WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Got a Gallery in the Wild ◈
Chapter 218: Normalization (3)
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By the time Grylls had welcomed someone who was not quite family into his household,
the world was in an uproar over what had happened in El Dorado.
It was as natural as common sense that a nation would not use violence against its own citizens.
Humanity had formed nations in the first place to escape the threats of the wild.
Yet the nation meant to protect its people had attacked them instead.
Even when violence was used, it meant nothing without just cause.
El Dorado had not only shattered that principle but laid bare its ugliest shame.
Countries everywhere released statements condemning it, while Mephisto openly mocked it.
They had branded us Demon Kings, only to act like Demon Kings themselves.
Ironically, Mephisto had matured culturally, and violent incidents there had dropped sharply.
Still, as a nation most beloved by a god and founded directly by that deity, El Dorado might stagger, but it would not fall.
If it could overcome this crisis, its status would only rise after the legendary hero, Cain, had appeared in person.
This would have large and small repercussions for countless nations.
And that included...
‘It isn't the worst possible situation, but I can't exactly welcome it either.’
The same was true for Arnold, who had recently ascended to the imperial throne.
He carefully monitored the Gallery alongside the reports brought to him.
El Dorado was currently cleaning up the aftermath and deciding what to do with the Pope.
It was the perfect time to strike politically rather than physically, yet he could not.
Cain had descended at the Hero's call. That alone forced him to tread carefully.
‘This is why religion is such a headache.’
Many gods existed in this world, but most people worshipped two of them.
Aragon, God of Magic and Order.
Aris, Goddess of War and Justice.
The Central Plains in the east were no different.
Only the names changed to fit their own style. Religion itself still existed there.
Though Buddhism held such overwhelming power that the others had limited influence.
‘The fact that they don't deny it is remarkable enough.’
Even the conservative Central Plains did not suppress religion.
They did not deny the myths either. That was precisely the problem.
Cain appearing in person meant...
‘It is practically as if a god personally vouched for them.’
El Dorado's prestige would only rise from now on, never fall.
The Hero had practically dragged it up by the collar, but that could not be ignored either.
‘At least the Gallery let us assess the situation quickly.’
Without the Gallery, it would have taken roughly three days to realize what had happened.
Thanks to the Gallery, he had been able to grasp the situation right away. It was a moment that showed its value.
‘The problem is that El Dorado is close to anarchy... Will the Hero step in as interim leader?’
It would likely take about a month to establish a proper government.
Until then, there was a good chance the Hero would serve as acting leader. She had the citizens' full support.
Arnold gathered as much information about the Hero as possible, but there was little to find.
She had been born an orphan, raised in the Papal Palace through her natural talent, then chosen as the Hero. That was all.
Afterward, she had been branded a traitor and hunted down.
‘Her political ability can't compare to the Pope's.’
The Pope had been exceptionally capable politically. He had simply done things he never should have done.
Alvenheim was certain to cause trouble from now on. Arnold wondered whether the Hero could handle it.
Of course, Alvenheim would find it difficult to strike El Dorado as well. Cain might descend again.
They would be desperate to undermine El Dorado's prestige somehow. They might even resort to other methods.
‘Even in this situation, Alvenheim only released a statement of condemnation and stopped there. What are they plotting?’
Alvenheim was conspicuously quiet, both on the Gallery and in reality.
They said no news was good news, but Alvenheim was far too quiet.
It would not be strange if they were secretly building strength to conquer the world.
Alvenheim and the elves had the power to do it. They had always stood alongside demonkind as one of the strongest races.
‘If necessary, I should send a delegation and draw out a response.’
Now that he was Emperor, it was about time to do so.
Not just with Alvenheim, either. The same applied to other nations.
For now, he planned to send envoys to the countries that shared his borders.
‘There is so much to do. Far too much.’
There were no internal problems, but the outside world was deeply unstable.
El Dorado had improved somewhat, but there was no telling what would happen next.
He needed information, along with an overwhelming supply of resources.
‘The Iris Kingdom is also riding high because of Kadir...’
Before El Dorado, the Mage Tower levitation incident had been the biggest topic of discussion.
The Mage Tower had returned to its original position, but rumors were spreading.
Apparently, the Mage Tower had risen into the sky because Kadir had reached a higher realm.
It could not simply be dismissed as nonsense. Kadir was the kind of monster capable of that.
He was a mage who had even slain a dragon alone.
“Ugh...”
Arnold groaned and pressed at his temples.
With crises breaking out everywhere at once, he did not know where to begin untangling things.
At times like this, he needed at least one friendly nation, but finding one was difficult.
‘El Dorado is politically unstable, the Iris Kingdom will tell us to fuck off, and the last one left is...’
There was only With, the nation of beastfolk. It was a distant yet close neighbor.
They had once been categorized as barbarians, but after establishing a nation, they had become a formidable power.
Even demonkind tended to avoid fighting beastfolk.
‘This is the best option.’
Arnold circled With on the map.
He wanted to become friendly with Mephisto, but that could provoke Alvenheim.
Cultural exchanges would continue, of course. Right now, gathering information came first.
Knock, knock, knock.
[Your Majesty. It is Gorgon. May I enter?]
While Arnold was thinking, his loyal retainer, Count Gorgon, knocked on the door.
Arnold finished organizing his thoughts and permitted him to enter.
“Come in.”
Creak.
Count Gorgon entered after receiving permission.
Was it because he now bore the title of a retainer trusted by the Emperor?
His face looked much brighter than before, and his appearance was neater too. He even wore a relaxed expression.
“So, what is it?”
“I have found the area Your Majesty requested.”
“Have you?”
Arnold's eyebrows rose slightly. He had not expected it to be found so quickly.
He tapped his fingers against the desk before speaking.
“Has anyone else gone there and caused trouble?”
“According to my investigation, no. Though it seems rumors have already spread. That helped us find it quickly.”
“Do not approach them first if possible. Even if it is only soil, it could become a valuable resource.”
Count Gorgon nodded at Arnold's instructions.
The person Arnold wanted to find was the registered user who had received Forest of Four Seasons soil through Grylls.
The moment he saw that user's post, Arnold understood. With that soil, there could be a good harvest all year round.
It would require all sorts of research, but its effectiveness was obvious from the post alone.
“What is that person doing now?”
“They are developing improved crop varieties at home.”
“Improvement... Are they an Academy student, perhaps?”
“They come from a family of farmers.”
“And they are still attempting to improve crop varieties?”
“Yes. I have heard they have already developed a variety for livestock feed.”
Such talent existed? Arnold's mind began moving quickly.
This was a registered user who received soil from Grylls on a regular basis.
Among the registered users Arnold knew to be interacting with Grylls, that person and Count Gorgon were the only two.
“First, send an official letter to the local lord. Tell them not to bother this person. Ask them to provide whatever support is necessary so the research can continue.”
“Understood.”
“Ah. Recommend enrollment at the Academy as well. The more knowledge they acquire, the better.”
“Yes.”
Someone might complain that he was giving so much support to one person.
But just as he did not want to let a fish hooked on his line get away, Arnold did not want to lose this “channel.”
For now, he only received soil, but later he might receive something even more incredible.
“Ah. We have also received a request for asylum.”
“Asylum? From where?”
“From El Dorado...”
“Ignore it. I have no desire to see Cain descend right over our heads.”
He cleanly dismissed the asylum request. Afterward, Count Gorgon bowed politely and left the room.
Once he was gone, Arnold let out a long sigh.
Just when he thought one problem had ended, another had popped up.
‘Still, I feel good.’
He could obtain more resources from the Forest of Four Seasons. That made him happy.
To rest and enjoy that feeling, Arnold connected to the Gallery.
Several interesting stories had appeared as featured posts at just the right time.
‘Still, I wonder whether the Hero can handle the people's anger.’
That was their problem.
For now, he would enjoy his rest.
* * *
As Arnold had predicted, the furious public sentiment in El Dorado, no, the Holy Kingdom, showed no signs of calming down.
They had already been filled with anger and betrayal because of the deception. Then the Papal Palace had tried to attack them as well.
Being driven out would never be enough. Nothing less than hanging them would appease their anger.
“Kill the Pope!”
“Execute the cardinals!”
“Execution! Execution!”
Every citizen demanded execution. The cries reached the Hero, Asella.
The problem was that this was an unprecedented situation, making even a trial difficult.
Looking at the charges alone, they warranted hanging, specifically a public execution.
But Asella firmly refused. This was not a problem that could be solved through someone's death.
“Everyone! You must calm down! Their crimes may be grave, but shouldn't we hear their defense first?”
“What defense?!”
“Are you one of them too?! Huh?!”
Asella's cries only made things worse. From the citizens' perspective, it was enough to make them explode with rage.
Even Reina was beginning to think this was a bit much.
Of course, Asella had a plan. She appealed to them as best she could.
“Soon, the criminals will make their final defense! We will deliver judgment after hearing them!”
At the mention of judgment, the citizens' anger subsided a little.
More accurately, they had suppressed it. It would not be strange for it to erupt again at any moment.
Soon, holy knights dragged out the Pope, the cardinals, and the commander.
Most were directly involved in the incident. They had apparently been beaten badly in prison, and there was not a single uninjured spot on them.
Their faces were swollen, and they could barely even open their eyes.
“Die!”
“Execution! Execution! Execution!”
The citizens' voices grew louder when the criminals appeared.
Stones and all kinds of filth flew through the air as a matter of course.
The Hero restrained them as much as possible and summoned a mage.
Everyone needed to hear the final defense.
“Now. Is there anything you wish to say?”
“...”
“...”
No one opened their mouth. They knew it was already over.
Only one person was different. The Pope.
Though he had been beaten more than anyone else, his gaze remained firm.
Shamelessly so.
“I, I am innocent! I followed Lady Aris's will, so why must I suffer like this?!”
“Shut up!”
“Can we rip out his tongue first?”
Naturally, he only stirred up more outrage. The citizens were furious.
And that was exactly what Asella wanted. She asked the Pope quietly.
“Do you truly believe you are innocent?”
“I do! You're a traitor, you bitch! Lady Aris clearly made Lord Cain descend for me!”
“I see. You seem to feel deeply wronged.”
“I...!”
“Then I will help you clear up that grievance.”
“Wronged... what?”
Louis II wore a dumbfounded expression.
Just moments ago, she had sounded ready to cut off his head, and now she was saying something strange.
“Teacher Ludwig must have felt wronged too. That is why he entered the Forest of Four Seasons himself.”
“Th-that was...”
“So we shall give you the same opportunity! Enter the Forest of Four Seasons, meet our benefactor, and clear up that grievance!”
“Y-you bastard...! You call that...!”
“And if you do not wish to...”
Asella smiled and made Louis II an offer he couldn't refuse.
“You may receive the full anger of the furious people instead.”
“...”
“Everyone! I shall deliver judgment! Since these criminals claim they have been wronged!”
Asella shouted toward the citizens.
“For their atonement! We shall send them into the Forest of Four Seasons to find our benefactor!”
“Waaaaaah!”
“Long live the Hero! Long live the Hero!”
“Asella! Asella! Asella!”
Arnold had said he was worried about the Hero's political ability.
But at the very least, her speech and performance were excellent.
‘First, I should thank Mr. Grylls. I should also tell him we will be sending people.’
If Grylls had seen this, he would have answered like this.
“I don't need non-recyclable trash.”
El Dorado was slowly returning to normal.
Footnotes:
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