The Lord Who Levels Up by Devouring - LLD Chapter 61: Ambush (1) (Part 1)

The territory closest to the County of House Whitewolf—Viscount Benneron’s Domain.

A viscount wasn’t the true head of a region, but more of a middle manager.
Even what people called “viscountcies” were often areas arbitrarily designated by a count.

Then, if for some reason the count suddenly died—
Or failed to leave behind an heir—
Or was otherwise absent from the domain,
They would simply gulp down the territory they’d been assigned.

That’s how most so-called “viscountcies” came to be.
And the same was true for Viscount Benneron’s domain.
Rumor had it that Count Edmond died in an accident a few years ago.

So far, it was within the realm of possibility.

It was rare, but not unheard of.
Nearly every viscountcy and barony in the kingdom had been formed this way.

However, that “accident”…

Thanks to my past life as a Special Ops Commander, I possess classified intelligence about the future.
But that only covers the information gathered during wartime, when I served in the Allied Forces.

In other words, in the present moment—having returned to the past—
I didn’t know many details about an event that occurred fifteen years ago.

So I couldn’t say for sure what this supposed accident had been.

‘Did Avarus kill Count Edmond?’

If Avarus was involved…
If the Dark Merchant Guild had orchestrated all of this…

Then this changes everything.

A count’s title is directly bestowed by the monarch.

So when someone other than the legitimate firstborn inherits the title of Count or higher,
It requires royal approval in accordance with the laws of the realm.

That’s why, until Father’s will is recognized by the royal family,
I still retain the authority of the rightful heir.
Therefore—

‘Taking the title of Count would’ve been too difficult.’

There had been direct royal involvement.
Even if they tried to replace Count Edmond with a homunculus, there would be limits.

Even clone-type homunculi couldn’t replicate all memories.
There’s no way they could’ve fooled both the royal court and the retainers below it.

But the title of Viscount? That would’ve been far easier.

All they needed was to deceive—or eliminate—Count Edmond himself.

Assuming all my deductions are correct…

The puzzle pieces were beginning to fit together.

In the past—
In my previous life, the one where I abandoned my family—

Even then, the Lycanthropes had likely led an assault on the County.
But I hadn’t been there in that life.
Kai probably hadn’t shown as much growth either.

As a result, Serapia had unleashed her Frost Authority
and wiped out the entire legion by herself…
only to collapse in the aftermath.

‘The Lycanthropes must’ve been terrified and never attacked again.’

That bastard didn’t dare appear even after my [Dragon Rage Explosion][E].
Imagine what he’d feel in the face of the Monarch of Frost’s power.
He probably pissed himself and didn’t even dare approach the county again.

But this time, Serapia hadn’t used her authority.
Because unlike in my past life, I had remained in the county.

I was the variable that baited and trapped the Lycanthrope.

So while the process changed, the result was the same.

In the end, Serapia did use her Authority.
And once again, she collapsed.

Thus, just like in the past, Viscount Benneron approached Serapia.
Claiming he possessed an Elixir that could cure her.

And in my past life, she had likely—

‘Accepted his marriage proposal.’

And the result of that was clear—
It was spelled out in the penalty for the sudden quest that had popped up:

==[Ambushes Are Supposed to Be Sudden!]==
[Objective] – Assassinate Viscount Benneron
[Reward] – A large amount of EXP
[Failure Penalty] – <Monarch of Frost> Awakens

The Monarch of Frost Awakens.

That’s how Serapia had awakened as the Monarch of Frost in my past life.

Which raises a key question.

‘Did Avarus know about Serapia’s Authority?’

Did he deliberately approach her to make her the Monarch of Frost?
Or did he fall for her appearance and then accidentally find out?

Avarus is a top executive of the Dark Merchant Guild,
and a corrupted soul who worships the Monarch of the Abyss.

If this was all part of Avarus’s plan—
If the Dark Merchant Guild was involved behind the scenes—

‘Did the Emperor also know about Serapia back then?’

Was the Emperor the one who ordered this?
Or was it solely the Guild?
Or just Avarus acting on his own?

‘I’ll need to wring it out of Avarus.’

Only by dealing with him will I get answers.

‘But I can’t do it alone.’

With my current combat power, I wouldn’t stand a chance against Avarus.
I’d just get crushed instead.

But—

Kai was currently chasing me at full speed.
Even with [Metabolic Overdrive][U] activated, he kept up without issue.

Because of my intervention, Kai’s growth had surpassed what he’d achieved in my past life.

Just as I had surpassed the former Predator—
Kai had surpassed the Commander of the Frost Legion.

He used to be a pain when we were enemies,
But now—

‘Who would’ve thought I’d end up working with that lunatic?’

As an ally, there was no one more reliable.

The northern continent was generally divided into Snowy Mountains, Snowfields, and Permafrost zones.

Viscount Benneron’s Domain was located in the Permafrost region.
Unlike the County, which lay between the mountains and snowfields,
The viscountcy enjoyed a relatively mild climate.

Relatively, compared to the County—
It wasn’t what anyone would actually call “mild.”

Especially now, with the season of deep cold approaching—

From the mountain’s peak, I looked down at the viscountcy,
Blanketed in thick snow and ice.

It was a frigid night under a full moon.
Moonlight cast a quiet glow over the village below.

As I focused my vision,
I noticed the viscount’s townsfolk standing in alleys or slowly wandering the streets.

But there was no sign of emotion or purpose in their movements.

At a glance, it seemed like they were working.
But a closer look showed them leaving broken carts and tools untouched—
Engaging in bizarre, inexplicable behaviors.

All moving in perfect synchrony,
At the same speed and rhythm, as if under a spell.

I activated [Predatory Instincts][S].