“Arcane Sniper...”
For the first time, the king’s expression changed.
Leeha found this reaction rather puzzling.
‘When he referred to Kyle as someone buried in demonic energy, I thought he would already know. Are the two things different?’
Did it mean that he knew the situation Kyle was in but didn’t realize it was the work of a Arcane Sniper?
Perhaps Kyle was different from a typical Arcane Sniper. Either way, this detail wasn’t crucial for Leeha at that moment.
“Do you know about it?”
“Of course. It’s not something I’m unfamiliar with.”
“Then I trust you are well aware of the power of the ‘Arcane Bullet’.”
“I also know its power. So?”
Hearing the king’s words, Leeha felt his body tensing up.
The king knew about the Arcane Sniper and the power of the Arcane Bullet. He might even know more about it than Leeha himself.
Yet, the king remained so composed?
Listening to the king’s query, Leeha spoke once again, clearly and slowly.
“Then you must understand. I informed you that the Arcane Sniper has seen Your Majesty’s face.”
In truth, Leeha didn’t know how exactly the Arcane Bullet activated.
What conditions did a Arcane Sniper need, apart from Kaztor being present?
Leeha knew nothing concrete. Hence, he added the premise that the shooter “must know the face”.
Anyone could be killed. In this premise, the crucial element was knowing the identity of that “anyone.”
And at this crucial moment, there was no need to say, “I don’t know well, but it might be like this.”
It was a timing that called for forceful assertion.
Leeha recognized this juncture well.
“... Are you, a mere human, threatening our king?”
The first one to grasp the situation, apart from Leeha’s group, was the third prince, Ulrek. The hostility in his voice towards Leeha was deep and resonated differently from the growl of a tiger or a lion.
“Do you call a straightforward warning a threat? This is not a threat. I am merely pointing out a highly probable event based on sufficient evidence. Moreover... from your reaction, it seems even the Saurus cannot avoid the Arcane Bullet. Hence, you should pay more attention to my words.”
“Ugh, grrr—”
Ulrek was at a loss for words.
Even his extreme reaction showed that Leeha had gained something.
Strengthening his claim and gathering information to dismantle the enemy’s argument far outweighed any hostility from Ulrek.
“But doesn’t he possess a different power apart from the Arcane Sniper?”
“Yes, precisely. That’s the problem. This person is submerged in demonic energy, meaning there’s someone outside controlling him using powers planted in him. That Dark Elf... desires to enter this place. As you said, this place with advanced civilization and abundant resources.”
“So, they’ll use the Arcane Bullet to kill me or threaten me with death to enter this place, is that what you’re saying?”
“I’m saying that’s a possibility.”
Kaztor’s desire to enter this place was to prevent Elizabeth, Brown, and Kyle from doing the same. Leeha didn’t know whether Kaztor himself had any interest in Saur Land.
But what’s the point in mentioning that?
No matter the reason, the fact that he “wanted to enter” was undeniable.
“Furthermore, the Dark Elf interested in this place, who can control the Arcane Sniper, is also acquainted with the Demon King’s Fragments. If you avoided them because of disgust rather than fear, from now on, you won’t be able to avoid them. When they join forces and come here, will you be able to handle it?”
“Heh...”
The king, who was about to rise from the throne, appeared to be deep in thought.
Leeha allowed the king some time. He collected his thoughts on what benefits could be gained from this place.
If Kyle could be treated, how would that work out?
If they knew about the Arcane Sniper, how much more did they know compared to the Three Musketeers?
Additionally, could he persuade them to exert their overwhelming power externally?
For that very reason, Leeha spoke forcefully.
“I asked if you would be able to handle it, Your Majesty.”
“If I...”
The king opened his mouth quietly. Leeha locked eyes with him.
“If I kill all of you here, what would happen then? Wouldn’t that prevent the Arcane Sniper from leaking outside?”
Everyone except Leeha flinched at that.
Even Alexander whispered to Bailephus, advising him to prepare for a sudden turn of events.
However, Leeha did not move.
“Human Ha Leeha and your companions, follow me.”
And then took the lead.
Outside the door, a dinosaur wearing a bronze helmet was waiting for Ulrek.
“Is it trying to be friendly?”
“Well, one bite from those teeth and there won’t be much flesh left...”
“The smile of a dinosaur really takes some getting used to.”
Even though it reduced its size, the ground trembled with every step it took—thud, thud. Following its footsteps, the group exited the palace. The place they arrived at, watching the gazes of other dinosaurs, was as grand as the palace itself.
NPCs were staring at the building with wide-open eyes.
Players had similar reactions, but their amazement was for slightly different reasons.
“This is...?”
“Isn’t this a hospital? It’s almost the size of a general hospital!”
“I didn’t expect to see the cross symbol here!”
It was a modern building with a modern structure. The interior was even more astonishing. With marble columns and floors, the lobby was furnished with waiting chairs, and there were admin offices just like one would see ‘outside the game.’
The only unnatural thing was that the ones waiting were not humans but dinosaurs.
“Those who are possessed by demon energy will be examined here. The rest of the humans—”
“Me, me too! Please let me stay here with my child. I am his mother.”
Elizabeth hurriedly shouted at Ulrek’s words.
Ulrek nodded.
“Fine. You may need a guardian. Anyone else—”
“I am his father. I will stay too.”
“In that case, I can’t leave either. I’ll stay as well.”
Brown and Browless also interrupted Ulrek and sat down on chairs.
Ulrek’s expression twitched, but before he could say anything, Elizabeth spoke again.
“Leeha... Could you stay as well?”
“Me? Uh... Should I?”
Leeha glanced at Ulrek. Ulrek sighed.
Taking it as silent approval, Leeha nodded.
“Alright, I will.”
Moreover, staying here would be a chance to observe their ‘advanced civilization’, and most importantly, the Three Musketeers were here.
When Leeha gave a quick look, Ulrek shook his head as if he couldn’t help it and spoke.
“Fine. Spino, take the others away except for the five of them.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ulrek’s assistant, Spino, led Alexander, Bailephus, Fernand, Kidd, and Luger out of the hospital.
In fact, there wasn’t much Leeha and the others could do at the hospital.
Ulrek’s presence drastically reduced the waiting time, giving them priority for all examinations.
Leeha watched in astonishment as Kyle filled out a simple questionnaire, had blood drawn, and even underwent something similar to X-rays and CT scans.
‘Is this concept even feasible?’
Magic wasn’t something that could be explained by science, but this felt like over-technology, closely resembling modern medicine.
However, Leeha ended that thought with a laugh after hearing a whispered conversation between Kidd and Luger.
“It’s a hotel.”
“Damn, it’s better than a five-star hotel in Berlin! What is this place?”
Saur Land, a place where long-armed dinosaurs lived, was literally another world. Leeha thought that this might be an entertaining bonus stage, unrelated to Middle Earth’s main storyline. The examination proceeded swiftly.
During that time, Leeha had many conversations with Ulrek and the old generation of the Three Musketeers.
He learned some surprising facts there.
“So, you can enter Laputa?”
“No, I meant we can locate its vicinity. It is a land where divine power converges, and only a chosen few among us can enter.”
“So has anyone—any dinosaur been there?”
“Indeed.”
“Who is—”
Leeha eagerly asked, and Ulrek revealed his dinosaur teeth in a grin.
Leeha now understood that it was a smile.