The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 367

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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 367. Distributing Honors
Blake knew Ian’s swordsmanship.
No—it was more than mere knowledge.
He was actually using it.
If that were the case, two possibilities presented themselves.
The first.
“Did the essence of martial arts coincide by chance?”
Ultima Veritas.
In other words, Ian’s swordsmanship consisted of six fundamental sword forms.
And each form contained the essence of six martial disciplines concentrated within it.
Speed, weight.
Transformation, strength.
Flow, dominion.
These were the six.
And speed was indeed speed.
But long before Ian had even comprehended and established the essence of speed, the concept of swiftness already existed upon this land.
Ian had merely named it and wove it into his blade.
In other words, the essence of martial arts was not Ian’s exclusive domain.
Any warrior could understand it, and could wield it.
“I’ve woven it into my own techniques.”
I had even incorporated it into my creature evolution ability.
Blake too could have mastered the essence of martial arts.
Meaning he hadn’t used Ian’s swordsmanship at all.
Rather, he had reached the same pinnacle of martial arts as Ian.
There was a possibility he had arrived at that same summit.
The path to reaching the pinnacle need not be identical to Ian’s.
And even if the paths differ, the destination remains the same for all.
Countless rivers flow across this Continent.
Each begins from a different source, and flows in its own unique way.
-Yet ultimately, all waters converge in the sea and become one.
It was the same principle.
I could not entirely dismiss the possibility that Blake’s blade merely resembled Ian’s at its final moment.
“No.”
Blake had not yet reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
More importantly, this was no illusion.
I had learned directly from Ian, and therefore I could be certain.
“Blake was simply using Ian’s swordsmanship.”
Ultima Veritas.
He had definitely employed the opening form of that blade.
Mountain Crushing Strike, Sovereign Burst.
And Steadfast.
A sword technique containing the subtleties of balance, weight, and power.
In other words, the method of approach was identical.
Moreover, he even employed Ian’s exclusive techniques.
Lumen Pax was replaced with future sight, though.
“He used Mana Overdrive.”
Ian’s technique that sends the aura within one’s body into overdrive to maximize physical capabilities.
Its origin stemmed from Isolde’s Holy Power Transcendence.
Ian created it by imitating that.
But its effects were far more than mere imitation.
The operating principle and power.
And the risks were completely different.
“It far surpassed Holy Power Transcendence.”
Later, Isolde even tried to learn it in reverse.
But she couldn’t.
It had become a technique of an entirely different dimension.
And my Crimson Blood Explosive Torrent is also a technique imitating Holy Power Transcendence.
In other words.
I too couldn’t imitate Ian’s Mana Overdrive.
“Yet Blake used it.”
Of course, it wasn’t perfect.
He hadn’t imitated it flawlessly.
Still, the fact that he ‘used’ it was what puzzled me.
The second possibility.
“Ian taught him.”
That made no sense.
Ian wouldn’t teach the Darkness Lord Blake unless he’d lost his mind.
“…But is Blake really the Darkness Lord?”
It was a sudden doubt, but this too was strange.
First of all.
“The experience points were fewer than expected.”
Less than I’d anticipated, I should say.
7.1 billion experience points, whereas the Beast Lord had yielded 6 billion.
“I wonder how much experience the Death Lord and the Immortal Lord would have given.”
Unfortunately, neither lord was credited to me, so I gained no experience from them.
The Death Lord was absorbed by Rielin.
The Immortal Lord was destroyed by Iliana.
But Blake was different.
I had definitely defeated him myself.
And Blake was the Darkness Lord.
Another’s Another level.
The mightiest of Lords.
Yet experience points of 7.1 billion felt somewhat disappointing.
Especially considering it was amplified by the growth acceleration factor [EX], something felt off.
“Leon did provide assistance….”
It was decisive help.
Did the experience really get reduced because of that?
“But the Beast Lord was far more helpful than this.”
Without Broombar, I couldn’t have even attempted Ruler’s Roar [T].
And Rielin even bought me time.
“By that standard, it should have been worth more than now.”
It was certainly no less.
Yet the Beast Lord yielded 6 billion.
The Darkness Lord yielded 7.1 billion.
A difference of merely 1.1 billion.
Of course, 1.1 billion wasn’t exactly trivial.
“Hmm.”
Considering the majesty the Darkness Lord possessed, it was indeed meager.
And then came the second point.
“The Quest didn’t even mention the Darkness Lord.”
The calamity Quests were always related to Lords.
Therefore, whenever I directly confronted a Lord, the Quest description clearly specified which Lord it was.
Survive the Beast Lord.
Survive Death.
Survive the Immortal Lord.
Like that.
But this Quest was ‘Prevent Blake’s coup d’état.’
It never mentioned the Darkness Lord.
And that brings me to the third and final point.
“It’s far too strange that I gained no skills from devouring him.”
Not a single skill, not a single authority.
Despite absorbing Blake’s heart and all his genetic remnants.
Contempt for the Weak [L], Future Sight [T].
I had somewhat anticipated I wouldn’t obtain those.
But I was certain I would gain authorities related to Extremity [M].
“Yet I gained nothing.”
I didn’t even experience a vision.
All I obtained were stat increases from the stat absorption factor [EX].
Strength 3,415
Agility 4,659
4,881 stamina
And I managed to absorb 15,215 mana.
Given the overwhelming amount of mana I absorbed, I could deduce one thing.
“Was Blake’s power and authority based on mana?”
Aura, sorcery, ether, divine power.
It was most likely aura, but regardless.
If his authority was rooted in mana, I couldn’t obtain it—not with my anti-mana constitution.
“That much makes sense, at least.”
…But something still nagged at me.
Whether Blake was truly The Darkness Lord.
Why he wielded Ian’s swordsmanship.
Nothing was resolved cleanly. Everything remained shrouded in mystery.
And Blake, the only one who could have answered, was dead.
I should have extracted more information.
But the situation had been too urgent to allow for it.
“Aurec and the Special Operations Bureau agents escaped, you said?”
Kai hadn’t been able to subdue them.
…It was unfortunate.
Though I couldn’t blame him for it.
If not for Kai, I would have been the one pinned down.
“Hmm.”
Blake was dead, in the end.
Aurec and the Special Operations Bureau agents had all slipped away.
It was then.
“Ah, there you are.”
A man appeared before me, seemingly out of nowhere.
It was Heherlad.
A trainee knight of the Royal Knights.
Though that had been five years ago.
From his appearance now, it seemed he had become a full-fledged knight.
“What is it?”
“Nothing urgent, but His Highness Leon has requested your presence at the merit ceremony meeting, which is about to begin.”
…First, I needed to wrap up the immediate situation.
* * *
The residential quarters within Count Whitewolf’s Castle.
This place, where Yggdrasil, the World Tree, and the technological prowess of the Dwarves merged seamlessly, was nothing short of a sanctuary.
Walls constructed from Yggdrasil’s roots blocked all external noise completely.
They offered a sense of serene tranquility.
The Dwarves’ meticulously calibrated temperature and humidity control systems were beyond reproach.
“This is absolutely wonderful….”
Iliana gazed up at the ceiling with eyes that glowed a brilliant blue, her voice filled with wonder.
“Somehow, it feels even more like the sky than the sky itself.”
A smile spread across her face unbidden.
Iliana turned her gaze toward the window.
It was no different from a paradise on the Surface.
“Truly, living in a place like this would improve anyone’s temperament.”
But there was one thing.
“If only it weren’t so dreadfully boring.”
Conducting magical research here presented numerous obstacles.
The most significant was land.
There was no suitable ground to construct a laboratory, nor any place where she could conduct her research without reservation.
Whitewolf Territory was home to humans, Dwarves, Elves, and beastfolk living in harmony.
That meant there were many sensitive considerations.
Especially the spirits.
They were fundamentally rooted in an energy called ‘sorcery’.
“If I caused even a minor magical surge, it could distort the entire Spirit Realm….”
In the worst case, the spirits could be annihilated.
In the past, the Immortal Queen.
That is to say, Arcanis Rilsein had annihilated Rielin’s spirits through perfect understanding, just as magic and sorcery were fundamentally incompatible.
“Still, aside from the boredom, it’s practically perfect.”
Iliana buried herself beneath the blankets.
It was at that moment.
Knock, knock.
-Lady Iliana. It is Bernard.
A voice came from beyond the door.
Iliana hastily straightened her bedding.
“Y-yes! P-please come in….”
Bernard entered, opening the door.
Iliana tidied her disheveled hair as she asked.
“W-what… is the matter…?”
“The Count has sent you a letter, Lady Iliana.”
“…Pardon? From Seraphia?”
Suddenly?
Bernard extended the envelope he held.
Iliana accepted it and examined it carefully.
Thick, premium parchment.
The sealing wax bore the crest of House Whitewolf in clear relief.
Iliana carefully broke the seal and inspected the contents within.
====
【This document follows the command of the Royal Court, the highest authority of the Kingdom.】
First, it is hereby stated that all territories and affiliated assets of Segretius Marquisate shall be placed under the jurisdiction of Whitewolf Territory.
Second, it is also stated that said territory shall be entrusted to Iliana by the decision of Count Seraphia.
====
“Huh?”
I wondered if I’d misread it.
Iliana blinked repeatedly.
Her eyes darted back and forth.
She read it again, letter by letter, carefully.
‘The territory is being entrusted to me… what?’
It was unmistakably written that way.
“W-w-w-w-what?!?!?”
Iliana nearly shrieked.
This made no sense whatsoever!!
And she knew why.
The treason incident that had occurred in the Kingdom.
The perpetrator was none other than Baron Segretus.
And Iliana was a member of the Segretus family.
Though she was born of a concubine.
And had severed ties with the family long ago.
Yet she remained a member of the Segretus family.
In other words, she was from the same traitorous house!
So why? How could this be?
On what grounds…?
Iliana’s trembling eyes returned to the letter.
Below that, the following was written:
====
Despite being a member of the Segretus family, she severed ties with her house of her own volition.
Moreover, she has rendered decisive merit in saving First Prince Leon Battenberg during this rebellion.
====
‘I saved Prince Leon…?’
When?
I have no memory of such a thing—
‘Oh, could it be that elixir?’
The elixir made from the essence of Yggdrasil.
In the past, it was a miraculous remedy that far surpassed Seraphia’s cure.
‘But I only made that because Adrian asked me to…?’
Yet here it was.
====
Thus, her loyalty to the Kingdom and the Royal Court.
Her merits in service to the people.
For her exemplary conduct in all matters, I hereby confer upon Iliana the title of Baroness and entrust her with the governance of the Marquisate.
====
“Eeeeeeeek!?!???!”
She sprang to her feet right then and there.
* * *
The conference hall echoed with heated debate.
The distribution of rewards following the rebellion was, as expected, a contentious matter.
Of course, I was naturally the greatest contributor.
But everything else.
“The Orpheon Family handled the restoration of public sentiment.”
“Subsequently, it was the Silvas Merchant Guild that distributed the supply provisions.”
You did well.
I did well.
Each exaggerating their accomplishments to appear more favorable.
They habitually inflated even non-existent merits.
I quietly left the conference hall.
There was no point.
I had nothing particular to do there anyway.
My reward was already determined.
The Segretius Marquisate.
They were giving it to me in its entirety.
And I entrusted that land to Iliana.
‘After all, I needed territory for the Mage Corps and the beastkin anyway.’
A marquisate would be more than sufficient.
The land was vast, and resources abundant.
Most importantly, it was ideal in terms of autonomous governance.
It could operate beyond the Empire’s sphere of influence.
Just one problem.
The Marquisate was located in the central-western region.
In other words, it was distant from the Whitewolf Territory in the north.
◆You’re going to leave Iliana alone like that?!!
◆She’s already prone to loneliness!
Mungu shrieked in distress.
As if I’d abandoned a child at the water’s edge, Mungu fretted anxiously.
But Iliana wasn’t actually a child.
She was already twenty-one.
A proper adult, in other words.
◆Her heart is still that of a tender girl!
◆If she succumbs to loneliness and has a meltdown… Eek!
Mungu cried out in alarm.
…That did worry me a bit, though.
‘Iliana isn’t the type to get lonely, is she?’
She’s the kind who locks herself in a cramped room and buries herself in grimoires all day.
Not speaking a single word for days.
Not eating.
Not even sleeping—so what loneliness could possibly affect someone like that?
◆Who knows how much she’s crying inside?!
◆You don’t understand women’s hearts at all!
◆If she has a meltdown, you’re responsible for it!
…And what responsibility could I possibly take then?
The Continent will be deleted anyway.
◆Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
…She really is unhinged, I swear.
Well, anyway.
I did entrust the Marquisate to Iliana, but that didn’t mean I was abandoning it.
‘I’ll bind it under an Allied Forces system.’
◆…Huh? Really?
Mungu cried out in surprise.
And as expected.
Mungu knew well about the Allied Forces system—whether it was something Ian had in his past life or not.
◆Then there’s nothing to worry about!
◆I thought you were leaving Iliana lonely and abandoned, hehe!
Mungu, who had been making such a fuss, seemed relieved and hummed something like a little tune.
◆So Iliana becomes a noble~.
◆And becomes the Commander of the Mage Corps~.
◆And also participates safely in the Succession War~.
…Sigh, that’s enough.
I just let her ramble on as she pleased.
If I responded to everything, only I would get tired.
Anyway.
Before binding everything under the Allied Forces system, I needed to complete the foundation of the Mage Corps first.
‘But it seems like Yggdrasil won’t reach that far.’
It was too distant.
In other words, Yggdrasil’s roots couldn’t extend all the way to the Marquisate.
In mythology, it supports the world.
But in reality, what should I call it.
A half-insane tree.
‘Still, if I ask the Dwarves, it’ll be quick.’
It wasn’t a major problem.
But this was something I couldn’t do in 「Management Mode」.
I’ll have to go directly to the Marquisate and handle this myself.
And with this done.
The Allied Forces’ structure would be nearly complete.
It seemed the time had finally come.
There was no point in delaying any further.
The Royal Court treason incident was nearly resolved.
Yet the ending felt incomplete.
Unanswered questions still lingered.
Was Blake truly the Darkness Lord?
Why had he wielded Ian’s swordsmanship?
Everything remained shrouded in the mist of oblivion.
And I had to pierce through that fog.
Thus, the only thread to unravel these mysteries.
The most certain answer.
I needed to meet with Ian.
The time had come to reunite with him.

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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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