Siegfried visited Gerog and explained the situation, hoping for the dragons to aid him. Naturally, Gerog accepted Siegfried’s request without hesitation. Although the dragons were notorious for being lazy, the ongoing crisis directly threatened the world, so they had no choice but to make a move. “Understood. I will warp you and your army directly into their city,” Gerog said. “Thank you very much,” Siegfried replied with a courteous bow. Gerog scanned the Seneca Kingdom through a magical crystal and said, “But I’ll need some time. While it’s easy for me to steal their frequency and break through their interference magic, we currently have an urgent internal affair among the dragons. "Still, it should be resolved in about two days, so I’ll ensure that the warp happens before their religious ceremony begins.” “Yes, that will be fine. We still have enough time before the religious ceremony begins, and we just have to get there before they manage to open the Celestial Gate.” “I’ll make sure to get you and your army in before then, so don’t worry too much.” “By the way...” Gerog trailed his words. Then, he scanned Siegfried from head to toe before asking, “How’s your body these days?” “Have you noticed any health issues as of late?” “What do you mean by that...?” “Have you been feeling sluggish all of a sudden? Perhaps your hands or feet started feeling cold? Or... issues with your performance at night...?” “I am perfectly fine, though? In fact, I can last really long.” “Do you need a witness?” “If you ask my wife, then she will—” “Ahem!” Gerog cleared his throat, his face flushed. Then, he waved his hand and said, “T-There’s no need to go that far.” “Are you sure? Hehehe!” “Anyway, so you’re saying there’s no issue with you?” “Oh yes, there are no problems at all,” Siegfried replied, flashing a mischievous grin after recalling his honeymoon with Brunhilde last week. Yes, he was exhausted, but their nights burned hotter than the molten lava of both Mount Kunlun and Mount Amon combined. “But why are you asking that all of a sudden?” Siegfried asked. “Hmm... It’s quite strange...” Gerog muttered. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, but...” “Your mana hall holds the heart of the First Black Dragon, Inkarthus, right?” “And you do realize that absorbing it in the first place was nothing short of a miracle?” “I certainly do. I did not think it would even be possible, frankly speaking.” “That’s precisely what I’m talking about. Inkarthu’s heart is overwhelmingly powerful even for us dragons.” “Yet you successfully managed to absorb it. However, what comes after that is the problem.” “I’ve carefully thought about it and realized that the energy compressed within the Dragon Heart of Inkarthus could gradually seep out from your mana hall. That, in the long run, would start damaging your body from the inside.” “But I have not noticed anything unusual so far.” “Are you absolutely certain?” “Yes, Elder. Besides, my body was modified by my master, so it is far different from that of an ordinary human.” “And, well, I am an Adventurer, after all.” “Hmm... Then I suppose it’s fine if that’s the case,” Gerog said while stroking his chin. Then, he added, “But still, be careful.” “You're fine right now, but the energy within the Dragon Heart could leak out if you're struck by a powerful impact or if your body weakens significantly.” “Based on my calculations... If that happens, your body may not be able to withstand the Dragon Heart’s power and could collapse.” Gerog’s words sounded grim, but Siegfried did not dismiss them. Yes, the Dragon Lord had received a beatdown from Deus, Siegfried’s master, but he was still the Dragon Lord. Gerog was one of the most intelligent and powerful beings in the world, and his insight couldn’t be dismissed. “I’m telling you this out of concern, not to scare you. Be careful.” “If you can fully make the Dragon Heart yours, then you will become a true dragon. But I must warn you to remain vigilant until then.” “I will keep it in mind.” Siegfried genuinely took Gerog’s advice to heart. Why? Because dragons would not waste their time offering such warnings to humans unless they truly acknowledged them. After all, they saw humans as inferior creatures, and the only reason Gerog offered such advice to Siegfried in the first place was that the dragons acknowledged him as an honorary dragon. “Good. I’ll begin the preparations for your warp soon,” Gerog said with a nod. “Yes, Elder. I will be in your care,” Siegfried replied with a bow. With that, Siegfried gained the means to execute his bomb drop on the Seneca Kingdom’s capital city, courtesy of Dragon Lord Gerog. Siegfried attempted to contact King Romanson once more, but it was to no avail. Despite making hundreds of attempts, the king refused to answer even once. However, Siegfried was even more stubborn than King Romanson, and he kept calling over and over again until King Romanson finally picked up the call. King Romanson answered the call with irritation evident in his voice. “Your Majesty,” Siegfried greeted with a bow. His anger was boiling over, but he held it back. He needed to keep calm and try to placate King Romanson as much as possible. It was all because war had to always be the last resort. He knew he had to do his best to resolve things through negotiations that involved no bloodshed. “Please reconsider this ceremony,” Siegfried pleaded. King Romanson displayed his displeasure and annoyance at Siegfried’s request. — I am absolutely sick of this! Do you have any idea how tiring it is to listen to your ramblings? In the end, King Romanson snapped and ended up screaming at Siegfried. — How dare you?! A mere Adventurer like you dares to pressure me? Do you think you can do as you please just because you have Emperor Stuttgart's backing?!” “No, that is not what I—” — I said shut your mouth! Shut up! Shuuut uuup!” King Romanson was absolutely furious. He was no longer listening to anything Siegfried was saying and kept shouting like a deranged madman. — I see that your flimsy crown has gotten into your head, eh? Fine! If you want a fight, I’ll give you one! Emperor Stuttgart has his own problems to deal with, so he won’t be able to save you now! “Huh? What are you trying to say?” — I’ve been wanting to deal with you for quite some time, and this is the perfect opportunity. Once the ceremony is over, I will teach you a lesson! I will raze your pathetic kingdom to the ground and turn everything you own into ash! “If you keep pushing me , then I won’t have a choice but to—” King Romanson ended the call once again—unilaterally. “Ha...” Siegfried let out a sigh before flashing a chilling grin. Then, he gazed at the communication crystal and muttered, “You just crossed the line, buddy.” He tried to give King Romanson one final chance in hopes of avoiding bloodshed. However, he was left with no choice, as King Romanson insisted on being stubborn. To stop the Celestial Gate's opening, to protect the world, and to quell his own fury... “Signalman,” Siegfried called out. “Tell all of our forces to prepare for battle.” Now that things had come to this, there was only one option left. Meanwhile, in the Seneca Kingdom... “That damn wretch...! How dare a lowly Adventurer order me around telling me what to do...!” King Romanson growled under his breath and stormed into his throne room. His rage was understandable. As a staunch conservative, he had always despised the fact that Siegfried, a mere Adventurer, was suddenly crowned king. To make things even worse, he already harbored deep resentment toward the Marchioni Empire, so seeing how Siegfried was a favorite of Emperor Stuttgart made him despise the upstart king more. Also, there was one big reason why he despised Siegfried so much, and that was the fact that the Church of Healing was the biggest power he wielded. As the state religion of the Seneca Kingdom, the Church of Healing held immense influence. The clergy wielded power that rivaled the royal court, making it one of the pillars of the kingdom. Shockingly, the leader of the Church of Healing held authority nearly equal to that of King Romanson himself. In truth, Romanson had never been the rightful heir to the throne. He only ascended to power because the Church of Healing backed him, which meant he had no choice but to push forward with this religious ceremony. “You wretched mongrel... Once this ceremony is complete, I will personally teach you a–!” “Your Majesty! High Priest Apollonas requests an audience!” the chamberlain announced. “Let him in,” King Romanson commanded. “As you command, sire.” The leader of the Church of Healing, High Priest Apollonas, stepped into the throne room and bowed respectfully. “I greet Your Majesty.” “Welcome, High Priest.” King Romanson rose from his throne and stepped toward the high priest to greet him. This seemed like a surprising sight, but it was only natural. Apollonas was King Romanson’s teacher since childhood, and the king trusted him far more than anyone else. “What has roused my lord’s temper so greatly?” Apollonas asked with a calm smile. “Ah, it’s that damned Adventurer. That cursed mongrel...” King Romanson seethed in response. “Is that so?” Apollonas said with a chuckle. The high priest looked both patient and wise, a person that most would look to for knowledge and wisdom. “Do not trouble yourself over that Adventurer, sire. You are a wise and just ruler. Why relegate yourself to anger over the petty scheming of a mere Adventurer? Hohoho!” “But he keeps trying to disrupt the ceremony!” “Such is the way of demons. Whenever one seeks to do good, the wicked will always rise to obstruct them. You must remain steadfast and not waver, sire.” “Surely, I will. I have no intention of canceling this ceremony. This is the fiftieth anniversary of the Church of Healing, so how could I possibly bow to foreign pressure and abandon it?” “As expected of a true sovereign. The great Hippocrates shall surely bless Your Majesty.” “Once this sacred ceremony is complete, it will be time for that demon to have a taste of divine retribution,” Apollonas said firmly. “What are you implying?” “The Marchioni Empire is in turmoil right now, so this is our chance. We will punish the Proatine Kingdom once the sacred ceremony is complete.” “I would love to do that more than anything else, but...” King Romanson hesitated. His earlier threats to Siegfried were nothing but a bluff. Even though the Seneca Kingdom was a great power, declaring war on the Proatine Kingdom, a rising superpower, was no easy feat. “I will assist you,” Apollonas said. “Isn't Siegfried van Proa a wicked demon that dared to interfere with our sacred ceremony and persecute us?” “Then let us mobilize the world against him. I will persuade several rulers to denounce the Proatine Kingdom at the World Peace Council. Once they are isolated, our coalition will march upon their lands.” “Oh! Can you truly do that?!” King Romanson asked, his eyes lit up. He knew that High Priest Apollonas had strong connections with many rulers throughout the continent. It was all because, even though the Church of Healing was lagging behind other religious orders when it came to healing injuries or casting blessings, their ability to cure diseases was unparalleled. How many kings, nobles, and influential figures had their priests healed over the years? The rich and powerful turned to the Church of Healing whenever someone close to them fell ill, and most of them became devoted followers after witnessing the miracles the Church of Healing displayed. This meant that Apollonas’ influence rivaled that of even the most powerful monarchs on the continent. “Before the ceremony, I will persuade various rulers and key figures to publicly denounce the Proatine Kingdom. With enough political and public pressure, their hands will surely be tied until the ceremony is over.” “All Your Majesty has to do then is declare war against the Proatine Kingdom.” “Once war is declared, the Proatine Kingdom will be forced to defend their lands, which means they will not interfere with our sacred ceremony.” “I shall do exactly that.” “As expected of a wise and just king,” Apollonas said with a smile. “With the great Hippocrates watching over me, what do I have to fear?” “Indeed, Your Majesty. Ah, and one more thing...” Apollonas said. Then, he recalled something, and his voice took on a grave tone as he said, “We will require an offering for this sacred ceremony.” “An offering? Speak freely, High Priest. Be it gold, silver, or whatever it may be, I shall dedicate it all to the great Hippocrates.” “That is...” Apollonas hesitated. Then, he cautiously said, “Each altar must be consecrated with the sacrifice of one hundred boys and girls.” King Romanson doubted his ears, thinking that he had misheard him. A hundred boys and girls per altar? That could only mean one thing... High Priest Apollonas was asking him to sacrifice living human beings for the ceremony.