The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - Chapter 99

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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 99. The End of a Long Winter (3)
Every single day, the pain of my entire body freezing solid.
That pain was completely gone.
The phantom voices that always gnawed at the corner of my mind were no longer there.
It felt so refreshingly clean, as though the illness that had tormented me was finally cured—
‘…I’m dead.’
I could realize that I had died.
But then.
‘….’
I didn’t want to die.
Where could one find someone who wanted to die?
There is no one in this world who wants to die.
There are only those who don’t want to live as they do now.
Above all, I had only just begun to grow closer to Adrian.
I had been filled with dreams of living like family with Adrian.
It seemed…that was greed.
Still.
Though I had earned his hatred, didn’t I camp with Adrian?
Though I was merely bait, didn’t I fight alongside Adrian?
There were certainly memories I could share with Adrian.
From those, I was able to obtain small happiness.
…Yes, that was enough.
Though it was truly brief joy and happiness, for me it was a memory more precious than anything else—
“Are you awake…!”
A voice suddenly reached my ears.
My head tilted naturally toward the source of the sound—
“Kai…?”
Kai was here?
My head, which had tilted to the left, tilted to the right once more.
No, why was Kai here?
Could it be that Kai had also died?
At the hands of the Lycanthrope?
Or could it be my ability that…?
“Thank goodness… truly, thank goodness.”
Kai exhaled slowly.
Within that breath lay all the burden and worry that had weighed upon him.
Kai slowly approached me and knelt down.
Seen up close, Kai’s eyes bore deep traces of exhaustion.
“Truly… truly…”
Yet hope was woven through Kai’s voice.
Kai closed his eyes quietly.
Soon, I could see transparent tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
“Huh…?”
Seraphia’s crimson eyes blinked involuntarily.
As I looked around in bewilderment—
“I’m so grateful to see you again… and that you’ve returned safely.”
Bernard, the head steward.
“You’ve truly, truly awakened!”
“How…! I can’t believe it!!”
“I’m so, so relieved…!”
The handmaidens of the Lord’s Residence.
They were all gazing at Seraphia with joy.
Surely it couldn’t be that all these people had died…
“I’m alive? Me?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Bernard, meeting my gaze, nodded in affirmation.
It was utterly unbelievable.
Yet as I gradually regained sensation—
“Huh…?”
My eyes widened in surprise.
I then calmly examined the state of my body.
I could still feel the cold flowing through me.
In other words, the cold hadn’t disappeared.
But from somewhere, a warm heat was rising.
It enveloped the cold that had flowed through my entire being, thawing my frozen body and heart.
And with that, there was no pain at all.
“H-how is this possible…?”
“Adrian treated you, Miss Seraphia.”
The answer came from Kai.
Tears still glistened in his blue eyes.
“My brother did…?”
Kai nodded once, then explained what had transpired.
It was quite a lengthy account.
I didn’t miss a single moment of it.
And as the story progressed, my eyes grew wider and wider.
And so, when we finally reached the present moment—
“Ah… ah…”
Tears had gathered at the corners of my wide-open eyes, glistening with emotion.
They soon transformed into tears of joy.
The handmaidens in the room were so moved they could barely breathe loudly, and some wept with happiness.
Seraphia’s lips, once devoid of light, now brimmed with vitality.
Life had returned to them.
Her small shoulders trembled.
Quietly, as though a single loud cry might shatter everything, she wept—her body shaking with silent sobs.
Kai turned his gaze away, looking out through the window.
Beyond the glass, the panoramic vista of Whitewolf Territory lay frozen solid.
The season of bitter frost.
Every inch of the territory was blanketed in numbing cold.
And yet, paradoxically, Whitewolf Territory was not cold at all.
—WAAAAAHHHHH!!
As word of Seraphia’s recovery spread throughout Whitewolf Territory, the people raised their arms and erupted in jubilant cheers.
The residents embraced one another, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
Children whose cheeks had grown pleasantly round with nourishment.
Though they didn’t fully comprehend what had transpired, the children caught the infectious joy radiating from the adults and ran about, cheering in unison.
All of this—
—was the miracle wrought by a single person.
Because of Adrian alone, new hope was blossoming in the hearts of the territory’s people.
Because of Adrian alone, the residents now possessed unwavering faith in the bright future that awaited Whitewolf Territory.
And because Adrian existed—
Shining through the glass panes—
A woman now utterly undone, her voice breaking with emotion—
Across Seraphia’s face, the long, bitter winter of frost was finally passing—
“Hic… hic…!”
And the first tender flower of a warm spring was beginning to bloom.
* * *
Suddenly, a cascade of notifications materialized before my eyes.
For a moment, I couldn’t even fathom what schemes were unfolding in Whitewolf Territory now.
◆KYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
As expected, an absurdly exuberant notification obscured my vision.
◆What manner of sorcery have you employed?!!?
◆Seraphia’s affection toward you has reached the threshold!!
It seemed the affection “threshold” carried a different meaning than I’d assumed—
◆Maximum affection and affection threshold are strictly distinct, you understand!!
◆It refers to a state that transcends merely heightened positive emotions—an “excessive state”!!
◆This means the possibility of deeper relationship development with Seraphia has opened, and a more profound “bond” can now be formed!!
It didn’t appear to carry immediate practical significance.
◆But that’s not all!
◆If you bind and confine me~♪ I’m delighted!
◆All the residents of Whitewolf Territory have now become your captives!
◆To you, who possess the most exemplary virtues of a lord!!
◆What do you mean by that?
◆It’s the virtue of feeding you three hearty meals a day!
◆Y-yes…?
◆And what exactly are these “three meals”?
◆Why, it’s you, you fool!!
…Certainly, she wasn’t in her right mind.
Her theatrics evolved and developed with each passing moment, becoming increasingly unhinged.
She hardly seemed sane at all.
In any case, I had no idea what had transpired in Whitewolf Territory—
‘But it seems to have worked out well.’
Setting aside Seraphia’s favorability, the fact that the territory’s residents had reached a [Trust] favorability level was quite encouraging.
I’d also managed to gain +3 levels, and the “Management Mode” hadn’t been revoked either.
‘Management Mode, huh…’
From what I’d heard before, the “Management Mode” served as a guide that allowed me to manage and verify information about the territory I owned.
It was precisely when I was laying the groundwork for the Allied Forces.
◆A player-owned territory exists.
◆Would you like to register the player-owned territory in “Management Mode”?
Fortunately, no error message appeared this time.
◆Registering the player-owned territory in “Management Mode”.
◆Loading…
Some time passed in this manner.
◆Registration complete.
Along with the completion message, the functions of “Management Mode” materialized before my eyes.
==【Whitewolf Territory】==
[Area] – 2,234㎢
[Population] – 1,871
[Prosperity] – Township
The information about Whitewolf Territory appeared simply and concisely.
And it was only the most basic information at that.
It didn’t provide as much variety as I’d hoped.
In other words…
====
1. [Player] can acquire ‘Territory Experience’ to raise the ‘Territory Level’.
As the territory level increases, you can unlock and apply various territory development research and effects beneficial to the entire territory.
2. [Player] can check the status of material and human resources, including the financial condition of the owned territory.
3. [Player] can verify the presence of hidden resources within the owned territory.
=====
These functions didn’t exist.
But the text, while prone to theatrics, never lied.
‘Perhaps additional functions unlock as I clear more Quests.’
That seemed to be the case.
Though disappointing, it remained a sufficiently useful function nonetheless.
I examined the information about Whitewolf Territory that materialized before my eyes.
First, by the standards of the Battenberg Kingdom’s territories.
Small to medium-sized counties typically encompassed roughly 500 square kilometers.
Large counties sometimes exceeded 2,000 square kilometers.
Therefore, an area of 2,234 square kilometers.
It was a considerable size that surpassed even large counties—
‘But almost all of it is unusable land.’
An environment where bitter frost persisted throughout all seasons.
Only about 5% of the total area was habitable.
Even that merely meant it was survivable, not that it was useful land.
It was hardly without reason that it earned the designation of a ‘survival threshold region’ where people could barely exist.
In other words, by practical area alone, it didn’t even qualify as a small county.
The population, needless to say, reflected this reality.
It was comparable to a baronial territory in population.
Thus, its prosperity rating was Township.
A domain that had barely transcended the status of a hamlet.
‘Can I view detailed information by category?’
Upon checking, it was possible.
If I wished, I could examine detailed information broken down by category.
Let me check the detailed information for the [Population] category.
◆Gender Ratio
[Male] – 955 individuals (51%)
[Female] – 916 individuals (49%)
I could grasp the gender distribution of the population—
◆Age Distribution
[14 years and under] – 531 individuals
[15–39 years] – 857 individuals
[40–59 years] – 306 individuals
[60 years and above] – 177 individuals
Along with the age ratio—
◆Occupational Distribution
[Peasant] – 1,148 individuals
[Soldier] – 598 individuals
[Craftsman] – 77 individuals
[Laborer] – 48 individuals
I could grasp the occupational distribution at a glance.
‘…How is such a function even possible?’
Though the phenomenon manifested before my eyes, I found it utterly impossible to believe.
Is it even magic?
It was filled with things that couldn’t possibly be realized.
Of course, I didn’t have detailed knowledge of magic.
But I had knowledge that Iliana had taught me.
It was certainly not magic.
This was a capability that could only exist in imagination.
Therefore, it had to be considered a type of aura, but….
‘I can’t even handle aura?’
Beyond being unable to handle it, I couldn’t even ‘apply’ it.
I could tell just from the fact that Isolde’s sacred healing had no effect on me.
That meant it wasn’t aura either.
Neither magic nor aura—Ian’s ability.
‘Could it be that Ian discovered another usable energy form of mana?’
Primordial energy, mana.
Mana’s available energy.
Mana Force.
Aura.
These were all energies that ‘converted’ mana into ‘usable form,’ and energies that humanity had ‘discovered.’
In other words, there was a possibility that usable energy existed beyond mana force and aura.
It was possible that Ian had discovered it, but….
‘I can’t even handle mana?’
It’s not a matter of being unable to handle it.
I couldn’t even accept mana into myself.
Therefore, even if Ian discovered another usable energy form, as long as it was based on mana, I couldn’t use it.
Which meant….
‘It’s not the power of mana?’
The conclusion could only be drawn one way.
This meant that another primordial energy existed besides mana….
‘Hmm.’
Come to think of it, Ian’s ability—I Alone Level Up [EX].
A mysterious power that raised my physical abilities by increasing levels.
It was an ability that couldn’t be explained by the power of mana.
If it were based on mana’s power, it couldn’t have been applied to me.
The same went for the Player’s Will [EX], which had now become the Successor’s Will [EX].
Come to think of it….
‘All of Ian’s abilities have the out-of-specification grade [EX] attached to them.’
Could there really be another primordial energy besides mana?
Was Ian able to handle such primordial energy?
‘…Ian, this bastard should just speak plainly.’
Once I meet him.
I would give him a proper answer.
Well, Ian didn’t know the details either, so he wouldn’t have said anything.
But ultimately, it was Ian who could provide the answer.
Questions that could only be resolved by asking Ian directly.
Yet Ian’s whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery.
Was he drawing The Emperor’s attention?
Or was he traversing The Continent searching for me?
Nothing was certain.
In that sense.
‘I need to monitor The Empire’s movements and gather information.’
If Ian was drawing The Emperor’s attention, traces of it would remain within The Empire.
‘But contacting The Empire is extremely dangerous.’
There was a risk that information about my side could leak, and conversely, I could be exposed to The Emperor’s surveillance network, constraining my movements.
Especially since The Frost Lord, Seraphia, was on my side, I had to approach The Empire with utmost caution.
That’s why I hadn’t touched any information related to The Empire until now.
Gathering intelligence on The Empire was beyond Adlern’s and the Merchant Guild’s capabilities.
In any case.
Thinking it over from every angle.
‘There are so many things I need to ask Ian.’
…It wasn’t something I could figure out on my own right now.
I shook my head, dispelling my wandering thoughts.
Then I examined the population information before me in detail.
Among it, I paid particular attention to the occupational distribution.
‘Of course there are many villagers.’
Villagers referred to territorial residents who didn’t perform specific occupations.
Since it included children and the elderly, that proportion was naturally the largest.
Taking that into account.
‘The proportion of soldiers is quite high.’
The proportion of soldiers was overwhelmingly large.
Normally, the soldier ratio should be around 1~5% of the total population.
This is because maintenance costs are substantial—the annual upkeep for one soldier reaches 3~5 times that of an ordinary territorial resident.
If the soldier ratio exceeds 5%?
Those maintenance costs become unbearable.
Therefore, Whitewolf Territory should have around 93 soldiers at most, even at 5%.
A soldier ratio of 598 was decidedly abnormal.
‘Because no other productive activities are possible.’
In Whitewolf Territory, where the Frost’s cold persists relentlessly.
Agriculture is out of the question—no productive activities like gathering or hunting are feasible.
Only one thing.
Selling monster byproducts was the sole productive activity.
Hunting monsters requires soldiers—they are absolutely essential.
Therefore, the proportion of soldiers was inevitably overwhelming.
And so, when I synthesized all of this information together.
‘It’s pathetic.’
Devastatingly pathetic.
Of course, I had anticipated it would be pathetic.
But seeing the numbers confirmed it exceeded even my darkest expectations.
‘Now I can’t even leave Whitewolf Territory…’
Above all else.
‘Seraphia’s disposition remains uncertain.’
My plan to establish Whitewolf Territory as my base of operations remained unchanged.
Then it was time to take decisive action now.
‘The remaining gold in my inventory…’
Approximately 75 million gold remained.
A reassuringly substantial sum.
Yet I couldn’t afford to be complacent.
‘Once I begin using it for operational expenses, it will vanish quickly.’
My inventory may be infinite.
But gold itself is not.
‘I must establish an economic system capable of self-sufficiency through territorial taxation.’
To achieve that, I needed to create employment opportunities so the territory’s residents could earn their livelihood through labor.
And to accomplish that, I needed job creation.
In other words, I had to conceive of multiple territorial enterprises.
‘The road ahead is long.’
But even the grandest castle wall begins with a single brick.
My funds would not merely suffice—they would overflow abundantly.
Most importantly, my mind contained the complete operational framework of the Allied Forces, which had unified all the power of The Continent—
◆Territory Quest, [Unemployment Crisis! Damn It! Restore Whitewolf Territory to Order Immediately!] has arrived.
Revitalizing the territory would be child’s play.
* * *
Darkness had settled over Whitewolf Territory.
Thud!
The sound of something heavy falling pierced the silence of the territory—
Rustle.
Bernard, the chief steward, slowly opened his eyes.
The deep darkness of the pre-dawn hours.
Bernard gazed out through the window.
And beneath the faint moonlight.
Enormous crates stacked in neat rows.
Sacks of grain piled high like mountains.
Fine fabrics and silks were piled high in abundance….
“W-what on earth is all this…?”
Bernard couldn’t tell whether this was a dream or reality.

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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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