Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

“The Capital Defense Knights isn’t somewhere just anyone can enter, Leeha-ssi. That’s why I really admire Shin Nara-ssi.”

“What, what? What’s all this sneaky talk?”

“Huh? No, nothing. But what’s the relationship between you two? Oh, right, should we speak more comfortably now? What are your ages?”

Leeha, sensing Lark’s implied praise and his probing about Shin Nara, felt anew a certain tremble towards the man before him.

“Such an annoying jerk. Really, really, really! But still……”

What would happen if he were to join hands with this man?

It was a sort of excitement felt before stepping into a new phase.

Kijung: Ugh, that person seems impressive but… I really, really, re~~ally hate him.

Leeha: I agree. It would be trouble to have a drink with someone like that, right?

Lark was smoothly disarmed and led away by Leeha. Neither the Pung nor the Virtue Knights tried to stop or even protest against the actions of their captain.

This alone spoke volumes about the influence he wielded within his “organization”. Shortly after, a beacon of light flickered in Juma City.

“He’s here! Leeha has come!”

“Ka, Lark! You really brought Lark!”

“Blood, the top rankers were telling the truth?”

The users, who had been in a heated state, were barely kept in check by the powers of Alexander, Lee Jiwon, and Pei Wu. Yet, upon seeing Leeha, they were swept into a different kind of excitement.

Like the miracle of the Red Sea parting, the users made way for Leeha, Kijung, and Lark, each offering their comments.

“Leeha-ssi!”

“Kijung-ssi!”

“You really brought Lark…”

“Where from? No, you went to [Divine Staff], right? But did [he have that]?”

It wasn’t just ordinary users.

The Sacred Knights, Byulcho, and even Bailephus were all focused on Leeha.

Leeha quietly called for Blaugrunn.

Following Bahamut, Blaugrunn transformed into a human form and appeared by Leeha’s side, using sound amplification and levitation magic.

“I will now tell you where I have been, what I have done, and why we must not fight against paleos and the mystical creatures.”

Then, he turned to look at Lark.

Lark met Leeha’s gaze and nodded, his attitude suggesting she could betray him if she wished. Leeha began to unfold the story. His first words were,

“There is an organization called – Shinobi-Gumi.”

With just that one sentence, the expressions of all users who knew of Shinobi-Gumi and Leeha changed. Lark was no exception.

“Is that why we haven’t seen Igor and Faust recently?”

“To join the Demon Army…? Can a user even make that choice?”

“What’s Shinobi-Gumi? That’s insane. How can a mere user do something like that?”

“A mere user? There were rumors that Chiyou was into some weird business!”

“Does joining the ranks of Bluebeard equate to that? It’s absurd!”

“So, [The Knight of the Rainbow] was completely duped by Chiyou?”

“It’s because of meddling with those mystical creatures without thinking it through, now look at the state we’re in.”

one voiced their concern.

“But isn’t it like settling the score by protecting the ‘Divine Staffs’ and fighting for it right now?”

another pondered.

“No, the score won’t be settled until Lark is handed over to the mystical creatures.”

clarified another.

“Heavens… I can’t decide if that’s foolish or pitiful compared to the Blood Gates.”

When the series of stories involving the Shinobi-Gumi ended, the area in front of Juma City suddenly buzzed like a marketplace. People believed Leeha’s words and discussed them, questioning the veracity of Leeha’s claims and the truthfulness of the tales. Users whispered urgently under the dark daylight.

Had he known those people were spies planted by Shinobi-Gumi, Leeha would have immediately beheaded them, but he couldn’t afford to be distracted by them for the moment.

[The story hasn’t ended yet! As I just mentioned, by handing over Lark to the mystical creatures, our battle with the paleos will come to a temporary halt.

However, that’s not the end. paleos are not our enemy but rather someone we can stand against together, so it’s safe to regard them as our allies.]

Leeha’s voice resonated once again.

Even the mystical creatures, who had little interest in the Shinobi-Gumi story, focused on Leeha this time.

Of course, most of them had faces that said, ‘Do you think we will cooperate with you?’

[The Pope never mentioned this himself, and there’s no guarantee that the mystical creatures and paleo will come to our aid when actual battle ensues… But fundamentally, the New Continent is unfamiliar territory. It’s also their land. If we are to battle here, their cooperation is essential, isn’t it? Since we’ve never had official dealings with them up to now… If that’s the case, we’ll establish official relations going forward.]

“How do you plan to achieve that?”

“Our affinity is already at -100%! Even giving them Lark won’t reset that.”

[Of course, it began with our mistakes, so we have to apologize first, not as individuals but with the strength of all humanity. I will!]

Leeha gestured downwards, and Blaugrunn manifested beneath Leeha’s signal. Kijung momentarily flailed his arms and legs at the sudden levitation, but he soon adjusted his posture.

[Here, I will propose to the Vatican using the power of the prospective ‘Holy Knight’. At least, we will explore the possibility of utilizing all paleo and mystical creatures in the western part of the New Continent as part of the ‘Demon King’s Army Resistance’. This includes sharing information about the Demon King’s Army’s movements and mutually cooperating in actual battles.]

Everyone’s eyes widened.

The unfamiliar term ‘Holy Knight’, along with Leeha’s ambitious plan, seemed unbelievable.

“paleo?”

“To use paleo as a resistance force? Is that possible?”

“But there are still undiscovered mystical creatures. If even seventeen of them shared information…”

The power to oppose the Demon King’s Army would surge immensely!

“By the way, what’s a Holy Knight?”

“Isn’t that person a guild master of Byulcho?”

Some from Byulcho were somewhat taken aback to see Kijung revealed as a ‘Holy Knight’ at this juncture, although Kijung, who had concluded his discussion with Leeha on the way to Juma City, showed no change in expression.

From the start, Kijung had intended to use the power of the Holy Knight to stop Lark’s rampage, knowing that once he became a Holy Knight, hiding it would be impossible.

The notion Leeha brought up was astonishing to the mystical creatures.

Not just peace coexistence or a non-aggression pact, but proposing an active alliance.

“Do you believe that’s possible, Leeha? To use the power of the mystical creatures?”

[Yes. I believe it’s possible, Lord Bailephus.]

“Is there a special plan, Leeha-ssi?”

Those who already knew about the Holy Knight became even more interested in Leeha’s grand plan.

Bailephus, of course, and even Shin Nara swayed slightly upon hearing Leeha’s words. Leeha touched his chin, pondering before answering.

[Hmm, I’ll need to work out the details, but initially, I was a soldier, you know? I did learn something. The strategic doctrine of the Green Berets-]

“From the times of World War, operations conducted by the 10th Special Forces Group involving small military units engaging in guerrilla warfare and rallying local villages for resistance.”

someone unexpectedly supplemented Leeha’s somewhat uncertain response.

“Alexander?”

Bailephus, sitting above, scowled.

“It’s a traditional military operation since the World Wars, utilizing small military personnel to persuade small European villages for the formation and command of resistance forces, thereby disrupting the enemy’s rear and engaging in guerrilla tactics.”

Leeha was quite surprised.

It’s a well-known fact that the U. S. Army Special Forces are referred to by the nickname Green Berets by anyone with even a slight interest.

“More than anything, Alexander himself is an American.”

But knowing not only the original name of the Green Berets, the 10th Special Forces Group, but also their role?

Could it be… a military enthusiast? Or—

A former or current soldier?

Alexander still had a frown on his face.

Unable to discern his feelings from that displeased expression, Leeha was at a loss.

“It may not align with my definition of justice, but… it’s undoubtedly efficient for a greater cause. I didn’t expect to hear about it here.”

“Uh, well—”

“If you know that much, then I can leave the rest in your hands, Leeha. We should be heading back now. Bailephus?”

“Ahem, understood. My comrade.”

Interrupting Leeha who was about to speak, Alexander and Bailephus suddenly took their leave.

As a golden dragon flapped its wings and flew away, all players momentarily watched.

“Ah… anyway! We will strive to reach that level of readiness! We ask that you, the players, also refrain from engaging with paleow in combat and focus on growing stronger for the upcoming fourth wave!”

Leeha raised his tone and lifted his hand high.

How many people had truly understood everything Leeha had said? But at that moment, it didn’t matter.

Alexander had acknowledged Leeha and left, and all was in the hands of Lark as planned by Leeha.

Above all, Leeha’s strategy utilizing mythical beings and paleow against the Demon Army’s resistance was enough to boost the morale of the players.

Wow, wow, wow! Leeha! Leeha! Leeha!

It was only natural for the players to chant Leeha’s name in some sense.

After the commotion settled, a considerable number of players had left, but many still remained around Leeha.

Not all faces were smiling, though.

Shin Nara and Bobae, in particular, looked at Leeha with eyes full of discontent.

“You have a plan, right?”

“Of course. Trust me.”

“I do trust you since it’s something Leeha is doing, but—”

“Even though I do trust you! Geez, really! How can someone be so likable, yet so frustrating? Kijung! Aren’t you upset hearing all this? Because of that despicable person, we’ve suffered so much! It wouldn’t be satisfying enough even if he was socially buried alive!”

It made sense for Bobae to cut in and rant.

Especially since the members of Byulcho, including Kijung, harbored deeper resentment towards Lark.

Seeing Kijung bewildered and speechless beside Leeha only infuriated Bobae further.

“Don’t you have anything to say, Kijung?”

“Uh, well, I mean.”

“Argh, it’s so frustrating! Anyway! I can forgive anyone else but him. Lark, I swear I’ll kill you myself someday.”

Even as Bobae was spewing threatening words and jabbing the air, Lark showed no particular reaction.

He found the whole situation just as absurd.

“What are you trying to do?”