The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 56

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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 56. Traces (3)
Ian’s regret was one thing.
And preparing for a potential battle with The Abyss Lord was another.
‘I need medicinal ingredients to treat Seraphia….’
As I was organizing my thoughts, that’s when it happened.
“Then I’ll continue investigating this man called ‘Ian,’ and contact you immediately if I find any distinctive information.”
Adlern’s voice reached my ears.
Without being told, he was quick to understand—Adlern was quite perceptive.
“Additionally, could you procure the medicinal ingredients I’m about to list?”
“Ah, yes! Just give me a moment, please!”
Adlern quickly pulled out a notepad from beneath the counter and prepared to write.
I recalled the medicinal ingredients that could improve Seraphia’s condition, which I had identified using Predator’s Instinct[S], and listed them one by one.
“Flame Heart, Sun Pepper, Magma Heat Pillar, Dawn’s Flame.”
Just from their names, these were no ordinary ingredients.
“Uh….”
Perhaps because of that, Adlern’s expression grew serious as he wrote.
“The cost won’t be insignificant, I’m afraid.”
“How much are we talking?”
“At the very least….”
Adlern drew out his words as if calculating.
“I’d estimate about 20,000 gold per ingredient.”
It was an absurdly high amount.
But it was roughly what I’d anticipated, and it wasn’t a significant problem for me at present.
I pulled 100 platinum coins from my inventory.
In other words, 100,000 gold, and placed it on the counter.
“Huh?!”
Adlern looked startled.
But his surprise wasn’t directed at the inventory itself.
Adlern’s wide eyes were fixed on the 100,000 gold.
Well, as expected of a merchant.
The 100,000 gold seemed far more surprising than the inventory.
Soon, a hint of awe flickered in Adlern’s eyes as he looked at me.
“Can you procure them?”
“W-well… may I ask what you intend to use them for?”
“Are they difficult to obtain?”
“It seems it will take considerable time, I’m afraid.”
It appeared that money alone wasn’t enough to procure them immediately.
That was precisely why I was entrusting this to Adlern.
If I tried to obtain them myself, I simply didn’t have the time.
“Is this urgent, perhaps?”
“I intend to use it to treat my sister.”
Adlern’s eyes widened in surprise.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know I had a sister—rather, his expression suggested he hadn’t known she was ill.
I was already known throughout Frecce as the reckless heir of Count Whitewolf’s House, so naturally he would have learned of Seraphia’s existence as well.
However, the information that Seraphia was suffering from an illness was an entirely different matter.
Adlern fell silent, lost in thought.
Before I could wonder what he was thinking—
“Just trust me on this, sir!”
Adlern exclaimed eagerly.
“I’ll search the entire Continent right now and bring you the cure as quickly as possible!”
“I’ll provide generous compensation—”
“No, sir! Compensation? That’s out of the question!”
“Still, it does take your time away from business.”
Especially during a period when we needed to boost sales.
“Come now! How could I concern myself with such trifles after all you’ve done for my sales, Adrian!”
Of course it mattered.
Yet Adlern showed no sign of caring.
“If you tell me about your sister’s symptoms, I’ll even bribe a skilled alchemist to prepare the necessary medicine and deliver it to you as a finished product!”
To that extent?
“So please don’t worry, Adrian. Just focus on your business!”
Adlern patted his chest firmly, as if urging me to trust only him.
His intentions were transparent, yet I found myself in good spirits.
Frecce had truly become my ally.
In any case, since he insisted on handling it himself, there was no reason to refuse.
I retrieved ten platinum coins from my inventory.
Ten thousand gold—and placed it on the counter.
“Take the commission generously, and use whatever remains wisely.”
“This… this much, sir?”
Adlern’s eyes widened as he confirmed the amount.
Ten thousand gold wasn’t a trivial sum.
It wasn’t an amount I typically withdrew so casually.
However, the profits I’d earned from selling Lex meat—worth five thousand gold per hundred grams—had been astronomical.
Adlern swallowed hard.
“I, Adlern, swear to dedicate my life to serving you, Adrian, from this moment forward!!!”
Adlern’s waist bent at a ninety-degree angle.
◆Adlern’s favorability toward you has increased significantly!
A semi-transparent message appeared before my eyes, indicating his favorability had risen.
◆Adlern’s favorability toward you has reached [Intimate] status!
◆Those in [Intimate] status hold basic goodwill toward you.
◆Such individuals show consideration in your words and actions, and tend to prioritize your needs over their own.
◆However, continuous attention and consideration are still necessary, and if contact is severed, affection can easily diminish.
Affection that shifted to an [Intimate] state in an instant.
True to form for a merchant, the moment I handed over money, affection skyrocketed.
“Just keep it up like this. I’m leaving.”
“Yes, sir! Safe travels, sir! And whenever Adlern is needed for anything, please call upon me! Whenever, wherever, I shall drop everything and rush to your aid!!”
And so.
Adlern’s back remained bent until I disappeared from his sight.
* * *
Seraphia’s medicinal herb costs and commission fees.
The expenditures exceeded my expectations.
As a result, the money remaining in my possession now was—.
‘Around three thousand gold.’
This amount was practically nothing to speak of.
It was woefully insufficient for establishing and operating the Allied Forces.
Above all.
‘The Dark Merchant Company….’
I had nowhere near the capital to oppose the Dark Merchant Company.
‘The Dark Merchant Company’s movements are faster than anticipated.’
In other words, The Emperor was moving more swiftly than I had foreseen.
The Dark Merchant Company is deeply entrenched in the politics and economics of each kingdom.
Through this, they operate as shadowy entities behind the scenes, with political patrons and collaborators within noble society.
Even a kingdom’s military is nothing more than a puppet of the Dark Merchant Company.
However.
‘Not yet.’
The reason being that The Emperor’s full-scale activities won’t begin for approximately ten years from now.
Ten years hence is when all of The Emperor’s preparations to consume The Continent will be complete.
Though the Dark Merchant Company is moving faster than expected, that doesn’t mean all preparations are finished.
They’re likely only just beginning the groundwork.
‘I must stop the Dark Merchant Company before it exerts its influence.’
Therefore, I had to check the Dark Merchant Company now.
At this moment, I could stop them.
At this present time when the Dark Merchant Company hasn’t yet completely seized control of each kingdom’s politics and economy.
At this very moment when they’re only just beginning to recruit political patrons and collaborators within noble society.
If I intervene at this juncture, I can completely destroy the Dark Merchant Company’s plans.
This was another reason I established the Predator Merchant Company.
The Predator Merchant Company wasn’t created merely to find Ian.
It’s an organization to exercise influence across The Continent.
And for that, capital is essential.
But three thousand gold in my possession was nowhere near sufficient.
However, the people standing in a long line like serpents in front of the Dining Hall right now.
The moment they saw me, people jumped to their feet and cried out.
“Wow, he’s here!! The head of the Predator Merchant Company has arrived!!”
“He’s here? Where is—. It’s really him!”
“Listen here!! I’ll pay double the price, so please sell me some Lex meat! The Duke said he’d kill me if I don’t bring some back this time!!”
“Ugh, you fool! Don’t you see the line forming?”
“Does your life not hang in the balance?”
Extracting money from the nobility… or rather, earning it was no small matter.
* * *
Countless kingdoms spread across The Continent.
Typically, a kingdom refers to a nation where an absolute monarch holds sovereignty and governs the realm.
Most kingdoms on The Continent are built upon this system of governance.
Yet there was one exception.
A nation that governed its state and society according to divine will, where religious and royal authority were intimately intertwined in a political system.
A nation that enshrined religious doctrine as law and social norm, seeking to manifest the will of God upon the earth.
The Holy Kingdom, Cordelia.
Beneath the soaring ceiling of the vast Papal Palace, hundreds of candles flickered, casting their gentle light downward.
Gathered below were countless faithful.
As a majestic hymn resonated through the hall.
“Beloved brothers and sisters.”
A voice both crystalline and luminously clear rang out softly.
“We have gathered here before God today. Beneath His grace, we seek to purify our hearts and extend our compassion to those who suffer.”
The sound echoed off the marble walls of the Papal Palace, reverberating like a voice from the heavens themselves.
And standing at the central altar was a woman of noble bearing.
Her pristine white vestments glowed with a soft luminescence, and her radiant platinum hair cascaded gently in the candlelight.
Lips soft as rose petals and tinged with the blush of tulips.
Her refined ivory skin was as pure as a lily bathed in morning sunlight.
Her long lashes softened her gaze, yet emphasized an otherworldly beauty that transcended mortal form.
“Guide us that we may turn from sin and walk upon a new path.”
Wherever her eyes fell, sanctity seemed to settle, and all hearts grew reverent.
Her expression was serene and tranquil.
As if bearing the weight of all the world’s suffering, her eyes held profound compassion and tender mercy.
“Grant sustenance to the hungry, comfort to the sorrowful, healing to the afflicted, and let them find peace within Your mercy.”
The faithful bowed their heads in unison.
All ears were attuned, unwilling to miss a single word from her lips.
All clasped their hands together, treating her words as their prayer.
A solemn sight—countless faithful becoming as one soul.
“Hear the word spoken this day. It is the teaching God has left for us.”
Standing at the central altar, she embodied the savior of the world.
In this moment, she was not human but a messenger conveying God’s will, His earthly representative.
“Do not regard another’s success as your own failure. Jealousy is not a shameful emotion, so do not tear them down. Instead, let it be your driving force as you enter through the narrow gate.”
Eyes transparent and unwavering, revealing quiet faith and devotion.
As she lifted the Holy Grail and began the blessing ceremony, the choir resumed their hymn of praise.
The faithful followed along with the hymn, witnessing the conclusion of the ritual.
Slowly, the woman descended from the central altar.
Her name was Isolde Cordelia.
Princess of the Holy Kingdom of Cordelia and the 213th Saint.
Isolde quietly departed the Papal Palace after descending from the central altar.
While the faithful’s hymns still echoed within the Papal Palace, Isolde crossed through its corridors and made her way out.
A attending priest hurried after her.
“Your Highness, there have been disturbing rumors circulating throughout the kingdom recently.”
“Disturbing rumors?”
“It is said that monster meat has become prevalent among the people.”
Isolde’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

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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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