Did the Holy Roman Emperor's claim of being King of the Romans lead to a massive underestimation of the power that the Holy Roman Empire held?

The Holy Roman Empire was one of the most powerful states in central Europe, especially from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Despite this, it has a weak reputation among modern people, and the claim of the Holy Roman Emperor to be "King of the Romans" may have contributed to this.<br><br>The title "King of the Romans" was a medieval title used by the Holy Roman Emperor, particularly during the Ottonian and Salian dynasties. It was derived from the Carolingian tradition, which held that the Frankish kings were the heirs of the Roman Empire. The title was meant to emphasize the emperor's connection to the ancient Roman Empire and his role as the protector of Christendom. However, it may have also created confusion and led to an underestimation of the empire's power.<br><br>Please note: This is a cross post from r/AskHistorians.