The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 272

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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 272. Fishing for Lures (2)
An operation to recover the Runesteel through Kai.
The preparations were thorough.
I had already issued the operational details in advance from the Whitewolf Territory.
The method to cross the Empire Border.
A route to evade surveillance.
Even Barelto’s transport route.
‘By now, he should have reached the Borderlands.’
According to the plan, that’s how it should be.
Yet no Quest notification appeared.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Kai probably hadn’t encountered any problems.
Kai’s Perfect Immortality.
Kai, who had now reached the level of a Lord-class entity.
He was someone for whom problems couldn’t even arise.
‘It seems this is just a type of operation without a Quest.’
That appeared to be the case.
I would have welcomed the Quest rewards and experience points.
‘But what matters is the success of the operation.’
It was an operation of that level of difficulty.
Infiltrating deep into the Empire.
Ambushing Barelto.
Recovering the Runesteel.
Even comparing it to the operations I had conducted in my previous life, this ranked among the highest difficulty tiers.
It could be called an operation bordering on the impossible—
‘Yet how reassuring.’
Having the most insane madman on The Continent now as an ally was this reassuring.
◆You’re not exactly sane yourself!
…Who are you to talk.
Mungu, you’re no different.
You’re just as much of a madman as Kai.
◆So three people are mad, but the strongest?!
…Let’s just drop it.
In any case.
Kai would surely handle it flawlessly.
‘For now, I need to focus on my own task.’
I brushed Mungu aside and turned my attention to Marzen.
Marzen still appeared uneasy.
More precisely, he couldn’t hide his suspicious expression.
“There’s no need to worry particularly.”
But since I said so.
Marzen nodded reluctantly, as if conceding the point.
“…So I just need to keep acting then?”
“That’s correct.”
I steadied my breath and continued.
“To be precise once more—”
“Acting as a subordinate who harbors discontent toward Barelto but doesn’t dare talk back.”
Marzen’s eyes flashed with fury for a moment.
The kind of emotional performance that could rival a stage actor’s slap.
‘Though it doesn’t quite feel like acting?’
Somehow, genuine feeling bled through.
It seemed Marzen truly did harbor resentment toward Barelto.
But unable to dare speak against him, he’d been quietly seething with it.
“If that’s the kind of acting you need, don’t worry.”
It appeared he’d accumulated quite a bit of frustration beneath the surface.
…In any case.
“There is something I need you to do during this time, Marzen.”
“What is it?”
“The Empire’s surveillance will concentrate on me. From this moment forward, they’ll begin monitoring my every move.”
“I see.”
“Therefore, I cannot move freely.”
Marzen nodded, understanding the implication.
“So you need me to move quietly from the other side.”
“How exactly?”
“It’s simple. Investigate the incidents and accidents occurring throughout the Empire.”
“…?”
Marzen tilted his head in confusion.
“Incidents and accidents throughout the Empire?”
“Precisely.”
“Not just the Distribution Bureau?”
“The Distribution Bureau is included. Investigate all incidents and accidents occurring across the entire Empire, exactly as I’ve stated.”
“….”
Marzen narrowed his eyes and asked.
“What’s the purpose?”
“It’s groundwork for my next move. If I were to explain—”
I made a gesture indicating I had no time.
Marzen fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
“But isn’t the scope too broad?”
“I’ll narrow the timeframe for you.”
Since I’d returned to the past.
Roughly four years.
Which means Ian likely began drawing The Emperor’s ire around that time as well.
“Please narrow down the incidents and accidents that have occurred over the past four years.”
“Even with that restriction, it’s still excessively broad.”
“Then allow me to provide one additional criterion.”
If Ian had drawn The Emperor’s attention, the manner in which he did so was likely…
“Terrorism, rebellion, unconfirmed incidents.”
“…?”
“Focus your investigation on these three categories.”
“…???”
Marzen’s eyes filled with confusion in an instant.
Terrorism, rebellion, unconfirmed incidents.
Events that could absolutely never occur within The Empire.
Unconfirmed incidents—those were possible.
But terrorism and rebellion?
Such events were utterly impossible.
Yet with Ian, such things were entirely feasible.
“Civilian rumors, urban legends—it matters not. Investigate as thoroughly as possible.”
“…Understood.”
Marzen nodded in acknowledgment.
Questions lingered in his gaze.
But he refrained from asking them.
A ‘trust’ had formed—that if I spoke with such conviction, I must have my reasons.
“What will you do?”
“I’ll be in District 5 – Production District.”
District 5 – Production District.
A region where Ian might be hiding.
I intended to search for Ian’s whereabouts in my own way.
“Is there perhaps an inn or lodging you could recommend?”
Marzen paused briefly before answering.
“Tiel Inn would be suitable.”
“Tiel Inn?”
“It falls under my sphere of influence. The people coming and going are naturally restricted.”
“Then I’ll have to exclude that place.”
“…?”
“As I mentioned, my every movement will be under surveillance from this moment forward.”
In other words, an inn under Marzen’s influence?
It would already be caught in the surveillance net.
“Besides, our relationship isn’t in the best state right now.”
“….”
“The Information Bureau and Distribution Bureau aren’t fools.”
It was better not to do anything that might expose our connection.
“In that case, aside from Tiel Inn, is there another place you could recommend?”
“…There’s Crown Sunset, Mukhyang Pavilion, and White Steel Fragrance.”
“Quite a few options.”
“To survive in The Empire, you need to have at least your own territory.”
What could I say.
I committed every location Marzen mentioned to memory.
“I’ll conclude our conversation here.”
In truth, even this conversation was dangerous.
The mere fact of being alone together could serve as a pretext.
“Marzen, please prioritize the investigation I requested.”
“…Understood.”
“Then when the Distribution Bureau falls into chaos, we’ll meet again.”
With that, I turned to leave.
Just then.
“Wait.”
Marzen suddenly called me back.
He seemed to be wrestling with something, torn in indecision.
“…One last question.”
“Go ahead.”
“The advance payment Barelto gave you. 2.3 trillion.”
Marzen continued with an expression of disbelief.
“Did you really… fit it all in subspace?”
What could I say to that.
Instead of answering, I smiled.
Then, with a smooth motion—
I pulled a diamond from thin air and showed it to him.
Marzen’s jaw dropped open.
His face was genuinely astonished.
“…Insane….”
The way he looked at me then was indescribable.
It was the gaze of someone who had given up trying to understand.
Yet it wasn’t that he doubted I was a mage.
Rather, he seemed firmly convinced that I was one.
“Say…”
Marzen’s eyes held both caution and desperate hope.
“…Could you teach me some magic when you have time?”
Somehow, Marzen regarded me as a Grand Mage on the level of Arcanis Rilsein.
* * *
The Empire Central Information Bureau.
Beneath the mana lamps casting their glow from the ceiling.
Elowin, a woman with gray eyes, opened her mouth quietly.
“The Distribution Bureau has secured 50,000 tons of Runesteel.”
I examined the contents of the report.
[Transaction Item] – Runesteel 50,000t
[Transaction Amount] – 3,100,000,000,000 G
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped unbidden.
50,000 tons of Runesteel was already staggering.
And the price of 3.1 trillion gold was equally so.
“…It defies imagination.”
These were figures I simply could not comprehend.
Even as Deputy Director of the Information Bureau, I had never encountered such magnitudes.
And this wasn’t even the end of it.
“Barelto secured additional transactions as well?”
“Yes. He apparently submitted a supplementary budget proposal to the Treasury Bureau.”
“What was the Treasury Bureau’s response?”
“They initially expressed their refusal, but—”
My Aide paused briefly before answering.
“A direct order came down from the Imperial Palace.”
“…Surely not from His Majesty himself?”
“That much has not been confirmed.”
But the order from the Imperial Palace was unmistakable.
I swallowed hard.
Only now did I truly grasp the magnitude of this transaction.
And Barelto, who had orchestrated this deal.
I couldn’t even fathom how far he would ascend.
Nor could I predict the fury of Marzen, who had brought this transaction to fruition only to see it slip away.
“What of Marzen?”
“No significant movements, but he appears to be completely overshadowed by Director Barelto.”
“A dog that hunted only to feed its master.”
“….”
“Well, that’s always how it ends for a hunting hound once the hunt is over.”
I smiled lightly and spoke.
“And Kim Fujiwara?”
“He is currently staying at Nocton House, located in District 5 – Production District.”
“Nocton House, you say—”
“It’s a facility within the Empire-sanctioned entertainment district. It operates both a registered gambling establishment and guest quarters.”
“So he’s made some money.”
Elowin swallowed back a hollow laugh.
But just as a hound’s fate was sealed,
so too was a gambler’s destiny predetermined.
“How much have you lost so far?”
“That is… well….”
For some reason, the Aide couldn’t bring himself to speak easily.
* * *
Inside Nocton House.
The largest official gambling establishment in District 5—dozens of tables arranged in neat rows.
I wagered all 1,000 gold chips I had stacked before me.
“B-betting… complete.”
The dealer’s voice trembled.
Moments later, the dealer revealed two cards.
An Ace.
A King.
“…Blackjack.”
My winnings doubled instantly.
Chaos erupted around the table.
“How many wins is that now…?”
“I count twenty straight victories.”
“Good heavens!”
The dealers’ faces drained of color.
Management was urgently summoned from another section.
And I indifferently swept up my 2,000 gold chips.
‘Winning constantly is tedious.’
I rose from my seat and surveyed the gambling floor.
Poker, shell games, mana roulette….
‘Mana roulette?’
I headed toward the roulette wheel.
A roulette wheel inscribed with 36 numbers.
Matching red or black paid 2 to 1.
Matching even or odd also paid 2 to 1.
But correctly predicting one of the 36 numbers paid a staggering 36 to 1.
◆Conceptual Skill, Probability [M] is being applied!
◆Target: Mana Roulette.
◆Establishing calculation parameters….
◆Analyzing ambient energy density.
◆Calibrating surrounding mana flow.
◆Computing mana sphere trajectory.
◆Calculating probability….
◆Result: 100% probability of stopping at 13
“2,000 gold chips on 13.”
In that instant, the entire Gambling District froze.
The dealer swallowed hard and spun the roulette wheel.
The rotation began.
The mana sphere bounced rapidly as it spun.
Numbers passed by one after another—
13.
It stopped right there.
“Insane!!”
“No way, it actually stopped on 13!?!”
“Who is that person!?”
The surrounding area descended into chaos, and the chips multiplied by a staggering 36 times.
72,000 gold chips.
Converted to gold, that was 72 million gold.
“Ugh…!!”
The dealer who had spun the roulette wheel foamed at the mouth and lost consciousness.
The Supervisors watching were on the verge of fainting themselves.
But I—
‘Making a fuss over this?’
I had become someone who couldn’t get excited over a mere 72 million gold.
* * *
“Kim Fujiwara Bloodhound has apparently monopolized 271% of the Gambling District’s daily revenue… all by himself.”
Elowin was momentarily at a loss for words.
Was that even possible?
To win consecutively in a purely probabilistic game?
He had even accurately predicted numbers in succession on the mana roulette, which operated on abysmal odds.
“We suspected manipulation… but no evidence whatsoever was found.”
Elowin rubbed her temples.
It was obviously manipulation.
Simply undetectable.
In other words, Kim Fujiwara possessed something that even The Empire’s intelligence network couldn’t comprehend.
“Effective immediately, increase surveillance intensity on Kim Fujiwara Bloodhound.”
“To… what extent?”
“The moment he lifts his head, I want a report on my desk.”
The Aide responded with evident discomfort.
“If we do that, surveillance on Barelto and Marzen will be significantly reduced.”
“That’s fine. Execute it.”
“Are you truly committing all surveillance resources to Kim Fujiwara?”
“Yes.”
Elowin spoke with firm resolve.
“Barelto and Marzen are already checking each other anyway.”
“….”
“Right now, the greatest variable is Kim Fujiwara.”
Gulp.
The Aide swallowed hard.
“Don’t take your eyes off Kim Fujiwara for even a moment. Report to me every breath he takes.”
“Yes, understood.”
The Aide bowed his head and hurried out in a fluster.
* * *
I sensed the movement rippling through the Gambling District.
It was unmistakable.
‘She’s increased my surveillance personnel.’
And quite substantially at that.
Countless watchful gazes bore down on me—as if they intended to record every single breath I took.
‘The Information Bureau’s attention has definitely shifted entirely toward me.’
As a consequence, the surveillance net elsewhere would inevitably loosen.
In other words, Marzen’s movements became easier.
It would be far simpler for him to gather the intelligence I’d requested.
And.
‘Go ahead and run wild then, Kai.’
Kai, too, had an easier time infiltrating the Empire’s interior.
He could execute his operations in an environment far less scrutinized.
So since things had come to this.
◆Applying the Conceptual Skill, Probability [M]!
.
.
◆Result: 100% probability of stopping at 27
“27. All in.”
I decided to concentrate the entire Empire’s attention squarely upon myself.

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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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