novelnext Chapter 790
Chapter 790
Chapter 790
The council meeting was not only rich in discussions about the treatment of the war veterans and wounded soldiers, but it also covered the overall state of the kingdom’s military.
Siegfried was willing to consider each and every submitted proposal, encouraging the ministers to present the well-crafted policies that they had prepared beforehand.
[Alert: Quest progress has reached 56.6%!]
[Alert: Quest progress has reached 77%!]
The progress of his quest, the Path of Wise King (4), climbed steadily, but the most pressing issue still remained—the treatment of soldiers who had suffered grievous injuries while in active service.
“Your Majesty.”
Regarding this matter, Schmidt’s proposal stood out as particularly proactive.
“Instead of discharging soldiers who have lost limbs, what if we allowed them to continue serving? It would be more beneficial than simply offering compensation along with honorably discharging them.”
“And why is that?” Siegfried asked.
“For soldiers whose bodies are no longer whole, being discharged does not really provide them with many alternative options.”
“That’s true...”
“So rather than granting large sums as severance, why not reassign the wounded soldiers to administrative or non-combat roles?”
“That’s an excellent suggestion. We can’t abandon them just because they’ve been injured—especially in the line of duty.”
“Yes, sire.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Your Majesty,” someone spoke up just then.
It was Quandt, who had recently been appointed as Minister of Science and Weapons Development due to his contributions in the previous battles.
“I would like to develop prosthetic limbs, artificial arms and legs.”
“Oh?”
“As Your Majesty might be aware, the crafting of artifacts involves the combined efforts of metallurgy, magic, and alchemy, among other disciplines.”
“Yes, I am aware of that.”
“Then why not create prosthetics using the same principles?”
“Oh? That sounds intriguing.”
“Should Your Majesty allow me to do so, I will begin crafting basic prosthetics that can assist with daily life. Over time, as we conduct research on the matter and make technological advancements, I will aim to enhance them to the point where high-performance prosthetics suitable for combat can be crafted by our kingdom.”
It was truly an ambitious endeavor—one that required immense resources, time, expertise, and countless trials, but Siegfried was unfazed in the face of it.
Resources? Abundant.
Expertise? Sufficient.
All they needed was time and perseverance...
“I approve. Begin the project immediately.”
“Your Majesty’s wisdom and generosity is truly as vast as the oceans! Truly, you are a wise and benevolent ruler!” Quandt exclaimed, prostrating himself before the throne.
“Long live the king!”
The other ministers followed suit, kneeling in unison and praising Siegfried for his wisdom and compassion.
“Well then, it’s getting late, so let’s conclude today’s meeting here.”
Just then, before Siegfried could even finish speaking.
Ding!
System messages informing him that he had completed the quest appeared, and it was followed by the rewards he obtained from the quest.
[Alert: Quest Progress has reached 100%!]
[Alert: You have completed the Quest – Path of Wise King (4)!]
[Alert: The Proatine Kingdom’s military strength has increased by 50%!]
[Alert: Patriotism in the kingdom’s military has increased by 150%!]
[Alert: The probability of producing war heroes with exceptional combat skills has increased by 250%!]
And then—
A new quest immediately appeared.
[Path of Wise King (5)]
“Yes, sir!”
“Oh, and one more thing,” Siegfried added with a grin. Then, he said, “You might want to enjoy your free time while you can. Soon, we will begin the project to create prosthetic limbs using artifact technology.”
“...!”
“And I’ll need your help with that project.”
“Is that... really true, sire?”
“Yes. It will take time, but the goal is to produce limbs far more comfortable and natural than current prosthetics. Perhaps we could even make ones suitable for combat one day,” Siegfried replied with a shrug.
“Unbelievable...!”
“So don’t lose hope,” Siegfried said, placing a hand on the lieutenant’s shoulder. Then, he added reassuringly, “You are still an officer of the Proatine Kingdom. And you always will be. While you may not regain what you lost, better things are coming. So, be patient.”
At those words, Thompson knelt on the floor with great difficulty and bowed low to the ground with tears streaming down his face.
“Your Majesty...! Your generosity is boundless!”
“Please, don’t bow like that in your current condition,” Siegfried urged, helping him back up.
“Sob... I will never forget this kindness, sire.”
“This isn’t just for you. Many other brave men have lost their limbs, too. This is for all of them,” Siegfried explained.
“Yes, Your Majesty...”
“And by the way, I know this is none of my business but... don't you owe Miss Misha an apology?”
“Yes, sire!”
“Rest well.”
With that, Siegfried helped Lieutenant Thompson back into bed and left the room.
Thompson wept tears of joy long even though Siegfried was no longer around.
“I will... sniff! I will never forget this... never...!”
***
Siegfried wasted no time in preparing the memorial service to complete the quest, Path of Wise King (5).
The memorial service was grand and dignified.
While it was not a festive celebration, the atmosphere was solemn and reverent. The clothing, decorations, and ceremonial arrangements were all of the finest quality, which showed just how important this event was for the kingdom.
However, Siegfried’s efforts did not stop there.
He reached out to various religious orders across the continent and invited their priests specializing in funeral rites. The continent was a land of countless gods and faiths, a place where polytheism thrived without problems, so Siegfried recognized that the fallen soldiers likely followed different beliefs.
Thus, he made sure to accommodate their diverse religious backgrounds, ensuring that the ceremony respected the deceased and their families.
Finally, the memorial service began.
Dressed in the formal uniform of the Proatine Kingdom’s military, Siegfried personally led the ceremony and fulfilled his role as king.
“Great Sun God, grant peace to these souls.”
“O God of the Sky, lift away the burdens they bore in life and let them soar freely through the heavens.”
“Here lie warriors who perished honorably on the battlefield. They fulfilled their duty as soldiers, so may they find eternal glory and happiness in the land of warriors.”
Priests from various religious orders joined Siegfried and offered prayers for the deceased. They comforted their souls before wishing them peace in their journey to the afterlife.
The family members of the fallen soldiers also participated by offering their heartfelt prayers.
“Dad, rest peacefully. I will protect Mom from now on.”
“Honey, you can finally rest now.”
“My daughter... you’ve done so well. Your mother is so proud of you.”
As the ceremony reached its conclusion, Siegfried approached the altar. He lit the incense and placed a glass of whiskey before the portraits of the fallen soldiers.
“Rest in eternal peace, brave soldiers of the kingdom,” Siegfried whispered.
Just as he descended from the altar, a familiar sound echoed in his ears.
Ding!
A message popped up in front of his eyes.
[Alert: Congratulations!]
[Alert: The event Gratitude of the Fallen Heroes has been triggered!]
This was a completely unexpected event, as it was totally unrelated to the quest, Path of Wise King.