The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - LLD Chapter 45: The Hounds (2) (Part 2)

It would have been best to act before the Emperor captured it,
but what’s done is done.

Right now, the best course of action is to subjugate the Lycanthrope.
And just doing that will greatly weaken the Monarch of Beasts’ Legion.
In my previous life, the damage the Allied Forces suffered from the Lycanthrope was catastrophic.

But what if I subjugate the Lycanthrope here and now?

‘I can prevent that damage.’

However, the Lycanthrope wouldn’t easily show itself.

‘It must be wary of me.’

Because it witnessed Dragon Rage Explosion.
The skill that burned down half the monster legion in one blow.
It was powerful enough to even injure the Monarch of Beasts.

The Lycanthrope had seen everything through the legion.
Which meant I was the one it feared most now.
As long as I was around, it wouldn’t reveal itself so easily.

“Serapia.”
“…Y-Yes!”
“You’ll be the bait.”

So, I needed to lure the Lycanthrope out using Serapia as bait.

“M-Me…?”
“Yes.”

The Lycanthrope had a strong breeding instinct.
More accurately, the Emperor had made it that way.
And since it was originally a transformed human, it targeted humans for that instinct, not monsters.

‘That must be why it deployed the legion to attack the County—’

To prey on the women living in the County.
A similar event likely occurred in my previous life as well.
I don’t know how it ended back then, but this time, thanks to me, it failed to gain anything.

That doesn’t mean the Lycanthrope will give up easily.

In this harsh northern land where few humans live,
Finding a human to satisfy its instincts would be difficult.

Which is why we must lure it out with Serapia—

“Absolutely not!!”

…Well, I figured that would happen.
When I turned my head, Kai was shouting at me with a face like a demon.

Clearly, he was furious at my plan to use Serapia as bait.
Given how he lives and dies by Serapia, it wasn’t surprising.

Honestly, I’d been waiting to see when he’d blow up.

“If we leave the Lycanthrope alone, who knows what might happen.”
“Still—!”
“It’s probably already preparing to breed more legions to attack the County.”

If that happens, I won’t be able to stop it.
Just like the penalty of a sudden quest, the entire County would fall.

“We have to find and subjugate the Lycanthrope as soon as possible.”
“No matter how urgent it is, we can’t use Lady Serapia as bait! It’s too dangerous! And have you even considered the possibility that the Lycanthrope is female—!”
“It’s male.”

Based on memories from my past life, the Lycanthrope is definitely male.

Kai gritted his teeth.

But he didn’t say anything more.
He must’ve believed my words.

More importantly, Kai knew that we couldn’t afford to delay subjugating the Lycanthrope.

“…It doesn’t have to be Lady Serapia who’s the bait.”

That was true.
As long as it was a human woman, it would work.

“You’re right. It could be one of the maids or female citizens from the territory.”
“Then why Serapia—”
“She’s the most beautiful woman in the County.”

The Lycanthrope is a beast with no reason—only instinct.
It had a tendency to go crazy over women’s appearances,
And the more beautiful they were, the more easily it could be excited.

And objectively speaking, Serapia was beautiful.
Ian didn’t say “She’s prettier than a Saint” for nothing.

Though personally, I didn’t see it that way.

“I’ll do it!”

Serapia, who had been silently listening, suddenly shouted.

“Just as Brother said, I’ll be the bait!”
“Lady Serapia!”
“No, Sir Kai. I must do this.”
“It’s far too dangerous!”
“I don’t care. I haven’t done anything until now.
Even when Brother was fighting the monster legion and sacrificing himself,
Even when you were chasing them alone, Sir Kai—”

“That was my duty. It’s only right for a knight—!”
“And this is my duty.”

Serapia’s crimson eyes shone with determination.

“I don’t want to sit safely on the sidelines and expect help. I want to be helpful too.”
“……”
“Just like both of you risked your lives for the County, I’m ready to do the same.”

Maybe it was because of her unwavering resolve.
After a long silence, Kai lowered his head.

“…I will… I will definitely protect you with my life.”
“That won’t do.”

And I immediately cut him off.

“The Lycanthrope is extremely cautious right now.
And Kai, you were the one chasing and killing monsters—it must have seen you too.”
“……”
“If you’re by Serapia’s side, it won’t approach.”

So not just me, but Kai too couldn’t be anywhere near Serapia.

“She has to be alone.
At least until the Lycanthrope takes the bait.”

“If she gets hurt—”
“Then oh well.”

That’s just how it is.

Kai’s expression turned deadly.

The glare he shot me was the look of someone who would never accept this.
Honestly, I wanted to leave him behind.
But I couldn’t.

Serapia was one thing, but without Kai’s help, subjugating the Lycanthrope would be extremely difficult.

But Kai would never agree to a plan that left Serapia exposed.

“…Then you can cross-dress.”

“…?”

Kai’s face, which had been burning with rage, suddenly went blank.
Serapia also let out a shocked, “Ehh?!”

I casually ignored their reactions and spoke again.

“What matters is appearance. And Kai, with your looks—”

His long, flowing golden hair.
Delicate, elegant features.
He looked like a picture-perfect beauty.

Even in my past life, Kai was famously handsome among the Allied Forces.
And that was when he was a Lich.

“If we dress you up, the Lycanthrope might get excited.
So cross-dress and be the bait alongside Serapia.”

Kai looked at me like he genuinely wanted to kill me.
Even angrier than before,
He clenched and unclenched his hand on the hilt of his sword.

From those deep blue eyes, murderous intent surged like boiling water in a kettle.

But what could he do?
If he wanted to stay near Serapia, he’d have to.

“So? Are you going to do it, or not?”

Kai’s answer was practically already decided.

Translatin_Otaku

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