The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - LLD Chapter 33: A Lord’s Responsibility and Duty (1) (Part 2)

In fact, I could’ve earned even more.

If I had raised the price of monster meat, I could’ve made 30 times—no, even 100 times the profit. That wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

So it’s not like I wasn’t tempted…

‘But the current price is just right.’

I had no plans to raise the price any higher.

Monster meat shouldn’t become a luxury exclusive to the upper class.

If it did, people would lose interest, and the name of the Predator Merchant Group would fade from the continent.

My goal isn’t just to become some merchant group that rakes in gold.

I’m aiming for the greatest merchant group on the continent.

To spread the name of the Predator Merchant Group far and wide, we needed to blend into the public just like we are now.

That didn’t mean I was going to abandon profits.

‘I’ll collect the profits from the nobles.’

I’d simply sell Rex meat to the nobles at a much higher price.

I originally considered setting the price at 10 times the usual amount…

‘But now I’ll price it at no less than 1,000 times.’

It was an absurd price.

But I didn’t care.

In fact, I was confident it would sell even better.

After all, nobles are a breed that loves the words “privilege” and “premium.”

By setting an outrageously high price, I’d be feeding their vanity with the illusion of the highest grade of luxury—and they’d happily open their wallets for it.

More than anything—

‘What are they going to do about it?’

I’m the sole supplier of monster meat.

No one else on the continent can produce or distribute Rex meat except for me.

“Everyone, gather up!”

After organizing my thoughts, I called all the merchant group members and soldiers together.

“Starting now, write down every single item I mention.”

I listed out every item needed for the County, one by one. I also provided more than enough gold to purchase them.

“Once you’re done with the list, head to the Frecce Merchant Guild and acquire all the items. Go!”

“Yes, sir!”

With strong voices, the members and soldiers moved in perfect coordination.

They were quick and disciplined—proof that Serapia had sent me some competent people.

“Well, guess it’s my turn.”

Of course, I had my own tasks to handle.

First on the list: tracking Ian’s movements.

But I couldn’t do all the investigating myself. I planned to use the merchant guild network.

The Merchant Guild wasn’t just limited to Frecce—they had a firm grip on the Free Cities.

With overwhelming capital, they wielded near-absolute power in the Free Cities, practically like lords.

So if Ian had visited any Free City on the continent, the guild’s information network would’ve picked it up.

Knowing Ian’s personality… he definitely would’ve caused a scene—or rather, some kind of disaster.

This was one of the reasons I didn’t alienate the Merchant Guild but instead made them allies.

And now, having made such a hefty profit…

If I used that money generously, the guild wouldn’t dare refuse my request.

It was an investment, in a way.

But a merchant who only invests in immediate “value” is a fool. One who thinks only of “profit” won’t last long.

The merchant group I aim to build—

“The money should be spent boldly.”

The Predator Merchant Group would be one that invests in people.

The season of frost was approaching.

But even before the full onset of winter, the County of Whitewolf was already buried under heavy snowfall.

As a result, all contact with the outside world was severed.

The roads were frozen and buried in snow, rendering carriages useless. Neither transport nor supplies could get through.

Serapia listened to the Chief Steward, Bernard, with a deeply grim face.

“We must prepare for long-term isolation.”

This year’s winter was shaping up to be the harshest in recorded history.

The cold was so bitter it made all productive activity impossible. They would have to survive solely on the supplies stockpiled from the previous season.

But—

“We are severely lacking in food and firewood.”

The reserves were critically insufficient.

The early onset of cold and the sudden death of the previous Count had created a perfect storm of misfortune.

“We’re starting to see more and more patients…”

Viruses and bacteria didn’t survive well in the cold, but that didn’t mean disease was absent.

There were deadly afflictions caused by the cold: hypothermia, frostbite, respiratory illness…

“And due to a shortage of medical supplies, we’re leaving many untreated.”

The County of Whitewolf simply lacked the resources to treat these conditions.

And yet the treatment itself wasn’t complex.

Just keep the body warm, provide hot meals, and shelter people in warm places. That alone could bring about recovery.

But… they didn’t even have that.

“Even water is frozen. It’s extremely difficult to secure drinking water.”

An essential, simple resource for life was missing.

“There are quite a few people collapsing from dehydration…”

This was a total catastrophe.

Most of all—

“The anxiety among the residents… has reached its peak.”

Losing the will to live—that was the gravest threat.

The longer they suffered in such brutal conditions, the more people would lose hope.

And despair was contagious. It would spread like a plague, sickening the entire County.

“……”

Serapia gently closed her eyes. Then, with a firm resolve in her heart, she slowly opened them again.

“I’ll accept Viscount Benneron’s proposal.”

“You can’t!”

Kai shouted.

But Serapia’s resolve was unwavering.

“There’s no other choice right now.”

And perhaps because of that resolute will, Kai found himself at a loss for words.

“This is the only way to protect the people of the County.”

And he couldn’t deny it.

Given the situation, the only way forward was to accept the offer from House Benneron.

Even if he shouted no—it would be nothing but a tantrum without a solution.

…It was too cruel.

The helplessness he felt now.

What use was so-called genius talent… if he couldn’t do anything?

Talent alone wasn’t enough to protect Serapia.

Raw strength had its limits when it came to safeguarding her.

Kai clenched both fists so hard they trembled.

A deep despair over his own uselessness, and the seething fury that came with it—

That was the only thing he could do right now.

And then—

“S-Something terrible has happened!!!”

A soldier from the County castle burst through the door.

A rudeness beyond rude—he hadn’t even knocked.

Kai’s brow twitched.

“Hah… Haaah…!”

But seeing the soldier gasping and his face pale with urgency, Kai held off on reprimanding him and asked for his report.

“What is it?”

“Sir Adrian…! It’s Sir Adrian—!”

And for some reason, the name “Adrian” was now part of this emergency.

Translatin_Otaku

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