Debuff Master-Chapter 1086

Chapter 1086
The middle name “von” signified someone of imperial blood, and everyone knew that the surname Posteriore was the name of the ruling imperial family of the Marchioni Empire.
The fact that the real name of Beggarius was Deggendorf von Posteriore could only mean one thing—he was part of the imperial family of the Marchioni Empire, which meant he was related by blood to Emperor Stuttgart.
“T-That is crazy!” Siegfried shrieked in shock.
The truth about Beggarius’ true identity was so shocking that there was simply no other way to react.
“So, Elder Beggarius was secretly... a member of the Marchioni Empire’s imperial family?”
“Yes,” Shakiro replied with a nod.
“No way...”
“It’s the truth.”
“Then does that mean he was related to Emperor Stuttgart?”
“By blood, yes. Emperor Stuttgart is the illegitimate son of the late emperor, and he wasn’t even in the line of succession back then.”
“Then what about Elder Beggarius?”
“He was the late emperor’s half-brother.”
“W-Wha–?!”
“Beggarius fled to escape the purge and spent the rest of his life in hiding after the late emperor rose to the throne,” Shakiro explained. Then, he added, “And after the late emperor was dethroned... he had to conceal his identity and hide from the new emperor, Emperor Stuttgart.”
“But why? If the late emperor is dead, then–”
“Because his claim to the throne was stronger than Emperor Stuttgart’s.”
“
Ah...!
”
“All of the late emperor’s half-brothers were a threat to Emperor Stuttgart.”
“But would he really go as far as eliminating Elder Beggarius? I mean, he has no influence, nor does he have supporters—”
Shakiro shook his head and cut him off, “You know better than anyone that power is a merciless thing, Siegfried. Even if Beggarius wanted to live a quiet life, those against Emperor Stuttgart could’ve rallied around him and formed a faction regardless of whether he wanted it or not.”
“
Ah,
I guess that makes sense...”
“And also, have you forgotten about the recent civil war in the empire? Wasn’t that also a power struggle between a prince who survived the purge and Emperor Stuttgart?”
“...I understand, Master.”
“That was why Beggarius had to hide his identity and live as a filthy vagabond despite his noble blood and unmatched skills.”
“I see...”
Siegfried couldn’t help but think that Beggarius had lived a tragic life. Now it made sense why the man kept his ragged appearance even in the Proatine Empire when there was no need for him to do that.
It turned out that there had been a reason behind it all along.
“Here, take this,” Shakiro said, extending a scroll.
“What is it, Master?” Siegfried asked.
“It’s his last will.”
“Why are you giving this to me...?”
“He died as a hero of the Proatine Empire. And as the emperor, it’s only fitting that you read his will.”
It made perfect sense.
The Beggar King had no known relatives, and the few who were related to him actually turned out to be those who would have considered him a political threat.
In fact, even Siegfried could end up becoming a target if Emperor Stuttgart ever learned the true identity of the Beggar King, as their connection could be misinterpreted as collusion to commit treason.
“I will accept it,” Siegfried said, taking the scroll.
[Alert: You have obtained The Beggar King’s Last Will!]
However, the last will did not seem like any ordinary will.
[The Beggar King’s Last Will]
[The last will written by the Beggar King before his death. It was entrusted to Shakiro for safekeeping.]
[It seems to hold an incredible secret.]
[Type: Document]
[Rating: Legendary]
[Durability: 1/1]
[Warning: The contents of this will must never be leaked to the outside world.]
‘
Huh? It’s an item?’
Siegfried blinked in confusion after realizing that the will was an item. Regardless, he decided to hold onto it for now and read it at a later time.
***
After he was done hearing the secret life story of Beggarius from Shakiro, Siegfried spoke with Michael.
“I have some news I need to share with you, Siegfried,” Michael called out to him.
“What is it?” Siegfried replied.
“Well...” Michael explained Demon King Baal's plan.
Specifically, the fact that Baal had chosen Siegfried to be his successor and was now planning to invade the Celestial Realm all alone to fight Chief Archangel Lucifer.
“What?!” Siegfried gasped, shocked by the news. He had never imagined that Baal would do such a thing. “Is he really going to do that?!”
“That’s what he told me.”
“But isn’t that far too reckless?”
“I believe Baal couldn’t come up with a better solution. There’s hardly any way for the demons to stop the descent of the angels, and he knew that he would eventually face his demise if he just sat idly by. This was most likely a decision he made out of necessity,” Michael explained. Then, he added, “Well, there’s probably a bit of personal ambition in it, too.”
Baal storming the Celestial Realm all alone and striking down the Chief Archangel would be a legendary feat—one that would be remembered forever across the Celestial Realm, the Middle Realm, and the Demon Realm.
The Demon King had nothing to lose even if he ended up failing.
Why?
It was all because just earning the title of the Demon King who managed to invade the Celestial Realm all by himself would be enough to immortalize him as the greatest Demon King of all time.
Besides, there was no guarantee that Lucifer would walk away unscathed even if he managed to win against Baal.
A one-on-one battle against Baal meant that even Lucifer would suffer grave injuries.
“Well, if he had already made up his mind, then... I hope he wins. That way, this entire mess could be resolved without any more problems,” Siegfried said after hearing Michael out.
“That would be the ideal outcome, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating Lucifer. Even for me, as his older brother, he is a truly terrifying being. He had been the Deputy Chief Archangel of the Celestial Realm since the dawn of creation, and now he’s the Chief Archangel,” Michael warned.
“What do you think will happen then?” Siegfried asked.
“Frankly speaking, I don’t think Baal’s odds are very good. He has about a thirty percent chance of winning against Lucifer,” Michael replied.
Michael’s assessment carried weight, as he was the former Chief Archangel.
“I guess we can only hope for the best.”
Siegfried did not view the situation too pessimistically, even after hearing how disadvantaged Baal was against Lucifer.
The odds did not matter all that much when two powerful beings of similar caliber faced off. What mattered was whether one had the power to finish off their opponent in a single, decisive blow. Thus, no outcome would be too surprising in a battle between such powerful beings.
“In any case, Baal wishes for you to become his successor and lead the Demon Realm.”
“Well, there’s still that punk over there, Metatron, right? So I doubt that will be necessary.”
“What’s important is the alliance between the Middle Realm and the Demon Realm, so it should be fine as long as you and Metatron work together.”
“Got it.”
Siegfried had absolutely no desire to take Baal’s place and become the Demon King.
However, if the worst-case scenario ended up happening, then he knew that he would have no choice but to step in as his successor and ascend to the pinnacle of the Demon Realm.
***
At the same time, Chae Hyung-Seok arrived at the Mercedes Workshop to pick up the custom-made armored set he had ordered.
Out of the three major workshops on the continent, the artifacts crafted by the Mercedes Workshop best matched his current playstyle.
“Here it is, sir.”
“Thank you.”
Chae Hyung-Seok paid for the artifacts and left the workshop. From there, he turned and headed toward the warp gate to rejoin the battlefield.
He had been extremely busy lately. Thanks to his wide-area buffs, he became one of the core assets of the Allied Forces. He had been participating in one skirmish after another and barely had time to catch his breath.
On top of that, he even had to make special appearances whenever Siegfried called him, so it was not an exaggeration to say that he had no moment to rest.
Fortunately, there had not been any battles in the last few days, which meant that he finally had some breathing room to do a bit of shopping like he was doing right now.
‘
I’ll log out and hit the gym if nothing urgent happens. It’s chest day today, after all,’
Chae Hyung-Seok thought.
He recently became a full-fledged gym rat after Siegfried's special training. This was definitely a positive development for him, as he was all about fitness these days. In the past, he would indulge in luxury and vices, often resulting in him neglecting his health.
‘I gotta remember to take my protein shake too...’
“Chae Hyung-Seok.”
Just then, a mysterious figure wearing a hooded robe slipped up behind him.
“What the hell—”
Chae Hyung-Seok spun around instantly, but the mysterious figure was a step faster and managed to circle behind him again.
‘
What the hell is this guy?’
Chae Hyung-Seok thought.
Anyone with that kind of agility was definitely no ordinary opponent.
The mysterious figure said, “Let’s not waste our strength fighting, Chae Hyung-Seok.”
“And who the hell are you?” Chae Hyung-Seok asked without even turning to face him.
“
Hmm...
Perhaps, your savior?”
“My savior?”
“I’ve got an offer for you, and it’s one that you will want to hear.”
“What kind of offer?”
“Help us infiltrate the Proatine Empire’s imperial palace. In return, we will set you free.”
“Set me free? How?”
“You’re Han Tae-Sung’s slave, aren’t you?”
“Who the hell are you calling a slave?”
“
Oh?
Aren’t you? From what I’ve heard, you do whatever Han Tae-Sung tells you to. Yet you’re claiming you’re not a slave? Ah, I guess you actually like being his errand boy, huh?”
“What did you just say, you son of a—”
“But it’s true, isn’t it? You used to be the kind of guy who could crush insects like him under your boot, but now?
Tsk,
you got humiliated by him again and again, and now, you’re his obedient little slave.”
“You fucking bastard...!”
“Are you angry? Then maybe it’s time to start thinking about how to change the situation you’re in, no?”
“What are you talking about...?”
“I’ve already told you. I can help you out of it. Help us break into the imperial palace, and in return, we will nullify the slave contract between you and Han Tae-Sung.”
“T-That’s...!”
For a moment, Chae Hyung-Seok was tempted by the stranger’s offer.
Did he like being Siegfried’s slave? Of course not! Things had spiraled out of control for him, and he ended up in this miserable situation because of it.
“I’ll even give you the power to crush Han Tae-Sung with your own two hands.”
“Power...?”
“I’ll help you become the vessel of the Archangel, Gabriel. With that, you can bring down Han Tae-Sung even if he transforms into a demon lord.”
The stranger’s offer was indeed tempting.
Wielding the power of an archangel? Who would not be tempted by it? With such a tempting offer, the stranger was no different from the devil himself, bargaining with him.
Gaining the power equal to that of an archangel was something no Adventurer, aside from Siegfried, had ever accomplished.
This was basically a golden opportunity that had fallen right into his lap.
If Chae Hyung-Seok obtained the power of an archangel and took down Siegfried with it, then a full comeback was not out of the question.
He might—just might—regain his former glory.
How?
It was all because the archangel in question was Archangel Gabriel, ranked second in the Celestial Realm. Becoming his vessel meant that Chae Hyung-Seok would obtain the ultimate trump card against Siegfried.
The stranger whispered once again, “It’s an offer where you’ve got nothing to lose, Chae Hyung-Seok. You get the power to take revenge on Han Tae-Sung, and we get to storm the Proatine Empire’s imperial palace.”
“That’s not exactly difficult to arrange, but can you answer my question first? Seriously, who the hell are you?” Chae Hyung-Seok asked.
The stranger flashed a smirk and replied, “We are a secret organization known as the Illuminati.”