The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102. An Invitation
Winter was passing through Whitewolf Territory.
Yet the bitter cold persisted throughout the seasons in Whitewolf Territory.
The reception room of Count’s Castle was saturated with the frigid air of that harsh frost.
The window frames were covered in cold frost, adorned as though with ice, and through the cracks, wind seeped in, carrying the scent of bitter cold and a hint of moisture.
Meanwhile, a fireplace positioned in one corner burned diligently, radiating warmth.
“Ugh…!”
A man stood before the fireplace, emitting pained groans.
The man was naked.
Completely bare except for a cloth covering his vital areas.
Looking closer, his shoulders and waist bore sharp, crimson wounds. His back was marked with bloody scratches where skin had been torn away.
It resembled the traces of a fierce battle.
But beside him lay metal armor arranged neatly.
The man’s torn skin revealed not the aftermath of combat, but rather what happens when one wears metal armor in this bitter cold.
I made my presence known and stepped forward.
“Ah…, oh!”
The man, sensing my approach, startled with alarm.
And the face of the man who turned to look at me—
‘No.’
It wasn’t Ian.
I had already learned from Bernard beforehand that it wasn’t Ian. Still, confirming it directly brought an unavoidable wave of disappointment.
That face, moments away from freezing to death—
“I, I apologize…!!”
No matter how I looked at him, it wasn’t Ian.
“I, I was told it would be cold…! But I, I never imagined it would be this… this cold…!”
The man trembled uncontrollably.
“Ah, my, my introduction was delayed…! I, I am Herald, an Ecuyer of the First Knight Order of the Royal Guard, the Royal Knights…!”
The Royal Knights were an elite order of knights responsible for guarding the royal palace where the king resided and other major royal facilities.
A knight order where the kingdom’s most renowned geniuses gathered.
However, Herald was not a formal knight, but an Ecuyer.
In other words, an apprentice knight.
“What brings the Royal Knights all the way here?”
Therefore, his rank was lower than mine as the firstborn heir of House Whitewolf.
In fact, even a formal knight of the Royal Knights would be the same.
Their personal status was not particularly high.
They represented the royal court only when necessary, temporarily borrowing the king’s authority, but their position belonged to the lower ranks of officials.
In contrast, a count’s title was bestowed directly by the sovereign.
The status of direct bloodline was never low.
Therefore, Herald showed no displeasure at my condescending tone.
“The, the Count Whitewolf’s… huh…! Regarding the will he left behind, His Majesty the King sent me…!”
Herald acted as though it were only natural.
“His Majesty the King?”
“Y-yes, that is correct…!”
Herald grunted and exerted force.
It seemed he was squeezing his aura to temporarily drive back the cold.
While he pushed the cold away, I fell into thought for a moment.
‘I had forgotten about the will for a moment.’
It had been three months since the Royal Court initiated an investigation into whether the will had been tampered with.
That meant three months had passed since Father’s death, and also that three months had elapsed since I returned to the past.
‘Has it really only been three months?’
Subjectively, it felt like a year had passed.
But thinking about it…
‘I spent 241 days in the Infinite Labyrinth.’
In reality, a year had passed for me.
“Forgive my presumption.”
Herald, now wrapped in aura, bowed respectfully.
Every time I see it, the same thought crosses my mind—what a convenient ability aura is.
It manifests mere imagination into reality, after all.
“His Majesty stated that he cannot trust the contents of the will.”
Herald continued.
My head tilted slightly.
Surely he couldn’t be unaware that Father’s will hadn’t been tampered with?
“More precisely, His Majesty is confused by the contents of a letter sent by the Whitewolf Lady.”
“A letter from Seraphia?”
“The Whitewolf Lady sent a letter stating that she renounces her claim to the position of lord and head of the Whitewolf Territory.”
“…I see.”
The letter she had given me back then, when she suddenly proposed having a meal together.
Seraphia’s declaration to renounce everything that had been inherited by her.
That must be what he was referring to.
“Therefore, His Majesty has decided to meet with both of you in person before making his judgment.”
“His Majesty the King himself?”
“Yes. For that reason, I have come to invite both of you to the Kingdom Capital.”
It was the moment Herald finished speaking.
◆A Territory Quest has arrived.
A new Territory Quest appeared, and its contents scrolled across my vision.
====
You, who have fulfilled the responsibilities and duties of a lord!
You, who have become a true lord who genuinely cares for your territory’s people!
Hearts swelling! Chests pounding!
All your territory’s people are now your captives!
Now, all of you kneel before me!
I am Adrian, the lord of Whitewolf Territory!
…or so I thought, caught up in the moment!
Huh? W-what?
Wait, what…?!
I’m… not a count…?
What kind of nonsense is this?!
I am the legitimate heir of House Whitewolf!
Adrian Whitewolf!!
A confident successor recognized by the people of my domain…!
What did you say?!
There’s some bastard who won’t acknowledge me?!
Who could that be… oh!
…Father?
That’s right!
Your very own father!
Your father alone refused to acknowledge you!
He left everything of the family to your sister, who shares not a single drop of blood with you.
And unfortunately, now you can never receive his acknowledgment again, no matter how much you desire it!
Is this why they say one should serve their parents while alive?
…that’s complete nonsense!
You’re that famous filial son of fire!
Truly the greatest scoundrel on earth!
Argh, the rage boils over!
Huff. Puff. Huff. Puff!
Why are you doing this, what is this, my son!
I am inheriting the title of count, Father!
…Unfortunately, such a dramatic scene will never come to pass, but what does it matter!
The fact remains that you defy your father’s will and seize the count’s title!
Yet unlike a great unfilial wretch, you are an authority figure who has proven your ability, fulfilled your responsibilities, and earned the recognition of your people with confidence!
Remember this!
Now everyone in Whitewolf Territory wishes for you to become the count!
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==[I am inheriting the title of count, Father!]==
[Objective] – Receive recognition from the Royal Court
[Reward] – Partial unlock of “Management Mode” functions
[Rejection] – Restriction of “Management Mode” functions
‘…Did this one also learn Infinite Calculation?’
Judging by how this reckless commotion knows no bounds.
* * *
A broad clamor as though I had learned infinite calculations.
My mind went blank for a moment at that….
‘This didn’t happen in my past life.’
I organized my thoughts calmly.
This summons from the King occurred because my father’s will and Seraphia’s letter of intent conflicted with each other.
But in my past life?
I had abandoned the family.
There would have been no reason for Seraphia to send a letter to the Royal Court.
Likely in my past life, Seraphia inherited the Count’s title according to my father’s will.
But in this life, by remaining with the family, the situation changed.
In other words.
‘The future has changed because of me.’
They say a small variable can create great change, just as a butterfly’s gentle wings can become a tempest in a distant land.
The Beast Legion Commander, Lycanthrope, fell by my hand.
Avarus and Iratum likewise fell by my hand.
Moreover, the Abyss Lord Commander, Crawlgar, vanished.
With that, the Lawless City of Violess disappeared.
My small butterfly wings had dealt serious setbacks to the Emperor’s grand plan to consume the Continent.
In other words, it meant there was a possibility the Empire would act differently than in my past life.
Keeping that fact in mind—.
◆Territory Quest, [Inheriting the Count’s Title, Father!] begins.
I accepted the Quest without much deliberation.
After all, since I had decided to use Whitewolf Territory as my base, I needed the Count’s title.
Above all, I couldn’t miss the reward of unlocking the “Management Mode” function.
‘I need to take Seraphia with me.’
The means of transport was a carriage.
From Whitewolf Territory to the Kingdom Capital would take roughly two weeks.
So a month round trip.
“Understood. I’ll prepare and depart.”
There was quite a lot to prepare.
“Then shall I inform them that you’ve accepted the invitation as well?”
“…Invitation?”
Not a summons?
“Ah! I forgot to mention it. The cold had my mind so scattered….”
Herald scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“It’s just that Her Majesty the Queen expressed a strong desire to meet with you once.”
“…?”
What is this now?
“The Queen wishes to meet with me?”
“That’s not quite it, sir….”
“You don’t mean… Seraphia?”
Herald gave a light nod and spoke.
“The Whitewolf Lady will be coming of age soon, will she not?”
…Now that I thought about it, that was true.
“Therefore, Her Majesty the Queen has suggested that this would be an opportune time for the Whitewolf Lady to make her debut in the Royal Court’s social season.”
“The social season?”
“Indeed.”
The Royal Court’s social season was different from the aristocratic social season.
The Battenberg Kingdom practiced monogamy.
In other words, marriages between noble families were strictly regulated.
Therefore, daughters of noble houses who came of age were presented to aristocratic society, and this presentation was known as the Royal Court’s social season.
It was the moment when one paid respects to the Queen and made one’s first appearance.
This was called a “Debut.”
“Her Majesty the Queen has decided to host a special ball for this social season.”
This meant she would even arrange a debutante ball.
In simpler terms, the Queen was pulling out all the stops for this social season.
“But is the social season being held so early?”
The Royal Court’s social season typically began in May.
Yet it was now mid-January, as the season of harsh frost was passing.
That was still far away.
“This time, it is scheduled to take place somewhat early, in February.”
Such cases were not unheard of.
When there were significant national reasons, the season would sometimes be held earlier than usual.
“Her Majesty the Queen has asked me to extend an invitation, expressing her hope that the Whitewolf Lady would attend this social season.”
But then came Herald’s next words.
‘There’s something more to this.’
…There was definitely something more.
After all, those of low status could not participate in the Royal Court’s social season.
Of course, Seraphia’s status was not low.
However, even high-ranking nobles could not attend if they were embroiled in scandal or gossip.
The Royal Court’s social season was a place that had even turned away a duke’s daughter for having shabby attire.
It was not called the “pinnacle of society” for nothing.
Yet the Queen would “personally” invite Seraphia, who was merely from a remote county and nothing more than an adopted daughter?
This could only mean that the Queen had some reason for summoning Seraphia to the Royal Court.
If I were to entertain a somewhat forced interpretation…
It seemed as though this social season was being held precisely to summon Seraphia.
Therefore, this early social season.
It was a future altered by my existence as a variable.
And the Queen’s “certain reason” for wanting to bring Seraphia to the Royal Court.
It was merely speculation, but.
The Predestined One.
If it was connected to that?
‘This means The Emperor is involved in this social upheaval.’
…I could reach that conclusion—
‘Is the Queen a puppet of The Empire?’
It seemed I needed to verify the list I’d extracted from Iratum.
* * *
The landscape of Whitewolf Territory visible beyond the window.
I sat alone in my room, scanning through the names on the list.
The list I’d obtained by deceiving Iratum in Violess.
Within it were the names of key figures from each kingdom who had been recruited by the Dark Merchant Company.
As I reviewed the roster thoroughly—
[Marceline Charlotte de Battenberg]
I found the name of the Queen of Battenberg Kingdom.
“There’s no possibility the information on this list is false.”
At that time, Iratum believed I was Avarus.
Which meant—
“Queen Marceline was definitely bought by The Empire.”
This was information I hadn’t uncovered even in my previous life.
“…So that’s why.”
The puzzles from my past life began clicking into place one by one.
The reason Battenberg Kingdom would soon fracture and fade into obscurity.
“It was because of the Queen.”
More precisely, because of the Fallen Soul Worshippers who controlled her.
Even more precisely, because of The Emperor who orchestrated everything from behind the scenes.
“If that’s the case…”
The puzzle fit together almost perfectly.
But there was one thing.
…Something felt off.
“Why didn’t I know this information?”
Why hadn’t I discovered such crucial information about Queen Marceline being bought?
Of course, in my previous life, I lived like a vagrant during this period.
Therefore, I didn’t know much about the major events that occurred at that time.
But I was a Predator of the Allied Forces, serving as Special Forces Duke Commander.
When it came to information regarding The Empire, I investigated and uncovered every detail without missing a trace.
No matter how distant the past was.
The fact that I didn’t know about the Queen being bought by The Empire…
“Did I simply not investigate it separately?”
That had to be it, but…
“That can’t be right.”
That couldn’t possibly be true.
First of all, it’s the kingdom to which The Frost Lord belongs.
There’s no way I could avoid investigating separately.
Above all else.
“Leon didn’t know about this fact either.”
Leon Battenberg.
The First Prince of the Battenberg Kingdom.
He who would later be called the envoy of the Allied Forces.
Leon had no idea whatsoever that the Queen had been bribed.
He might not know at this point in time.
But after all the incidents had unfolded.
It makes no sense that he wouldn’t know even during his days as the envoy of the Allied Forces.
Thinking about it this way….
“Among the information I possess, only the information regarding the Battenberg Kingdom is strangely deficient.”
Oddly, only information related to the Battenberg Kingdom was lacking.
To be precise, there were gaps scattered throughout the information.
The King’s summons never happened in my past life, so I’ll let that slide.
But the royal social gatherings were different.
They were events that occurred every year.
Moreover, since it coincided with Seraphia’s birthday, I would have received an invitation in my past life as well.
Yet there is no information related to it whatsoever.
Major events and crucial information like this.
None of it came to mind.
As if it had been erased from my memory—.
“…Wait.”
Suddenly, a single thought flashed through my mind.
This sensation as if my memories had been erased.
The strange circumstances suggesting gaps in information.
“Could it be….”
…I had experienced this before.
I investigated countless pieces of information related to The Empire.
I didn’t uncover all the information I investigated.
But I could confidently say I had approached the truth.
The Vicar among the Fallen Soul Worshippers, corresponding to a papal rank.
Though I didn’t know who the Vicar was, I had uncovered that he was an avatar of The Abyss Lord.
However, there was one.
Or rather, should I say one thing.
There was a single existence that had plunged me into perfect ‘darkness’ alone.
One who makes all information and records related to oneself forgotten, rendering that existence unknowable.
One who possesses the power of ‘memory annihilation’—instantly erasing even the cognition of recalling oneself—.
Six Lords serve The Emperor.
The Darkness Lord.
Therefore, the gaps in the information I currently possess.
If this phenomenon was caused by The Darkness Lord—
“The Darkness Lord is involved in this matter?”
I could reach such a conclusion.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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