Debuff Master

Chapter 519

Siegfried was dumbfounded by the sudden commotion. “Huh? What’s going on all of a sudden?”

The sound of boots reverberated across the main square.

What was going to happen if he acted out right now? The knights and soldiers would mercilessly attack him without a doubt.

The best thing he could do in these kinds of situations was to remain still and only speak if he was asked to speak.

Not to forget, this city was within the territory of the Marchioni Empire, and it was widely known that the emperor valued this place greatly. The emperor’s favor could easily be seen judging by the number of knights and soldiers stationed here.

Thus, Siegfried knew that the last thing he should do was act out, even though the emperor favored him as well.

“Halt!”

“Nobody moves!”

“The main square will now be closed!”

“Put your hands above your heads where we can see them!”

“Keep your eyes down!”

“Kneel! Get on the ground!”

The knights and soldiers raised their voices and threatened the crowd as if they were criminals and took over the main square. Then, they started to check if the people possessed an identification card issued by the City of Artiur.

Artiur was a famous tourist destination with hundreds visiting every day.

What does that mean? It meant there were bound to be a lot of people who did not possess an identification card issued by the city.

“Lock up those who don’t possess identification!”

“Put your hands behind your back!”

“You’re under arrest!”

“Those who resist will be executed!”

The knights and soldiers handcuffed and bound with a rope those who did not possess an identification issued by the city. Of course, Siegfried was not spared from it.

“Please show me your identification.”

“I don’t have one...?”

“Put your hands behind your back!”

“W-Why are you–”

“I said, put your hands behind your back!”

“...”

“You will be immediately executed if you resist for going against the imperial edict.”

“I got it, so can you please be gentle?” Siegfried replied and cooperated. Then, he looked back and asked, “Hey, I’m not a citizen of Artiur, but my name is Siegfried van Proa. I’m the King of the Proatine Kingdom.”

“So what?”

“I mean, I’m a king... So don’t you think arresting me like this is—”

“Shut it!”

“...?”

“The imperial edict commands anyone without any identification issued by the City of Artiur to be arrested regardless of their title or status!”

“Hey, but don’t you think you’re being a bit too extreme–”

The soldier shouted, “Why you little! You’re suspicious!”

“What...?”

“There’s no way a young punk like you is a king! Also, where on the continent is this Proatine Kingdom you speak of?!”

“What did you say?” Siegfried scowled. He could feel his rage surging from deep inside after the Proatine Kingdom was looked down on.

Unfortunately, the soldier’s reaction was only normal. The Marchioni Empire was the most powerful empire on the continent, and its citizens were extremely proud to be a part of this great empire.

Moreover, the empire was so vast that it was normal for the soldier to not have heard of the Proatine Kingdom, which was located on the outskirts of the empire.

The soldier shouted at a knight, “Captain! I found someone suspicious!”

“What?! Who is it?!”

“This punk is claiming to be King Siegfried van Proa of the Proatine Kingdom!”

“He is indeed suspicious!” the knight exclaimed while glaring at Siegfried.

“What’s suspicious?!” Siegfried retorted in anger, but it fell on deaf ears.

“How can he claim to be the king of a country that doesn’t exist?! Men! Look this suspicious punk up separately and keep an eye on him!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Proatine Kingdom’s lack of renown ended up causing Siegfried to be specially monitored by the soldiers.

On the other hand, the treatment Gringore received was completely different from the treatment Siegfried received.

“Ah! Count Gringore! It is an honor to meet you, sir.”

“Ah, hello.”

“I apologize for interrupting your show.”

“I am not sure what is going on, but carrying out the empire’s will comes first. I understand.”

“Please, allow us to escort you. But who might this person be?”

“Ah, he is my manager.”

“Then, please come along with us, Sir Manager.”

Gringore received special treatment from the knights thanks to his immense fame as the most popular celebrity on the continent.

Handcuff? What was that? Such a thing did not exist for Gringore!

“W-Wait!” Siegfried shouted. Then, he looked at Gringore and said, “Ask Gringore! He is my subject! I’m his king!”

“What?! Are you still spewing your lies?!”

“It’s true! Ask him!”

“Silence!”

“Gringore! Say something, will you?! Hey!” Siegfried shouted.

The knight looked back at the commotion and asked, “Do you know him by any chance, Count Gringore?”

“Ah... That is...” Gringore muttered. He pondered for a bit before he looked at the knight and replied, “No, I do not know that man.”

It was then...

“W-What? You don’t know me? Hey! You fucking asshole!” Siegfried screamed at the top of his lungs.

However, Gringore feigned ignorance and did not even look at Siegfried as he followed the knight and walked away from the main square.

“Hey! Gringore! You wait and see! I’m not letting this goooooooo!” Siegfried raged after getting stabbed in the back by his own subject.

***

One hour later...

“Gringore... Just you wait...” Siegfried gnashed his teeth.

“Kyu! Let’s teach that punk a lesson when we get out of here! Kyaaaaak!” Hamchi exclaimed with his fur standing up.

“A lesson? I’m going to smash his head open,” Siegfried said with a chilling smirk. Then, he added, “He dares betray his king? I’m going to show him what—”

It was then.

Creak...

The cell door opened, and the knights of the empire entered the cell. They undid the cuffs on Siegfried’s hands and legs and apologized in an extremely courteous manner.

“We apologize, Your Majesty, King Siegfried van Proa.”

“Hmm?”

“We have verified your identity.”

“R-Really? But you didn’t believe me earlier.”

“I am unsure of what happened, but please, come out of this cell.”

Siegfried left the cell and was escorted to a room lavishly decorated that the room itself was a work of art. What greeted him aside from the decorations was none other than Gringore.

“Your Majesty! You are safe!” Gringore exclaimed and knelt on one knee.

“What did you say, punk? Today is the day you’ll meet your maker, asshole,” Siegfried gnashed his teeth in anger the moment he saw the scribe, and he grabbed Gringore by his collar.

“Keuk!”

“I’m going to show you what happens to people who–”

“I-It’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty!” Gringore hurriedly interrupted him. Then, he retorted, “I was merely trying to come here so that I could vouch for Your Majesty’s identity—”

“Bullshit!”

“It is the truth, Your Majesty! Aack! P-Please believe me!”

“Okay, I’ll believe you. But first, let me twist your neck!”

Siegfried was about to grab Gringore’s neck and twist it when Oscar suddenly appeared.

“Your Majesty,” Oscar said, stopped Siegfried.

“Huh? Dame Oscar? What brings you here?”

“I received Count Gringore’s urgent request and came to vouch for Your Majesty’s identity.”

“R-Really?”

“Count Gringore did his best to make sure Your Majesty’s identity would be verified.”

“...”

Oscar knelt on the ground and said, “Count Gringore had acted in a way that caused Your Majesty to misunderstand, but I believe he has sincerely worked hard for Your Majesty’s sake. Both of you could have been locked up if he had done anything suspicious at the main square, would you not agree? So please forgive Count Gringore and quell your anger, sire.”

‘Damn it!’ Siegfried raged inwardly, as he could no longer strangle the sly scribe after Oscar's impeccable defense. He would end up becoming a petty king if he still punished Gringore.

‘Ah... I have a feeling he ignored me on purpose...’

However, he could not help but still suspect that Gringore had ignored him on purpose. There was no reason for him not to vouch for his identity at that time, but it was difficult for him to prove that.

In the end, Siegfried had no other choice but to make up his mind regarding the matter.

“Sir Gringore?”

“Yes... Y-Your Majesty...?”

“Six months.”

“Sire...?”

“Your pay will be deducted for six months.”

“Eeeeh?!”

“I was planning to deduct it for the entire year, but I’ll only deduct half since you did help me verify my identity.”

“Y-Your Majesty! But I have recently purchased an airship, and I have to pay it monthly—”

“Do you want me to add another month and make it seven?”

“N-No, sire...”

“You better be careful,” Siegfried growled. Then, he pointed two fingers at his eyes and then to Gringore’s and said, “I’m watching you.”

They were not alone in the room. The knights, soldiers, and a fashionable old gentleman were in the room as well, and they were looking at the trio with interest.

Siegfried looked at Gringore and asked, “And who might this be?”

“This here is the host of the Champs Elysees Auction, Marquis Keitel of the Marchioni Empire, Your Majesty,” Gringore introduced.

The old gentleman showed his respects and greeted, “Hello, King Siegfried van Proa. My name is Keitel.”

“Ah, it is nice to meet you, Marquis Keitel. My name is Siegfried van Proa.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience earlier, Your Majesty.”

Keitel seemed to be aware Siegfried was the king of the new kingdom the emperor greatly favored, so he apologized sincerely to the point it was unbefitting of a marquis of the empire.

A king and a marquis were far apart in terms of status, but the empire was so powerful that its marquis did not have to pay respects to the kings of smaller kingdoms.

Of course, most of the empire’s nobles acted cordially toward others and with elegance at all times.

“Not at all; I am fine since I was released quickly.”

“I thank you for Your Majesty’s understanding and grace.”

“But... Did something happen? Why would Martial Law be imposed all of a sudden?” Siegfried tried his luck and asked.

“Ah, that is...” Marquis Keitel hesitated before he answered–or he was about to answer.

The announcement by the servant at the door interrupted the marquis.

“Duke Randoll is entering!”

The man known as one of the Five Star Heavens of the continent, as well as the Emperor’s Sword, Duke Randoll, entered the room.

***

Marquis Randoll, who was recently promoted to Duke Randoll, bowed toward Siegfried and greeted, “Long time no see, Your Majesty.”

“Huh?” Siegfried tilted his head in confusion. He was sure Duke Randoll had lost his right arm in the terrorist incident during the World Peace Conference, but his right arm was intact.

However, he soon realized upon closer look that the arm was not his real arm. His right arm wasn't the arm of a human being but was a mechanical arm made out of gold.

“Ah, His Imperial Majesty has bestowed this upon me,” Duke Randoll explained after noticing Siegfried’s gaze on his right arm. Then, he added, “His Imperial Majesty greatly valued my meager achievements, so he bestowed this arm upon me on top of promoting me to the rank of duke.”

“Ah! I see!”

“I, Randoll, will never forget until my last dying breath how Your Majesty protected His Imperial Majesty that time,” Duke Randoll said sincerely.

“Haha... I was just doing my duty...”

“No, Your Majesty. You are our empire’s hero. His Imperial Majesty recognizes Your Majesty’s contribution and is currently preparing something big.”

“R-Really?!”

“Yes, Your Majesty will soon receive news that will surely delight you.”

“Hahaha!” Siegfried could not contain his laughter after hearing that the emperor was going to reward him. The most powerful man on the continent was going to reward him! How big was this reward going to be?

‘Aaah~!’ Siegfried could feel every cell in his body twitching from excitement just from thinking about it.

“But what were you discussing earlier?” Duke Randoll asked the marquis.

“That is...” Marquis Keitel muttered while looking troubled. Then, he said carefully, “His Majesty has inquired regarding the current situation so...”

“Ah, it is alright. King Siegfried is our empire’s hero, so please feel free to brief him on the current situation,” Duke Randoll said with a smile.

“Oh! Is that so?”

“In fact, King Siegfried might be of great help to us.”

“I see!” Marquis Keitel exclaimed. Then, he turned to Siegfried and said, “Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“The reason this city has been placed under Martial Law is...”

“Is...?”

“We have received a warning from the Phantom Thief.”

Veela: K-K-Kaitou Kid?!!!

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