Let’s Manage the Tower

Unassigned - Chapter 10, Each Role

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

Kousuke turned his gaze to Cecil and Arisa and explained their assignment.

“I want you two to complete as many official guild requests as possible while conquering the Tower.”

The pair nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yes,” Cecil replied.

“We will do so,” Arisa confirmed.

“But,” Kousuke added, “I want you to go to the Tower with us on the first run.”

Not understanding his intention, they tilted their heads in confusion. The purpose of accompanying him just once was not clear.

Anticipating their bewilderment, Kousuke continued, “There’s something I want to do as an experiment.”

“An experiment?” Cecil inquired, his head still tilted.

“Yes. You’re aware that the Tower here uses cards to manage its Adventures, but I’d like to understand exactly how the conquered Floors are tracked.”

“Um, what do you mean?” Arisa asked, equally perplexed.

Recognizing the legitimacy of her question, Kousuke decided to explain his thoughts thoroughly to everyone present.

What Kousuke found strange was the existence of a card that tracked the Tower’s progress. This system was not present in the Towers of the Central Continent. Gazenran Tower was the only place in the entire world where such a mechanism existed.

While they could simply accept this as how things worked, Kousuke could not help feeling there was more to it.

After hearing Kousuke’s explanation, Eku attempted to summarize his concerns. “So, Kousuke-sama, you think Gazenran Tower has already been conquered? Just that the Administrator had not appeared?”

“No, I don’t think that’s the case,” Kousuke replied, shaking his head. “If that were the case, the Administrators of other Towers would surely notice.”

He then shared his actual theory. “Even if there’s no Administrator now, there may have been one in the past.”

Everyone looked surprised at this suggestion.

Noticing their reaction, Kousuke nodded and continued, “I don’t know how long ago that might have been—it could be just speculation—but it’s not impossible, right?”

“That’s true,” Eku confirmed on behalf of the group.

Cecil then raised another question. “Does this relate to why we should accompany Kousuke-sama?”

“I know I’m being cryptic, but it both does and doesn’t,” Kousuke replied.

“Could you explain more clearly?” Cecil pressed.

“What I want you two to investigate is what happens when we clear the upper floors with newly registered members.”

Kousuke was curious about the outcome of taking two freshly registered card holders directly to the 21st Floor. Apparently, other Adventurers had attempted similar strategies within their guilds, but such information was rarely shared publicly.

It remained unclear whether guilds concealed this information to maintain a tactical advantage, or if the Tower’s design prevented such shortcuts from working.

Having learned of Kousuke’s goal, Cecil and Arisa nodded in agreement.

“If that’s the case, we’ll help you,” Cecil offered.

“Though there’s not much we can contribute,” Arisa added modestly.

The two had already formed a party with Kousuke before. Even if they were not familiar with Kouhi or Mitsuki’s abilities, they knew Nana quite well.

“Well, I’m in a similar position to you two. There’s really nothing we need to do.” Kousuke assured them. “Just having you along will be sufficient for now.”

“I see,” Cecil acknowledged.

“Thank you,” Arisa said with appreciation.

Just as the conversation seemed to conclude, Kousuke shifted his attention to Kouhi.

“There’s something I’d like you to do, Kouhi, but we’ll discuss that later.”

“Me?” Kouhi asked, tilting her head. “What is it?”

Since they had not previously discussed this, her curiosity was natural.

“Kouhi, I want you to participate in the arena matches.” Kousuke stated.

Everyone in the room nodded in understanding. In Seichun City, conquering the Tower was the primary way to enhance guild reputation, but arena performance also played a significant role.

While many guilds specialized in only one of these activities, there was no reason to waste the opportunity when they had the talent to outdo the competition.

“I understand,” Kouhi replied. “But why me specifically?” She glanced at Mitsuki.

Kousuke acknowledged the fairness of her question with a nod.

“It didn’t really matter which one of you went. As for the reason—if I had to give one—I simply thought you were better suited for it.”

“Suited?” Kouhi repeated, still not entirely convinced.

“Honestly, I’m not certain why,” Kousuke admitted. “It’s more of an intuition, so don’t overthink it.”

“I see. Alright then.”

Kousuke himself could not fully articulate his reasoning—it was almost like a hunch. When he explained this, Kouhi nodded in acceptance. She had no intention of opposing his decision regardless.

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With matters settled, Kousuke turned to Eku.

“So, I’m counting on you for this, Eku.”

“Eh? Ah, yes?” she responded, confused about why she was being addressed.

“If Kouhi loses control, Eku, I need you to stop her.” Kousuke said, deliberately maintaining a serious expression.

Though he meant it as a joke, Eku’s reaction was difficult to interpret.

“M-me?! W-well, I understand. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll put my heart and Soul into it…” she began with a sorrowful expression before Kousuke hastily interrupted.

“No, wait! I’m just joking. Don’t take it so seriously!”

“Y-you were joking? I… I see,” Eku replied, visibly relieved.

Mitsuki and Cecil, who had recognized the humour from the start, laughed openly. However, Kouhi and Eku remained solemn, with Kouhi looking particularly displeased.

Seeing Kouhi’s expression, Mitsuki chuckled and intervened. “Jokes are fine, but you should properly smooth things over with Kouhi.”

“Whaaaat?!” Kousuke exclaimed in panic.

“…No need,” Kouhi replied with a sullen look, almost simultaneously.

“It’s okay. I know it’s a joke,” She insisted. “I only get… intense when it concerns Kousuke-sama’s wellbeing.”

Kouhi spoke with unexpected force, but everyone silently agreed. They could only conclude that she did, indeed, tend to overreact.

Eku’s expression twitched at this admission, but Kousuke moved past it and produced a device.

“Well, such incidents are rare, so it’s probably fine. But if something does happen, use this.”

“What is it?” Eku asked.

“It’s a communication tool that connects to me. Please alert me if there’s an emergency.”

Eku solemnly accepted the device from Kousuke.

“I don’t actually expect Kouhi to lose control.” He clarified. “You can use it for other purposes too.”

“Understood.”

Kouhi’s potential outbursts were merely a joking concern. The device had been prepared primarily to keep Kousuke informed of everyone’s progress.

Though they had digressed significantly from the original topic, Kousuke properly explained the device’s purpose to Eku and requested that she contact him regularly.