Chapter 616

Chapter 616

‘Owner punk can be really smart at times... Kyuuu...’ Hamchi thought while watching the exchange between Siegfried and Viscount Roberto. He could not help but be in awe upon witnessing how Siegfried had easily won the debate.

Why did Hamchi think that Siegfried had won the debate?

It was all because Viscount Roberto no longer had any other choice but to cooperate with Siegfried after the latter had stated that the projects were going to enhance and enrich the lives of the populace.

How was Viscount Roberto supposed to go against a king who wanted to invest in building cities, roads, dams, fortresses, and military training centers for the people?

With what reasoning could he go against such a great cause—against such a great justification?

On top of that, the Proatine Kingdom didn't lack the money necessary for these undertakings; the kingdom was in the middle of an economic boom, which filled their coffers flush with gold.

What would happen outcome if Viscount Roberto were to go against the great cause Siegfried laid out?

It would be the start of his downfall and his end. The people would accuse him of being an unfit lord who had dared to go against his king to prioritize his own benefits over theirs, and history showed that the end of such nobles was never pretty.

Had history not proven that those who had lost the public's support often met tragic ends?

As if that was not enough, Siegfried was a king, yet he politely requested the help of his subject, Viscount Roberto, and even went as far as bowing to seek his cooperation.

Siegfried’s actions were what history would depict as the attitude of a righteous ruler, and it was impossible for Viscount Roberto to go against the will of a righteous ruler.

‘Kyuu... He’s really something when it comes to things like this,’ Hamchi thought while shaking his head.

“W-Why would you do something like this, sire?!” Viscount Roberto exclaimed and hurriedly rushed over to Siegfried. Then, he tried to prop him up and said, “How can a king bow his head to his subject? You should not do so, Your Majesty!”

It was then.

Siegfried smirked and thought, ‘Gotcha.’

Of course, he tried his best not to show his emotions and enjoyed his victory inwardly, only for himself.

However, Siegfried wasn't over yet. He looked up at Viscount Roberto and said in a solemn yet serious voice, “I can bow a thousand times over if it means my people can live peacefully and prosperously.”

“Y-Your Majesty...”

“Viscount Roberto,” Siegfried said, grabbing the viscount’s hands tightly. Then, he looked him straight in the eyes and said, “I need your power, viscount! Please help me!”

“N-No! Why are you doing this, sire?! You should not do this!”

“Not at all! I can do much more than this if it is for my beloved people!”

“Your Majesty...!”

Viscount Roberto was at a loss after seeing Siegfried’s humbleness and sincerity. On the other hand, Siegfried did not relent and continued begging the viscount, and he even went as far as bowing flat on the ground to the flustered viscount.

The king and the viscount went back and forth for quite a while, and it was only after a long while that they finally reached an agreement.

Viscount Roberto knelt on one knee and said, “Your Majesty. I, your humble servant, hereby accept my liege’s command.”

“A-Ah...! Viscount Roberto...!”

“How could I go against Your Majesty’s great cause? I, Roberto, swear loyalty to Your Majesty and this kingdom from here onward.”

It was then.

Ding!

A string of messages popped up in front of Siegfried’s eyes.

[Alert: Congratulations!]

[Alert: Viscount Roberto’s affinity for you has explosively increased!]

[Alert: You have moved Viscount Roberto’s heart!]

[Alert: Viscount Roberto has sworn absolute loyalty to you!]

Siegfried successfully managed to make Viscount Roberto defect to his side and swear absolute loyalty to him.

“Please, get up, viscount,” Siegfried said as he helped him to his feet.

“Your Majesty...”

“Thank you so much for opening your heart to me.”

“Not at all, sire. I am ashamed for being so clueless of Your Majesty’s intentions and only thinking ill of Your Majesty.”

“Anyone would think like you did, viscount. Please do not rebuke yourself, as we are all just humans.”

“Your Majesty...”

“May I have the honor of dining with you today, viscount?”

“Come to think of it, I noticed that here in the Marmont Territory...” Siegfried proceeded to shift the topic to the viscount’s territory and spent the rest of the evening talking about what could benefit it.

***

Siegfried left the Marmont Territory the next day...

“Please take care of yourself, sire.”

“Thank you for your concern, viscount. I shall see you again soon.”

Siegfried bid goodbye to Viscount Roberto and set out for the next territory.

“Hoho!” Viscount Roberto let out a laugh while watching him disappear into the horizon. Then, he said, “I thought he was unworthy of being a ruler because of his background as an Adventurer, but he has the qualities of a righteous ruler.”

The viscount was completely bewitched by Siegfried that he would believe everything he said from now on. He had reached a point where he could no longer think properly when it came to anything regarding Siegfried.

Of course, the viscount would probably not have sworn loyalty so easily if he witnessed his infamy and how he would always doze off during meetings...

A few hours later, Viscount Roberto heard that Count Gunther had called him, so he went to the communications room.

– I heard the brat visited you.

“Y-You've heard already, Count Gunther?”

– Hohoho! Is there anything I’m not aware of? So, how did your meeting go with that brat? Did everything go well?

“Y-Yes...”

– How was it?

“He begged me to cooperate with him.”

– And what did you tell him?

“I told him that I would think about it.”

– Hoho! And what did he say?

Count Gunther was all smiles, one-sidedly thinking that “I will think about it” meant that Viscount Roberto had rejected Siegfried’s request.

“He thanked me and ate the feast I prepared for him.”

– Did he mention where he will be going next?

“No, he only mentioned that he would be meeting the other feudal lords and left.”

– Hmm... That’s too bad.

“Pardon me?”

– No, it’s nothing.

Count Gunther simply shook his head and proceeded to end the call.

– Alright. Ah, before I forget, I suppose you don’t have plans to cooperate with that brat, do you?

“Not at all, Count Gunther,” Viscount Roberto lied with a straight face.

His response was only reasonable, as he had already pledged loyalty to Siegfried, so there was no reason for him to tell the truth to Count Gunther when the count openly expressed his loathing for Siegfried and even went as far as wanting to kill him.

– Good. Go enjoy the rest of your day, then.

“Have a nice day, Count Gunther.”

Beep!

Right after the call ended.

“Hmm...”

Count Gunther was slightly disappointed upon learning that Viscount Roberto had no idea where Siegfried was heading, but he soon grinned from ear to ear.

“That lowly Adventurer dares to wander around the Espadrille Province without any fear? Hahaha! This is the perfect opportunity to feed him to the wolves!” Count Gunther exclaimed with a burst of laughter. Then, he called his trusted servant, a knight named Bruno, and whispered, “Put a hit on that brat with the Mercenary Guild.”

“But my lord! If the kingdom holds us responsible for that then—”

“Fool! A king is going around with just one hamster and without any knights! Who’s responsible for what? Ha?! It’s not like he will be killed in our territory!”

“Y-Yes, my lord!”

“This is a highly classified matter. Spend as much gold as needed, but make sure that this will remain a secret!”

“Yes, my lord!” Bruno replied with a bow and hurriedly left to carry out Count Gunther’s command.