“The Defense Lord, in other words…”
My brain’s synapses sift through information at the speed of light, arriving at a single conclusion.
Right now, my mind is sharper than it’s ever been in my life. This very moment is the peak of my IQ in this lifetime.
“So that’s… how it was.”
All eyes turned to me.
Only those nearby had heard the whisper. Between His Majesty and the Marquis, the succession to the position of Defense Lord was nearly settled on the Viscount. No, the will of the great forebears who established the Defense Lord must not be extinguished.
It must be me. Only me. I alone can grasp the will of the great man, and I alone can carry it forward!
“Wait!”
“…What is it, Count Dolknes? I am about to—”
Interrupting the puzzled Marquis, I exposed the concealed history.
“The Defense Lord… isn’t that just a Leveling-Up Lord?”
“Huh?”
“By leveling up, we can protect the nation from threats from other nations as well as damage from monsters arising internally. The fact that it specifically mentions ‘nobles and citizens’ is the best proof. Leveling up has nothing to do with nobles or commoners. Level up yourself, then teach everyone the methodology! That is the Defense Lord! Isn’t that an extremely important position! “
Time froze in the audience chamber.
I imagine the King, the Prince, and the nobles were all struck speechless, thinking,” Is that how it was?! That’s absolutely right!” I was just as shocked when I realized it.
It’s like that moment in a mystery when the brilliantly laid foreshadowing pays off, and you finally know who the real culprit is, or like in a battle manga, when all the allies and enemies gather together to defeat the true final boss. This must be catharsis. It’s the most refreshing, exhilarating feeling.
It’s the perfect finale where minor inconsistencies don’t matter anymore.
And the one ruining it was, once again, Marquis Prynan.
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t understand? Everyone else does, except you.”
It’s pathetic how he can’t admit defeat.
Even His Majesty the King stood frozen, his mouth agape, as proof that others understood.
I shifted my gaze to the extremist nobleman beside me and said,
“You understand, right?”
“…Huh?”
“The Defense Lord is the Leveling Lord, correct?”
“Um… I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He feigned ignorance. Huh?
Why did he lie and say he didn’t understand at all? If he’s lying, he must have a reason.
He’s a top-tier extremist noble when it comes to protecting his own interests… Could it be there’s more than one Leveling Lord?
I press him relentlessly, demanding answers.
“You have a title too, right?”
“…Yes.”
“What kind of lord are you?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Hiding it makes you look suspicious. Are you also a Leveling lord, after all?”
“N-no, that’s not it.”
“What level are you? If you’re a leveling lord, you’d be diving into dungeons every day to hit level 99, wouldn’t you!?”
Bingo. He was a Leveling Lord, too.
If he absolutely refuses to speak, I’ll ask someone else. I scanned the numerous extremist nobles surrounding me.
But those who had been staring blankly up at me immediately looked away with incredible speed the moment I turned my face toward them. No one would meet my gaze.
Could it be… they were all Leveling Lords? They hung out as Leveling Faction nobles, yet never held regular dungeon runs? Ah, group runs are inefficient anyway. Dungeon info exchanges are more constructive and beneficial.
Unintentionally, I’d illuminated the “dark” parts plaguing the Balshine Kingdom with light.
This isn’t a matter confined to just the extremists. I’ll petition His Majesty the King directly.
“Your Majesty! While in reality they are Leveling Lords, many nobles use different titles and neglect their duties! As a noble concerned for the future of the Kingdom, I must ask: What are your thoughts on this situation, Your Majesty?”
Though I was addressing His Majesty, it was still Marquis Prynan who immediately spoke up.
“How dare you speak to His Majesty the King in such a manner!”
Furious, he signaled to the guards.
But no, even the Royal Guards wouldn’t move.
It was obvious to anyone that the Leveling Lord is the most important position in the kingdom. Precisely because they are Royal Guards who swore loyalty to the nation and the King, they believed only a worthy person should hold that office.
But in a kingdom where even the Knight Commander is only Level 60, who could be appointed Leveling Lord… Me? Am I the only one?
My name is Yumiela. I am Yumiela Dolknes, the Leveling Lord of the Kingdom of Balshine!
To fulfill my duty completely, I’m naturally prepared to raise a banner of rebellion against my sovereign.
Ignoring the inferior Finance Minister, I fix my gaze solely upon His Majesty, whose face is stiff with tension.
“Your Majesty, your response?”
“The Defense Lord… upon reflection, is that not akin to a Leveling Lord? I… think it might be.”
“Well then, it is inevitable that a Leveling Lord who advocates leveling up would level up and reach level 99, correct?”
“……That line of reasoning might also be one correct answer.”
Your Majesty seems somewhat hesitant.
Why does he sound so stiff, like he’s trying too hard to avoid missteps? Why is he using that technique of avoiding absolute assertions… the kind important people use at press conferences?
“Could it be… Your Majesty is also the Leveling Lord?”
“Listen carefully. The King and the Leveling Lord are different.”
The King declared this with a serious expression. He looked as serious as he did right before the castle was about to fall, and he faced a coup.
Indeed, they are different. I might have a high aptitude for being a Leveling Lord, but my qualifications for ruling a country are not just zero—they’re negative. Meaning, the two are entirely different.
I was impressed by how quickly His Majesty the King made the comparison, continuing without pause.
“It is an undeniable truth that someone who is a Leveling Lord yet has abandoned their duties could be hiding among the kingdom’s nobility.”
“Do you understand now?!”
Good. Those who understand, understand.
The King, befitting his position as the nation’s leader, relaxed his expression. He looked relieved, as if he’d narrowly escaped being dragged from his throne.
Since it was now the kingdom’s official stance that the Leveling Lord was indeed in hiding, they could proceed with the discussion with peace of mind.
“Then, if the Leveling Lord advocates leveling up, it’s only natural that he would level up to Level 99, right? After that, I believe the main purpose of the Leveling Lord is to dedicate themselves to supporting those around them, creating an environment where as many people as possible can level up. “
” Count Dolknes, the Leveling Lord is… “
” Yes. There are several here in this hall.”
When I scanned the great hall, everyone uniformly had their faces lowered. No one was looking this way. Some had their eyes tightly shut, as if waiting for the storm to pass. Could it be… everyone!?
The Leveling Lord’s philosophy is mutual support: people helping others, and those helped then helping someone else. The chain of happiness starts with me. Who should I help… or rather, who should I drag into the dungeon?
I give the person next to me a light tap on the shoulder.
“Huh!?”
“Count Dolknes, hold on. We must first uncover the true nature of the Leveling Lord. “
The King intervened. Apparently, I was too hasty. I must reflect.
Then, after a clearing of the throat, His Majesty the King delivered his judgment.
“Regarding positions besides Defense Lord. We will investigate whether any of them are effectively being used for level grinding. If found, the response will involve changing the position’s title rather than punishing the holder.”
Indeed, many cases like Count Archiam likely involved people who were unaware that their job was essentially level grinding. Punishing unintentional negligence… Hmm, His Majesty the King is a kind soul.
As I nodded in agreement, His Majesty sighed in relief before continuing.
“The appointment of a successor to the Defense Lord shall be postponed until next month. The same applies to its abolishment, renaming, and any role adjustments during renaming.”
An excellent decision.
I demonstrated my loyalty by kneeling and bowing my head sincerely.
“Finally… Marquis Prynan, you brought all this upon yourself.”
Marquis Prynan received a scolding from the King, and the royal council concluded.
Nice quick thinking King, now Dolknes won’t be compelled to drag the entire country to level up training out of a sense of patriotism.