Matan’s Shooter

There were only a few NPCs in Saur Land, but the efforts made by users during Kyle’s treatment, including the employees of Goople(?), and the joint battle to protect the ‘Red Zeppelin’ while heading to Laputa had all contributed to raising affinity.

Because of that, Saur Land was already treating them favorably.

“Then, I’ll be back soon! It won’t take long!”

Leeha waved to Ulrek. Now, they were just a few steps away from the barrier.

The barrier that separated Saur Land from the outside had no distinct features when viewed from within.

“I remember what you told His Majesty the King. I believe you will bring the key to the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, human Ha Leeha.”

With Ulrek’s farewell, Leeha and his party crossed the barrier.

Since their return from Laputa, the users who had received the most attention were Leeha and Fernand. Naturally, the surrounding users felt some jealousy.

“Luger, stop being pessimistic and just cooperate.”

Luger’s complaints stemmed from this reason. Knowing this, Leeha simply stuck out his tongue, knowing that was enough of a retort.

“Let’s hurry. There’s no need to waste time.”

Ignoring the bickering between Leeha and Luger, Kidd picked up the pace.

Their route had already been planned, so the users moved forward without hesitation.

Alexander and Bailephus set out for Bahamut, while the rest aimed to return to Ezwen.

How long had they been reflecting on the gains and conversations from their time in Saur Land while moving?

Fernand, checking his character and skill windows, grumbled beside Leeha.

“It’s disappointing there’s nothing special. I thought we’d get something amazing since we were the first users to visit.”

“Human Compass, you shouldn’t complain! Everyone knows you received additional rewards for finding the Archangel or whatever it was!”

“Indeed. We all saw how the King was astonished at the restoration of the appearance of ‘Those Blessed with God’s Power’.”

Compared to Luger and Kidd, Fernand’s situation was better. Fernand’s grumbling had only one reason.

“No matter what, it’s nothing compared to what Ha Leeha received.”

Knowing someone else had received more than him.

No one disagreed with Fernand’s words. Everyone’s gaze naturally turned to Leeha.

“Well, it was a quest! I received it for killing Kaztor; it’s not the same.”

Leeha quickly spoke up, feeling the stinging eyes on the back of his head, but his excuse fell short.

“Does anyone think they didn’t fight, Ha Leeha? Don’t forget who killed the most vampires with ‘Fusion’.”

Alexander shared the same opinion as Fernand.

Everyone had fought together. Thanks to this, all of them had gained the right to enter Saur Land, but such logical arguments were useless at this point. ṝ�

‘Oh, it’s an achievement. How could I split it? This awkwardness makes even the hectic bargaining worthless!’

King Trudon of Saur Land had reacted as Leeha feared.

Even though Kaztor was killed, Arcane Sniper ended up in the enemy’s hands, so their safety wasn’t guaranteed. Therefore, no reward would be given.

Leeha had put in considerable effort to overturn that logic.

He pointed out that Chiyou was not interested in this place, did not even know where it was, and thus couldn’t use Arcane Sniper. He also mentioned that during the Red Zeppelin battle, Chiyou promised not to touch Saur Land and knew she couldn’t use Arcane Sniper if she violated that promise. He barely convinced him this way.

“Well, everyone took items in Laputa anyway! I don’t even know how to use this thing I got.”

Leeha opened his bag and showed them the item.

The reward given by King Trudon was rather disappointing.

“What am I supposed to do with this? It’s not something to decorate a room with.”

There was a sheet of about A4 size, with dense drawings on it.

The very thing Fernand had discovered in Laputa, depicting ‘Those Blessed with God’s Power’ and the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in a single scene.

It wasn’t even an ordinary piece of paper, and although King Trudon’s name was written on it, its purpose was unknown.

“Give it to me, and I’ll figure out how to use it.”

“I’d be better at it than Luger. If it is too difficult to use, just give it to me.”

“Ahhh! Fine! I’m a wretch! Satisfied?”

As Luger and Kidd jumped at the chance, Leeha eventually had to shut up.

“Hmph, now I feel relieved.”

“Hehe, I won’t go easy on you. I’ll endlessly torment you until we reach the center of the new continent.”

The group of hyenas making noise with the intention of harassing couldn’t be managed.

“Hahaha!”

Even Bailephus burst into laughter as he saw Kidd and Luger take a breather.

“I don’t care! Anyway, this is mine! I’m not sharing it with you guys! I’m going first!”

Leeha covered his ears and sped up.

There was no worry about encountering monsters or getting lost.

『Myong!』

This was because Jellypong, who had suddenly popped out from Leeha’s chest, was holding a map copied from Fernand.

They said the journey feels longer going there but shorter coming back.

There was no worry about an ambush. It wasn’t surprising that Leeha’s group reached the central part of the new continent within six days through the shortest route after leaving Saur Land.

* * *

As soon as they arrived at the central part of the new continent, the first to leave was Alexander.

“Aren’t you coming with us to Ezwen?”

“Knowing the key to the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is in Ezwen is enough. Isn’t it impossible to go to Laputa without our help?”

Could extreme self-confidence make even brazen words seem dignified? Alexander’s words even made Bailephus embarrassed, but Alexander maintained a nonchalant expression.

“Are you saying you’ll go do something else while we call you?”

While Luger shook his head in disapproval, Leeha asked the question.

He once again adhered faithfully to his user concept.

“I simply intend to administer justice in a rational and efficient manner. Don’t forget that Tiamat has fully awakened.”

After making an undisputed argument, he headed to Bahamut with Bailephus, while the rest of the group, including Leeha, was currently at the Ezwen Papal Seat.

“So you came so quickly from there—from the eastern end of the new continent? And not alone, but with the Dire—no, with Sir Browless?”

“To tell Master Kay, for an average user, especially those who don’t know the way, it would take at least a month.”

“Wow…”

As Kijung looked at the group with admiration written across his face, Fernand shrugged his shoulders.

It indirectly highlighted that his map was the biggest factor in shortening the travel time, but Kijung didn’t catch on to that.

“What about logging out? Don’t you guys need to rest?”

“Don’t even mention it. It’s like my body’s walking but my mind is sleeping… It felt exactly like that during the long march.”

Although they accumulated considerable fatigue over the past few days of forced march, no one thought of logging out.

They knew they could endure it better than when they relocated to Saur Land, and they could relax a bit after reporting at Ezwen.

Even after entering the papal seat and requesting an audience with the Pope, Kijung continued questioning Leeha.

How Saur Land was, what kind of monsters they encountered on the way, what they did in a place called Laputa.

Above all, he was curious about how impressive an R- rank achievement could be!

Leeha occasionally mixed in whispers as he answered Kijung but didn’t mention the R- rank achievement.

—Tell me how you managed to crush the dragon’s head against Ghibrid and Bluebeard, and I’ll tell you.

—Hehe, that would be too much of a loss for me, hyung. I am curious about the R- rank, but my skill is probably rarer~.

—You bastard….

While Leeha and Kijung were bantering and waiting, the papal seat quickly accepted the audience request, including the Exorcism Cardinal.

“Leeha.”

Just before they were about to report their recent journey to the east to the Pope, Browless held Leeha’s shoulder.

“Yes, director.”

“Regarding Beth and Brown… please explain it well.”

Although he spoke to Leeha, Browless’s gaze didn’t rest on him alone. Kidd and Luger, as well as Fernand, could understand the NPC’s intention.

Above all, the deep friendship and regret of the previous generation’s Three Musketeers had become well known even to Fernand, who was not part of them.

In the past, Elizabeth and Brown had sent video footage to the Pope.

It revealed that Lord Zark was actually Kaztor, and that they were forced by circumstances, rather than by choice, to join the Demon King’s army under threat of losing their child.

The honor of the NPCs, who had always been pointed at, was slightly restored after that day.

But how was it now?

―Arcane Sniper Kyle could use the Arcane Bullet at his own discretion.

―However, his mother Elizabeth became a vampire and was taken by the Demon King’s army.

―Although there were no personal problems for him, Brown, who couldn’t just leave them, also went along with them.

It was indeed a sad fact.

Yet, how the Sacred Alliance would accept these events remained unknown.

“Yes, I understand, sir.”

“That’s why I skipped the report I was supposed to give to General Edwin and came straight here.”

The users could also empathize with these feelings.

Following Leeha and Kidd’s remarks, Luger added, “They’re underestimating us too much,” which finally brought a look of relief to Browless’s face.

“The Exorcism Cardinal and their companions may enter!”

At last, the door to the Pope’s room opened.

Pope Urban II greeted Leeha and his party with a rather fatigued expression.

“Welcome. Exorcism Cardinal has brought some esteemed guests today. It has been quite some time since I last saw you, Ha Leeha.”

“It has been a while, Your Holiness.”

As Leeha offered his bright greeting, the door to the Pope’s office slowly closed.

The reports on various secretive operations, including the Eastern Continent Expedition and matters regarding Laputa, proceeded without much trouble.

Whenever Leeha missed a point, Kidd, Luger, and Fernand filled in the gaps, ensuring nothing was left out.

The Pope’s expression changed with every report.

When they spoke of Arcane Sniper Kyle, Elizabeth, and Brown, whose stories were condensed, the Pope donned a sorrowful and pitiful expression. However, upon hearing about Saur Land and beyond, and Laputa, his expression became one of a child’s curiosity.

“So, what happened next? Did you go there?”

“Yes, of course. Not only did we go there, but we also found the door.”

“The door?”

The Pope almost leapt from his seat in excitement. Seeing his reaction, Leeha felt assured.

“The dinosaurs of the Saur Land called it the ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Even with their advanced technology, they couldn’t open it, but I believe we can.”

“Stairway to Heaven! That’s an amazing description. So, they couldn’t open it… No, that’s not the important part! Are you saying we can open that door? Did you try opening it?”

Listening to the Pope’s urgent questions, Leeha shook his head and responded modestly.

“Yes. If Your Holiness provides the key, we can open it. The ‘Key of Jannate’ was the key to Laputa and the Stairway to Heaven.”

The Pope finally leapt from his chair.

His excited face, however, began to darken shortly afterward.

* * *

The Pope did not speak first to the party.

Despite his various reactions to their journey and possessing the ‘Key of Jannate,’ his silence was prolonged.

Leeha was momentarily flustered.

Given his previous attitude, one would expect him to stand up and hand over the ‘Key of Jannate’ right away.

In the midst of this silence, Kijung spoke up.

“Your Holiness, you previously acknowledged Ha Leeha’s contributions after the Pyrot-Cocri incident.”

It was something Kijung knew well because he had secured confirmation from the Pope.

The ‘Key of Jannate’ was a challenging item to give away under normal circumstances. Still, considering Ha Leeha’s significant contributions in destroying Pyrot-Cocri’s doppelganger, it was appropriate to urge its provision as a fitting reward.

As Kijung subtly pressured the Pope, he nodded in response.

However, it was not a nod of agreement.

“That’s correct. I am well aware of Ha Leeha’s exceptional efforts. However, the ‘Key of Jannate’ is not within my authority to hand over.”

“Huh? The previous Pope, Gaius IV, handed it out easily enough! Of course, it was for the purpose of subduing the Demon King’s Fragment…”

As Leeha hastily spoke, the Pope let out a small sigh.

“That was a flaw on my part. I am still inadequate in my ability to bear the name of Urban II.”

“What do you mean by that—”