studiobondurri Chapter 717
Chapter 717
Chapter 717
‘I’m fine if they call my kingdom weak and tiny. It’s fine if they disrespect me and treat me like a pushover. But I will never sit and do nothing when my kingdom is being threatened.’
This was the reason Siegfried had decided to go to war. He had endured long enough and had managed to keep his cool even in the face of repeated disrespect. However, it was different this time, as the Kingdom of Bayerische had joined forces with Avant to put pressure on both Siegfried and the Proatine Kingdom.
Handing over his +13 Vanquisher’s Grasp was not an option. Besides, there was no guarantee that Avant would leave him or the Proatine Kingdom alone even after he handed it over.
In addition, it was only a matter of time before a major conflict between the Proatine Kingdom and the Bayerische Kingdom erupted.
“Quick and decisive. We need to end it as fast as possible if we do go to war with them,” Siegfried said.
Thus, Siegfried got ready for war.
“Duke Decimato.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Please prepare for war.”
Duke Decimato immediately ceased all of his research and gathered the Proatine Kingdom’s magicians. That wasn't all; Siegfried also sought help from Nanuqsa and the Blanc Clan.
“Chief Nanuqsa.”
“What is the matter that you would request such an urgent meeting, King Siegfried?”
Nanuqsa was in the process of establishing a new homeland for his people, the Blanc Clan, in the Proatine Kingdom when he received Siegfried’s urgent summon.
“I need your help.”
“What’s going on?”
“There’s a chance we might go to war.”
“War...”
“We need you and your warriors’ strength, Chief Nanuqsa.”
Unsurprisingly, Nanuqsa agreed without an ounce of hesitation.
“The Proatine Kingdom is our new homeland. How could I possibly turn a blind eye if our home is threatened by war? Fear not, King Siegfried. I will lend you all the strength I have.”
“Thank you, Chief Nanuqsa.”
Siegfried secured two powerful Masters to aid him in the upcoming war, but he had more alliances he could secure. The next one he summoned was Beggarius, the leader of the infamous Beggar Guild.
“I’m sure you know why I called you, right?”
“So you decided to wage war, huh?”
“It was necessary.”
“Hmm...”
“I need your help,” Siegfried said, asking Beggarius to join his cause. Then, he added slyly, “Now we have two Masters, so if you join, that will make it three.”
“What?!” Beggarius exclaimed, shocked by what he heard.
Two Masters? In such a small kingdom?
This was something hard to believe.
“Are you serious? There are two Masters?”
“Yes.”
“That’s impossible.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“I’ve heard there are other Masters hiding on this continent, but you’re telling me there are two of them in a small kingdom like this? Does that even make sense?”
“Well, we have two Grandmasters. So it’s only obvious that we might have at least two Masters here?”
“...?”
“Ah, they’re not officially part of the kingdom. They’re just residing in my palace.”
“I don’t get it...”
“Why don’t you go to the Royal Infirmary? You will find Elder Daode Tianzun and Elder Sword Emperor over there.”
“I can’t believe that at all...”
Beggarius was quite skeptical of what Siegfried was saying, but he decided to investigate it later.
“So you want me to help you in this war against the Bayerische Kingdom?” Beggarius asked.
“Yes. We will certainly win this war, so I just need your help to secure it,” Siegfried replied confidently. He was confident that they could defeat the Bayerische Kingdom. His plan was to strike fast, using the two Masters to launch a surprise attack that would overwhelm the Bayerische Forces.
And what if he had Beggarius onboard as well?
Victory would be certain.
Things wouldn't be that easy if they were against a major powerhouse on the continent, but they were up against the Bayerische Kingdom here.
“Alright, I understand. We’re all in the same boat now, so I guess there’s no way I can refuse.”
“Thank you.”
“But this won’t be easy.”
“When is war ever easy?”
“True, but still...”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Does it look like I have any choice?”
“Don’t be so impatient. I’m looking for it right now.”
“How can it take this long?!”
“Just a moment—Ah! Here it is!”
Finally, Beggarius pulled something out of the pouch.
“...?”
Avant could not believe his eyes. Instead of pulling out the Rod of God, Beggarius took out his thumb sticking out from between his fingers, which was obviously a crude hand gesture often used to insult someone’s size.
“T-This filthy beggar... are you messing with me right now?!”
Just as Avant was about to explode in furry—
Kwachik!
—One of Beggarius’ followers wearing a tattered hat grabbed him by the collar.
“Argh!”
“Got you, you little punk.”
“W-What is the meaning of this?!”
“What does it look like?” the follower asked, slightly lifting his hat. Then, he added, “We’re here to abduct you.”
“Y-You scum...!” Avant cried out upon recognizing the face of the beggar. The face belonged to none other than Siegfried van Proa. The wretched brat that Avant had long wanted to tear apart was now grinning at him in a mocking way.
“Time to go!” Beggarius shouted.
“Yup, let’s go!” Siegfried replied, dragging Avant by his neck and dashing toward the entrance of the Bavarian Workshop.
“I’ll clear the way!” Daytona exclaimed. He was also disguised as one of Beggarius’ beggar followers, and he charged forward, swinging his massive greatsword at the guards rushing toward them.
“W-We’re under attack! The Head Blacksmith has been abducted!”
“Capture them!”
“Don’t let them escape!”
“Go after them!”
And just like that, a wild chase began inside the Bavarian Workshop...
***
On that same afternoon...
“What?!” King Longines the Third of the Bayerische Kingdom was furious upon hearing the report that Avant had been abducted. “Who in their right mind would dare to abduct the Head Blacksmith from the Bavarian Workshop?! Who?!”
“Please calm yourself, sire!”
“Y-You damn fools! Tell me who did it!”
King Longines the Third was so furious that he was practically foaming at the mouth, and there was a good reason behind it. The abduction of the Bavarian Workshop’s head blacksmith was not just any ordinary crime.
He was someone responsible for the kingdom’s economy, and the fact that he had been abducted meant that the Bayerische Kingdom’s economy was in jeopardy.
“Who’s behind this?! What kind of madman would dare pull such a stunt?!”
“T-That is... it was the doing of...”
“Who?! Tell me at once!”
“It was King Siegfried van Proa of the Proatine Kingdom, sire...”
“What?!”
“He abducted Avant and has already fled back to the Proatine Kingdom.”
“That damned brat! How dare he mock me?! Men! Connect me to the Proatine Kingdom at once! Now!”
King Longines the Third ordered that a communication channel be established with the Proatine Kingdom.
About thirty minutes later...
— What do you want?
King Longines the Third came face-to-face with Siegfried through the communication crystal.
“You damn little bastard...! How dare you abduct the Head Blacksmith of the Bavarian Workshop?!”
— Why? Is there a problem?
King Longines the Third was already enraged, and Siegfried's words as well as the latter's smirk made his blood pressure go through the roof.
“What did you... just say?”
— Avant insulted me, a royalty, a king. He even tried to extort my artifact from me. Plus, he even hired Adventurers to threaten me.
“So what about it?”
— I’m merely punishing him justly. Why would you have any complaints about that?
“Hah!” King Longines the Third let out a scoff, utterly dumbfounded by Siegfried’s logic. Then, he asked, “Are you out of your mind, you little—”
— Keep calling me names, and you’ll end up dead.
“What did you say?”
— Watch your mouth if you don’t want things to get worse for you. I suggest that you speak nicely and courteously to me while you can. Well, if you don’t, I might make you regret all of this later.
Siegfried was sneering in a mocking tone, but his expression looked ice-cold.
It sounded ironic, but here he was—the king of a small, pathetic, insignificant kingdom—threatening King Longines the Third, the ruler of one of the most affluent kingdoms on the continent.