Arcane Sniper [Matan’s Shooter]

As Lee Ha was about to enter the palace, Browris emerged from inside.

“I heard you did something big this time. I heard you personally went out to rescue the Minis delegation. They said the whole treaty reinforcement deal almost fell apart if it weren’t for you.”

The NPC was directly involved in confirming the reinforcement treaty agreement. Lee Ha could tell from Browris’s words that everything had gone smoothly.

“Oh, that? I just went out on a hunch, and it turned out to be lucky.”

“Lucky, you say. That’s not something you achieve through luck. I know full well your thoroughness in striving for perfection. Well done.”

Browris patted Lee Ha’s back with a satisfied expression.

‘If the reinforcement treaty quest had failed, I wouldn’t have received the reward, but there’s no need to mention that.’

Lee Ha observed Browris, who seemed to be trying to pat him firmly, but his hand stopped mid-air.

“Hmm?”

[Meow?]

“Is that you, Leha?”

“Ah, yes. Yes. This? No, not this. This is―uh, my partner.”

“A partner…? Could it be a Dragon Knight?”

“No, it’s not that. Not that… If I were to explain it, it’s quite complicated.”

Lee Ha briefly explained the concept of soul-binding to Browris. Normally, Browris would instantly grasp any NPC-related matters, but it seemed different this time.

Above all, Lee Ha was concerned about Browris mentioning “Dragon Knight.”

‘Is he asking for an explanation because he thinks I might leave the Musketeers? But come to think of it, my partner is a Relic. Why hasn’t the quest to become a Dragon Knight or something like that appeared?’

Certainly, Lee Ha’s guess seemed accurate. Browris’s reaction also pointed in that direction.

However, so far, Lee Ha hadn’t come across any keywords related to becoming a Dragon Knight.

“Indeed. So that’s how it happened.”

“Yes. At the place where I was defeating Kuzgunak’s Shira, there was also a Bluebeard. I took the dragon’s neck.”

“A dragon’s neck… No, rather, the fact that the one who’s supposed to be a fragment of the Demon King is in alliance with the Color Dragons―”

“More accurately, it was a dragon that had been named among the Color Dragons.”

“I see. Well, it’s fortunate that both incidents turned out this way.”

“Both incidents?”

“The fact that you didn’t become a Dragon Knight and that Bluebeard hasn’t completely allied with the Color Dragons yet.”

Browris treated both incidents as equally significant.

Lee Ha felt even more proud at his words, considering how Browris had always focused solely on the Demon King’s fragments until now.

“Alright, then I’ll go to see to my business. I intend to meet His Eminence the Pope and plan for the future. I expect I’ll need you and the others soon, so I’ll summon you then.”

“Understood! We’ll continue to train diligently and await your orders!”

“Good.”

As Lee Ha saluted, Browris responded with a determined expression and soon vanished. If he had thoroughly understood the reinforcement treaty agreement, he probably knew enough about the Chimeras and Bluebeard as well.

“And now that the reinforcement treaty is concluded, the only thing left for Pope Ezwen to do is…”

Lee Ha could roughly guess the situation that lay ahead.

In the Pope’s name, a punitive force would be organized to completely exterminate the Bluebeard and the Color Dragons.

“It seems there will be another large-scale battle soon…”

[Meow…]

“Oh, right, Bluegrune. People will be surprised if you keep sitting on my shoulder. Is there anywhere you’d like to be? Would you like to go into the bag?”

[Meow! Meow!]

Bluegrune shook his head. Lee Ha was convinced that Bluegrune was capable of understanding him.

“Sigh, there’s nothing I can do. Anyway, don’t stand out too much. I know you’re far more eye-catching than a Skylings shining blue up to the sky, but…”

[Meow! Meow!]

Carrying Bluegrune on his shoulder, Lee Ha entered the palace.

〈Regarding the Reinforcement Treaty Agreement〉, various copies of the treaty agreement between the two countries were posted on large bulletin boards throughout the palace.

* * *

“Here we are.”

If Ram Hwa-yeon had been logged in, she would have immediately asked, but at the moment, she was offline. Thus, Leeha had no choice but to rely on the NPC’s guidance.

“Yes, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After observing the stern guards for a moment, Leeha knocked on the firmly closed door. This wasn’t the audience chamber where the king usually received people. On the contrary, the business-like atmosphere of the place made Leeha nervous.

“A-hem. May I―”

Swoosh! Before Leeha could finish speaking, the door suddenly swung open, and someone rushed out.

“Your Highness! Please come in!”

“Uh, Re― Reirik?”

“Last time, you disappeared so suddenly that I was taken aback! How can you just leave without saying anything… I, who am in charge of the treasure warehouse, was beyond surprised! I couldn’t help but exclaim, ‘Wow!’ Aren’t you the Medal of Honor recipient? Leeha, no, I was amazed by the distribution of the two treasures for the sake of the palace’s finances, you know?”

The NPC was the financial minister. He had guided Lee Ha to the Puviriel Palace warehouse.

Though the barrage of words left Lee Ha feeling a bit bitter, he had no room for excuses now.

“Yes, well… That’s…”

“His Majesty has already finished all the instructions. According to Highness’s choice, you will be granted the exclusive right to manage the upper levels of that place. So, do you have a place in mind?”

Relic pushed Lee Ha into a seat while pouring out words like a machine gun. He was as talkative as ever, but when it came to handling affairs, he was equally capable.

Even though he was speaking, he placed all sorts of documents in front of Lee Ha, making his head spin. It reminded him of Ram Hwa-yeon, though she would have explained everything much more thoroughly and kindly.

“I will explain. Over here is the Castle―”

“City Gazzar.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go with City Gazzar.”

Lee Ha made a decision since Ram Hwa-yeon had already finished her review.

“Well, do you need me to explain about each city?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Lee Ha smiled and cut him off, surprising Relic.

“Of course, I can explain if needed, but since you have to come to the palace―”

“No, it’s okay. Just finish up quickly.”

There was no need for such an explanation. With Ram Hwa-yeon as an ally, what could possibly go wrong? She was already managing the city, after all. If Lee Ha wanted to hear an explanation, she would provide a much more detailed and friendly one.

“Oh, City Gazzar has become part of Puviriel now?”

“Yes. As of yesterday, all the rights have been transferred from Minis to us. The nobles in charge of managing the city have already left.”

Just like with Ram Hwa-yeon, players were given the “exclusive right to manage the upper levels” of the space.

In essence, it was nearly the same as having complete financial authority. You could even call it the “nominal” city lord NPC.

“Ih heh heh, I guess so. If it’s already been three days since the reinforcement treaty was concluded… Should we go right away then?”

“For now, sign here. This is the pledge related to the exclusive right to manage the upper levels. Sign here, and here, put the date here. There’s also the back, so check it.”

Relic pushed a pen to Lee Ha, indicating where to sign. Lee Ha was momentarily confused, wondering if this was Puviriel Palace or a bank.

With Relic’s help, Lee Ha finished signing the documents quickly, including the final one. Bapam―!

[Achievement: True Owner of Castle Gazzar (A)]

Congratulations!

You have acquired 100% ownership of the exclusive right to manage the upper levels of Puviriel Kingdom’s Castle Gazzar. The residents of Castle Gazzar expect great things from you as you further develop the territory.

Effects: +10 Health, +7 Spirit, 50% Intimacy with all NPCs in Castle Gazzar, Access to all facilities in Castle Gazzar, Monthly income from each stake deposited.

(This achievement is not included in the Hall of Fame.)

You are the owner of more than half of the stake in the city.

You can use the orders related to city management at the city administration office.

“Oh, City Dale had only a 10% stake. It’s true that you only get this achievement once you have over 51% of the stake…”

Lee Ha read the explanation quickly, and Bapam―! Pangpar went off again.

The above achievement is something that all players who have essentially become the lord of a city can receive. In other words, all the guild masters in Puviriel, Minis, Shazrasian, and other cities, along with countless other cities and castles, each held by various guilds. All of them would have obtained this achievement one by one.

To acquire the exclusive right to manage the upper levels, an enormous amount of capital and resources were required.

However, Lee Ha was slightly different in this case.

[Achievement: Unreachable Being (S-)]

Congratulations!

You have become the true lord of one city through your strength alone! You possess thousands of people’s manpower, tens of thousands of gold’s worth of capital, and more!

With the rumors of your overwhelming abilities alone, most NPCs won’t be able to raise their heads. Don’t be surprised, as this is proof of your unreachable status and dignity!

Effects: +21 Stat Points, +500 Continent-wide Reputation, Permanent Buff – Majesty

You are the first to achieve the achievement “Unreachable Being.”

The third registrant of the achievement will also be recorded in the Hall of Fame, and the existing effect will be applied an additional 200%.

Effects: +42 Stat Points, +1,000 Continent-wide Reputation

“Oooh?!”

Lee Ha felt a surge of golden energy sweeping through his body. The buff, one of the achievement effects, surrounded him, and Relic, who had been slightly cocky until just now, shut his mouth and bowed his head.

“To congratulate you, Highness.”

“Kekheum, thank you, Relic.”

Being swept up in the ‘awe,’ even Leeha couldn’t help but adopt a solemn tone. Though not particularly close to Relic, if it were just a jest, he might have responded with a light-hearted laugh. However, Relic remained composed and calm, almost too quiet, making the situation less enjoyable for Leeha.

“Now, all the paperwork is done. Just take these documents with the crane stamp to City Gazzah, and the process will be complete.”

“Just go to the office and hand them over?”

“Exactly. To avoid any inconvenience, I’ll inform City Gazzah in advance.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

“It was an honor to assist you, Your Highness.”

“Oh, come on, you don’t have to be so formal… I mean, how do I turn this off? Can’t I turn it off?”

As he watched Relic folding up, Leeha hastily opened his skill window. Awe?! One should at least maintain a certain level of awe!

“What’s with all these actions fit for a king? Why does he keep doing that? It’s not fun at all!”

〈Awe〉

Description: The aura possessed only by those who have reached one of the highest positions possible for an individual to achieve.

Effect: Absolute respect from native NPCs with continental reputation below 3,000.

Absolute respect from foreign NPCs with continental reputation below 1,000.

“Ah, I see. If it’s based on contributions, being the Chief Financial Minister should be impressive… but judging by the continental reputation, it might not be that high.”

Since the contribution levels and reputation of each country don’t always correspond directly, Leeha thought it was likely a buff related to the S-rank achievement.

Currently, Leeha had an overwhelming continental reputation, slightly exceeding 7,000. Even for an NPC, surpassing 3,000 was not an easy feat.

As for foreign NPCs, the standard was even stricter, and anything above 1,000 wouldn’t make any impact. Nevertheless, that 1,000 wasn’t something to scoff at. It would make ordinary citizens and shopkeepers bow their heads in front of Leeha.