Chapter 918

‘Ah... I’m fucked...’

While escorting Princess Irene toward Emperor Stuttgart, Siegfried realized that he was facing one of the worst crises of his life.

And he was spot on...

Not only did he miss his father-in-law’s birthday party because of work, but now, he was showing up with a new bride?

A chill ran down Siegfried’s spine.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine the aftermath.

To make matters worse, if he was forced into this political marriage and somehow got everyone’s approval, then the even bigger problem was Irene’s personality. His life would become absolute hell.

“If you marry her... The royal family will be ruined...”

Siegfried recalled the despair in Michele’s voice as he said those words.

The rumors surrounding Irene were so bad that even his loyal vassal, Michele, wanted nothing to do with her and wanted to retire to the countryside.

‘

Ah... My life is—’

Just as Siegfried was spiraling into despair—

“They truly make a perfect couple, Your Imperial Majesty,” Duke Neighdelberg whispered to the emperor.

“I think so too,” Emperor Stuttgart replied with a pleased smile.

“Where should the wedding be held?”

“It would be best at the Proatine Royal Palace, wouldn’t it? I’d love to have it here, in the Palace of Blood, but since it’s not my wedding, that might be a bit too much.”

“I agree, my lord,” Duke Neighdelberg replied with a bow. Then, he added, “Winter is approaching. If preparations begin now, then the ceremony can be held next spring.”

“That sounds perfect. After all, nothing is more beautiful in this world than a bride in the fifth month of the year.”

“Indeed, my lord.”

Emperor Stuttgart and Duke Neighdelberg were already planning Siegfried’s wedding without even consulting him.

And Siegfried’s sharp sense of hearing caught their conversation.

‘

H-Hey! Who said I was getting married?! No!’

Siegfried screamed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do. No, there was something he could do right now, and that was to continue escorting Irene to the emperor.

Meanwhile, the nobles of the empire were completely shocked by the turn of events.

Who could have imagined that the infamous troublemaker, Irene von Posteriore, would dance such a mesmerizing tango with the King of the Proatine Kingdom and now be escorted by him?

This was more shocking than the rebellion that triggered the civil war—no, than any other shocking events in the history of the Marchioni Empire.

Perhaps that was the reason why, but the nobles started frantically whispering orders to their attendants and aides.

“Use all our cash reserves and buy up all available bonds issued by the Proatine Kingdom! Hurry!”

“Find any good investment opportunities in the Proatine Kingdom. We need to get in before anyone else does.”

“Damn it... We need to find a suitable marriage partner among the Proatine Kingdom’s high-ranking nobles. At this point, being politically married to them is the way forward.”

“The nobles, who were well-versed in schemes and calculations, were already moving swiftly to ride on the so-called

Proatine Coin.

Why?

It was all because Siegfried now had immense value.

To be blunt, he was no ordinary figure. He was the king of a rising power as well as the hero who stopped the demonic invasion and saved the world.

Not only that, he was now the sworn brother of Emperor Stuttgart too.

But what if he gained the title of husband to Irene von Posteriore, brother-in-law to Emperor Stuttgart von Posteriore?

This was a coin they absolutely had to get their hands on.

To the empire’s nobles, Siegfried was a

coin

bound to go to the moon—or perhaps even further than that.

***

Siegfried escorted Irene before Emperor Stuttgart, and he tried to leave quickly after completing his duty.

“I shall now take my leave—”

However, his plans to escape went up in smoke when Emperor Stuttgart

caught

him immediately.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Emperor Stuttgart asked.

“Y-Your Imperial Majesty? I have escorted Her Highness, Princess Irene, just as my lord commanded so I will—”

“Sit.”

“B-But my lord, I am not worthy to sit on the same table as—”

Emperor Stuttgart smiled cunningly and cut him off, “And why not? Though we don’t share the same blood, you are no different from my

brother.”

“...!”

“Sit. I don’t believe I’ve ever shared a meal with you yet.”

“A-As you command, my lord,” Siegfried replied. Then, he whispered, “M-May I... briefly take care of some personal matters first?”

“Make it quick.”

“Yes, my lord.”

With that, Siegfried barely managed to escape from Emperor Stuttgart’s clutches. Yes, he only managed to buy ten or twenty minutes at best, but right now, even that short relief was precious.

What he really needed right now was to catch his breath first.

“I will make haste and return, my lord.”

“Good.”

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

With Siegfried nowhere in sight, Emperor Stuttgart said, “Irene.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“How was it?”

“E-Eh?

W-What do you mean...?”

Irene’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit at the sudden question.

“How was your time with King Siegfried van Proa?”

“T-That is...” Irene struggled to respond. Instead, she lowered her head and closed her mouth.

“Do you like him?”

“I... am not sure...”

It seems that even the world’s most notorious troublemaker, Irene, would become timid and reserved in front of Emperor Stuttgart. This was no surprise, as he was the one and only person she trusted and looked up to wholeheartedly.

“It seems you do like him.”

“N-No!”

“Is that so? Then, would you be fine if I send King Siegfried to dine at another table?” Emperor Stuttgart asked with a gentle smile.

“T-That...!” Irene stammered. Her pride wanted to say that he could dine anywhere else, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. For the first time in her life, she felt her heart racing because of a man, and she didn't want to let go of him just yet.

“Irene.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“They say that in life, the chance to meet a good partner is quite rare.”

“...”

“Well, that’s what I’ve heard, anyway.”

Irene remained silent with her head bowed.

Meanwhile, Emperor Stuttgart glanced at Duke Neighdelberg.

‘

It seems Irene has found her match, Neighdelberg.’

‘I believe so as well, my lord.’

Emperor Stuttgart and Duke Neighdelberg exchanged glances, and both men smiled at the same time, realizing that their scheme had progressed perfectly according to plan.

***

While Siegfried was facing the worst crisis of his life in the Palace of Blood, a new wind of change began blowing in the demon realm.

“Lord Hyeongseokius!”

The supreme commander of the Seventh Domain of the Demon Realm and the first Adventurer to become a demon, Chae Hyung-Seok, received an urgent report from one of his subordinate demons.

“Prince Baroque urgently requests your presence!”

“The prince?”

Buried under dozens of female demons and indulging in debauched pleasure, Chae Hyung-Seok leaped up the moment he heard the report.

He was lost in the allure of demon beauties in recent days, spending his time enjoying the sensual pleasure they had to offer.

“Inform His Highness that I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, my lord!”

He hastily threw on his clothes and headed toward Baroque’s quarters.

Chae Hyung-Seok was loyal to Baroque, even though the latter was an NPC.

Why?

It was all because, in Chae Hyung-Seok's eyes, Baroque was like a lifeline sent from the heavens. When Siegfried defeated him and he ended up getting dragged into the Demon Realm, he thought everything was over.

However, it wasn't the case at all.

Baroque acknowledged Chae Hyung-Seok’s talents and transformed him into a demon, turning him into the first Adventurer to become a demon. He also bestowed upon him the new name "Hyungseokius" and even provided him with the means to pay off his debts in the real world.

As if that was not enough, he was even granted the title "Supreme Commander of the Seventh Domain of the Demon World."

In short, Baroque was Chae Hyung-Seok’s benefactor. Thus, he pledged unwavering loyalty to Baroque and was willing to carry out any command from the demon.

This was the reason he immediately rushed to Baroque’s side even though he was still having fun.

“Have you summoned me, my lord?”

“Hello, Hyungseokius.”

“To what do I owe the honor of being summoned by my lord?”

“A contract proposal came.”

“...!”

“And it’s quite an enticing offer, I must say.”

“Congratulations, my lord!”

A contract was an opportunity for a demon to steal the body and soul of a creature in the human realm. Also, the souls of these creatures were a crucial energy resource called Demon Power for the demons.

In other words, the more contracts they secured and the more souls they harvested, the stronger a demon would become.

“

Haha!

Thank you for your sincere congratulations, Hyungseokius!” Baroque laughed heartily.

The demon was clearly in high spirits, and for a good reason. A demon of Baroque’s stature, the son of a demon lord, would rarely have the opportunity to obtain contracts.

It was nearly impossible for weak creatures to summon him, and even if they succeeded in doing so, their bodies would be torn apart by the sheer force of his power even before they could enter into a contract.

In other words, only the truly powerful ones could summon a high-ranking demon like Baroque.

Unfortunately, the irony was that someone that powerful would not seek a demon’s help in the first place. The ones capable of summoning a high-ranking demon like Baroque were usually capable of overcoming most problems with their own power.

In other words, it was extremely difficult for Baroque to form contracts.

“This is a big catch, Hyungseokius!”

“Pardon me, my lord?”

“The one trying to summon me is a powerful warrior!”

“Oh!”

“They’ve reached the realm of Masters, so they’ll definitely be able to withstand my power!”

“My sincerest congratulations, my lord!” Chae Hyung-Seok exclaimed with genuine admiration.

A Master attempting to summon a demon was a rare event that occurred once in centuries.

“Thank you, Hyungseokius. With this catch, I’ll be immensely more powerful.”

“Indeed, my lord!”

“Oh, and one more thing. This matter concerns you as well.”

“Me?”

“It seems that the one summoning me has a connection to you.”

“I... I am afraid I do not follow, my lord.”

“Do you know of a race called the Dark Elves?”

“Yes, my lord. They are elves with dark skin. I have seen one before.”

“I see...” Baroque muttered with a nod. Then, he said, “The summoner is a Dark Elf.”

“But what does a Dark Elf have to do with me—?”

“These Dark Elves reside in a kingdom called the Niflheim Kingdom located north of the Eternal Forest.”

“I see...?”

“And the summoner is the King of the Niflheim Kingdom.”

“What?! A-A king, my lord? The King of the Dark Elves?!” Chae Hyung-Seok exclaimed, shocked by what he heard.

“Yes. His name is Credos, and he is indeed the King of the Dark Elves.”

“Why would such a powerful being summon my lord? Surely he would be strong enough to solve his problems without seeking help from the demon race, no?”

“That’s a reasonable assumption.”

“And what does this Credos have to do with me? I am not sure how he is related to me.”

“Excellent question, Hyungseokius,” Baroque said with a smile. Then, his eyes gleamed with intrigue as he added, “Credos’ goal is to destroy the King of the Elves, Elondel, to avenge his daughter.”

“The Elven Kingdom of Elondel...?”

Just then, Chae Hyung-Seok realized something.

‘Wait a second... Wasn’t that bastard’s wife the Princess of the Elven Kingdom?’

Now that he thought about it, he seemed to have heard rumors that Siegfried’s wife, Brunhilde, was the Princess of Elondel, the King of the Elves.