The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 133

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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 133. Variables and Changes (2)
The streets of Battenberg, the Kingdom’s capital.
Every time an ultra-luxurious carriage passed, people whispered among themselves.
No, they weren’t just whispering—they were stirring with excitement.
“That carriage….”
“Is it what I think it is?”
A carriage directly reflects authority and status.
Therefore, the form and decorations of a carriage—
Especially how many horses pulled it—determined its prestige.
Ordinary noble carriages were drawn by four horses.
Only the highest-ranking nobles who wielded influence in the Kingdom commanded six.
For reference, when I came to the capital, the carriage I brought was drawn by three horses.
But the carriage I’m riding in now—
Eight horses.
This was a carriage that symbolized the Royal Court’s authority and status.
“You are a distinguished guest of the Royal Court. This treatment is only proper—don’t feel burdened.”
And then, he whispered further:
“Besides, the Crown Princess is visiting her family home. Surely this is only natural?”
That was the carriage Leon had prepared for me.
The Crown Princess Leon was referring to—
“Waaaaahhh!!”
Was Seraphia, who was making a fuss right in front of me.
Seraphia was being far more theatrical than when we were on the capital’s streets.
Well, I’d never seen a carriage decorated with such ornate embellishments and intricate craftsmanship before.
Perhaps only a Queen could ride in something like this.
In other words, Leon genuinely believed he could earn Kai’s approval.
No—he was already ‘deluding’ himself into thinking he had.
He’d need to get bitten by a mad dog once to come to his senses.
…Anyway.
The ultra-luxurious carriage raced swiftly toward Whitewolf Territory.
It seemed we’d arrive at the Territory faster than when we came.
Still, I couldn’t waste time idly.
‘I need to consume Chameleon and Noctura on the way back.’
Mimicry [C+] and Low-Light Vision [D+].
Once I achieved the complete forms of both abilities and researched combination skills, fusion skills, and evolution skills, that should suffice.
And—
[Area] – 46.7 km²
[Mineral] – Rune Iron Ore
[Reserves] – 1,676,420,552 tons
An absolutely staggering quantity of Rune Iron.
However, the calculation for RuneSteel ore alone wasn’t straightforward.
It was, after all, RuneSteel ‘ore’.
In other words, it referred to iron-bearing minerals containing RuneSteel.
Only by refining and smelting this RuneSteel ore could one obtain true RuneSteel.
Thus, I needed to examine the actual ‘RuneSteel content’ contained within the ore.
Based on gold ore standards, approximately 5 grams of gold could be extracted per ton.
That amounted to a purity of roughly 0.0005%.
RuneSteel wasn’t significantly different from gold in this regard.
Therefore, the pure RuneSteel that could realistically be extracted was approximately 8,382 tons.
From this, I also had to account for the content of harmful components like sulfur and phosphorus.
If the concentration of harmful components was high?
The smelting quality would suffer—it would be better not to mine it at all.
‘I can’t verify the composition without checking directly.’
It seemed I would need to visit the site in person to confirm.
Even 8,382 tons of RuneSteel represented enormous value, but I had to consider both mining feasibility and quality simultaneously.
In other words, there was a possibility that The Emperor hadn’t failed to discover the RuneSteel vein—he’d discovered it but chose not to mine it.
If the quality was poor… it would be nothing more than an expensive heap of scrap metal.
But if the RuneSteel’s quality exceeded expectations?
It could reshape the entire course of war.
RuneSteel not only served as effective armor but, when used on building exteriors, fundamentally transformed the very concept of siege warfare.
Was it the greatest variable?
Or merely a meaningless waste of effort?
I couldn’t reach a conclusion without verifying the site myself.
And so—
“Brother! All the other convoys are stopped, but only our carriage is passing through!!”
Seraphia, for her part.
And I, for mine.
Each of us brimming with our own excitement and anticipation—
“The Kingdom’s highest dignitary approaches! All troops, stand at attention!!”
The Castle Gate, sealed shut until now, slowly swung open, and the Royal Knights arrayed along the Castle Wall drew their blades in unison to chest height.
Silver armor gleaming beneath the sunlight.
“─Salute to the dignitary!”
Within that magnificent spectacle—
“”””Salute to the dignitary!!!”””””
A thunderous roar of salute that seemed to shake the Capital itself.
Receiving their honor—
The ultra-luxurious carriage, drawn by eight horses, swiftly departed the Capital of Battenberg.
* * *
The Inner City of Battenberg, the Capital.
This district was primarily inhabited by high-ranking nobility, senior officials, and the upper merchant class.
The district closest to the Royal Palace itself.
This space touched the very center of power, and those who dwelt here were far more than mere nobility.
Those who held the Kingdom’s politics and economy in their hands.
Only the individuals who truly moved the Kingdom resided here, and as if to flaunt their status, lavish mansions stretched across the landscape at wide intervals.
Among them, the most colossal estate of all.
Within a spacious, shadowed study.
“Baron Segretus, I bring a report concerning young master Alex.”
“What has become of him?”
At his subordinate’s words, Baron Segretus lifted his gaze quietly.
The Baron’s third son, Alex.
He who had attended the Royal Social Society.
But after the Royal Social Society concluded, something had gone terribly wrong.
For some reason, his mind had simply… departed.
He gave no response when spoken to, and his entire body trembled as though he feared someone—anyone.
Approach him even slightly, and he would soil himself in terror.
Alex had become utterly catatonic.
He had now descended into a state where he could no longer distinguish his own bodily functions.
The reason remained unknown.
The cause could not be determined.
In the end, even the priests of the Holy Kingdom had been summoned, but….
“…My sincerest apologies, my lord.”
The subordinate’s expression darkened as he shook his head.
And as one might discard a broken component—
“See that he passes without suffering.”
Baron Segretus was resolute.
There was neither compassion nor hesitation born of blood and kinship.
And so the subordinate departed from the study—
As the candles in the study flickered violently, Baron Segretus’s gaze came to rest upon the documents upon his desk.
A royal decree from the throne.
Its contents were as follows.
====
[Royal Decree] – Authority Restriction Clause
: Prime Minister Baron Segretus has been found to have involvement concerning the Third Prince Walter Batennberg, and accordingly, the following restrictive measures shall be implemented.
[Article 1] – The position of Prime Minister shall be retained, but all executive authority is hereby revoked. Under this provision, interference in major royal conferences and policy-making processes is forbidden.
[Article 2] – The Marquis Segretus Family shall not attempt any political or diplomatic intervention without royal authorization. All unofficial contact and consultation with high-ranking officials within the Kingdom and foreign delegations are strictly prohibited.
.
.
.
====
Below that, dozens more clauses stretched onward in endless succession.
Leon interrogated Walter, and his connection to Baron Segretus was exposed.
However, the extent wasn’t excessive, and with the authority of his position as Prime Minister, he managed to smooth things over, though he had to accept inevitable damage.
On the surface, it appeared to be Leon’s political pressure to check Baron Segretus.
But looking beneath the surface revealed otherwise.
In fact, there was no need to look that deep.
====
[Article 15] – The Marquis Segretus Family is prohibited from making direct contact with ‘Iliana Segretus,’ a protected subject designated by the Royal Court.
Violation of this may result in partial restriction of the family’s direct administrative authority.
====
It was stated plainly.
Not to lay a finger on Iliana.
Only one person would do such a thing.
“Adrian Whitewolf….”
It was a sort of warning letter he was sending to the Marquis family.
“Audacious.”
Crunch!
Baron Segretus crumpled the royal decree roughly in his hands.
Adrian had left the Capital.
With this, Adrian was once again confined to the remote Whitewolf Territory.
Therefore, now it was my turn to make a move, but….
First Prince Leon had completely seized control of the Kingdom.
Queen Marceline, who opposed him, was assassinated, Second Prince Blake was put under a bounty, and Third Prince Walter was… utterly useless.
The very board on which I could make moves had been completely overturned.
The tower of power I had painstakingly built up piece by piece.
It crumbled in an instant.
All because of one person.
“…Adrian Whitewolf.”
That reckless fool.
Baron Segretus’s gaze grew sharp and cold.
For now.
Crunch!!
All I could do was grit my teeth….
“Don’t think I’ll back down like this…!!”
Baron Segretus burned with the embers of his rage.
* * *
A luxuriously decorated ultra-premium carriage.
The dazzling splendor brought joy to Seraphia’s eyes.
And it wasn’t merely the decoration.
The interior was even more comfortable and refined.
Soft cushions and intricately carved wooden ornaments.
The lingering scent of premium incense drifted softly through the air.
Inhaling it, I found myself slipping into slumber without even realizing it.
Above all, the speed of the eight horses pulling the carriage was remarkably swift.
However, on mountain paths rather than proper roads, they couldn’t maintain their full pace.
Uneven terrain and rough dirt trails.
Especially through narrow passages, the eight horses would tangle and twist with one another, causing the carriage to sway constantly.
Because of this, we had to reduce our speed, and time was actually being lost.
‘That’s fine….’
Actually, it was better this way.
It simply meant I had more time to spend with Adrian.
Of course, the actual time I spent together with Adrian was almost nonexistent.
Just as when we came to the Capital, Adrian would invariably disappear under the pretense of scouting the surroundings.
During travel, without fail—.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
He didn’t ride in the carriage, claiming he was training his body.
Seraphia leaned her head out the window to look outside.
Not far away.
Adrian was running alongside the carriage, keeping pace with its speed.
His entire body was laden with heavy iron equipment, and training weights hung from various points all over him.
His muscles rippled like taut sinews across his entire frame.
They looked so tense they seemed ready to burst at any moment….
“Isn’t he faster than last time?”
“Y-yes, he is…?”
The soldiers’ astonishment was even greater than before.
Thus.
Seraphia couldn’t properly face Adrian even once.
‘Brother….’
Seraphia recalled what had happened in the Guest Chamber of the Royal Palace.
* * *
Inside the Guest Chamber of the Royal Palace.
Soft breathing sounds drifted gently.
Seraphia, sleeping peacefully in a prone position, curled her body slightly.
At that moment.
Someone shook Seraphia’s shoulder, and she flinched with a small whimper.
“Mmm….”
“Stop sleeping and wake up.”
“…Huh!”
Consciousness snapped awake.
Startled, she lifted her head abruptly—.
“B-brother!!”
Adrian stood right before my eyes?
“Oh, are you alright?! You’re alive?! You wouldn’t wake up for so long, I was so worried—!”
“As you can see.”
His voice was somewhat blunt.
In other words, his tone hadn’t changed from his usual self.
Seraphia’s eyes darted across Adrian’s condition, taking in every detail.
His features were sharp and distinct.
Those eyes still burned with intensity and depth.
Long lashes and a sharp jawline.
Though weariness clung to him, he was the Adrian I knew.
Most importantly, the wound on his chest had completely healed.
“Haaah….”
Seraphia exhaled a sigh of relief so profound it felt like the ground itself had given way beneath her.
When I lifted my head again, Adrian unfolded something and handed it to me.
Fine parchment of the highest quality.
Dense text filled every inch of it—this was….
“What is this?”
“Seraphia, it is a royal decree conferring upon you the rank of Countess.”
“Eh…?”
Seraphia examined the parchment’s contents with her mouth hanging open.
There, written clearly, were the words ‘Seraphia Whitewolf is hereby elevated to the rank of Countess,’ alongside the royal seal impressed beside them.
Of course, there was no possibility of forgery.
“While you were sleeping, I went to meet with Leon.”
Though one would grow weary after enduring such momentous events in succession, Adrian continued pressing forward.
He could have rested a little longer.
And perhaps… he could have let me share in his burdens.
Even as I stood beside Adrian, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was lightening none of his weight.
…I was still failing to be of any help to him.
“You shouldn’t have woken me.”
“You were sleeping soundly, so I left you be.”
With that, Adrian gestured toward the mirror with a tilt of his chin.
Seraphia turned toward the mirror and only then could she see her own reflection.
Disheveled hair. Bleary eyes.
Dried saliva crusted at the corner of her mouth and a clear handprint marked across her cheek.
She frantically rubbed her cheek with her hand, but it was useless. Embarrassed, I lowered my head—
“Stop that and go prepare yourself.”
“…Prepare?”
“We’ve finished all our business in the Capital. Now we must return to Whitewolf Territory.”
Seraphia swallowed hard.
“Oh, and what about my brother…?”
“I’m going back too.”
“Y-you mean… you’re returning to Whitewolf Territory?!”
“Yes.”
“And you’re saying you won’t leave the House anymore?!”
“Yes.”
“Really, truly?!”
“Didn’t I just say I wouldn’t leave?”
“Kyaaaaa!!”
Seraphia’s mouth fell open wide, and a radiant smile bloomed across her face.
Fearing Adrian might change his mind—
“I’ll go prepare right away!!”
She sprang to her feet and rushed from the room.
What kind of day was this, anyway?
“Seraphia.”
At Adrian’s call, she stopped in her tracks.
Turning back, Adrian gazed at her quietly.
For a long moment, in silence.
Searching for unfamiliar words within himself—
“Your presence made things at the Royal Palace proceed smoothly.”
He spoke slowly, his voice laden with sincerity.
Seraphia found herself momentarily speechless.
“Because of you, I was able to fight without strain.”
She felt she should say something—
“You were truly a great help.”
Yet she didn’t know how to respond.
All this time, our relationship had been misaligned.
Misunderstandings Seraphia couldn’t voice, that Adrian hadn’t expressed—silence between us.
Emotions that never quite aligned.
They accumulated, creating a distance that kept us apart even when we faced each other.
Adrian and Seraphia.
Stepsiblings, not bound by blood.
Our relationship had never meshed properly.
But now.
Though not perfectly smooth—
“You worked hard.”
The gears of our relationship finally began to turn in sync.
A sound of hope that Adrian and I had grown closer, and would continue to draw nearer with each passing day.
What kind of day was this, truly?
Seraphia blinked once at the thought that suddenly surfaced.
Yes, today was—
A memory I would never forget, even in death.
“I look forward to working with you going forward, Countess Seraphia.”
It was the happiest birthday Seraphia had ever known.
* * *
Though not perfectly smooth, the gears of our relationship had finally begun to mesh and turn in unison.
Despite not getting a proper look at Adrian’s face during the entire journey to the Whitewolf Territory, Seraphia no longer felt disappointed or lonely.
Not anymore.
Instead, watching Adrian’s endless efforts and determination—
‘I need to work harder too!’
Seraphia’s resolve ignited with equal fervor.
Though Seraphia had inherited the title of Countess, she had inherited only the title itself.
Adrian was the head of Count Whitewolf’s House.
Adrian was also the lord of the Whitewolf Territory.
Which meant Seraphia was, essentially….
‘A figurehead countess!’
Something like that.
The landscape visible beyond the carriage window.
The scenery gradually transformed into familiar sights.
Cold air and snow-covered mountain ranges.
The long, arduous journey to the Capital—
“We will arrive at the Whitewolf Territory shortly!!”
Thus came the curtain call.
Yet it was neither a period nor an ending.
It heralded an exhilarating new beginning—
“From here on, I will move separately.”
“What?!”
Seraphia’s head, which had been leaning out the window, snapped around.

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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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