Chapter 631
During the brief moment Leeha was in the outside world, another uproar erupted near the [Divine Staff], where the monsters standoff had ended.
Its Toon.
Toon, its Toon! Toon has appeared again!
A dinosaur with a height of 440 units caught by the scout team members.
Monsters, including Toon, revealed themselves once more near the [Divine Staff].
It had only been six hours since Leeha had eliminated the illusion of Toon.
Damn it, whats this?
Ah! Ahhh! We barely recovered from a failed quest, and now it looks like were doomed for real!
Are you kidding me? We just went back three hours ago, why is it here again?
Call everyone now! Activate the emergency contact network!
It was only natural for the various knight orders to become noisy once more.
This time, they didnt unnecessarily run somewhere or hide the appearance of Toon.
Toon, leading a group of monsters, revealed itself at an approximate distance of 260 meters, visible enough to flutter in the eyes of the scout team members.
Where is the bishop?
He went back to Juma City to report to the Archbishop after the situation ended!
Call him back right now! We might need to summon bishop again!
Understood!
Even the most trained knight orders were naturally flustered.
Without understanding the enemys intent, there was no preparation beyond conventional defense formations.
Among the chaos, one of the few groups not causing a commotion was the Virtuous Knight Order.
This is strange.
Whats strange, captain.
As Lark wobbled his head, Knight 1480, who was nearby, asked.
Amidst the surrounding hustle, he leisurely hummed, maintaining a relaxed demeanor.
It doesnt add up no matter how I think about it. This Ah, could it be?
Is there something bothering you?
Despite Knight 1480s inquiry, Larks expression began to clear up. He nodded.
Think about it. The one we thought was killed by Leehas gun was a fake And now youre telling me the real one just popped up? Thats what this Demon Kings Army is suggesting?
He hadnt even drawn his sword from its scabbard.
Without scouting skills or a scope, he couldnt see Toon and the group of monsters, yet that wasnt the reason for his relaxed state.
The form of the enemy he envisioned was precisely why he felt no need to prepare for battle.
But then, Bluebeard is ranked number one among the Demon Kings Armys elites. With such a figure involved, they wouldnt resort to such a shabby strategy. Heh, yes, thats it.
How do you analyze the situation then?
Why bother saying? Its not even certain.
Lark held a conviction about his thought. Yet, he dismissed 1480s question.
There was one reason for his refusal to answer.
Its simply not fun to just tell.
If Leeha had seen this scene, he wouldve adequately said, What a twisted person.
Hearing this, a user who was standing beside chimed in.
If you have thoughts, why not share? Its not for nothing that you were given the command authority over a hundred people, captain.
The user, donning the knight orders armor but appearing somewhat slack, was someone who had vented frustrations along with Lark upon their first arrival in the New Continent.
Ah! If you want to use my brain, then properly pay up. I clearly remember there being a bonus for securing the [Divine Staff], right, Financial Officer Pung?
Financial Officer, my foot. Only in the New Continent am I a Financial Officer. Back home, Im just a commoner. Compensation is determined based on contribution, so wait a bit longer. Its been only 4 days, responded Pung, the financial officer of the Virtuous Knight Order in the New Continent, tasked with overseeing the financials of the dispatched knight order.
The surrounding knight order members swallowed their saliva, eagerly watching the two.
I thought they said they dont entrust the Financial Officer role to a user.
What on earth do we have to do to push through 1400 and receive the financial statement?
Even if its just limited authority in the New Continent, were talking about the Virtue Knights Theres a reason we cant ignore what these two are saying. If they are users assined roles within the meritocracy of the Virtue Knights, they cant be underestimated.
So, whats the captain thinking?
Its just a hypothesis for now. But I do have a rough idea.
As if answering Pungs question, Lark gestured around them with his chin. Everywhere, groups of light were endlessly twinkling, indicating users and 480 gathering through teleportation; in no time, their number had swelled enormously.
Its just a trick.
A trick?
They have no real intention to attack, those fellows.
What do you mean by that? Why play such a trick?
At Pungs question, Lark yawned. The other knights of the Virtue Knights could not fully grasp what Lark meant.
I had a bit of a showdown with that bastard. Its not their style to just scout us like this. So, that leaves only one thing. If its as Leeha said, not knowing if whats showing is real or fake.
Lark said, smiling slyly as he looked towards where Toon was.
Its all just a show.
But, seriously! Why do this-
Whether its fake or real! If Toon shows itself, what kind of situation will unfold! Ah, geez! Think about it, Financial Officer. Im off to Juma City, so call me if anything urgent comes up.
Lark then immediately used a crystal ball and disappeared.
Pung and the 48 knights of the order exchanged glances where Lark had vanished.
If Toon shows itself, what then? What kind of situation will- Ah! Ah-ha!
Pungs expression brightened as he repeated Larks words. He was also not one to be outdone when it came to quick thinking.
Did you get what it means, Financial Officer Pung?
Ah! Yes, yes. Thats right. So, this is an opportunity for us, isnt it?
Opportunity, you say
Bring everyone to Juma. Lets discuss it there.
Pung activated his crystal ball without hesitation.
With Toon and monsters swarming, commanding to head to Juma City with the [Divine Staff] so close at hand was perplexing.
Fortunately, the knights of the order, all 140[5 of them, lacked the ability to judge such matters.
The entire Virtue Knights vanished from the vicinity of the [Divine Staff] in less than ten minutes.
Yawn. It likely seems a trick considering how much theyre dragging out time.
Kijung yawned dramatically pointing at Toon. The personnel around werent as relaxed as Kijung, but their thoughts were similar.
Kijung-ssi! Watch your mouth! The Sacred Knights are right next to us, what an embarrassment!
Embarrassment? I was just exercising my jaw for a bit.
Bobae elbowed Kijungs side. The Sacred Knights and they were closely allied, forming linked magic formations.
Shin Nara laughed seeing Kijung and Bobae.
Kijung-ssi does have a point. It would be good if Leeha logs in and shoots once more.
Hm. I also judge it to be similar to the illusion Leeha fired.
Nara and Tale agreed. And they werent the only ones.
Kijung, seeing the two agreeing with his insight(?), nodded and asked Hyein.
How about it,Hyein hyung?
I also agree with that opinion. Its not just similar to an illusion; its an illusion itself. Theres nothing good for the Demon Army by dragging out time. Then, the problem is the enemys intention
Hyein hummed thoughtfully, supporting his chin. To even Hyein, considered one of the highest brains in the group, the enemys intention wasnt completely clear yet.
Why show themselves and lead to a standoff The most likely possibility is diversion.
There doesnt seem to be any other forces near [Divine Staff]. Leeha would see more clearly, but my eyes are pretty good too.
Indeed. As Bobae mentioned, we cant see the forces from the fake operation. It must mean thats not it either.
Hearing Bobaes addition, Hyein smiled gently. Admitting what one did not know was also a form of clear situation assessment. Pointlessly spreading various thoughts would not help at this moment.
If its not a feint, and they arent planning a real attack then why do you think they showed themselves?
It was Nara who approached and asked Hyein. When it came to understanding Shin Naras situation, the judgment was quite superior thanks to years of dealing with all kinds of smear campaigns and political operations within the royal palace, especially against top-level monsters that possessed judgment skills.
Her asking for advice began after hearing Hyeins statement in Juma City last time.
Hyein looked troubled, but it was hard to ignore Naras keen interest, who asked with shining eyes, A diversion.
Hmm- You mean, instead of [Divine Staff], they wanted to attack another area, tying down our troops here?
Nara quickly came up with another idea as if she had been waiting, just by Hyein mentioning a new hypothesis.
Exactly, its highly possible, isnt it? You knew this, didnt you? I thought you might have known from the time when about thirty members of the Sacred Knights were absent. That remaining personnel might be waiting somewhere at-
Juma City.
-Juma City.
As Hyein mentioned the location, Nara spoke of it in unison.
As if they had arranged it beforehand, both of them burst out with the name.
Hyein looked at her and grinned. Nara too, smiled warmly and nodded.
Good. Then we just have to wait and see if our prediction is correct or not.
Thats sensible.
Nara had been splitting and using the Sacred Knights into two groups already. And Hyein had already grasped the number of the knights!
Feeling a new joy in realizing that Nara was playing along with her new hypothesis, knowing it beforehand, the conversation itself was exhilarating.
Both were not only quick in their thoughts but also agile in their beliefs and actions based on those beliefs.
What are they talking about, stationing troops in Juma City?
Is that right, Kijung?
Huh?
Kijung, hearing the conversation between Hyein and Nara, swung his head slightly. It looked hard for him to catch up with their advanced conversation, and he tried to ask Bobae for an opinion. However, Bobaes attention was elsewhere.
If you can contact Leeha, tell him to act accordingly, will you?
Leeha? Act? Why all of a sudden?
Tell him to quickly make a move or stamp something before Nara gets distracted.
Kijung couldnt quite read Bobaes cryptic expression.
Yet, soon he could guess what she meant. Kijungs eyes began to widen.
Could it be! Nara- Oh!
Kijung? Did you call me?
Having shouted so loudly, both Nara and Hyein turned their heads towards Kijung simultaneously. Bobae quickly covered Kijungs mouth and showed an awkward smile.
Uh, yeah~ Nara. We were talking about Juma City. Hahaha, well go do some reconnaissance elsewhere.
Uh, um!
Forced into muteness like a frozen ostrich, Kijung was sneakily led away by Bobae.
Even during that, Bobae managed to wink at Nara.
Only after receiving Bobaes look did Nara realize her own state.
Scouting now, why all this fuss.
That, thats what Im saying. Hahah, then, Hyein-ssi, I shall take my leave as well.
Ah, yes. Im always in awe of your insight, Madam Nara. Should you grasp the true intention behind the diversionary operation, or discover anything special near Juma City, lets discuss it again.
Then, okay! Yes, that sounds good.
Nara, unable to speak properly out of embarrassment, coughed incessantly and headed towards the Sacred Knights. Watching her hastily walk away, Hyein tilted his head in wonder.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l