I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 468

Two days after Wi Seol-ak’s departure, Selena spent the time helping out with the family’s work.

Starting from verifying trade items before the Heavenly Demon Cult began full-scale operations, to tracking down the origins of their funds.

In her heart, she wished to finish the work quickly and return to the Holy Kingdom. But since it was deeply tied to her family home, she had no choice.

"I’ve finished everything."

"Already?"

"If it’s just checking the trade goods, it’s not difficult."

So she wrapped it up quickly. Handling administrative work was something she had done even during the days she was sick.

After her condition worsened, she had devoted herself solely to treatment, but it didn’t matter. Being able to work like this was a blessing in itself.

One could say that having lost her health once made her realize the preciousness of everything in the world.

Having learned that being busy was also one of life’s blessings, she worked diligently.

’By the way, no matter how I look at it, I can’t trace where the Demonic Cult’s money comes from.’

Selena investigated the Heavenly Demon Cult using all the resources she could mobilize.

A group with quite a venerable history that had preserved its forces intact even during the Orthodox-Demonic War, where the blood of countless martial artists had spilled.

They had long been a thorn in the side of the Imperial Court, but their headquarters was virtually an impregnable natural fortress, so they couldn’t be easily struck.

’They run a sizeable merchant guild and don’t involve themselves in illegal activities. That should make it even harder to earn money...’

Contrary to their evil reputation, the Heavenly Demon Cult was not involved in illicit dealings.

There were rumors of them running gambling houses, but that was something that could be overlooked.

After all, even within the Messiah Empire right now, there were quite a few legal gambling dens—that is, casinos.

There was even an entire entertainment city famous specifically for casinos, in front of which stood pawnshops capable of cash transactions.

Yet securing such capital through casinos alone was impossible. The same went even if a wealthy noble house were sponsoring them.

Wi Seol-ak intended to play a game of chicken, which meant ordinary financial backing could never cover it.

’Did the Heavenly Demon subjugate some spiritual beast?’

That was the most reasonable assumption. Considering the Heavenly Demon’s martial prowess, beating down a spiritual beast would be trivial.

If not that, she might have discovered an ancient artifact. The Central Plains was a realm that harmonized with nature no less than the Elves.

Unlike Western nations that destroyed nature for territory, the landmass of the Central Plains was vast by default.

So while they tended to leave nature intact, there were also regions where land reclamation was impossible to begin with.

Places untouched by human hands for long periods had a high frequency of spiritual beast appearances.

’Or else...’

Just like herself, she had received support—or support in disguise—from Grylls. This was also highly probable.

Sponsored by a massive noble family? If the Imperial Court crushed that family, the Heavenly Demon Cult would be doomed to wither away.

A man like Wi Seol-ak would have kept that in mind, so he wouldn’t have attempted a game of chicken under those terms.

But what if someone who bore no responsibility gave them funds or items? It was a win-win for both.

’There are also rumors that the Blue Badge Heavenly Demon active on the Gallery is the real Heavenly Demon...’

The fixed-handle Heavenly Demon was Grylls’s very first trade partner. Beings who had bestowed goodwill upon each other.

Knowing Grylls, who repaid goodwill with even greater goodwill, the probability that he showered her with all sorts of things was high.

Hadn’t she herself received Mature Mandrakes—and five of them, at that? Thanks to that, she was blessed with a brand-new life.

’If it’s the Heavenly Demon, she must have received a good deal of items from Grylls. If she found them awkward to use and handed them off to Wi Seol-ak...’

Everything fell perfectly into place like puzzle pieces. Besides Inner Cores, she must have received a wide variety of items.

But this alone was insufficient. A more proper investigation was needed.

’It can’t be helped that people must be sent into dangerous places, but...’

The Central Plains was currently in a state of war. Therefore, it wasn’t a problem the Ducal House could resolve on its own.

It was better to obtain official permission from the Emperor, Arnold, before proceeding.

Though it would take time, it was a method that minimized risk.

’Talk about a butterfly effect.’

Selena let out a dry smile. Grylls had merely repaid her out of pure goodwill.

Yet the end result returned as a war. Of course, Grylls would feel unfairly blamed for it.

Besides, the troubles in the Central Plains were bound to erupt someday. As the saying goes, better to take the beating sooner than later.

Selena concluded all her work, leaving only the final piece of the puzzle behind.

Since the final piece could only be fitted once the investigation concluded, it was better to leave it be.

’More importantly...’

Now that work was finished, all that remained was tidying up. Selena gazed at the gift received from Wi Seol-ak.

White, beautiful silk. An item difficult to obtain even for House Mercedes.

As a daughter of a noble family after all, Selena had a keen interest in adornments.

However, she decided to give this not to herself, but to someone else—specifically, her younger sister.

Unlike herself, whose marital prospects were half-blocked due to various factors, Mary had a bright future ahead of her.

It was a rule at the Academy to wear school uniforms, but dresses were occasionally worn during events.

’Mary is pretty too, so it’ll suit her well.’Read this novel at nоvelping.com for the best experience.

Selena promptly sent the silk to Mary. She would surely be delighted.

Imagining a future where Mary, who was no different from a real sister, jumped up and down in joy naturally brought a warm smile to her face.

"Huh? What do you mean? Me wear it?"

"Mary passed it on. She said she recently had a dress tailored, so she wanted to give this to her eonni. What a commendable girl she is."

It was returned. Selena was flustered by her mother’s words.

Since Mary had politely declined, she couldn’t argue, and Mary’s reason was solid.

Still, she desperately wracked her brain, trying to find a way to give it to Mary somehow.

"Just take it when I tell you to. You need a new dress tailored for yourself anyway."

"But even if I get a new one tailored..."

"I won’t tell you to wear this dress and bring back a prospective groom. As your mother, I only care that you stay healthy."

"..."

"And there is even a rumor that wearing a dress made from Central Plains silk restores one’s health."

That’s all unscientific superstition. She wanted to say it out loud. But she had no choice but to swallow her words.

For her mother had once been forced to watch her own child die in real time right before her eyes.

It meant she was desperate enough to believe even such superstitions. So Selena accepted it quietly.

"...Understood. I’ll ask the tailor."

"Thank you, Selena. And..."

"Don’t worry, I won’t push myself too hard."

Selena eased her mother’s worries. Right now, she was healthier than ever.

’She gets startled even when I cough or sneeze.’

Though a dry smile emerged on its own, she could feel her mother’s deep love.

After putting her mother’s mind at ease, Selena handed the silk over to the tailor.

Since he was a skilled tailor, it wouldn’t take long before he fashioned a gorgeous dress.

’I have to meet His Majesty the Emperor... I’m going to be much busier than expected.’

Work had piled up more than expected, so it seemed returning to Avalon would take quite a while.

Coincidentally, since it was winter in the Forest of the Four Seasons as well, there were no immediate concerns.

If there was any concern at all, it was Kadir, who was engrossed in his research.

His beaming face right before she left still floated in her memory.

A situation ripe for causing trouble. Still, with Asella around, it would probably be fine.

’The moment he causes trouble, he’ll be banished immediately.’

Engaging in such busy activities, evening soon approached before she knew it.

The third day since Wi Seol-ak had visited the house.

Selena preferred going to bed early for the sake of her health.

But tonight of all nights, she didn’t fall asleep right away. As the old saying goes:

All the fun things in the world happen while you are asleep.

’Besides, there are circumstances suggesting Wi Seol-ak is connected to Grylls-nim.’

A signal that she was very slowly sinking into Gallery addiction. Of course, Selena had not realized it yet.

Since there was no cultural invention as easily accessible as the Gallery, it was a natural phenomenon.

Title) Decided on a name for the Rain Frog

Wild Grylls

(Video 1 of Rain Frog singing)

(Video 2 of Rain Frog singing)

From now on, his name is Maengkkongi. I have decreed it.

└Heavenly Demon) Maengkkongi? As far as this seat knows, that is the existing name of a type of frog.

└Oh. Surprisingly, you actually know something?

└Thought she wouldn’t know lol

└Heavenly Demon) Insolent wretches. I see many rebellious fools defying this seat lately. Must I truly bring down the iron hammer before you regain your senses?

└Orange Badge! The Blue Badge is threatening us again!

└Where’s the mod! Come quick and tell her off!

└Don’t Abandon the Hero) There is clear intent, so I’ll let it slide!

└Praise the Sun) What if you meet a real narrow-mouthed toad later?

└Wild Grylls) If I decide to raise it, I’ll just have to call that one Rain Frog haha

└Just making up names as he pleases lol

└What’s crazier is that it actually suits him;;

└He’s cute, so isn’t it fine?

He was an entertaining person after all. Selena let out a chuckle.

Giving her such enjoyment even amid a busy day made her look forward to more.

’I just hope he stays healthy.’Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.

She closed the Gallery and slowly closed her eyes.

Although I had recruited(?) Maengkkongi, the singing Rain Frog, nothing much had changed.

If anything changed, it was that an automatic wake-up call rang every morning.

However, since he had a tendency to sing way too early in the morning, I asked him to sing outside instead.

Furthermore, whenever Maengkkongi sang, numerous animals gathered.

Occasionally, some even brought bizarre fruit that looked like deer.

I handed all of these over to Maengkkongi, but he politely declined. Let me repeat: he declined.

"Ppi-yung."

And with both hands thrust forward, at that. For a creature shaped like a steamed bun, it was an immensely cute gesture.

At any rate, since he was officially recruited, I figured out Maengkkongi’s true ability.

Posts titled ’Why your party needs a bard’ sometimes pop up in the Gallery, but the Forest of the Four Seasons is different.

Besides, Maengkkongi’s ability was slightly different. Rather than combat, it was useful during peaceful moments.

’It’s the difference between a bard who gathers people and a bard who buffs strength.’

If he sang while scouting, it would likely just attract unwanted attention without much practical use.

So I plan to ask him not to sing while scouting. Once combat starts, it doesn’t matter.

"Got it? If you understand, nod your head."

"Ppi-yung."

Making a cute sound, the frog nodded his head. I lightly patted his head.

Remarkably, unlike other frogs, this guy didn’t even hibernate during winter.

Though spiritual beasts were scattered everywhere in the Forest of the Four Seasons, this fellow acted like a true spiritual beast.

’Unlike a certain someone, he eats less and is well-behaved.’

I turned my head and looked outside. Winter was slowly ending, and spring was approaching.

On the first day of spring, pollen dust storms would inevitably blow in. Full-scale activities would only be possible in about four days.

Until then, I had no real tasks to do except playing with Maengkkongi or browsing the Gallery.

’...Should I go fishing?’

Suddenly, I remembered the earthworm I had received from the mole earlier.

I had heard that using it as bait would hook something amazing.

The problem was that every time I tried ice fishing, I caught all kinds of bizarre things.

I had a record of hooking a Hydra, a Water Dragon, and even a penguin.

Since something even worse than those might get hooked, I hesitated slightly.

’Still, it’s better than letting it rot away.’

As it was, the earthworm I was storing was slowing down its movements.

If I delayed any longer, its efficacy might wear off. And one more thing.

’I should also check Ludwig’s skills.’

I could test Ludwig’s capabilities as well.

With all these factors combined, I decided to go ice fishing.

Maengkkongi? I placed him on top of my head so he wouldn’t stray from my side.

Surprisingly, his sense of balance was so good that even when I shook my head, he stayed firmly stuck in place.

"Alright. Throwing it in now, got it?"

"Cast it."

After hooking the earthworm onto the fishing rod I made previously, I cast it into the ice hole on the river.

Soon, with a pongdang! sound, the earthworm went inside. Now all that was left was to wait...

Kkwaaak!

There was no need to wait. It hooked immediately.

As soon as the line pulled taut, I immediately reeled it up. I almost lost my grip on the rod.

After pulling up with all my might—

Chwaaaak!

"Kkiyoyoyot!"

"Woah, shit. What the hell is this?"

I had hooked a fish letting out a bizarre cry.

Its appearance was, how should I put it... Um...

’Why does a fish have human arms and legs...’

I don’t think that’s edible.

"Ppiriririri~!"

Stop playing background music, you little guy.