Debuff Master

Chapter 676

“You want… to become a knight?” Siegfried asked, sounding slightly flustered.

He couldn't help but be flustered, as Mark did not have to become a knight at all. He was the son of the Blanc Clan’s chieftain, and he was no different than royalty in terms of social status. On top of that, his mother was a daughter of the Ashenuna Dukedom.

Why would someone like him want to become a knight?

Moreover, his father, Nanuqsa, was a Master. In other words, Mark had one of the strongest people on the continent as his father.

“But why? Is there a reason you want to become a knight?”

“That is…”

“Hmm?”

“D-Dru eem…”

“Dru eem? Ah, you mean dream?”

“Y-Yes…” Mark replied. Then, he lowered his gaze to the ground and said, “M-My… dream since young was… to become a knight.”

He had been so badly abused that he couldn't help but stutter even while talking about his dream, making it difficult to understand him.

“It’s fine if you speak your mind out. Don’t stutter. You’re a man, so why are you trembling so much? I’m not going to eat you, so just relax.”

“I-I am trying to…”

“You inherited the blood of the mighty Blanc Warriors. Your white hair and blue eyes are proof of that,” Siegfried said. Then, he added, “Also, your mother is a direct descendant of Duke Ashenuna. So there’s no reason for you not to stand tall and proud of yourself.”

“But…”

“You’re no longer a slave.”

“...!”

“You could even become the next chieftain of the Blanc Clan. So stop stuttering and tell me why you want to become a knight.”

“A-Alright,” Mark replied. Then, he relaxed a bit and said, “I want to become… a good knight. A good knight that adheres to the knight’s code—”

“Why?”

“Because such a knight is righteous.”

“Righteous…”

“A knight is loyal to their country, protects the weak, rights the wrong, kills evil monsters, and punishes villains.”

“That's…”

Siegfried couldn't easily agree with Mark's words.

What was the Knight Code of Chivalry?

The Ten Commandments that all knights on the continent had to adhere to were as followed.

1. To serve their liege in valor and faith.

2. To put their lives on the line to protect their motherland.

3. Protect the weak and defenseless.

4. Be kind to the populace.

5. Do not speak ill of others without reason.

6. Do not be tempted by greed.

7. Value honor equally to one’s life.

8. Vanquish evil and injustice, do not bow to evil, and do not be in the company of evildoers.

9. Remain faithful at all times.

10. Do not be a coward.

However, there weren't that many knights following these commandments. A knight was still a human being, so it was impossible for them to adhere to every single one of these commandments.

‘I guess he’s still a kid after all,’ Siegfried thought with a bitter smile.

He could not help but wonder what Mark would be like once he grew up and became a knight. How would he face reality once he realized that even a righteous knight had to make conflicting choices once the situation called for it?

Would he be disappointed? Or would he adhere to the Knight Code of Chivalry until the very end, even if a sword was placed on his neck?

“Mark.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Do you really wish to become a knight?”

“Yes.”

“What about becoming the chieftain of your clan?”

“My sister can do that. I am not that familiar with the ways of the clan. And… I feel awkward around them.”

“I guess that’s only normal.”

Siegfried knew that Mark was born and raised on the continent, so he also thought that it would be better for him to become a knight rather than become the next chieftain.

“Alright, so you want to become a knight, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then I’ll help you become a knight.”

“R-Really?!”

“Yeah. I might even send you to the Knight Academy in the Macallan Kingdom if you show potential.”

“Gasp!”

The Knight Academy of the Macallan Kingdom was renowned for being the best on the continent due to its excellent curriculum. In fact, they were so good that even the Marchioni Empire would send some of their people to study in the academy.

In other words, the Knight Academy of the Macallan Kingdom was the dream academy for anyone wanting to become a knight.

“But you know what I’m going to say, right? You will have to start as a squire.”

A squire was a knight’s apprentice, and they usually assisted the knight teaching them by doing all sorts of manual labor such as taking care of the knight's mount or maintaining the knight's gear. They would also participate in war if the knight they were serving were to go to war.

“Yes! I know!”

“Are you sure you have what it takes? I know someone who can take you in as a squire, but that knight is quite difficult to handle. You could say that he's a textbook example of what a knight ought to be.”

“R-Really? W-Who is this knight?”

“That’s a secret for now. You will eventually find out once you get to the Proatine Kingdom,” Siegfried replied with a smile.

“I will?”

“Yeah, so make sure that you steel your resolve and get ready for what’s coming.”

“Yes! I will!” Mark exclaimed in response as his face brightened up after hearing that Siegfried accepted his request.

‘He will probably become a good knight. I just hope he won’t get corrupted later on…’ Siegfried thought. He decided to protect Mark’s innocence for as long as he could. The rough things that reality had to offer was something that he would stop from his end so that the kid wouldn't get corrupted.

‘But I think it’s very obvious that he’s going to become strong. His father is a Master, so I’m sure he’s born with supreme physical abilities.’

Siegfried didn't doubt that Mark was going to become someone formidable in the future.

***

Two days later, Siegfried returned to the Proatine Kingdom after making sure that all of the radioactive energy surrounding him had already dissipated, but—

“W-What the hell is that?!”

—He was shocked upon his arrival that the gigantic skull of the First Black Dragon was on an empty lot in the mountain behind the castle.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

There were numerous dwarves from the Bavarian Workshop busy at work doing something to the First Black Dragon’s skull.

“Tsk… I feel bad for him, but I knew this would eventually happen to him,” Vulcanus muttered while looking at his brethren’s skull. Then, he shook his head and said, “That’s why you should’ve gone mad to a certain extent only… What is this pitiful state you’re in now? Why couldn’t you die a more normal death? You’re a disgrace to all dragons…”

Vulcanus slowly walked away after lamenting the death of his brethren. It seemed that he was still acting as Deus’ servant, judging by how he was carrying all sorts of fishing gear with him.

“What the hell are they doing…?” Siegfried muttered, looking baffled at what the Bavarian Workshop dwarves were doing to the skull.

The chamberlain approached and said, “They are building a new throne room, sire.”

“A new… throne room…?”

“Sir Michele has ordered that since the dragon’s skull is large enough to build a home, it should be turned into Your Majesty’s new throne room so that all might see your splendor and majesty.”

“I can’t believe this…” Siegfried said weakly, burying his face into his palms.

How much was Inkarthus’ skull? It was difficult to put an exact price tag on it, but he probably could buy a few high-rise buildings in Gangnam if he melted the dragon’s skull and turned them into artifacts.

A dragon’s bone was one of the top-tier crafting materials on the continent, as they were far more durable yet lighter than steel. On top of that, it was possible to infuse mana into items crafted from dragon bone, while the same could not be said for normal metals.

In other words, one would be able to save a ton of mana by using items crafted from dragon bones.

Michele had a history of turning dragon skulls into thrones for Siegfried, but he decided to go one step further and turn one into an entire palace this time.

This was proof just how serious Michele was when it came to customs and traditions, as a throne room crafted from the First Black Dragon’s skull was bound to bring immense prestige to the kingdom.

“I can’t believe this… I can’t…” Siegfried grumbled while staggering away.

One hour later, Siegfried brought Mark to a modest two-story house in the outskirts of Preussen.

Knock! Knock!

Siegfried knocked on the door, and the door opened.

Creak…

“Who is it—I, Oscar, greets my lord.”

Oscar was on the way to work, so she was at the door when Siegfried knocked on her door. She hurriedly knelt on one knee and greeted him the moment she saw him.

“Gasp!” Mark gasped upon realizing that the knight he'd be serving was none other than Oscar. Oscar was really famous throughout the continent, and she was known as Noble Knight Oscar.

She was a knight of a small and weak kingdom, but she had become popular for her determination to follow the Knight Code of Chivalry to a T.

“Who might this young man be, Your Majesty?”

“He will be your squire from now on.”

“Eh?”

“So what happened is…” Siegfried proceeded to explain Mark’s backstory. Then, he added, “He’s talented and possesses good character. I’m sure he will become a good knight under your tutelage.”

“B-But Your Majesty… I am—”

“Then, I’ll leave him in your care. Bye!”

Siegfried left before Oscar could say anything.

“...Your Majesty?” Oscar muttered helplessly while watching him disappear into the distance. Then, she said under her breath, “I do not have the luxury of time to take in a squire…”

It went without saying that Siegfried had no idea just how busy Oscar was.

***

Siegfried left Mark in Oscar’s care and headed straight to see Brunhilde and Verdandi.

“Is studying fun to you?”

“Yes, grandpa!”

“Keke! You adorable little! Yes, study harder. You might become someone like grandpa who only knows how to fight if you don’t study hard.”

“Huh?”

“Keke! What I want to say is that you should study hard!”

Siegfried saw Deus and Verdandi going somewhere while holding hands.

“Huh?” Siegfried tilted his head in confusion. Then, he rushed over and greeted him, “Hello, Master.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Yes, Master.”

“It seems you’re doing quite well for yourself.”

“Eh?”

“Luck was on your side this time. Your body could have ended up getting destroyed.”

“What do you mean by that, Master?”

“How would you absorb that gigantic lizard’s heart when your body isn’t strong enough? You survived thanks to me modifying your body, but even that was only possible because luck was on your side. I dare say you used up all of your luck in that instance.”

“R-Really, Master?”

Siegfried was surprised by Deus' words. What Deus meant by his body could have ended up getting destroyed was that his character, Siegfried van Proa, could have gotten deleted from the game.

“I will be more careful from now on, Master,” Siegfried said with a bow. Then, he looked to his side and flinched, “Oh…”

He was taken aback by how much his daughter had grown. She barely could walk properly just a few days ago, but she looked as if she was already around six or seven years old right now.

Perhaps Verdandi noticed the mixed emotions Siegfried felt, but what she did next was quite surprising.

“Father,” she said, approaching him and giving him a hug. Then, she smiled and added, “Welcome back.”

“Y-yeah…”

“I missed you, Father.”

“I missed you, too.”

Siegfried lifted her up and hugged her.

“You have grown a lot, Verdandi.”

“Yes, I did,” Verdandi replied with a bright smile.

“Have you been listening to your mother and grandfather?”

“Yes!”

“Good girl.”

Siegfried felt awkward with how much she had grown, but he acted just as he always did around her.

“Should we go and see your mother?”

“Yes!”

Siegfried held Verdandi in his arms and headed to where Brunhilde was located.

“It seems time is running out…” Deus muttered under his breath while watching Siegfried and Verdandi walk away.