Let’s Manage the Tower

Book 4: Volume 1 Chapter 3, Fighting Nature

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

Mikage’s New Role

Mikage began accompanying Mia to the Management Floor as her designated bodyguard. However, she deliberately accepted no managerial authority whatsoever. When asked about accessing other Floors, Mikage firmly refused, stating that she would only move between Floors on Mia’s direct orders when necessary.

This strategic limitation served a crucial purpose: it prevented any suspicion from arising should unusual incidents occur once she gained unrestricted portal access. While Kousuke had initially protested that such precautions were unnecessary, those around him wisely intervened to prevent further discussion on the matter.

Both Floria and Peach, who shared Mikage’s clan heritage, recognized that Kousuke’s trusting nature, though virtuous, could sometimes become problematic. They understood that granting Mikage unrestricted movement would actually create more complications for her, as she would need to constantly monitor her actions to avoid arousing suspicion around Kousuke.

By working alongside Mia without unnecessary authority from the outset, such complications could be avoided entirely. While this arrangement restricted her movement somewhat, Mikage’s role as Mia’s bodyguard meant they would remain in close proximity regardless. Since she would rarely move independently, additional authority served no practical purpose and would only invite unnecessary scrutiny.

Management Floor Renovations

With Mikage’s presence now regular on the Management Floor, renovations became necessary to accommodate the new arrangement. This initiative came at the women’s suggestion, who had observed concerning changes in Kousuke’s behavior.

Since becoming a living god, Kousuke had noticeably lost some of his previous caution and situational awareness. Perhaps the ability to wield fairies had made him somewhat overconfident. Though, this shift only manifested when he was on the Management Floor.

During his recent journey, he had maintained appropriate vigilance when circumstances demanded it.

This observation led Kousuke to consider whether people naturally become less guarded around those they consider Family. The women’s proposed renovations addressed this vulnerability through one major structural change.

They relocated Kousuke’s private quarters to a position further back than the Tower control room entrances, which had previously been situated directly opposite the teleportation gates. The area that had served as a relaxation space was moved to the very rear of the Floor.

This redesign reflected growing recognition of Kousuke’s status as a living god throughout the Central Continent. The women felt strongly that he should not be observed in casual or undignified states by unexpected visitors.

While his informal behavior was normal in their presence, since they were his women, they anticipated future situations where such informality would be inappropriate. One such instant had already occurred with Mikage’s arrival.

The renovations also facilitated easier movement for other potential visitors. Queen Floria of Razequa Amamiya and other Family members might require access in the future, and the new layout would accommodate such visits more appropriately.

Access to the private room was restricted to only Kouhi and Mitsuki, beyond Kousuke himself. This decision also came from the women’s counsel. Although Kousuke initially resisted creating such barriers between himself and the women or children, he was ultimately persuaded to accept the arrangement.

The women felt no concern about potential secrecy or relationship damage from this private space, reasoning that Kouhi and Mitsuki would inform them of any important matters when necessary. Their insistence on creating this private room stemmed directly from the complications that had arisen during the Gazenran Tower incident.

Beyond the Crown Branch situation, matters involving other Gods could potentially impact the entire world. While the recent incident had passed without major consequences, future events remained unpredictable. Moreover, Kousuke’s status as a living god might necessitate maintaining certain secrets, making such private space essential.

***

Mia’s First Challenge

Once Mikage’s management Floor access was established, Mia immediately began overseeing the fifteenth Floor. With generous funding from Kousuke in the form of Divine Power, she could finally implement ideas she had been contemplating for some time.

Her first action involved something she had long wanted to attempt.

“It’s freezing!” Mia exclaimed upon stepping through the portal onto the fifteenth Floor.

“Are you alright, Mia-sama?” Mikage asked with obvious concern as Mia began rubbing her arms vigorously for warmth.

“Well, it is a place of perpetual snow, after all,” Kousuke commented casually, appearing completely unaffected by the cold.

Mia turned to her Father with an accusatory expression. “Why are you standing there looking so comfortable?”

“Ah, sorry about that. I have Sarah’s help,” Kousuke explained as a fire fairy materialized on his right shoulder.

“That’s not fair,” Mia protested.

“You’re right. Sarah’s presence makes this easy for me, but you should consider what to do when I’m not here next time.” Kousuke replied with a gentle laugh.

“I’ll make sure to plan better.” Mia agreed, though she appeared somewhat deflated at having so quickly caused Kousuke some inconvenience.

Kousuke had anticipated this reaction and deliberately remained silent initially, but seeing Mia’s dampened spirits, he immediately requested Sarah to extend the same warming spell to both Mia and Mikage.

[Oh yeah, we do have Environmental Transformation.]

When Mia had mentioned her intention to modify the fifteenth Floor’s environment, Kousuke suddenly remembered that such functionality existed within the Tower system. He had rarely implemented major environmental changes throughout his time managing the Towers.

His only significant alteration had been performing Floor synthesis where the World Tree was located, but he had never substantially modified environmental conditions themselves. This was not due to concerns about disrupting existing ecosystems through sudden changes; he had simply forgotten the capability existed.

Initially, he had lacked sufficient Divine Power for such modifications. Later, he had become absorbed in exploring possibilities within existing environments, causing him to completely overlook this option.

Curiosity about the effects of Mia’s environmental changes had prompted him to accompany her on this visit. Naturally, Kouhi and Mitsuki waited nearby, ready to assist.

Once protected from the cold by Sarah’s spell, Mia began exploring the area with renewed enthusiasm. However, her progress was soon halted by an unexpected obstacle.

“The snow is too deep. We can’t go any further,” Mia observed with frustration.

“This won’t work. We need a more fundamental solution.” Kousuke agreed, watching Mihaku and Mikuro playing happily in the snow despite the challenging conditions.

While Kousuke could request Kouhi and Mitsuki’s assistance in helping Mia navigate the deep snow, such arrangements would be impractical for every future visit to the fifteenth Floor. Though neither would refuse Mia’s requests, she firmly believed that both existed primarily to serve Kousuke.

Since he had entrusted her with the responsibility to manage this Floor, Mia felt determined to resolve as many challenges as possible independently. Frustrated by this natural obstacle, she returned to the Management Floor feeling somewhat discouraged by her first encounter with the harsh realities of environmental management.