I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 411

The reason the meeting between Asella and Selena’s party came together so quickly was simple.

Although their official goals differed, both Asella and Selena intended to rescue their benefactor, Grylls.

However, only one person realized this truth.

Asella, who held the fixed handle "Don’t Abandon the Hero," the Orange Badge of the Gallery.

Not only that, but she could thoroughly discern the handles of the VIP guests visiting the Holy Kingdom.

Thus, she gauged what their true objective was. Among them, the one to be most wary of was indisputably Ash.

’Even granting that Selena-nim is a case similar to mine, Ash-nim is...’

She looked across at Ash, who was leisurely sipping tea.

Hair even whiter than Selena’s, which was bleached due to a chronic illness, paired with blue eyes.

Clearly in her mid-thirties, yet possessing beauty that looked unnaturally young.

On top of that, a mature aura she couldn’t hide. It was more than enough to shake the hearts of many men.

’There were rumors that she was anxious after missing her marriageable age... but I didn’t expect it to be true.’

In reality and on the Gallery, it was a rumor bordering on a running joke.

That she was too strong since youth to find a man to her liking.

Because of this, she missed her marriageable age, but frankly, it didn’t seem to matter at all.

The phrase "age is just a number" suited Ash perfectly.

If anything, her distinct maturity stood out, making her feel even more attractive.

’Is Ash-nim really targeting Grylls-nim as well?’

Asella recalled the conversations Ash and Grylls had shared.

Most were close to small talk or barter trades, but occasionally Ash had revealed her true colors.

Of course, Grylls brushed it off as a joke, but well... considering Ash’s current situation, it couldn’t be dismissed as a mere joke at all.

"...Asella-nim?"

"Yes?"

"Is there something you would like to say?"

Oops. She had apparently stared intently while lost in thought for a second.

Asella hastily snapped to her senses upon hearing Ash’s question.

She then cleared her throat to smooth over the awkward atmosphere.

"My apologies. You are just as truly beautiful as rumors suggest."

"Thank you for the compliment. But you who say such words are beautiful as well, Asella-nim."

Ash smiled gently and answered in a warm voice. At that, Asella marveled internally.

To think that such a mature and refined person went wild on the Gallery saying she wanted to get married.

Everyone really has something they want to hide. Asella realized through this event.

’Selena-nim is the unusual one, right?’

Even Kadir possessed a unique online persona of a "perverted professor" on the Gallery.

However, Selena’s words and conduct were hardly different from real life. If anything, she just had an experimental spirit.

"Apologies. Were we a bit late?"

"Ho-ho. Forgive us for being late."

While Asella was lost in thought, Selena and Kadir returned after completing security checks.

Unlike Ash, because they were mages, their security screening was bound to be far stricter.

"Not at all. There are refreshments here, so please help yourselves."

"Thank you."

Selena offered thanks with a heartfelt smile.

Asella returned a friendly smile to that, but her inner thoughts differed.

’Yet another lady...?’

Pure and elegant, a beauty who stirred protective instincts. Her charm stood out in a completely different way from Ash’s.

Considering past Gallery chat histories, Asella could tell Selena held immense interest in Grylls as well.

Naturally so, given that Selena had cleanly cured her Nine Yin Severed Meridians thanks to Grylls.

Since he delivered her from a terminally ill life, her gratitude was beyond words.

’Why is it that the people who received direct favors are all women? How curious.’

Of course, Grylls wasn’t a girl-crazed simp, nor did he intentionally pick out only women to help.

In the first place, people pretending to be female on the Gallery were everywhere, and Grylls had no way of telling.

He had bestowed favors out of pure goodwill. And Selena, as the beneficiary, knew this, which was why she acted so proactively.

Asella suppressed the emotion slowly creeping up from deep inside her chest and proceeded to host them.

"I’ve heard the overview. You plan to summon creatures inside the Forest of the Four Seasons for private research?"

"Yes. Recently, the Forest of the Four Seasons has become a hot topic. Occasional creatures and items from there are emerging into the outside world."

"I’ve heard that story as well. It’s said to be due to someone who can access the Gallery even inside the Forest of the Four Seasons..."

Asella trailed off, casting a subtle glance at Kadir.

Kadir also picked up on her meaning and merely sipped his tea without saying a word.

Since they had already deduced each other’s true identities, acting rashly offered no benefit.

"Is it to prevent that person from monopolizing it, or for another reason?"

"Shall I call it... pure personal curiosity? I wish to acquire items from that person as well, but circumstances aren’t favorable."

"It seems you don’t enjoy using the Gallery."

"Yes. How should I put it... it’s a place where human desires erupt raw and unfiltered, so I tend to shy away from it."

Asella nearly snorted, but barely managed to hold it back.

Selena had obtained various items, including a Mature Mandrake, from Grylls.

Yet whether because she was a noble or born with it, her acting was convincing enough to feel genuine.

The same went for Ash sitting beside her. She maintained a dry, expressionless face while observing the current situation.

’Since our goal itself is identical, I just need to mind the public posture.’

Although they shared a common goal, positions and official standing existed.

Asella had to sustain the Holy Kingdom, which was barely holding together.

While giving full support, she ought to gain whatever could be gained from it.

"I see. Then could you show me the research documents you’ve prepared?"

"Here they are."

Selena showed the pre-prepared materials and documents to Asella.

Asella took the papers and scanned them quickly.Follow the newest chapters on novelp⁠ing.com.

Perhaps out of consideration for her lack of magic expertise, it was full of easy-to-understand contents.

"Summoning creatures proportional to mana quantity... is it independent of the target’s will?"

"Yes."

"It seems to carry some potential for abuse..."

Having scrutinized the Papacy inside out and witnessed how policies enacted with good intentions were abused,

Asella worried about misuse rather than looking at benefits and intentions.

Of course, she didn’t think they would abuse this summoning magic.

The real issue would be when this summoning spell was published in thesis format.

That would naturally expose it to the public, allowing anyone to use it.

"Incidents like large-scale kidnappings or assassinations of high-profile figures could occur. Surely you’ve prepared countermeasures for that?"

"Of course. This spell is strictly designed exclusively for the Forest of the Four Seasons."

"Exclusively for the Forest of the Four Seasons..."

"Even if someone tries to modify this summoning spell, the mana will distort, ensuring it fails unconditionally. Crafting one from scratch would be far better."

Asella nodded. Truly a solution worthy of a genius who had suffered from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

She would need to check in greater detail, but that could be reviewed right before publishing the thesis.

Asella feigned contemplation before nodding and granting approval.

"Very well. This is more than enough to grant permission."

"Thank you."

"By the way... you said this summoning circle can summon people too, right?"

"Yes."

"Then with good luck, Teacher Ludwig might..."

Asella brought up Ludwig while pretending to know nothing.

At that, a brilliant light gleamed in Selena’s eyes, as if that had been the goal all along.

"It is possible. However, the probability is extremely low, so it’s hard to guarantee."

"It’s fine. If we can bring Teacher back, I will provide unconditional support."

"I express my gratitude for your grace, Hero-nim."

Selena placed her hand over her chest and offered polite thanks. Asella returned the greeting according to proper etiquette.

Truthfully, it was no different from a rigged game where everyone was playing along. The only ones who knew this were Asella and Kadir.

Even if the others caught on, the ultimate goal was identical, so there was no reason to feel off-ended.

"The location to begin the experiment is here..."

"As for the building..."

"Just in case..."

Asella and Selena’s group prepared thoroughly for the first experiment.

The initial testing ground, preparations against monster attacks, and anticipated variables.

Though they learned the true nature of the Forest of the Four Seasons through Grylls, even that was merely a glimpse.

Because this summoning spell covered a far broader range, there was no telling what might pop out.

"Is it impossible to summon only creatures from a specific spatial area?"

"If we could grasp the anomalies of the Forest of the Four Seasons, it might be possible... but that’s virtually impossible."

"Sounds like it would be easy if the people inside figured out the rules."

"Yes. But those inside aren’t exactly friendly with mathematics."

"..."

Asella spoke no further.

Among the ones inside, the only one remotely friendly with magic was the gorilla, Lackey.

Even though Lackey was smart enough to be deemed a genius... it was true he fell far short compared to Selena or Kadir.

"What about the materials for the experiment?"

"Prepared in advance. Since the first test will be conducted gently, the input amount won’t be much."

"Good. If time permits, shall we proceed right away? I’m quite curious myself."

Since their mutual purposes aligned, progress moved remarkably fast.

This was because Asella was the leader responsible for the Holy Kingdom, and Selena’s group had undergone thorough preparation.

However, traveling from country to country takes a fair bit of toll. Thus, Selena’s group requested just one day to rest.

Well, that single day flowed by quickly without taking long anyway. Asella checked the Gallery during her preparations.

’...Is this a Hydra?’

Logging into the Gallery, she confirmed Grylls had caught a strange snake.

Saying it was tough to eat as-is, he was popping out the Inner Core and putting it up on the auction house, or something like that.

Having previously listed an ogre and its pet dinosaur, a massive uproar had already erupted.

As he kept posting increasingly bizarre things, she felt a little concerned.

Anyway, putting that aside, Asella and Selena’s party arrived at the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

"So this is..."

"...the entrance to the Forest of the Four Seasons."

Those seeing the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons for the first time offered their respective impressions.

An entrance shimmering like aurora light. Countless spaces unfolding beyond that aurora.

"Beautiful. But beyond that..."

"The more beautiful nature is, the more poison it harbors within."

At Selena’s murmur, Kadir spoke words loaded with meaning. In truth, it was accurate.

Then, perhaps something suddenly crossed her mind, Selena questioned Kadir.

"Didn’t you say you stepped into the Forest of the Four Seasons once, Kadir-nim?"

"I only crossed one foot over. After that, a chilling sensation struck me, so I pulled back immediately."

"So escape itself really was impossible."

"Even survival wouldn’t be easy."

While they exchanged small talk, Ash surveyed the surroundings. To verify if any dangerous monsters were nearby.

Perhaps because the Forest of the Four Seasons was right in front of them, nothing particularly worrisome showed up.

As Asella had recommended, the terrain was suitable for the experiment.

Even so, one had to be fully prepared just in case. Thereupon, Ash drew her sword.

"Huh? Ash-nim’s sword..."

"A bit unusual, isn’t it?"Get faster updates on no​velping.com.

Asella harbored doubts seeing the sword bearing a dull gray color.

For the prestigious Ash to use such a shabby blade.

Of course, fitting her renown as a Sword Master, Ash was skilled with any weapon regardless of its state.

A master workman does not blame his tools, but someone of Ash’s stature ought to be picky.

"Does it possess some special ability?"

"As expected of the Hero-nim. Guessing it right away."

I just guessed. Asella did not reveal her inner thoughts.

At any rate, since it was a sword carried by Ash, there was no need to worry.

’Who’s worrying about whom, really.’

In terms of pure martial prowess, Ash was a step or two above her. She could tell instinctively.

Asella herself possessed impressive combat power, but her focus was geared toward versatility.

Fitting a paladin, she could bestow various blessings with divine power, and in a pinch, borrow the force of the Holy Sword.

"Everything is complete. Let us begin the first test."

Time passed and the groundwork was finished. Asella examined the magic circle drawn on the ground.

Fitting a complex summoning spell, bizarre characters were arranged together.

Up to the items placed on top like offerings. Asella harbored doubts as she looked at those items.

"That seems to be glittering..."

"It’s a crystal orb containing mana."

"A crystal orb... right?"

"Yes."

It was blatantly an Inner Core. Seeing Selena’s brazen expression, Asella kept her mouth shut.

Raising doubts unnecessarily might cause trouble. Keeping quiet was best right now.

"Kadir-nim."

"Yes."

At Selena’s request, Kadir deployed a solid shield.

The expected reactions during summoning were two-fold:

Exploding unable to withstand the pressure differential, or becoming empowered.

Since the risk of explosion existed, erecting a firm shield was essential.

With all preparations completed, Selena activated the summoning circle.

"Al Aratu Hra..."

Because it was a high-level spell, Selena even chanted incantations. The group became tense.

What would be summoned into that circle? Might something truly dangerous pop out?

Uuuuuung!

A deeper light flared from the magic circle, and the vibrations grew stronger.

Fearless, Selena silently proceeded with the summoning spell.

Deudeudeudeudeu—

Soon, the shaking intensified to the magnitude of an earthquake.

Realizing this, Asella murmured in an anxious tone:

"...Didn’t you say the first try would be done gently?"

"I heard it that way too."

"..."

At Ash’s seemingly indifferent answer, Asella grew even more uneasy.

On the other hand, Kadir standing in front... no need to elaborate. He just wore a perverted expression.

"It will be summoned soon!"

Finishing her chant, Selena hurriedly stepped inside the shield’s radius.

Simultaneously, an intense light flared from the summoning circle, soon setting off a small explosion.

Pueong!

Thick dust scattered in all directions along with the explosion.

Seeing this, the group assumed it was an explosion caused by the pressure differential.

However, as the dust cleared, the entity revealed within proved otherwise.

"U-eong."

"That is..."

"It looks like... a turtle?"

It was a turtle. Specifically, a sea turtle that lives in the ocean.

The party was momentarily stunned when a giant sea turtle was summoned, but only for a second.

The unexpectedly summoned sea turtle glanced around, then locked its gaze onto the party.

"U-eoeo-eong!"

Recognizing the party as enemies, the turtle pulled its head and legs into its shell.

Up to this point, it was the completely ordinary behavior of a turtle. But what followed was far more shocking.

Keeeeeeing!

The shell began spinning at high speed.

One might wonder what that meant, but it was rotating so fast it left behind afterimages.

And using that rotational force straight-up, it charged toward the group.

Kagagagagak!

Naturally, it slammed into the shield Kadir deployed. The problem was its sheer firepower.

Even though blocked by the shield, cracks began to spread bit by bit. Kadir’s eyes went wide.

Though he had lowered the shield’s strength to conserve mana, this was well beyond expected parameters.

It had managed to crack the shield of none other than an Archmage and the Mage King.

"F-First, let’s deal with this creature!"

"Yes! Kadir-nim! Release the shield!"

"Understood."

Thanks to their sheer martial power, the starting attempt was at least relatively smooth.