Debuff Master-Chapter 1032

Chapter 1032
The new armor set Quandt crafted for Siegfried was a full plate armor that encased the wearer from head to toe as a single unified piece.
The helmet, breastplate, pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves, and boots were all forged into a seamless piece of armor.
“Wow...”
The design of the new set alone was enough to make Siegfried gasp in admiration.
Without a doubt, the armor set was nothing short of magnificent, and it was also radiating an overwhelming aura.
The helmet was designed like a menacing skull that could be pulled down to cover the user’s face when needed, the breastplate bore the image of a ferocious demon’s face that made it look tailor-made for Siegfried, the pauldrons had a horn sticking out from it, the greaves were embedded with sharp spikes at the knees, and the cloak was a deep crimson red that gave it the impression it was drenched in blood.
However, what made the armor set look both intimidating and magnificent were the SSS-grade mana stones embedded throughout it. The mana stones emitted a soft, eerie glow, making them look like ambient LEDs.
“This... this isn’t just an artifact. It’s a work of art! Just the design alone already makes it a masterpiece!” Siegfried exclaimed, wide-eyed.
“
Hohoho!
Does it please you that much?” Quandt asked, grinning proudly.
“It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Siegfried replied.
He was not exaggerating. He had come across many armor sets that were quite impressive, but none of them could ever match the sheer intimidating aura and charisma of this armor set.
“I’m glad it suits your taste!
Kehehe!”
As always, Quandt beamed with joy after seeing Siegfried satisfied with the armor set.
“Well then, let’s check its performance, shall we?”
“All right.”
At Quandt’s suggestion, Siegfried flashed his Rune of Insight at the armor set.
And the result was—
[Demonform Set]
[A full plate armor set forged by the greatest blacksmith of this era, Quandt.]
[It is imbued with the power of an Archdemon, and anyone deemed unworthy by it will face certain death if they wear it by force.]
[Type: Armor Set]
[Rating: Legendary]
[Durability: 5,000/5,000]
[Requirement: Master Rank or higher]
[Warning: Those who have not ascended to Master Rank may go mad if they wear this armor.]
Effects:
- Strength +1,100
- HP +13,000
- Defense +3,500
- Magic Resistance +3,500
- HP Regeneration +250%
- Damage Received -30%
- Reduces burden on the mana hall by 30% when using the skill Demon Lord’s Descent.
“
Oooh!”
Siegfried shouted in joy the moment he read the stats and effects of the armor set.
The Demonform Set was not lacking at all. In fact, it boasted nothing but top-tier effects across the board.
Every single effect that the Demonform Set provided was extremely good, but especially noteworthy was the effect when using Demon Lord’s Descent. It would, without a doubt, be incredibly invaluable to Siegfried.
The last time he used Demon Lord’s Descent, he was extremely worried that his mana hall would shatter. Even though his mana hall hadn't shattered, the aftermath was not any better, as he fell unconscious, unable to log in for days on end.
However, he could finally avoid the crippling side effects of the transformation thanks to the Demonform Set.
“Thank you, truly. I will be able to fight even better with this,” Siegfried said, grabbing Quandt’s hands.
“Do you think it will help?”
“Without a doubt.”
“
Bwahaha!”
“You always make exactly what I need. I really don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“No need for thanks between us! Besides, compared to what Your Majesty is doing for Herbert’s legacy, this is nothing!” Quandt exclaimed, meaning every word he said.
A Universal artifact was something that no one had dared to even dream of attempting to craft for centuries, but Siegfried had already gathered all of the materials—except for the Eye of the Storm—to bring that impossible feat within Quandt’s reach.
“I'll make sure that you'll have everything you need to fulfill your workshop’s dream!” Siegfried promised once again.
Then, he proceeded to equip the Demonform Set.
Click! Clack!
Not only did the armor set come with an automatic equip and unequip function, but it even had another new function.
[Alert: You are currently not in combat. Would you like to unequip your gear?]
[Options: YES/NO]
The Demonform Set had the option to toggle it on or off with just a single button when outside of combat, making it less of a hassle in everyday situations.
‘
That’s so fucking awesome,’
Siegfried thought after equipping the Demonform Set.
He tried tapping on the OFF button to unequip it.
Wooong!
His casual clothes underneath were revealed.
“Even the convenience is top-tier.”
“
Keke!
I’m glad to hear you like it!”
“
Hahaha!”
Just like always, Siegfried and Quandt shared another cheerful moment together.
***
At the same time, the Holy Alliance forces, on their march deeper into the Marchioni Empire, captured a city and took a moment to regroup.
It was a necessary decision.
Originally, the Holy Alliance had planned to shrink the frontlines by seizing the Kiev Kingdom. However, with the total annihilation of the massive army they dispatched to the Kiev Kingdom, they were forced to revise their strategy.
Even with the support of the Fallen Angels, the Marchioni Empire was no easy opponent, so they couldn’t afford to fight on multiple fronts without knowing what kind of powerful figure the empire might send.
Thus, the Holy Alliance began reorganizing its forces, reinforcing its supply lines, and attending to other matters.
Winter was fast approaching, which would mean fighting a war would become even more difficult, so it was the right decision to regroup and let their troops rest.
The Holy Alliance’s High Command decided to go over their strategies once again as well as appoint a strong leader to guide the alliance.
A pope.
They had decided to elect a supreme leader to command the Holy Alliance, and this election process moved at lightning speed. Out of the five nations forming the Holy Alliance, they elected King Bismarck II of the Hadashite Kingdom as Pope.
Bismarck II immediately announced a grand coronation ceremony the moment he was elected as the pope, and news of his coronation spread like wildfire across the continent.
***
Meanwhile, Siegfried had just convened a royal court meeting when he received word of the Holy Alliance’s new pope.
(omitted...)
Therefore, I, Bismarck II, vow to work hard to uphold the order and peace in this world, as the highest-ranking priest of the Creator.
(omitted...)
And by vanquishing the Marchioni Empire, who have long committed atrocities and ruled with an iron fist, we shall prove that the Holy Alliance has been chosen by the Creator.
(omitted...)
“What a load of bullshit,” Siegfried murmured.
He sneered at the news that the Holy Alliance had elected a pope and was planning a grand coronation, just as he was about to ascend as an emperor.
‘
Well, they do need a central figure, I guess?’
he thought.
There was a saying that the ship would end up ashore if there were too many helmsmen, so it was only natural for the Holy Alliance, which was a coalition of five great powers, to choose a supreme leader to centralize all power.
Besides, all five rulers were members of the Illuminati anyway, so there would be no problem for them to elect a central figure.
‘
A coronation, huh? Maybe I should drop in and stir up some trouble? Hehehe!’
Siegfried thought, grinning to himself.
Then, he looked around and said, “It looks like everyone is here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
All of the ministers and officials bowed deeply to Siegfried.
“I bring good news,” Siegfried smiled as he spoke.
“...?”
The ministers and officials tilted their heads at his words. None of them had an inkling of what this good news could possibly be, especially during these chaotic times.
Not only was the Marchioni Empire on the verge of collapse, but order on the continent was starting to decline, as there were wars all over the continent.
So what kind of good news could there be in all of this?
Michele stepped forward and asked, “If I may, Your Majesty. What news could be so good that Your Majesty would speak of it with such delight?”
“
Ah,
it’s nothing too fancy,” Siegfried replied, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Then, he smiled and said, “I’m becoming an emperor.”
“
Huh?
I must have misheard. Did Your Majesty just say that you... are becoming an emperor?” Michele asked, blinking in disbelief.
“I said, I’m becoming an emperor.”
“
Hmm...
” Michele furrowed his brow, looking confused. Then, he shook his head and said, “Your Majesty.”
“Yeah?”
“Forgive me, but... becoming an emperor is not something you can simply do, as you might be aware...?”
“Well, yeah, of course.”
“Which is why hearing you say that out of the blue is a bit strange.”
“Hey, I never said I wanted to become an emperor, okay?” Siegfried retorted, shooting Michele a sharp look.
“...Pardon?”
“Emperor Stuttgart asked me to become an emperor.”
At those words—
"...!"
The ministers and officials present were shocked.
None of them had ever imagined, not even in their wildest dreams, that Siegfried would ascend to the imperial throne, becoming an emperor.
“N-No way!” One of the attending officials was so stunned that he practically screamed. “W-What the hell?! You?! Becoming an emperor?! Don’t fuck with me–!”
This
official
was none other than Chae Hyung-Seok, and he didn't get to finish his words.
Bam!
Siegfried hurled his +16 Vanquisher’s Grasp straight into Chae Hyung-Seok’s face.
“
Guuuhk!”
Chae Hyung-Seok collapsed on the spot, knocked unconscious.
“
Tsk,
this crazy bastard is acting up again,” Siegfried grumbled at him before turning back to the ministers. Then, he began explaining how his sudden
promotion
to an emperor had come about.
“Of course, it’s not for free. While the Marchioni Empire is busy fighting with the dragons against the Coral Race, I’m supposed to use my new position and form a coalition force that would rush to defeat the Holy Alliance.”
“
Ah!
” Michele exclaimed after finally understanding the situation.
“Anyway, the coronation will be held soon, and I’ll officially become an emperor. After that, the real war will begin.”
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!” Michele exclaimed at the top of his lungs, kneeling on one knee.
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
The other ministers and officials echoed his words in unison, bowing low in respect.
Badump! Badump! Badump!
Their hearts pounded with an excitement unlike anything they had ever felt before.
If Siegfried became an emperor, then that would mean that the Proatine Kingdom would become the Proatine Empire.
The ministers and officials felt their pride as citizens of the Proatine Empire swell at the thought of their motherland’s newfound prestige.
“First, Emperor Stuttgart will issue an imperial edict recognizing my ascension, and then the coronation will proceed from there,” Siegfried said.
“Understood, Your Imperial Majesty. We will ensure everything proceeds smoothly,” Michele replied firmly. Then, he bowed his head and exclaimed, “Once again, congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
The ministers and officials followed suit and exclaimed in unison.
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty!”
Siegfried suddenly raised a hand while the ministers and officials were offering him their heartfelt congratulations.
“Before that, we should send a gift to the Holy Alliance for electing a Pope, no?” he said with a grin.
“Pardon me? What do you mean by that...?” Michele asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“Dame Oscar,” Siegfried called out. Then, he asked, “We’ve got a lot of prisoners of war from the last campaign, right? War criminals and all?”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“How many are still alive?”
“Excluding the ones already executed... around fifteen thousand remains.”
“Good.”
“...?”
“That’s a decent number.
Hehehe!”
Oscar looked confused, not understanding what was so amusing about it. Still, there was one thing she knew for certain.
‘
Sometimes... you truly terrify me, my lord...’
She instinctively knew from the way her liege was grinning that he was scheming another plan—a plan so unimaginably cruel that no normal person would ever even think of it.
Whenever Siegfried smiled like that, something bad always happened to his enemies.
As expected, Oscar’s hunch was spot on.
“
Hehe! Hehehe! Tee-hee!”
Siegfried was already trembling and giggling with glee, as a flood of dopamine and adrenaline filled his brain. Just imagining how he could screw over his enemies made him so happy that he was getting high at the mere thought of it.