The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 115

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

Chapter 115. Debut
A silence as if all of space and time had frozen solid.
The murmur that had filled the Ballroom vanished in an instant.
The nobles stood captivated, unable to utter a single word.
In the descending hush.
Seraphia, a girl with luminous silver hair, stepped forward with delicate grace.
With each touch of Seraphia’s feet to the ground, her dress traced elegant curves as it fell.
A sweetheart neckline that emphasized her collarbone and neck.
As eyes were naturally drawn to it, hearts were stolen by the soft, feminine silhouette cinched at the empire waistline.
A jeweled belt added a finishing touch, elevating the overall magnificence.
Flowing drapes along the back maximized the elegance.
The bright, luminous cream color harmonized with Seraphia’s silver hair, accentuating an ethereal yet pristine atmosphere.
“How can a person be so beautiful….”
“This is… insane….”
Every eye of the nobles attending the tea reception was fixed on Seraphia.
Seraphia, who monopolized all attention.
Every step, every gesture of hers drew the gaze of the male nobles.
The young ladies in their fine dresses cast jealous glances.
“…Hmph! Why is she acting so superior?”
“Look at the atmosphere. She’s completely the protagonist.”
“I can’t stand the sight of her.”
The young ladies began whispering and finding fault.
“My, did you see that head tilt just now? You can totally tell she practiced it.”
“Does she think she’s some kind of princess?”
“It’s all just the dress carrying her.”
“…But seriously, what is that? Why is that dress so beautiful?”
“I need to find out which artisan made it right away.”
But they say beauty is overwhelming in itself.
Seraphia was merely standing there, yet that very presence was already perfect.
“…Tch, she is pretty though.”
“Right? If I stand next to her, I look shabby.”
“Sigh… this is so annoying.”
Whispered voices and sharp gazes pouring from behind Seraphia’s back.
Honestly, I heard and saw it all.
But Seraphia pretended not to notice and moved with elegant grace.
As if she had become the protagonist of this Ballroom.
Her confidence surged upward.
Especially the dress Adrian had tailored for her was breathtakingly beautiful in Seraphia’s eyes.
It fit her figure perfectly as a given.
Every shortcoming had been subtly compensated for.
This was something that couldn’t be done without truly knowing Seraphia.
I had to understand her strengths and weaknesses perfectly.
I had to know exactly what made her charming and how to maximize that appeal.
In other words.
‘My brother has been….’
It was what I had secretly been thinking all along.
Even though he was always cold, taciturn, and looked at me with disgust like I was some insect.
Even though he barely spared me a glance and spoke curtly.
Even though his expression was perpetually icy, and he’d give me a piercing look at the slightest mistake.
Even though whenever he deigned to speak to me, it felt like mere obligation—nothing but dry formality.
Even though expecting a single warm word from him was pure luxury.
Even though he’d sometimes scold me when I asked for help, saying “You can’t even do that?”
Even though there was never a smile, only cold indifference.
Even though he was the kind of Adrian who, if you took one step closer, would take ten steps away—keeping me forever at arm’s length!
Unknowingly, he had been carefully considering and watching over Seraphia.
‘Hehe.’
A laugh escaped unbidden.
And that wasn’t all.
Adrian had even personally taught me the ballroom dance.
Thinking back on that time, truly—
‘It was so much fun.’
My heart was still racing.
Of course.
-How many more times do you plan to step on my feet before you’re satisfied?
-I’m so sorry….
-In the previous step, keep your left foot forward.
-L-like this?
-…sigh.
…The process of learning to dance was grueling, but regardless.
“If I may be so bold, would you grant the honor of dancing with the lady to Austin, the eldest son of House Roen?”
“My apologies, but I’m afraid I must claim that honor for myself—Richard, second son of House Claude.”
“Now, gentlemen, surely you see the lady is troubled. As the future marquess of House Estelle, I simply cannot stand idly by.”
Young nobles from prominent families vied with one another to request a dance with Seraphia.
As the eldest daughter of House Whitewolf, representing the family at this gathering.
So that I could be Adrian’s wonderful sister.
‘I have to do my best!’
Seraphia clenched both fists tightly with determination.
* * *
…He was simply overflowing with flattery.
“They say beauty is not the night sky itself, but the stars that illuminate it. You, the lady of House Whitewolf, are the star that brightens my night sky.”
“In the beginning, the sun loved the moon, yet their meeting was forbidden. But now, at last, they have come together. The Goddess of the Moon, the Lady of House Whitewolf, and I.”
Flowery nonsense that made even transparent prose look pedestrian.
Absurdly grandiose nonsense.
It filled the entire Ballroom….
“Let us settle this with a duel!”
…What in the world?
“The victor shall dance with the Lady of House Whitewolf.”
“Agreed! Follow me outside.”
What madness was this.
Perhaps they needed their entire bodies frozen solid before they’d regain their senses.
Every blood vessel and cell in my body torn asunder-.
“Ah, to perish beneath the feet of the Lady of House Whitewolf! I would consider even that an honor!”
…Somehow, I suspected they’d enjoy that too.
Utterly incomprehensible, but regardless.
‘Still, clearing the Quest should pose no problems.’
The Fate Quest, [Tonight, I Am the Protagonist!].
Given that the failure penalty was ???, I had taken considerable care.
Altering the dress was part of that effort.
My dexterity of 110.4 made it possible.
Of course, creating a beautiful dress required more than mere dexterity.
Aesthetic sense and creativity were fundamental.
Understanding of color, knowledge of fabrics, and so forth.
Numerous talents and knowledge had to work in concert.
But altering an already beautiful dress was hardly difficult.
In that regard, Seraphia’s aesthetic sensibility was excellent.
It was no coincidence that the Tominites’ performance had been steadily improving.
In any case.
Who Seraphia danced with was not my concern.
But I needed to identify which of them might be scheming.
I turned my Predator’s Instinct [S] upon those fools who were practically drooling.
‘…So far, I don’t see anyone particularly suspicious.’
Then came the moment.
“Her Majesty the Queen enters!!”
A voice that rang through the Ballroom with crystalline clarity.
In an instant, the cacophony of chatter ceased entirely.
And there appeared Queen Marceline.
Adorned in a dress embellished with brilliant golden thread, she resembled a single golden rose in full bloom.
Queen Marceline, radiating an overwhelming presence.
I maintained my Predator’s Instinct [S] and surveyed her surroundings.
‘The King did not attend.’
The Ballroom is the most important event of the Royal Social Society.
It is customary for both The Queen and The King to attend.
However, he did not attend, apparently confined to his bed by illness.
‘I don’t see Leon either.’
The First Prince, Leon, was absent as well.
I had searched for Leon since the previous Royal Social Society event, but he was nowhere to be found.
‘I thought he would attend the Ballroom.’
It wasn’t just Leon who was missing.
The other princes were also absent.
Their absence was no mere coincidence.
‘Are they planning to make their move here?’
I sharpened my senses with absolute certainty.
‘Well then, let’s see what unfolds.’
* * *
The Ballroom began in earnest with the entrance of Queen Marceline.
Countless scions of noble houses displayed their status and lineage, pairing off to dance.
Seraphia received countless invitations.
Yet she accepted none of them.
To dance together at the Ballroom.
It signified the promotion of relations between houses.
It could even be interpreted as consideration for marriage.
‘I can only dance with someone my brother approves of.’
It had to be a house that would benefit Adrian.
Thus, Seraphia carefully gauged Adrian’s reaction.
But what was this?
Whenever a nobleman approached Seraphia, Adrian’s eyes blazed with fury.
His expression twisted into something utterly menacing.
…It was unmistakably clear: absolutely not.
Adrian’s glare exerted tremendous pressure on the nobles.
The mad ruffian who had even beaten a prince.
Not a single nobleman was unaware of that reputation.
If he would strike down royalty itself.
What hope had mere nobles?
“Good heavens, one wrong glance might cost me my life.”
“Perhaps it’s better to seek another partner.”
“Alas! So the lady is truly a flower upon a cliff…!”
Eventually, the nobles retreated quietly.
Unable to even openly express interest in Seraphia, they were utterly intimidated by Adrian and completely suppressed.
As a result, Seraphia could not dance even a single dance.
…If this was to be the outcome, I wonder why he bothered teaching her to dance in the first place.
Yet strangely, I didn’t find it unpleasant.
The sensation of being protected by Adrian.
Beneath the Ballroom’s resplendent lights, though Seraphia stood alone—
‘Hehe.’
An irrepressible smile kept escaping my lips.
And so the Ballroom continued—
The final highlight.
Only the stage for presenting myself to The Queen remained.
The noble ladies of each House came forward with their daughters to pay their respects to Queen Marceline.
“Your Majesty, my youngest daughter Luciel possesses exceptional talent in music and poetry, and has participated in various events throughout the kingdom….”
“Adeline is accomplished in both scholarship and the arts, and particularly possesses the eloquence and wisdom necessary for diplomacy. She will undoubtedly become a talent of great service to the kingdom.”
The noble ladies extolled their daughters’ virtues.
Introducing them to Queen Marceline and the numerous noble Houses present at the Ballroom.
Seraphia, by contrast, stood alone.
Yet she walked onto the stage with perfect confidence and grace.
“Seraphia Whitewolf of House Whitewolf. I present my respects to Your Majesty.”
Her bearing was impeccably refined, without the slightest falter.
‘Absolutely perfect!’
All my nights of practice were bearing fruit.
“Furthermore, I believe my presence here is solely due to Your Majesty’s benevolence and the grace of the Royal Court. I earnestly hope that, however humbly, I may contribute to illuminating the kingdom.”
As Seraphia’s introduction concluded, the Ballroom erupted in murmurs.
“My goodness…!”
“How can she possess such refinement!”
“Not only her appearance, but her words are suffused with nobility!”
“At the next social gathering, I absolutely must dance with the Lady!”
“Hold on now, be careful. That older brother’s gaze is anything but ordinary.”
Numerous nobles competed to voice their thoughts.
Amid all those murmurs, Seraphia maintained her composure, yet…
‘Hehe.’
An irrepressible smile kept escaping my lips.
* * *
While the Ballroom proceeded, I confirmed every noble approaching Seraphia using Predator’s Instinct [S].
I also thoroughly examined every object placed within the Ballroom.
My eyes nearly fell out from the effort, but…regardless.
I quietly disposed of any suspicious individuals.
I removed any suspicious objects the moment I detected them.
Thus, with Seraphia’s magnificent debut, the Ballroom came to an end.
◆You have cleared the Fate Quest [Tonight, the Spotlight is Mine!]!
◆You have acquired 2,143,000 Quest Experience!
◆Your level has increased!
◆Your level has increased!
◆Your level has increased!
◆Your level has increased!
The Fate Quest had been cleared without incident.
A sudden surge of +4 levels.
But that wasn’t all.
◆Seraphia’s affinity has unlocked the 「Bond Stage」.
◆You have acquired the Bond Skill, Mental Empathy [E]!
Bond Skill, Mental Empathy [E].
I could verify what the skill did later.
That wasn’t what mattered now.
Queen Marceline sat in silence.
She remained perfectly still.
I kept my eyes fixed on Queen Marceline until the very end.
Then, in that moment.
Crunch!!
The sound of teeth grinding harshly echoed, and Queen Marceline rose from her seat.
‘She’s finally given up.’
That seemed to be the case.
After all, I had blocked everything in advance, as if I saw through her every move.
Thus, between Queen Marceline and Luseria.
The discord deepened, and it seemed the Ballroom’s plan had ultimately fallen apart.
‘Is the situation over?’
Only then could I finally release the tension.
But everything wasn’t finished.
There still remained the matter of the succession to the Count’s title.
In that sense.
‘They might still cling to the issue of the Count’s succession.’
Therefore, I needed to prepare accordingly.
‘Let me think….’
Organizing my thoughts, I turned my steps toward the Guest Chamber of the Royal Palace.
* * *
As I returned to the Guest Chamber of the Royal Palace, I fell into contemplation.
‘I’ve grasped the entire plan.’
Queen Marceline, whose every move I could see through.
She rests in the palm of my hand.
What remained now was simple.
To dismantle the plan piece by piece and completely overturn the intended outcome.
Then.
‘She won’t be able to remain in the darkness forever.’
The Darkness Lord will inevitably have to step forward.
When I returned to the Guest Chamber of the Royal Palace—
Seraphia was pacing in front of the door.
Her expression grave, lost in thought.
Then suddenly, she gasped and cried out into the empty air.
“This can’t be!”
“What can’t be?”
“Eek!!”
Seraphia looked as though her heart had been torn to shreds.
“Uaaah…!!”
She had even lost the ability to form words.
But the moment she saw me—
“Brother!!”
Her shattered composure reassembled itself, and her lost voice returned in an instant.
“A-are you alright?! You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?!”
Seraphia’s eyes darted rapidly across me, assessing my condition.
I looked at her and asked.
“Why did you do that?”
“…Pardon? Oh, just… I was so startled.”
“Why did you fight the Royal Knights?”
“Ah, well… that was….”
Seraphia hesitated, avoiding my gaze.
“It was just that Brother might be….”
She began speaking in a small voice, then trailed off.
“I was afraid you might be in danger… so I just….”
Seraphia couldn’t finish her sentence and bowed her head deeply.
I was about to scold her, but stopped myself.
After all, her involvement with me had actually made things proceed more smoothly.
The fact that Queen Marceline had imposed only the lightest of punishments on me was entirely thanks to Seraphia.
“Don’t do that again.”
“Eh…?”
“Why not?”
“Oh, no! It’s nothing!”
Seraphia waved her hands frantically.
And bit her lower lip firmly.
“In any case, it seems the King’s condition shows no signs of improvement.”
“…I see.”
“It appears the Royal Social Society will be held sooner than expected, so prepare yourself in advance.”
“Yes! I’ll prepare diligently!”
“Then get some rest. It’s getting late—”
Something… feels off.
…Everything is far too familiar.
A sense of déjà vu so vivid it’s almost painful.
Yet there’s something unreal about it to call it mere déjà vu.
This is something I truly experienced.
And yet, as if it had been erased from my memory—.
◆The Successor’s Will [EX] resists the violated memory!!
◆107 Sanity points have accumulated.
A message suddenly materializes before my eyes.
And in that same instant, the violated memories come rushing back—.
I could immediately comprehend it.
This was.
The entire Royal Social Society that had unfolded over several days—.
‘…forgotten?’

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