Chapter 360

“However, Okasa wasn’t victorious back then, was he?”

“It was thanks to Faust and Crowley working well together. Well, that’s not important. What’s crucial is that Leeha hasn’t been seen for days now. Have you heard anything from other places?”

“Yes. We’ve set up everything around the places he often frequents, but there hasn’t been any special activity. Considering that the musket academy NPC in Puyvael’s capital city is still there, he’s probably not moving with them.”

“The key NPCs related to the Bluebeard seem to be their creators... but since they’re not moving, does that mean there’s no search operation? I thought there would be orders from the Pope as soon as the reinforcement pact was signed...”

She was truly representative of the user information guild.

The idea of reading the flow of the entire quest related to subduing the Demon King’s army through Browlis’s movements was not something anyone could come up with.

“They should have moved sooner. The attack on Leeha’s City Gaza was likely due to the lack of time right after the reinforcement pact was signed. Why is the Pope’s side so quiet? And where the heck is Leeha?”

A strange sense of anxiety, almost like being caught but not quite, swept through Chiyo’s whole body.

“I’ll go meet Faust and come back. Which was it again, the hiding place?”

“Number 27, near the Land of Death.”

“Got it. Sasuke, for the time being, focus on finding Leeha. Pay close attention to whether there’s a large-scale search operation happening in Minis or Puyvael. Especially, make sure to check if any official communications are sent in the Pope’s name.”

“Understood, Okasa.”

The back-and-forth between them, each trying to decipher the other’s strategy and catch up, continued.

But this time, Leeha was one step ahead.

Her experience from the national war, facing “individuals outside the half-battle” who dealt with information, and her experience battling them, made her more prepared than ever.

Browlis not moving and Leeha’s movements being untraceable for Chiyo and Sasuke were only natural.

All of it was already part of Leeha’s plan.

* * *

Squish...

A person with a mask tightly covering their face stretched their head out towards the entrance of the Pope’s information room.

They quickly glanced around, surveying their surroundings, and then hurriedly ran towards the door of the information room. Although there was no real need to go to such lengths, their actions were quite serious.

“Hurry, hurry, get inside!”

“For heaven’s sake, what in the world is going on? If it wasn’t the Chief’s order, I’d have slashed your face—”

“Shh! Be quiet and get in quickly!”

“You said the Vatican was safe, why go to such lengths? You said everything was already arranged—”

“I never said I was safe. It’s just that it’s a bit better than usual! And there’s no harm in being cautious, right?!”

Of course, the person behind the mask was Leeha.

Rugger and Kid were grumbling, and a few people were mumbling as they followed behind them.

“Why are you so relaxed? Go in quickly!”

“This is the central command center for spreading lines. We can’t make a commotion here.”

“Oh, that kind of calm talk isn’t suitable right now. Baileyphus, you should hurry—”

“Mana detection is already done, so don’t worry. There’s no one around. Do you think there’s someone who can escape my mana detection and eavesdrop on our conversation?”

An impatient Leeha snapped at the others, but Alexander and Baileyphus continued to walk at a leisurely pace.

Behind them, another person drew their sword with a swish, but Leeha quickly pointed at them, indicating they should put it away.

“Hurry means go inside, not targeting Alexander from behind, Jiwon Lee. Put your sword away, quickly.”

This was why Leeha hadn’t been able to persuade Bahamut to move, no matter how hard she tried.

“Brother, who’s Bahamut? A lord? A Dragon Lord? How can we defeat that? How can we even approach that?”

“Shh, quiet! If you blurt that out in front of Alexander and Baileyphus, you’ll end up dead from a single strike!”

“Why do you always have to act like you know something the rest of us don’t, you damn brat. A Dragon Lord? Does that mean I’ll become the strongest if I defeat him?”

“Luge, just be quiet. Don’t pour oil on a burning house.”

Leeha wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and stopped the two fighters from arguing.

Baileyphus probably couldn’t hear them, but at least in this moment, Leeha hadn’t killed Leeha and Luge.

“Hmm... In that case, do you truly believe that this team alone is enough?”

Everyone could now understand how the Pope felt about the team Leeha had gathered. The Pope was skeptical.

In fact, some of the people gathered were equally uncertain.

Some had faced Bluebeard directly, and others had been busy dealing with the nobles around them.

No matter what approach they took, the Demon Army was not an easy opponent.

Could they really defeat Bluebeard, who was undoubtedly the strongest monster in the Middle Earth Phase 2 update, with just a “raid” or “party hunt” approach?

The question on everyone’s minds was answered by the Gold Dragon with a single word.

“Of course. Because we have Leeha.”

“Lord Baileyphus...”

Baileyphus turned to face the assembled humans and Leeha.

“The strategy for Kuzgunak’s assassination was impressive, to say the least. I believe in Leeha’s power, who has become part of Metal after becoming a member of Lord’s faction.”

And the words of the Ancient Dragon were nothing short of a guarantee.

“Understood. Then I will ask everyone gathered here for your assistance.”

Shaaaaa―!

A hologram window appeared before the players’ eyes.

[Subjugation of the Demon Army]

Explanation: “I, Pope Gaius IV, as the delegate of Ahullu bestowed upon this land, hereby appoint you as the Demon Army Subjugation Team. However, in accordance with the request of Leeha, the originator of the operation, official searches and large-scale support from Eswen Commonwealth and other nations are not possible. You must subjugate all the Demon Armies within this continent with only your power and my modest assistance. Please bear in mind that this operation involves more than just your lives; it carries a greater weight.... May the blessings of Ahullu be with you.”

Pope Gaius IV had made his decision. He put his faith in the hero of the Second Inma War and the plan supported by the Ancient Gold Dragon.

Only one task remained. To slay all the Demon Armies on this continent.

Content: Death of all Demon Armies and their vanguard forces on the current continent

Reward: ?

Pre-reward: Janate’s Key

Failure conditions: Resurrection of any Demon Lord’s Fragment outside of Bluebeard, death of all Subjugation Team members

In case of failure: Achievement – “Beginning of Ruin,” Common Reputation of the continent -10,000

Intimacy with Eswen Commonwealth and Ahullu Sect -50%

Will you accept?

“Please eliminate all the Demon Armies on this continent.”

The Pope walked steadily, producing something from his bosom.

The only difference between the quest window of the others and that of Leeha and the Pope was what the Pope produced: a winged key.