The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 206

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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 206. When Fate Calls, A Thousand Miles Feels Like Home (2)
Limorak Gorge—the region where the Elves made their home.
Of course, even in my past life, I had heard precious little about the lands of the Elves.
Yet from the faint memories that lingered, I was certain of one thing.
I examined the peanut resting upon the cloth
spread across my desk in the Administrative Office.
…To all appearances, it was indistinguishable from an ordinary peanut.
There was nothing particularly distinctive about it.
“Adlern, you’re telling me someone with a peanut allergy could eat this?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”
Adlern nodded in affirmation.
Peanut allergies were the quintessential allergy whenever allergies were discussed.
In severe cases, it could prove instantly fatal—a perilous affliction.
And it was an incurable disease.
Yet this peanut triggered no allergic reaction whatsoever?
I plucked a single peanut and placed it in my mouth.
Crunch.
The moment I bit down, a rich, nutty flavor burst forth.
Following in its wake came a subtle sweetness that enveloped my palate with gentle grace.
Yet there lingered a fresh, herbaceous note—like verdant leaves dancing on the breeze.
The pristine flavor, as though freshly harvested from the forest itself, carried no heaviness; it dissolved cleanly and purely.
Gulp.
As I swallowed the peanut down my throat—
◆For 100 seconds, the efficiency of Regeneration [B+] increases by +5%.
A buff notification materialized before my eyes.
‘This is….’
Far more than merely the influence of soil composition.
Certainly, taste and quality vary with soil conditions.
But such efficacy cannot be produced by soil alone.
Only one thing could make this possible.
The moment I activated Predator’s Instinct [S], information about the peanut materialized before me.
◆Sylanut
: A legume cultivated by Spirit Mycelium. While nutritionally similar to peanuts, it possesses properties that purify bodily toxins, eliminate contamination, and promote recovery.
●Bodily Toxin Purification +10%
●Contamination Removal +15%
●Recovery Efficiency +5%
Spirit Mycelium.
A semi-autonomous organism born from the symbiosis between nature spirits and specific fungal networks.
In simpler terms, they were nature’s farmers, tended by spirits themselves.
Thus, in ages past, they had played a pivotal role when the Supply Command breathed new life into a Continent once consumed by death.
This confirmed it.
‘These are crops cultivated by the Elves.’
I immediately turned to Adlern with a question.
“Adlern, do you know where Limorak Gorge is located?”
“Uh….”
Adlern hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
“W-well, it’s said to be in the southern part of The Continent….”
I already knew that much.
“Exactly where in the southern part of The Continent?”
“Even Schönne doesn’t know that precisely….”
Adlern scratched his head as he answered.
There was no way I could search the entire southern region of The Continent.
It wasn’t the kind of place that could be found through exhaustive searching in the first place.
Limorak Gorge surely had barriers preventing outsiders from accessing it.
Judging by the Supply Command, if forced entry were attempted, one would either circle the same area endlessly or the path would vanish entirely.
Even with precise coordinates, it was designed so that arrival would be impossible.
“Then how did you obtain this Silanut? No, peanut?”
“We acquired it through the Greenleaf Trading Company….”
“The Greenleaf Trading Company?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”
In other words, the Greenleaf Trading Company had dealings with the Elves.
‘I’ve never heard of this before.’
I had never heard nor seen any account of Elves engaging in trade with human society.
Unlike the Dwarves, the Elves had completely severed contact with humans centuries ago.
Yet a mere merchant company?
A trading company whose name wasn’t even publicly known, one that didn’t exist in my memory, was conducting business with the Elves?
“Adlern, can you make contact with the Greenleaf Trading Company?”
“When you say contact, what exactly do you mean?”
“I’d like to meet the proprietor of the Greenleaf Trading Company.”
“Uh… that might be quite difficult.”
“What’s the reason?”
“Well, the company is so secretive that there’s almost no opportunity to meet the proprietor.”
“Secretive?”
A trading company was still a merchant enterprise.
A profit-seeking merchant guild avoiding external contact?
That was no different from saying a ship refused to sail.
“Yes, that’s the case.”
…The scent hit me all at once.
The scent of Elves.
This made it extremely, extremely likely that the Greenleaf Trading Company was connected to the Elves.
But elves harbored an extreme disdain for humans.
And it was not born from mere prejudice, but rather a painful lesson carved into their bones through historical experience and repeated betrayals.
Naturally, the Greenleaf Trading Company would be no exception.
Yet the reason the Greenleaf Trading Company could maintain relations with elves was—
‘Could it be.’
…I thought I understood.
I couldn’t approach this carelessly, nor should I.
‘Hmm….’
As I was lost in thought, that’s when it happened.
“Do you absolutely need to meet them, sir?”
Adlern asked cautiously.
When I nodded, Adlern lowered his gaze.
His eyes seemed lost in contemplation.
It was only for a moment.
“Then leave it to this Schönne!!”
Adlern pounded his chest confidently, thump-thump.
* * *
The commercial city of Frecce.
Frecce bustled daily with countless merchants and visitors.
Stone-paved streets saw an endless stream of horses and carriages, while shops and residences built of red brick stood densely packed on both sides.
From the expansive Central Plaza, the clinking of glasses echoed from morning onwards.
“One more night beer here!”
“Here too!”
“Three glasses here!”
Though the Predator Restaurant no longer sold monster meat, its popularity remained undiminished.
Now people sought out the Predator Restaurant not for monster meat, but to drink night beer.
“Kyaa! This is life! This is living!”
“I live for this, I truly live!”
Frecce deepened with night beer from morning until evening.
The night beer, completely sold out.
Adlern prepared today’s ledger.
“Inventory is perfectly balanced… total sales are 3 million gold. Adding the shipments to other kingdoms….”
The quill danced swiftly across the ledger.
After completing the ledger so quickly, I stepped outside—
The members of the Predator Merchant Company were tidying the restaurant.
Soldiers were also helping clean the establishment.
And Adlern was the head of the Bloodyhound Barony and—
“Everyone, assemble!”
As the director of the Predator Merchant Company, I called together the members and soldiers.
Then I opened a large box and retrieved the money pouches from within.
“Come up one at a time and collect your share!”
Instantly, every eye in the room went wide as saucers.
“W-wow…!”
“A whole year’s salary…!”
Faces and expressions began to melt away like snow in spring.
Eyes that had been dulled by exhaustion now sparkled with brilliant light.
Mouths that had drooped in despair now stretched into beaming grins.
“Hehehehe…!!”
“Hahahaha…!”
They broke into foolish laughter, pairing off in small groups.
As they left, they began chattering excitedly about how they’d spend the money—
“Lephin, what are you going to do with this money?”
“I’m going to buy a gold necklace.”
“A gold necklace? Ah, so you can propose to Lena along with that gold ring you bought last time?”
“Yes! When we return to Whitewolf Territory someday, I’ll confess to her for sure!”
They departed, still chattering away.
Adlern remained at the restaurant until the very end, finishing the cleanup.
And just as he was about to leave—
A bell chimed as a customer walked in.
“We’re closed for the evening.”
“Already?”
A familiar voice.
I turned to look, and there stood an executive from Greenleaf Trading Company.
He stood motionless by the restaurant’s entrance.
“What brings you here after closing?”
“Don’t even ask.”
The executive waved his hand dismissively, as if fed up.
But he said nothing more.
Instead, he glanced around the restaurant nervously.
“…You’re not opening again, are you?”
“Of course not.”
I changed the restaurant’s sign to [Closed].
“So forget about business—have a drink with me instead.”
“Ha! Now that’s an idea!”
The executive laughed heartily and took a seat in the restaurant.
I retrieved a bottle of peanut wine I’d prepared in the storage room.
“…Hmm? This isn’t night beer, is it?”
“I said we’re closed. This will have to do instead.”
“Ugh….”
“I’m buying, so stop complaining and drink.”
The official smacked his lips together.
Then he brought a sip to his mouth—
“…!!!”
His eyes flew wide open.
The aroma began like nature’s own breath, the fruity notes unfolding softly across his palate.
Lost for a moment in that fragrance,
a savory richness soon filled his mouth with gentle grace.
The taste carried a profound depth, as though he were touching ancient bark.
The swallow descended as smoothly as a spirit’s whisper.
And the aftertaste that lingered?
It was the very tranquility one feels in a hushed forest.
This wine, which seemed to capture nature’s own palette and dissolve it into liquid—
“Impossible!!!”
It was truly a wondrous flavor.
“What in the world is this?!”
“Peanut wine, sir.”
“Peanut wine?”
“I fermented it from the peanuts that fellow gave us last time.”
“Ah…!!”
The official raised his glass and spoke with admiration.
“Truly, this is a taste beyond imagination. To think such a flavor comes from Silanut….”
“Silanut?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
The official waved his hand dismissively.
One glass, then another.
The wine continued to flow.
As the intoxication rose, the official’s face grew increasingly flushed.
Then, as his gaze began to cloud for just a moment,
Adlern’s eyes flashed with sudden brilliance.
“Say, have you been dealing with something difficult lately?”
“Huh? Oh…?”
“Your face looks rather strained, that’s all.”
“Well, there’s certainly been a lot of work, but….”
Gulp, gulp.
“Ahhh—! The atmosphere at the guild has been rather unusual.”
“What’s the matter, if I may ask?”
Adlern naturally refilled the empty glass.
“It’s just… a cash shortage, you know.”
“A cash shortage?”
“Well, all merchants face it, don’t they? Especially trading companies like ours.”
A Trade Association.
The Trade Association was a small merchant organization.
It was a group with a simple organizational structure and flexible operational methods—too informal to be called a proper Merchant Guild.
Because of this, it could adapt quickly to changes.
However, when it came to long-term vision or large-scale projects,
there were significant difficulties in conducting large-scale operations.
“Revenue is irregular, and there are no consistent trading partners either.”
“I’ve heard about that before, but why is that?”
“We prefer not to establish long-term relationships with specific groups.”
“…?”
“It’s just our Trade Association’s policy.”
“That’s quite an unusual rule.”
“In fact, we originally didn’t want to do the peanut trade with you either.”
Gulp, gulp.
“Ahh—! If it weren’t for this.”
Adlern refilled the executive’s empty cup and probed gently.
“But if there’s a cash shortage, shouldn’t you set aside the rules and just open up some trades?”
“That would be true, but opening a few trades won’t solve a problem of this magnitude.”
“How much do you need?”
“Don’t even ask.”
The executive set down his cup.
After a moment of contemplation,
“…Ah, forget it!”
The executive waved his hand dismissively.
Adlern didn’t press further and stepped back.
“So, have you found a way to secure the funds?”
“If I had, would I be sitting here drinking?”
The executive sighed heavily.
Adlern read the executive’s mood carefully.
Then he opened his mouth cautiously.
“I’m not saying this to burden you, but,”
“…?”
“Would you let me help?”
“Help? Are you saying you’d lend me funds?”
“From my perspective, the peanut trade partner is important too.”
“Is that really true?!”
“How much do you need?”
The executive hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
“I’d need at least twenty million Gold.”
“That much?!”
“…It’ll be difficult, won’t it?”
Difficult was an understatement.
It was practically an impossible sum.
Across the entire Continent, only a handful of merchant guilds held twenty million gold in liquid assets.
Even then, mobilizing the full amount at once was out of the question—
“Though we might be able to manage it…”
“Really?! You’re serious?”
“Our Predator Merchant Company has been making quite a bit lately, you know.”
The Predator Merchant Company, sweeping across the entire Continent with Night Beer.
No merchant worth their salt hadn’t heard the rumors.
“However, for such a substantial sum, we’d need our Guild Master’s approval.”
“The Guild Master, you say…”
“Adrian, sir.”
“Ah.”
“So I’m asking—what do you need such an enormous amount for?”
“…That is…”
The executive hesitated, unable to speak freely.
Adlern studied the man’s expression, then spoke gently.
“My goodness, you have perfectly good ears—where are you using them?”
“…?”
“Don’t you know what kind of man our Adrian is?”
“…??”
“The Saint of Caravana! The savior of this age who never abandons those in peril!”
“Ah…!”
“If you explain your circumstances properly, Adrian will surely help you!”
“….”
“It’s a difficult situation to speak of, isn’t it?”
A nod.
“Then don’t tell me—I’ll arrange a meeting.”
“A meeting?”
“I’m saying I’ll bring Adrian to you.”
“Really? You mean it?”
“Have you forgotten who I am? The President of the Predator Merchant Company, that’s who.”
Adlern thumped his chest proudly.
“But can you bring their trading company’s master here?”
“Huh? What?”
“Shouldn’t discussions involving such large sums of money happen directly between the principals?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“And you said the Greenleaf Trading Company prefers not to form ties with specific factions.”
“Don’t worry about that!”
The executive sprang to his feet.
“I will absolutely convince the Guild Master!”
“You mean it?”
“Of course! You just focus on bringing Adrian here!”
“Very well.”
“Th-thank you! I shall never forget this kindness!”
The executive expressed his gratitude to Adlern before hurrying out of the Dining Hall.
* * *
A single letter arrived at the Whitewolf Territory.
Upon unfolding the missive, elegant handwriting caught my eye.
====
To the esteemed Adrian Whitewolf,
Greetings. I am the Guild Master of the Greenleaf Trading Company.
I have heard the account from one of our executives, and I wish to meet with you in person to discuss the matter.
Before visiting directly, I first send this letter to inquire whether you might spare some time for us.
The Greenleaf Trading Company stands ready to visit at your earliest convenience.
Please inform me of a time suitable to you, and I shall call upon you accordingly.
I await your reply.
I eternally wish for your good health and the prosperity of the Predator Merchant Company.
From Allerion
====
“Adlern.”
“Yes, sir!”
“That was very, very nice.”
“Hehe, I’m honored!!”
Adlern bowed his head with a broad grin.

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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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