Debuff Master-Chapter 912

“A massive raid? And what’s this about a long-term project?” Tae-Sung asked.

“I’m not sure of the details. I just heard some chatter on the forums. Apparently, Cain has been aggressively recruiting new guild members and mentioned that whatever they’re doing could turn into a long-term project.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. They say he’s prioritizing people who aren’t involved in any major quests right now.”

“Because he doesn’t want anyone to drop out halfway?”

“Exactly. It seems like he’s working on something big, but no one knows exactly what. Well, that’s the rumor going around.”

“Hmm...” Siegfried mulled over those words. Then, he shrugged and said, “Oh well, I guess we will find out soon enough.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Do you remember what I just said? Cain went to pay his dues to Emperor Stuttgart.”

“Yeah, I do. But what about it?”

“Well, don’t you think they reached some sort of agreement then? I bet Emperor Stuttgart told him to do something for him.”

“Ah.”

“Isn’t it obvious? Cain’s kingdom is still standing. If they hadn't reached a settlement, then it would’ve been razed to the ground by now.”

“You’re right. Emperor Stuttgart isn’t the type to let that kind of thing slide.”

“That can only mean that Cain is officially recognized by the emperor now, right?”

“Looks like it.”

“There will be a festival next week to celebrate the end of the civil war in the Marchioni Empire. I got invited to it.”

“So then...”

“If the emperor officially acknowledges Cain, then he will probably get his title confirmed at the event. I’ll see what I can find out then.”

“Sounds good.”

“Not that I really care, though.”

Tae-Sung meant what he said just now. He was not interested whether Cain became the second Adventurer to become king or not.

Why should he bother with someone else’s business? He was already busy as it was, so he did not have the luxury to butt into other people’s lives.

“Anyway, let’s not talk about the game anymore today. I’m exhausted.”

“Oh?”

“Shall we go shopping for a change? It’s been a while, right?”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“Let’s go then.”

“Hold on. Let me call the department store first,” Cheon Woo-Jin said, pulling out his phone and calling the manager in charge of him.

Tae-Sung and Cheon Woo-Jin were now the VIPs among VIPs at the department store, so they could freely shop after hours with the doors locked just for them. That was the reason that they always gave their managers a heads-up before heading out.

Why?

To give time for the department store to welcome them...

***

After Siegfried’s heroic feat at Marine City, the popularity of the Church of Heroes skyrocketed. Moreover, the Church of Heroes was already known to be far more approachable compared to other religions.

For instance, if one prayed earnestly before the statue of the Hero King, Siegfried van Proa, then an Adventurer affiliated with the Church of Heroes would mysteriously appear and solve their grievances.

It was only natural that the religion’s popularity would continue to soar with such a prompt response system.

As a result, their number of followers throughout the continent rapidly increased.

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

(omitted...)

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 10!]

As soon as Siegfried logged in, a flood of messages alerting the increase in his Divine Power covered his vision. Divine Power was a stat that continued to grow twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year, regardless of whether Siegfried was logged in or not.

Why?

It was all because the NPCs’ faith in him would grow even if Siegfried wasn't around.

‘I wonder how big this thing is going to grow...’ he wondered. He could easily gauge that the Church of Heroes was expanding at a rapid pace from merely observing his Divine Power's explosive growth.

However, he did not have the luxury to build new temples or develop the religion at the moment. There were simply too many other matters to handle, making it impossible to manage the Church of Heroes at all.

‘Ah, whatever.’

In the end, Siegfried decided not to think about the Church of Heroes for now and headed toward the warp gate.

Today, the Marchioni Empire would hold a major festival to commemorate the end of the civil war. He was obligated to attend the grand banquet being held at the Palace of Blood.

“I’m going now.”

Siegfried bid farewell to Brunhilde.

“Yes, dear. Have a safe trip.”

As always, Brunhilde saw him off with her usual gentle smile.

“I’m sorry...”

However, Siegfried felt particularly guilty toward her today.

Why?

It was all because today was his father-in-law, Lohengrin’s birthday.

Unfortunately, he was obligated to attend the Marchioni Empire’s event, which meant that he couldn't attend Lohengrin’s birthday party. Maintaining a good relationship with the Marchioni Empire—rather, with Emperor Stuttgart, was vital to the interests of the Proatine Kingdom, so he had no other choice.

“No, it's okay,” Brunhilde replied, shaking her head.

As always, she was an understanding wife.

She knew all too well that as the ruler of a vassal state, Siegfried had no other choice but to answer to the call of the emperor.

“Let’s visit him together next time,” Siegfried said.

“Yes, dear.”

“And also... Could you give this to him for me?”

“Oh my!”

Brunhilde’s eyes widened in shock after seeing what he handed her.

It was a bottle of wine, but not just any wine. The golden liquid shimmering brightly inside it was none other than the Essence of Gold.

This was an extremely rare and precious wine valued at more than one ton of gold per bottle, making it one of the most coveted vintage wines in this world.

“H-Honey! Isn’t this the Essence of—!”

“Shh!” Siegfried hurriedly covered her mouth. Then, he whispered, “Master might hear you! Keep it down!”

He was convinced that Deus’ eyes and ears existed everywhere in this world, so he immediately silenced Brunhilde.

“Master will probably get upset if he finds out. Let’s keep this a secret from him, okay?”

“O-Okay, of course.” Brunhilde immediately understood what he meant. After all, she knew full well that he would be in big trouble if Deus were to feel offended even in the slightest.

“This should be enough to keep Father from feeling disappointed, right?”

“Yes, it will. He will prefer to receive your well wishes in person, but with a gift like this, I am sure he will not mind it at all.”

The Essence of Gold was not just valuable because of its price tag. It was so rare that even rulers of great powers would consider themselves blessed just to taste a single drop of it in their lifetime.

Thus, he believed Lohengrin would be more than satisfied with such a gift.

“But... Where did you even find something this rare?” Brunhilde asked.”

“I think they found a few more bottles even after I gave one to Master. I didn’t even know about it until I was going through some reports a few days ago.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Anyway, please pass my gift along with my heartfelt wishes to him.”

“Yes, dear. Thank you for giving something so precious...” Brunhilde said as her eyes reddened.

“H-Honey? Why are you crying?” Siegfried asked, panicking.

“I-I am just... so grateful... sniff!”

“...?”

“I thought I would never get married in my life... but now... I am so happy... I have such a wonderful husband...”

“Ah...”

Siegfried understood why she was so overwhelmed with emotions. She had been ostracized her entire life as an outcast among the elves, even though she was their princess.

To someone like her, the happiness she was experiencing at the moment was something she couldn't have dreamt of at the time, so it was only natural for her to be this emotional.

She was saddened by the fact that Siegfried was too busy to spend time with her, but aside from that, she was truly happy with her married life.

“Come here, don’t cry.”

“Dear...”

After gazing into her eyes for a few seconds, Siegfried pulled her into his embrace and gave her a tight hug.

***

Siegfried set off straight for the Marchioni Empire, and upon his arrival...

“His Majesty, King Siegfried van Proa, has arrived!”

The imperial knights lined up in two rows before the warp gate and saluted the moment he stepped out from the warp gate.

Bam, bam, bam, baaam!

The military band began to play as well.

“Attention!”

The booming voice of the knight commander echoed as well.

“Salute to His Majesty, King Siegfried van Proa!”

The imperial knights gave a grandiose welcome to Siegfried on his return to the Palace of Blood.

‘W-What the heck?! Isn’t this too different from the last time I was here?!’ Siegfried was stunned by the welcome the empire had prepared for him.

However, this was not surprising at all. He made a tremendous achievement in the civil war by capturing the leader of the rebel forces, Giorgetto, alive, and this feat solidified his status as a war hero of the empire.

In other words, he truly deserved the grand welcome he was receiving.

The knight commander approached and said, “Welcome, Your Majesty. We, the Fifth Order of the Imperial Knights, shall personally escort you.”

“I will be in your care,” Siegfried replied with a nod.

“Please, this way, Your Majesty.”

Siegfried entered the Palace of Blood escorted by the Imperial Knights of the Marchioni Empire.

Meanwhile, nearly at the same time Siegfried arrived, Cain also arrived at the Palace of Blood.

However, the reception he received was a stark contrast to the one Siegfried received.

While Siegfried received a full honor guard, a parade from a marching band, and escort of the imperial knights, Cain received a different welcome.

“Follow me.”

The person waiting for Cain was not even a knight, but rather, a mere single servant working at the Palace of Blood.

Despite being a king, Cain’s reception was shockingly pitiful. To make matters worse, the servant treated him curtly, seemingly ordering him around.

The difference in treatment between Siegfried and Cain was as vast as heaven and earth.

“...”

Cain stood dazed while watching Siegfried walk into the palace surrounded by the imperial knights.

However, it lasted only for a moment.

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and follow me.”

“Okay.”

Cain quickly moved after being scolded by a mere servant.

***

Soon, Siegfried and Cain arrived at the Palace of Blood...

The Grand Chamberlain of the Marchioni Empire was busy meticulously polishing the silverware for the banquet. Each plate and utensil was so expensive that a single one of them could buy an entire rural village.

As one of Emperor Stuttgart’s close confidants, the Grand Chamberlain personally polished the emperor’s wares. He could have delegated the tedious task to his subordinates, but instead of doing that, he made sure to polish every plate, utensil, and cup with his own two hands to ensure that they were flawless.

Just then, one of his subordinates rushed in and cried out, “G-Grand Chamberlain! We have an emergency!”

The Grand Chamberlain looked up while polishing a plate and asked, “What is it that you’re creating such a ruckus?”

The dignified middle-aged man replied with impeccable composure, living up to his role as the Grand Chamberlain of the Marchioni Empire.

His calm composure was fitting, as being in the position of the Grand Chamberlain of the Marchioni Empire gave him more power and authority than most rulers of small kingdoms.

“Sir! We have a big problem!”

“Enough. How can one who serves His Imperial Majesty behave so crudely? Have you forgotten where you are? You are a servant of the mighty Marchioni Empire.”

“Yes, sir...”

“Now, tell me. What is the problem that you are causing such a ruckus?”

“T-That is...!”

The subordinate hesitated for a moment before reporting.

“P-Princess Irene has arrived! Her Highness has entered the palace!”

Claaang!

The Grand Chamberlain dropped the plate he was polishing, causing it to shatter into pieces.

The half-sister of Emperor Stuttgart, Irene von Posteriore. The most notorious troublemaker in the world had returned to the imperial palace.

The piece of news was enough to shatter the Grand Chamberlain's calm demeanor.

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om