The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 196

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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 196. Resurgence (2)
A Territory Quest materialized before my eyes: [Our Territory Has Changed!].
The reward was a new function called 【Territory Buff】.
I couldn’t discern exactly what it did.
But considering the implications of the word “buff,” its utility was undeniably significant—
◆Curious about what Territory Buff is?!
As if seizing the moment, a message appeared instantly.
Did it no longer care to listen to my thoughts?
◆Territory Buff is one of the functions within “Management Mode,” granting beneficial effects to your entire owned territory—a perpetual enhancement effect at the territory level!
…It was a message that launched into explanation without waiting for my input.
◆Simply by activating it, all residents, troops, and facilities within your territory receive constant benefits!
◆The applied [Buff Effects] automatically spread across the entire territory!
◆What? You want to know what kinds of buff effects exist?
◆Don’t be so shocked you faint!
◆Territory Productivity Buff—resources skyrocket!
◆Resident Satisfaction Buff—no more worries about rebellion!
◆Public Order Maintenance Buff—crime rate approaching zero!
◆Tax Collection Buff—coffers overflowing!
◆Crop Growth Buff—harvests flourishing!
◆Resource Gathering Buff—warehouses bursting!
◆And that’s not all!
◆This isn’t even the end, you see?!?!
…This thing too.
Unchanged in its theatrical enthusiasm.
Which, in a way, I found admirable.
◆Recovery Speed Increase Buff!
◆Immune System Enhancement Buff!
◆Natural Disaster Damage Reduction Buff!
◆Environmental Resistance Increase Buff!
◆Climate Adaptation Improvement Buff!
◆Complete Comprehensive Survival Setup—endure anything!
◆All these effects packed into 【Territory Buff】! Absolutely brimming!
◆Increase your Prosperity Grade now and unlock 【Territory Buff】 today!
The message finally quieted.
In essence, it was a buff that elevated the capabilities of my entire territory.
From this, I could understand why “Management Mode” functions were limited to ‘owned territories.’
‘…How is such a function even possible?’
That remained a mystery.
Regardless, it was an indispensable function.
However, the achievement condition differed from previous Territory Quests—
‘A prosperity grade, then….’
I had seen this somewhere before.
‘Ah, there it is.’
==【Whitewolf Territory】==
[Area] – 2,234㎢
[Population] – 4,003
[Prosperity] – Township
[Resources] – Trace
The current prosperity grade of my territory was Township.
The next milestone—Fortified Town—was just one step away.
The key lay not in developing a single aspect, but in harmoniously elevating the overall prosperity of the entire territory.
Quite the formidable quest, clearly.
In other words, it seemed difficult to achieve in the short term…but.
‘There were quite a few newly unlocked functions this time.’
By utilizing the features of the “Management Mode,” I could develop it easily and conveniently.
I brought the functions of the “Management Mode” to mind.
At that moment.
“Adrian.”
A voice suddenly called out to me.
As I scattered the window away, Isolde was gazing at me intently.
The landscape of the snow-covered Frozen Peak stretched around us.
Her face and expression were as cold as the snow itself.
Her platinum hair lay still and composed.
Yet within her eyes, an indecipherable emotion flickered—
“….”
What was she trying to say?
…Whether then or now, she remained an enigma I could never quite fathom.
“What is the matter?”
Only after I asked did Isolde open her mouth quietly.
“I wish to repay you.”
“Repay me?”
Isolde displayed her gauntlets and greaves once more.
It seemed she wanted to settle the debt for the Ogre equipment.
“I told you it was a gift.”
Isolde offered no response.
She simply stared at me with unwavering resolve, determined to repay me one way or another.
Her stubbornness, now that she wore the Ogre equipment, rivaled that of an Ogre itself.
“What sort of repayment did you have in mind?”
“I’m not entirely sure. I don’t know how best to repay you….”
Isolde fell silent in thought for a moment.
I closed my lips and lowered my gaze, then carefully lifted my head.
“I’ll do whatever I can.”
…That stubbornness of hers, really.
“You truly mean you’ll do anything within your power, Isolde?”
“Yes.”
“Can I trust that promise?”
“I’ll swear it before God.”
“Yet you’ve broken such oaths before.”
“….”
Isolde’s eyes wavered slightly.
Her lips parted as if words had abandoned her.
After a brief silence, Isolde spoke softly.
“…This time, I’ll keep it. I promise.”
“Then listen to me.”
I stepped closer to Isolde.
* * *
Adrian approached in a single stride.
Soon his crimson eyes fixed upon Isolde.
“When you find yourself overwhelmed, seek help from others.”
Isolde’s lips hesitated for a moment.
…This was too difficult a task for her.
Isolde had always been the one who gave aid.
Receiving help was something utterly foreign and difficult for her.
Adrian, as if he had anticipated this, continued.
“Seeking help is not an abdication of responsibility.”
“….”
“Rather, it is seeking aid precisely because you wish to bear responsibility to the end.”
Adrian’s words were quiet.
Yet somehow they touched Isolde’s heart deeply.
“It matters not who. When you need help, ask for it.”
“….”
“This time, you must keep your word.”
With those words, Adrian turned and departed.
Isolde stood in silence for a long while.
Remaining in that place.
…Her gaze lingering only upon Adrian’s receding figure.
* * *
At the heart of Whitewolf Territory stood Count Whitewolf’s Castle.
Once, it had been a decrepit fortress.
A ramshackle structure barely held together by stone and timber.
But that was no longer the case.
Through the hands of the Dwarves, the stonework had been completely recut.
The entire structure had undergone a comprehensive renovation.
The outer walls had transformed into an impregnable fortress, while the inner walls had been reconfigured with administrative wings repositioned for far more efficient control.
As for its function and performance as a residence, there was nothing more to say.
Ether heat dissipators that maintained warmth.
Autonomous luminescent panels that illuminated automatically.
Air circulation systems that preserved a comfortable environment.
Count Whitewolf’s Castle—incomparable to any other Lord’s Residence, and lacking nothing even when measured against the Royal Palace itself.
Deep within such a castle.
Seraphia sat in the conference room, steadying her tense breathing.
Quietly, I surveyed my surroundings.
Kai caught my eye first.
Composed and sharp in appearance, Kai.
As always, he stood beside me with unwavering posture, steadfastly maintaining his position.
Turning my gaze slightly further, Iliana sat with an awkward air about her.
On the opposite side, Broombar stood silently with his arms crossed.
Seraphia straightened her spine with dignity.
I arranged my long, braided silver hair.
Just then.
The conference room door opened and Adrian entered.
Beneath the brightly glowing magical lamp, Adrian was illuminated in radiant clarity.
Was it because of the rumors currently stirring across the Continent?
‘Brother, you’re really amazing!!’
Adrian had become far more impressive than before.
The atmosphere of the conference room shifted entirely.
Adrian glanced around once, then immediately proceeded to the main matter.
“Kai, how are the things I instructed you to do progressing?”
Kai stepped forward.
Then, walking toward the massive table positioned at the center of the conference room, he extended his hand—
A deep hum resonated.
A three-dimensional hologram rose above the table.
It was a three-dimensional map displaying the terrain and facility layout of the Whitewolf Territory at a glance.
I was so astonished the first time I saw it.
What was it called again?
Advanced magical engineering design?
That was what was required, or so I heard.
And they said only Broombar could implement it.
In other words, it was a device unique to the entire Continent.
And yet.
Adrian didn’t even blink.
Rather, as if it were second nature, he enlarged the hologram’s terrain and began pinpointing the locations of key facilities.
The conference room fell silent for a moment at his display.
Even Broombar showed signs of slight bewilderment.
After a brief pause, Adrian opened his mouth.
“You’ve constructed the watchtowers and communication network quite well.”
“…As you instructed.”
Kai collected himself and continued his report.
“We’ve installed field supply bases at the Snowy Plain outposts, and completed training to enable response within an average of three minutes in case of emergency.”
Kai was indeed exceptional.
The finest commander.
But Adrian was a step above even that.
“Have you secured movement corridors between the outposts?”
“…Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“The Snowy Plain region’s characteristics—severe weather and terrain fluctuations—make it difficult to secure primary routes.”
“Deploy scouts to establish temporary pathways. Draft a preliminary plan within seven days and report back.”
“Understood.”
…He truly was remarkable.
The fact that he grasped such a complex military system at a glance was extraordinary, and that he’d already conceived of solutions was absolutely astounding.
‘Big brother, you’re the best!’
Seraphia’s eyes sparkled involuntarily.
Adrian’s gaze turned toward Broombar.
“How is the research on the Ether Carriage progressing?”
Broombar uncrossed his arms and answered.
“It needs a bit more time.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Not so much a problem as adjustments needed. The propulsion core calibration isn’t quite perfect yet. Securing stability will take some time.”
“I see.”
“Still, we’ll have a prototype within three days.”
Broombar was indeed exceptional.
The finest blacksmith on the Continent.
But Adrian shook his head slightly.
“The prototype might bounce slightly on inclined terrain. That can be resolved by restructuring the lower framework, so please keep that in mind.”
…He truly was incredible.
The fact that he grasped such complex magitech engineering at a glance was incredible, and that he’d already devised a solution was absolutely mind-blowing.
‘Big brother, you’re so smart!!’
Seraphia’s eyes grew luminous with admiration.
Adrian’s gaze now turned toward Iliana.
“What is the status of progress on the regeneration potion research?”
“It’s almost complete. I’ve finished all the effectiveness tests, and only the stabilization phase remains….”
As expected, it was Iliana.
A genius mage without equal in the world.
But Adrian didn’t miss the hesitation in Iliana’s voice.
“Is there perhaps a significant variance in the effects?”
“…Ah, yes. That’s right.”
Iliana’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
She seemed to wonder how he had known that.
“There appears to be some issue, but I haven’t been able to identify the variable yet.”
“That might be because my regenerative factor has a genetic response structure—essentially an active skill triggered by specific stimuli or conditions.”
“A genetic response structure?”
“In simple terms, it means a structure that activates only when certain stimuli or conditions are met….”
…Truly remarkable.
The fact that he grasped such headache-inducing magical theory instantly was remarkable, and his precise identification of the problem was absolutely astounding.
‘Brother, you’re a complete genius!!’
Seraphia’s eyes shone brighter than the sun.
Soon Adrian’s gaze turned toward Seraphia.
“Seraphia, how are the additional approval documents coming along?”
Seraphia took a breath tinged with tension.
The additional approval documents Adrian had submitted after returning from Caravana.
More advanced content than the existing proposals, covering administration, economy, security, industry, and logistics.
The focus was on reorganizing, improving, and expanding the overall systems of the territory.
Because of this, Seraphia had spent several days and nights hunched over her desk, poring through relevant laws and precedents.
The numerous documents and papers she had prepared this way.
Seraphia carefully extended them forward.
“I’ve organized all the administrative systems, including the tax law and financial law you provided, brother.”
“Mm.”
“In that process, I minimized unnecessary administrative waste and clearly delineated the authority of each department….”
There were still many areas that felt insufficient and lacking.
But as Adrian’s proud sister and aspiring to become a magnificent countess, she had worked hard—and continued to work hard.
“…That concludes my report!”
Seraphia finished her final presentation.
And then.
“Well done.”
For the first time in her life, she received Adrian’s praise.
* * *
Indeed, those born as lords truly are lords.
‘There’s hardly anything to criticize.’
She had actually refined and completed the proposals I submitted even further.
Of course, administrative operations weren’t my area of expertise.
After all, it was nothing more than a conception based on my past life’s experience.
Yet it was knowledge of the future nonetheless.
It was also the foundation of the Allied Forces, established through the careful deliberation of the Continent’s finest scholars.
It was a structure that ordinary people would find difficult to comprehend, let alone accept.
‘So Isolde wasn’t praising Seraphia for nothing.’
“Well done.”
“Kyaaaaa!!”
At my praise, Seraphia broke into a radiant smile.
Two tiny fists clenched at her chest.
Ruby-red eyes sparkling like precious gems.
She resembled a puppy begging to be petted.
“Did I do well?! Really?!”
Seraphia trembled as if she might wag her tail at any moment.
“Did I really do well?! I actually did it right, didn’t I?!”
“Yes.”
“Kyaaaaaaaaa!!!”
With that, Seraphia sprang from her seat, bouncing and leaping with unbridled joy.
If a puppy came first, now she was a lively rabbit incarnate.
In any case.
‘Isn’t this already accomplished?’
Thanks to Seraphia performing better than expected.
I had honestly thought it would take longer.
The conditions necessary for raising the prosperity rank were all intricate and complex.
But because Seraphia swiftly handled the critical items, the process proceeded far more smoothly than anticipated—
◆Wait, just a moment!!
◆This wasn’t part of the plan…!!
…The text trembled before my eyes, flustered and bewildered.

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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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