Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

📰 [General] Title: Lol Don't BullshitDon't bullshit lol. On first contact, demanding "333 concubines," spamming "exile" left and right while saying "because it's fun," or revealing info everyone already knows "a year later" like it's some big mercy—that's just standard 'layer ruler' behavior, right? That's "common sense," isn't it?? Lol where's this chuuni delusion novel coming from lol— Anon(12.36)Youuuu bastard, are you the one who calmly said "Isn't a year just barely enough time for one tree to grow?" and cursed out the elf hag who made the vanguard spin in circles for a whole year?!— Anon(71.21)Get that chicken coop outta here!!!!— Blade of Ruin↳ ReplyLol the 21st-floor elf hag gets some leeway since it wasn't on purpose, but that 11th-floor horse-mouth prick and the 31st-floor dragon king? Their personalities are legit legendary trash lol— popapo01Honestly, I thought even human sacrifices wouldn't surprise me anymore, but this was kinda fresh lol. God-tier personality fr lol— Gold Rush🔹At least the quests and monster hunts improved climbers' standing a bit...— Anon(124.38)"Looking back, the kindest ones were the human layer rulers."📰 [General] Title: Tower Buddies, From Now On No More "Even Satan Was Shocked by the Human" Meme..."Human Ruler" << This guy's personality is god-god-god-emperor-majestic-ultra-super-god-god-god-king among all races living in the tower;;;;— Mouthful Low KickIf this isn't a human praise song, what is lol— Anon(63.11)Hmm, you think so?— Anon(124.38)"The hymn of courage is the hymn of humanity."— WannaEatOilyFishFr lol... Hearing the vanguard's recon report got me fully hard for the first time since that elf hag's tits lol— Apostle of Justice🔹Heh... Heh... Heh! Member... Your~ witty~ expression... made me slap! my knee,,,! Thanking you for the laughter. bomb. with a kimbap@))))))))) break~! Bye....— WannaEatOilyFish↳ ReplyHoly knight gramps, spill some stories from the horse-mouth layer days lol— Gold Rush🔹↳ ReplyTsk, openly flirting like that is kinda too much, no?— WannaEatOilyFish↳ ReplySrs lol;📰 [General] Title: I'm Staying Neutral For NowHonestly, there's history of getting screwed over by trusting NPC personalities due to time perception issues, so jumping to trust a 'lord' just cuz he's human feels iffy... Plus hoarding food resources? Sketchy af? Let me give examples ① 11th-floor horse-mouth chief: Concubine 333 incident ② 21st-floor elf hag priestess: Time perception totally fucked ③ 31st-floor dragon king: "Cuz it's fun" Layer rulers we've met so far have been a pain in the ass, even more prickly after the famine. Think this new NPC will be different? Nah. We should praise the beastkin living in the ruler-less 41~50 floors. Dogkin Tribe princess is the tower's top beauty, undeniable fact. End of story.— Anon(63.11)Fur lol furriiiiies lol— Mouthful Low KickIntro conclusion furry;— popapo01Hundred Swords Society vanguard info seems trustworthy tho... Wasn't it the Three Sword Ghosts who went this time?— Anon(71.21)↳ ReplyThat guy's just building up to drop a furry joke lol— popapo01↳ ReplyOh right, ok— WannaEatOilyFish↳ ReplyBut speaking of furries, that armband guy who always pops up is quiet today? Lol anyone know their real nickname lol— Gold Rush🔹↳ Reply'No Dick-Measuring Contests' you take a week off too◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The time when dawn was just breaking.

I was riding toward the guard headquarters. Of course, I'd contacted Sir Jayden in advance and was galloping straight along the wall.

Clop clop

Clop clop

The sound of hooves brought a thought to mind.

"...".

'The gallery hasn't popped up for three days straight...'

It was making me itchy.

The vanguard—the 'Three Sword Ghosts' of the Hundred Swords Society—must have used the gallery function to talk with their distant executives. I was curious what they'd written about me.

'From what I've seen the past three days, they don't seem like the type to make stuff up or twist things weirdly.'

Still, compared to other 'layer rulers,' I wanted to check what pros and cons they were evaluating me on. I couldn't just strut around relying solely on my food monopoly.

'Even in my past life, plenty of rulers who bragged on monopolized resources got hit with rebellions or emotional revenge.'

I was the type who learned from history.

Of course...

This world's history, by current standards.

Right then.

A notification rang in my head.

 ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Climber 'Sword Ghost' has completed the quest you assigned. Completed Quest: Carrying Bricks to the Wall Top Climber 'Bow Ghost' has completed the quest you assigned. Completed Quest: Hunt 5 Forest Beasts Climber 'Blade Ghost' has completed the quest you assigned. Completed Quest: Carrying Barley Sacks to the Church 

I pulled my horse to a stop and checked.

"!"

'Daily quests issued from the lord's manor, and they finished them all by the time I reached guard HQ... Talk about diligent.'

A pleased smile crossed my face.

'Having climbers to boss around is super convenient. If I get more, I could issue large-scale quests for territory revival.'

I immediately sent the three some spare mana stones and experience points. Meals and lodging were already provided as basics, and they preferred earning their own spending money, so I skipped cash.

The only things I could give individual climbers were 'experience points' and 'mana stones' registered as the walled city's public assets.

'For food to be real rewards, I'd need at least 20 in a group for negotiation leverage. Treasures are on hold since no dungeon spawns yet.'

Just as I was about to mount up again.

-Lord!

Sword Ghost called from atop the wall. He'd finished sorting bricks on the section beside where I passed. He then leaped down from the wall.

Thud!

'Flashy.'

What followed was pure action.

Sword Ghost kicked off the air mid-jump, descending the steep wall like a gentle hill. It was like walking on clouds.

Tatata—!

It took less than a few seconds for him to cover hundreds of meters diagonally and land in front of me. He grinned and bowed.

"Greetings, my lord."

"We already met at the manor. No need for formalities amid your busy schedule."

"Nonsense. There's no such thing as too much respect for this land's ruler. Soon, all climbers who come here will pass down tales of your grace and mercy for generations."

Ah...

Really.

'This is maddening.'

A natural sycophant high welled up.

This must be why past-life monarchs kept flatterers close. Even knowing excessive praise inflates the ego like crazy.

It was bad for the soul.

'Bow Ghost and Blade Ghost are the same stance.'

The Three Sword Ghosts of the Hundred Swords Society.

Such dutiful... dangerous folks.

Planning to butter me up, huh.

'But I'm not some young master—I'm the lord, so I can handle it. I know it's all sweet talk.'

I replied calmly, as if.

"You're too kind. I'm just doing my duty."

"That's..."

"More importantly, Sword Ghost, have you contacted the Hundred Swords Society?"

"!"

Sword Ghost nodded.

"Yes, my lord. We've reported your permission to reside and the current layer's status to the Hundred Swords Society and the guild alliance."

"Any response?"

"Yes! The vice leader—'Sword Empress'—has declared she'll lead the Hundred Swords Society here personally to speak with you. Should arrive in a few days."

"Vice leader? Not the leader?"

"Ah!"

It was an offhand question.

But Sword Ghost startled. Probably thought I'd be offended talking to someone 'beneath' me. He hurried to explain.

"Our guild master, the leader, has long stepped back from guild affairs. The Sword Empress effectively handles all operations."

"The guild master's stepped back?"

"Yes. Leader—'Sword Saint'—is still wandering the tower somewhere, slaying monsters."

"Is that okay? For the head of an organization to..."

"...".

Sword Ghost gave a wry smile. He gently stroked his sword hilt—an expression of emptiness, not threat.

"The strongest warrior in the group serves as leader. That's also Hundred Swords Society law. Even if they've reached the emotionless realm, forsaking even 'humanity'."

"...".

His forlorn gaze spoke volumes of backstory.

'Must be some complicated internal Hundred Swords Society drama. Anyway, Sword Empress is the real boss, Sword Saint the symbolic head—that's all I need to know.'

I nodded and moved on.

"Understood. Good work, Sword Ghost."

"Thank you."

We exchanged farewells and went our ways.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

The lord's duties started at dawn and flew by busily.

First, discussing wall defense with guard captain Sir Jayden.

"My lord, to prevent repeats of last time, we should prepare a separate area outside the city for these 'climbers' before they enter."

"We'll need basic civil works in front of the main gate first."

Then, hearing recon reports from scout captain Sir William and Bow Ghost.

"No signs of large-scale goblin outbreaks yet from our sweep with Sir Bow Ghost."

"Then we'll keep the gate open wide for a while to haul in forest timber."

Finally, wrapping up morning duties reviewing subjugation captain Lady Luciana's training progress.

"The 100 subjugation troops are running small squad support drills with Sword Ghost's help!"

"Squad support drills?"

"Yup! Training to respond most effectively to climber aid! Inspired by the 'magic counter-training' you taught us—!"

"Good, very good. Well done."

"Thank you!"

Before leaving subjugation HQ, I asked Luciana, who was turning to go.

"Oh right, tried that axe yet?"

"Yup! Fits my hand perfectly! Can't wait for four days from now!"

The axe freeing from petrification in four days.

'Steel Eater' was destined for a stranger's—some outsider woman's—hands, not its original pair.

'Don't know the exact effects yet, but it felt like some magically enhanced extraordinary item.'

Anticipating that, I returned to the manor. Milla had already brought paperwork and a lunch bento, so we tackled the mountain of documents together.

"Thanks, Milla. This sandwich is delicious."

"...".

Milla didn't reply right away, turning to rummage through rear files before asking.

"How much?"

"Hm..."

I answered.

"Next after Madam Jamie's disciples? Top twenty... thirty if counting from the top."

"...".

For reference, Madam Jamie was the veteran chef at the manor restaurant. Her cuisine boasted endless variety on the walled city's bounty. Her disciples were equally devoted to gourmet research.

So this was high praise.

'Top 1% in the city ain't bad.'

But Milla turned back with feigned blankness.

"...I see."

"?"

We worked through dinner before finishing. Milla bowed a bit more vigorously than usual before gliding away elegantly.

"...".

'Must've had urgent business.'

Finally, I gazed at the evening glow, then visited the church where Lucia minded the children. I checked in, prayed to the Morning Star Goddess.

"Thank you for another peaceful day."

Overall...

No.

A pretty satisfying day.

'All thanks to the Three Sword Ghosts boosting efficiency big time.'

Sword Ghost helping repairs plus personal training, Bow Ghost aiding hunts and scouting.

And finally—

"Looord—!"

"!"

Like a country mutt.

A bob-cut girl with bangs over her eyes came running. Backlit by sunset, she beamed. The sword on her back gleamed in the light.

"Saw you at dawn, now evening? You must've been swamped!"

"...".

This bubbly girl was 'Blade Ghost'.

'Didn't notice when serious. Back to daily mode, she's the most lively of the three.'

I said.

"Yes. Climber Blade Ghost."

"Haha! Just call me 'Rel.' My seniors do."

"Then Lady Rel."

"Yes!"

"How was your day, Lady Rel?"

"Hmm..."

Rel grinned wide.

"Super chill!"

"...".

I chuckled back.

"Glad to hear it."

Rel chatted endlessly with me before bouncing off for dinner with her seniors (Sword Ghost, Bow Ghost). I waved her goodbye.

'All three Hundred Swords Ghosts helping out, and they're all friendly? Day felt super productive and fulfilling.'

"Heh."

"?!"

I jumped at the sudden voice beside me.

Niva was there, eyes narrowed, head tilted, legs crossed on a clearing rock. Puffing her cheeks, arms folded, she quietly said.

"You look happy. Like you forgot all about me."

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