"Forty-seven floors?" I raised an eyebrow. "I left you a blueprint for twelve."
"I improvised." Her smile was sharp. Fanged. The smile of a demoness who had been given permission to build and had built an empire. "The adventurers who attempt the tower sign a binding contract before entering. Those who fail — and most fail — are given a choice. Pay a fine they cannot afford, or indenture themselves to Millbrook."
"Slaves," I said. Not a question.
"Soldiers," Mira corrected. "You ordered every able body to be integrated into the military. The adventurers who fail the tower are assessed, trained, and deployed. Kaida has personally drilled over two hundred former adventurers into the garrison. Their combat experience is... adequate."
