I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 823

As everyone probably knew, Manatology’s greatest weakness was holy water.

The Divine Power contained in holy water purifies the wicked corruption of Manatology, breaking them down.

From what Heukgu told me before, the reason the undead are so vulnerable to Divine Power is close to the relationship between a virus and a vaccine.

"The reason the undead, including Manatology, mutate works on the same principle as cancer cells multiplying. Divine Power acts like an antibiotic."

"If that’s how it works, does that mean there are times when Divine Power doesn’t work?"

"Well, obviously. It’s not like a single drop of water will put out a forest fire, right?"

In other words, the more a Manatology entity had absorbed, the more holy water was needed.

Then why did the Pale Woman we subjugated last time convulse after getting splashed with just one bottle?

Because it was holy water made personally by none other than the Hero, Asella.

The antibiotic potency was exceptionally strong, so even a single bottle triggered a violent rejection reaction from Manatology.

Not to mention, whatever had happened before, she hadn’t come into contact with Divine Power since becoming a Manatology creature, making it all the more effective.

So one of our goals was to keep receiving a steady supply of holy water from Asella and bide our time.

[Even if we dispose of the Elders, won’t there be fierce pushback from the residents of Large Field?]

As I slowly laid out the plan, Cain voiced his concern.

He was asking whether the residents of Large Field, who were already living well and fed here, would turn hostile if we harmed the Elders.

In fact, this was a common situation in military history, and even the world’s superpower, the United States, had suffered through it several times.

The prime examples were Vietnam and Afghanistan. In both, the United States suffered humiliating defeats.

Both regions posed geographic and political disadvantages, and conflict with the locals poured gasoline on the fire.

Out of anxiety that enemies might be mixed among the population, they often resorted to violence, and the locals turned hostile toward US forces to protect themselves.

As this vicious cycle went round and round, they sank into an endless quagmire.

"If what Gu-chil said is true, the residents of Large Field aren’t really living; they’re essentially being raised like livestock. They’re prey for the Elders."

[Even if you reveal the truth, they will treat you like a madman.]

"True. That’s just how brainwashing works."

The residents of Large Field were satisfied with their current ’life.’

Just looking at the people walking the streets, none of them looked depressed—in fact, they looked cheerful.

The Elders knew this too, so they went to great lengths to suppress curiosity about the outside world as much as possible.

"Still, you can tell just by looking at Miren. There are plenty of people who want to go outside."

Allfather) Exploration is an inseparable part of human history.

Starlight Lady) Indeed. Even knowing about other continents beforehand through the Gallery, more than a few people have taken the risk.

The problem was that this alone couldn’t suppress mankind’s boundless desire.

Even the victim Gu-chil saw had broken taboos multiple times, hadn’t he?

And from what I heard from Lackey, there were always people breaking the taboos.

Some people even practiced taboos out of sight of others.

Even if the Elders had eyes and ears everywhere, blind spots were bound to exist.

There was a very high chance our current lodging was bugged with listening devices, but we handled it with magic.

With two exceptionally skilled mages right here, something like this was no trouble at all.

’The fact that it got Galapagosized plays a part too.’

Even if outsiders trickled in, the frequency was far too low.

So even if the Elders possessed advanced technology, there were times they were helpless before new innovations from the outside.

[That Miren fellow seems to have strong loyalty toward the Elders, though?]

"Apart from that, he asked me all sorts of questions about what the outside world is like."

With thorough preparation, Miren would head outside in a heartbeat.

The damned fog was the problem, but that was something worth considering.

’I feel like pulling out the Wedge embedded in the World Tree might do the trick, but...’

It was the cause of the World Tree withering, and the reason the Elders were forced to remain here.

Fortunately, since it was already fully grown, it continued to supply the energy needed to sustain civilization.

But the fact that it was gradually withering hadn’t changed, so it would eventually collapse someday.

"So I should talk a bit more with Miren and get to know the other residents."

[The Elders are wary of you, so will that be alright?]

"They aren’t being wary. If anything, they’re just underestimating me."

The reason the Elders told me all those secrets was very simple.

They were telling me that they were creations of god possessing formidable powers, so I shouldn’t dare cross them.

That tactic had worked on Gu-chil, after all, reducing him to acting like a servant.

"On the other hand, if they knew you were a creation of Lady Aris, Cain-ssi, they would have turned hostile immediately."

[The reason being?]New chapters come out on nov‌elping.com first.

"That guy Morgan was killed right away just because he was a cardinal."

The corrupt cardinal, Morgan, had also entered Large Field as an outsider.

But for whatever reason, he vanished without a trace after visiting the Elders.

According to the testimony of Large Field’s residents, they could only guess that he was either exiled or living comfortably there.

"They know full well that their weakness is Divine Power. It makes sense, considering they used to oppose Manatology before ending up in that pathetic state just to survive."

[If your brain works that well, why don’t you use it usually?]

"Shut up. I’m using it right now, aren’t I?"

Unlike the wild, civilization has many aspects that can’t be resolved with brute force.

For starters, the Elders themselves are exceedingly strong in combat and hold an overwhelmingly powerful political standing.

Recklessly trying to overthrow them with force would inevitably deal massive damage to our side as well.

[Judging by what you say, you must have a rough plan in mind.]

"Of course."

In human history, propaganda and fabrication are indispensable elements.

Of course, what I’m about to do isn’t propaganda and lies, but closer to politics grounded in truth.

To start, we need to seep in bit by bit without catching the Elders’ attention.

For that, I first summoned Gu-chil and asked him about the various taboos.

"Just talking about the outside world doesn’t violate any taboos, does it?"

"Not unless you preach religion or ideology."

"Dropping the honorifics on me?"

"...Sir."

This meant spreading stories about life on the outside was totally fine.

Since it wasn’t fictional tales from books or absurd ideologies, the Elders wouldn’t have any grounds to stop it.

It might not get much of a response at first, but after a week, it would be a different story.

’Miren and a few others volunteering to form a scout unit was part of that too.’

From the Elders’ perspective, a few troublemaking mudfish were heading out on their own, so they wouldn’t have cared.

But what if those few mudfish didn’t leave and kept stirring up the inside instead?

Since they hadn’t broken any taboos, they’d just be a thorn in their side.

[Then what will you talk about first?]

"For starters, what I had in mind was stories about the Holy Kingdom."

Don’t Abandon the Hero) Ears perking up!

Heavenly Demon) Hmph.

When I mentioned the Holy Kingdom, Asella posted a delighted comment.

On the other hand, Yoo So-wol was a bit blunt, and their contrasting reactions were strangely adorable.

Sword Matstar) Are you jealous, by any chance?

Heavenly Demon) It is not jealousy, but dissatisfaction. Surely the events at the Heavenly God Martial Festival were far more memorable.

Don’t Abandon the Hero) Guess it wasn’t all that memorable then!

Heavenly Demon) What did you just say? If you had seen the martial prowess Benefactor displayed at the Heavenly God Martial Festival, those words could never leave your mouth.

Don’t Abandon the Hero) Well, I remember Grylls-nim cosplaying as Rudolph in the Holy Kingdom! Wouldn’t everyone else feel the same!

Princess Chaenggu) Whoa. First time seeing those two bicker, haha.

Smart Demon) Honestly, I gotta back the Heavenly Demon here. How can you compare that to a mere one-night dream?

Ludwig van Erolt) I remember the events of the Holy Kingdom best.

Smart Demon) That’s only because it overlaps with the day you escaped the Forest of the Four Seasons, yeah.

It was truly a rare sight.

Usually, Yoo So-wol bickered with Ash, while respecting Asella to some degree.

Yet whether they had grown closer after meeting at the last Heavenly God Martial Festival, or her pride simply wouldn’t allow it, seeing her snap back like that was something else.

’I can understand it well enough, though.’

The two currently shared something in common.

I had visited both of their countries in person and built various memories there.

It was only natural for a sense of rivalry to form, which brought a faint chuckle out of me.

’I wonder what’ll happen this Christmas.’

Last time, I had basically gotten an advance(?) on the condition of sending Ludwig back.

So it was questionable whether my Christmas wish would even be granted this time, let alone whether Santa would visit at all.

Anyway, moving past that, I mulled over what to say to capture people’s attention.

I had to pique their curiosity somehow, without violating any taboos.

’Sorry to Aris, but it’s best to only bring up aspects of daily life that have nothing to do with religion.’This chapter was taken from novelping dot com without permission.

As mentioned time and again, preaching religion or ideology was the ultimate taboo.

Just possessing a related book could lead to exile, so I had to be careful.

But there was a far bigger problem than that: my storytelling skills.

"Everyone, be honest with me. Am I good with words?"

[You are when tearing others down.]

"You’re good, but what a pain in the ass."

"I wouldn’t say you’re bad, right?"

It was a relatively positive response, but that wouldn’t cut it.

What they were talking about was closer to the wit that comes out whenever we trade banter among ourselves.

What I wanted right now was something that would plant curiosity in people—in a way, along the lines of agitation.

Allfather) According to surviving records, the Chief God primarily spread the Word, they say.

Starlight Lady) Why not use this opportunity to practice?

Don’t Abandon the Hero) Not practice, regaining his memories!

Somehow, I was on the verge of being practically pushed into it.

Lackey had never been outside, so he had to be ruled out, but Elia was a different story.

"Elia, feels like you’d be perfect for this, wouldn’t you?"

"Come on. Me?"

"You’re damn good at giving speeches."

Elia often gave speeches.

For a politician—especially a high-ranking one—oratory skill was crucial.

It was a somewhat extreme and dangerous example, but hadn’t Hitler seized hold of the depressed German populace through his oratory ability?

Elia had captivated the elves of Alfheim and even brought about progress, so she had to possess comparable skill.

"That’s true, but it doesn’t fit the current situation at all. If I give a speech right now, I’ll be dragged away instantly."

"Why?"

"A speech is ultimately closer to putting forward your own arguments rather than communicating. In the Elders’ eyes, it’ll strongly look like an outsider agitating the crowd."

"Mmm..."

But hearing her counterargument left me speechless.

What truly mattered was avoiding the Elders’ notice.

In the end, there was no choice; unpacking my own bundle of stories was the best way.

’Telling stories about the outside is tough for me too, though.’

Right now, all the stories I had were about the Gallery, the Forest of the Four Seasons, and what happened in the Holy Kingdom and the Heavenly Demon Cult.

While I was agonizing over how to spin them entertainingly, time slipped away.

The more time passed, the more disadvantaged we were, and crucially, I had to exploit Miren’s curiosity.

"You want me to gather people because you want to hear stories about Large Field?"

"You can just call the folks who went on patrol with you before, Miren-ssi. I’d like to hear some stories too."

"Mm... alright."

Miren’s curiosity still lingered, so he readily agreed to my request.

And so, we gathered his group and began unpacking the stories.

"Come, take a seat here."

"You can speak casually. Tales like this are always more thrilling without formalities, aren’t they?"

"Ah. Then, if you don’t mind..."

I opened up to Miren and his party.

"Alright, take a seat. I’m about to tell you a fucking insane story."

I worried whether it would succeed or just fizzle out, but...

"Hey! Mr. Storyteller! Hurry up and tell us the next part!"

"When can you bring that singing toad?!"

"Can we see the sloth that dodges arrows?!"

The impact was far greater than expected.

The outside is so dangerous that the fog is protecting Large Field?

I’m a living witness who survived that hell.

’Curiosity always springs from danger.’

And that’s why men die so often.