Debuff Master-Chapter 1127

“Huh? Emperor Stuttgart considers me as the number one threat? Me?” Siegfried asked, pointing to himself in disbelief.

“Yes, sire,” Michele replied with a nod.

“But why?” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

“This is a very simple matter, sire. As wise as you are now, surely you already understand the situation, do you not? Please, think it through,” Michele said, letting out a sigh as if the question was redundant.

“Hmm...”

“I am absolutely certain that you will figure it out on your own. With the level of insight you possess, I have no doubt that you can do it.”

Michele truly meant what he said, as he respected and believed in Siegfried so much that he didn't bother spelling things out for him anymore.

‘Why? Why would Emperor Stuttgart be wary of me? Why me specifically?’

Now that Michele refused to spoon-feed him the answer, Siegfried was forced to give it some thought.

‘What’s going on...?’

Roughly ten minutes passed in silence when Siegfried finally said, “Hey, don’t tell me... Is it because I’m too popular?”

“Precisely,” Michele replied with a nod. Then, he explained, “At this very moment, no other ruler across the entire continent—no, in the entire Middle Realm—is more famous and adored by the public than Your Imperial Majesty.”

Siegfried’s popularity wasn't just soaring. He was actually on the verge of being deified, as the Church of Heroes was currently in the middle of explosive growth.

The Middle Realm didn't really have any active gods, as most religious orders relied on their high priests or paladins to act on behalf of the deity they served. The numerous deities were mostly distant, silent, and only offered minimal aid to their followers.

However, Siegfried was different from them. He was like a living god in the eyes of the people—a god they could see and a god who walked beside them.

Even when Siegfried was too busy to answer their fervent prayers, the paladins of the Church of Heroes would show up to solve their problems.

But that was not all...

Siegfried had protected the world by defeating the invading fallen angels, thereby putting an end to the war. He was not just a hero—he was a Divine Hero. He was now considered to be the most powerful warrior on the continent, and his accomplishments would be immortalized forever.

In addition, he also possessed true power.

The Proatine Empire was now the second most powerful nation on the continent, second only to the mighty Marchioni Empire.

Countless great powers had fallen in the previous war, and with the Holy Alliance completely annihilated, the group of allied nations led by the Proatine Empire now stood almost equal to the Marchioni Empire.

Thus, it was only natural for Emperor Stuttgart to be wary of Siegfried.

“Your Imperial Majesty’s popularity is not just limited to within our borders. It has reached even the people of the Marchioni Empire. The people across the world are now fond of you.”

“Yeah...”

“Thus, it is only natural for Emperor Stuttgart to be on the edge and wary of Your Imperial Majesty. The Marchioni Empire had always ruled with an iron fist, yet you are now building an empire upon the support of the people.”

“Ah...”

Michele looked him straight in the eye and asked, “Which do you think would be stronger? An empire built by bloodshed or one built on the will of the people?”

“That’s obvious... a government backed by the people is far stronger. Especially if it is supported by a powerful military. Nothing is scarier than that.”

“Precisely,” Michele replied with a nod. Then, he added, “I am certain that the Marchioni Empire would have already struck us down if it hadn't been for the Coral Race campaign.”

“Oh, come on. That’s stretching it a bit too far.”

“It is not mere speculation, sire. It is an undeniable fact,” Michele said firmly. Then, he emphasized, “Such is the nature of the ruler of the Marchioni Empire. He will trample over anything to secure the empire’s supremacy on the continent as well as preserve their power over others.”

“I see...”

“That is the reason that this is exactly the time to bow your head to Emperor Stuttgart. We must avoid getting on his bad side at all costs, as our empire still needs time to recover from the war. We cannot afford to have any tension with the emperor.”

“Ugh...”

“Emperor Stuttgart likely knows that he cannot do anything to you right now. Which is why he will most likely try to reinforce this alliance and strengthen ties with you. Either by suggesting an imperial marriage with Princess Irene or...” Michele paused for a second before adding, “The emperor might propose becoming sworn brothers with Your Majesty.”

“What?!”

“I will stake my head on this. Your Imperial Majesty may behead me if the emperor brings up neither of those,” Michele declared boldly with absolute confidence.

“Damn...”

“So please, go see him as quickly as possible.”

“Okay,” Siegfried replied with a nod. Then, he thought, ‘This guy is really serious about this. He’s never staked his life on anything before, so I guess this is a grave matter both for me and the Proatine Empire. I mean, it does make sense that Emperor Stuttgart is wary of me... That’s how scary power is.’

Even if this was just a game, Siegfried had been sitting on the throne for over three years now. His experiences taught him just how cruel and ruthless power could be, which was why he didn't brush off Michele’s warnings.

Thus, he chose to visit Emperor Stuttgart as quickly as possible, just as Michele had suggested. After all, he was a ruler who knew how to listen to his loyal subjects.

***

Siegfried immediately headed for the Marchioni Empire to meet with Emperor Stuttgart.

“The Emperor of the Proatine Empire, Siegfried von Proa, requests an audience.”

With the chief chamberlain’s announcement, the large doors to the imperial audience chamber of the Marchioni Empire swung open.

Siegfried walked in slowly, approaching the throne where Emperor Stuttgart sat.

The red carpet that stretched across the hall was so red that it made Siegfried feel like he was walking on a river of blood. He had no idea what it was made of or how it had been crafted, but the texture of it almost tricked his senses into believing that it was dyed with real blood.

‘Is this supposed to represent the history of the Marchioni Empire?’ As he stepped down the blood-like carpet, he couldn’t help but think. ‘They say the Marchioni Empire was built on blood... I guess not a word of it was a lie.’

“Welcome.”

The only one in the grand audience chamber, Emperor Stuttgart, welcomed Siegfried as he approached the throne.

“Your humble servant, Siegfried von Proa, greets His Imperial Majesty, the Sovereign Emperor,” Siegfried said with utmost respect, dropping to one knee and lowering his head.

Even though he was now an emperor himself, he made it clear that he still acknowledged Emperor Stuttgart as his liege, and that the Proatine Empire remained a vassal state of the Marchioni Empire.

“Siegfried von Proa,” Emperor Stuttgart said with a warm smile.

“Yes, my lord.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve successfully defended our world from the fallen angels. You’ve done a great service to this world. You are a true hero—a savior.”

“I am honored beyond words, my lord. I simply struggled to survive and somehow fortune smiled upon me,” Siegfried said, bowing even more deeply in response to the emperor’s praises.

“You are ever the humble one.”

“It was a victory I did not achieve on my own. Everyone came together to fight, and we made it through as one, my lord.”

“Splendid,” Emperor Stuttgart said. Then, he rose from his throne and slowly walked over, “Siegfried von Proa.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“As the Emperor of the Marchioni Empire, I express my deepest respect and admiration for your tremendous achievements.”

“I am grateful beyond words, my lord. Your grace is immeasurable.”

“This world would have perished if it weren’t for you. I truly don’t know how to properly honor and reward your heroic deeds.”

“It was all thanks to my lord’s benevolence,” Siegfried replied with a faint smile.

“My benevolence?”

“Yes, my lord. It was my lord who granted land and title to a lowly Adventurer like myself. It is all my lord’s benevolence that I had the foundation to grow. Therefore, this, too, is my lord’s doing.”

“Siegfried von Proa.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“You seem to always know how to please me.”

“Pardon me, my lord...?”

“I am merely expressing my delight at your words, Siegfried von Proa. Seeing how a hero like you remains so modest and lifts me up with your words is truly delightful.”

“Your grace is immeasurable, my lord!”

“Rise.”

To Siegfried’s surprise, Emperor Stuttgart reached out and helped him to his feet.

“Your contributions have been so great that I shall host a banquet in your honor.”

“M-My lord...?”

“Come.”

“Eh...?”

“Tonight, I wish to drink with you until morning.”

With that, Siegfried found himself dragged into a banquet thrown by none other than Emperor Stuttgart.

‘Ugh... I just wanted to log out and take a break...’

Though he grumbled inwardly at the idea of being forced to attend a banquet, he made sure none of his discomfort would appear on the outside. Right now, the most important thing to do was to maintain relations with Emperor Stuttgart. Thus, for the sake of diplomacy and everything good, he had to play along with the emperor’s whims.

***

That night, Siegfried attended a grand banquet hosted by Emperor Stuttgart and attended by the senior officials of the Marchioni Empire.

The atmosphere was vibrant and joyful, and naturally so. After all, this banquet was in honor of Siegfried, who had defended the world from the invasion of the fallen angels.

As they raised their glasses together, Siegfried shared the events of the recent battles with the emperor.

“Oh? Something like that really happened? Haha!”

Surprisingly, Emperor Stuttgart reacted with enthusiasm and amusement as he listened to Siegfried’s tales. Siegfried made sure not to withhold any details—as long as they were not highly classified—from Emperor Stuttgart.

Why?

It was all because he needed to show the emperor that he was being transparent.

According to Ninetail, the Marchioni Empire’s intelligence network far surpassed even that of the Proatine Empire’s. They had eyes and ears in every corner of the world, so attempting to hide anything or lie would only insult the emperor and possibly stir up his wrath.

Thus, Siegfried chose to be honest, and his choice proved to be correct, as Emperor Stuttgart looked pretty pleased with him.

“Now then, Siegfried von Proa.”

As the banquet reached its peak, Emperor Stuttgart finally unveiled his main agenda.

“I’ve heard that you love your empress dearly.”

“As embarrassed as I am to say this to my lord, yes, I do.”

“And because of that... I suppose I can no longer suggest that you become my brother-in-law.”

“Eh?”

“How could I force you to take a concubine when you care so deeply for Empress Brunhilde? Besides, my sister is a princess of the Marchioni Empire, so it wouldn’t be proper for her to become anyone’s concubine.”

“W-Wise words, my lord.”

“So then, I thought about it long and hard...” Emperor Stuttgart said, trailing the end of his words.

Then, he looked over the banquet hall before addressing everyone in it.

“Hear me.”

At those words, every single person in the hall ceased whatever they were doing and turned their full attention to the emperor.

“Your humble servant is listening, Your Imperial Majesty!”

“Your humble servant is listening, Your Imperial Majesty!”

“Your humble servant is listening, Your Imperial Majesty!”

Emperor Stuttgart raised a hand and said, “I hereby declare my utmost respect for the heroic deeds of Emperor Siegfried von Proa. And furthermore, to strengthen the bond between our two nations and to cement the friendship between me and Emperor Siegfried... I hereby propose my intentions to become sworn brothers.”

‘H-Holy shit! He really said it!’ Siegfried screamed inwardly upon hearing that.

He was stunned to see that Michele’s prediction had come true. The emperor of the greatest nation in the world, the Marchioni Empire, had actually offered to become sworn brothers with him.

This was something Siegfried had never imagined the emperor would say, given his prestige and absolute authority. And he was not the only one feeling shocked, as even the ministers and nobles of the empire were shocked by the sudden declaration.

The stir it caused was immediate, and the members of the crowd murmured to each other, something they rarely did in the emperor’s presence.

“Well? Will you accept this bond of sworn brotherhood with me, Siegfried von Proa?” Emperor Stuttgart asked with a smile.

“I... I am...” Siegfried stammered before rising from his seat and bowing deeply before the emperor.

“Though we may not share blood, I wish to be your brother through loyalty and honor,” Emperor Stuttgart added.

“N-No, you must not, my lord!”

“Do you not wish to be my brother?”

“How could I dare to be a sworn brother to Your Imperial Majesty? I am merely a vassal, a humble subject of yours, my lord! I am unworthy to share such a bond with—”

“Siegfried von Proa.”

“Yes, my lord!”

“Address me as Elder Brother.”

“...!”

“Surely you won’t refuse this request of mine, are you?”

Clearly, Emperor Stuttgart had no intentions of backing down. He made it clear that he intended to make Siegfried his sworn brother—one way or another.