I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 592

A social gathering held in the Messiah Empire.

Although Ash’s romantic life took up quite a portion of the conversation, there was a topic that drew even greater interest.

"Have you heard about the recently opened Forest of the Four Seasons?"

"Of course I have. I heard a hedgehog that came out of there turned the entire region upside down... Is it alright now?"

"For now, they say they’ve mostly cleared out the animals and monsters pushed out by the hedgehog. But they haven’t found the hedgehog itself."

"Oh dear. Isn’t that the part His Majesty was furious about?"

"Yes. Perhaps because of that, the Adventurers Guild placed a massive bounty on that hedgehog."

"They say it looks no different from an ordinary hedgehog on the outside, so couldn’t someone just kill a regular hedgehog and insist it’s the one?"

Naturally, the topic was the Forest of the Four Seasons. The hedgehog that escaped from the Forest of the Four Seasons due to complacent initial measures a while ago had become the hot topic.

The impact of that single hedgehog was so vast that even the Messiah Empire could not ignore it.

Though delayed, appropriate measures were taken afterward, ensuring no more animals came out of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

In the first place, if the adventurers hadn’t acted recklessly first, the hedgehog wouldn’t have escaped either.

"Right now, a barrier has been erected, but rumor has it that adventurers will enter soon."

"They said His Majesty will take 50% of the byproducts gathered from there, right?"

"Yes. Since the adventurers’ blunder was so massive, His Majesty decided to take firm action."

Arnold did not miss this opportunity to sternly reprimand the Adventurers Guild.

As a result, the adventurers took full responsibility, which was effectively like blowing the Imperial Family’s nose without lifting a finger.

However, blindly delegating the job was bound to leave room for anxiety. It was none other than the Forest of the Four Seasons, not just any demonic realm.

Since it could inadvertently poke a hornet’s nest, thorough preparations were essential.

"Is that why you summoned us?"

"That is correct."

And this wasn’t limited to the Adventurers Guild alone.

Even though the order had been issued, the Imperial Family could not simply sit idly by.

"The reason I have summoned you all is for one purpose alone: to receive recommendations for talented individuals to send for consignment training."

Emperor Arnold spoke as he looked at the figures gathered before him.

Every single one of them possessed an intimidating countenance, with large, deep scars carved across several of their faces.

All of them were nobles who made immense contributions to the military strength of the Messiah Empire. Unless it was a minor affair, these were men who remained firmly at their posts.

Occupying the top positions of their respective legions or fields, they were people who had to stay at their posts even during the year-end season.

"Consignment training... Do we not already possess the finest swordsmanship instructor?"

At Arnold’s declaration, one noble quietly raised a question.

Marquis Belial, who was in charge of the border with their greatest rival, the Iris Kingdom.

As the commander of a region where conflicts erupted from time to time, his voice carried considerable weight.

"If you are referring to Count Menethil, that would be understandable."

"There are rumors she recently resumed her activities, so that wouldn’t be bad."

At Marquis Belial’s words, the other nobles agreed, acknowledging the sense in it.

In fact, Count Menethil, Ash, enjoyed strong support from the military.

Her personal martial prowess alone rivaled or exceeded an entire legion, so it was only natural.

Although she had resigned from her position as Commander of the Royal Guard and gone into seclusion, she had recently begun to show activity little by little.

"As you say, it is true that Count Menethil has recently begun moving, but nothing has been officially announced."

Arnold waved his hand, dismissing their suggestions. At this, the nobles felt puzzled once more.

If they were not to be trained by Ash, then who on earth would be training them?

When silence settled over the room, Arnold smiled gently as if pleased, resolving their curiosity.

"The place where the training will take place is the Holy Kingdom."

"The Holy Kingdom? Eldo... no, do you mean Avalon?"

"The training period for the paladins still remains, though."

If it concerned the Holy Kingdom and the military, it naturally pointed toward the paladins.

Since there was no harm in maintaining good relations with the Holy Kingdom, the Messiah Empire had consistently applied for consignment training.

A significant number of knights worshiped Aris, and since Aris was the Goddess of War, this was a natural phenomenon.

One might ask if the paladins’ position wouldn’t become ambiguous later if relations between the two nations turned sour.

However, any such paladins would have long since departed for the Holy Kingdom, so there was no need to worry about that.

"Normally, that would be the case. But the training we are sending them for this time is different. It will not be paladins, but personnel at the commander level who will receive instruction."

"Did a new tactical doctrine emerge... Ah, could it be?"

Marquis Belial cut himself off mid-sentence, seemingly realizing Arnold’s intention.

The other nobles, one by one, also showed reactions indicating they had caught on.

"It is just as Marquis Belial guesses. What I desire is not strategy and tactics, but intelligence regarding the Forest of the Four Seasons."

"You intend to pry that information out of the Guardian."

"Precisely. As of now, he is the sole individual who has escaped from the Forest of the Four Seasons."

As mentioned, the Imperial Family hadn’t left everything solely to the Adventurers Guild.

Even though they kept constant watch, what if the Adventurers Guild hit a so-called ’jackpot’?

If things went wrong, the balance could collapse completely, so it was better to prepare well in advance.

That said, they could not carelessly push precious soldiers inside either. In times like this, information was of paramount importance.

"I understand Your Majesty’s intentions... but still, isn’t the Forest of the Four Seasons too dangerous?"

"I agree with Count Daud’s opinion as well. The Forest of the Four Seasons is a place where even if you know ten things, a hundred unknown variables pop up."

Arnold’s plan looked fine on the surface, but the problem was that the location was the Forest of the Four Seasons.

Had it been anywhere else, the entire military leadership would have nodded in agreement.This story is hosted at novеlping.com.

However, even with information, the Forest of the Four Seasons was not a place one could navigate flawlessly.

In fact, didn’t Grylls constantly encounter bizarre things even when revisiting places he had already been to?

He was only able to survive because he was Grylls; anyone else would have died several times over.

"Your opinion is also accurate. That is why I intend to forbid contact with any entity lacking verified information."

"That means..."

"It means if there is anything strange, turn around and run without looking back. Unless one possesses an extraordinarily durable body like the Herald currently living inside."

It was an order to abandon curiosity altogether. At these words, all the military figures nodded in agreement.

If the Forest of the Four Seasons was a place where a hundred unknowns popped up even after learning ten, then simply run away.

Are you cats, trying to get yourselves hurt out of curiosity?

There was no need for that.

"Even for the Guardian, knowing all one hundred is difficult. That is precisely why the adventurers exist—to uncover those hundred."

"That is a sound plan."

"Then there will be almost no casualties on our side."

The adventurers would literally attempt to ’adventure’ for the sake of making a fortune in one fell swoop.

The information gained in that process, combined with the training received from Ludwig...

Combining these would yield far superior results.

"We should select personnel who execute orders strictly."

"Just in case, how about sending veterans skilled in adaptability?"

"We cannot always expect favorable outcomes. To prepare for contingencies..."

Perhaps because it was quite a rational plan rather than a makeshift one, as soon as Arnold established the framework, the military officials began adding substance to it.

They too desired nothing more than to obtain precious resources from the Forest of the Four Seasons.

If by any chance they discovered a Mithril vein, they would be able to boost their military power significantly.

’Even just fishing allows one to harvest an Inner Core.’

Even if it was an inferior product, an Inner Core was still an Inner Core. Simply consuming it offered tremendous benefits.

"The biggest key factor is mana. Even though the Forest of the Four Seasons has been partially opened, being unable to use mana will pose a massive obstacle to exploration."

"From what I heard, even the Guardian suffered immense difficulty using mana before ingesting a Dragon Heart."

"If only we also possessed a sword like the one the Guardian holds..."

While the unpredictability of the Forest of the Four Seasons was troublesome, mana was the greatest variable.

Mana: the energy that enables a human to claim victory even when fighting a bear.

Without it, humanity—whose physical baseline was endlessly low—would struggle to defeat even a fierce dog.

"I shall attempt to resolve that. According to reports, the Guardian possesses a sword he used while in the Forest of the Four Seasons."

"If it is that sword..."

"Will that be acceptable? We might have to hand over a great deal to the Holy Kingdom."

Marquis Belial asked with concern.

The situation already required giving up much to the Holy Kingdom.

Borrowing Ludwig’s sword on top of that would require enduring substantial losses.

"That is a matter for me to worry about. What you must consider is how grand a result we can reap from the Forest of the Four Seasons. As those in the know are aware, even the soil in the Forest of the Four Seasons can be used as an incomparable fertilizer in this world."

"..."

"Furthermore, verified knights will be deployed for this operation. We cannot afford to lose precious military strength in vain."

From Arnold’s perspective, an opportunity like this would never come again.

The adventurers served as a shield, and negotiations with the Holy Kingdom were going smoothly.

Since this opportunity would not return, Arnold judged that it was better to draw the sword.

"By the way, Your Majesty. Have you already spoken with the Holy Kingdom?"

"I have."

"Then what did we agree to give to the Holy Kingdom?"

"We agreed to share intelligence."

At the phrase ’intelligence sharing,’ Marquis Belial, who had asked the question, nodded in understanding.

Information was the most valuable asset in the Forest of the Four Seasons. That price was reasonable enough for a deal.

Of course, Ludwig’s sword would be a different story. They would surely have to offer something else.

Since it would be closer to a temporary loan, it was better not to set expectations too high.

"Let us wrap up here for today. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy year-end schedules."

"Not at all. It is an honor to be summoned by Your Majesty."

"We shall strive to produce favorable results."

Perhaps because it was a national enterprise involving military power, the military personnel departed with tense complexions.

Each of them likely had much on their mind. Even though they were seasoned veterans, the Forest of the Four Seasons was uncharted territory for them.

This was no different for Arnold. He let out a sigh and returned to his office.

Since it was the end of the year, he wanted to rest for a day, but once one became Emperor, it was safe to say there were no days off.

He felt acutely in his bones why the cause of death for past emperors was so often overwork.

’I wonder if the Guardian will willingly hand over his sword.’

There were already countless people attempting to approach Ludwig.

It was only because the Messiah Empire was the fastest that they granted permission; had they been even slightly late, it would have been risky.

Furthermore, the Holy Kingdom was also a nation bordering the Forest of the Four Seasons. It was highly probable they would conduct independent explorations.

In that case, obtaining the sword from Ludwig might prove impossible... but they could at least make the offer.You are reading on novelping(.)com, the official source.

After all, it would serve to demonstrate how serious the Messiah Empire was.

’More bothering than that is...’

Arnold picked up a report. It was a report related to Setan.

The Messiah Empire imported various resources, particularly Mana Stones, from Setan.

Although Mana Stones were mined in the Messiah Empire as well, that alone was far from sufficient.

[Setan requests a portion of the resources harvested from the Forest of the Four Seasons. If we do not comply, they state they will cut off Mana Stone supplies...]

And the report from Setan contained terms that Arnold could not possibly tolerate.

Setan was already poking hornet’s nests left and right, and now they were touching the Messiah Empire.

’Are these bastards seriously asking for a war?’

Setan did not border the Forest of the Four Seasons. Because of that, they could do nothing but suck their thumbs in the current situation.

Of course, since the Forest of the Four Seasons was a double-edged sword, having it or not having it made little difference; in fact, not having it was better.

Even now, didn’t they have to mobilize military force over that single place?

Yet Setan used resources as a weapon and acted like thugs. Arnold could only find it utterly absurd.

’I knew the recently crowned Sultan was out of his mind, but...’

If he had even a shred of deep thought, he wouldn’t have made such a proposal.

He would have rather offered to provide more resources in exchange for items from the Forest of the Four Seasons. That would be a mutually beneficial offer.

’Since his standing was unstable right after coronation anyway, is he pushing his luck?’

The most effective way to quell internal discontent is to direct arrows toward the outside.

Setan was adopting that method, but the timing was disastrously wrong.

The Holy Kingdom and Mephisto had signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations, while the Central Plains was in a chaotic political state.

Since they were picking only the worst possible moves that should never be made in this situation, he could only snort in disdain.

’I know there are all sorts of crazy bastards in the world, but to think one of them is a leader.’

I must never become like that. The Sultan of Setan had turned into an excellent negative example.

Arnold lightly flipped the report over and looked for other work to do.

Perhaps because it was year-end, all kinds of reports poured in, but most were documents he had already reviewed once.

Tok, tok, tok—

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

"Enter."

While Arnold was organizing the reports, Count Gorgon entered the office.

Perhaps because he had been saddled with all kinds of duties starting this year in particular, Count Gorgon looked rather fatigued.

Well, that was unavoidable. He had to exchange messages with Grylls on various matters and secure items from him.

Although they obtained Mithril last time through the disruptor, progress had been sluggish since then.

"So. Are you spending the end of the year well?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace..."

"No need for pleasantries. The reason I called you is singular."

Arnold issued instructions to Count Gorgon.

"As you may have heard, we intend to send personnel for consignment training to the Holy Kingdom soon. You shall go as our representative."

"However, Your Majesty. I possess no military insight..."

"You are not going for military duties, but to meet someone. That someone is the Guardian."

The reason Arnold chose Count Gorgon was simple.

"Tell the Guardian: the reason he was able to remain safe was thanks to the disruptor we traded. Well, even if not from us, he might have obtained it elsewhere, but take credit for it nonetheless."

"That means...?"

"The Guardian is likely still in regular communication with that man even now. If we do anything foolish, that man will sever trade with us."

One might ask: doesn’t this just expose Count Gorgon’s fixed nick?

That was precisely why Arnold recruited Count Gorgon. Count Gorgon had accepted that risk from the very beginning anyway.

"Your role is crucial. Can you perform it well?"

The answer was already set.

While complex schemes unfolded in the Messiah Empire to borrow Ludwig’s sword...

"Master. What are you trying to make this time?"

"This time, I’m going to forge a sword by hand. Up until now, I’ve just been pouring metal into molds."

"Is there a difference?"

"I heard there’s quite a difference. I have to try making it myself."

Grylls was manually shaping a sword infused with all three of the world’s legendary metals.

Kwajig!

"Wait, why did this break?!"

"Why did the anvil break? Shouldn’t the sword be the one breaking?"

"How should I know? Looks like I need to make an anvil first!"

It was ominous from the very start.

After only a few strikes of the hammer, the anvil, sturdy as it was, split right in half.

The funny thing was that the sword itself was perfectly fine.

"By the way, who are you making that for? None of us use swords anymore."

"They’re outside. I’m making them as year-end and New Year’s gifts."

"Do you mean those females you met briefly like mayflies?"

"You want to die, seriously? Don’t just stand there, help me out."

If anyone had overheard this, they would have resigned from the throne in pure frustration.