Demon King. If she's going, I must go too."

When I think about it, it makes sense.

After all, there's a chance we could lose Raphne during the journey. Even though I've come back to life, that part worries me.

It's a better offer, then.

Adrian's skills are exceptional, so our strategy to conquer the tower will be much easier with him together.

"Then let's leave in a month."

"Why a month?"

"I'll send a letter to the palace to get permission. I'll also explain our absence to the Academy. You gather the team members and let me know."

"Understood."

That's how Adrian joined my plan.

We had a month left before the journey to the tower.

"A... a journey? In a month?"

"Isn't this a bit sudden?"

The day after I spoke with Adrian, I told the people I was close to that I would be going on a journey.

The ones most surprised by this news were Emily and Mary.

Raphne, who was next to them, just listened since I had already informed her.

"Is something going on?"

Siegfried, who had been listening calmly, asked this.

The people gathered here now are the same as those who helped with the mansion strategy recently.

In response to Siegfried’s question, I explained about the tower challenge.

But I left out the part about Raphne being the Child of Prophecy. I simply mentioned that we needed to conquer the tower and that we were leaving on a journey to do that.

After finishing my explanation, there was a brief silence.

“I… I want to come too…”

Emily clenched her fists and spoke.

“Come along? You just heard where we’re going. It’s dangerous.”

“That’s exactly why I need to go. I can’t let Ken face the danger alone again!”

“Yes, I feel the same way. I will go as well.”

Mary declared calmly yet resolutely.

Both of them seemed determined and showed no signs of backing down.

Then Siegfried, who had been listening with his arms crossed, spoke up as well.

“I’ve heard that no one has ever conquered that tower. It must be filled with dangerous monsters.”

“…Yes.”

As the tower floors get higher, the monsters certainly become stronger.

Above all, the Ancient Dragon Tarlos is at the top of the tower.

I have some ideas about how to deal with it, but it’s undoubtedly a dangerous foe.

“Then I will go with you too.”

“Siegfried Senior as well?”

“Si-Sieg?”

Not only was I surprised by his words, but Elise, who was beside me, was also taken aback.

She probably didn't expect him to suggest coming along.

“Sieg! Why would you go to such a dangerous place!”

“Precisely because it’s dangerous, I can’t let Ken go alone. I will join you,” he said, smiling gently.

"Did you say one month?

...During that time, I’ll help you hone your skills, Ken."

"...Yes!"

The three of them were simply not the type to take 'no' for an answer.

Initially, I considered inviting them, but since the tower is exceptionally dangerous, I planned for only Raphne and me to go if possible.

However, feeling their support makes me genuinely reassured.

With Emily, Mary, and even Siegfried joining us, the tower strategy will undoubtedly proceed faster than I had planned.

"Then I should study the healing magic I got a few days ago."

"Ken, is there anything you need for the journey? I will help with anything I can."

Once the trip was confirmed, Emily and Mary started diligently preparing their plans.

Eventually, what began as a meeting to inform everyone about the journey turned into a planning session for the trip.

"Wow~ This is really touching. I’ll be wishing you all the best from afar!"

Alicia, who had been listening, waved her hand playfully.

Taking this little one along could be incredibly helpful, but it seems she’s not interested in tower challenges.

"Alright, make sure to pray hard for our safe return."

As I had no intention of forcing her, I lightly patted Alicia's head.

...

With the group decided and one month to prepare, the journey was set in motion.

Everyone who agreed to join the journey seemed to be making their own preparations.

Well, I can’t just sit still either.

“What are you planning to make this time?”

Raphne asked as she approached and stood next to me at the workbench.

She naturally put her arms around my neck and pressed her body against my back.

Since I opened up to her a few days ago, the amount of physical contact has increased significantly.

I had clearly asked her not to be too provocative.

I could feel Raphne's warm body through my back, and she rested her head next to mine as she looked at the workbench.

Her red hair flowed down gently, giving off a pleasant scent.

‘No, focus and concentrate.’

I guess I’ll have to get used to this as well.

For now, let’s focus on crafting.

I started preparing by placing several tools on the workbench.

Our destination for this journey is a dungeon-type tower.

Fighting inside the tower is a given, and we can’t avoid battles during the journey either.

Of course, with Siegfried, Raphne, Mary, and Adrian, regular field monsters would be easy opponents.

Still, I want to be of help.

We have one month left.

In that time, there’s only one thing I can really prepare.

“I’m going to make equipment for Raphne and the others.”

Thanks to my increased mana, gathering materials has become much easier.

I can make up for what’s lacking with mana.

“What?

Ken, are you going to make equipment for me too?”

Raphne looked delighted at the mention of making equipment.

“Is there anything you want in particular? Like a weapon you’re good with.”

“Hmmm... I’m pretty good with all kinds of weapons. Hehe, just make something that reminds you of me. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

It seems like she wants to enjoy the anticipation of waiting for something without knowing the outcome.

Alright, so Raphne’s weapon it is.

In fact, I haven’t seen Raphne wield a weapon and fight directly very often.

When she did, it was back when she had me imprisoned, wielding a wooden sword and sparring with Siegfried a few times.

Even in the game, she used a practice wooden sword and took care of everything else with her bare hands.

While pondering for a moment about a weapon that would suit her...

“...Ah.”

A material and the perfect weapon for it suddenly came to mind.

“Okay, let’s get started. Raphne, could you light the fire?”

“Okay!”

And soon after, within the Tower, the sound of a hammer striking metal continued to echo.

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