The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 59

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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 59. I Object to This Marriage! (2)
Alteron de Beneron drew closer to Kai with each deliberate step.
A contemptible smile played across Alteron de Beneron’s lips.
“Did I not mention that the Elixir our house possesses can cure your master?”
Elixir.
A legendary potion hailed as the crown jewel of alchemy, capable of producing diverse effects that shattered the limits of body and spirit depending on its composition.
Moreover, it possessed the power to instantly heal even mortal wounds and diseases.
The Elixir was a miraculous remedy known as the universal panacea.
However.
“It remains unconfirmed whether it can treat Seraphia.”
Even an Elixir could not guarantee a cure for Seraphia’s condition.
From the outset, Elixirs came in such varied types that their effects and efficacy differed greatly.
“So you intend to simply let your master die as she is?”
Alteron de Beneron continued with a mocking laugh.
“I am claiming my wife—”
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring pierced the air.
In a heartbeat, Kai’s blade was drawn, its edge pressed against Alteron de Beneron’s throat.
“Speak that word once more, and I will not hold back.”
Kai’s voice carried unmistakable killing intent.
Yet Alteron de Beneron did not yield to Kai’s overwhelming presence.
“What is wrong with calling my wife a wife?”
“I made it clear I would not hold back—”
“Seraphia has already accepted the marriage proposal.”
At those words, Kai’s eyes widened in shock, the murderous gleam momentarily eclipsed by disbelief.
“What… do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said. In the previous proposal, Seraphia already accepted the marriage agreement.”
Kai’s wide eyes turned toward Bernard.
Bernard, too, bore an expression of bewilderment—as if hearing this for the first time.
Which meant Alteron de Beneron was lying.
“Such a falsehood—”
“A marriage covenant.”
Alteron de Beneron withdrew a rectangular document from his breast pocket.
“A marriage covenant…?”
“Read it.”
Kai instinctively accepted it and examined its contents.
“This… this cannot be—!”
And in that moment, Kai realized Alteron de Beneron’s words were truth.
The marriage covenant bore the names of Alteron de Beneron and Seraphia.
Within it lay a binding promise of matrimony between them.
I want to believe it’s been forged, but the seal stamped at the end of the oath—
it was unmistakably Seraphia’s seal.
“As you can see, Seraphia is my fiancée.”
Alteron de Beneron then snatched the oath back from Kai.
“So act like a knight and fulfill your duties as one. Don’t presume to defy your master.”
Alteron de Beneron casually brushed Kai’s sword aside.
Then, with his index finger, he tapped—tapped—pushing against Kai’s chest.
“You’ll soon be my knight, and even a stupid dog should know who its master is.”
Alteron de Beneron’s gaze toward Kai burned with avarice.
His twisted smile dripped with contempt and mockery.
But.
There was nothing Kai could do.
Kai clenched both fists until his knuckles whitened.
…It was unbearable.
This helplessness washing over me.
Just as despair and rage boiled up within me—unable to do anything—that’s when it happened.
“What the hell is going on here?”
A voice cut through the air to my ears.
* * *
A cluster of people gathered outside Seraphia’s Chamber.
Kai was clenching his fists in frustration, Bernard wore an expression as if the world had ended, and there was some ruffian I’d never seen before, grinning with self-satisfaction.
What a sight.
“What the hell is going on here?”
I wondered what kind of mess they’d gotten themselves into.
As I approached slowly, the ruffian-looking one spoke first.
“And who are you?”
“I was about to ask you the same. I don’t recall seeing your face in Whitewolf Territory before.”
“You? Do you even know who I—!”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”
The ruffian ground his teeth before speaking.
“I am Alteron de Beneron, firstborn son of Beneron Barony House!”
“…So it was you?”
The one who kept showing up at Whitewolf Territory unannounced, constantly making me confuse him with Ian.
And the very source of this entire mess.
“You’re the one trying to marry Seraphia?”
“You? Ha! Are you insane? How dare you address a nobleman so casually? I don’t know who you are, but—”
“I’m Seraphia’s brother.”
In other words, I’ll be your brother-in-law.
And I’m the firstborn of Count Whitewolf’s House, which outranks you.
“…What?”
Alteron de Beneron’s face went blank.
His expression made it clear he didn’t believe me—our appearances shared nothing in common with Seraphia’s.
Well, Seraphia and I were step-siblings with not a drop of blood between us, so it was only natural we looked nothing alike.
But step-siblings were still siblings.
“So I’m telling you now—I oppose this marriage.”
As family, I had every right to voice my opinion on Seraphia’s union.
Especially now that our father was gone.
Of course, that didn’t mean I intended to play the role of her older brother.
In that sense, it truly wasn’t my concern who Seraphia married.
‘The Frost Lord’s awakening cannot happen under any circumstances.’
That much I could not overlook.
Even if Seraphia loved Alteron de Beneron, I would oppose this marriage absolutely.
At the word “brother,” Alteron de Beneron hesitated for a moment.
His demeanor softened slightly, though he still addressed me with some deference.
“Your opposition means nothing—Seraphia has already agreed to the covenant.”
But his tone remained insolent.
“A covenant?”
Alteron de Beneron handed me a rectangular piece of paper.
It was a contract of sorts, detailing the compensation he would receive in exchange for the marriage.
I examined its contents one by one.
Rrrip—!
I tore the marriage covenant to shreds.
“Wh-what are you doing!”
“Know your limits.”
“…What did you say?”
“Did you really think I’d fall for such a fabricated covenant?”
Of course, Seraphia’s seal stamped at the end of the marriage covenant was genuine.
It was identical to the one on the document she had given me before.
In other words, it was a real covenant.
Yet I could be certain this was a forged fake.
If it were real, a Quest would have appeared by now.
It should have appeared the moment Seraphia agreed to the marriage.
That meant the seal was genuine, but Seraphia hadn’t stamped it herself.
This was merely my conjecture, but—
“You stole Seraphia’s seal and stamped it as you pleased.”
Alteron de Beneron’s entire body trembled violently.
A direct hit.
Kai’s eyes burned with rage and hatred.
His murderous intent toward Alteron de Beneron was so palpable that nobility meant nothing—he saw only his target.
Alteron de Beneron trembled with fear, wondering if this man would truly kill him.
But it seems he’s misunderstanding something.
Kai is not merely a knight with unwavering loyalty.
He’s a ‘madman’ prepared to make enemies of anyone if it means protecting Seraphia.
Grrrrk—!
The reason he was suppressing his rage through transcendent willpower was that killing the eldest son of Beneron Barony House here would become considerably troublesome.
The assassination of a nobleman was a grave matter the kingdom took seriously.
Above all, a war between Whitewolf Territory and Beneron Barony could erupt.
A situation where the entire Whitewolf Territory could be turned upside down if I carelessly intervened.
Kai was merely swallowing his rage—not for himself, but for Seraphia.
Yet it seemed that given any opportunity, he would absolutely kill Alteron de Beneron on the spot.
Was that what frightened Alteron de Beneron?
He cried out in panic.
“But the elixir is real!”
“…An elixir?”
“Yes! The elixir that can cure Seraphia is real!”
It appeared Alteron de Beneron possessed an elixir capable of treating Seraphia’s condition.
Looking at it plainly.
‘Was that why I didn’t strike him down immediately?’
It certainly seemed that way.
“It’s unnecessary.”
“…What?”
“I already have an elixir to cure Seraphia.”
“Is that truly the case!?”
The question came not from Alteron de Beneron, but from Kai.
The murderous intent that had been radiating from him vanished without a trace, his blue eyes now wide and round.
“What did you think was my reason for going to Frecce?”
…Ah, hadn’t I mentioned it?
Well, regardless.
“The cure will be ready soon.”
At my affirmation, Kai’s blue eyes trembled greatly.
And strangely.
Kai’s gaze suddenly became unsettling.
That bastard—whatever he’s thinking.
If I leave him unchecked, there’s no telling what insane act he might commit.
I hastily spoke to Alteron de Beneron.
“Disappear from my sight this instant.”
I couldn’t have him lingering around and getting killed by Kai.
Even if he’s a ruffian, he’s still a nobleman—the aftermath would be extremely troublesome.
“That’s ridiculous!”
But Alteron de Beneron showed no intention of backing down quietly.
An indignant face, trembling fists clenched so tightly they quivered.
Anyone could see the irritation in my eyes—as if I’d ruined something perfectly good by scattering ash over it.
“You? You dare claim you can treat Seraphia’s condition?”
“And if I can?”
“Do you even understand what Seraphia’s condition truly is before spouting such nonsense?”
“You speak as though you understand it yourself.”
“Of course I—!”
Alteron de Beneron clamped his mouth shut.
He had plenty more to say, but he refused to speak further, his lips sealed tight.
He simply glared at me once.
“…Don’t come crying and regretting this later.”
With a sharp turn, Alteron de Beneron walked away.
And that was precisely when it happened.
◆Sub Quest [I Oppose This Marriage!] has been cleared!
A translucent notification scrolled across my vision, announcing the Quest completion.
◆You have obtained 486,440 Quest Experience!
◆Your level has increased!
◆Your level has increased!
◆Your level has increased!
I’d gained far more Quest experience than I’d anticipated.
Lycanthrope’s sudden Quest had yielded approximately 950,000 experience.
This wasn’t quite that much, but considering the Quest’s difficulty, it was practically a gift.
And then.
◆How dare that punk look down on my sister?!
◆Not as long as I draw breath!
◆Kai’s favorability toward you has increased significantly due to your brotherly actions!!
Kai’s favorability reward—which I hadn’t particularly wanted—also appeared before my eyes.
◆Kai’s favorability toward you has reached [Friendly] status!
◆A person in [Friendly] status displays a warm and positive attitude toward you.
◆Such individuals are actively willing to provide assistance or cooperate with you, and you may receive their support in combat or specific situations, or seek their aid in times of crisis.
Kai’s favorability, which had previously been in [Conflict] status, had jumped two tiers directly to [Friendly].
Regardless, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
Rather, it was Alteron de Beneron, huffing indignantly as he departed.
…That bastard.
Something’s been off about him since earlier.
First, the fact that he didn’t recognize my face was strange.
I couldn’t recognize Alteron de Beneron because my mind was clouded by memories of my past life, but he had no reason not to recognize me.
Beneron Barony House was adjacent to Whitewolf Territory.
It was strange that he wouldn’t recognize me—the notorious troublemaker of Count Whitewolf’s House.
Especially not with black hair, which was rare across The Continent.
On top of stealing Seraphia’s seal and orchestrating this scheme, there was something in his eyes—as if he knew something about Seraphia’s condition.
Seraphia had only lost consciousness recently.
It happened after she used her power, and there was no way Beneron Barony House could have known about it.
Of course, before I left Frecce.
When Beneron Barony House’s messenger arrived at Whitewolf Territory, they could have learned about it then.
Which is why the most suspicious thing is that the Quest cleared immediately after that bastard left.
That means the Quest was triggered because of that one bastard alone.
And it was a Quest with a failure penalty of awakening The Frost Lord, no less.
What the hell is that bastard?
I turned and activated Predator’s Instinct [S] toward Alteron de Beneron’s retreating back.
Then information about Alteron de Beneron appeared clearly before my eyes.
==【Individual Information】==
Individual: Alteron de Beneron
Classification: Artificial Lifeform – Synthetic Animal – Mimicry Class – Homunculus
Gender: Male
Age: 1 year
Characteristics: Replication-type Homunculus
* * *
Kai was currently in a state of considerable confusion.
It was none other than Alteron de Beneron, leaving Count Whitewolf’s House with an air of indignation.
Once again.
Adrian had protected Seraphia.
Once more, Adrian had turned the impossible into the possible.
Gratitude and resentment toward Adrian.
Two conflicting emotions gripped Kai’s heart relentlessly, pulling at it without end.
The wounds received from Adrian in the past.
Remembering when the relationship with Adrian had to fall apart, the resentment toward him could not be shaken off.
But if Adrian hadn’t been here now.
Thinking that I could never have protected Seraphia, the gratitude toward Adrian was equally impossible to shake off.
It was just as such complicated and subtle emotions tangled together and clouded Kai’s mind.
“Wait.”
Adrian called out to Alteron de Beneron, who was turning to leave.
Then Alteron de Beneron stopped abruptly.
“Ha, have you changed your mind already?”
Alteron de Beneron’s voice as he turned around was full of mockery and sarcasm.
But Adrian offered no response.
Adrian simply gazed at Alteron de Beneron quietly and intently.
Soon, Adrian slowly opened his mouth.
“What did you say your name was?”
“What? Why are you suddenly asking that-.”
“You asked for my name.”
Adrian’s crimson eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
…Gulp.
I could hear Alteron de Beneron swallowing hard from where I stood.
“But I, I already told you. I am Alteron de Beneron, the eldest son of Beneron Barony House!”
“Alteron de Beneron….”
Adrian repeated the name slowly, as if savoring it.
Then he gazed intently into the empty space beside him.
“…Are you certain?”
“Is this bastard trying to mock me right now—”
“Not Avarus?”
Alteron de Beneron’s eyes widened in shock.
“H-how do you know that name…?”
Alteron de Beneron’s face and expression were painted with astonishment.
His gaze screamed the question: how could Adrian possibly know this?
And then.
“Avarus.”
Adrian’s voice resonated, sending a chill down my spine.
And at that very moment.
Adrian’s aura transformed entirely.
I trembled involuntarily.
The chilling presence emanating from Adrian now.
It was identical to that moment…
Those eyes as he gazed upon the Lycanthrope within the absolute, glacial cold.
That laughter—intertwined with madness and hatred—as he devoured the Lycanthrope’s heart.
“I never expected to encounter a worshipper of the fallen soul here.”
Adrian smiled wickedly.
And his crimson eyes—so vivid they were almost scarlet—fixed upon Alteron de Beneron.
Within them, a tangle of complex emotions surfaced.
Hatred, intoxication, fury, pleasure.
And delight.
Fragments of emotion swirling together, coalescing within Adrian.
It was identical to that moment…
The Adrian who had gazed upon the Lycanthrope then, and the Adrian before me now.
…Dangerous.
I had to stop Adrian.
I didn’t know why.
Yet the thought that I must restrain Adrian immediately flooded my mind ceaselessly.
But.
Before I could act.
Crunch—!
Adrian had already seized Alteron’s heart and torn it from his chest.

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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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