Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Chapter 914

“You must be familiar with the emblem of our papal state.”

“It certainly was shaped like a key.”

Although it wasn’t winged like the key of Jannate, the emblem of the Vatican of Ezwen was indeed a key.

Listening to Leeha’s response, Pope Urban II began to explain about the emblem.

“The ‘Key of Jannate’ was said to be directly bestowed by Ahlo to the apostles even before the Vatican of Ezwen was established. Although there are various accounts, there is no dispute that it is the highest holy relic of the papal state and symbolizes the state itself.”

“I see.”

Leeha was genuinely surprised.

He knew it wasn’t an ordinary item. He also knew that it was a significant object researched by many in the Vatican of Ezwen to the extent that there were conflicting theories about it.

However, he didn’t realize it was an item described as being “directly given by God.”

Leeha regretted not examining it more closely when it was in his possession.

“That is exactly the issue.”

“Pardon?”

“The Lord did not bestow it upon a ‘pope’. There wasn’t even a concept of a pope back then. When the Lord bestowed the Key of Jannate, it was given to ten apostles. It wasn’t given to a single person.”

“Do you mean that the rights to the ‘Key of Jannate’ are divided?”

Leeha asked cautiously.

Why emphasize the number ten? His guess was somewhat accurate.

“Yes. The apostles received the key from the Lord and selected a leader among them, deciding to formally establish and operate the papal state. However, to check the leader, the rights to the ‘Key of Jannate’ were divided among those excluding the leader. That was the first pope and the first cardinals.”

“Ah, I see!? Your Holiness! If it’s a pope and cardinals—one pope and nine cardinals—”

“Now we refer to them as the ‘C9’, the Council of Nine Cardinals.”

When talking about Elizabeth, Brown, and Kyle, or when interrogating Browless, Leeha recalled the appearances of the cardinals.

When Kaztor killed the previous pope, nine members attended as representatives of the Vatican of Ezwen excluding the pope. The authority over the ‘Key of Jannate’ was divided among them.

That was why the pope’s expression was dark.

Leeha also understood the pope’s intent. How could one use an item with rights divided among nine people?

“With only the members supporting me currently, I won’t secure a majority.”

A vote was necessary.

This meant that at least five out of the nine members of the cardinals’ council excluding the pope had to agree, and the pope did not have enough control over the public sentiment to solicit such agreement at this time.

“Considering your reputation, it’s more favorable compared to the previous pope and even during your days as Cardinal Romero, isn’t it?”

Leeha tried to persuade him, but the pope only showed a gentle yet somewhat sorrowful expression.

“As embarrassing as it is to say, perhaps that’s the reason.”

The brighter the light, the darker the shadow.

As the pope’s reputation improved, the opponents’ jealousy grew, and his kind demeanor accelerated the growth of opposing factions.

“So, what’s the current configuration?”

Hearing Leeha’s question, the cardinal standing next to the pope frowned.

Revealing internal issues of the papal state to an outsider was quite shameful. But who were those present, including Leeha?

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The pope sighed and spoke of the situation.

“Currently, it’s about 4:5.”

“‘Currently’ means—”

“There will soon be a vote among the cardinals for member election. After that…”

He referred to the possibly more desperate situation he might not even want to hear.

“There’s a chance it could become 3:6.”

***

“The secret of ‘Laputa’ lies in the ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ and yet those blockheads—”

“Luger!”

Kidd snapped at Luger with a metallic tone.

Luger, realizing his inappropriate language in front of the pope, tried to choose his words more carefully, but the pope agreed with him.

“They are blockheads indeed.”

“H-His Holiness! How can you say such things in front of an outsider…”

11. 천국으로 가는 계단 (Stairway to Heaven) – Stairway to Heaven (it)
The Cardinal’s Advisor had anxiously tried to stop the Pope, but the Pope did not withdraw his words.

“In the end, they would oppose even if we presented Laputa to them.”

Someday, the Pope thought, they would bring up the matter when they could completely take the lead.

‘Only then, when the use of the “Key of Jeannate” is permitted, will their reputation truly rise.’

Leeha pondered for a moment.

If the current balance stood at 4:5, then persuading just one person would suffice, wouldn’t it?

What if he took the initiative?

Or what if everyone present, including himself, took the initiative?

‘Heh, we could show exactly what the Three Musketeers of the previous generation did.’

They could be persuaded through “Bargaining”.

Luger could show a bit of his strength. And if that didn’t work?

Leeha glanced slyly at Kidd and Browless. They were likely thinking along similar lines.

What would it feel like if two members of Rapidfire lurked in the shadows of the opposition’s residence?

He could reproduce, along with his disciple, the reason why all the power brokers of the Rophis continent feared Browless.

But would that really be right?

“If we interfere—”

“The resistance would intensify even more. You are not members of the Ezwen Theocracy, nor do you use divine power.”

The Pope surely thought of everything Leeha was considering.

Would Fernand, who was affiliated with the Ezwen Theocracy, act alone without the involvement of the Three Musketeers?

That wouldn’t be easy either.

Though he was a king in the field of adventure and pioneering, he was somewhat poor at dealing with people.

‘He must be particularly weak in such delicate political battles. Ugh, damned Middle Earth!’

Nothing was easy.

As Leeha grumbled and every other user was racking their brains, there was one person who appeared completely calm.

“Kijung-ah?”

“Hyung, I was wondering why a window popped up for me.”

“What?”

“Turns out… it was this.”

“What do you mean?”

Kijung stared blankly into the air.

Just as Leeha thought he might be looking at something related to a system window, Kijung’s eyes returned to focus.

“This is where I had to step in. The next goal for me, as the ‘Exorcism Cardinal’…”

He turned his head to look at the Pope, then at the other users, and finally at Leeha.

“It was the Council of Nine Cardinals.”

The achievements he had gained when he disposed of Pyrot-Cocri’s clone and received the skill “Ahlo’s Mace” held a clear significance.

* * *

Together with the users, Browless stepped out of the Vatican. They had gained nothing immediate.

No items, no achievements.

But at least there was hope now.

“Managing one of the dioceses of Fibiel? But why didn’t you take it?”

The achievement “The One Allowed the Mace of the Supreme God” included more than just the skill “Ahlo’s Mace”.

Kijung, who was currently a regular cardinal, had also been given the additional right to receive the ordination of a bishop and choose to manage one of Fibiel’s 15 dioceses.

“I find it bothersome. Battling chimeras in the New Continent’s center is more fun.”

Of course, that didn’t mean Kijung would use it right away.

“Hey, you— you idiot!”

Just as Leeha yelled, Luger burst out laughing.

“As expected of Ha Leeha’s relative. They are splitting images.”

“Be quiet, Luger. We’re cousins, not real siblings.”

“Same difference. You’re actions are the same. Who would’ve thought there’d be a user who’d squash the reward they received. Haha!”

Luger repeatedly smiled as if to pay back for what had happened to him in Saur Land.

Leeha didn’t have the energy to argue back.

In reality, he knew better than anyone what kind of personality Kijung had.

“It’s still too early to laugh. Master Kay, it’s not over until you really reach C9.”

“That’s right. And it doesn’t look like it’ll be easy.”

“Of course, it won’t be easy! What achievements have you earned?”

“Uh… one of them is ‘The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom’.”

『Achievement: The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom (S-)』

Congratulations!

You have resolved many issues that the Ezwen Papacy considered problematic. As a result, the number of people within the Papacy who are watching you is gradually increasing. You will be regarded as a welcomed individual anywhere in the Ezwen Holy Kingdom, and numerous followers of Ahlo will begin to remember your name.

Reward: 21 stat points

Ezwen Holy Kingdom overall intimacy +15%

Free health recovery at any shrine within the Ezwen Holy Kingdom

You are the third registrant of The Rising Star of the Ezwen Holy Kingdom achievement.

The third registrant of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and an additional 200% of the original effects will apply.

Effect: 42 stat points

Ezwen Holy Kingdom overall intimacy +30%

“In the Hall of Fame as the third registrant?”

“Yeah, I have that too. I think I was the second.”

Fernand answered Leeha’s question directed at Kijung. Kijung nodded saying, “Ah, right.”

“Yes. As you are affiliated with Ezwen, it’s likely that achieving a certain number of quests triggers it.”

“That seems to be the case. If I’m the second and Master Kay is the third, the first must be—”

“It must be Raphaela.”

Everyone could agree with Kijung’s words.

Was she not the most renowned user in the realm of Holy Power?

A user who had maintained her reputation longer than Kijung would certainly have achieved this feat.

“Then what’s the other one, Master Kay? It must be an achievement I don’t have.”

Fernand shared the same achievement as Kijung.

Yet, stepping forward and saying something wasn’t enough.

That meant there must have been another achievement that helped Kijung cement his standing.

Fernand’s guess was accurate.

Kijung answered, “It’s ‘The Cardinals’ Jealousy’.”

Just by its name, it seemed like an achievement entwined with faction conflicts that could never be escaped.

* * *

『Achievement: The Cardinals’ Jealousy (S)』

Congratulations!

You have gained significant fame within the Ezwen Holy Kingdom, and as a member of 『The Pope’s Faction』! The path you can choose is now very narrow. You have no choice but to drive out the ruffians engaging in factional struggles within the holy grounds. Want to avoid it? Even if you claim not to be part of 『The Pope’s Faction』, the 『Anti-Pope’s Faction』 will not leave you alone unless you are a frontline figure battling monsters. So, let’s surpass those who approach religion with warped perspectives and demonstrate true faith! The Lord will guide you on a hard but rewarding and warm path.

Reward: 25 stat points

Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Pope’s Faction』 +25%

Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 -50%

You are the second registrant of The Cardinals’ Jealousy achievement.

The third registrant of the achievement will be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and an additional 200% of the original effects will apply.

Effect: 50 stat points

Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Pope’s Faction』 +50%

Intimacy with cardinals of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 -100%

“What is that? Pope’s Faction, Anti-Pope’s Faction?”

“Ah, in Ezwen, there are a lot of achievements like this. They use brackets to symbolize specific individuals or factions, likely because they can change. If I didn’t have high intimacy with the Pope, I’d be marked as part of 『The Anti-Pope’s Faction』 and hated by 『The Pope’s Faction』.”

“Don’t talk so leisurely! So? Who are the cardinals of the Pope’s and Anti-Pope’s Factions? What’s their number? In C9, it’s about 4:5, right?”

While speaking to Kijung, Leeha kept his eyes on Fernand.