Chapter 616


    Ah, yes,


    Indeed. If we have a dragons lead, theres no need to worry.


    Pardon?


    Romero, standing beside ugrunn, nodded his head.


    Just when he was about to question what the sudden appearance of this grandfather meant, Romero introduced himself.


    I am Romero, who hase from Ezwen to secure the Divine Staff.


    Ah, I see. My apologies for beingte. A task I was preparing got slightly derailed, so I couldnt help but bete


    How, how dare you! Do you know how long Cardinal Romero has been waiting for you!?


    Unlike Romero, a bishop NPC beside him was hopping mad, yet Romero soon calmed him down.


    Its alright. What matters is what he has to do going forward Waiting is of little consequence to me. Now, Leeha-ssi, shall we start with the guidance?


    Ah, yes.


    Leeha nodded hesitantly. He felt a peculiar charisma emanating from the old man.


    A character quite different from Bahamut or Lotzak. He appears kind but possesses an unmistakable charisma.


    Just knowing about dragons, it was clear he must be a person of considerable abilities.


    Leeha-ssi!


    Ah, Fernand-ssi.


    Lets go. Today, I will be your guide assistant.


    Ha, unbelievable! To think I would get the opportunity to have Fernand, the Pioneer King, as an assistant!


    Fernand caught up to Leehas side.


    Checking the map Fernand had spread out, Leeha nodded towards ugrunn.


    Before leaving, he had spent the whole night at the Bottleneck Forge pondering over what to say and how to say it.


    As Leeha levitated into the air, all eyes were focused on him.


    Our destination is the former base of demons, the fifth one. Even when it was cleared, the area was swarming with monsters. Furthermore, now the roots of the demon bases are interconnected, so its uncertain how many monsters are present there. Please, be prepared for the worst-case scenario and proceed with caution!


    The knights guilds and other user guilds momentarily hesitated.


    Even as Leeha issued a stern warning, an unbelievable truth came to light that couldnt be ignored.


    The fifth base, you say? Wasnt it said that no one had cleared it? If its still undisclosed


    Yeah, I heard rumors that someone secretly cleared it, but


    It cant be Alexander. He always roamed with different guilds.


    Lee Jiwon made such a fuss asking who had cleared it Could it possibly be him


    That person doesnt even have a guild, so how could he clear it? Its impossible to do it alone.


    The murmuring spread like wildfire.


    Trust and distrust, suspicion and excitement quickly took over the knights.


    Most of all, since Leeha appeared to have no guild affiliation, the biggest question was with whom did he clear it?


    Oh dear, Leeha, you didnt have to say that


    Times like these really show his naivety.


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    Pfft, but thats one of Leeha-ssis strengths. He tells us things to prevent us from making mistakes, things he couldve kept secret.


    Ignoring the whispers, Leeha shouted once more.


    Then lets depart! We have 12 days to secure the Divine Staff! Prioritizing its acquisition!


    Despite the myriad of questions, fortunately, everyone kept silent.


    Instead, a unified word came from everyones lips.


    Departureeeeeee!


    The 3,000-strong Divine Staff capture team set off from Juma City.


    Leeha-ssi, can you see them?


    Yes. Its massive. By a rough estimate, theres over two hundred.


    Two hundred But since theres no way to detour, we have to go through them.


    Leading the vanguard of the upation unit, Leeha and Fernand were searching for the optimal route.


    A little more consideration; on this side, there are two hundred Armored High-Trolls. Earlier on the other side, there were five hundred mixed with Ogres and Trolls. It might be better to choose the easier side.


    Including ugrunn, they were trying to choose a route that avoided monsters as much as possible, but it wasnt as easy as said.


    With the distribution of monsters changed and even their level increased, there was no way to reach the Divine Staff without encountering some.


    Well, we have enough people, so the side with fewer monsters might be better. The level difference is trivial for these folks.


    Leeha nced back.


    Up until departure, users and knight orders that had been chattering about this and that were nowpletely focused on the mission without a hint of wavering.


    Understood. Lets prepare for battle. Dragon, are there any hidden enemies?


    None, human.


    Okay, then. Lets decide that ce for our battlefield. Ill arrange a surprise attack focusing on the knight orders.


    After barely getting an answer from ugrunn, Fernand ran towards the cardinals and bishops.


    Leeha found something amusing in that.


    Asmanding as you speak, youre just a kid.


    What are you talking about! Shh! If that human heard what you just said, they wouldnt forgive you, not even if youre Leeha-ssi!


    Understood, Dragon Lord!


    Unlike Leeha, ugrunn was extremely cold to others.


    Although aware of the situation, Leeha couldnt help butugh at ugrunns pretentious serious demeanor.


    Everythings ready.


    Already? Elite is truly elite. Lets do this quietly, swiftly, and decisively. Ill give special observations and orders through Fernand-ssi.


    The chosen NPCs and users also had a clear understanding of themand structure. There was no one who didnt understand the orders to the extent of asking again.


    With the order given, they raced towards the Armored High-Trolls. Making use of the terrain for cover, their approach was rapid.


    Closing to 400m. The foes havent noticed us yet300m250m.


    Leeha narrated their movements as ifmentating, continuously scrutinizing the situation through his scope.


    Listening to him, Fernand ryed the information to each representative, and they, in turn, informed their respective teams, making the groups movement as agile as one entity.


    Enteringbat.


    When Fernand suggested sending only the elite, Leeha thought it might be better to push through with all three thousand troops. But seeing the situation now, this seemed like the better option.


    they should havee to help during the wave.


    Their battle was impably clean.


    During the wave, a High-Troll would require at least five to ten users in their early 200s to handle one. Yet, here they were, three members perfectly subduing an Armored High-Troll.


    The battle seemed fierce, but for those waiting or observing, it ended so easily it was almost mundane.


    Battle over! Twelve minor injuries among our troops, one seriously injured. The minor injuries have been healed on the spot; the seriously injured has two healers assigned and we will advance again!


    Facing two hundred Armored High-Trolls, there was only one seriously injured.


    The journey to secure the Divine Staff seemed easier and faster than expected.


    That was until Leeha saw something.


    Hey, whats that?


    What? Theres nothing on the ground.


    Not on the ground


    Leeha pointed in a direction and increased the magnification on his scope.


    In the sky. There was definitely a strange symbol there.


    ugrunn used mana detection beside him.


    The distance is quite significant It doesnt register for me. Was it just a bird?


    Wait a minute, even for a bird, it was quiterge. It cast a shadow on the ground after all. No matter how improved the scope is, its not like it can see a birds shadow That was definitely something bigger than a bird-


    Bigger than a bird?!


    This this is getting unsettling?


    The fact that whenever something bigger than a bird was discovered, something that defiedmon sense usually happened, came to Leehas mind.


    That ominous premonition soon became reality.


    What what is that!? Its huge!


    What is it? What is it?


    I dont know! A lion? A lion without a mane? Just a bald lion but with wings, like bat-like membrane wings, the body of some beast like a griffin


    A manticore?


    As Leeha rapidly described the strange flying creature in the scope, ugrunns expression twisted.


    A manticore? There are no manticores in Middle Earth!


    Fernand, who was next to him, eximed in surprise.


    What are you talking about!? There are manticores, just notmonly seen! But why is it suddenly here? Leeha-ssi! The tail, what about the tail? Is it a scorpion tail? Or does it look like a snake?


    I cant see the tail! Its positioned this way, but why suddenly ask about the tail? ugrunn-ssi, how big is a typical manticore?


    If it has a scorpion tail, then a height of 3 meters, body length of 8 meters; if its a snake head, then a height of 8 meters, body length of 20 meters!


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    I cant see the tail, but its size is approximately


    Leeha swallowed nervously.


    Warnings were screaming in his head.


    Whats going on.


    It was then Romero approached and tapped Fernand on the shoulder.


    Since the battle had ended, they needed to advance, but no other orders hade from this direction.


    As the situation continued, those waiting began to grow curious, which is why Romero hade this far.


    Ah, cardinal. It seems something has appeared. Leeha-ssi is currently observing the potential threat.


    A threat? I see nothing with my own eyes must be Leeha-ssi then, what exactly is it?


    Romero nced at Leeha and nodded.


    Though he didnt seem overly worried, perhaps due to having easily finished the recent battle.


    Um, it was a new name to me too. ording to Dragon, its called a manticore


    A manticore! Is that true?


    It was then Cardinal Romeros gentle squint narrowed.


    Fernand still looked puzzled, but Romero seemed to clearly understand the gravity of the situation.


    The appearance of a manticore means


    It could signify that Ghibrids power is manifesting to some extent, one of Ghibrids breed. That one of his chimera toys is showing itself


    ugrunn provided the answer.


    The emergence of a monster never seen before! And one that is rted to Ghibrid!


    Romero hesitantly approached Leeha.


    Leeha-ssi, how far is it from us?


    If ugrunn-ssis estimate of its size is correct, then its about 3.6km ahead in the air. Itsing this way.


    Leeha answered without taking his eyes off the scope. Recognizing the urgency, cardinal Romero quickly spoke up.


    Then we should hide for now. If Ghibrid has released it um, in the worst case, there might be others


    even if not, a manticore itself differs from normal monsters. A messenger of the Chimera nests, executing Ghibrids will! Its size belies its viciousness and cunning, resulting in a massive loss of human lives during the Second Human-Demon War.


    Is that so?


    Leehas hands were busily moving ever since he heard about the monsters size from ugrunn.


    Therefore, his response sounded somewhat indifferent and careless.


    That made the respectful voice of Romero be more urgent.


    It seems you dont fully grasp what Im saying, we need to hide immediately. If its just one creature, we might be able to handle it, but our losses wont be trivial. For the sake of securing [the light of God], we must first issue an evacuation order to


    Did you say youre Cardinal Romero?


    Leehas hands finally stopped. He steadied his breath and asked Cardinal Romero.