Chapter 996
“So what you’re saying is…”
“Yes, it means that this expedition to ‘Laputa’ cannot move as a single group, Your Grace.”
Leeha replied, bowing his head.
There was a brief commotion beside him.
Many users had already gathered in the Pope’s office.
Kidd and Luger, who were part of the New Continent Eastern Expedition squad, were absent, but Alexander, Bailephus, the guide Fernand, and the NPC Browless were all present.
In addition, C9 members like Kijung and those who had assisted Kijung, including Raphaela, were also in attendance.
“Is there a reason?”
Alexander asked Leeha, but Leeha turned to Fernand before replying.
“The last expedition followed a path already pioneered by Fernand-ssi, Alexander-ssi, and Lee Jiwon-ssi, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“The destination was just one – ‘the East of the New Continent,’ and there were predecessors like Kaztor, whose traces we followed.”
“Correct.”
“And who was there on that path back then?”
“Chiyou was present.”
Leeha’s expression was gentle, and Fernand answered without any tension.
As Fernand replied, Leeha turned his gaze to Alexander. Alexander, observing the conversation between Leeha and Fernand, understood Leeha’s intention.
“Indeed, if it’s Chiyou, she’s likely waiting. So the plan is to split into more than three teams.”
“Exactly. She’s certain to be anticipating us, knowing we’re heading to ‘Laputa’, whether we’re going in or coming out.”
The others were aware of the route Fernand found, and unlike in the past when they had to rush, they were now waiting at that location.
Moreover, hadn’t they been ambushed already when heading to Laputa from Saur Land?
Although the location of ‘Red Zeppelin’ was relocated afterwards, the possibility of Chiyou ambushing remained.
Leeha’s speculation was simple yet logically connected to a significant proposal.
If Chiyou were to launch an attack?
One needed to identify the enemy’s weaknesses and exploit them.
In other words, they should advance in separated teams before the enemy, who still constituted a ‘minority’, managed to fully assemble their forces.
“Then, wouldn’t it be better to just go in a large group, hyung? If we have to fight anyway―”
“No, it’s to avoid fighting. That’s the priority. Fight only when there’s no other choice.”
“Why?”
“Because of ‘Arcane Bullet’.”
Having 50 or 100 people rush in wouldn’t improve the situation.
If threatened by Arcane Bullet, no one would be able to act rashly.
Ultimately, whether in a group or split into teams, there was a chance of getting stuck due to Chiyou, as Leeha pointed out. Therefore, it led to the conclusion that they should divide into as many parties as possible to explore the Eastern New Continent at an appropriate level.
The users, already somewhat informed about Arcane Bullet, did not oppose Leeha’s proposal. Knowing they must heed Leeha’s words, the next problem emerged.
How should the teams be composed?
If they were to split into teams, who should carry ‘Key of Jannate’?
“Hmm, regarding that, I have something to say.”
“Director?”
Browless, who had remained silent, stepped forward.
An NPC who had not appeared during the war with Tiamat.
Only when the war was nearly over, there was talk of them taking charge of a few chimeras somewhere, but Leeha had not witnessed it directly.
“Come to think of it, Kidd or Luger didn’t mention anything. If the director had made a significant contribution, they wouldn’t have stayed silent.”
Wasn’t Browless the NPC Kidd favored most on Middle Earth? If such a person had said nothing?
In reality, it could be said that Browless had no striking achievements in the battle against Tiamat.
Leeha had passed it over without much thought, but now, it piqued his curiosity.
Why hadn’t Browless made any significant contributions?
“Indeed. After reporting to General Ewin, the new continent—”
Thunk, thunk, thunk.
Just as Browless was about to speak, the door to the Pope’s office made a loud noise.
“Hmm? Who might…”
The Pope’s curiosity piqued as Browless was launching into his story, and a voice came from outside the door.
『Your Holiness, someone urgently wishes to join the meeting. This person is—』
『Inside, discussing team formations and whatnot, that’s Ha Leeha’s voice, isn’t it? Huhahaha! The thinking is similar. To divide the teams, strong ranged dealers should be central! Although you claim the bullets are magical, you will want to avoid close combat. Therefore, we need factors that can counter from a distance on our side, causing tension and preventing them from approaching easily. Ha Leeha, Luger, and Kidd’s Three Musketeers should be on different teams, and, oh, it would be best if Bobae joins this time—』
『But first, you should reveal your affiliation!』
Interrupting the papal NPC’s voice, a man’s urgent tone spoke, only to be followed by a woman’s calm voice soothing him so users could hear it.
“Please… come in first,” the Pope said.
With the Pope’s words, the office door opened.
Beside the startled papal auxiliary NPC, two users appeared.
One was clad in gleaming armor and a white cape billowing, while the other wore a shabby tunic unsuitable for the occasion.
“I apologize for greeting you without formality after such a long time, Your Holiness.”
“No, it’s fine. I am grateful that the hero of this Tiamat battle is already taking action.”
The Pope smiled as he raised them up from their kneeling position. They faced the many users present in the hall.
Shin Nara exchanged eye contact with Bobae standing next to Kijung, but the one in the tunic was looking at someone else.
“Hey there, cursed comrade. Looking good?”
“Haha! That’s quite a hello. It was foolish of me to worry about your mental state even for a second. It seems the damage wasn’t light.”
Leeha could only smile wryly at Lark’s audacious greeting.
Having lost all his defenses, including his armor, Lark was unable to even don the cape of the Virtuous Knight Order.
Other users might have wondered why Lark’s attire looked like that, but Leeha knew.
“It all completely melted away… Everything disappeared when you were truly bare.”
The ‘Acid Breath’ of the Black Dragon Onyx actually degraded the durability of items, and because Lark had been exposed to it for an extended period without any defense, he lost all his gear.
Lark glanced at his waist as Leeha stared.
“At least this is intact.”
The single item he had not lost was his sword. Despite the contrast, it suited him in an almost ironic way, adding to its appeal.
Even in his scantily clad state and in the presence of the Pope, Lark’s fervor remained unyielded, mostly because of that sword, Leeha thought.
“Hmm, good to see you looking well, Lark. But for now, we are in the middle of a discussion about team composition, so we’ll postpone that for later.”
“Ah, Alexander, if I might interrupt.”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s have a quick shopping trip and make time to talk. Sorry for interrupting your speech, Browless.”
“No, it’s fine. The hero of this Tiamat battle should have priority. I too want to hear your thoughts first and then continue.”
Lark, with a very apologetic face, bowed his head to Browless. Looking at Lark momentarily lifting his hat in a gesture of reassurance, Browless returned the gesture, saying he understood.
The one who truly felt displeased was Alexander.
What the idea from Lark was about and what Browless had been about to say were secondary; Alexander grimaced due to a single word.
“Shopping?”
Though Alexander’s tone changed, Lark paid no attention to it and looked at the Pope.
There was another reason he went straight to the Papal chambers without any equipment.
Leeha, listening to Lark’s words and the term ‘shopping,’ realized what Lark aimed to do.
―Did you come to be naked for that?
As soon as Leeha whispered, the Pope looked at Lark with a warm smile.
“I have heard enough about the exploits of the Knights of the Rainbow and your fame as a Dragon Slayer. In the name of the ‘Sacred Alliance’, I must bolster your spirits with all the cooperation of various countries. If you need any supplies, I will support you with whatever might be necessary. Of course, those who played significant roles in sealing Tiamat—Ha Leeha, Alexander, and Bailephus as well—should receive the same support.”
“I am relieved that even my inadequate self could be of help. I, Lark, although I am a knight serving without greed and guarding the capital of Minis… will never forget the grace bestowed by the ‘Sacred Alliance’ and Your Holiness the Pope for the fierce battles to come.”
Lark immediately knelt before the Pope. Observers were momentarily impressed by the seemingly sacred display of his high loyalty.
―Ah, naked! Came lightly attired so he can take only the best and match the rest of the items, right? Let’s see what’s in the papal treasury~
If not for Leeha’s whisper to Lark, Leeha might have been moved by his attitude.
Leeha chuckled under his breath.
The very reason he had arrived with merely a sword in hand was due to the ‘reward for the Tiamat War’.
Since it had not progressed properly, its main entity could only be the ‘Sacred Alliance,’ as everyone expected, and naturally, the papal authority, which played the largest role in forming the organization, was the source.
〈Achievement: Tiamat’s Curse (R-)〉
I will remember you. Along with the Dragon Slayer who sealed me, I will never forget the ones who aided him. Bahamut dies but passes down a lineage, but I do not.
And I will never be caught off guard by you again. Suffer forever in the chains of endless curse. When I return, I will burn even your most precious souls…
Reward: 50 stat points
Damage dealt to Tiamat: -30%
Affinity with chromatic dragons: -100%
All stats during combat with adult or higher chromatic dragons: -20%
You are the second registrant of the 〈Achievement: Tiamat’s Curse〉.
The Hall of Fame records up to the third registrant of the achievement, with an additional 200% of existing effects applied.
Effect: 100 stat points
Damage dealt to Tiamat: -60%
All stats during combat with adult or higher chromatic dragons: -40%
‘Just looking at the benefits, the penalties are terrifying,’
Leeha chuckled bitterly, observing Tiamat’s curse achievement.
Like Chiyou, who killed Bahamut and received severe penalties, Leeha faced penalties as well.
If Tiamat were to resurrect, Leeha’s attacks would practically not affect it. With a 90% attack reduction, even Leeha, who prevailed through sheer damage, wouldn’t have much choice.
‘Tch, likely because my accumulated damage is the highest, receiving the second achievement must mean that Lark received it as well, right?’
Even more, being the person who sealed Tiamat, Lark naturally might hold additional achievements and penalties fitting for the title of ‘Dragon Slayer’. If that were the case?
Lark would forever remain an enemy to chromatic dragons.
‘Ah! Anyway, looking at the affinity scale, mine should also be…minus 400%, so we’re in the same boat?’
Lark and Leeha had an irreconcilable gulf with the chromatic dragons as well. In fact, Leeha was an older enemy than Lark.
However, by killing Onyx and gaining an absurd authority to participate in selecting the next elder of the chromatic dragons, the achievement gave Leeha a glimmer of hope.