Chapter 692

Chapter 692

“Son! Have you eaten?”

“I’ll eat later.”

“You said that this morning and skipped, at least have lunch.”

“Okay. But I’m really not hungry right now. I’ll eat a bit later. Don’t worry.”

Seeing his smile, Leeha’s mother did not urge him further, for his expression was slightly awkward, more of a grimace than a grin.

Sigh...

Despite having slept through the whole day, his thoughts were still a tangled mess. Leeha remained unable to connect to Middle Earth, instead wandering through online communities.

“It feels like it’s been more than a week in game time...”

Certainly, no short period. Yet, it seemed hardly enough for the commotion of Middle Earth’s first major event, the Demise of Pope Ezwen, to settle down.Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com

[Title]: So what happens to Ezwen now?*

[Title]: Why did my Ezwen affinity suddenly drop?*

[Title]: Any Fibiel users here?*

[Title]: LOL, because Fibiel killed the pope, that’s why*

[Title]: As if it’s my fault*

[Title]: Who will be the next pope? Conclave set for 2-10.*

[Title]: High chance the New Continent policy changes depending on the pope’s inclination (with evidence)*

[Title]: Ezwen priest users are having a fierce faction conflict LOL*

[Title]: If the cardinal I support becomes pope, it’s gonna be insanely good, obviously*

Sigh...

The community was still plastered with discussions about Ezwen.

The pope’s death was a significant incident indeed, and this contributed to Leeha’s headache.

After missing Kaztor, Leeha had to return to the Vatican to coordinate with representatives of various countries and only managed to log out after.

The problem was the changes this event would trigger.

“Fibiel’s affinity with Ezwen plummeted. Anyone who hadn’t maintained over 50% affinity with Ezwen is probably facing negative values now.”

In truth, bL was also a victim.

When Kaztor used a mass of magic to destroy the council room, the captain of Fibiel’s royal guards was near death.

“It wasn’t a simple mana explosion; healing spells or potions didn’t work. By the time I logged out, the captain was literally carried away. I wonder if he has woken up by now. If not, bL’s royal palace is in for a disaster. Their barrier and ward were no match for Kaztor’s explosion.”

The captain, being closest, suffered significant injuries.

But was that all?

“Two cardinals from the Council of Nine died. It was a stroke of luck that the chairman survived. Minis had light injuries, Kraven saw the death of an attendant, and Shazrashian had seriously injured attendants, with the president only suffering light wounds.”

Thanks to [Kojobu’s Spy Glasses], Kidd, who managed to avoid any item inspection, quickly took all the protective items he could carry and was ready to move.

It was fortunate that Browless, protected by Kidd, and Fernand, who always carried various armors for adventures, were safe.

However, there were certainly casualties apart from the pope, and someone had to take responsibility. Fibiel was naturally the first to be blamed.

“Yes. Yes?”

“Did you just mention Lotzak?”

“That’s correct.”

Bluebeard’s gaze became sharper. It was brief, but Chiyou did not miss it.

“Huh... is that so. So that was it. That idiot...”

“By any chance, does the Count have an acquaintance with Lotzak?”

“Acquaintance? Yes, though not a particularly good one. Well, you might see for yourself soon enough. After pulling off something like that, he can’t stay there any longer. Heh heh.”

“What??

Chiyou tilted her head.

She was aware that Lotzak was the commander of the Fibiel Mage Corps and had participated in the Second Human-Demon War. However, the reaction from Bluebeard... was not just familiarity.

It was not merely about knowing; it indicated an old connection. Chiyou was able to shake off her unease in an instant.

“If I’ll see him soon, what should I prepare, Count? Should I prepare something he would like, or...?

“Ha, quick-witted, I see. Fine, go ahead and prepare. I’m not sure what that mad sorcerer would like, but nothing that could come back to bite me. As long as the ‘chess piece’ he can handle continues to be in my grasp, I would set off to find Pyrot-Cocri right this moment.”

Something he would like. A chess piece he could handle. With these two clues, Chiyou deduced, ‘A traitor, Lotzak? And not just any traitor but one holding a significant ace... Seems to have a somewhat deep relationship...even mentioning Pyrot-Cocri, huh?’

Chiyou bit her lip slightly.

‘It feels similar to her.’

The way Bluebeard talked about Lotzak felt ‘horizontal’ rather than ‘vertical,’ which reminded Chiyou of someone. Naturally, it was Prea, the sorceress with white eyes.

Chiyou: Sasuke, any new information on Lotzak?

Sasuke: Ah, none yet. Sorry, oka-san.

Chiyou: What about the Fibiel Royal Palace? Still no entry? No word from the spy we planted in the magic corps?

What could Lotzak’s ‘chess piece’ be?

Chiyou started asking Sasuke about the vital details, organizing her thoughts.

Sasuke: Currently, the entire Fibiel Mage Corps is detained and under investigation. Lotzak’s room and laboratory are so tightly secured that even royal family members cannot enter. No one can get in, not even us...

Chiyou: Can’t be helped. Alright, forget about that... How about Prea? Any word on her whereabouts?

Sasuke: That, uh... that too is still... It wasn’t just that.

An absent player, Prea. The fact that she vanished from Bluebeard faction has been quite bothersome for Chiyou.

‘Where on earth did Prea go? Back to the old continent? No, that can’t be.’

Considering the weakened state of the Shinobi-Gumi’s power in the old continent, it was unlikely that she went there to hide.

Prea initially came to the New Continent with a purpose. Meaning, it was more probable for her to stay in the New Continent until she obtained what she wanted.

‘So, she’s in the New Continent, but escaped our surveillance? Anyway, this guy, that woman-‘

Chiyou clenched her teeth. While still clueless about the whereabouts of the ‘item’ Prea initially sought from Chiyou, losing sight of her in the meantime was an issue.

What would happen if a player, not fully allied with the Demon King’s Army, returned to humanity’s side? The absolute powerhouses like Bluebeard or Ghibrid might not worry, but for a player affixed to the Demon King’s Army, it was a concern.