The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 90

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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 90. The Continent in Upheaval (1)
In the trade city of Caravana, one could encounter incidents and events occurring across the entire Continent.
And among them were countless extraordinary occurrences.
For instance, Sirens were monster creatures with the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower half of a fish.
Sirens abducted human men to continue their species’ reproduction, and one man deliberately allowed himself to be captivated and captured by a Siren.
But it turned out that fish reproduce through external fertilization.
So the man repeatedly failed to achieve his desire and died from being drained instead.
Truly, extraordinary, absurd, and utterly ridiculous incidents—the kind that would strain credibility even in fiction—poured forth from across the Continent.
Since Caravana constantly encountered such incidents and events, the citizens hardly batted an eye at ordinary stories.
Therefore, the rumor that had recently stirred Caravana was singular.
It was nothing but ‘monster meat.’
Monster meat distributed from the commercial city of Frecce.
Its exquisite flavor had kept the entire city of Caravana not merely abuzz but in a state of excitement until recently.
And Caravana, the trade city, was a Free City that had developed by specializing in ‘commerce.’
It had established itself as the central hub of external exchange, material movement, and trade networks.
Given how rapidly rumors spread through such a nexus, upheaval in Caravana was tantamount to upheaval across the entire Continent.
Thus, rumors concerning monster meat were likewise stirring the entire Continent—
“What…? Violess has vanished?”
That Violess had disappeared from the map.
This was far more shocking than the monster meat incident.
“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is that?”
“Even lies need to be plausible to deceive anyone.”
So initially, people did not believe it.
And for good reason—what manner of city was Violess?
It was a city that bred criminals who roamed freely across the entire Continent.
If Langrit Tower was called the cradle of mages, then Violess could be called the cradle of criminals.
It was no exaggeration to say that every criminal on the Continent was forged in Violess.
In fact, crimes such as abductions and murders occurring in various kingdoms were orchestrated from this very city of Violess.
Furthermore, various illegal weapons, drugs, and cursed artifacts were distributed across the Continent through Violess.
As such, Violess was a city of grave concern to the entire Continent.
Yet it had been left alone nonetheless.
More precisely, there were reasons why it could not be left alone—
“Bringing down Violess would require more military might than most kingdoms possess, wouldn’t it?”
First, it was a Lawless City that even kingdom armies could not subdue.
As a Free City where absolute powers like lords and sovereigns did not exist, Violess’s absolute power was ‘force.’
In other words, the combat prowess of Vister was formidable.
Subduing Violess would inevitably consume vast military resources and expenditures—
“Was it several years ago? Even the Iluer Duchy mobilized its army and suffered a crushing defeat, did it not?”
The resource consumption was severe.
A level beyond what a duchy’s military could bear.
Why would I draw my sword first and invite trouble upon myself?
“According to whispers circulating in the shadows, Violess had severed all connections with the nobility and bureaucrats of each kingdom.”
A city that was untouchable both militarily and politically—
“Is it truly the case that Violess has vanished?”
“I’ve confirmed it multiple times. Violess no longer exists in this world.”
“Hah…!”
The reason the entire trade city of Caravana was in an uproar had nothing to do with anything else.
Moreover, the reason Violess had been left untouched wasn’t solely due to military and political considerations.
“Then what becomes of those living in Violess?”
Though Violess was a lawless city, that didn’t mean every citizen dwelling there was a criminal.
Exiles and fugitives from the kingdoms flowed in, yes.
But also the impoverished, unable to overcome the wealth gap.
Slaves who had been kidnapped and sold.
And even those born in Violess itself.
Violess was a city where people lived.
Therefore, erasing the city of Violess from existence.
That meant bearing ‘responsibility’ for all the poor living there.
If they were simply abandoned?
It would be no different from casting tens of thousands of people to their doom.
“The cost of resettling the impoverished would be astronomical…”
This was the most fundamental reason Violess had been left alone.
And the unavoidable, practical reality—
“I hear that the poor of Violess are being provided with new settlements.”
“What? Is that… truly the case?!”
“Indeed. Moreover, those slaves with homes to return to are being generously supported and sent back.”
“Good heavens…!”
It was only natural that the entire city of Caravana fell into astonishment.
And the fact that the trade city of Caravana was astonished.
“You there. What are you all discussing with such commotion?”
“Do tell us as well.”
Merchants and adventurers who had come to trade from each kingdom encountered this very story—
“What, what did you say?!”
“Is that truly the case?!?!”
Which meant it would rapidly spread across the entire Continent—
“What, what on earth!!”
“Is that really true?!!”
“Impossible!!”
The entire Continent was stirring with upheaval.
And thus, naturally, one question arose—
“Who, who in the world could it be?!”
“Who on earth could have accomplished such a feat?!”
Who was the mastermind behind erasing Violess from the map of The Continent?
* * *
“Ah, and one final request, if I may.”
Adrian’s voice drifted through the silence.
Isolde’s mind, which had been turning inward in reflection, snapped back to attention.
“Could you announce that this Violess incident was resolved by you and the Holy Kingdom?”
“…Are you asking me to omit your name?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
This alone, I could not comprehend.
Could not accept—to be precise.
Bringing down Violess was no mere accomplishment; it was an extraordinary Achievement.
How could it not be remarkable when he had solved a problem no kingdom on The Continent could resolve?
Through this deed, Adrian could shed the ignominious label of a rogue in one stroke.
Moreover, it was an immense glory that would resound across the entire Continent.
Above all, it was a feat accomplished almost entirely by Adrian alone.
Frankly, it would have been proper to exclude Isolde’s name.
To willingly cast aside such an opportunity and such glory?
Isolde could neither comprehend nor accept—
“Information tends to become severely distorted through even the smallest crack.”
“You wish not to reveal your identity.”
“Correct.”
“Why?”
Isolde posed the same question again.
And Adrian answered with an impassive face and tone.
“I am someone who performs missions that leave no record.”
It was a manner that suggested such treatment was far too familiar,
and moreover, entirely natural.
“As always, glory is not my portion.”
At his words that glory belonged to Isolde,
“I hide within moonlight, performing deeds without honor, and merely imagine the glory of walking beneath starlight.”
One who hides in moonlight, who walks beneath starlight.
With those words, Adrian slowly vanished into the darkness of Violess—
Yet why was it
that even after his voice faded,
even after his form disappeared,
“….”
Adrian’s mark was being etched ever deeper into Isolde’s heart.
* * *
“The Saint of the Holy Kingdom herself stepped forward to resolve it!”
Isolde Cordelia—the one who had erased Violess from existence.
The miracle deemed impossible had proven to be nothing short of a true saint’s miracle.
“The Saint herself…?”
“Good heavens…!”
Isolde’s name echoed ceaselessly throughout the entire city of Caravana.
And from there, it spread to each kingdom, rippling across the entire Continent—
“I hear the Saint personally neutralized Vister’s forces in Violess and granted the impoverished a new life?”
“I’ve heard that rumor too. When I first heard it, I could hardly believe it….”
“Ah, you mentioned you’d been to Violess once before, didn’t you?”
“Don’t even speak of it. That place is a hell where every vice in the world gathers.”
The people of the Continent began to shower Isolde’s achievement with endless praise.
“The Saint truly pacified that inferno….”
“That surely means divine grace exists in truth, and the Saint is indeed the true representative of God!”
“Moreover, I hear the Saint moved the Holy Kingdom itself to distribute relief supplies without restraint!”
Now.
The name Isolde had become known throughout the entire Continent, far beyond the Holy Kingdom.
Her name transcended the title of Saint, establishing itself as the symbol of hope and salvation for the entire Continent—
“Glory to the Saint!!”
“The only light we can follow!!”
Isolde’s existence spread like legend, stirring the entire Continent.
* * *
The matter of Violess was gradually drawing to a close.
Approximately thirty million gold had been expended for the resettlement of Violess’s impoverished and various supply provisions, but it was manageable.
Thirty million gold was an astronomical sum even by kingdom standards.
More than the money I’d obtained from Avarus’s secret vault.
In other words, it was a budget the Holy Kingdom itself would struggle to expend readily.
Yet Isolde had publicly declared she would establish settlements for the impoverished within the Holy Kingdom.
I couldn’t burden her with the financial strain as well, so I bore the entire cost myself.
Even so, my inventory held sufficient gold from the Black Market, and this amount was more than enough—indeed, it overflowed—to establish the Allied Forces—
‘I can always earn more.’
Money was something I could always earn again.
In that sense, I intended to maintain the Predator Merchant Company.
Of course, if Ian was drawing the Emperor’s aggression, it would be better not to maintain the Predator Merchant Company.
But that might not be the case.
Ian might not know that I had returned to the past.
In other words, since I had to account for both possibilities, it was better to maintain the Predator Merchant Company.
Above all, the Predator Merchant Company was not merely a merchant company to find Ian.
Just as it was now.
The very reason I had been able to meet Isolde was thanks to the Predator Merchant Company’s monster meat.
“When will the people from the Holy Kingdom arrive?”
“We received word that the Azure Silver Knights will be here soon.”
Isolde’s answer reached my ears.
My head tilted involuntarily in confusion.
The Azure Silver Knights.
The Holy Kingdom’s most elite order of knights.
The Azure Silver Knights eliminate hostile forces within the Holy Kingdom and conduct special operations to prevent external invasion and internal rebellion.
Because of this, they do not move easily.
True to their purpose, they only mobilize for grave matters like ‘external invasion’ and ‘internal rebellion’.
And strictly speaking, the incident in Violess wasn’t significant enough to warrant their involvement—
‘Isolde must have issued the order herself.’
…Now the situation made sense.
‘So Erdan Spellhart will be coming.’
Erdan Spellhart.
Commander of the Azure Silver Knights.
In simple terms, he could be called the ‘holy knight version of Kai’.
Kai, obsessed with Seraphia.
Erdan, out of his mind over Isolde.
If the Imperial Army has Kai, then the Allied Forces have Erdan.
Though there was a clear distinction between them: ‘loyalty versus faith’.
But both were equally unhinged—
‘I need to leave quickly.’
I had no idea what trouble would arise if I happened to encounter him.
A madman who shows no restraint when it comes to Isolde.
Erdan is the one who even defied Ian.
The best strategy is to avoid madmen.
“Then I’ll entrust the rest to you, Lady Isolde.”
In any case, this was as far as I could go.
Now I had to take Vister and his men to the Whitewolf Territory, work them like dogs, rehabilitate them, and train them.
To establish the foundation of the Allied Forces in Ian’s stead, I couldn’t afford to waste time in Violess.
Just as I was about to bid farewell to Isolde and depart—
“….”
Isolde said nothing.
She simply stared at me intently for some reason.
Even with Weak Point Detection[U], I couldn’t discern her emotions. She remained as inscrutable as ever, then and now.
Well, I hadn’t intended to exchange formal farewells anyway.
Getting more deeply involved with Isolde here would be unwise.
By now, the incident in Violess would have spread across the Continent.
In other words, with the Holy Kingdom and Isolde drawing attention, becoming deeply associated with her would expose my existence.
Now was the time to conceal my existence as much as possible and build my strength and influence.
Isolde had been the greatest force I needed to draw into the Allied Forces, but not anymore.
Above all, parting ways like this didn’t mean my connection with Isolde would end.
My footsteps carried no hesitation as I turned to leave—.
“Wait, please.”
Isolde suddenly called out to stop me?
* * *
Adrian halted in his tracks.
Then Adrian slowly turned his head—.
“I owe you my life.”
Isolde spoke at once.
“I’ll do anything within my power.”
“You’ve already given me more than enough.”
But Adrian showed no particular reaction.
In other words, Adrian seemed to want nothing more from Isolde.
Yet Isolde didn’t want to let it end like this.
Perhaps.
She realized she didn’t want to end things with Adrian this way.
“A debt of my life isn’t enough.”
Isolde displayed unwavering resolve—.
Finally, Adrian let out a short sigh as if he’d given in—.
“Do you truly mean you’ll do anything within your power, Lady Isolde?”
“Yes.”
“May I trust those words?”
“I swear it before God.”
“Then listen.”
Adrian stepped forward, drawing close to Isolde.
His face and expression, seen up close.
They carried considerable weight.
Was he about to make an unusual request?
Adrian’s crimson eyes fixed directly upon Isolde—.
“Sometimes, think of yourself too, Lady Isolde.”
Isolde’s golden eyes widened suddenly.
“No matter who you are, if you bear too much, you’ll collapse and crumble.”
“….”
“Just as indiscriminately gathering too many colors eventually stains everything black.”
Adrian’s small hands.
They gently patted both her shoulders.
“Sometimes, lighten the burden you carry on these shoulders.”
For some reason, Isolde felt her body grow considerably lighter.
“Sleep in late, feel the breeze and laugh, gaze idly at the birds soaring across the sky and indulge in laziness. That is never a waste of time.”
“….”
“I’ll examine you the next time we meet. Don’t forget your promise.”
Adrian turned on his heel and departed with those words.
* * *
To be honest.
‘I thought he’d ask how I knew about transcending the Holy Force.’
I’d glossed over it vaguely at the Black Market, but I had no real excuse prepared.
So I was incredibly anxious, but fortunately that wasn’t it.
Still, there’s no telling when Isolde might raise that question again. So I was hurrying to escape the situation when, right at that moment.
“Wait a moment.”
Isolde calling out to me again.
‘…Damn it.’
Should I pretend not to hear and ignore her?
But my body had already flinched and stiffened.
I had no choice but to stop and turn around, only to find Isolde staring directly at me.
She clearly had something to say to me.
As I waited anxiously, her topaz-like eyes sparkled.
“Next time we meet, would it be alright if I called you Adrian?”
“Call me whatever feels natural to you.”
…What was I saying?
I exhaled a sigh of relief inwardly.
Now that I think about it, back in the Allied Forces days, I was called ‘that one’ or ‘that thing’.
What did she call me when we first met?
Ah, that’s right.
Something about a beast, I think.
Isolde had despised me greatly for tearing out monster hearts and consuming them.
In that sense, Isolde and I weren’t on particularly good terms during our time in the Allied Forces.
Anyway, something as trivial as being called by name.
I was turning my back again without concern when, right at that moment.
◆Isolde’s favorability toward you has increased!!
A favorability message suddenly appeared before my eyes.
◆Isolde’s favorability toward you has reached [Intimate] status!
◆A person in [Intimate] status holds basic goodwill toward you.
◆This person shows consideration in your words and actions, and tends to prioritize your needs over their own.
◆However, continuous attention and care are still necessary, and favorability can easily decline if contact is severed.
Isolde’s favorability had suddenly reached [Intimate] status.
In truth, since it was the stage right after [Indifferent], it wasn’t particularly high favorability—
‘Isolde?’
But if the subject was ‘Isolde’, the situation was entirely different.
The Saint who must embrace all people, whom even the hero Ian must take into his arms, and therefore holds no favorability toward anyone.
Perhaps that was why.
◆Hidden Quest [I Will Claim Her] has begun.
The Hidden Quest activation condition has been satisfied.
However, there was something decidedly odd about the Quest’s title….
==[I Will Claim Her]==
[Objective] – Kiss Isolde!
[Reward] – Ahhh~♥
[Failure] – No penalty
…What kind of lunatic designed this?

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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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