Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Tale nodded, taking out the crystal ball.

Without knowing the extent of the Virtue Knights’ capabilities and facing the possibility of a clash with them, the only option left was growth.

“Though we have less than a day.”

Shin Nara, too, gathered the members of the Sacred Knights upon understanding these words.

As if on cue, everyone activated their crystal orbs and dispersed.

“So… all nations, including Minis, dispatched their knight orders?”

“Yes, oka-san.”

“Well, I expected the Vatican to notice, of course… But to call Leeha again…”

Chiyou let out a light sigh.

It was almost a given that the storm in Ghibrid would spread far and wide. However, even Chiyou hadn’t anticipated they’d catch on so quickly and react just as fast.

“Probably tomorrow, the entire knight orders and players will go searching for the ‘Divine Staff’.”

“What the hell is this damn Divine Staff anyway? Ah, never mind. Anyway, you did well. The rest I’ll have to ask ‘someone who knows’.”

“Ha.”

“I thought we stepped in it when Fibiel Madon Frakchi was dispatched here… But I guess this is what they call a blessing in disguise? Huh, manage that guy well. And don’t visit Juma City too often.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll be off.”

The fact that Chiyou and Sasuke could quickly gauge the Old Continent’s response was, of course, thanks to the spies they had hidden everywhere.

With the ability to gather information from multiple sources and verify it through their dispatched NPCs in the New Continent, they didn’t experience any shortage due to gaps.

“Now, then…”

Chiyou carefully activated the crystal ball, feeling the presence of those around.

She was already aware that Faust and Igor were hiding somewhere, watching her.

To confidently teleport in these circumstances was to inscribe her location in their minds—meaning only she was directly connected to Rewa!

Shaaa…

Chiyou’s shadow melted into the light.

“Oh, if it isn’t Chiyou.”

“Count, and Toon-nim. I’ve come to tell you something urgent.”

The dwelling of Bluebeard.

A place where no player has ever set foot, Bluebeard and Toon were seated together.

[What is it?]

“It seems there are those who wish to interfere with us. I’ve been keeping an eye on their movements.”

“I suppose just some unlucky representative is making a fuss. Isn’t that right?”

Bluebeard spoke as if he already knew everything.

Chiyou nodded, watching him casually eat grapes, feet propped on the table.

“That’s correct. However, it seems a bit different this time. They claim they will secure the ‘Divine Staff’.”

Toon jolted, raising his voice in surprise.

[Divine Staff! Is that nefarious thing still here!]

Bluebeard stopped eating his grapes.

“It seems it’s not just ‘still here’. It was discovered near an old demon stronghold, which humans aimed for in the past.”

”Toon “

[Yes, yes! Count.]

“What are you saying? There wasn’t supposed to be the Divine Staff on the land you managed.”

It was supposed to be their backyard, nowhere but near the demon stronghold. As Bluebeard’s eyes sharpened, Toon started to stammer.

[No, there was nothing like that where I was. Please believe me!]

“…Well, the demon stronghold isn’t just one place. sigh At that time, you were still too weak to grasp everything.”

Bluebeard scratched his head with his cane.

It was clear, even to Chiyou, from his expression that he was troubled and annoyed.

“The right-hand man is dead, nowhere to be seen, and there’s no one else worth their salt… Chiyou!”

“Yes, Count.”

“Do you know when they’re moving?”

“The information I’ve obtained indicates they will depart tomorrow. However, I too have not been able to ascertain the precise location.”

Chiyou inadvertently concealed this piece of information. Had the location of the Divine Staff, which Chiyou had discovered, been fully disclosed to the Papacy, they too would have become aware of it.

Listening to Chiyou, Bluebeard nodded.

“They are in a hurry. Good. Toon, Chiyou. You both know what you need to do?”

The significance of the dangers associated with the Divine Staff was best understood by those beings associated with the demonic, who would be directly impacted by its influence.

[Leave it to us, Count. We will not disappoint you.]

“Ultimately, there are seven places to turn, or six, excluding where Toon had been. We will deploy everyone to start the search from those locations.”

Hearing Toon and Chiyou’s response, Bluebeard burst into a hearty laugh.

“That’s very good.”

The plan of the Pope and humanity to secure the Divine Staff and wait for a divine spirit to imbue it while preparing for defense was facing a crisis before it had even begun.

Ta-a-a-a-ang—

A jubilant gunshot blasted from the Kentucky Musket.

Blood sprayed like a fountain from the head of a High-Troll, about 330 meters away.

“Typical monsters are manageable, but…” Sighing, Leeha watched the troll collapse in a cloud of white smoke that billowed out.

No matter how strong their regenerative abilities were, a bullet through the brain meant certain death.

‘In about three or four hours, Bottleneck-ssi should finish up, and then I can depart tomorrow morning with what he’s prepared.’

As the sun set, Leeha reviewed his plans.

If Bottleneck kept his promise to reinforce us wholly, tonight they would find Black Bass.

And the journey to locate the [Divine Staff] would begin tomorrow.

‘But what is this unease…?’

Even though Leeha was about to embark on a journey equipped with an array of different weapons, his heart was filled with a trembling excitement he could not calm.

It wasn’t just about Toon.

When he had targeted Lark of the Virtuous Knight Order, a sudden question had echoed in his mind.

‘Can I handle it? How strong must one be to act so arrogantly?’

If they knew about him, they wouldn’t have been so bold. Lark had recognized that Leeha’s weapon wasn’t Black Bass.

At such close range, even a musket bullet traveling nearly the speed of sound would be anticipated by Lark to shatter his skull.

‘Could he have prepared a shield spell in advance?’

Even if Lark had used a shield spell, what then?

The gunfire from the Kentucky Musket and the shield of Blaugrunn would barely withstand Leeha’s onslaught.

Yet a user, not even a tanker, had shown such composure.

‘Sure, they could be stronger than a tanker.’ Just like the current Leeha.

There had to be some ace up their sleeve. Amidst his tangled thoughts, Leeha’s tension morphed back into excitement. Lark was indeed an annoying user.

But at least for tomorrow?

‘While I shouldn’t lower my guard, for now, we’re on the same team…

Whether it’s confidence in his own strength or not, I’ll find out tomorrow.

If he truly is strong, that in itself will be a strength; if weak, it could mean an easy resolution to conflicts surrounding paleos in the future.

‘Whatever it is, let’s think positively for now.’

Quickly reloading his musket, Leeha prepared for another shot.

Another High-Troll approached near the corpse of its comrade, seeking to confirm the tragic fate of its ally. Thwack——–

As a fountain of blood erupted from the troll’s head and a flash of white light sparked from Leeha’s body.

“Form up——-!Align!”

“Get in line! Line! Front and center!”

“Make sure to secure your potions!”

“First, apply the speed buff! Manage your stamina carefully until we reach the [Divine Staff]!”

The outskirts of Juma City had been bustling since morning.

Since the quest was not a wave-like event, there weren’t as many people gathered.

“Figures, all the notable guilds have shown up.”

“It’s more like an elite force, honestly.”

“… Though I wouldn’t exactly call this few.”

Nonetheless, the number wasn’t small.

Excluding the general riff-raff, about three thousand people had accepted the quest through the Papal Edict.

Just combining the number from the defense knight orders of the four nations alone reached nearly 500, not to mention the general knight order NPCs, affiliated users, and the participation of most of the major guilds.

Where spirited people gathered, small disturbances were bound to occur endlessly, but as soon as a figure in a tall hat and red priest robes appeared, everyone fell silent.

“Has he not arrived yet?”

“That, that is correct, Your Grace.”

“No need for such formalities in a non-official setting, bishop. We are all bishops here, aren’t we?”

“Th-thousand pardons! It is an honor for me to serve in the presence of the Cardinal himself, so please, retract such a statement.”

The NPC, called a bishop, stammered, bowing his head. However, the Cardinal in red priest robes only wore a kind smile.

“Understood. Then, you may call me Cardinal Romero.”

“If it is your wish, cardinal.”

The NPC with the authority to summon an emergency decree to the Pope upon sensing Ghibrid’s energy is the envoy bishop to the New Continent. Yet, even such an NPC could not make a move in his presence.

Cardinal Romero.

A cardinal bishop who is also ranked amongst the top hierarchy of the Ezwen Church.

Even users not affiliated with Ezwen knew his name, such was the fame of this priest.

Meaning, he held an authority almost equal to the Pope as a plenipotentiary.

And of course, there was one reason for his dispatch here!

“His Holiness really has a sense of humor, sending me in this age to search for the [Divine Staff]. Has the time come for me to wield a staff as well?”

“Far from it! You’re still in your prime, cardinal Romero, it’s not fitting to joke about such a matter.”

Romero, once again, flashed that kind smile, surveying the users and NPCs around him.

Even the proud knights of the capital defense order bowed and paid their respects before Romero.

Regrettably, the person he most wished to see was not yet present.

“So… when will Leeha-nim arrive?”

“I shall check immediately. Just a moment—”

As the bishop mopped his brow, attempting to select users close to Leeha, a lavender light flashed on the outskirts of Juma City.

“Wowwww!”

“Argh! Hyung!? Why now—”

“Hey, what’s with this chain teleport scroll? Sorry, Kijung!”

Crushed under Kijung as they fell from the sky, Leeha moved quickly without a proper apology.

Because those gathered, including Cardinal Romero, had been waiting for Leeha.

“My apologies! I’m late!”

“Oh, Leeha-nim, really. How could you be late on such a day?”

Even without Blaugrunn chattering by the side, Leeha was well aware. To make such a blunder on the first day of the search for the [Divine Staff]!

Of course, there was a very important reason.

After all, one can’t head to the battlefield without their weapon, can they?

“Is it my fault!? Bottleneck-ajussi was fiddling with this just before. Excuse me! Make way—”

“Are you Leeha-nim?”