Chapter 2, Fifteenth Floor

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Kousuke sprawled across the sofa in the relaxation area, observing Mia as she petted two wolves: one black, one white. The pair had grown remarkably attached to her during their recent expedition to the eighty-first Floor of Amamiya Tower. Their devotion reminded him of how Nana had bonded with him, and when Mia expressed interest in keeping them, Kousuke readily agreed.

 

The wolves seemed to sense his approval, immediately leaping onto Mia with enthusiastic affection. Collete, watching nearby, remarked with amusement, “They’re just like Kousuke’s Daughters.”

 

It was exactly the kind of observation one would expect from her.

 

Sensing Kousuke’s attention, Mia looked up while continuing to stroke the wolves’ fur.

 

“Dad.” she said.

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Aren’t you going to be managing the Tower?”

 

Kousuke straightened at her unexpected question.

 

“Why are you suddenly asking me this?”

 

“Nothing in particular,” Mia replied, her gaze returning to the wolf beneath her hand. “I just thought it seemed strange.”

 

The question had occurred to her spontaneously, without much deliberation behind it.

 

Kousuke considered her words before responding honestly. “You’re right, Mia. As you know, the Tower’s income has plateaued, hasn’t it?”

 

The seriousness of his response caught Mia off guard. She stopped petting the wolf and looked directly at him, nodding slowly.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

Amamiya Tower’s daily Divine Power intake had indeed reached its maximum threshold. Initially, Kousuke had not realized such a limit existed, but after observing the numbers plateau, the reality became clear. While the Tower continued generating Divine Power beyond this limit, the excess simply vanished each day.

 

The other six Towers had achieved profitability, eliminating the need for Amamiya Tower to share its resources. The situation reminded Kousuke of completing a Tower management game. He had reached the ending and was now merely collecting post-completion rewards. While enjoyable in its own way, it lacked urgency and failed to capture his full attention.

 

Rather than confuse Mia with gaming analogies, Kousuke kept his explanation straightforward.

 

Mia studied him with a serious expression, her face betraying a hint of desire for something specific.

 

“Dad, I want to ask you something.” She said carefully.

 

Recognizing her expression, Kousuke suspected what was coming but asked anyway. “What is it?”

 

“Could you… leave the management to me?” The words came out hesitantly.

 

Kousuke nodded without hesitation. “Sure.”

 

“I thought you might say that. Wait, what? Are you serious?”

 

Mia’s eyes widened in surprise at how easily permission had been granted.

 

“Of course. Would you like authority over one Floor to start with?”

 

“Yes! Thank you so much!”

 

Kousuke laughed at her flustered reaction. “Why are you so surprised?”

 

“I didn’t expect you to agree so readily,” Mia admitted, glancing at him with a mixture of embarrassment and joy.

 

“You really wanted to do this, huh?”

 

“Of course!” Mia nodded vigorously.

 

Kousuke wished he had delegated the authority sooner, now that he understood the depth of her true interest.

 

***

 

Prompted by Mia’s eagerness to begin, Kousuke transferred authority over the fifteenth Floor to her. While he could not relinquish all his Divine Power, he had accumulated substantially more than when he first conquered Amamiya Tower, leaving plenty available for delegation.

 

However, Kousuke established clear conditions for this arrangement. Mia could not enter or exit the Floors alone. For her safety, she would need to bring Mihaku and Mikuro. They were the white and black wolves who had bonded with her. He had renamed them from their original designations to reflect their attachment to Mia, and his left eye naturally had already confirmed the changes had taken effect.

 

“Of course!” Mia agreed enthusiastically when he explained this requirement.

 

Given that the wolves had previously battled high-level monsters on the eighty-first Floor, the creatures on the fifteenth Floor posed no significant threat to them.

 

Kousuke imposed an additional condition. “There’s one more requirement.”

 

“Another one?” Mia looked uncertain.

 

“I’ll grant you access to the manage the Floor, but Mikage must accompany you at all times.”

 

“Mikage?” Mia tilted her head in confusion.

 

While Mikage served as Mia’s bodyguard, she had never been permitted on the Management Floor. This restriction had been implemented to prevent potential threats from accessing the area, but if Mia was to manage the Floor effectively, she would need additional personnel. While Mihaku and Mikuro provided combat capability, Mikage offered expertise in other areas.

 

Mia’s expression grew troubled. “About Mikage… what should I tell Mom?”

 

Currently employed by the Royal Family through Mia’s personal budget, Mikage’s activities required Floria’s approval, particularly for tasks seemingly unrelated to Royal business.

 

Understanding her concern, Kousuke smiled. “Good luck with that.”

 

Mia’s shoulders sagged in disappointment.

 

***

 

Despite her apprehension about convincing Floria, Mia found her Mother surprisingly agreeable.

 

“That’s okay?” Mia asked, hardly believing her good fortune.

 

“Of course. Mikage has had a lot of free time while you’ve been away from the castle. The timing works well.”

 

As Mia began to express her gratitude, Floria raised her hand to interrupt.

 

“However, all expenses while she’s with the management team will come from your pocket.”

 

Floria’s grin accompanied this announcement, and Mia’s face paled. Mikage commanded substantial fees even among Succubi, amounts far beyond Mia’s current personal means. While she understood Floria’s position that the Royal Family could not absorb these costs, the financial reality seemed insurmountable.

 

Seeking guidance, Mia turned to Peach, who responded matter-of-factly, “That shouldn’t be a problem.”

 

“It shouldn’t?” Mia looked puzzled.

 

“Originally, Mikage was a complimentary resource from my Family. The Royal Family pays a standard fee purely for proper financial management, but the actual cost is minimal.”

 

This explanation resolved the issue entirely. What had seemed like an impossible obstacle dissolved instantly, leaving Mia surprised at how manageable the situation had become.

 

Both Kousuke and Floria had been aware of this arrangement, though it would be some time before Mia realized their ‘quiet coordination’.

 

Having satisfied Kousuke’s conditions, Mia began her new role managing the fifteenth Floor.