I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 604

When does one feel that time flies by so fast?

Though it varies from person to person, most people tend to think time passed in the blink of an eye when looking back at the past.

Even though it was clearly a painful and arduous time back then, it leaves the illusion of having swept past in an instant.

This held true even for the Guardian of the Holy Kingdom, Ludwig. Currently, he was back in the military command, setting things in order.

Calling it "setting things in order" meant rebuilding a system ruined by the Papal See’s atrocities, but even this alone was exhausting.

Still, it was worth it, as it allowed Asella to get a slight reprieve from overworking.

’Looking at how things turned out this time, it seems we need another means of checks and balances...’

Ludwig had devoted his entire life to working as a paladin, but he was far from politically illiterate.

In fact, it was quite the opposite, which was why the Pope had personally purged him.

For if Ludwig were to step up directly, it would have been impossible for the Pope to seize control of the military.

Due to his signature uncompromising, rigid nature, the situation had almost spiraled to the absolute worst, but that was all in the past now.

’Ideally, I would prefer to sever the military completely into an independent entity, but...’

The Papal See, the Hero, and finally, the military.

Dividing power three ways like this would be ideal, but it was practically impossible.

A military had to be a sword and shield. If it possessed immense political power, the likelihood of a coup d’état would skyrocket.

Of course, soldiers were men who lived on honor, so as long as they were not starved, such occurrences were rare.

That was why most nations treated soldiers with financial respect without granting them real political power.

...To the point where it was tragic to see rebellions break out whenever that proper treatment was denied.

’Our only option is to disperse the power held by the Papal See. Asella must be well aware of this as well.’

Splitting the Papal See’s authority would be easy enough. The real issue was a symbol.

There had to be a symbol comparable to both the Papal See and the Hero for everyone to accept it.

An attempt had been made to revive the position of "Saintess," which had vanished in the distant past, but unfortunately, it fell through.

Not only had the role disappeared long ago, but prophecies from Aris had also become far less frequent.

Had revelations descended continuously, it might be a different story, but as things stood, it was preposterous.

’It would be best to decentralize power toward the citizenry instead.’

Ludwig roughly sorted his paperwork and stood up from his seat.

There were many things to do besides paperwork. In particular, distinguished guests from the Messiah Empire were scheduled to arrive soon.

According to what he heard from Asella, they were visiting to hear personal accounts and survival techniques regarding the Forest of the Four Seasons.

He had conducted commissioned training countless times before, but this case was of a completely different nature.

’They are definitely planning to enter the Forest of the Four Seasons.’

Now that a portion of the Forest of the Four Seasons was open, it was an unparalleled opportunity.

Furthermore, they had roughly figured out when the opened entrance would close.

Given that even the dirt lying scattered everywhere in the Forest of the Four Seasons served as magnificent fertilizer, it was only natural for them to covet it.

"Master!"

It was as he limped toward the location where the VIPs were waiting. A familiar voice reached his ears.

Turning his head, he saw the Hero, Asella, waving her hand as her orange hair swayed softly.

At that bright, sun-like smile, Ludwig offered a soft smile of his own.

"Asella. Have all the distinguished guests gathered?"

Despite his smile, his tone of voice remained rigid as ever.

Having hardened over decades, changing his way of speech was no simple matter.

"Yes. Everyone has gathered now."

"I heard that those who came from the Messiah Empire are quite skilled..."

Among the VIPs who visited from the Messiah Empire were names that Ludwig knew all too well.

That meant the Messiah Empire had dispatched them with clear intent. It was an opportunity to firmly solidify the friendship between the two nations.

"Yes. Among them is Count Menethil."

"Didn’t she originally say she wouldn’t participate?"

"She did, but it seems it was difficult for her to bow out."

"Hmm."

Ludwig nodded. In truth, Ash’s attendance was bound to happen.

From the Messiah Empire’s perspective, a solid insurance policy was necessary. Furthermore, if they were to explore the Forest of the Four Seasons, such combat power would be essential.

’Rumor has it she got herself a lover.’

Suddenly, that rumor crossed his mind—the story that Ash had found a lover.The source of this chapter is NovelPing.

It was a rumor so rampant that it had even reached the ears of Ludwig, who usually paid no mind to current affairs.

Of course, he was merely mildly curious and didn’t pay it any further thought. What he was actually curious about was her skill.

Though one of his feet was impaired, having undergone all kinds of hardships in the Forest of the Four Seasons, his own martial capability had actually risen.

Indeed, since he could fight to a draw against Asella or even produce better results, it was only natural for him to be curious.

"I shall head ahead then."

"Yes. If there’s any problem, please let me know right away."

After bidding farewell to Asella, Ludwig headed toward the quarters where the VIPs visiting from the Messiah Empire were staying.

Since the commissioned training was mostly composed of theoretical lectures, it took place in a prayer room rather than a sparring arena.

One might ask if it was uncomfortable, but loaning out an entire prayer room was in itself the highest courtesy the Holy Kingdom could extend.

Kkiik-

"So..."

"He has arrived."

The moment Ludwig entered the room, the noisy atmosphere quieted down in an instant.

A solemn aura, conveying even the strict gravity unique to the military, filled the air. Ascending the podium, Ludwig scanned the crowd before him.

Elites visiting from the Messiah Empire, a nation praised as an unchanging superpower. They were individuals lacking in nothing.

Among them, one figure stood out overwhelmingly—Ash, sitting in the very back row.

Not only was her striking beauty noticeable, but the lofty momentum exuding from her was extraordinary.

’She shouldn’t have been that strong before.’

There is a saying that resonates deeply with martial artists.

The closer you get to someone, the further away they feel. In truth, when the gap in realm is immense, one feels nothing at all.

But as one draws closer to that realm, one can truly sense just how vastly distant it is. That was precisely the case right now.

Even though he had grown stronger through his tribulations in the Forest of the Four Seasons, he felt as though the gap between himself and Ash had grown even wider.

’They said she was living in seclusion, but it seems she wasn’t just idling away. Did she need time to organize her enlightenments?’

He brushed the thought aside. Ash was not the main focus here.

Ludwig looked around before speaking in a solemn voice. Naturally, it was in the language of the Holy Kingdom.

"I am truly pleased that the distinguished guests of the Empire have visited. I shall introduce myself first. My name is Ludwig von Erolt. Though lacking, I serve as the Guardian of the Holy Kingdom according to Lady Aris’s revelation. I look forward to working with you."

As Ludwig bowed his head in greeting, the delegation from the Messiah Empire welcomed him with applause.

His fame was renowned, and he was currently the sole survivor to escape. He deserved nothing less than complete respect.

The language of the Holy Kingdom posed no issue either, as they had brought their own personal Translation Orbs with them.

They could understand him immediately without requiring anyone on the side to translate.

"Before we begin, I would like to hear everyone’s thoughts on the Forest of the Four Seasons. Speak freely."

"May I speak first?"

A young noble raised his hand and spoke. No one voiced any objections.

When Ludwig extended a hand gesturing for him to proceed, the noble answered.

"I believe it is a place full of the unknown. Once you step foot inside, you can never escape."

"I see. Does anyone else have a view?"

"I think..."

Each offered similar or differing opinions. Ludwig listened attentively to their words.

Thanks to Grylls’s active exploits, a glimpse of the Forest of the Four Seasons had been revealed, but it was literally just a glimpse.

It was a place where uncovering one unknown brought forth ten more, and digging into ten brought forth a hundred.

"What you all say is correct. However, the Forest of the Four Seasons conceals far more unknowns than that."

"..."

"Furthermore. The Forest of the Four Seasons is merely difficult to escape; survival itself is not impossible."

Ludwig was living proof.

Though it was owing to Grylls’s grace, he had moved past mere survival into the realm of daily living.

Of course, big and small incidents had broken out in the process, but one could not say Ludwig had contributed nothing.

"Had it not been for the Herald’s grace, I too would have died shortly after entering. The proof is this foot of mine."

"Mmm..."

When Ludwig revealed his foot forged from Mithril, low groans of awe and grim realization echoed through the room.

Even Ludwig, who had received all manner of support and possessed unbelievable luck, had lost a foot.

It meant an ordinary person stood a high probability of losing their life the moment they set foot inside.

"Exploration—even if it is a brief reconnaissance lasting under ten minutes, the moment you let your guard down, you will lose your life. Therefore, I urge you."You are reading on novelping dot com, the official source.

In the Forest of the Four Seasons, doubt everything.

Hearing the words forged from raw experience, the officials of the Messiah Empire immediately took down notes.

Every weight-filled word was crucial. A single piece of advice here could mean the difference between keeping or losing one’s limbs.

"Additionally, as you may already know, smaller animals in the Forest of the Four Seasons are more dangerous than large ones. Their unique unpredictability is treacherous."

"Is there a way to prepare for that unpredictability?"

"If you bring front-line vanguards, you can at least mitigate it. Most of them pack tremendous destructive firepower."

"Frontguards... that doesn’t sound bad."

Having already been badly burned by the hedgehog incident, the Messiah Empire had fully anticipated this much.

"Furthermore, keep a close watch on changes in the environment and terrain. Is there anyone here who does not know about Bush Hell?"

"As far as I know, it is a monster disguised as bushes. It preys on insects or small animals."

"There was an instance where an entire forest was Bush Hell. Had the Herald failed to notice the subtle anomaly, we would have been swallowed whole."

"Good heavens."

"I-Is such a thing even possible?"

"It is the Forest of the Four Seasons. Nothing is impossible there."

Hearing that an entire forest had been a trap, gasps of horror broke out among the crowd.

Did those words not imply that even the very ground beneath their feet could not be trusted?

Sighing over conditions that grew more terrifying the more they learned, the Messiah Empire representatives quickly exchanged thoughts.

"Anyone with color blindness or weak color vision must be strictly excluded."

"We will need personnel with exceptionally sharp eyes."

Give them one clue, and they would immediately devise solutions. Ludwig nodded in satisfaction.

Since these were individuals handpicked by the Messiah Empire, it seemed he didn’t need to worry too much.

"Also, it is advisable to keep insect repellent on hand at all times. This applies not just to the Forest of the Four Seasons, but to any uncharted territory."

"Hmm... Indeed, even a mosquito bite can cause a fever."

"Even in the morning, torches and oil flasks are..."

Ludwig continuously explained everything within the scope of his knowledge.

Sharp questions flew at him from time to time, but Ludwig answered them instantly.

And when a question came up that even he did not know...

"I do not know that either. And if such a situation arises, do not dig into it."

"’Do not dig into it’... His Majesty urged us the exact same thing."

He simply answered not to do it. It was a very wise answer.

In fact, even Grylls had suffered severely after wondering, ’What is this?’

"Do not carelessly touch items that look like precious medicinal herbs either. The probability is high that a guardian creature lies asleep alongside them."

"Didn’t the Herald pluck them as he pleased?"

"If you are as strong as the Herald, feel free to do so."

In the end, the response boiled down to: If you aren’t Grylls, don’t do it.

After roughly finishing the commissioned training in this manner, the people dismissed.

Since they had to remain in the Holy Kingdom for a week anyway, taking it easy wasn’t a bad idea.

Of course.

"Hello, Guardian-nim."

"It has been a while, Count Menethil."

"Yes. It really has been a while."

Ash, who had been sitting in the very back row, had personal business with Ludwig.

"Could you perhaps tell me in detail what kind of person the Herald is?"

A personal errand packed with self-interest.

At that question, Ludwig felt a brief moment of doubt before replying stiffly.

"What I can impart is information regarding the Forest of the Four Seasons. Not about the Herald."

"You are as inflexible as ever. Then what must I do for you to tell me?"

"Looking at you, it seems you have gained enlightenment..."

Instead of speaking further, Ludwig answered by pointing to the sword hung at his waist.

"Could you give me a lesson?"

At this, Ash gave a bright smile and replied.

"Of course."