Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Chapter 915

It was an action born of certainty, believing Kijung couldn’t possibly know. However, Fernand, having no interest in the Ezwen faction, didn’t know either.

“The Pope’s Faction naturally follows His Holiness, but the Anti-Pope’s Faction… Well?”

“Man, at least know their leader! Who heads the Anti-Pope’s Faction? That Tus… something guy?”

“Oh, it’s not Tusculani. That faction has completely crumbled.”

During the current Pope’s time as a cardinal, Tusculani was one of the strongest candidates for the papacy. It was Kijung who played a decisive role in toppling Tusculani, the largest faction in Ezwen.

After uncovering electoral fraud, Tusculani completely collapsed, and his followers disbanded.

“I thought you had a masterstroke because you declared you’d become C9. But you didn’t even know the name of the opposing leader?”

Feeling frustrated by Kijung’s words, Kidd stepped up.

Luger kept muttering, “Just like Ha Leeha’s hyung!” in a grumbling tone.

Both Leeha and Fernand, as well as Browless, couldn’t hide their anxiety, but Kijung himself seemed completely nonchalant.

“I really don’t know about those things. Being the guild master of Byulcho requires a lot of attention. Since the last incident, there have been daily membership requests, and conducting joining tests is no easy task either.”

“Do you call that an excuse? If you don’t know, then find someone who does—”

“Yeah, that’s why I brought her.”

What gave Kijung so much confidence?

The phrase “9 Cardinals Committee” and the mention of Ezwen’s “faction” battles. When those words came up, Kijung had already had someone in mind.

“Oh boy, even if everyone doesn’t know, how can you discuss such things right in front of the papal office? And do you think it won’t be noticeable when one of the most prominent cardinals from the Pope’s Faction is right here?”

The scolding voice sounded somewhat like Ram Hwayeon, but she wouldn’t come all the way here. The scale of the New Continent’s paleo coalition, the 〈Partisan〉, had been growing day by day, constructing fortresses and barriers everywhere to expand their defensive lines.

However, concerning matters related to divine power, there was someone who could be recognized as having information as good as or better than Ram Hwayeon’s.

She waved her hand toward Kijung as she appeared with the sound of elegant footsteps.

“Raphaela…?”

“The Saintess? Now that I think about it, it has been a long time since I’ve seen her.”

“Oh my. Hello, Ha Leeha of the 〈R- Rank〉! And ‘Stinger’ Kidd and unlucky Luger, too?”

“What the—”

Saintess Raphaela.

Due to her nickname, very few knew her true nature. Luckily, Kijung knew her true nature very well.

—Right, Kijung, you mentioned her before?

—Yes. That woman is super cunning. She probably knows everything.

Leeha and Kijung exchanged looks. During the Pyrot-Cocri avatar slaying quest, their conversations had reached Leeha as well. She was indeed not an ordinary person.

—So, should I help you? This time it’s not even a quest.

—Hyung, didn’t you remember what I said earlier? I have the right to choose one of the Fibiel dioceses.

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—What does that have to do with her?

—Oh, hyung, returning from 〈Laputa〉, seems to have his brain stiffened. If I become the diocesan bishop, who do you think would manage the ‘monasteries’ in that diocese?

“Oh…?”

Leeha, unknowingly, let out a gasp. What Raphaela wanted so much was the position of the Grand Abbot of Minis! If she could get something equivalent in another country like Fibiel?

Knowing that her fame had already sufficiently spread in Minis, Raphaela would desire it even more.

—You’re quite clever?

—Who do you think I learned from? Haha, hyung. Leave it to me. In Middle Earth’s time, it’s 50 days, so I’ll figure it out by then.

In reality, it was only about ten days. Considering logout times, the actual working hours would be even less. Despite that, Kijung was confident.

For some reason, Leeha felt that the presence of his younger cousin in front of him had significantly grown.

―I believe you.

―Okay.

Not just for Leeha, but also for Kijung, who was growing into an essential player that Middle Earth couldn’t overlook.

* * *

After a brief “meeting” in front of the Vatican, the users scattered in different directions. They needed more than half of C9’s agreement to secure the “Key of Jannate,” and the vote for the selection of the “Council of Nine Cardinals” was happening in 50 days. There was no reason to waste time here.

“I will be near the central part of the New Continent. That’s the only place where we can get their news quickest.”

Browless headed toward the center of the New Continent. As an NPC essential to Kijung, who led the Star Troop, he promptly whispered to a member of the Star Troop to guide and escort him.

“Kidd, aren’t you going with the Headmaster?”

“Right now, I need to go somewhere else―away from the Headmaster.”

“Kheheh, where are you going? What are you hiding?”

“Luger, you don’t need to know.”

“The Three Musketeers’ teleportation spell will show―”

Whoosh―!

Kidd quickly teleported. Even Luger and Leeha were slightly surprised as they watched him vanish. Kidd would normally insist on following Browless, but he had chosen a different path at this moment. Although Kidd wanted to keep it hidden, Luger’s words weren’t wrong. The Three Musketeers’ teleportation network revealed Kidd’s location.

‘Southern Fibiel―Blazing Desert―Deadwood? It’s a village?’

The village where Kidd succeeded in his secondary advancement. He had only one reason to visit that place without telling Leeha and Luger.

Kidd soon headed toward the sheriff’s office in Deadwood, fiddling with his waist belt.

“Now that Luger’s Viper has awakened, I must awaken the geckos by beating them up if necessary.”

His pace quickened.

Having confirmed Kidd’s position, Luger’s brow twitched as well. The hunter, who instinctively knew what Kidd was planning, also fiddled with his weapon.

“I’m going too.”

“Where to? Are you getting information on Tiamat?”

“Keke, just wait. I’ll prepare something that can swallow those six dragon heads in one go.”

“What—”

Whoosh―!

Luger also quickly teleported. Leeha, somewhat bewildered, soon sighed. It was the most Lugeresque thing to do.

‘Even though the Cobalt Blue Python has awakened, it can’t be used at full capacity from the start.’

There would definitely be restrictions similar to the Black Bass’s charge rate. Luger must have moved to resolve that issue.

Aside from that, Fernand disappeared to gather information on Tiamat, and both Kijung and Raffaella relocated to begin their “work,” scattering in all directions.

Left alone in front of the Vatican at Ezwen, Leeha briefly savored the solitude, but he didn’t have much time to spare either.

‘Regarding information on Tiamat… I should be able to obtain some.’

Alexander and Bailephus probably already had some information. However, everything couldn’t be left entirely in their hands. To fully understand the current situation of the metal dragon clan, it was better for him to go personally.

“Moreover, there’s something I need to give.

『Partner: Summon』.”

Taking out the gift prepared for Blaugrunn, Leeha immediately used the skill.

Blaugrunn’s location was near the entrance to Peklo City.

“Wow! Ha Leeha-nim!”

“Whoa, Blaugrunn-ssi, you’ve really grown taller!”

As soon as Blaugrunn saw Leeha, he ran to him. Though it was unfortunate Blaugrunn was still at the juvenile stage, Leeha could notice his substantial growth. Blaugrunn had grown to the point where they were almost at eye level. Despite all their travels together, Blaugrunn had suddenly experienced a growth spurt for a different reason.

“Of course! If that Blaugrunn doesn’t grow up quickly, I’m in trouble! Oh, I need to go kill that damned mixed-blood too! I’m busy enough trying to decorate my house with the pieces of his cursed body, so why does the Lord want me to educate someone like him?”

“Uh? Hello― there?”

A human was sitting on a snow-covered rock.

It was a woman with cold silver hair tied in a ponytail, but her expression was full of dissatisfaction, making Leeha tense up.

“Don’t say such things, Zelreja-nim! It’s not like I want to receive combat training!”

“What, you punk!? Get over here!”

“Ha Leeha-nim!”

Blaugrunn quickly hid behind Leeha.

It was a sight Blaugrunn would never normally show.

Above all, Leeha quickly understood the presence of a woman who remained unfazed even at his appearance.

“Hello, dragon.”

“Are you that brat’s partner? You look quite weak. Unlike you, Bailephus’ partner seemed trustworthy. You’re a disappointment.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

Despite his over 100% affinity with the metal dragon clan, such an attitude! Leeha glanced at Blaugrunn.

—Who is she?

—The strongest bully born from the Steel Dragon clan.

With those simple words, Blaugrunn answered. No further explanation was necessary for Leeha to decide.

“Then we shall be going. We’ve something to report to Lord Bahamut. Let’s go, Blaugrunn-ssi.”

“What, you two just do as you please―”

“Goodbye, Zelreja-nim!”

Before Zelreja could finish her sentence, Blaugrunn used teleportation.

Swoosh―!

As Leeha’s body was transported, he saw the woman running towards him from the rock.

He thought the distance was considerable, but she moved in an instant.

『Whew, that was close…』

“Right? I thought she’d grab me by the scruff of my neck.”

Both Jellypong and Leeha instinctively took a defensive stance simultaneously.

“Haha, seems like you greeted Zelreja.”

The metal dragon King, Bahamut, was watching the scene.

Leeha, trying to return the greeting after a long time, halted his action. Bahamut’s left arm was missing.

* * *

“Bahamut… nim?”

Bailephus and Alexander were no longer visible.

Bahamut was alone in his lair. Leeha suddenly felt Bahamut’s lair seemed desolate.

No matter how vast the hollow was, he had never felt this way before.

Even in human form, Bahamut’s presence always filled the large space.

But now?

It wasn’t just about ‘losing an arm’.

“Oh, this? Don’t worry too much. There’s no inconvenience for me with something like this.”

Bahamut snapped his right hand, summoning tea. The cup floated toward Bahamut’s mouth without any shaking.

Seeing the playful expression of the dragon as he savored the tea, Leeha managed to smile.

“I see. Haha, it’s been a while.”

It couldn’t possibly be fine.

In fact, the very need for such actions indicated how serious it was. Bahamut accepted his greeting with a bittersweet yet kind smile.

“I’ve heard the stories from Alexander and Bailephus. You went through a lot, I heard.”

“No, sir. It was Bailephus who went through the most. Not to mention Blaugrunn-ssi and Zelreja-nim too.”

Suppressing the thought ‘The Lord must have suffered the most,’ Leeha kept himself from revealing what he knew.

Having already heard from Kijung about Bluebeard, Leeha could surmise.

Did they have to trade Bluebeard’s abdominal wound for Bahamut’s ‘left arm’?

‘Even if it wasn’t a small wound, losing an arm is a totally different story. Damn, and clueless users are just whining about balance!’