The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 192

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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 192. Groping in the Dark (2)
After days of travel, I arrived at Whitewolf Territory.
The Territory sat in the heart of an endless snowy plain, much as it always had.
Yet.
“…?”
Something felt off.
Decidedly unusual.
Contrary to my expectations that the Special Operations Bureau’s involvement would have turned it into a battlefield, Whitewolf Territory appeared almost excessively orderly.
Where once it had resembled a makeshift outpost barely erected upon the desolate snowy plain, it now bore the aspect of a developed city with systems running like clockwork.
◆He’s coming…!
◆Clear’s coming again…!!
…I could now somewhat understand why Munggu had been so frantic all this time.
The landscape of Whitewolf Territory had transformed dramatically.
Of course, my departure for Caravana hadn’t been long ago.
It felt strange to call it “before.”
Yet the vista of Whitewolf Territory before my eyes.
It was entirely fitting to call it “before.”
The reason being that the old Territory had been rather rough around the edges.
Though the Dwarves’ technology had rapidly erected facilities and infrastructure, there had been no system to bind them together.
Thus, the town and facilities operated independently of one another.
Carriages frequently slid off uncleared slopes scattered throughout.
Workers were deployed haphazardly without any classification or organization.
But now it was different.
Neatly maintained streets and production facilities.
The rhythmic sound of hammers and machinery echoing in cadence.
Each facility bore a department nameplate, and every entrance had personnel checkpoints managing both people and materials.
It was unmistakably the same Whitewolf Territory, yet it wasn’t.
◆He’ll come…! He’ll definitely come…!
◆Clear’s coming again…!!
With the same bewildered feeling as the glowing text before me, I gazed blankly at the Territory’s panorama.
It was then.
“Adrian?”
Someone called my name.
Turning my head, an unidentifiable figure in a gray hood stood before me.
Yet the undeniable aura of beauty and platinum blonde hair spilling from either side of the hood.
I could discern her identity without even activating Predator’s Instinct [S].
“Isolde?”
Isolde, the Saint of the Allied Forces.
Isolde quietly removed her hood and approached me.
“You’ve just returned.”
Her tone was as blunt as ever.
Unlike in the Whitewolf Territory, she remained entirely unchanged.
Yet the light of relief and warmth that flickered across her topaz-like eyes suggested she had grown somewhat more accustomed to expressing emotion than before.
“I’ve heard the news. You faced a Death Knight, I understand.”
Somehow, word of Caravana’s events had reached the Whitewolf Territory.
Most of it was exaggerated rumor.
Yet Isolde accepted it as though it were only natural.
Well, I had nothing particular to say about the rumors myself, so I offered no further comment.
Instead, I pointed with my finger toward the panorama of the Whitewolf Territory.
“What happened here?”
At my question, Isolde turned her gaze.
After taking in the transformed landscape of the Whitewolf Territory for a moment, she calmly recounted the events that had transpired.
* * *
They say rumors travel faster than any messenger.
The incident that unfolded in Caravana spread from mouth to mouth until it reached the Whitewolf Territory.
Thus, Seraphia was among the first to hear the news.
“Brother is absolutely amazing!!!”
Indescribable emotion flooded Seraphia’s chest.
She felt immensely proud of Adrian.
And gratified that the world had finally come to recognize Adrian’s true capabilities, yet also overwhelmed…!
“Brother is seriously so cool!!!!”
Her heart felt as though it might burst.
Pride surged within her at being the sister of such a man.
But Seraphia composed herself and suppressed her emotions.
‘So that Brother can be proud of me!’
Now it was her turn to prove she was a sister worthy of his pride.
Seraphia clenched both fists tightly.
She pinched her thighs hard to drive away the encroaching drowsiness, sharpening her focus.
Rustle, rustle.
She meticulously reviewed and verified the documents.
The knowledge she had studied and absorbed throughout the night.
When something remained unclear, she asked Isolde, and based on her experience, she reorganized it to suit practical application.
Through the efforts she accumulated in this way, Seraphia began transforming the systems of the Whitewolf Territory one by one—
‘If I standardize the tax forms, I can reduce the document processing staff by half.’
Gradually, yet steadily.
She was growing into an excellent countess.
* * *
Isolde’s account had gone on for some time.
“So, in other words….”
I mulled over Isolde’s story once more before asking.
“You’re saying Seraphia reorganized the Territory?”
“Yes. From the administrative records to resident registrations, tax systems, and commercial licensing—she overhauled the entire territorial framework.”
“Did Seraphia do this alone?”
“It appears she studied and learned diligently through the night. She even memorized the entire administrative manual.”
Isolde spoke matter-of-factly.
From what I heard, she had certainly made considerable effort.
But as the saying goes, knowledge gained only through study pales before experience.
Reforms of that magnitude could not be accomplished through study alone.
“A man named Bernard, a viscount, provided considerable assistance to the Countess.”
Isolde paused briefly before adding quietly,
“I also lent my hand to the effort.”
As a princess of the Holy Kingdom, Isolde possessed extensive high-level administrative experience.
She was particularly exceptional at untangling complex administrative systems in one fell swoop.
In the past, during her time as Commander of the Holy Command.
When factional strife had collapsed the supply lines and the Holy Command teetered on the brink of paralysis from personnel deadlock, her swift reorganization had earned even Leon’s admiration.
Practical counsel born from Isolde’s experience.
It was hardly surprising that Seraphia had reorganized the Whitewolf Territory to this degree, but….
“The Countess found it overwhelming at first, but she quickly grasped the rhythm of it.”
Seraphia, who had absorbed that experience, was no ordinary girl either.
Come to think of it….
‘Seraphia is descended from the Frost Lord, after all.’
The Frost Empress who once ruled the Northern Region of the Continent.
Of course, that was in her past life, and now she was merely a sixteen-year-old girl.
It hardly seemed fitting to call her a ruler’s descendant.
Yet that aptitude clearly hadn’t gone anywhere.
“The Countess makes swift judgments and grasps the essence of administration with precision.”
Rare praise from Isolde.
Indeed, a ruler is a ruler.
…In any case.
I could understand why the Territory had transformed so dramatically.
But then.
Gyaaaaaaaaaaa──!!
Kiiryaaaaaaaaaaa───!!!
Rai-rai-rai, cha-cha-cha──!!
Those bizarre war cries that had been erupting since earlier.
The cries that made the entire Territory reverberate were coming from the soldiers—.
“What’s wrong with them?”
“Ah, well, you see.”
Isolde slowly opened her mouth with a smile I had rarely seen before.
* * *
Within the Frost Trial Grounds of Whitewolf Territory.
Soldiers lay scattered about, exhausted from grueling training. And Sarpedon’s eyes blazed as he surveyed them.
Once, Sarpedon had been an architect of the Black Grasp.
But now he was a soldier and non-commissioned officer of Whitewolf Territory.
Yet that did not change the fact that Sarpedon remained a criminal of Violess.
The stains of the past never truly fade.
And this would surely taint Adrian as well.
And yet.
“Lord Adrian once told us!”
-Only two kinds of people claim that humans cannot change.
Those lacking the will to transform.
Or those so convinced of their own righteousness that they judge hastily without thought.
“He said we can forge our own path forward!!”
And he proved it beyond doubt.
Now people across the entire Continent spoke of it.
Following in the footsteps of Isolde, the Saint of Violess—
Adrian, the Saint of Caravana.
That was what terrified me.
The stigma of being criminals.
A past stained with blood.
Would our very existence taint Adrian’s name?
Would we drag down the one known as a saint?
Perhaps we should leave Whitewolf Territory now.
But Adrian had said.
-Do not presume. Your failures and despair mean nothing to me.
Sarpedon ground his teeth and roared.
“Lord Adrian graciously became our lord!”
And yet.
“Would you make Lord Adrian the lord of criminals!!”
Sarpedon’s cry resonated like thunder across the grounds.
Soldiers began rising to their feet one by one.
The weariness that had weighed upon them.
Perhaps this was enough.
Surely we’ve done enough.
The resolve they had begun to release.
“How dare you call yourselves Lord Adrian’s soldiers while showing such pathetic weakness!!”
Their scattered hearts refocused.
The dimming flames of their passion reignited.
“From this moment, we sleep only two hours. Does anyone object!!”
None, sir!!!
“Is there anyone here who hasn’t steeled themselves for death!”
There is none!!!
“Is there anyone here who wouldn’t stake their life for Adrian!”
There is none!!!
“Who are we!!”
The soldiers of Whitewolf Territory!!!
“We stand here not by birth, but by our own will!”
Though we were not born beneath a great name—
“We shall seize the right to stand beside it!!”
Yet that stage to prove our worth has not yet been granted to us.
“Swear it in blood, and prove it in death!!”
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh───!!!
The soldiers’ loyalty toward Adrian pierced through the very sky above the Snowy Plain.
Thus, their roars could be heard from every corner of Whitewolf Territory.
“Why are they suddenly doing that?”
“Well, I’m not sure…?”
And so.
Gyaaaaaaaaaah──!!
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiih───!!!
Rairai-rai, cha-cha-cha──!!
With each training session lasting twenty-two hours without pause, the entire Territory was robbed of sleep—
Kuh, kwark?!
Kiiiiik!?
Monsters from the Snowy Mountain were observed fleeing their habitats in terror at various locations—
“I don’t think… we should go there.”
“Mmm… if we so much as utter the word ‘marriage’, who knows what might happen.”
“Never mind marriage—we need to save our lives first.”
The nobles and matchmakers who had come to Whitewolf Territory had no choice but to turn their carriages around with ashen faces.
* * *
Isolde’s tale, neither long nor short.
Only at the end of her story could I finally understand.
Why that message had come to mind as I traveled from Caravana to Whitewolf Territory.
◆The Oath Skill, Oath of Loyalty[U] has awakened!!
◆You have acquired the Awakened Skill, Oath of the Undying[E]!
And throughout my journey from Caravana to Whitewolf Territory, why the message kept flashing.
◆Please stop nooooow….
And thus why it continues to flash even now.
◆I’m begging you, stop this you crazy bastards───!!
…I could understand it, just a little.
In any case.
Thanks to that, I could now understand the situation in Whitewolf Territory completely.
There was just one thing.
“Was there perhaps an attacker in Whitewolf Territory?”
At my question, Isolde hesitated for a moment.
But soon she nodded.
“…Yes, there was.”
And with the story that followed.
I finally learned who the attackers of Whitewolf Territory had been.
‘As expected, they were Fallen Soul Worshippers.’
Invicar, the Watcher of Envy.
Gulak, the Devourer of Gluttony.
Pigress, the Encroacher of Sloth.
All of them were chosen Worshippers.
But now that I had returned to the past, that was not the case.
If all of them had been chosen… well, it was hard to say.
‘It would have been difficult.’
To be honest, it would have been challenging.
Isolde and Iliana.
Even if two heroes joined forces, even if Broombar were added to their number, they could not have stopped them.
They were still lacking compared to the heroes of the Allied Forces back then.
The heroes’ combat strength was still insufficient to face the Legion Commanders of the Abyss.
Perhaps that was why.
“…I let them escape.”
Isolde murmured quietly, avoiding my gaze.
It seemed she was blaming herself for failing to stop the attackers.
I spoke up immediately.
“I sincerely thank you for holding back the attackers.”
Isolde looked at me again.
Her topaz-like eyes were as expressionless as always.
But her fingertips trembled ever so slightly.
“…No. I still let them escape.”
This one really was something.
“If I had used the techniques you taught me better, I wouldn’t have let them get away.”
She had only grown more accustomed to expressing emotion.
Nothing else had changed.
‘I wonder if I’ll ever be able to fix that personality of hers.’
I couldn’t say when Isolde would finally learn to be kind to herself.
Since she even regarded the hero Ian as someone she needed to embrace, in her past life Isolde had lived without leaning on anyone.
Always pretending to be fine.
Always pretending to be strong.
She appeared stronger than anyone else, yet endlessly burdened by responsibility, she ultimately consumed herself and crumbled.
Isolde’s life—one spent protecting countless souls.
Yet it was a life in which she could not protect herself.
So in this lifetime, I had given her such a task, hoping she might finally set down some of that weight—
“I apologize. It is my shortcoming.”
Truly, she was a stubborn woman who refused to listen.
◆Then hurry and complete the Hidden Quest: [I Will Take Her Away]—!
I brushed aside the thought that surfaced.
Then, gazing briefly at Isolde’s hand, I spoke.
“When do you plan to return to the Holy Kingdom?”
“Actually, I was planning to leave soon.”
Isolde answered quietly.
“It seems something happened while I was away. Fortunately, it appears to have been resolved, but I should go and confirm it myself.”
Given her station, she could not remain in Whitewolf Territory indefinitely.
Though I knew not what the matter was, if it had already been resolved, there was no urgency.
“Then would it not be possible for you to stay in Whitewolf Territory a little longer?”
“…?”
“I intend to attend to something I have long postponed.”
“Something you’ve postponed?”
Isolde tilted her head, her face full of questions.
* * *
Kalek Veloan, affiliated with the Central Intelligence Bureau of The Empire.
Not merely combat prowess, but analysis, infiltration, concealment—
Kalek had demonstrated exceptional results in various intelligence and reconnaissance operations, graduating at the top of the Special Training Project.
An exceptional danger rating of Level 7 had been his assessment.
Perhaps headquarters had valued such abilities in Kalek.
Immediately upon graduation, a solo assignment was issued.
—Infiltrate Whitewolf Territory and clarify its military strength, true nature, and movements.
A harsh domain where the bitter cold season persisted year-round.
For reasons unknown, headquarters had deemed it danger Level 10 or higher.
But Kalek did not believe it.
The rating had been issued on vague grounds and fragmentary circumstances—hardly befitting the Information Bureau.
Even the briefing report alone made this clear.
The territory’s military strength, structure, personnel—
Not a single detail was properly documented.
There was only a warning to “approach with caution.”
‘A territory like this rated Level 10?’
It was incomprehensible, especially while Kalek himself remained at Level 7.
Moreover, having witnessed a Level 10 entity before, he found it even more unbelievable.
Kalek set out toward Whitewolf Territory with a light heart.
And then.
“…?”
…I could sense something was amiss.

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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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