Debuff Master-Chapter 1031

Chapter 1031
Why did Emperor Stuttgart send a secret letter to him all of a sudden?
‘
Did something happen?’
Siegfried wondered.
With that thought in mind, he broke the seal and began reading its contents.
“
Huh?
”
Siegfried frowned after reading the letter.
“What is the matter, Your Majesty? Is there something strange written on it?” Saintess Janette asked, curious after seeing his reaction.
“No, not exactly... For a secret letter, there is almost nothing in it,” Siegfried replied, looking a bit perplexed.
“May I take a look?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Siegfried handed the letter, and Saintess Janette unrolled the parchment and examined the contents herself.
And then—
“
Huh?
”
She, too, was perplexed after reading the message.
Come find me at once.
Signed, Stuttgart von Posteriore
That was it. The entire secret letter had nothing else written on it aside from a summons, instructing Siegfried to go find the emperor at once.
“It seems that... His Imperial Majesty wants to meet you...?” Saintess Janette said, still perplexed.
“I guess he has something important he wishes to discuss,” Siegfried said with a shrug.
Saintess Janette nodded and muttered, “That would make sense.”
“
Hm?
You seem like you know something. Do you?”
“I do.”
“What is it?”
“The Marchioni Empire is not in a good place right now.”
“All of a sudden? Why?”
“The Pallas Fortress in the south has fallen.”
“What?!”
“They say that two hundred thousand imperial troops were wiped out. Meanwhile, the Holy Alliance suffered fewer than ten thousand casualties.”
“Is that even possible?”
Siegfried honestly found it hard to believe. He knew better than anyone else just how powerful the Marchioni Empire’s imperial army was.
Whether it was the quality of troops, equipment, firepower, or morale, everything about them was top-tier and far better than any other nation on the continent.
The imperial army was also the reason why the Proatine Kingdom could grow so quickly, as they had grown by studying and benchmarking the imperial army’s strategies and tactics.
And yet, two hundred thousand imperial troops were wiped out while defending a fortress? Even more shocking was the fact that the Holy Alliance barely lost ten thousand troops in the process of taking over a major fortress.
‘
How is that even possible?’
Siegfried found himself doubting his own ears.
The news was so shocking that he found it hard to believe it.
“They say that a small Celestial Gate opened right in front of Palla Fortress.”
“
Ah...
”
Siegfried finally understood how the imperial army suffered such a devastating defeat.
A large number of high-ranking angels could easily descend from a small Celestial Gate, and ordinary soldiers without access to divine power were practically helpless against them.
“And after that? What happened next?”
Due to his involvement in the recent war, Siegfried was unable to keep up with the recent events occurring across the continent.
“The Holy Alliance is swiftly advancing through the southern region of the empire.”
“Their defeat must have been a huge shock to the empire.”
The invincible image of the continent’s most powerful nation was slowly beginning to show cracks.
And this time, it was not just rumors.
There had always been whispers that the Marchioni Empire was wavering, but those rumors were merely speculations.
But now, it was different. With their border breached and their territory being overrun by the Holy Alliance, the rumors of their decline slowly began to transform into an undeniable reality.
“Anyway, I understand. I will go meet Emperor Stuttgart and figure out the rest,” Siegfried said with a nod before immediately making his way to the empire.
***
A few hours later, Siegfried passed through the warp gate and appeared before Emperor Stuttgart.
The emperor, whom he had not seen for quite some time now, appeared as calm and composed as always.
‘
Does this guy even have any emotions?’
Siegfried found himself wondering as he looked at the emperor.
Emperor Stuttgart had always been like that. No matter how dire the situation was, he never showed signs of agitation, and he rarely showed any emotions.
Even when his life was at risk during the World Peace Conference, he didn't waver even in the slightest.
This was proof enough that he was far from an ordinary person.
“I, Siegfried van Proa, humbly greet my lord,” Siegfried knelt on one knee and greeted the emperor.
“It’s been a while, Siegfried van Proa,” Emperor Stuttgart said.
“Yes, my lord.”
“How have you been?”
“I have been quite busy here and there. How have you been, my lord?”
“My life is always the same, is it not? I am forever at war with paperwork,” Emperor Stuttgart replied with a weary smile.
“
Haha... Hahaha...”
Siegfried awkwardly laughed and wholeheartedly agreed with the emperor’s words.
That was the nature of a monarch’s job. There were far more
battles
to be fought with a quill on a desk rather than with swords on a battlefield.
In a way, a monarch was the ultimate civil servant.
“Well then, Siegfried van Proa. Do you know why I summoned you?” Emperor Stuttgart asked.
“I am not entirely sure, my lord. But... I had a feeling something might be troubling my lord. With the Coral Race and the Holy Alliance causing problems lately,” Siegfried answered cautiously.
“Correct, but the expedition to the Coral Race is proceeding smoothly,” Emperor Stuttgart replied.
“Ah, that is great news, my lord.”
“I also met with the Dragon Lord recently.”
“
Eh?!”
Siegfried was shocked. He had no idea the emperor was even acquainted with the Dragon Lord, Gerog.
“M-My lord met with Lord Gerog?”
“Yes, I did.”
“
Whoa...
”
“He spoke very highly of you. I was honestly surprised, Siegfried van Proa. I didn’t expect you to be on such familiar terms with the Dragon Lord,” Emperor Stuttgart said with a smile.
“I... I am deeply honored, my lord.”
“For now, we have decided to cooperate with the dragons in the expedition against the Coral Race.”
“
Eh?”
“Is it not the duty of dragons to protect this world? Since the Coral Race is trying to invade our world, it is only natural that the dragons would take action, as that was the task bestowed upon them by the Creator.”
“
Ah!
”
“So then, the matter of the war with the Coral Race is more or less settled. I will continue deploying our forces, and we will also be recruiting more Adventurers to send to their planet. The expedition should go smoothly with the dragons assisting us.”
“In that case...”
“The real problem is the Holy Alliance,” Emperor Stuttgart said. Then, he took a sip of the whiskey sitting on his desk before continuing, “The Holy Alliance is a difficult enemy, one that neither I nor the dragons can easily deal with.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“That’s why you will be the one handling the matter.”
“Pardon...?”
“Siegfried van Proa.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Become an emperor...”
It was then.
‘
Huh? What did he say just now?’
Siegfried thought, dumbfounded.
The emperor’s sudden proposition completely threw him off.
Become an emperor? What in the world was he talking about?
“
Erm...
M-My lord? What exactly do you mean by...?”
“Speak freely, Siegfried van Proa.”
“Well, my lord is yet to have an empress and...”
At present, the position of empress remained vacant, as the emperor was yet to marry.
“I believe it would be more appropriate to pass down the empire after taking an empress and, well, um...”
“...?”
“Well, producing an heir to the throne. Be it a prince or princess—”
“What are you talking about?”
“
Eh?
P-Pardon me, my lord?”
Siegfried blinked, confused, after seeing the emperor furrow his brow.
“
Haa...”
Emperor Stuttgart looked visibly exhausted, and he even covered his face with one hand to gesture that he was tired.
“Siegfried van Proa.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“I have no intention of handing over the Marchioni Empire to you.”
“
Eh...?”
“Why would I pass this great empire to you? You’re not of imperial blood, nor are you a member of the imperial family. Even if you were to marry Irene, it would still be impossible to inherit the empire.”
“B-But... My lord just told me to become the emperor so—”
“Siegfried van Proa.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“I never told you to become
the
emperor of the Marchioni Empire.”
“Then...?”
“I told you to become an emperor.”
“That means...?”
“Become the Emperor of the Proatine Empire.”
“...!”
“You’ve already grown far too big to remain as a king. What suits someone like you now is a fitting title of your size, and that would be none other than an emperor.”
“I-I will... become an emperor?”
“Yes,” Emperor Stuttgart replied with a nod. Then, he looked at him straight in the eyes and said, “Siegfried van Proa.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“Accept your new title and rule as the emperor of a new empire. Then, lead the coalition forces and protect this world from the Holy Alliance and the angels. That is the task I entrust to you.”
Siegfried felt his heart drop after hearing the shocking words from the emperor.
An emperor?
Not only was he the first Adventurer to become a king, but he was also about to rewrite history once again by becoming the first Adventurer to become an emperor.
***
Becoming an emperor was by no means a walk in the park, as it was not a title that just anyone could lay claim to. There was only one universally acknowledged emperor in all of the continent—Emperor Stuttgart of the Marchioni Empire.
Sure, there had once been Emperor Frederick of the Holy Constantine Empire, but that was an exceptionally rare case.
The Holy Constantine Empire itself was a bizarre political entity where the unusual blend of theocracy and monarchy constantly conflicted with each other. It was a very unique form of government that was far from an ordinary one.
But now, Siegfried was going to become an emperor?
It meant standing as an equal to Emperor Stuttgart, not just in name, but in status, too.
His name would change from Siegfried van Proa to Siegfried von Proa, where "van" normally reserved for royalty, would be elevated to
von,
which meant one was of imperial blood.
Becoming an emperor would mean that Siegfried now had a say in the politics of the continent.
“B-But how could I possibly become an emperor, my lord? Compared to the Marchioni Empire, the Proatine Kingdom is a minor power at best! So how could I—”
“Siegfried van Proa.”
“Yes, my lord?”
“You are the hero and savior who will stand against the Holy Alliance and protect this world.”
“T-That is...”
“Someone like you becoming an emperor is only natural. Only then will the nations of this world rally around you and unite against the Holy Alliance.”
“But still...”
“You’re the one who repelled the invasion of the demons and safeguarded this world. You were acknowledged by the dragons themselves, and you became an honorary dragon,” Emperor Stuttgart said. Then, he added, “On top of that, you’ve achieved countless feats. You are a once-in-a-generation hero. So if not you, who could possibly be more deserving?”
“I... I am deeply honored, my lord.”
“I will soon issue the imperial decree naming you as an emperor. Prepare yourself accordingly, as I will not tolerate your refusal.”
“My lord...”
“The world is in chaos. Ascend the throne without delay, form a proper coalition army, and bring retribution to the forces of the Holy Alliance.”
Siegfried fell to one knee and showed respect to his liege.
“I, Siegfried van Proa, shall carry out my lord’s command.”
In the end, Siegfried couldn’t refuse the emperor’s command.
Thus, he resolved to become the first Adventurer in the history of the continent to become an emperor.
***
Siegfried returned straight to the Proatine Kingdom after his meeting with Emperor Stuttgart.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty.”
Quandt came running faster than anyone to greet Siegfried upon hearing news of the latter's return.
“Hello, Lord Quandt,” Siegfried greeted with a smile.
He had been on his way to see Brunhilde and Verdandi when he encountered Quandt.
“What brings you here?” Siegfried asked.
“The artifact you commissioned has been completed, so I came at once to deliver it,” Quandt replied with a proud grin.
“
Ooooh!
” Siegfried exclaimed in delight at the news.
He had been anxious with worries over his upcoming coronation, but the news of his gear being completed made him light up with joy.
“Is it really complete?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“May I see it?”
“Certainly!”
With a nod, Quandt opened his Inventory and presented the newly forged armor set to Siegfried.