Chapter 791

The memorial service reached its climax.

Whoosh!

A fierce wind swept across the ceremony, stirring the air.

Sseuuuu!

A soft pale gray light descended from the heavens, bathing the entire venue.

And then—

Swoosh!

Thousands of faint shadows emerged from behind the altar, swirling through the sky in a haunting yet graceful dance.

“

Oh!

The souls of the fallen warriors!”

“The spirits of the dead have appeared!”

“

Ah!

”

The attendees of the memorial service gasped in awe, and their voices trembled with a mix of reverence and awe.

A miracle.

This was nothing short of a miracle.

Even on the Nurburg Continent, where magic and bizarre phenomena were commonplace, the appearance of spirits was extraordinarily rare.

Swoosh!

The ethereal spirits whirled around the venue like dancers. Their movements were so elegant and mesmerizing that the onlookers were left enchanted by it.

‘

Gratitude of the Fallen Heroes? What kind of event is this?’

Siegfried wondered. He observed the swirling souls when a message popped up in front of his eyes.

[Alert: Due to your dedication, the souls of the soldiers who fell in battle have become guardian spirits of the Proatine Kingdom!]

[Alert: The guardian spirits are grateful to you!]

[Alert: Though they have lost their physical forms, their loyalty and respect for you will never waver!]

[Alert: The guardian spirits have bestowed their blessings upon the Proatine Kingdom and you!]

[Alert: You have received the buff Blessing of the Guardian Spirits!]

As soon as the system messages disappeared, the spirits cast a wide-area buff over the entire kingdom.

[Blessing of the Guardian Spirits]

[A blessing bestowed by the guardian spirits who were moved by the memorial service.]

[Type: Passive Buff Skill]

[Duration: Permanent]

[Effects: +3% to all stats of citizens of the Proatine Kingdom, +3% evasion rate in battle, +3% luck in battle, +10% stat increase during defensive battles]

“

Oh?

”

Siegfried’s face lit up with joy as he read the effects of the buff.

A mere three percent boost? It seemed small, but it was not small at all.

The three percent boost in stats, evasion, and luck could very well save lives in critical moments, and the ten percent stat increase during defensive operations was a significant bonus, making this buff truly exceptional.

‘

Guardian spirits... thank you, all of you.’

He couldn't help but be grateful for the spirits’ unwavering devotion to protecting the Proatine Kingdom even in death, so he bowed deeply as the king and paid his respects to them.

Flash!

A brilliant flash of light illuminated the sky, and as if by magic, the fierce wind and the pale gray light vanished. In their place, warm golden rays of the sun shone down, showering the ceremonial venue with unexpected warmth in this cold season.

[Alert: Quest progress has reached 50%!]

The quest’s progress bar advanced to fifty percent.

‘

This must be recorded!’

Royal Scribe Gringore hurriedly took out a parchment and hastily recorded the miraculous event. He was determined to preserve this historical moment for future generations to ensure that the tale of this miracle would be passed down through the ages.

Whether distant descendants would believe the accounts of his record as truth or dismiss it as mere legend, only time would tell.

***

After the memorial service, Siegfried hosted a medal ceremony followed by a performance for the Proatine Kingdom’s military personnel.

Both events unfolded seamlessly.

The performance, in particular, was a smashing success. Siegfried had invited the continent’s most celebrated performers using his vast resources, the crème de la crème of the entertainment world.

Their combined might as superstars created a sensation, turning the event into an unforgettable spectacle.

In fact, the crows grew so large that even the citizens of Preussen flocked to the military bases. What started as a morale-boosting event for the soldiers quickly transformed into a full-scale concert.

After the performances concluded...

[Alert: Quest progress has reached one hundred percent!]

[Alert: You have completed the Quest – Path of Wise King (5)!]

[Alert: The patriotism of the Proatine Kingdom’s citizens has increased by 200%!]

[Alert: Divine Power has permanently increased by 1,000!]

[Alert: An Epic Quest has been triggered!]

The Epic Quest had finally appeared, but the content of the quest was quite unusual, leaving Siegfried baffled and uncertain about how to proceed.

The quest’s description read...

[Who is it? Who Dares To Call Out To Me?]

[Respond to the “Call.”]

[Type: Chain Quest]

[Progress: 0% (0/1)]

“What the hell...?” Siegfried muttered.

Unlike the straightforward quest progression he had followed in the "Path of Wise King" chain quests, this quest’s description did not provide much. He had no idea what the word “call” meant here.

‘

Forget it. I’ll just focus on what I need to do.’

He decided not to waste time deciphering the cryptic quest. He trusted that, as always, the issue would resolve itself naturally as long as he was diligent in his duties.

‘

Let’s tend to the kingdom’s internal affairs for a few days and then head back out.’

With that thought in mind, Siegfried headed to his office. It was time for him to clear all of his internal work and step out into the world once again.

The truth was that Siegfried had fallen behind the main content of the game. BNW’s major events revolved around the dimensional rifts scattered across the eastern, western, southern, and northern regions of the continent.

There was also the civil war in the Marchioni Empire.

Most of the high-level Adventurers were either raiding these dimensional rifts or participating in the empire’s civil war as mercenaries.

However, Siegfried had been preoccupied with battling the Church of Osric as well as the Proatine Kingdom’s two wars, leaving him out of the game’s latest content.

Now that the Proatine Kingdom was stable, Siegfried planned to join the battles at either the dimensional rifts or the Marchioni Empire’s civil war. He also hoped to break through the insurmountable wall and find the key to enlightenment that would allow him to step into the realm of Masters.

‘But for now, I’ll focus on being a king... and a father.’

Having made up his mind, Siegfried settled into his office and quietly began working through the piles of documents before him.

***

Siegfried diligently fulfilled his duties as king, tirelessly attending to his responsibilities.

[Alert: Your Divine Power has permanently increased by 4!]

[Alert: Your Divine Power has permanently increased by 1.2!]

(omitted...)

[Alert: Your Divine Power has permanently increased by 0.07!]

His Divine Power rose steadily without any rest.

“

Ugh...

This is so annoying,” Siegfried grimaced and grumbled at the notifications constantly popping up while he was reviewing documents.

Since the memorial service, the number of system messages that had been popping up informing him of the increase in his Divine Power had surged crazily to the point that his line of sight was packed to the brim with it.

“Come on, enough already,” Siegfried grumbled, waving his hand in irritation as he dismissed the message windows.

“

Kyuu?

What’s your problem, owner punk? Got flies buzzing around you? Maybe try washing up once in a while!

Kyuuu!”

Hamchi sneered while lounging on the desk.

“You little—!”

Siegfried was ready to snap at the giant hamster, but he took a deep breath and clenched his jaw before picking up his quill pen again. He simply had too many documents to handle. The documents had piled up like a towering mountain—towering enough to reach the office's ceiling.

If Siegfried wanted to clear these documents today, he had no time to waste squabbling with Hamchi.

On that night, Siegfried finished all of his documents and spent some time playing with Verdandi. At last, he finally shared an intimate moment with Brunhilde. They lay side by side in bed, slipping into slumber together.

Seuruk... Seuruk...!

Siegfried's figure flickered. The gamer, Han Tae-Sung, had fallen asleep in his capsule.

Sleeping like this was not ideal for his health, but he was too tired to care. He also felt guilty at the fact that he had been neglecting Brunhilde for quite a while now. Tonight, he wanted to stay by her side no matter what.

How long had he been sleeping?

“

Mmm...

Stop...”

“Please...”

“

Ugh...”

“E-Enough already...”

For half an hour, Siegfried tossed and turned in discomfort, and his face was scrunched up in frustration.

“ENOUGH!” He bolted upright from the bed and shouted, “For the love of all things good and holy, let me sleep!”

Siegfried's voice was strained, and he was clutching his hair in frustration because...

Please...

Help my father...

I beg of you...

The voices that had been silent for quite a while now had returned to torment him.

“Honey? What’s wrong?” Brunhilde stirred.

She woke up upon hearing Siegfried's distressed voice.

“Nightmare?”

“No,” Siegfried replied. Then, he grimaced with visible irritation and added, “I keep hearing these... voices.”

“Voices?”

“Yeah, it’s like somebody is—" Siegfried stopped mid-sentence.

‘

Hold on...’

He suddenly remembered the contents of the Epic Quest, "Who is it? Who Dares To Call Out To Me?"

‘

It told me to listen closely to the call. Could this be the call?’

Siegfried asked Brunhilde to excuse him, and then he focused on the voices echoing in his head. To his surprise, the voices actually grew clearer.

Hero! Please save my father. I am begging you. I pray with all my heart.

A young girl’s voice pierced his consciousness, and her voice was filled with desperation.

I will do anything if you can save my father. Please hear my prayer, Hero.

‘

Why am I hearing this, though? Also, how am I supposed to respond to her?’

Siegfried wondered. Then, he focused harder to try and reach out to her.

‘

Can you hear me?’

Unfortunately, it seemed that his thoughts couldn't reach her at all.

You are my only hope, Hero. Please, save our village. Every day, I pray to you. Please!

‘Hey, can you hear me? Hello? Anyone there?’

If you help us just this once... I will give you everything. Please, Hero.

She kept praying, unaware that Siegfried could actually hear her.

‘

It seems I can hear her, but how the hell do I respond to her?’

he thought in frustration.

It was then.

Rumble...!

His inventory opened on its own, and a pocket watch fell into his palm.

[Seeker of Faith]

[Did you call for me, young lamb? Lift up your head, for I am here now.]

[Type: Accessory]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Current Status: Unusable]

[Effect: Descent]

Siegfried finally understood what he needed to do, but before that, he turned to Brunhilde.

“Honey.”

“Yes, dear?”

“I need to go out for a bit.”

“Where to?”

“Someone needs my help.”

Brunhilde was at a loss, but she nodded. “Be safe.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I love you,” Brunhilde replied with a gentle smile. Then, she kissed him and said, “Come back soon, my love.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Siegfried hugged her tightly before focusing on the Seeker of Faith. He channeled his concentration into the pocket watch and then infused his Divine Power for the first time into an object out of his own volition.

“Descent,” Siegfried muttered.

Fwoosh!

A blinding flash of light erupted, engulfing Siegfried.

He vanished in the blink of an eye.

Brunhilde stared at the empty space where Siegfried stood just a few moments ago, and there was sorrow in her eyes.

“Poor thing... he must be really exhausted...” she said with a sigh before drifting back to sleep.