TL: xLordFifth
ED:
Hearing his serious voice, Ram Hwayeon buried her face in the pile of paperwork.
“C-cough. If you’re grateful, pay it back in 5 days.”
“Huh?”
“I told you. I’m going to Korea. It’s not 5 days in Middle Earth, it’s 5 days in reality. Ah, so busy.”
Flip- flip-.
Ram Hwayeon turned over the papers with excessive movements and hid herself from Leeha’s gaze.
“W-wait? Five days later-”
Shyuuk-!
Without even being able to react, Leeha’s body moved to the Vatican. That was how the conversation ended and the space movement started.
Everyone had already gathered in front of the Pope’s audience chamber.
“-ah. oh-”
“Come. Come in.”
Although he hadn’t yet sorted his thoughts about Ram Hwayeon’s trip to Korea, Leeha couldn’t continue thinking about it after hearing Bailephus’ words.
“–Yes. Pardon me for being late. I’m going in.”
It was no longer necessary to exclude others from the Pope’s audience chamber.
According to the quest conditions, all of the Demon King’s army and agents were dead and the current quest was completed. Secrecy was no longer needed.
Inside the audience chamber, the Pope, high-ranking Ezwen Church officials, and cardinals and bishops of the Church of Ahlo were lined up.
“Your Holiness, the Pope, I just returned after completing the mission regarding the subjugation of the Demon King’s army and agents.”
“What happened to Bluebeard?”
Not only the Pope and the other NPCs, but also the users of the Demon King’s army subjugation team were waiting for Leeha to speak quickly.
All of them were either rankers or outsiders.
They could have guessed what it meant when the quest condition achievement rate reached 100%, but they couldn’t come up with an answer as certain as Leeha had.
“……Unfortunately, we couldn’t get him.”
“What? Then he-”
“The mission that Your Holiness the Pope had given us is to subdue all Demon King’s army and agents within the [current continent]…. And without being able to catch Bluebeard, we killed all the Demon King’s army and agents in the [current continent].”
“……Then- Les…”
“Yes. Bluebeard is not in this continent.”
Leeha knelt and looked at the Pope and the cardinal NPCs around him.
The NPCs immediately figured out what the hidden meaning in Leeha’s words was.
No, perhaps it was only natural. Because they were NPCs set up according to Middle Earth’s intentions.
This was all a flow.
Why did the flow keep twisting right after they got the quest?
‘No, maybe we got the quest too soon, and it might also be the same with Fernand-ssi. He tried to get to ‘that side’ even faster than me…. Of course, at the time, I had no choice but to do it.’
It must have been the system that hindered us from getting to ‘that side’ when the main quest of Middle Earth had not yet progressed.
Leeha slowly took a deep breath and gave his last report.
“The Fragment of the Demon King left… Across the Sea of Dawn.”
“Across the Sea of Dawn? He went to that place?”
“Yes.”
“Why……? The one who dared to think about humanity’s extinction and the revival of the Demon King…. Didn’t he stay and remain hidden in this continent until the end of the Human-Demon War even when everyone from their side fled after losing the war?!”
Listening to the Pope’s question, Leeha calmly expressed his thoughts.
‘Right. Middle Earth always gave hints in any quests.’
Considering the reason why Bluebeard moved, and the surprise when Bluebeard was discovered on this continent, it was a very natural conclusion.
“That’s right. Everyone said that when Bluebeard was first discovered. In the final battle of the 2nd human-demon, the Demon King’s army that was defeated all crossed the sea of dawn…… Therefore, Bluebeard shouldn’t be here…. However, that wasn’t the case. Indeed, Bluebeard succeeded in remaining on this continent. Now we have to reverse the assumption from the ground up, including director Browless and the Pope’s.”
“The notion that not only Bluebeard but also the other Fragment of the Demon King would be on this continent too……”
The Pope understood Leeha’s words.
Leeha nodded as he heard the Pope’s words, then opened his mouth again.
At that time, Leeha thought that was the flow of the quest. Based on the information that had been released up to that point, it was the best possibility.
“That’s right. However, that was not the case. No, maybe even Bluebeard didn’t know. The proof is that Bluebeard couldn’t afford to make a move even while being pursued by the Human Alliance. So, wouldn’t Bluebeard try to awaken his colleagues after waking up? Anyway, he went around looking for other Fragments of the Demon King. That is the reason why he awakened the demon nobles, teamed up with the deviant red dragon, and spread chimeras all over the continent to cause chaos.”
“That’s why…”
“Yes. It’s a distraction. He carefully planned to appear all over the continent and pretended to overturn it, but he was only looking for the other fragments. And his search would have ended at some point.”
“Are you saying that he couldn’t find other fragments- does that mean he didn’t find Ghibrid and Pyrot Cocri?”
“That’s right. So he left. In search for his comrades who crossed the Sea of Dawn during the 2nd Human-Demon War. And he was afraid that he would be chased if that fact was discovered, that is why he used an agent to distract us.”
Whisper, whisper.
Players and NPCs, nodded their heads, made serious expressions, or were lost in thought.
“……That’s why he didn’t provoke the Lord.”
The ancient gold dragon’s words confirmed that Leeha’s words were correct.
The reason why Bluebeard did not provoke the platinum dragon Bahamut was because he left for the new continent to avoid interference in his departure to the new continent.
“Yes. If he really intended to cause the 3rd Human-Demon War immediately, there was no reason to act like that. The day Kuzgunak’sh was shot, the war should have started. Pope-nim, no, Your Holiness, the Pope, I ask you once more.”
“……Tell me.”
Pope Gaius IV looked at Leeha with a tired expression, as if he was weighed down by thoughts.
Leeha inhaled.
Even if you didn’t suggest it, the next thing will
flow naturally anyway.
‘However…… someone still has to make this suggestion. That’s all…… because it will complete Middle Earth’s [Phase 2].’
Leeha recalled a phrase that appeared on Middle Earth’s official website.
“We must gather the descendants of the heroes. Before Bluebeard awakens another fragment of the demon king, we must find him in the new continent and get rid of him. To prevent the 3rd Human-Demon war.”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t confirm when he left? What if Ghibrid and Pyrot Cocri had already woken up in the new continent? Wouldn’t the damage accumulate then? In that case, in the name of Lord Ahlo, I think it would be better to enlist the cooperation of all nations and strengthen the defense posture. What is it?”
“No. That’s not it. In this case-”
Hoooo…….
Leeha slowly opened his bag. He took out a little winged key. It was the holy relic he received after becoming a Demon King’s army subjugation team leader.
While holding the holy relic with both hands, Leeha presented it to the Pope.
“-I think that [attack is the best defense]. Please allow me to organize an expedition to the new continent.”
[You have completed the ‘Demon King’s Army Subjugation’ quest.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have acquired 3 stat points.]
[Continent Fame increased by 1,500.]
[Intimacy with all NPCs of the Holy City Ezwen increased by 20%.]
***
“New continent expedition…. But I can’t decide that on my own. I am the earthly representative of Lord Ahlo, but…. On the other hand, I am only the leader of the Ezwen religion. I can’t decide on something that needs a lot of capital and manpower right away.”
“Ah…”
The pope participates in the coronation of all kings, but he does not have all the commanding power.
From Ezwen’s perspective, a “small country” that is vertical in spiritual relations but only horizontal and maybe less in real relations, he cannot lead a large project of exploring the new continent.
It wasn’t frustrating to Leeha.
What kind of person was he? He had already completed quests related to the new continent
He was a user who had completed related quests.
When Leeha tried to make a proposal first, another user who had completed the new continent quest ‘before’ Leeha opened his mouth.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Your Holiness.”
“Fernand? What do you mean I don’t have to worry.”
Fernand, who was kneeling behind him, stood up from his seat and looked at the Pope and the other players.
“I’m already in agreement with the King of Fibiel. He said that if I participated, he would set up an expedition to the new continent. Of course, Leeha, the subjugation leader, is also included. It would be much easier if the Holy Father lent us his name. Can you leave this job to me?”
Fernand looked alternately at the pope and Leeha.
It looked like he was talking to the pope, but in reality, he was asking someone else.
Leeha: Fernand-ssi?
Fernand: Leeha-nim already has the right to join the new continent expedition anyway. Besides, I have some friends in Kraven and Minis, so if I’m going to lead the expedition, it’s better for me to move because I have more intimacy-
Leeha: Thank you. Please.
Fernand’s chatter, which seemed to continue indefinitely, was quickly cut off.
‘Right, I’m the number one contributor to Fibiel. If it was Fibiel’s decision, it would be quicker for me to meet the king and negotiate……’
Fernand really was the Pioneering King.
He, who wants to go to a new place, knows best what kind of preparation, how much, and from whom to get it.
“I understand. If so, I will ask each country to cooperate. Will you take care of this job, Fernand?”
Fernand’s body trembled for a moment.
Users around him knew he was looking at a quest window.
.
“Yes. Please leave it to me.”
“And I want to ask all of you who were in the subjugation team again.”
Shuuuk-!
The moment the pope opened his mouth again, a notification window appeared in front of the other users.
[The Embers of the New World Expedition]
Description: ‘You who have killed all of the Demon King’s army and agents on this continent, are the knights of punishment given by Lord Ahlo
…. If the new continent expedition is formed, I want to borrow your strength once more. It will be easier to gather the strength of the other heroes if you, the Demon King’s Subjugation Team, participate first.’
I want you to be a member of the newly formed New Continent Expedition.
However, remember that your life will not be guaranteed on the long journey.
That the mana present on the current continent may not reach the unknown land that no human being had ever reached!
Content: Arrive in the new continent after joining the new continent expedition
Reward: ??
Advanced Compensation: 3 stat points
Supply of rare potions from Ahlo Temple in the current continent(Daily Limit: 2)
Failure conditions: Destruction of the expedition ship or death of all the expedition members before reaching the new continent
Penalty for failure: Achievement: Human Sacrifice for Demons
Continental Reputation -20,000
Affinity with all countries in the current continent -50%
– Would you like to accept?
‘The advanced compensation is 3 stat points? Rare potions are expected- no, the stat points are ridiculous!’
“What is this…”
Kidd’s quiet words spoke of everyone’s thoughts. It was rare to give stat points even as a normal reward.
It’s not even a success reward, but an advanced compensation?
There was also the supply of rare potions, but the stat points was so great that it was ignored.
‘In other words- it means that the quest will be difficult. The current continent’s mana not working must be a hint.’
The conditions for failure are not tight.
The destruction of all the ships or the death of all the members of the expedition.
In other words, even if they died, they could succeed as long as they managed to reach the new continent with only one expedition user in a boat.
However, that was not reassuring.
It meant that it would be so difficult that even with this level of condition, they had to give that much reward.
“Bailephus-nim, the current continent’s mana doesn’t work on the new continent?”
He couldn’t just click the accept button. Leeha asked Bailephus first.
(To be continued…)
TL: xLordFifth
ED:
Hearing his serious voice, Ram Hwayeon buried her face in the pile of paperwork.
“C-cough. If you’re grateful, pay it back in 5 days.”
“Huh?”
“I told you. I’m going to Korea. It’s not 5 days in Middle Earth, it’s 5 days in reality. Ah, so busy.”
Flip- flip-.
Ram Hwayeon turned over the papers with excessive movements and hid herself from Leeha’s gaze.
“W-wait? Five days later-”
Shyuuk-!
Without even being able to react, Leeha’s body moved to the Vatican. That was how the conversation ended and the space movement started.
Everyone had already gathered in front of the Pope’s audience chamber.
“-ah. oh-”
“Come. Come in.”
Although he hadn’t yet sorted his thoughts about Ram Hwayeon’s trip to Korea, Leeha couldn’t continue thinking about it after hearing Bailephus’ words.
“–Yes. Pardon me for being late. I’m going in.”
It was no longer necessary to exclude others from the Pope’s audience chamber.
According to the quest conditions, all of the Demon King’s army and agents were dead and the current quest was completed. Secrecy was no longer needed.
Inside the audience chamber, the Pope, high-ranking Ezwen Church officials, and cardinals and bishops of the Church of Ahlo were lined up.
“Your Holiness, the Pope, I just returned after completing the mission regarding the subjugation of the Demon King’s army and agents.”
“What happened to Bluebeard?”
Not only the Pope and the other NPCs, but also the users of the Demon King’s army subjugation team were waiting for Leeha to speak quickly.
All of them were either rankers or outsiders.
They could have guessed what it meant when the quest condition achievement rate reached 100%, but they couldn’t come up with an answer as certain as Leeha had.
“……Unfortunately, we couldn’t get him.”
“What? Then he-”
“The mission that Your Holiness the Pope had given us is to subdue all Demon King’s army and agents within the [current continent]…. And without being able to catch Bluebeard, we killed all the Demon King’s army and agents in the [current continent].”
“……Then- Les…”
“Yes. Bluebeard is not in this continent.”
Leeha knelt and looked at the Pope and the cardinal NPCs around him.
The NPCs immediately figured out what the hidden meaning in Leeha’s words was.
No, perhaps it was only natural. Because they were NPCs set up according to Middle Earth’s intentions.
This was all a flow.
Why did the flow keep twisting right after they got the quest?
‘No, maybe we got the quest too soon, and it might also be the same with Fernand-ssi. He tried to get to ‘that side’ even faster than me…. Of course, at the time, I had no choice but to do it.’
It must have been the system that hindered us from getting to ‘that side’ when the main quest of Middle Earth had not yet progressed.
Leeha slowly took a deep breath and gave his last report.
“The Fragment of the Demon King left… Across the Sea of Dawn.”
“Across the Sea of Dawn? He went to that place?”
“Yes.”
“Why……? The one who dared to think about humanity’s extinction and the revival of the Demon King…. Didn’t he stay and remain hidden in this continent until the end of the Human-Demon War even when everyone from their side fled after losing the war?!”
Listening to the Pope’s question, Leeha calmly expressed his thoughts.
‘Right. Middle Earth always gave hints in any quests.’
Considering the reason why Bluebeard moved, and the surprise when Bluebeard was discovered on this continent, it was a very natural conclusion.
“That’s right. Everyone said that when Bluebeard was first discovered. In the final battle of the 2nd human-demon, the Demon King’s army that was defeated all crossed the sea of dawn…… Therefore, Bluebeard shouldn’t be here…. However, that wasn’t the case. Indeed, Bluebeard succeeded in remaining on this continent. Now we have to reverse the assumption from the ground up, including director Browless and the Pope’s.”
“The notion that not only Bluebeard but also the other Fragment of the Demon King would be on this continent too……”
The Pope understood Leeha’s words.
Leeha nodded as he heard the Pope’s words, then opened his mouth again.
At that time, Leeha thought that was the flow of the quest. Based on the information that had been released up to that point, it was the best possibility.
“That’s right. However, that was not the case. No, maybe even Bluebeard didn’t know. The proof is that Bluebeard couldn’t afford to make a move even while being pursued by the Human Alliance. So, wouldn’t Bluebeard try to awaken his colleagues after waking up? Anyway, he went around looking for other Fragments of the Demon King. That is the reason why he awakened the demon nobles, teamed up with the deviant red dragon, and spread chimeras all over the continent to cause chaos.”
“That’s why…”
“Yes. It’s a distraction. He carefully planned to appear all over the continent and pretended to overturn it, but he was only looking for the other fragments. And his search would have ended at some point.”
“Are you saying that he couldn’t find other fragments- does that mean he didn’t find Ghibrid and Pyrot Cocri?”
“That’s right. So he left. In search for his comrades who crossed the Sea of Dawn during the 2nd Human-Demon War. And he was afraid that he would be chased if that fact was discovered, that is why he used an agent to distract us.”
Whisper, whisper.
Players and NPCs, nodded their heads, made serious expressions, or were lost in thought.
“……That’s why he didn’t provoke the Lord.”
The ancient gold dragon’s words confirmed that Leeha’s words were correct.
The reason why Bluebeard did not provoke the platinum dragon Bahamut was because he left for the new continent to avoid interference in his departure to the new continent.
“Yes. If he really intended to cause the 3rd Human-Demon War immediately, there was no reason to act like that. The day Kuzgunak’sh was shot, the war should have started. Pope-nim, no, Your Holiness, the Pope, I ask you once more.”
“……Tell me.”
Pope Gaius IV looked at Leeha with a tired expression, as if he was weighed down by thoughts.
Leeha inhaled.
Even if you didn’t suggest it, the next thing will
flow naturally anyway.
‘However…… someone still has to make this suggestion. That’s all…… because it will complete Middle Earth’s [Phase 2].’
Leeha recalled a phrase that appeared on Middle Earth’s official website.
“We must gather the descendants of the heroes. Before Bluebeard awakens another fragment of the demon king, we must find him in the new continent and get rid of him. To prevent the 3rd Human-Demon war.”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t confirm when he left? What if Ghibrid and Pyrot Cocri had already woken up in the new continent? Wouldn’t the damage accumulate then? In that case, in the name of Lord Ahlo, I think it would be better to enlist the cooperation of all nations and strengthen the defense posture. What is it?”
“No. That’s not it. In this case-”
Hoooo…….
Leeha slowly opened his bag. He took out a little winged key. It was the holy relic he received after becoming a Demon King’s army subjugation team leader.
While holding the holy relic with both hands, Leeha presented it to the Pope.
“-I think that [attack is the best defense]. Please allow me to organize an expedition to the new continent.”
[You have completed the ‘Demon King’s Army Subjugation’ quest.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have acquired 3 stat points.]
[Continent Fame increased by 1,500.]
[Intimacy with all NPCs of the Holy City Ezwen increased by 20%.]
***
“New continent expedition…. But I can’t decide that on my own. I am the earthly representative of Lord Ahlo, but…. On the other hand, I am only the leader of the Ezwen religion. I can’t decide on something that needs a lot of capital and manpower right away.”
“Ah…”
The pope participates in the coronation of all kings, but he does not have all the commanding power.
From Ezwen’s perspective, a “small country” that is vertical in spiritual relations but only horizontal and maybe less in real relations, he cannot lead a large project of exploring the new continent.
It wasn’t frustrating to Leeha.
What kind of person was he? He had already completed quests related to the new continent
He was a user who had completed related quests.
When Leeha tried to make a proposal first, another user who had completed the new continent quest ‘before’ Leeha opened his mouth.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Your Holiness.”
“Fernand? What do you mean I don’t have to worry.”
Fernand, who was kneeling behind him, stood up from his seat and looked at the Pope and the other players.
“I’m already in agreement with the King of Fibiel. He said that if I participated, he would set up an expedition to the new continent. Of course, Leeha, the subjugation leader, is also included. It would be much easier if the Holy Father lent us his name. Can you leave this job to me?”
Fernand looked alternately at the pope and Leeha.
It looked like he was talking to the pope, but in reality, he was asking someone else.
Leeha: Fernand-ssi?
Fernand: Leeha-nim already has the right to join the new continent expedition anyway. Besides, I have some friends in Kraven and Minis, so if I’m going to lead the expedition, it’s better for me to move because I have more intimacy-
Leeha: Thank you. Please.
Fernand’s chatter, which seemed to continue indefinitely, was quickly cut off.
‘Right, I’m the number one contributor to Fibiel. If it was Fibiel’s decision, it would be quicker for me to meet the king and negotiate……’
Fernand really was the Pioneering King.
He, who wants to go to a new place, knows best what kind of preparation, how much, and from whom to get it.
“I understand. If so, I will ask each country to cooperate. Will you take care of this job, Fernand?”
Fernand’s body trembled for a moment.
Users around him knew he was looking at a quest window.
.
“Yes. Please leave it to me.”
“And I want to ask all of you who were in the subjugation team again.”
Shuuuk-!
The moment the pope opened his mouth again, a notification window appeared in front of the other users.
[The Embers of the New World Expedition]
Description: ‘You who have killed all of the Demon King’s army and agents on this continent, are the knights of punishment given by Lord Ahlo
…. If the new continent expedition is formed, I want to borrow your strength once more. It will be easier to gather the strength of the other heroes if you, the Demon King’s Subjugation Team, participate first.’
I want you to be a member of the newly formed New Continent Expedition.
However, remember that your life will not be guaranteed on the long journey.
That the mana present on the current continent may not reach the unknown land that no human being had ever reached!
Content: Arrive in the new continent after joining the new continent expedition
Reward: ??
Advanced Compensation: 3 stat points
Supply of rare potions from Ahlo Temple in the current continent(Daily Limit: 2)
Failure conditions: Destruction of the expedition ship or death of all the expedition members before reaching the new continent
Penalty for failure: Achievement: Human Sacrifice for Demons
Continental Reputation -20,000
Affinity with all countries in the current continent -50%
– Would you like to accept?
‘The advanced compensation is 3 stat points? Rare potions are expected- no, the stat points are ridiculous!’
“What is this…”
Kidd’s quiet words spoke of everyone’s thoughts. It was rare to give stat points even as a normal reward.
It’s not even a success reward, but an advanced compensation?
There was also the supply of rare potions, but the stat points was so great that it was ignored.
‘In other words- it means that the quest will be difficult. The current continent’s mana not working must be a hint.’
The conditions for failure are not tight.
The destruction of all the ships or the death of all the members of the expedition.
In other words, even if they died, they could succeed as long as they managed to reach the new continent with only one expedition user in a boat.
However, that was not reassuring.
It meant that it would be so difficult that even with this level of condition, they had to give that much reward.
“Bailephus-nim, the current continent’s mana doesn’t work on the new continent?”
He couldn’t just click the accept button. Leeha asked Bailephus first.
(To be continued…)
