The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 113

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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 113. The Royal Social Society (2)
The tea party had ended without fanfare.
Yet the Royal Social Society was far from over.
The Royal Social Society was not conducted in a single day.
Spanning multiple days, a succession of gatherings and events unfolded each day with varying themes.
The first day, being an initial meeting, featured a light tea party.
Today, the second day, a Banquet Hall was held where deeper connections could be forged.
Panels adorned with ornate gold leaf and massive portraits.
Each dining table was draped in white tablecloths embellished with intricate embroidery, upon which an array of exquisite cuisine was displayed.
The nobility engaged in conversation at their respective tables.
“Have you drawn up the export plan I mentioned yesterday?”
“I’m still deliberating. It requires Royal approval, after all.”
“There are rumors that several houses are already preparing similar goods, so you should act swiftly.”
“Hmm….”
“If you’d like, why not leave negotiations with the Royal Court to me?”
“Oh…! You would do that for me?”
“If you ensure a fair distribution of profits.”
A discussion far more substantive than the tea party.
Conversations pushing and pulling at mutual interests—it was at that very moment.
CRASH!!
With the sudden sound, the atmosphere of the Banquet Hall froze instantly.
Seraphia, who had been reaching for food, turned her startled gaze toward the source of the noise.
‘Brother…?’
…For some reason, Adrian was standing at the location from which the sound had come.
* * *
The banquet plan I had discovered after infiltrating Queen Marceline’s Chamber.
-It’s a love potion mixed with hallucinogenic substances. It’s been crafted to respond only to that person’s power, so it would be impossible to discern the drug’s true nature from the outside.
-That person’s power?
-It means other nobles would face no problems consuming it. There’s no need for you to know the details.
The power that Luseria had mentioned.
It referred to the Infinite Elixir.
Seraphia, who had neutralized the Royal Knights in the Royal Palace.
Luseria seemed convinced that upon witnessing that display, Seraphia had consumed the Infinite Elixir.
But in truth, Avarus had consumed the Infinite Elixir, and Avarus was consumed by me….
No—I had devoured [S+] it.
Therefore, even if Seraphia consumed it, there would be no problem….
‘There’s no need to volunteer that information.’
The Royal Social Society was ultimately a venue where young ladies of marriageable age introduced themselves.
In the process, families broadened their connections, and when opportunity arose, sought suitable matches.
Naturally, male nobles of suitable standing also attended.
In other words, I had every right to attend the Royal Social Society.
So I made my way to the Banquet Hall.
I used my predator’s instinct [S] on every dish, allowing me to identify any food laced with hallucinogenic substances.
Then, seizing the moment and feigning clumsiness—
I shattered every last glass of wine contaminated with Dark Dimension matter.
Crash! Crash!!
A deafening cacophony erupted through the Banquet Hall, and shards of broken glass scattered in all directions.
The carpet was drenched in crimson wine, reduced to complete chaos.
The atmosphere of the Banquet Hall froze in an instant.
“What… what is this?”
“What on earth…?”
Bewildered voices spilled out from every corner.
Every noble’s gaze and attention converged upon me.
For nobles who prided themselves on decorum and dignity, this was profoundly embarrassing—
But what did I care?
I was the worst of the worst ruffians, after all.
“That damned ruffian!”
A complete and utter scoundrel.
* * *
Alex, third son of the Marquis Segretus Family.
Alex was in a decidedly foul mood.
None other than Adrian had shown up at the Banquet Hall.
‘Why is that ruffian even here…’
What audacity—for a scoundrel like him to dare attend such a place.
He wanted nothing more than to throw him out with a roar.
And for good reason.
He had heard that Adrian was sponsoring Iliana.
But what right did he have to sponsor such a lowborn wretch, cast out by the Marquis Segretus Family as worthless?
It was a challenge to the family’s authority.
More than that, it was tantamount to contempt for the family’s prestige and honor—
—But contrary to rumor, he is a meticulous man. He is not someone you can contend with, so do not act rashly.
Alex’s father, Baron Segretus.
He had commanded Alex to exercise caution in his actions.
‘Why would he say such a thing…’
Though his pride stung, Alex nodded in acceptance.
Baron Segretus, the kingdom’s Prime Minister.
In all the years Alex had known him, he was the most coldly rational man alive.
So there he stood, grinding his teeth in frustration—
Crash! Crash!!
An opportunity had presented itself.
True to his reputation as a madman, Adrian had turned the Banquet Hall into complete chaos.
Alex was absolutely right!
“You reckless bastard!”
He shot to his feet, his voice thundering across the hall.
He strode toward Adrian and cornered him with an accusatory glare.
“Do you even comprehend what you’ve destroyed?”
“What did I destroy?”
Yet Adrian remained utterly composed.
He surely knew of House Segretus.
And yet that infuriating confidence never wavered.
Alex’s fury intensified, his voice rising to a fever pitch.
“It’s the finest wine in existence—blessed by the gods themselves, earning the designation Divine!”
As Alex’s voice shook the Banquet Hall, murmurs rippled through the assembled nobility.
“La Briyah Divine!”
“Such a precious vintage!”
Gasps erupted from every direction.
The nobles’ agreement seemed to mollify Alex’s temper somewhat.
Adrian’s reputation as a reckless fool would only deepen.
“…I wasn’t aware of that.”
“Not aware? Does ignorance absolve you of responsibility?”
“I’ll compensate you for the loss.”
“Compensate? You think mere coin can settle this?”
“Then what would you have me do?”
“The intangible loss—depriving these nobles of tasting such a rare vintage—you dare reduce that to money?”
“Well, as an alternative, though it hardly seems adequate…”
Adrian suddenly produced a wine bottle from within his coat.
It bore a deep amber hue, unlike any typical wine.
“It’s called peanut wine.”
“Peanut wine?”
He’d never heard of such a thing.
The name itself sounded cheap and pedestrian.
Wine was made from fermented grapes—what in the world was peanut wine supposed to be?
Pop!
Yet as the cork came free, a rich, nutty aroma wafted through the air—fragrant and luxuriously oily.
Without thinking, Alex swallowed hard.
Adrian poured the wine into a glass and offered it with casual indifference.
“Care for a taste?”
“Ha! Trying to escape responsibility with some unknown swill?”
Alex snatched the glass and drank deeply in one gulp—
“…!!!”
My eyes opened wide of their own accord.
And for good reason—what in the world was this flavor?
It began with the delicate aroma of perfectly ripened berries, unfolding sweetly across my palate.
Just as I found myself intoxicated by the fragrance lingering in my mouth.
Came the rich, nutty depth of peanuts.
That flavor enveloped my tongue, revealing a weighty presence.
And the smooth descent down my throat?
It flowed as gracefully as velvet brushing against skin.
What of the aftertaste that lingered?
Did it not feel as though I were sensing the essence of solid earth itself?
This wine—a harmonious blend of elegance and intensity—.
“Perfect… no, that’s—!”
Alex stammered, visibly flustered.
His mind kept repeating endlessly: “It’s garbage, this is just garbage.”
Yet somehow… he couldn’t bring himself to stop drinking.
This fantastical, flawless taste.
He simply… could not demean it as garbage.
That would be a desecration of this wine.
Moreover, an insult to himself.
A gulp, the tremor of his throat as he swallowed, the trembling at his fingertips.
These alone laid bare the true depths of Alex’s heart.
“Could I have a taste as well?”
A nearby nobleman approached.
The other nobles stirred with interest.
“That’s… the Gabriel County House crest, isn’t it?”
“Gabriel County House, you say….”
“The kingdom’s greatest wine-producing territory?”
“Could it be that even La Briyah Divine came from Gabriel County House?”
Adrian readily handed over the peanut wine—.
“This, this is—!!”
His face and expression shifting in astonishment was, naturally, the inevitable course of events.
* * *
To be honest.
…I never expected things to unfold this way.
In truth, retrieving the peanut wine was an impulsive decision.
My original plan was to smooth things over with monster meat.
Prime-grade Lex meat.
I’d brought several kilograms in my inventory, just in case.
But then my promise with Adlern suddenly came to mind.
So I impulsively pulled out the peanut wine instead….
“Me too! Just let me have a taste!”
“Me as well, Young Master! Please, just one sip!”
I never expected things to unfold like this.
“This… this flavor is absolutely impossible!”
“How can something taste like this!”
The reaction was nothing short of explosive.
“Sweet yet savory, rich and buttery!”
“Flawlessly smooth without a single rough note!”
“This is the finest of spirits. It’s ‘art’!!”
So much for aristocratic dignity and decorum.
For the first time in the kingdom’s history, the Banquet Hall descended into absolute chaos.
“Do business with our house! Please!!”
“We’ll meet any terms you name! Just supply us first!”
“We’ll hand over our entire family merchant enterprise!!”
Thus, demand for peanut wine among the nobility had spiraled beyond frenzy into absolute pandemonium.
‘…Adlern, what exactly did you create?’
I found myself at a complete loss for words.
* * *
The Banquet Hall lay in complete disarray.
Only after the Royal Knights intervened could the situation finally be brought under control.
But by then, the formality and elegance of the banquet had been utterly shattered.
Fine cuisine and decorations were in ruins, and the nobility had devolved into physical scuffles over who would be served first.
The banquet could not continue.
Thus came the next day’s social gathering.
A Salon.
The Salon was a form of cultural exchange—covering arcane studies, philosophy, the arts, and more.
It was a venue for forming knowledge networks across diverse fields.
Yet that did not mean only refined topics were discussed at the Salon.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“The kingdom’s soldiers have the ability to turn one second into ten.”
“That’s beyond nonsense—it’s pure drivel.”
“Are you so tired of learning human speech that you’ve moved on to barking?”
While absurd topics circulated.
“If God granted you a single question, what would you ask?”
“Why do mosquitoes exist?”
“Is it true that God is soft and squishy when you poke Him?”
“Does God still have twelve ships remaining?”
Bizarre exchanges unfolded throughout the hall.
“Madam, do you understand the principle by which physical therapy restores one from injury?”
“Hmm? I’m not sure?”
“Physical therapy defeats illness!”
“…Ah, yes.”
A pathetic joke that shattered the conversation.
“That… you know, Maren. You sometimes use humor that only you understand. That’s a sign of being a loser, isn’t it? Don’t you think so, Lycon?”
“I agree. We also call it being utterly tasteless.”
“You’re the same way…, sigh.”
“What. Don’t give up.”
This sort of scene was unfolding.
In the Salon of the Royal Social Society, they weren’t discussing anything refined or dignified.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
“The people in my territory are starving because they think potatoes are pig feed. With deaths from starvation every month, I’m at a loss for what to do…”
“In that case, spread a rumor that potatoes are a luxury food eaten by nobles.”
“You mean to spread false rumors that potatoes are precious?”
“Exactly. And if you station guards around the potato fields, everyone will go mad for them.”
“Will that really work?”
“Just trust me and try it.”
Many were exchanging territorial policies and seeking mutual development.
In any case, the Court Mage Floyd.
Floyd’s mission was simple.
-Approach Seraphia Whitewolf, instill elitism and ideology, and provoke emotional turmoil.
In technical terms, psychological domination.
Simply put, brainwashing.
In professional terminology, Mana Writing.
Mana Writing—the manipulation of an opponent’s thoughts and emotions through precisely calibrated magical power.
Once ensnared?
It was impossible to recognize or escape it through one’s own will.
A mere sixteen-year-old girl.
She could be dominated in an instant.
‘Ah, there she is.’
Floyd moved naturally toward where Seraphia was.
But then.
“Are you perhaps Floyd, sir?”
Someone suddenly blocked Floyd’s path.
“You are… not a madman, but Adrian Whitewolf?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why are you…?”
“I was deeply impressed by the paper you wrote on Mana Writing, sir.”
“Huh? That was never published to the academic community—”
“Particularly the method of manipulating mental flow written in the preface. Your interpretation of the seventh problem among the twenty-three enigmas of Arcanis.”
“No, how could you possibly—”
“It was truly revolutionary. I couldn’t stop marveling at every moment.”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to—”
“So I’d like to ask you a few things directly. Do you have time?”
“I’m busy right now—”
Crunch!
“You have time. Don’t you?”
…This madman had grabbed hold of me and showed no signs of letting go.
* * *
The next event following the Salon: the Concert.
Renowned musicians from the Royal Court were invited to perform opera and orchestral pieces.
This wasn’t something I needed to involve myself in.
-It’s an instrument imbued with his voice. Resonating with his power, unlike other nobles, she will hear his whispers.
-His whispers?
-You don’t need to know the details.
Thus, elegant melodies echoed throughout the Concert Hall.
“How can the melody be so soft and refined….”
“They say it’s the Royal Orchestra, and they certainly live up to their reputation.”
The nobles danced to the music, fostered camaraderie, and deepened their connections.
While all the nobles were captivated and absorbed by the music.
To me—who had consumed the Infinite Elixir and devoured Avarus with [S+]—it sounded entirely different.
【K’thulhu z’garoth, tharanoth k’lithak】
【Y’ha-nthlei durin】
【Adrianth k’luthak, shuggoth】
An inexplicable, unknowable terror—The Abyss Lord.
It felt as though he whispered to me endlessly.
But whenever that happened—.
◆12 Sanity points have accumulated.
◆17 Sanity points have accumulated.
◆15 Sanity points have accumulated.
.
.
.
Sanity points continued to accumulate endlessly.
‘How delicious.’
There was no sweeter music in the world than this.
* * *
Tea reception, banquet, salon, concert.
The events of the Royal Social Society were drawing to a close.
And—.
Crack! Crunch!
…Queen Marceline’s teeth were scarcely remaining now.

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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
—————