Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“Stop saying that kind of thing! In the end, it’s you who has to step forward if you want to reclaim your power, isn’t it? If the time is right, I’ll send a helper, so don’t worry too much.”

At least in Chiyou’s view, Ghibrid didn’t say anything and was silent. With a mountain of worries outside, it was suffocating to find the situation just as frustrating internally.

“Sigh…”

“Why the sigh, Chiyou? Is it tough?”

“Oh, no, Count.”

Chiyou’s stress had only intensified, enough to let out an involuntary sigh. If Biyemi had seen this scene, she might have given a standing ovation.

“Giggle, well then, you shouldn’t find it hard with this kind of ordeal. You have many things to do ahead.”

“Excuse me?”

“That crazy mage’s welcoming ceremony is going to be handled by your subordinates, isn’t it?”

“That, of course – no, what I mean is, it seems like you’re suggesting there’s another task I need to handle right away, Count.”

Chiyou’s eyes narrowed as she deciphered the intent behind Bluebeard’s words. Bluebeard nodded.

“Well, then. There is indeed a task only you can handle. Well, I’m not sure if you can handle it, but-“

“If it’s something you’re asking of me, I’ll definitely accomplish it.”

“What? Heh, thanking you for saying so feels good! Alright, can you set off right away?”

Whoosh!

As Chiyou looked on with startled eyes, a hologram window appeared in front of her.

[The Bat Hiding in Bransylvania Castle]

Description:

“I’ve finally discovered where that cunning creature is hiding. But, it’s a place I can’t enter directly. You need to go in and deliver ‘My Call’ to it. Oh, and if you die in there, I can’t help you, so remember to be careful, okay?”

Bluebeard had finally found his beloved disciple.

He instructed Chiyou to find “The Blood Maiden” Bathory hiding from the eyes of the United Humanity in Bransylvania Castle and deliver Bluebeard’s will.

Objective: Persuade Bathory inside Bransylvania Castle

Reward: ?

Failure Conditions: Death within Bransylvania Castle or loss of ‘The Call of Bluebeard’ item

Penalty for Failure: ?

Do you accept?

“How about… going there? It’s okay to refuse.”

Bluebeard played with his hat, smiling. He knew very well that Chiyou had no intention of refusing. Shortly after, both Bluebeard and Chiyou disappeared.

Left alone, Ghibrid gazed at the red crystal he was confined in and muttered,

“…”

Though no other player was left behind, the currents of Middle Earth had already been set in motion. The only remaining player here, Chiyou, had heard Bluebeard instruct Ghibrid clearly.

“Prepare yourself, Ghibrid. Your power is yours to find.”

[…]

As the Old Continent plunged into chaos, another Demon King’s Fragment in the New Continent began to stir silently.

“What about Kaztor…”

“Couldn’t find him. Every nation of the continent cooperated to block the warp gates leading to the New Continent. Even the mana relay towers in the center of the Sea of Dawn are all out on a search, but…”

Browless gritted his teeth.

Over the past week that Leeha had logged out, many changes had occurred within Middle Earth. The most significant event was the thorough investigation of all warp gate users.

Especially those headed to the New Continent had to undergo perfect identity verification, including their items, and anyone with even a slight record of wrongdoing was denied access to the warp gates.

“The royal palace must be in quite a state as well.”

“Indeed. The captain of the royal guard has decided to take full responsibility and resign.”

“Really?”

Leeha looked at Browless with a puzzled expression, and Kidd added more information.

“That’s the bitter truth. The Mage Corps was meant to be disbanded. But since the full investigation hasn’t ended yet, and considering the role it played during the Second Human-Demon War and in national battles, the work is now progressing towards downsizing rather than disbandment.”

For Leeha, this was unavoidably shocking news.

“Oh, my—then, does that mean—”

-Are there many members in the Mage Corps?

-Indeed. It was widely known that a significant number of users aspiring to be mages in PBL aimed to join the Mage Corps as their ultimate goal. But now—oh, how unfair. Those people won’t be able to sleep at night.

The Mage Corps of Fibiel’s Royal Palace, a guild for mages, was a chance to get closer to the power of the Fibiel’s Royal Palace and to receive full support from the nation. Due to one wrong leader, it was now destined to be downsized and reorganized.

“The Royal Guards must be in a frenzy, too.”

“Mmm. From merging with the Sacred Knights to figuring out how to utilize the former comrades, his Majesty is indeed troubled,” Leeha said, sympathetically. Browless nodded in agreement.

It was often criticized that the Royal Guards of Fibiel were more about social gatherings of nobility rather than actual skill. What if the commander of the Royal Guards resigns amidst this?

Would this situation turn into an opportunity for Sacred? What would Nara-ssi think? The Royal Guards have always been a stumbling block to Sacred’s proposals.

With their rivals significantly weakened, this was clearly an opportunity to gain the upper hand. The question that concerned Leeha was, what would be better for strengthening the nation’s power?

‘Nara-ssi would… surely be busy.’

Her place was at the royal palace. Busy was to be expected.

As Kidd mentioned, from the merger of Sacred Knights and the Royal Guards to bringing back figures like Lepanto, Velraid, and Yenoha, who were once called comrades, she seemed to be advising on these matters. Thus, she had to be called upon by many, including the king. Thinking of this, something suddenly crossed Leeha’s mind.

“Ah, Kidd. About what I mentioned last time—”

Before Leeha could finish, Kidd interrupted.

“You can’t go in.”

“Us, too?”

“That’s right. The Mage Corps is currently off-limits to everyone.”

“Hmm?”

As Leeha and Kidd had their conversation, Browless smirked.

“The Mage Corps? Were you trying to enter there?”

“Yes. Kaztor has always used that place as his lab, right? And if no one has touched Kaztor’s lab and office since he disappeared—”

“Indeed. It makes sense to assume the materials he left are there.”

Browless agreed with Leeha’s deduction, and Leeha nodded.

Kidd exchanged glances with Leeha. What could be in there? There could only be one thing.

[In Search of the Lost Records of the Dark Elves]

Description: Retrieving and returning material on the Dark Elves, including the journal of the Archer of Darkness.

Where could it be, the material not found even in the seventh lab in the underground city of Palesto in the New Continent?

‘It must be in his residence.’

Certainly, a Dark Elf talented enough to infiltrate human societies for research purposes. A space where he stayed for a very long period!

The safest place and closest to himself. It wouldn’t make sense for him to create a secret hideout in some bizarre location. Leeha and Kidd came to the conclusion that it couldn’t be.

The most overlooked place is always the darkest. Kaztor didn’t expect his identity to be uncovered there, that day. He underestimated us.`

We weren’t able to kill him but was severely injured and had to flee hastily. It was a dire situation, just managing to save his life.

“Where could he have gone?”

“Huh?”

“There’s no trace of him returning to his exclusive lab for the Mage Corps… He couldn’t have gone to the New Continent already.”

“I’m also worried about that. You can tell just by looking at the letters from Elizabeth and Brown. If Kaztor goes to the New Continent, the likelihood that they will be in danger is high.”

“To be exact, it would be more so than the seniors.”

“Hmm, Kyle… That guy will be in danger.”

Browless’s expression darkened. Elizabeth and Brown had taken on an adventure to bring the cursed Kyle to a spot where Kaztor’s mana couldn’t reach.

However, they only succeeded halfway. Moreover, the possibility of provoking further anger had also increased. They, who were confident they could kill anyone who followed, had only one fear, for the blade of danger was not pointed at them, but towards their son.

They were always worried about the possibility of being pursued. It wasn’t just about being unable to speak casually, but the high chance that something with tracking abilities was out there. If that was the case-

Kaztor would pursue Elizabeth and Brown.

For him, who had lost everything, the only thing left was to control Elizabeth and Brown through Kyle, who had become the “Matan’s Shooter.”

The reason Elizabeth and Brown initially went to the eastern part of the New Continent, where space movement didn’t work, and kept moving deeper to hide, was precisely because of this.

‘Then we should pursue the seniors-”

“No, it might be impossible. If they asked me to kill Kaztor, then they must have some way of knowing whether Kaztor is dead or alive.”

“That’s a possibility too.”

Just by looking at Kyle’s condition, one might be able to determine whether Kaztor is alive or not. Browless guessed, and Leeha nodded.

So, what method would Brown and Elizabeth choose upon realizing that Kaztor has not died?

“They will go even further away. I’m not sure if there’s a safe refuge, but at least to the wilds.”

“Yes. They won’t stop. Given Kaztor’s chances of finding them first, they won’t stop moving.”

In other words, the middle path now, as hinted through Browless, was a waste of effort in pursuing Elizabeth and Brown.

‘Then, Kidd, will you stay here?”

“My priority is the investigation of the Mage Corps. To find his traces, to pursue-”

Clack, Kidd fiddled with the Crimson Geckos.

“-I will definitely kill him.”

“I wish I could join you on that journey.”

Browless showed a faint smile upon hearing his beloved disciple’s resolve. Leeha nodded.

That was something Leeha also deeply wished for, but he couldn’t just wait here indefinitely.

“Well then, headmaster, I’ll take a look around in my own way.”

“Hmm. Work hard, Leeha. If you can enter the palace and walk around the Mage Corps’s building or if you discover materials containing information about Kaztor, notify me immediately.”

“Yes, thank you.”

At this moment, Kidd and Leeha were not rivals. Everyone shared a common enemy and had to pursue them together.

There wouldn’t be anyone who’d blandly say ‘I want to see the Matan’s Shooter’ journal by myself’ at this point, except for Luger.

“By the way, what is Luger doing?”

As Leeha was leaving the academy, he opened the friend panel of the Three Musketeers. Luger was in the underground city of the Gorilla paleos.

…Ah! That’s right, -there’s a possibility there?!”

Kaztor’s hideout in the New Continent! If Kaztor had already arrived at the New Continent by some method, wouldn’t it be most likely for him to head to his former dwelling?

“Not in his original body, but judging by his appearance just before disappearing, he must have sustained some injury. Plus, if he caused a big enough incident to end the Pope’s life, then it would naturally make sense for him to lay low for a while. With that in mind… hiding among the beings who had shown him kindness before seems like the most logical thought. Anyway, Luger, that beast of a man!”

At least this time, Leeha too couldn’t help but admire Luger.

Luger, who hasn’t been able to attend the most crucial event.

Given his character, he’d probably feel wronged and launch more than ten cannonballs into the air. But even in the midst of that, he would calmly, almost instinctively, deduce Kaztor’s next destination.