I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 465

Possessing a vast territory, the Central Plains held terrifying national power.

The overwhelming population stemming from its land and the administrative power of a nation unified as one for over several centuries.

Thus, the Central Plains had always been the overlord of the Eastern Realm, exerting major and minor influence across the entire world.

However, as stagnant water inevitably decays, even that mighty Central Plains began to develop cracks little by little.

First, laws became outdated and worn, while powerful administrative authority became steeped in corruption.

As a result, cities or villages far removed from central politics suffered from neglected administration or were abandoned entirely.

It was for no trivial reason that public security was entrusted to the martial world. Yet, the sole reason the Imperial Court could retain power was simple.

They possessed the ultimate force—namely, the army. Since ancient times, the military was a gathering of elites and the apex of power.

The existence of this army was the biggest reason why the Demonic Cult was unable to move easily despite declaring rebellion.

On the bright side for them, public sentiment toward the Imperial Court was poor recently, making it difficult for the court to gain the people’s cooperation. On the other hand, the Demonic Cult was managing neglected regions.

These factors subtly combined, and on top of that, they were working hard on ’public opinion manipulation’ within the Gallery.

A product of civilization and arena of information enjoyed by everyone in the world. In a way, it could be the greatest enemy or the greatest ally to governance.

Title) The reason the previous Emperor tried to ban the Gallery

Wasn’t it just so they could govern comfortably?

ㄴ Yeah, that’s right. It’s similar now, but back then they got slammed with criticism.

ㄴ Banning the Gallery just because people cursed at him lololol

ㄴ Justifications aside, was there even a way to block it?

ㄴ Virtually none. But rumor says whenever a post cursing him went up, they grabbed innocent people and framed them.

ㄴ He was a real crazy motherfucker;; No wonder his neck got chopped.

ㄴ Funny thing is, there’s a rumor that the Heavenly Demon chopped his head off just because he interfered with her hobby haha

ㄴ Shocking fact: El Dorado actually purged dozens of people using that as a pretext. Ludwig was one of them.

ㄴ There was an even crazier bastard;;

ㄴ Don’t Abandon the Hero) But that doesn’t happen anymore! The Gallery is free in the Holy Kingdom!

The Gallery, adept at public opinion manipulation and various information gathering. Even if loaded with polluted data, its importance remained extremely high.

People living in high places cannot know what it’s like at the very bottom. That’s just how the world works.

At least through the Gallery, they could grasp it to some extent. Thus, it was useful for gauging public sentiment.

Of course, relying solely on the Gallery had previously sparked protests in reverse, making cross-verification essential.

Anyhow, the Demonic Cult, having bared its fangs at the Imperial Court, was currently making thorough use of the Gallery.

"The Demonic Cult is a place that embraces the marginalized. Numerous ethnic groups can live in harmony here," and so forth.

Title) Come on. Joining the cult just because they cured hair loss?

(Photo of sparse hair)

(Photo of thick, full hair)

Fuck, you guys try going bald. I’m dead serious.

ㄴ Note: The former Emperor got hair loss and smeared goat dung on his head once.

ㄴ Hair loss that even Emperors cannot escape, damn shudder

ㄴ Looking at Westerners compared to Central Plains people, the baldness rate is huge.

ㄴ Even the Emperor went desperate trying to cure hair loss lololol

Crucially, even the miracle of transforming an unfilial child into a dutiful son. All of these combined caused public perception of the Demonic Cult to soar.

Seeing this, the Imperial Court also felt a sense of crisis, but their track record in the Gallery was sluggish.

Because their unique, outdated customs combined with the previous Emperor’s atrocities made them hesitant to use the Gallery.

On the contrary, people criticized the suffocating Imperial Court rather than defending it. This was also the result of a thorough public opinion battle.

’However, we cannot trust the Gallery completely. Western forces might intrude.’

Wi Seol-ak, the brain and strategist of the Demonic Cult.

He was currently stepping foot not in the Demonic Cult, but in a Western nation across the sea.

The Messiah Empire, famous as the overlord and powerhouse of the West. There was someone he was going to meet there.

The family holding the second most powerful authority after the Emperor in the Messiah Empire—House Mercedes.

’In about a day, we will arrive in the Mercedes Dukedom.’

The reason Wi Seol-ak traveled so far was simple: to sound out the true intentions of the West, specifically the Messiah Empire.

The Messiah Empire and the Central Plains were nations that shared numerous exchanges across the sea.

In other words, it was a nation with potential to intervene at any time. Historically, when a country fell into chaos, foreign powers lurked nearby.

Even if they smiled pleasantly on the surface, they were ultimately a foreign nation. Given the chance, they would stab us in the back at any time.This chapter is updated first at novelрing.com.

Not close nations, but only distant nations are true neighbors. This applied not only to the Messiah Empire.

The same went for the nation of dwarfs, Mountain, which was the only one connected by a land route. However, there was less need to worry about them.

’They are busy fighting with the Elves over there.’

Mountain was busy embroiled in border friction with Alfheim.

Though connected to the Central Plains by land, a massive mountain range sat between them, making it of little consequence.

Though a tunnel ran through there, one couldn’t make much of a fuss over just that.

Therefore, visiting Western nations to sound out their intentions or make requests would suffice.

"Demonic Brain-nim. This lowly one begs to ask a question."

It was while quietly riding a carriage toward the Mercedes Dukedom. Someone asked Wi Seol-ak a question.

Wi Seol-ak turned his head to look at the person who asked. It was a guard who accompanied him on this trip.

He knew who it was. A self-made figure who rose from the slums to be selected as the Demonic Brain’s personal guard.

"I recall telling you not to do that. Are you still lowering yourself as a ’lowly one’?"

"It has become a habit, sir."

At Wi Seol-ak’s scolding, the guard let out a hearty laugh. The other guards were much the same.

Because most people here were either marginalized or had crawled up from the very bottom.

Wi Seol-ak let out a sigh and nodded his head. He intended to hear the question first.

"Though I am uneducated and ignorant of politics, I know how the world turns."

"Go on."

"If you wish to keep the Messiah Empire in check, wouldn’t it be better to visit the neighboring Iris Kingdom rather than the Messiah Empire itself...?"

Wi Seol-ak opened his eyes slightly wide at those words. For someone who humbled himself, it was considerable insight.

Indeed, if one wished to keep the Messiah Empire in check, visiting the Iris Kingdom was far better.

Since the Messiah Empire and the Iris Kingdom were historically famous arch-rivals.

Should an opening present itself, they would be ready to sink their teeth in at any time.

"There is plenty of merit to that statement. Using barbarians to control barbarians has been an excellent method since antiquity."

"Thank you, sir."

"However, our Cult must avoid increasing enemies whenever possible. That is Priority Zero."

Dealing with the Imperial Court alone is overwhelming. Creating more enemies needlessly in such a situation would be dangerous.

Visiting the Iris Kingdom unnecessarily would end up doing nothing but provoking the Messiah Empire.

In the worst case, it could cause misunderstandings of forming an ’alliance’ and turn them hostile.

’Though retired from the front lines, the Empire also possesses the Sword Saint.’

The Sword Saint, who reportedly ceased activities and went into seclusion. She was the single variable of the Messiah Empire.

This world is a place where every single individual is treated as a strategic weapon. Just one person crossing over could induce massive tension.

Especially renowned apex powerhouses like Ash would cross over without a sound or rumor.

In a situation where intelligence was already lacking, if such an event erupted, it would become a massive headache.

’Even if a problem arises, the Empire can simply deny it.’

"Ash went of her own personal accord. Even we didn’t notice," and so on.

They would rattle off all sorts of brazen excuses and likely turn around to blame us instead.

For someone of Ash’s skill, crossing the sea with her bare body was nothing. The possibility was high.

One might say this is too petty, but that’s how politics originally is. Without being petty, one cannot survive.

’The Empire is one thing, but I must also closely assess the Sword Saint’s current situation.’

Meeting House Mercedes was entangled with multiple complex reasons.

Expressing our intention not to become enemies, while incidentally probing Ash’s current state.

Above all, he sent a letter so that they could not easily refuse. They likely agreed to the meeting to discern his motives as well.

"Speaking of which, doesn’t the Empire have the Sword Saint?"

While he was lost in thought, another guard asked out of curiosity.

Coincidentally, Wi Seol-ak was thinking the same thing, so he chimed along appropriately.

"Indeed. Though word has it she has retired from the front lines for now."

"How strong is that Sword Saint? Is she much stronger than our Elders?"Find the original chapter at novelping . com.

Just as every sect has Elders, the Demonic Cult also had Elders.

Old monsters who were practically fathers to the Heavenly Demon, Yoo So-wol. Wi Seol-ak recalled their martial prowess.

If Yoo So-wol was absurdly strong to an illogical degree, the Elders were strong to a relatively plausible degree.

"She would be stronger than the Elders. That much is certain."

"To that extent?"

"Because of that human, the West doesn’t toss around the title ’Sword Master’ carelessly. Even though it originally referred to realms like Peak Realm or Transcendent Realm."

Wi Seol-ak spoke firmly. No matter how strong the Elders were, they were no match for Ash.

However, the Elders had also focused solely on protecting the Demonic Cult without stepping out into the martial world.

Ultimately, one wouldn’t know for sure unless they clashed, but Wi Seol-ak gave Ash the hand.

"The knights of the West aren’t weak either. Since she defeated all those strong foes, it’s by no means an empty title."

"Still, compared to the Heavenly Demon-nim..."

"That human... no, no. Don’t even bring Her Ladyship up. There’s no need to compare."

She was a monster from the start, but recently she felt like she had gotten even stronger.

After all, isn’t she capable of summoning me via sound transmission even from a great distance?

She might be able to match her to some extent, but that was where it ended. Victory was impossible.

’Though if she lets her guard down, who knows.’

Yoo So-wol’s biggest weakness was her arrogance, and surprisingly, her lack of battle experience.

One might question how a person who earned the title of Yaksha Blood Flower could lack experience.

To be more precise, she had never fought until her life was hanging by a thread. This point could hold her back.

’The Elders raised her like a precious jewel too; they never raised her harshly.’

Although Yoo So-wol had a somewhat bratty personality, she hadn’t completely lost her common sense.

If she had lost her common sense too, his stomach—already aching—would be burning even more. In fact, he was anxious even now.

He begged her to preserve her noble person for the time being, but he never knew when, where, or how she might cause trouble.

’I’d rather she just continue raising plants like she is now.’

Wi Seol-ak prayed to the Heavenly Demon, who was quietly raising plants in the Gallery.

Please do not cause any trouble while he was handling diplomacy.

Title) Those who insult my plant

[Heavenly Demon]

Given the chance, I shall personally punish them.

ㄴ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Nooo! If you do that, I’ll revoke your permissions right away!

ㄴ Heavenly Demon) It is only right that those who insult what belongs to me be punished.

ㄴ Truly terrifying~

ㄴ What are you gonna do? You’re just a Blue Badge, what can you do lololol

ㄴ Above the Blue Badge is the Orange Badge, what can you even do? lololol

"Ah. Please."

"Pardon?"

"It is nothing."

He was already feeling anxious, but he shoved it down. What mattered right now was the Mercedes Dukedom.

As time passed, Wi Seol-ak arrived at the Mercedes Dukedom. He looked around the territory.

’People are moving about busily, but... children are running around laughing.’

The overall atmosphere of the domain was excellent. One could tell just from the children running around with smiles.

In places where public safety was unstable, let alone children, even adults found it difficult to freely walk the streets.

It was just as investigated in advance. The Mercedes Dukedom was counted among the best cities to live in.

’The only tragic thing was the Ducal Lady, was it? I heard she contracted an incurable disease.’

If given the chance, meeting her once might not be bad. Wi Seol-ak thought so.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Selena. Our Mercedes family welcomes those who have traveled from afar."

Until he met the exceedingly healthy Ducal Lady Mercedes. At the same time, he thought:

’...This won’t be easy.’

That this would be no easy battle.