The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 368

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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 368. Priorities (1)
The Segretius Marquisate, situated in the central-western reaches of the Continent.
Branded as the territory of a traitor.
For a time, this land had become forbidden ground—a place too dangerous even to mention.
The once-magnificent fortress had vanished.
The nobility had fled.
The common folk had abandoned it, leaving only ruins in their wake.
A land stripped of protection, where order had crumbled.
No one dared speak of this place’s future.
But now.
Beneath the golden rays of sunlight.
The rhythmic hammering of Dwarven tools echoed across the wasteland.
“There! That pillar’s angle is off! It doesn’t align with the mana stone conduit!”
“Yes, yes! How many times must I say this is a Magic Tower structure? Bring the blueprints back out!”
The Dwarves worked with feverish intensity, yet their efforts remained perfectly coordinated.
Massive ether-powered construction equipment moved about in all directions.
And so the work continued—less reconstruction than creation itself.
“Lock the central coordinates!”
“Raise it into position!”
A colossal structure rose majestically skyward.
“Mana conduits connected!”
“Any mana interference?”
“None! The flow is remarkably stable!”
“Excellent! Next is the western research wing and the portal core chamber. Rotate the ether crane!”
A new heart was being installed at the heart of the Marquisate.
But that was far from all.
In the southern basin of the Marquisate.
Where lush forests flourished and crystalline waters flowed, new settlements were taking shape.
“Listen, that area over there is for the Werewolves’ residences! No need for special flooring—natural earth is better for them!”
“Then leave this section to us Elves.”
The Elves carefully arranged the native trees that grew along the riverbank.
They designed dwellings suited to each demi-human race.
Whenever something seemed uncertain, they would scurry off to ask.
“Say, Instructor.”
“Speak.”
“The sunlight here is quite intense—will the Werelizards be comfortable? Don’t they normally inhabit dark, murky swamps?”
“Werelizards are reptilian demi-humans. In other words, they are cold-blooded.”
“Cold-blooded…?”
“They cannot maintain their own body temperature. That’s why they bask in sunlight to raise their body heat and synthesize vitamins to absorb calcium.”
“So, they’ll be fine then?”
“Yes. The evolution benefits are sufficient.”
“Got it! I’ll let more sunlight through!”
The Elves pruned the branches of the trees.
Adjusting them so that sunlight could pour down more freely.
And so.
The Marquisate was stepping into a new era, leaving behind the stigma of a traitor’s domain.
* * *
New homes rising up, constructed piece by piece.
The headquarters of the Mage Corps towered high into the sky.
The new settlements of the beastmen were each taking on their own distinctive character.
‘This will take some time.’
Given the nature of the Mage Corps, there were numerous factors to consider.
The beastmen, too, came from different races, so there were many elements to account for.
Most importantly.
‘Yggdrasil’s snap won’t work here.’
I could now truly appreciate just how absurdly overpowered Yggdrasil’s snap was.
But regardless.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
* * *
Iliana’s eyes widened considerably.
Her face laid bare an astonishment that left her breathless.
And for good reason—the landscape stretching before her eyes.
The Magic Tower piercing the heavens as it rose skyward.
The beastmen’s settlement sprawling across the southern expanse.
“This is….”
She couldn’t believe it was her own land.
Of course, it wasn’t truly Iliana’s land.
After all, this Marquisate had been incorporated into Whitewolf Territory, which was then delegated to Iliana.
Strictly speaking, it was territory of Whitewolf County.
Only the one responsible for its administration had become Iliana.
None other than the head of House Whitewolf.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
According to Seraphia’s decision, that is.
Seraphia stood with her back to the sunlight.
Her silver hair, reminiscent of moonlight, sparkled ethereally as it caught the sun’s rays.
Iliana lowered her gaze for a moment, then carefully opened her mouth.
“But is it really okay to entrust this land to me?”
“More than okay—I’d like to grab your pant leg and beg you to take it.”
“…What?”
“Managing even one county is incredibly exhausting, after all….”
Seraphia’s face crumpled with distress.
“But if you ask me to manage such vast lands again, I might actually die.”
“….”
“So Iliana, please take care of things here in my place. And don’t you dare run away saying it’s too hard!”
Seraphia placed her hands on her hips as she spoke.
But Iliana couldn’t answer easily.
Seraphia looked at Iliana’s hesitation and continued.
“What, are you anxious?”
“…A little.”
The lives of countless territory residents hung in the balance.
It wasn’t as simple as it sounded.
When Iliana thought about all that weight crashing down upon her shoulders, she couldn’t bring herself to nod in agreement.
“Don’t worry. You’re incredibly intelligent, sharp-minded, and overflowing with a sense of responsibility.”
“….”
“Your judgment is swift, your decisions are resolute, your information is more accurate than anyone’s, and your adaptability to situations is remarkable.”
“…?”
“You never waver in crisis, your combat instincts are sharper than anyone’s, and you’re excellent at boosting soldier morale!”
“…??”
“How could such a super ultra genius possibly fail to manage a single territory?”
“…???”
Iliana tilted her head repeatedly in confusion.
I had all those qualities?
Seraphia smiled broadly and answered.
“…That’s what my brother said.”
“Adrian said that?”
“Yes. He praised you extensively during the merit ceremony at the Royal Palace.”
“Me, me…?”
“Yes.”
Iliana’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
Surprise and embarrassment.
She wasn’t accustomed to receiving praise.
And now she understood something anew.
Adrian had deliberately mentioned her name at the merit ceremony where countless nobles gathered.
‘He was protecting me….’
It was all to shield Iliana.
Adrian had wrapped her in his protection first, ensuring no one could use her against him.
That was why Iliana, despite being a member of the Segretus family, had managed to avoid any involvement in the rebellion incident whatsoever.
“So Iliana, you can do this well. My brother wouldn’t say such things carelessly!”
Iliana drew a quiet breath.
Her chest tingled with warmth, filling her with an inexplicable comfort.
Iliana gazed quietly at the deed of delegation in her hand.
With the territory now entrusted to her.
Iliana’s position had fundamentally shifted.
She was no longer merely a member of House Segretus, but a noble with her own house.
[Iliana Florent, Countess]
Head of House Florent.
Iliana Florent.
Her name, her title, her house—all entirely her own.
To repay Adrian’s trust.
“…Then I’ll do my best. No, I’ll do my best.”
Iliana steeled her resolve.
In that moment.
Seraphia puffed out her cheeks and spoke.
“What, now that you have your own house, you won’t be my friend anymore?”
“…Pardon?”
“You just said ‘I’ll do my best’ in formal speech. And now you’re answering me formally again.”
“That’s only natural—”
“You’re not going to be my friend anymore?”
“B-but…”
Iliana hesitated.
House Florent was a vassal house of House Whitewolf.
And Seraphia was the head of House Whitewolf.
Their relationship could no longer be defined by friendship alone.
Propriety had to be maintained.
And distance had to be observed.
“You are a Countess. How could I presume—”
“Then I command you as a Countess.”
Seraphia spoke with stern, grave solemnity.
“Countess Iliana Florent. Immediately drop your formal speech and treat me as your friend. Otherwise, I shall charge you with treason at once—!”
“Pfft!”
Iliana burst into laughter despite herself.
The petite, delicate Seraphia.
Her flushed cheeks conveyed cuteness far more than dignity.
Yet the way she referred to herself as “this one” was so endearing that Iliana simply couldn’t hold back.
“Kyahahaha!”
“Countess Florent! Are you mocking this one?!”
“Ack, ahahahaha!”
“How disrespectful! That’s three additional counts of treason! The only way to atone is to be my friend!”
“Kyah! P-please stop…!! Kyahahaha!”
Tears streamed down Iliana’s face as her laughter refused to cease.
Seraphia pressed her lips together, maintaining the most composed expression she could muster, but ultimately burst into laughter just the same.
Beneath the midday sun.
Happiness bloomed naturally within us.
“So we’re staying friends, then?”
“…Yes!”
Iliana thought she might burst from joy.
* * *
The reconstruction of the Marquisate proceeded smoothly….
No, the Florent Earldom’s reconstruction.
For an earldom, it was excessively grand, but that hardly mattered.
◆We’re binding it under the Allied Forces framework!
Outwardly, merely an earldom.
Yet the hidden capacity within it transcended a simple territory, rivaling even a minor kingdom.
Perhaps that was why.
‘It’s taking longer than I expected.’
Starting with Yggdrasil not clicking into place.
Simply establishing a command center wasn’t the end of it.
A military base, a research facility.
The Mage Corps, which also served as an administrative organ coordinating each allied faction.
Since it effectively functioned as the ‘spine’ of the Allied Forces, not a single mistake could be tolerated.
‘But Iliana is handling it well.’
She was already establishing and organizing systems.
Administration, military affairs, logistics, research.
The Dwarves and Elves coordinated construction schedules according to the systems Iliana had organized.
I simply had to wait.
◆Isn’t that essentially Yggdrasil clicking into place?
…Is it?
From my perspective, it seems that way?
In any case.
It would take some time before the foundation of the Mage Corps was complete.
‘That’s actually fortunate.’
While I was resolving the rebellion, the 150,000 tons of rune steel contracted with The Empire would be fully secured.
‘I should meet with Ian once this is done.’
* * *
“…Pardon?”
Seraphia blinked her eyes repeatedly.
As if seeking confirmation once more.
Seraphia asked me again.
“You’re saying you’ll be away for a while?”
“Yes.”
“Uh… hmm…”
Seraphia’s eyes rolled as she fell into contemplation.
She seemed hesitant about what to say.
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s nothing serious, really.”
Seraphia answered immediately.
“Isolde sent an invitation.”
“…An invitation?”
What kind of invitation?
“An invitation to The Saint’s canonization ceremony.”
“Ah.”
Officially, Isolde was a Cardinal.
But I’d heard that a canonization ceremony was scheduled in recognition of Violess’s contributions.
‘Wasn’t that supposed to happen a while ago?’
Yet seeing it proceed now, there must have been some complicated circumstances involved.
“So we were all planning to go together.”
“All together?”
“Kai, Broombar, Rielin, and even Iliana. Everyone!”
It truly was everyone.
The heroes of the Allied Forces, of course.
Even The Frost Lord and the Lord of Perpetual Mourning.
‘It seems Zemu isn’t going.’
Well, Zemu was a Dracan.
A massive lizard monster attending The Saint’s canonization ceremony?
…Even I could see that wouldn’t work.
Besides, someone needed to remain here.
“And I naturally assumed you’d come with us…”
“Mm.”
I paused to consider.
The Saint’s canonization ceremony.
It hadn’t happened in my previous life, but it wasn’t an unexpected variable.
It was a development I had orchestrated, just like Leon’s enthronement.
So I had intended to attend under normal circumstances.
‘The timing is awkward, though.’
“May I see the invitation?”
“Oh, of course!”
Seraphia handed me the invitation.
I immediately checked the date of the ceremony.
‘The timing…’
It was indeed awkward.
I paused to gather my thoughts before speaking.
“Go on ahead.”
Ian had to come first, no question about it.
Isolde was important too, but Ian couldn’t be deprioritized.
“What? Brother, aren’t you coming?”
“I have something to take care of.”
“Then… you’re not attending?”
“No, I will attend.”
I handed back the invitation as I answered.
“I’ll join you after I finish my business.”
I figured I could time it well enough.
After meeting up with Ian in The Empire.
I could participate in Isolde’s canonization ceremony alongside him.
To make that happen, I’d need to move at a brisk pace.
“Then I’ll leave right away. Seraphia, I’m entrusting the remaining matters of Florent Earldom to you.”
“…Huh? Oh! Yes! Don’t worry about things here!”
Seraphia clenched her adorable little fists with determination.
“Please be careful and come back soon, Brother!!”
I nodded and turned around.
Just then.
Seraphia, looking like a baby rabbit, was so endearing that I couldn’t help but smile.
* * *
The commercial city of Frecce.
Marzen sat in the Predator Restaurant, bringing a wine glass to his nose.
A deep fragrance spreading through his nostrils.
Within the flavor of ripe fruit, the sweet scent of sweet potato drifted past.
A newly released sweet potato wine from the Predator Merchant Company.
It commanded an absurd price of 200,000 Gold, but…
‘Insane.’
The flavor was worth every bit of it.
Marzen carefully brought a sip of wine to his lips—
“Why did you want to meet here again?”
“Pfft!”
Marzen spewed out the entire 200,000 Gold’s worth of wine.

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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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