Debuff Master-Chapter 919

Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of the Elves, Elondel, a grand festival was in full swing.

The celebration was in honor of Lohengrin’s 745th birthday, making it the grandest festival ever.

After the Terramorg incident, Elondel won consecutive victories in both small and big skirmishes against Niflheim, the Kingdom of the Dark Elves. As a result, they now controlled almost seventy percent of the Eternal Forest.

In recent days, Niflheim refrained from further provocations due to their weakened state, which eventually brought peace to the Eternal Forest.

Also, the presence of Lohengrin’s daughter and granddaughter, Brunhilde and Verdandi, further fueled the joyous atmosphere across the elven kingdom.

“Hohoho! I sure have a great son-in-law!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“He’s truly a magnificent son-in-law! All of you should aim to get one like him! Kekeke!”

Lohengrin couldn’t stop boasting about his son-in-law, Siegfried, after receiving the Essence of Gold as a gift.

Not only that, Emperor Stuttgart sent an enormous amount of gold, silver, and precious treasures, which further elevated Lohengrin’s mood. Well, the gifts were actually a form of compensation, but there was no way Lohengrin would know about that.

Thus, all the elves in Elondel ate, drank, and enjoyed the festival.

“Yes... Enjoy yourself while you can, Lohengrin.”

From a distance, Credos glared at Elondel with eyes burning with hatred while sitting atop his Black Wyvern.

“Damn you... I cried countless tears because of what you did, so it’s your turn to cry tears of blood now. My daughter’s vengeance... and the grudges of my Dark Elves... All of it will be your undoing.”

With a growl, Credos turned his Black Wyvern around and flew back to Niflheim.

He only had one thing in mind right now, and that was to complete the demon-summoning ritual.

***

Back in the seventh domain of the Demon Realm, Chae Hyung-Seok's voice was trembling as he asked, “S-So... If my lord makes a pact with that Dark Elf King, Credos...”

“You will be able to annihilate the in-laws of your sworn enemy, Siegfried van Proa.”

“Ah...!”

“And chopping off the head of his father-in-law, Lohengrin, is a great bonus, too,” Baroque said with a grin. Then, he added, “But that’s not all, is it? The Dark Elf King, Credos, had lost his daughter at the hands of your sworn enemy, Siegfried van Proa.”

“Huh...?”

“That means Siegfried van Proa is Credos’ target as well.”

Chae Hyung-Seok immediately prostrated on the ground and cried out, “M-My lord! Please allow me to go! I will take the lead in ensuring that the dark elf enters into a pact with my lord!”

One of his greatest desires was to exact revenge on Siegfried. Now, Baroque was about to form a contract with Credo, another one of Siegfried’s enemies.

For Chae Hyung-Seok, this was a golden opportunity.

“Certainly, Hyungseokius. Aren’t you the supreme commander of my army? You should be at the forefront of it.”

“Yes! My lord!”

“Also, don’t forget that I also have a score to settle with that bastard.”

Just like Chae Hyung-Seok, Baroque had suffered at Siegfried's hands, and he had been itching for revenge since then.

“Yes, my lord! You will surely succeed in avenging yourself!”

“Indeed! And I must reclaim Avenger from that wretched fool too!”

Baroque’s desire to crush Siegfried was not just for revenge. He aimed to reclaim the Demon Sword: Avenger from Siegfried and use its power to ascend as a demon lord.

In other words, the contract with Credos was really important. It would amplify Credos’ strength, which would allow him to take revenge on Siegfried.

Once that was done, Baroque would claim Credos’ soul, making him even more powerful. On top of that, he would also reclaim the Demon Sword: Avenger and rise as a demon lord.

This was what people meant by killing three birds with one stone.

From Baroque’s perspective, it was like hitting the jackpot three times over.

“When will my lord enter into a contract with that dark elf?” Chae Hyung-Seok asked, brimming with anticipation.

“The summoning magic circle still lacks a bit of energy, but Credos is making attempts to complete it, so it should be ready at any moment—”

It was then.

Sseuuu...!

A magic circle formed beneath Baroque’s feet.

“...!”

“...!”

Chae Hyung-Seok and Baroque’s faces tensed up.

It was the magic circle that appeared when a contractor summoned a demon.

“Credos has completed the magic circle to summon me!” Baroque exclaimed as a radiant light engulfed him.

“Congratulations, my lord!”

“Wait here, Hyungseokius! I will call for you soon!”

“Yes, my lord! I will await your command!”

Chae Hyung-Seok grinned, his eyes full of malice as he thought, ‘Just you wait, Han Tae-Sung. I’ll destroy your wife’s family soon.’

The thought of destroying Siegfried’s family sent a surge of endorphins and adrenaline throughout him.

***

‘Ah, damn it... I almost pissed myself.’

Siegfried’s mental state was in a mess as he rushed to the bathroom.

Just then...

Swish! Swish! Swish!

On his way to the bathroom, he stopped in his tracks after finding Gringore, who was busy scribbling something down on a scroll.

“Again! That bastard is writing something again!”

“Hiiik!”

Gringore was so immersed in writing that he was caught off guard as Siegfried snatched the scroll right out of his hands.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“You really don’t know when to quit, don’t you?” Siegfried growled, glaring at him.

Then, he proceeded to read through what was written on the scroll, and his eyes grew redder by the second.

“You’re seriously writing even this?! What the hell are you writing?!” Siegfried shouted with anger laced in his voice.

The dance of His Majesty and Princess Irene was so mesmerizing that it captured everyone’s attention.

Tonight, here in the Palace of Blood, it was undeniable that His Majesty and Princess Irene were the stars of the masquerade ball.

(omitted...)

Could there be a more perfect couple than them?

(omitted...)

However, His Majesty did not attend the birthday celebration of his father-in-law, King Lohengrin. Instead, he chose to attend a masquerade ball, indulging in drinks and dancing with another woman.

Thus, it can be said that His Majesty’s behavior of disregarding his wife and daughter to pursue a relationship with Princess Irene was truly immoral and worthy of being criticized...

“You crazy bastard!”

Siegfried lost all sense of reason after reading what Gringore had written in the scroll.

Without a second thought, he jumped off the ground and struck Gringore with a flying kick.

“Gah!”

Gringore couldn’t dodge in time and took the full force of the kick. He was sent tumbling across the floor.

“Hey, are you planning on having me killed?” Siegfried grumbled before grabbing Gringore by the back of his collar and dragging him away.

“Y-Your Majesty! A ruler must not meddle with the duty of a scribe! A true ruler must never encroach upon—”

“A tyrant doesn’t give a shit about that, so shut the hell up.”

“S-Sire!”

“Follow me.”

And just like that, Siegfried dragged Gringore off to the bathroom.

“Erase it while I’m still asking nicely,” Siegfried threatened.”

“I am afraid I cannot do that, sire,” Gringore refused flatly.

“Erase it.”

“Chop my head off instead, sire.”

Despite Siegfried’s threats, Gringore stubbornly refused to back down.

“Oh? Are you sure?” Siegfried asked, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

“P-Please reconsider it, sire...” Gringore stammered while sweating profusely.

“If you say so,” Siegfried replied with a shrug. Then, he grinned and added, “But in exchange, you’re exiled for six months.”

“Eh...?”

“While you’re exiled, you’ll be stripped of your salary, and your royalties will be seized too.”

“W-What?!” Gringore gasped in horror, his face turning ghastly pale.

No salary and his royalties would be seized as well?

That was practically a death sentence for him.

Why?

It was all because Gringore had recently purchased a luxury mansion and a private airship on installment, and his monthly payments were extremely high.

What would happen if Siegfried were to sever his main source of income? His mansion and airship would be seized, and his credit score would take a massive hit. The interest on his debt would snowball as well, which would make him sink deeper in debt.

“Y-Your Majesty! Anything but that!” Gringore shrieked.

“Erase it then,” Siegfried said with a shrug. Then, he leisurely crossed his legs while sitting on a "throne" and added, “But feel free to keep it as it is. That is, if you want to end up broke and sleeping on the streets.”

“B-But...”

“Oh, come on! Do you think I enjoy spending time with that troublemaker? Seriously? This is all because of Emperor Stuttgart!” Siegfried exclaimed.

Then, he proceeded to explain the situation and his frustrations.

After finally understanding Siegfried’s predicament—

“Ah! I believe I have made a grave mistake, sire,” Gringore said with a nod.

“Right? Do you see it now?”

“Yes, sire.”

“Now, either erase it or revise it to be more... from my perspective.”

“I will do as you command, sire.”

Having heard Siegfried’s side of the story, Gringore finally agreed to modify the records.

While scribbling down on the scroll, Gringore stole a glance and asked carefully, “But what does Your Majesty plan to do?”

“What else? I’ll reject it, of course,” Siegfried replied bluntly.

“W-What?! B-But if the emperor—!”

“Sure, accepting it would be the smart move from a political standpoint, but I have no intention of doing that. Even if it costs me, even if Emperor Stuttgart holds a grudge against me, I won’t change my mind.”

“Your Majesty...!”

“Well, if Emperor Stuttgart gets so infuriated that he decides to invade the Proatine Kingdom, then... I’ll just have to sacrifice myself. I am the king, after all. If my death can ensure the safety and well-being of my people, then so be it.”

Despite being known for being lazy when it came to dealing with administrative work, Siegfried still had a sense of responsibility as a king.

“Your Majesty...” Gringore muttered, tears welling up in his eyes.

‘Gotcha! Mwahaha!’ Siegfried grinned wickedly inside after seeing Gringore’s emotional reaction.

‘Pfft! Sacrifice? My ass! How can I protect my family and my kingdom if I have to bend to what others tell me to do? In the end, the answer is simple. I just need to become stronger. If I become powerful enough that even Emperor Stuttgart can’t touch me, then I can reject him without any consequences! Mwahahaha!’

Siegfried was inspired after witnessing the full might of the Marchioni Empire. Rather than feeling intimidated by the world’s most powerful nation, he was burning with the desire to grow stronger and fortify the military power of the Proatine Kingdom.

No matter how good the emperor’s intentions for him were, Siegfried couldn’t care less.

He refused to be controlled by others.

‘In the end, the solution to everything is becoming stronger. Master was right the whole time, as expected. If you’re strong enough, everything will naturally work in your favor.’

Recalling Deus’ teachings, Siegfried straightened his clothes and prepared to face the challenge ahead of him.

***

Could it be that Emperor Stuttgart had seen right through Siegfried?

The emperor didn't put any pressure on Siegfried throughout the banquet, as if he knew that Siegfried would refuse any attempts at coercion.

‘Ugh... That sly fox...’

Siegfried was once again reminded of Emperor Stuttgart's prowess at politics.

Why?

It was all because by not mentioning the marriage at all, he ensured that Siegfried wouldn't be able to refuse it.

But that was not all...

“Irene.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Now that your magic training is complete, it’s only fitting that you fulfill your duty as a member of the imperial family.”

“I believe so too, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“For that reason, I am hereby appointing you as the Commander of the 8th Corps of the Imperial Army that will soon be dispatched to the Proatine Kingdom. Hence, you shall also be the Supreme Commander of the Marchioni-Proatine Allied Forces,” Emperor Stuttgart said, intending to plant her like an immovable totem.

“Your grace is immeasurable, sire.”

Irene accepted the emperor’s command without a hint of hesitation. This was her chance to be nearer to the man who made her heart race for the first time in her life.

‘B-Both brother and sister are cunning foxes?!’ Siegfried shrieked inwardly.

He felt his head spin at the collaboration between Emperor Stuttgart and Princess Irene. He was so dizzy that he couldn’t even bring himself to speak up. Well, it was a wise choice, as the mood would definitely turn sour, and he would come off as completely out of place, too.

‘Ugh... I walked right into this one...’

Thanks to that, Siegfried did not even get the chance to say the excuses and reasons he prepared to refuse a political marriage with Irene.

‘Ah... I really wanna go home...’

It was then.

A knight from the Proatine Kingdom rushed beside Siegfried and whispered urgently, “Your Majesty. We have an emergency.”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eew𝒆bn(o)vel.com