I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 606

Ludwig’s age had crossed 50 before he knew it, gradually nearing 60.

In the course of serving Aris all his life, he had met and parted with countless people.

Along the way, he had come to realize something: human relationships were like cogs in a machine.

And finding a matching gear that meshed perfectly right from the start was extremely difficult.

Unless God Himself fit them together, individuals had no choice but to adjust to each other. The phrase "match made in heaven" didn’t exist for nothing.

And sometimes, those ties entangled as complexly as a spider’s web.

"Oh... so the Messiah Empire will be exploring the Forest of the Four Seasons soon."

"That’s right. Does the Holy Kingdom have no intention to explore?"

"Unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do. We won’t be exploring for the time being."

And Ludwig was currently witnessing those intricate human relationships vividly with his own eyes.

Asella, the chosen of Aris and master of the Holy Sword.

Ash, the world-renowned Sword Master.

Seeing these two women conversing was quite a novel sight.

Since both were renowned beauties with distinct, striking features, it felt even more so.

Simply looking at them was a treat for the eyes, but to Ludwig, it registered quite differently.

’Come to think of it, Asella said she was an administrator of the Gallery.’

It was a fact he had heard from Grylls during his days living in the Forest of the Four Seasons.

A Gallery administrator possessed various authority privileges, one of which was eavesdropping on chat rooms.

Furthermore, she could track the real-time locations of people using the Gallery, and if they were fixed handles (fixed nicks), she could identify their true identities.

"In truth, the reason we made a request of the Holy Kingdom wasn’t just for the commissioned training, but also to make a request of Sir Erolt."

"Ah. I heard about that already. You want Master’s sword, right?"

"Yes. It is merely a request, so it’s completely fine if he refuses."

"Hmm..."

In other words, Asella knew everything about how Ash acted in the Gallery.

Ash might also know Asella’s true identity, but the probability of that was extremely low.

Thinking like this, he realized the relationship between the two... no, the three of them, including Grylls, was exceedingly complicated.

’To think such a coincidence could exist.’

Both Asella and Ash harbored romantic feelings toward Grylls.

Furthermore, hadn’t Ash taken it a step further and actually kissed Grylls?

Ludwig could not predict how the pure Asella would react if she heard about this.

’Good people naturally gather around good people. But I did not foresee this.’

Ludwig was the paladin who had raised Asella ever since she was young.

She was from an orphanage, a case of becoming a paladin early on thanks to her outstanding talent.

Perhaps because of that, she couldn’t mingle with peers her age, and after becoming the Hero, she was even framed by the Papal See.

Her environment forced her social circle to be narrow, making her situation all the more heartbreaking.

Thus, he had prayed to Aris that she might meet a good person, but lo and behold...

To think that none other than the Sword Master was harbouring feelings for Grylls.

"This is something Master himself must grant... so even I cannot recklessly consent to it."

"That is true. What are Sir Erolt’s thoughts? If you permit it, we can share all the information gathered by the Messiah Empire with you."

As he was briefly lost in thought, Ash asked Ludwig. Asella’s gaze naturally turned to him as well.

Flustered for a moment under their stares, Ludwig quietly opened his mouth.

Regardless of being lost in thought, he knew what they had been discussing.

"If it brings our two nations closer than before, I am willing to lend it to you."

"That’s what he says."

"Thank you. But since this involves drafting formal oaths, it would be best to take your time thinking it over."

Fortunately, it seemed to pass smoothly. Ludwig quietly observed them once more.

As stories related to the Forest of the Four Seasons came up, the topic naturally shifted toward Grylls.

"Come to think of it, Hero-nim. I heard you were with the Herald on Christmas. How was he?"

"He was a truly wonderful person. Especially since he personally became Rudolph to pull the sleigh for the children."

"Even his heart was kind... is that what you mean?"

"Yes."

They were clearly chatting and laughing, so why did it feel like a chilly aura was drifting between them?

At heart, Ludwig wanted to sneak out of the room, but he decided to watch over them.

Setting Ash aside, Asella might accidentally make a misstep. She still lacked worldly experience.

To be precise, she wasn’t good at handling interpersonal relationships easily, and possessing a fiery temper, she needed supervision.

"I hope he comes outside soon. The citizens and children of the Holy Kingdom would love it too, wouldn’t they?"

"Hmm... Wouldn’t it be better to ask the Herald’s opinion first? I heard he expressed a desire to meet other people as well."

"Ah. I know that. If he does, I intend to accompany him, viewing it as a pilgrimage."

Is it starting now? Ludwig took a sip of juice.

It was a snack Asella had brought along when coming here.

’At the end of or during that pilgrimage, Ash would be... No, she already knows, so it makes no sense.’

Riveting. Ludwig kept his mouth shut.

Since he couldn’t break into the conversation anyway, watching was the best choice.

He realized anew that human relationships could mesh together in such weirdly intricate ways.

"If the Hero departs on a pilgrimage, won’t the Holy Kingdom fall into disarray? I heard you haven’t even elected a Pope yet."

"We plan to elect one before the Herald steps outside."

She spoke like that, but honestly speaking, he expected it would be difficult for her to go on a pilgrimage.

Because they were planning to establish yet another symbol besides the Pope and the Hero.Find the original chapter at novelping dot com.

’Was she always this devious...?’

Knowing all that and acting so shamelessly unbothered made Ludwig question her.

Of course, it wasn’t incomprehensible—when Asella was being hunted down, the person who reached out his hand to her was Grylls.

Not to mention providing all sorts of support, he had willingly handed over delicious food and whatnot.

Perhaps due to such influences, Asella’s affection toward Grylls had pierced through the heavens.

"He might have to travel across the entire world. And he might forge completely unexpected connections along the way."

"That feels less like a pilgrimage and more like a journey."

"Right? Perhaps it could be. I have never been on a trip before. Have you, Count Menethil?"

"Living my whole life as a soldier, I’ve had reassignments, but never traveled for pleasure. Besides, home is comfortable."

Contrary to his concerns, the two did not openly compete over Grylls.

After all, Ludwig was sitting right beside them, and Ash didn’t know Asella’s true identity in the Gallery.

Just as he thought things might pass quietly thanks to that, Ash spoke.

"Perhaps he really might have to visit the whole world. Since there are people everywhere who have received grace from the Herald—and people who granted him grace."

"Couldn’t those who received grace just be told to come visit him directly?"

"Well... Knowing the Herald’s personality, I feel he would go visit every single one of them personally."

"..."

At those words, the smile hanging on Asella’s lips vanished in a fraction of a second.

It was such a fleeting moment, but Ludwig witnessed it clearly.

She was making it glaringly obvious to anyone that her mood was severely foul.

Thanks to this, Ludwig realized once more that Asella truly liked Grylls, but another thought crossed his mind.

’The situation is complicated enough, but if there’s yet another woman who holds affection for the Herald...’

What if that person wasn’t just an ordinary individual, but someone world-renowned?

If it were men, he could brush it off, but if it was women, the situation would become hopelessly entangled.

It was a scenario possible only because Grylls was active in the Forest of the Four Seasons, from where he could scatter his influence across the entire world.

No expression came to mind other than "fated." He was a man like an onion—the more you peeled, the more layers there were.

’It might actually be safer for him to remain holed up inside.’

Safer for Grylls, and safer for the world.

Thinking so, Ludwig quietly drank his juice.

’Hang in there, Asella.’

Secretly cheering for his student.

"Is someone talking about me?"

"That’s self-absorbed paranoia, Master."

"Shut up."

It was while resting at the Shelter after spending nearly a week exploring the forest and plains as scheduled.

My ears felt strangely itchy, so I muttered to myself, and that bastard Lackey caught it like a hawk.

He was a guy who teased me like that no matter what I said, so I just let it slide.

’By the way, where did he even learn the phrase "self-absorbed paranoia"? Don’t tell me... the Gallery?’

Lately, Lackey logged into the Gallery whenever we rested at the Shelter.

A guy who was busy shitposting as an anonymous user without even creating a fixed handle.

Occasionally, when I saw a post with high upvotes, it turned out to be something he posted.

’At least it’s a relief that he listens to my orders well.’

If he had created a fixed handle and caused chaos in the auction house, I would have kicked him out immediately.

Fortunately, no such thing happened, but a completely unexpected member almost caused an accident.

"My cute little Maengkkongi. Why are you taking this piece of Mithril?"

"Bpiyung."

"Some person said if I give it to them, they’ll compliment my singing."

"..."

Our Maengkkongi was way too innocent. Apparently, someone told him they’d craft a great musical instrument for him if he traded Mithril for it.

It happened at a time when neither the Orange Badge nor the Blue Badges were around, so they couldn’t stop it.

Lucky thing I stepped in first; otherwise, a huge scam would have occurred.

"Maengkkongi. I’ll give you instruments and stuff, so you just focus on singing hard. Got it?"

"Kkuiing. Kkyuing."

"What if someone offers to teach you singing?"

"You sing way better than them."

That wasn’t a lie; it was real. Maengkkongi’s genius was already proven.

For starters, perfectly imitating every song coming from the Jukebox Mimic was a given.

Even songs layered with dozens of chaotic sound effects were sang entirely through his mouth.

’Is this truly something possible through mana?’

I had long since figured out that Maengkkongi used mana whenever he sang.

The unique thing was that his mana felt almost like it was vibrating.

Sound was a form of vibration anyway, so the underlying principle was probably similar.

’It’s not Maengkkongi who needs to learn; bards need to look at Maengkkongi and take notes.’

I’m not doting on him just because he’s my kid; Maengkkongi’s skill is genuinely out of this world.

Back when I lived on Earth, I once saw a video of a guy beatboxing to mimic all kinds of mechanical noises.

Maengkkongi was far superior to that guy, reaching a level no human could dream of matching.Enjoying the story? Read on at novelpi‌ng.com.

Perhaps that was why.

Title) Singing again today

It’s Maengkkongi

(Video 1 of Maengkkongi singing)

(Video 2 of Maengkkongi singing)

L Ohhh! The Master has arrived!

L How can he produce the sounds of so many instruments with just his mouth?

L Please bestow your teachings upon us! Master...!

L It’s Maengkkongi) Thank you for the compliment. It’s easy if you vibrate your mouth.

As the days passed, more and more people seriously begged for his teachings.

It was a heartwarming sight, so I could happily smile along.

I thought a normal week would pass just like this, but unexpected trouble always breaks out when least expected.

Title) Finally entering

(Forest of the Four Seasons Entrance Photo 1)

(Forest of the Four Seasons Entrance Photo 2)

(Tense Adventurers Photo 1)

(Tense Adventurers Photo 2)

(Excited Adventurers Photo)

As scheduled, preparing to enter the Forest of the Four Seasons

Planning to just pop in for about 30 minutes, so there shouldn’t be any issues

L Woah. Are you guys actually going in?

L Seriously insane. How is this any different from waltzing to your death?

L Wait, isn’t that bald guy Recol? Pretty sure he’s a 2nd-rank adventurer.

L It’s not like they’re being pushed to die, looks like they set up safety measures

L Can’t you not use mana once inside? What are they gonna do about that?

L Dunno, they’ll figure it out themselves lol

The adventurers’ entry into the Forest of the Four Seasons, which had been nothing more than rumors.

That entry was right on the verge of actually taking place. Upvotes suddenly began pouring in like crazy, so I clicked to check.

Unlike Ludwig, these people were essentially going in empty-handed.

I questioned whether they could navigate it safely, but then I realized one crucial difference.

’These guys can just leave and step back outside.’

The scenery visible beyond the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons also looked somewhat like an ordinary forest.

Though it was closer to a somewhat arid forest rather than the lush, dense greenery where I was located.

At any rate, giving them some advice as a senior (?) didn’t seem like a bad idea.

L Wild Grylls) Did you guys apply insect repellent?

L Oh. It’s the real guy.

L Hey Grylls. Take in the newbies.

L Question is whether they can even survive lol

L OP) The insect repellent sold by Icon Merchant Guild is hard to get, so we applied something else drop.

L Wild Grylls) How’s the effectiveness? Is it okay?

L OP) Mosquitos bite occasionally, but it’s not bad.

L Wild Grylls) Are you insane? Someone over there drop a fixed handle right now, I’ll send you insect repellent.

When there were bugs that wouldn’t back down even against high-grade insect repellents, there was no way they could block them with cheap garbage like that.

As I blurted out in sheer horror, luckily the OP got the message and created a fixed handle immediately.

From there, I sent over the insect repellent I had been continuously receiving as supplies from the Icon Merchant Guild.

Since I couldn’t bring myself to give away Mythricon swords, this was the best I could do.

L Wild Grylls) And NEVER mess with small animals. I’m repeating it because it’s important: DO NOT TOUCH SMALL ANIMALS.

L We had the hedgehog incident before, so they’ll watch out lol

L What if a big animal pops up? A monster like a saber-toothed tiger might appear.

L Wild Grylls) Those guys usually have insane regenerative abilities, but you can burn them. You prepared Molotov cocktails, right?

L OP) We didn’t.

L Wild Grylls) Holy shit, did you guys actually prepare properly? You look like a suicide squad.

L OP) We’ll prepare them right now;;

L Advice from the grand senior! Take it in lol

L Look at Grylls getting furious lmao

L We can’t do without you! They’ll literally die!

L He literally means they’re gonna die ROFL

"Sss... Will they be alright?"

I helped them out with this and that, but I still felt anxious.

Adventurers were, to put it nicely, macho, and to put it bluntly, simple-minded muscleheads.

Hadn’t someone said it before? Thugs who failed even the basic military service exams posturing as martial artists.

’There will definitely be some idiot who thinks it’s no big deal and won’t apply the insect repellent.’

And true to that expectation.

"Ha, seriously. Why apply something like that? That’s paranoia, pure paranoia."

"No, I’m telling you, the guy himself gave it to us!"

"What’s the worst that could happen from a mere bug bite?"

Fools who knew nothing yet remained stubbornly ignorant existed everywhere in the world.