I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 537

The meeting of the Hero and the Demon Princess. This meeting exerted impacts large and small across the world.

When nations that were originally sworn enemies showed a mood of reconciliation, which country would become the most vigilant?

Naturally, the country that relied on one of them as a shield had no choice but to be on high alert.

’At least it’s reconciliation rather than conquest, so can we feel somewhat relieved?’

Arnold, Emperor of the Messiah Empire, fell into deep concern while reading the status report.

As if the headache from the civil war breaking out in the Central Plains wasn’t enough, another situation had arisen.

While it was a pleasant development between Avalon and Mephisto, from the Messiah Empire’s standpoint, it felt uncomfortable.

Neither good nor bad, but it simply added to the heap of matters to consider.

The Messiah Empire’s relationship with Mephisto was closer to something they wished to ignore but couldn’t.

Because the moment Avalon fell, the next target would be the Messiah Empire.

Thus, whenever the Holy Kingdom seemed in jeopardy, the Messiah Empire provided various forms of support.

Mephisto knew this well and had frequently dealt blows to cut off the Messiah Empire’s aid.

In the first place, Mephisto—the Demon Race—enjoyed tormenting weak humans, so the Messiah Empire was always among their targets.

’But not anymore. Once sports were introduced, they became the friendliest race in the world.’

After sports prominently took off, Messiah swiftly imported the culture.

Under that influence, Mephisto’s hostility plummeted rapidly, eventually leading to bilateral exchanges.

Originally, sports were a trend exclusive to Mephisto, but with the help of the Messiah Empire, the game changed.

They became able to host matches abroad—so-called ’international matches.’

Recently, they even held the world’s largest matches pitted race against race, boosting their renown.

’Though it was the Demons who lost the match, hurting their pride.’

This event took place before Arnold was even born, back when former Emperor Robert was Crown Prince.

Rumor had it they threw fits saying humans used dirty tricks and demanding an immediate war.

However, the Emperor of that era—Arnold’s grandfather—tactfully reasoned with them.

Explaining that starting a war over losing a match was admitting they lacked confidence to win on the field, effectively destroying whatever pride they had left.

’Looking at this, Father and Grandfather were truly skilled at diplomacy.’

Arnold let out a long sigh. This, too, was a sovereign’s dilemma.

If predecessor sovereigns ruled well, the successor could only feel burdened.

Of course, occasionally there were those who shrugged and ignored it. But doing so meant getting axed.

Either beheaded or deposed. On top of that, being pressured by public opinion.

Though a monarchy, power was dispersed and checks were in place, making it impossible to act recklessly.

’Avalon and Mephisto aren’t the only issues. Setan has elected a new Sultan as well.’

Setan had selected a new ruler. According to reports, it was the Rahman family.

Arnold had heard of the Rahman family. It was impossible not to know them.

They were the family that poured a fortune into the Gallery auction house to acquire the dinosaur carcass.

At first glance it might look like flexing money, but they gained ’prestige’ money couldn’t buy.

Because of this, reports stated a significant number of scholars left to view the dinosaur corpse.

The Messiah Empire was in a similar position, worrying about a brain drain.

’Though we obtained Mithril through trade and are doing okay...’

Even if the treasury was enriched thanks to Mithril, it was still insufficient.

There had been no major trades lately, but there was still a need to keep a close eye.

Besides, Count Gorgon was checking periodically if Grylls needed anything, so it should be fine.

’We must obtain whatever we can from him.’

If a single trade enriched the treasury, how much more would the next bring?

Furthermore, with Count Gorgon’s assistance, there was no fear of his identity being exposed. Arnold raised his head slightly.

Deep down, he wanted to open trades himself, but... this embarrassing fixed nick made it hard.

’The moment I ask a wrong question, I’ll get mocked mercilessly.’

Politicians had to be brazen. Also, most lacked consistency.

However, ’politics’ and ’playing politics’ were strictly different. The Gallery was mostly playing politics.

Even if he wanted to put on a thick skin, Arnold lacked the courage to endure the shame.

While his real-life position as Emperor offered solid backing, the Gallery did not.

As Emperor he could always stand tall, but as an individual, he couldn’t overcome the embarrassment.

Knock knock knock-

[Your Majesty. It is your servant, Gorgon. May I enter?]

While Arnold was lost in thought, Count Gorgon knocked on the door.

Arnold promptly erased his somber expression. Count Gorgon tended to bring good news.

"Enter."

Once permission was granted, Count Gorgon stepped inside.

Perhaps because he enjoyed Arnold’s favor, his face had been brimming with confidence lately.

"So. What news do you bring this time?"

"It is news regarding Count Menethil and Young Lady Mercedes, whom you mentioned earlier."

"Hm."

Arnold set his pen down momentarily. He had been receiving steady reports on that matter.

Ash reported that there was no particular reason behind their actions, but he couldn’t help being suspicious.

It wasn’t paranoia; showing such gestures prevented future trouble. Ash likely harbored a vague awareness of this as well.

"Very well. What are they currently doing?"

"According to investigation, reports indicate they frequently visit the entrance to the Forest of the Four Seasons."Read this novel at novelрing.com for the best experience.

"The entrance to the Forest of the Four Seasons?"

"Yes."

Count Gorgon’s report raised questions in Arnold’s mind.

It wasn’t like the two were insane enough to enter the Forest of the Four Seasons; there must be another reason.

Investigating deeper would reveal it, but doing so might offend Ash.

Above all, it lacked courtesy toward Avalon. The golden rule of politics was not to make unnecessary enemies.

"Understood. That alone is sufficient, so do not pry further. Given that it’s the Forest of the Four Seasons, it seems related to experiments."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Is there anything else?"

"This is the report regarding Setan, which you mentioned previously."

Count Gorgon said as he presented the report. Setan’s leader had recently changed.

The Messiah Empire imported huge quantities of minerals from Setan, so they had to pay attention.

The Messiah Empire provided various foods in exchange for minerals from Setan. The problem was the Iris Kingdom.

The Iris Kingdom also engaged in trade with Setan and produced various magic goods.

"...The political factions are more unstable than expected."

"It seems to be due to the recent incident where they unilaterally shot down a Ghost Ship."

According to the report, the Rahman family head was elected Sultan, but opposing factions were far too numerous.

While the Rahman family was normally self-righteous, shooting down the Ghost Ship proved fatal.

Currently, House Vesta was stepping up to the forefront, but their true intentions remained unknown.

"Did you read this report as well?"

"I merely fulfill my duties."

Meaning he had read it. At the same time, a statement that he wouldn’t interfere.

Arnold silently read through the report, checking for any anomalies.

Conflicts were already sparking despite him being elected Sultan only recently.

If things were like this, it was better for the Empire to take a step back. No need to take sides unnecessarily.

What mattered more was the Central Plains. Arnold spoke.

"Any contact from the Central Plains Imperial Court?"

"None, Your Majesty."

"Word has it that food prices are skyrocketing across the board."

"It seems they judge they can still endure for now."

Right. They’ll endure for now. For now.

The problem was that the Central Plains had a monstrously massive population. It was historically so.

To the extent there was a hypothesis that culinary culture developed because simple farming couldn’t sustain that population.

However, with food prices themselves rising, commoners were bound to wail in distress.

’The key will be who wins the hearts of the people.’

On this matter, he had already coordinated with the Mercedes Duchy. Heard that a core figure of the Demonic Cult had visited.

With just that one visit, the Mercedes Duchy was forced to send supplies to the Central Plains.

From the Mercedes Duchy’s standpoint, they got robbed with their eyes wide open.

Fortunately, Arnold was generous about this.

Because the envoy from the Heavenly Demon Cult played their cards well, not because the Mercedes Duchy failed.

Even that brilliant Ducal Lady of Mercedes—Selena—had been outmaneuvered.

"Any noteworthy news?"

"None. However, once winter ends in the Forest of the Four Seasons, the Herald will resume his activities."

"Mmm..."

Arnold groaned. Regardless of everything else, the resumption of activities by the Herald of God—Grylls—was the scariest prospect.

Because whenever that man did anything, all kinds of crazy incidents erupted. Thus, he could intuit it.

If Grylls went out exploring this time, some event would erupt. And it would undoubtedly be a world-shaking event.

’I want to obtain whatever I can before then...’

What kind of trade would appeal to Grylls? Nothing came to mind immediately.

Because currently, Grylls had obtained everything he needed. It seemed this was a problem to be thought over slowly.

"Good work. If there is urgent news, report immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As Count Gorgon withdrew, Arnold was left alone in the office.

Leaning back against his desk, he looked up at the ceiling.

He always wondered why all these things exploded right after he ascended the throne.

’What is Father doing right now, I wonder? He said he was still living in the mountains.’

What was he doing?

"Ho-ho. Goodness. You really didn’t have to give me something like this."

Former Emperor and current Retired Emperor, Robert.

He wore a satisfied smile as he looked at the tool received from Grylls.

Though it looked like an ordinary hand hoe on the outside, the reality was different.

Forged from Mythricon, it was an item that couldn’t be bought even with any amount of money.

The reason Grylls gave him such an expensive item was simple: Robert was also living a natural man’s life like Grylls.

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: Grylls-nim. Are you by any chance growing lettuce in your garden?]

[Wild Grylls: Nope? Haven’t even thought about it. Should I try growing some?]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: (Photo of densely overgrown lettuce)]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: I don’t really recommend it. I’m growing some right now, and it grew this much in the blink of an eye.]Read this novel at novelping . com for the best experience.

[Wild Grylls: Is that really lettuce? Not trees?]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: I used the soil Grylls-nim gave me like fertilizer, and it turned out like this.]

[Wild Grylls: Then could you send some of your soil over here? I was gonna ask someone else, but that person seems buried in studies right now.]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: I’m always welcome to.]

They exchanged advice with each other along the way.

The fixed nick Grow Big and Tall, whom Grylls originally sought advice from, had enrolled in the Academy.

Thus, garden-related advice and help came to be exchanged with Robert.

[Wild Grylls: By the way, sir. Do you not raise any animals?]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: I’m considering raising a dog.]

[Wild Grylls: Want to try raising an owlbear? They’re super cute.]

[Internal Cultivation Master Robert: Ho-ho. I’ll ask my son later.]

It was a truly wholesome conversation.

The bleak winter passed, and a warm spring arrived.

With spring’s arrival, Wonmo and the other youngsters woke from hibernation. All of them looked healthy.

I wanted to set off on an exploration right away, but unfortunately, that was difficult.

As spring usually went, pollen and yellow dust blew around all day long. In the end, I had no choice but to postpone it to the next day.

"Let’s see... packed everything I need..."

As mentioned before, it was an exploration toward the World Tree. No one knew what might happen.

However, if not now, there might not be another chance. The biggest headache, the Colossus, had been dealt with.

Thus, after meticulously packing what was needed, I finally called over Lackey and Dolsoe.

"Lackey. This is the key to the restraint collar, got it? Only unlock it if things look really dire. Got it?"

"Got it."

"And Dolsoe, you’ll act as the porter for the time being."

"Got it."

"No complaints, right?"

"None at all."

Dolsoe answered confidently. I harbored a slight doubt at that.

He used to be the leader of a tribe, now demoted to a porter. Didn’t his pride hurt?

"Doesn’t your pride hurt?"

"Comfort is better than pride."

"..."

"Tribe leader must step forward whenever threat appears. Now I do not have to."

It had only been a week, but he seemed to have realized how great it was to have a warm back and a full stomach.

I let out a dry chuckle and brushed it off. Either way, when a crisis hit, he’d have to fight too.

"Finally... Wonmo."

"Kkyuu?"

"Do something cute to cheer us on."

Just before setting off on exploration, I made a request—or rather, a plea—to Wonmo.

At that, Wonmo blinked his bright, round eyes and quietly sat down on his bottom.

That action alone overflowed with cuteness, but the action that followed surprised me.

Chak!

He thrust his right arm forward with a Chak! and then barely managed to extend one finger.

That gesture felt like a ’thumbs-up,’ carrying immense power.

"Kkyuu!"

"..."

I couldn’t resist this. Gotta upload it to the Gallery right away.

Title) Spotted in real-time in the Forest of the Four Seasons

Wild Grylls

Congratulations! You have received the blessing of Thumbs-Up Wonmo!

If you comment ’Thank you, Thumbs-Up Wonmo!’

You and all your family members will become healthy,

And everything you wish to do will go smoothly.

I didn’t bother checking the comments. Didn’t feel the need to.

’Anyone leaving hate comments will get banned immediately.’

I believed in the mods.

Thus began the first exploration taking Dolsoe along.

"...Why is a sea cucumber here?"

[It is far too large for a sea cucumber, though.]

Not long after setting off, a huge sea cucumber was blocking the path.

"Nyaong...?"

"...It wasn’t a sea cucumber?"

What is this, a Snorlax? Why is a cat sleeping here?

Lying out in the open like that, I really thought it was a giant sea cucumber.

"Gkorong..."

"Hey. Don’t go back to sleep, move."

Faced with a hurdle right from the start.