The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 267

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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 267. The Road to The Empire (1)
Marzen’s subordinates loading the Runesteel ingots.
But even as they loaded the Runesteel ingots, they kept stealing glances.
And then they whispered among themselves.
-That’s Kim Fujiwara, right?
-What’s with that face….
-I thought he was an Elf at first.
There were quite a few eyes stealing looks at me.
‘More irritating than I expected.’
Now I understood why Isolde always wore her hood pulled down.
I lifted my head and looked at them.
Then—flinch!
Marzen’s subordinates flinched and quickly turned their heads away.
‘I should have gotten some cosmetic work done.’
Some of them blushed and hurriedly moved the Runesteel ingots.
No matter how I looked at it, it was the exact same reaction the Allied Forces soldiers had shown when they first saw Isolde.
‘My features certainly draw attention.’
And they would never suspect I was Adrian Whitewolf.
Anyway.
Transporting fifty thousand tons of Runesteel ingots was grueling work.
First, the weight and volume of fifty thousand tons.
That alone was no trivial matter.
Just a few chunks of Runesteel required a cart drawn by two horses.
So the porters gathered to transport the Runesteel were like a small army.
“Next wagon! Slowly, don’t let it shake!”
“Watch the wheels! If they break like last time, we’ll have to bind them again!”
Countless porters were hauling the Runesteel ingots.
And yet information about the Runesteel had to be strictly contained.
The value Runesteel possessed was astronomical.
If information leaked?
All manner of vermin would swarm.
In that sense.
‘Storing it in my inventory would be convenient.’
The inventory was merely classified as a subspace.
It wasn’t a subspace implemented through magic.
Therefore, it wasn’t affected by Runesteel’s mana-nullifying properties.
The storage weight limit was Bet 1.
In other words, it was infinite, so there was no need to worry.
‘I’ve already stored it in my inventory and brought it from Whitewolf Territory.’
It was a convenient function and authority in many ways.
Yet I did not use my inventory.
There were two main reasons.
First was the Empire’s surveillance.
‘They’re definitely keeping a close eye on rune steel transactions.’
Rune steel is a strategic material even the Empire hoards.
Even The Emperor.
His attention doesn’t escape it either.
Under such circumstances, would I store rune steel in my inventory and transport it?
‘I could invite unnecessary suspicion.’
Right now, I am not Adrian Whitewolf.
Kim Fujiwara Bloodhound.
The proprietor of the Raven Dung Merchant Company and a ‘sorcerer’.
Yet storing rune steel—which nullifies mana—in a pocket dimension would be tantamount to revealing that I am no sorcerer at all.
‘They’ll definitely dig into me thoroughly.’
Of course, the Information Bureau’s hands are currently tied.
But they’re not fools.
They wouldn’t simply overlook something so obviously suspicious.
‘It’s best to avoid doing anything that might invite suspicion.’
And the second reason I wasn’t using my inventory.
It was none other than ‘theater’.
This rune steel transaction wasn’t merely for profit.
Marzen.
It was a meticulous script to elevate him to the Empire’s inner circle.
In other words, ‘staging’ was necessary to match that purpose.
For that very reason, I couldn’t simply transport it conveniently via inventory.
‘Besides, I need to find information related to Ian’s whereabouts.’
Currently, Ian is drawing The Emperor’s aggression.
But the events unfolding recently.
The Emperor’s active movements are accelerating.
More precisely, it felt as though The Emperor’s interest was shifting away from Ian toward something else entirely.
Therefore, there were two possibilities.
Ian had grown distant from The Emperor.
Or Ian had been dealt with by The Emperor.
If the former, it’s manageable.
But if the latter?
It would be the worst conceivable scenario imaginable.
‘…The probability is low.’
Because the Main Quest, [Find the Hero!], was still in progress.
If Ian had been dealt with by The Emperor?
The Quest would have ended in failure.
Therefore, the fact that it was still ongoing was conclusive proof that Ian was alive.
Barelto Al Banas.
Director-General of the Empire Commerce Ministry Distribution Bureau.
‘First, I’ll bring that bastard down for certain.’
I reviewed my operation plan once more with meticulous care.
* * *
The western outskirts of Caravana.
As the rusted iron gate creaked open, the entrance to the Abandoned Mine Passage revealed itself.
Moss and vines sprawled around the entrance.
They grew wild and thick, testament to years untouched by human hands.
The moment I stepped inside, dust billowed up in clouds.
I activated Low-Light Vision [C] to survey my surroundings.
Collapsed mine tracks, twisted rails.
Fallen timber supports.
“Was there such a place in Caravana?”
“It used to be a gold mine.”
Marzen snapped his fingers with a sharp click.
A sphere of light materialized in the air, illuminating the interior of the abandoned mine brilliantly.
“It was one of the reasons Caravana could become a trading city.”
I deactivated Low-Light Vision [C] and asked.
“…A reason?”
“Long ago, it was one of the Empire’s hidden massive gold mines. Caravana was established as a trading city to conceal that fact.”
“I see.”
Marzen’s hometown was the information city, Inforen.
Perhaps that’s why Marzen knew ancient information even I was unaware of.
“Now that the veins are exhausted, it’s being used as a secret transport route.”
Marzen pointed toward the depths of the abandoned mine.
“Beyond that is the connection point. An unofficial underground passage leading into the Empire’s interior.”
Indeed.
There was a reason even I in my previous life couldn’t track the Empire’s distribution routes.
At Marzen’s gesture, cargo wagons entered from behind.
The escort force wasn’t large.
It was a choice to avoid unnecessary attention.
But there was a more important reason than that.
‘He seems reluctant for this route to become known.’
That’s why the personnel he brought along consisted only of those he trusted most.
“Is it alright for me to be here?”
“Aren’t we in the same boat?”
A boat that, if it sinks, only Marzen would die.
Marzen answered curtly while taking command of the cargo wagons.
As the cargo wagon moved, I briefly checked the “Management Mode”.
Resources, military, commerce, administration—everything.
Reports from each sector were being organized in real-time based on the 【Optimization Monitoring Tool】.
Those organized reports and indicators were linked to the 【Territory Yggdrasil Mode】, and Yggdrasil was processing them.
‘It’s doing well.’
In fact, it was doing better than I could have.
Optimized production and transportation.
Efficient resource flow and logistics routes.
‘Administration is running smoothly with Bernard’s cooperation too.’
Just one thing.
The military sector still seemed to have room for improvement.
But with Kai awake now.
It wasn’t a problem worth worrying about.
‘Everything’s running smoothly on its own.’
Sephiroth was truly impressive.
I dispersed the “Management Mode”.
There was nothing I needed to concern myself with regarding Whitewolf Territory.
So, Runesteel and The Empire.
“Then let’s depart.”
I only needed to focus on what lay ahead of me.
* * *
Marzen had safely escaped the Abandoned Mine Passage.
Fortunately, he managed to slip past the checkpoint at Caravana.
But it wasn’t over.
In fact, this was where things truly began.
“Each wagon, disperse according to the planned routes.”
Marzen scattered the cargo wagons he had prepared in advance.
The wagons scattered in all directions.
Each wagon bore different merchant guilds, brands, and shipping manifests.
All perfectly falsified and disguised.
The disguised cargo wagons dispersed along their respective paths.
After confirming everything was proceeding without incident, Marzen.
“Let’s move as well.”
He and Kim Fujiwara set the cargo wagon carrying the Runesteel ore in motion.
They rapidly approached The Empire.
They encountered border guards and various checkpoints along the way, but there were no significant problems.
Similarly, the merchant guild manifests and transport permits.
It was thanks to the meticulous preparations made as the head of the Trade Union.
“Confirmed. You may proceed.”
Everything unfolded exactly as Marzen had planned.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
It was at that moment when Marzen clenched both fists tightly.
“Director-General of the Empire Commerce Ministry Distribution Bureau, Barelto Al Banas.”
Kim Fujiwara’s voice came suddenly.
When I turned my head, I saw Kim Fujiwara sitting atop the supply wagon.
Her beauty was incomprehensible no matter how many times I witnessed it.
Yet her eyes gleamed with a sharp, piercing light.
“Do you know what kind of person he is?”
Marzen’s eyebrows twitched once.
He couldn’t discern the intent behind her question.
After a moment of silence, Marzen answered quietly.
“I don’t know the details.”
A Director-General was the highest position in the Empire’s leadership hierarchy.
He was not someone a mere Vice-Minister like Marzen could contact directly.
Though I’d crossed paths with Barelto a few times, I honestly didn’t know much about what kind of person he truly was.
“He’s what you might call a chameleon.”
“A chameleon?”
“He possesses the flexibility to employ diverse strategies depending on circumstances.”
“…”
“And like a reptile, when necessary, he doesn’t hesitate to sever his own tail.”
Kim Fujiwara, who had been sitting on the wagon, suddenly leaped down.
“Now, let’s do some practice.”
“Practice?”
“You’ll become Barelto, Marzen. You’ll cultivate the perspective of a Director-General who sees the bigger picture.”
“…?”
“Didn’t I say I would promote you?”
Kim Fujiwara continued with a single smile.
“Let’s imagine a scenario. The Distribution Bureau has just concluded an enormous transaction. One so massive that even the Emperor himself has taken interest.”
“…”
“For instance, something like the current Rune Steel transaction.”
“…”
“But oh no! A problem has arisen.”
“…What kind of problem?”
“That you, Marzen, didn’t actually conclude the transaction. For example—”
Kim Fujiwara continued with a deep smile.
“Just like the current Rune Steel transaction.”
Marzen clamped his mouth shut.
Kim Fujiwara continued speaking, her smile still in place.
“Looking at the report submitted to the Emperor, oh my! There’s nothing—no planning, no coordination, no approval from you, Marzen.”
“…”
“What would you do in this situation, Marzen?”
Marzen’s face hardened.
Kim Fujiwara continued with that beautiful smile still gracing his lips.
“To become a Director-General, you can’t afford to be unfamiliar with such circumstances.”
“….”
“For a Director-General, it doesn’t matter ‘how’ a transaction was completed. What matters is ‘who’ completed it.”
“….”
“If you don’t understand that, it won’t just be your name that disappears from the report—your position itself might vanish.”
“….”
“Well then, let me ask again from the beginning.”
Kim Fujiwara’s smile vanished for a moment.
“In this situation, what do you think Barelto Al Banas would do?”
Silence.
Marzen lifted his head.
But his eyes kept wavering.
Just before Marzen could open his mouth, Kim Fujiwara spoke first.
“If it were me.”
“….”
“I would overturn this entire game.”
“That means—”
“Killing all of us here.”
“….”
“And then writing a new report.”
[Marzen was killed in a bandit attack during the transaction. The rune steel we intended to trade was barely secured after tracking down the bandits.]
“—That’s what I’d say.”
Marzen’s expression turned rigid.
“Isn’t that too obvious a scenario?”
“Does it matter if it’s obvious or not?”
“…?”
“The dead tell no tales, and if you can only prove your usefulness, His Majesty won’t raise any questions whatsoever.”
At that moment.
A presence was felt from behind.
And a voice rang out.
“Despite that foolish name, you’re quite perceptive.”
Before Marzen could even turn his head, bandits burst forth from all directions.
No, not bandits.
Imperial elite soldiers disguised as bandits.
More precisely, a special inspection unit belonging to the Distribution Bureau.
And so, the owner of these slow footsteps approaching Marzen now was—
‘Arce…?’
The Inspection Chief, Arce.
Also known as the Sanctioned Executioner.
His official title was Inspection Chief, but in reality, he was a terrifying figure wielding far deeper and darker authority.
He was also a formidable master of such overwhelming skill that someone like Marzen could never dare to oppose him.
Only now could Marzen truly comprehend the reality of his situation.
He was pushing his body into an Ogre’s lair.
No—it wasn’t an Ogre’s lair.
He was forcing himself into a dragon’s den.
Completely… outmaneuvered.
Cold sweat trickled down Marzen’s cheeks.
A chilling sensation of death crawled up his spine.
He had never imagined Barelto Al Banas would go to such lengths.
Barelto Al Banas.
Terrifying, meticulous, and cunning.
“How unfortunate, Marzen.”
Arce’s aura blazed forth.
“A slave should gaze upon the earth to live out his natural span, yet you dared to look toward the heavens.”
Boom, boom, boom, crash!
Arce’s aura erupted.
…So powerful.
There is no victory here.
It is finished.
As he thought thus, that was when it happened.
“Remember well what I just said.”
Kim Fujiwara stepped forward without hesitation.
A stride devoid of the slightest doubt.
“Marzen, this is the seat you shall occupy from now on.”
And in that very moment.
Kwaaaaaaaaa─!!
A torrent of blood-red light exploded outward from the space surrounding Kim Fujiwara.
* * *
The highest floor of the Empire Distribution Bureau headquarters.
A colossal map covering the entire front wall was densely inscribed with trade routes, supply chains, and logistics lines spanning the entire Continent.
Beside it hung heraldic banners bearing the symbols of each kingdom.
Below those, several mana communication channels glowed with light.
While light descended from the mana lamps in the ceiling rather than through windows.
A man exhaled a heavy sigh.
The Director of the Distribution Bureau.
Barelto Al Banas.
His silver-blue eyes turned toward his attending secretary.
“…Arce was defeated?”
“Y-yes, that’s correct.”
Barelto’s face hardened like stone.

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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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