Debuff Master - Chapter 1169

Chapter 1169

Siegfried arrived at the Marchioni Empire’s command center and sat in on the ongoing strategy meeting.

Unsurprisingly, the situation looked extremely favorable for the imperial army.

“Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of powerful Adventurers enlisting, our forces are stronger than ever, Your Imperial Majesty. It is only a matter of time before the war ends in our victory,” Hansen reported proudly.

“I see,” Siegfried replied dryly. Then, he asked, “I guess there’s not much for me to do?”

“Yes, sire. Even though the infiltration operation failed, our imperial army is stronger than ever. Therefore, I believe Your Imperial Majesty can afford to take a break.”

“Got it. Then, shall we call it a day?” Siegfried said. Then, he looked around the meeting room and adjourned the meeting, “Please focus on your respective assignments. I will remain on standby and join whenever I am needed. Until then, I will go hunt some exotic beasts living on this planet to pass the time.”

With that, Siegfried left the command center to hunt the native creatures on the Coral Planet—at least, that was what he wanted them to believe.

The Marchioni Empire’s command center was no different from the enemy camp now, so it was highly likely that intelligence agents were watching his every move and listening to every word he uttered.

Thus, he used the hunting trip as an excuse to venture into the jungle and slip away unnoticed.

After entering deep inside the Coral territory, he transformed into Mindrius and went to see Chancellor Maximus.

“M-My god… that happened…?”

Maximus was visibly shaken when Siegfried told him about how the Marchioni Empire had decided to wipe out the dragons.

The dragons were the Coral Race’s final hope, so it felt like the sky itself had collapsed on Maximus. He hoped that the dragons would learn the truth, turn on the Marchioni Empire, and put an end to this war.

But now…

“This puts me in a difficult spot, too. The Marchioni Empire is watching me, and it’s only a matter of time before they try to get rid of me as well,” Siegfried said, his expression darkening.

“Hah! Those dogs! Is there not a shred of loyalty in them? Do they know nothing of trust? Even though you did so much for them and for your world! They should be erecting temples and statues in your honor, not plotting your demise!” Maximus exclaimed in sheer disbelief.

“I think that’s exactly the problem. I’ve gotten too big for them to handle,” Siegfried said with a bitter smile.

“Hm?”

“Well, it’s a bit awkward to say this myself… but right now, the people of my world look to me as the savior who rescued them time and time again. They revere me.”

Siegfried was neither wrong nor was he exaggerating.

He had saved the world multiple times, and the people of the continent worshiped him like a god. In fact, the most popular religion on the continent by far was the Church of Heroes.

Even within the Marchioni Empire, Siegfried’s popularity far outshone Emperor Stuttgart’s by several times over.

The Proatine Empire had grown exponentially stronger as well.

Thus, it was no wonder that the Marchioni Empire was feeling threatened by Siegfried. They were allies for now, but in a few decades, they were bound to clash for supremacy over the continent.

In the Marchioni Empire’s eyes, Siegfried and the Proatine Empire were enemies in the making.

“Of course, they can’t just make a move on me now. The people’s faith in me is far too strong, so half the world would rise in revolt if they were to do something to me. Even if the Marchioni Empire is powerful, that would still be too big of a risk for them.”

“So… you’re saying there’s still time?” Maximus asked.

“Exactly. We have a small window to find a solution to this mess, at least, before the Marchioni Empire decides to show their true colors openly for all to see.”

“Then…” Maximus muttered, sounding hesitant. Then, he bit his lip and asked in a hushed voice, “Would you… like to meet His Imperial Majesty?”

“…!”

“Every major decision for our people is made by His Imperial Majesty. If you spoke to him directly… then maybe something could be done…”

“That’s a great idea,” Siegfried agreed without hesitation.

At this point, the only path left was to join forces with the Corals and stand together against the Marchioni Empire’s tyranny.

***

Meanwhile, Ninetail infiltrated the Marchioni Empire’s imperial palace disguised as a maid.

Breaking into the heart of the empire was unbelievably dangerous, but the risk was worth it if she could get her hands on the empire’s secret documents.

‘No good. There’s no way to get anywhere near the information I need here.’

Despite her efforts, the palace’s ironclad security forced her to return empty-handed.

Unwilling to push her luck any further, she decided to give up and head back to the Proatine Empire.

It was then.

“…!”

On her way out, she spotted a familiar face entering the palace with Duke Neighdelberg.

‘W-What is he doing here?!’

Ninetail was shocked to see that Siegfried’s sworn enemy, Beowulf, was in the Palace of Blood when he had no business being there in the first place.

‘There’s something going on,’ she thought. Then, she silently followed the two until they slipped into a conference room. By sheer luck, the two needed a maid to serve tea, so Ninetail managed to listen in on their conversation without drawing any suspicion.

What she heard was shocking.

“The dragons have been dealt with. Maybe one or two managed to get away, but they’re basically extinct now.”

“You did well,” Duke Neighdelberg said with a nod.

“I mean, I was more than happy to do it. I got rid of Siegfried von Proa’s strongest allies and got paid for it.”

“It’s the same for us. We’re free from the threat of the dragons now.”

“So why did you call me here? I thought our deal was done.”

“There’s another request.”

“What is it?”

“Ruin Siegfried von Proa’s reputation for us.”

“Oh? I would love to do that,” Lee Geon said, his lips curling into a wicked grin. Then, he asked, “So, how do you want me to do it?”

“Use your followers and start causing trouble all over the continent.”

“That’s too easy, don’t you think so?”

“And commit crimes while disguised as Siegfried von Proa. The more heinous the crimes, the better.”

“Oooh? Now that sounds fun. So you want me to destroy the saintly image he’s built up, right?”

“Precisely.”

“Consider it done. Keke!”

“You shall be rewarded well.”

“Save it,” Lee Geon said with a snort. Ruining Siegfried’s life was something he was willing to do for free, so the reward was not enticing to him at all.

“Anyway, just leave it to me. I’ll make sure that the people will hate him soon enough,” Lee Geon said confidently. Then, as if a thought struck him, he glanced at the duke and asked, “Mind if I ask you something instead of a reward?”

“As you wish.”

“You do know that I once tried to destroy the world, don’t you? Why work with me?”

Duke Neighdelberg smiled and replied, “They say that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, no?”

“Eh?”

“To us, Siegfried von Proa has grown far too dangerous. We have no choice but to borrow your hand to deal with him.”

“The enemy of my enemy… That’s a good line. Keke! I like your willingness to do whatever it takes to reach your goal.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Duke Neighdelberg replied.

“It is a compliment,” Lee Geon said with a smirk. Then, he added, “Expect the rumors to start spreading in a few days.”

“I’ll be looking forward to them.”

“Suit yourself.”

With that, the secret meeting wrapped up, and Lee Geon turned and left the imperial palace.

‘D-Damn it… So the Marchioni Empire is really trying to swallow up the entire world including the Proatine Empire…’

Ninetail knew she had to warn Siegfried immediately, so without wasting another second, she slipped out of the imperial palace and returned to the Proatine Empire.

***

Siegfried found himself blindfolded and led to an unknown location after he agreed to meet the Coral Emperor.

The location of the Coral Emperor was of utmost classified matter that Maximus couldn’t outright reveal it no matter how much he trusted Siegfried.

“Kyuuu! Does this mean we’re teaming up with the Corals now, owner punk?” Hamchi asked.

“If it’s possible,” Siegfried replied. Then, he explained, “If the Coral Race falls, then nothing can stop the Marchioni Empire.”

“Kyuu?”

“Damn… Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. Those bastards even killed Elder Gerog…”

“Kyuuu…”

“I’m going to avenge him and the other dragons. The mighty Marchioni Empire? The so-called greatest empire in the world? Don’t make me laugh! I’m going to turn their entire territory into a wasteland. I’ll turn them into a colony of the Proatine Empire and make their descendants live as slaves for generations to come.”

Siegfried was someone who usually watched his words, but he did not hold back this time. He spat out curses after curses at the Marchioni Empire and even vowed to turn them into slaves.

The betrayal he suffered was so bad that every fiber of his body now held a grudge against the empire.

“I’m going to find a way to summon the demons back to the continent.”

“K-Kyuu?!”

“And I’ll find a way to wield the Demon King’s power again, too.”

“O-Owner punk! You’ve really lost it, haven’t you?!”

“Yeah. I lost it. I’m going to smash them to pieces, and not a single one involved will survive my vengeance.”

Just then, the carriage came to a stop.

A Coral Imperial Guard opened the door and said, “Please take my hand and follow our lead.”

“No need.”

“…?”

“You think I can’t walk just because I’m blindfolded?”

Siegfried stepped down from the carriage and walked forward without hesitation. Not once did he stumble even while walking blindfolded.

He had already entered a realm that far surpassed ordinary creatures, so his mind’s eyes projected the terrain around him like an infrared map even while blindfolded.

“…”

The Coral Imperial Guards were speechless.

Siegfried was blindfolded yet walking so naturally as if he weren’t blindfolded in the first place.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Coral Emperor’s hideout.

Siegfried removed the blindfold and finally stood before the divine figurehead of the Corals, the Coral Emperor.

The Coral Emperor, seated high on an imposing throne, looked down at Siegfried.

“It is an honor to meet you,” the Coral Emperor said.

“My name is Siegfried von Proa,” Siegfried replied with enough politeness.

Naturally, he neither knelt nor bowed deeply.

Why would he? As an Emperor and the Demon King, Siegfried was not someone who was supposed to bow to any foreign sovereign.

The Coral Emperor sensed something just then. He rose from his throne and descended the steps toward Siegfried.

‘At least he knows proper courtesy. It would be rude for him to keep sitting there when another ruler stands before him,’ Siegfried thought, impressed by the Coral Emperor.

He expected the Coral Emperor to stop in front of him and perhaps offer a nod or maybe a handshake, but he was sorely mistaken.

When Siegfried held out his hand, the Coral Emperor dropped to the floor before Siegfried’s feet.

“…?” Siegfried tilted his head in confusion.

But what happened next made him freeze in shock.

“…?!”

The Coral Emperor bowed low to the ground and pressed his lips to Siegfried’s boot.

Different cultures were bound to have different customs, but this was something completely different.

Even among the Corals, bowing low to the ground and kissing another’s foot was the ultimate act of submission. It was a declaration that they were humbling and submitting themselves beyond all measure.

In other words, the Coral Emperor was submitting himself to Siegfried.