Debuff Master

Chapter 737

The whispers pervaded Siegfried’s ears.

"Purge... evil..."

"Help us...!"

"Grant us protection..."

"May you... be blessed..."

"I pray... I pray for protection..."

The whispers left him baffled and frowning.

“Your Majesty? Your Majesty?” Saintess Janette called to him, but it was to no avail.

“What in the world is this...?” Siegfried muttered, still engrossed and straining his ears to understand the faint voices. He was so focused that he couldn't hear the Saintess calling out to him.

“Your Majesty!” Saintess Janette raised her voice.

“H-Huh?” he turned to her, startled.

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah, Saintess Janette.”

“What were you doing just now? Are you perhaps not feeling well?”

“No, I just thought I heard something strange,” Siegfried replied, shaking his head.

“Strange? What did you hear?”

“It was a bunch of voices. It sounded as if people were whispering to me.”

“What? Who was whispering to you? What were they saying?”

“I am not exactly sure...? I could not even make out what they were saying. It all sounded too fragmented and faint.”

“...?”

“Ah, I really cannot make anything out of it,” Siegfried grumbled.

‘What in the world...? Is it possible that His Majesty is being possessed by a spirit?’ Saintess Janette thought, but she quickly dismissed the idea.

The notion that Siegfried—the hero who had not only saved the continent but had also shown a miracle with divine power—was possessed by something as basic as a spirit was completely absurd.

‘Perhaps... Is this a divine revelation?’

Divine revelations were the voices of gods heard by human ears. However, that did not make sense as well, as Siegfried had never believed in any religion. So why would a god speak to him?

“Huh? They’re gone?” Siegfried muttered, blinking and looking perplexed.

“Gone?”

“I do not hear them anymore... What was that?”

“To be frank, I have no idea...” Saintess Janette replied, looking uneasy.

“You don’t?”

“Yes.”

Siegfried was surprised that even she—a saintess—had no idea what was happening to him.

“Hmm... I believe we could get answers if we consulted renowned theologians, but as of now, I am afraid I do not have the slightest clue as to what is happening.”

“Oh, I see...”

“For now, I believe it would be wise to keep an eye on it. Meanwhile, I will try to look into this matter.”

“I would appreciate it if you do.”

Then, Saintess Janette suddenly remembered the divine revelation she had received from the Nameless God.

“My beloved daughter.”

“A star will fall from the heavens soon.”

“That star from the highest place in the heavens is pure and righteous.”

“The star will warn you.”

“Heaven’s wrath will fall upon this world.”

“The immoral will be punished by divine justice, and Heaven’s will achieve vengeance.”

“My beloved daughter.”

“Listen to the star.”

“That is the only way this world can be spared from Heaven’s wrath.”

“And look for the star.”

“You must find the star that will be the savior of this world.”

“The savior that will descend upon the world possesses a dragon’s heart, and this creature is extremely despicable and greedy.”

“This creature is very honest to their own worldly desires.”

“The savior acts aloof, but there lies seriousness within them.”

“But my beloved daughter.”

“You must find the savior at all costs.”

“Remember my words.”

“Only the individual from another world can save this world from Heaven's wrath.”

‘Is it possible that... His Majesty is the one mentioned in the divine revelation I had received? Someone from another world... that clearly refers to an Adventurer.

'His Majesty is an Adventurer—a despicable and greedy one... someone who is entirely true to his desires...’ Saintess Janette wondered. She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized Siegfried while trying to recall the revelation.

Was he from another world? Yes.

Was he despicable? Absolutely.

Was he greedy? Extremely.

Was he honest about his desires? Very.

Was he aloof but serious inside?

“...”

The fifth item on the checklist puzzled the Saintess.

‘I mean... Sure, he can be serious at times, but...’ Saintess Janette couldn't help but be skeptical at the last condition, as Siegfried’s actions thus far lacked any indication that he possessed such wisdom.

However, it was undeniable that he fulfilled the first four traits perfectly. Furthermore, if he could perform miracles using divine power and hear voices in his head, then...

'The Savior in the revelations is most likely His Majesty...'

Saintess Janette was already entertaining the idea that Siegfried could be the Savior mentioned in the divine revelation that she had received, and the miracle that Siegfried had performed on the battlefield had solidified her belief.

‘I must stay by His Majesty’s side and observe. He will surely save this world if he is indeed the Savior foretold by that divine revelation.’ Saintess Janette resolved to keep a close watch over Siegfried for now.

***

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Zavala Kingdom was tense.

The defeat in the Siege of O’Toul Fortress, the annihilation of the reinforcements, and the destruction of the supplies. The worst part was the surrounding nations had formed the Rozermoore Alliance against them.

This string of humiliation had sullied the prestige of the mighty Zavala Kingdom.

“How ludicrous,” King Frederick muttered while reading over the grim reports.

The ministers lined up in front of him trembled with fear at the mere sound of his voice.

“What about Andrei?” he asked.

“Y-Yes, sire. General Andrei is currently retreating to the border with his remaining troops,” the Minister of Defence replied promptly.

“Convene a military tribunal and hold him accountable for this defeat as soon as he returns.”

“As you command, sire.”

“Countless lives were lost, so his punishment has to be severe.”

“Certainly, sire!”

“Hmm... Fry him alive.”

Silence fell upon the entire hall.

“...!”

The ministers were horrified. Fry him alive? Was King Frederick really going to throw a man into a pot of boiling oil?

The brutality of the punishment sent a chill down their spines, but not a single one of them dared to object.

In the Zavala Kingdom, the words of the Lion King, Frederick, were law.

Moreover, General Andrei’s failure was unprecedented. The shameful defeat had cost hundreds of thousands of lives, and the fact that it was all to capture a mere fortress made it even worse.

General Andrei would definitely have his grievances, but the disgrace of defeat was something he had to pay with his life.

“Use his punishment as a lesson for the rest of our generals.”

“As you command, sire.”

“The real war will begin soon. Rebuild the Iron Fleet at once. We cannot wage war without a formidable air force, right?”

“Certainly, sire!”

“And...” King Frederick muttered. Then, he narrowed his eyes and continued, “Send a gift to Siegfried van Proa.”

“A gift? What sort of gift shall we prepare, sire?”

“We should give him a taste of our might before he faces our true power, no?”

“That is indeed a wise plan, sire. But what should we send?”

“Hmm... I will be sending...” King Frederick pondered before a chilling grin flashed on his face.

***

After ordering his army to rest, Siegfried headed to the southern front to meet the leaders of the Bayerische Kingdom.

The Proatine Forces emerged victorious after inflicting severe damage on the Bayerische Forces. Thus, the Bayerische Kingdom had no choice but to enter into a truce with the Proatine Kingdom.

This was a prudent move for the Proatine Kingdom, as eliminating as many variables as possible would allow them to focus on the looming war with the Zavala Kingdom.

Siegfried remained seated even as the Bayerische Kingdom’s senior councilors arrived. He didn't bother to stand just to greet them, and he merely gestured with his hand to the seats across the table. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“You must be tired from the journey all of you made. Go ahead and have a seat,” Siegfried said before nonchalantly propping his feet on the table.

The Bayerische councilors stiffened in silence at his blatant disregard for decorum.

‘Just you wait, Siegfried van Proa. You act all high and mighty right now, but you’re delusional if you truly believe your puny kingdom can stand against the Zavala Kingdom. Your little kingdom will come crumbling very soon enough.’

While they were distracted with their own thoughts, Siegfried broke the silence.

“As previously agreed, I’ll be taking all of your children as hostages during the duration of our truce,” he said nonchalantly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The council has agreed to send our children as hostages in good faith, all in hopes of securing and upholding peace in our lands,” said Duke Lorraine, the council chairman.

“Really?” Siegfried sneered, flashing a despicable grin.

“Yes, Your Majesty. They are already en route to the Proatine Kingdom as we speak,” Duke Lorraine replied with a bow.

“Well, I guess we’ll see,” Siegfried replied with a shrug.

Ten minutes later, a messenger entered the room.

“Your Majesty, we have confirmed that the councilors’ children have arrived safely in our kingdom.”

“Oh? I see that you’re truly committed to peace,” Siegfried said, glancing back at the duke, looking pleased.

“Why certainly, sire. Bayerische desires peace in earnest,” Duke Lorraine replied, bowing once more.

However, his thoughts differed from the words that came out of his mouth.

‘Three months. That’s all it’ll take. I’ll let you hold our children for now. They can get a front-row view of your precious Proatine falling into ruin! We will repay you for this humiliation!’

“All right then. Let’s sign the truce agreement,” Siegfried said with a nod.

Then, a servant entered, serving each attendee a drink, “We have prepared refreshments, Your Majesty.”

Duke Lorraine frowned while inspecting the odd beverage and asked, “W-What is this...?”

“It’s called Mint Chocolate Latte. It’s one of the drinks I enjoy when the weather gets cold. Go ahead, try it,” Siegfried replied.

The councilors hesitated, repulsed by the unfamiliar drink.

“Why? Don’t like it? Shall we cancel the truce again?” Siegfried asked, his voice sounding nonchalant yet highly threatening.

“N-No! Not at all!”

“Then bottoms up.”

“Y-Yes...”

Duke Lorraine reluctantly took a sip of the Mint Chocolate Latte.

Slurp...!

Immediately afterward, he had to exert all of his strength and focus to suppress the urge to retch.

‘I-I’d rather drink poison than this abomination!’ Duke Lorraine thought bitterly as the overpowering minty taste coated every inch of his mouth. However, he sipped and swallowed until he managed to finish the drink. His dignity and responsibility as the council chairman forced him to suffer in silence for the sake of upholding peace.

The other councilors followed suit, and their faces distorted uncontrollably with every sip.

“Do you like it?” Siegfried asked, smiling mischievously.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. It is delightful,” Duke Lorraine replied, trying to maintain his smile with all of his strength.

“Oh? Would you care for another cup?”

“I-I would be honored, but my stomach is not in the best condition today, so...”

“Tsk... Fine,” Siegfried clicked his tongue in disappointment. Then, he said, “Let’s get on with it and sign the truce.”

Just as Siegfried reached out to pen his signature, something strange happened.

“Urgh!”

“Hrk!”

“Aarghhh!”

One by one, the Bayerische councilors clutched their throats as their eyes rolled back and their mouths foaming. Some of them even began bleeding from their noses and ears before collapsing on the table.

Thud...!