Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

Kijeong was taken aback by the sudden instruction, but Ramhwayeon was Ramhwayeon. In situations like this, she was truly the commander of thousands. Moreover, there was Bottleneck, who was in charge of repairing the city walls and manufacturing the defensive equipment!

“Bottleneck, I’ll count on you for setting up the defense systems. Please come up with ideas to not only defend against enemy intrusions but also to automatically trigger an alert when they get close to the city.”

“Is that supposed to be easy?!”

“It’s not easy, and only Bottleneck can do it. After all, he’s the commander of the City Gaza Engineering Corps.”

“Ugh…. But even if you say that―”

“Please put in some effort. Did you just see it? If you set your mind to it, you can get a ton of valuable minerals from Dragon Rares.”

‘Assuming Blaugrun approves.’

The unspoken words that Leeha skipped were the most important, but Bottleneck, who had already witnessed Blaugrun’s performance, had no choice but to nod along with Leeha’s trick.

“Alright. I’ll take care of that.”

“Okay! Then I’ll go to the Papal Office! Blaugrun, you stay here for now!”

After giving each of the three trustworthy individuals their instructions, Leeha immediately activated the teleportation spell. Before going to Azwen, she needed to stop by the capital, the Musketeer Academy.

* * *

“What did you just say?”

“I requested that they withdraw from the area, Your Highness.”

Browris, kneeling before the Pope, quietly responded. Of course, Leeha was also present beside him.

Leeha, who had been appointed as the lord of City Gaza, the human-inhabited city that was attacked by the Demon King’s vanguard, and the possibility that someone with a continent-wide information network might be aligned with the Demon King’s forces even if they were not visible.

This was why Browris, with Leeha by his side, had come to the Papal Office in Azwen.

“Do you know who surrounds me?”

“Of course. Faithful followers, including the Cardinals, who spread the love of Ahullow, and I request to make them aware of this.”

The Pope displayed a somewhat puzzled expression.

However, Browris could not refuse Browris’s request.

‘I wouldn’t have said it if there was a chance.’

As a user, Leeha wasn’t highly regarded by the Papal Office, and she still didn’t have the position to speak to NPCs.

In fact, Leeha hadn’t turned off the ‘Dignity’ buff, but since coming to the Papal Office, no one had bowed their heads to Leeha.

“It’s okay, Your Highness. If it’s the Hero Browris, it must hold some meaning. We’ll go outside.”

“Okay.”

As the Pope nodded, high-ranking clergy members in the Papal Office, including the Cardinals, all left the room.

Browris politely bid farewell to those leaving before reporting to the Pope about what Leeha had experienced.

.

.

“Let’s not carry out a large-scale search? Is that what you’re suggesting, Browris?”

“Yes. At this point, when the Reinforcement Pact has been concluded, I am also quite sorry to say this, but there’s no other way.”

“Why, of all things, do you pay so much attention to someone handling information?”

As the Pope asked Browris, his gaze was on Leeha.

Of course, Browris, who had heard the whole story, didn’t stop Leeha from speaking. Looking at the NPC who wanted the answer from the person who had experienced it firsthand, Leeha began speaking.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes. Besides, we can’t even be sure if the person handling that information is really affiliated with the Demon King’s forces.”

“What? Are you seriously making such a suggestion based on guesswork and assumptions alone? It’s not easy to conduct individual searches, and if even greater damage occurs, what will you do with such a proposal―”

“That’s why I’d like to propose something, Your Holiness. No, Your Highness the Pope.”

Leeha cut off the Pope’s words.

It was somewhat rude, but the Pope showed no change in expression.

“What is it? How do you plan to deal with the Bluebeard and the Demon King’s forces, even involving humans.”

“…the formation of a small elite suppression squad. We can’t have a large group moving simultaneously. Sending official letters to various countries in the name of the Papal Office is also risky. As I mentioned earlier, we don’t even know where this enemy, this ‘entity,’ is getting our information from. In the end, the answer is to operate with an extremely small and trusted group of individuals.”

“It’s an absurd proposal. Even if the war heroes from the Second Demon War return, we can’t fend off the Demon King’s forces with a small elite group. Right now, it’s just the Bluebeards that are active, but who knows how the situation might change? What if, while your so-called ‘small elite’ is in motion, the Bluebeards have already resurrected or awakened Givriyd and Pyrot-Cokri? Can we handle the Demon King’s forces with those who are not even on par with the heroes from the Second Demon War?”

“No. It’s possible.”

“What?”

“Except for the Bluebeards, the fragments of the Demon King have not yet awakened. If they had, the attack on City Gaza would have been much more than what we’ve seen. And because they haven’t awakened yet, we need to act first, faster, and discreetly—before the other fragments of the Demon King awaken. Before the forces of Phuviel and Minis can join them.”

A rational argument.

Considering the current situation and the activities of the Demon King’s fragments, Leeha’s judgment was close to the truth.

The fact that the Pope was seriously considering it was evidence of that.

Browris did not hinder Leeha’s words, nor did he add anything. He fully trusted what Leeha said.

Finally, the Pope, after pondering with a serious expression, opened his mouth.

“…Is it feasible?”

Gulp, hoo…

Leeha took a deep, slow breath to compose herself.

She had spoken confidently, but the success was uncertain. One only knows if a shot hits when the trigger is pulled.

“I request the authority to form the suppression squad. I’ll gather individuals recognized by Your Holiness and return as soon as possible.”

Since the moment those guys entered City Gaza, Leeha had prepared herself to pull the trigger.

* * *

“How much vile potion do you need to make rocks like this? Is this a fortress or pudding?”

As a dwarf raised a hammer, a shout came from behind him.

“Spray the hardening potion first and then shape it with your tools, you idiot! If you just smash it, everything will crumble!”

“You filthy creature! Even without saying that, I know more than you! Keep your mouth shut! Just testing it out, you freak! We’re dwarves who were expelled from Helenvil!”

“What? I’m the ‘Engineering Corps Commander’ of this human city, bigger than Helenvil, you arrogant dwarf! Should I pull out all that beard of yours to make you understand your rank?!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

While they were arguing noisily, their hands didn’t stop.

The repair work on City Gaza’s walls was progressing so rapidly that it changed every hour.

Not only the existing stonemasons from City Gaza, but also the new Engineering Corps Commander, Bottleneck, who brought a few dwarves from Helenvil, contributed to the rapid progress.

It was thanks to the items Blaugrun had provided, which were put to good use as an emergency budget.

“How should we handle the delegation of authority, Leeha?”

“Think and act. Act first and think later! The restoration of the road to the marketplace is almost complete, so after dismantling the outdoor market there, we can use it as a temporary storage area! Let the repairs on the market building be handled by that old bear over there!”

“Yes, yup! I understand. I’ll do as you’ve instructed.”

The NPC steward rushed out again with an expression that looked like he was about to cry.

Her ability to handle tasks was superior even to the NPC steward, who was well-acquainted with City Gaza, so there was no other choice.

“Old bear? Who are you calling an old bear?! I’m not as arrogant as you, you dwarf trying to act all high and mighty as the ‘Engineering Corps Commander’! If you don’t show some respect, I’ll pull out every hair of that beard!”

“Hmph, you’re the one who should show respect! I’m the ‘Deputy of Authority,’ second only to the City Lord! You should be the one showing respect, you arrogant woman!”

While they were bickering, their hands did not stop.

The distinct personalities of both individuals, each trying not to give an inch, were fully evident. Seeing this, Kijeong couldn’t help but sigh.

“How do you manage to get things done in this atmosphere? It’s truly remarkable, isn’t it, Taeil hyung?”

“It’s probably because this city has Leeha as its lord… the overall atmosphere here feels like Leeha.”

“Keke, it has some distinct features, but on the surface, it looks quite chaotic and disorganized, right?”

“Well, it’s a somewhat sharp description… but I can’t deny it.”

Although Veyemi playfully poked with her words, Taeil didn’t disagree. Indeed, the image of Leeha in their minds was quite similar to that kind of shape.

Even Kijeong, who was a distant cousin of Leeha, didn’t strongly oppose the expression “chaotic and disorganized” but just smiled wryly…

“Ah, let’s continue. Who’s next? How many times is it?”

In front of Byulcho, there were sturdy young NPCs who had come to demonstrate their abilities, looking at the dedication of Ram Hwayeon.

“Support number 63! Krat! Primary weapon is a sword and shield!”

“Support number 64, Chae-ni! Primary weapon is a two-handed sword!”

“Alright, get ready.”

One of the tasks assigned to Byulcho was the re-selection of the City Gaza Knights, a crucial task.

Among the NPCs who were in a medium condition, there were a dozen who they couldn’t save in time.

Nearly half of the total 150 members, a significant 72 individuals, had died during the recent attack. So, Kijeong and Byulcho were responsible for selecting them again and providing training.

“Keke, I wonder if our Guild Master will become the commander of this knight order. Didn’t they say the Knight Commander is dead?”

“It’s not just the commander. Including the deputy commander, it seems all the squad leaders of each unit also died… that means there were not only skilled warriors but also NPCs with courtesy in the Gaza Knights.”

Taeil nodded at Veyemi’s words.

The most skilled individuals were the ones who stood in the front lines during the Chimera and Demon Vanguard attacks, giving the citizens time to evacuate.

In the end, it had turned into the worst scenario possible, but Taeil had more respect and warm admiration for the efforts, the heavy responsibilities, and duties carried out by those NPCs who died doing their best.

“We can’t let someone who’s neither here nor there join such a splendid knight order! Now, if you’re ready, come at me!”

Swoosh—

Taeil drew his two-handed sword and aimed it at Support Number 63 and 64. This was, in a way, a practical test, a kind of entrance examination.

In a corner of bustling City Gaza, a tall figure was watching them closely.

* * *

“How many days has it been since we last saw Leeha?”

“It’s been a while. Although there’s a lot of hustle and bustle with Hwahong, Byulcho, and even the dwarves… we haven’t seen Leeha’s figure.”

“He’s not within the city, is he?”

Chiyo tilted her head with an amused expression.

Their current location was a tavern in another city. However, for someone like her, moving from one tavern to another within the city was not a problem at all.

“Can’t say for sure… I haven’t prepared the NPCs for confirming that yet. However, considering that Ram Hwayeon is giving direct orders and is on the move, I estimate that Leeha is not inside City Gaza.”

“Well, no, it’s not that certain. Even if Leeha is in place, it’s natural for Ram Hwayeon to handle the tasks. Well, even I, recognized by Midgard, wouldn’t be able to maintain the supply lines like she did during the national war.”

To Chiyo, Ram Hwayeon was a presence that was much more restrained compared to players who obsessed over rankings and stats.