Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 100: Firewood (3)

Chapter 100: Firewood (3)

Holy‍‌ Kingdom of Eldorado:‌ This is the⁠ truth.

Eldorado⁠ had already discovered⁠⁠ the Immortal King’s‍‍ plans long ago.‌

The‌⁠ Immortal King instantly‍ transformed his citizens‌ into undead, and that was merely‍ the culmination of‌ his preparations.

We‍ believed that, at⁠ the very least,‌‌ they should die⁠ as humans in⁠⁠ order to preserve‍‌ a minimum amount‌‌ of dignity, so‌‌ we had no‌‌⁠ choice but to‌ carry out the‍ massacre.

Because‌ of that, many‍ people still suffer‌‌‍ psychological aftereffects.

And‌ all these lies⁠‌‍ originate from the‍ gallery.

Therefore,‌‍ from now on we will declare⁠ the gallery to‌ be evil.

Do⁠⁠ not doubt divine‌ will.

We⁠‍ are also doing‍⁠ everything we can.⁠⁠

└That’s more or less‍ what they said.‍‌‌

└These‍‌ bastards trying to⁠⁠‍ declare the gallery‍‌ evil again hahaha.⁠

└Well,‍ the Holy Kingdom⁠‍‌ has always been‌‍‍ like that hahaha.‌

└If‍⁠ they at least⁠ hadn’t mentioned the⁠⁠ gallery, everything would’ve‌⁠ been fine, but⁠‍ they always end‌ up making things‌ worse hahaha.

└Though⁠ it doesn’t seem‌ like people are‌ really believing them.‍

└Yeah.⁠⁠‍ The atmosphere was more like “what‌ the hell are‍‍ they talking about?”⁠‌ I guess it’s⁠ because the Holy Kingdom’s image is‌‍ already completely shattered.‌

└They’re⁠⁠ the ones throwing‍ more firewood into⁠ the flames hahaha.⁠

└If⁠ it were really‌⁠ true, they would’ve⁠ said it a long time ago.‌⁠⁠

└Who⁠ the hell is‍‌ going to believe⁠‍ that? hahaha.

└They⁠ kept going on‍⁠ about “divine will‍‌ this, divine will that,” so this‍‍‌ fits them perfectly⁠ hahaha.

└Breaking‌⁠ news. Kadir released‌ a statement. The‌‍ previous Hero chose‌ suicide.

└???‍ What the hell⁠‍ does that mean⁠⁠ now?

└Didn’t⁠ the previous Hero die together with⁠ the Immortal King?‍

└Yeah,⁠‍ they died together,‌ but apparently it⁠ was actually suicide.‍‍‌

└Wow;;‌ I always thought‌⁠⁠ the previous Hero‍‌ was an incredible‍‍ person.

└So‍ the Holy Kingdom‍ pressured him? Lately‍‍‍ everyone says the⁠ priests no longer‌ have any faith‍‍ at all.

└If‌‍⁠ that’s true, a revolt is going to explode.

└Not really. What are‌ people going to‌‌ do if they⁠‍ keep denying it‍ until the very⁠⁠ end?

└If⁠⁠ testimonies start appearing‌‍ one after another,‍ the story will be different.

└I‌ don’t need anything‍ else. Upvote if⁠⁠‌ you’re happy the Holy Kingdom is‌ screwed hahaha.

└I’ll‌ start hahaha.

└Honestly⁠‍ this feels way⁠‌‍ too satisfying. Those‌ bastards never stopped‌‌ talking about divine‌‌ will for every‍‍‌ little thing hahaha.⁠‍

└And‌‌ the funniest part‍‌ is that they‌⁠ always said “the‍‍ doors are open⁠ to all believers,”‌ but if you‍ weren’t originally from‌ the Holy Kingdom‍ you couldn’t even‍‌ become a bishop‍ hahaha.

└Especially‍ the discrimination against‌‍‌ demons was brutal. They literally treated‌‌ them like terrorists.

The‍ bait I threw‍‌ out by accident.⁠

The⁠ bait I thought‍ would disappear the⁠ next day.

Ended‌ up becoming a massive wildfire even⁠‌ in the real⁠‍ world.

Most‌‍‌ of the posts‍ were insults directed at the Holy⁠⁠ Kingdom.

There⁠⁠ was not a single positive opinion.⁠

Come⁠‍ on, tell me, what exactly did‌⁠ Eldorado do wrong,⁠‌‌ huh?

Did‌‍ they pressure neighboring⁠‌‍ countries while claiming‌‌ it was divine⁠‌‍ will?

Did‌ they falsely accuse‌‌ innocent people of‍‌ heresy and then‍‍‌ torture them to death?

Did‍ priests enter poor‍⁠ districts to murder⁠⁠ people?

Did⁠⁠ they openly confess⁠ that they were⁠ too busy to⁠‍ pray?

Did‌ they double the taxes of a region because its‍‌ residents did not‍ make donations?

Did⁠‍⁠ they declare sports‌‌ to be drugs‍ and then throw⁠ molotov cocktails at⁠‍ the fans?

Did‌⁠ they keep attacking‍ the gallery while‌‌‍ they themselves were‌ caught looking at⁠ pornographic images?

Did‍⁠ they create rules⁠‌ preventing foreigners from‍ reaching ranks higher than archbishop?

Did‍ they insult the⁠‌ population by calling‍⁠‍ them human cattle‌‍ while saying “they’ll‍‍ forget about it‌‌ soon anyway”?

Did‍⁠ they try to forcibly create a federation to defeat‌ the Demon King⁠⁠ only to end‍ up getting insulted‍‌ by the Empire?‌⁠

And‌ on top of⁠ that, did they⁠ destroy the Valkhan Kingdom?

Did⁠ they reject refugees‍⁠ during the Immortal‌⁠ King incident by‌ claiming they were⁠⁠ infected?

Did‍⁠ they experiment on‌ people when epidemics‌ caused by the undead appeared?

Then‍‍⁠ what the hell‌ did Eldorado do⁠ to deserve so⁠‌ much mockery?

I truly don’t understand.‌⁠‍

“Wow.”

So⁠‌ they really were‍ completely rotten bastards.‍⁠

They⁠⁠ say stagnant water‍‌ rots, but this⁠‌ had already gone‍ beyond that level.‌‍

It‌ was practically petroleum.‌

No,‍ petroleum is at⁠ least useful for‌‍‌ something.

This‌ was simply garbage.‍‌

‘All‌ countries have a dark side, but‍⁠ this is too‍‌ much.’

I immediately understood why‍ the Holy Kingdom’s‌‌ image was so⁠‍‌ terrible.

Especially‍ that part where‍ foreigners could never‌ rise beyond archbishop.‌

They⁠ were practically openly‌⁠‍ saying they only‍ wanted to divide‍‌‌ everything among themselves.‍

It was absurdly unfair.⁠‍

‘Can‍‍ a religion really‍‌‍ rot that much?’‌‌‍

I hated the gods,⁠‌‍ but I did‍ not hate religions⁠‌⁠ or their believers.‍

Though‍‍ I avoided extremists,‍ the person who⁠ helped me when‍‌ I was suffering⁠‌ the most was‌ also religious.

But‍ this…

Rather‍‍‌ than religious people,‌ they looked like⁠⁠ corrupt politicians.

Unless‌‌‍ time passed and‍ all of them‌ died, or a rebellion happened like‌ someone mentioned, that⁠‌ would never change.

‘No⁠ matter the world,‍‌ people are the⁠⁠ same everywhere.’

Even‌‍‍ if the world⁠⁠ was different, humans⁠⁠⁠ were still the‍⁠⁠ same.

I looked at the⁠‍‌ gallery, now completely‌ filled with memes‍ and mockery, before‌⁠ silently closing it.‌‍‌

It‌‍‌ seemed it would‌ still take a long time before the information I actually wanted appeared.

And if not, I would simply ask‌ AllFather.

‘Though‌‍ declaring the gallery‌ evil what stupidity.’‌

Not‌‌ even the military⁠ handled things like that.

What‌ the hell were⁠⁠⁠ they doing?

At‌‍ least it seemed‌⁠⁠ they still had‍‌ brains, because they‍‍ were not trying‍⁠‍ to pursue me.‌‌

Even⁠‍ if they wanted to catch me, it was impossible.

After⁠ all, I was⁠‍‌ in the Forest‍ of the Four‍‍ Seasons.

I only had to‍ keep doing my⁠‌ own thing.

“Cough!‍ Cough! Ah…”

I let out several‍ coughs because of‌ the thick smoke.

The⁠ fire was too weak, so I added more firewood.‍⁠

But⁠⁠‌ I had clearly⁠‍ overdone it.

And⁠ since it was‍ already burning, I could not easily‍⁠ remove it either.‌⁠

‘I⁠‍ guess it’s about⁠ time to think‌ about other cooking‍‍ methods.’

Roasting⁠‍‍ directly over the⁠ fire.

Or‌ cooking food on⁠⁠ an iron plate.‌

That was enough to‍ survive, but there‌ was a problem.‌

The‍‌ fish I caught‍‍‍ were too large.‍‍

Even after removing their‌‍ heads, flipping them‍⁠‌ over was a headache.

Because‌ of that, some‍‍ parts sometimes burned⁠ while others stayed raw.

‘Maybe‌ an oven would⁠ be better for⁠‌‍ this.’

If‌‍ I had an⁠ oven, I could⁠ greatly reduce the‍ burnt or undercooked‌‍ parts.

Besides,‍ while the food⁠⁠ was cooking, I could do other‍ things.

Since⁠ I had already‍⁠ decided to live⁠‍ here for a long time, an‍⁠‍ oven was practically‍⁠ mandatory.

‘I⁠ should try building‍ one.’

I did not want⁠‍‍ to ask the‍ gallery.

But‌ I happened to‍ know the perfect‍‍‍ user for this.‍

And‍⁠⁠ coincidentally, I could also obtain materials⁠ thanks to him.⁠⁠⁠

[WildGrills: Hey. Are you⁠‍ there?]

[DwarfPassingBy:‌ I’m here. What’s‍⁠⁠ up?]

[WildGrills:⁠‌ Weird seeing you‌‍‌ awake this early.‍‍ I thought you’d⁠ be passed out‌ after drinking.]

[DwarfPassingBy:⁠⁠ I didn’t drink⁠‌ that much yesterday.‍‌ But why did⁠ you call me?]⁠

[WildGrills:‌ It’s nothing important.‍ I want to‍ build an oven.‍ I’m going to‍‍ buy the bricks‌‍ from the auction,‍‍ but I wanted to ask you‍ for some advice.]‌

[DwarfPassingBy:‌ Just because I’m⁠ a dwarf doesn’t mean I know‍⁠ how to make‌‍ everything;; I specialize⁠ in metallurgy, idiot.]⁠‍

[WildGrills:‌ Weren’t all dwarves‍ supposed to be‍⁠ good with their‌⁠ hands?]

[DwarfPassingBy:‌ That has nothing‍‌ to do with⁠ it. I’m telling‌ you it’s not‌‍ my specialty. Though‍‍ I can get‍‍ you a plate⁠‍ to use in‍‌ the oven, so⁠⁠‍ tell me what‍ you need.]

[WildGrills:⁠‍ Make it large⁠ enough so the‍‍‌ fish fit without‌‌ problems. You know‍ the size, right?]⁠

[DwarfPassingBy:⁠ Ok. I’ll make⁠‌⁠ it.]

[DwarfPassingBy:⁠ Then give me a piece of⁠‍ whatever you cook‌‌ in the oven.]‍⁠

[WildGrills:‌ Ok. Ah, right.]‌

[WildGrills: Also give me⁠‌ the barricades.]

[DwarfPassingBy:‍⁠ Ah, right. I forgot.]

[DwarfPassingBy:‍ I’ll give them‍ to you together‍ with the iron‌‌⁠ plate.]

Then⁠‍ I’ll start preparing⁠‍ everything before the‍⁠ dwarf delivers them.‌⁠

Today⁠ I woke up‍‌ at six in⁠‌ the morning.

I spent thirty minutes‌‌ in the gallery.⁠‌‌

I normally eat breakfast‍ at seven or⁠⁠ seven thirty, so‍ building the oven‌⁠ before that should⁠ be enough.

And if it turns⁠ out too difficult,‍ I’ll just eat breakfast using the‌ iron plate.

There‍‌ was no problem.‍

Splash! Splash!

Today⁠ there were three‍ fish caught in the trap.

Every‌ time I slept,‌‍⁠ three fish appeared.‍⁠⁠

Aside‍⁠ from that, I usually caught two.‌

‘I‍‍ hope there isn’t⁠ another octopus.’

Even⁠‍‍ if it was‌‌ not an octopus,‌ if I saw‍‌ any other creature‍‌ I planned to‌⁠ become alert immediately.‌

Fortunately,⁠ aside from the‌‌ fish there was‍⁠ nothing else inside.‍‍

Humming⁠ cheerfully, I carried⁠‍‌ the trap full‌ of fish down.⁠

Rustle!

Then⁠‌ I heard the‌ sound of bushes‍‌‍ moving beside me.‍

The⁠ instant I heard‌‌ it, I immediately‌ readjusted my weapon⁠‍ and took a defensive stance.

After‍ everything that had‍⁠‌ happened to me‌‍ so far, that‍⁠⁠ had already become‍ a natural reflex.⁠

“…….”⁠

But the only thing‍ that continued was‍‌ the sound of‍‌ foliage moving.

Little⁠ by little I relaxed my guard‌‌‍ while looking toward⁠‍ the direction the‍⁠ noise came from.‌⁠

‘It’s⁠⁠ not coming from‌ below, but a little higher up……‌⁠‌ Is it a bird?’

But‍⁠ even if it‌‍ was a bird,‌⁠ there was no‌‌‍ sound of wings⁠⁠ flapping.

With‍‌ that doubt in‌ mind, I returned‌ to the cave.⁠⁠

And nothing strange happened⁠‍ until I got‍‍‍ back.

Splash!⁠ Splash!

The‍‍‌ situation was beginning⁠ to tilt toward‌ having more supply⁠ than demand.

I think I’ll need‍‍ to buy a much larger iron container.

Unless‌‍ it rains again,‍ if I do⁠ not have a container to keep‍‍ them alive, they‍‌ will all end‌ up rotting.

‘This‍‌ is becoming a problem too.’

The⁠‍ fish were too‌‍⁠ large.

At⁠‍ first, when food⁠ was scarce, that⁠ was a huge‌ advantage.

But now that I already had enough⁠‌ food, the disadvantages‍‍ were slowly beginning⁠ to show.

Even‍‍ so, being able‌‌ to eat until⁠⁠‌ I was full‌⁠ every meal was‍ far too great‍ an advantage to⁠‌ give up.

‘But⁠ I can’t stop‌ stockpiling food either.’⁠‍

I never knew when‌⁠⁠ supplies might start becoming scarce.

So‌‍ just in case, the best thing‍‍ was to continue constantly storing provisions.

I watched the fish⁠ swimming inside the‍‍‍ iron container before‌‌ moving elsewhere.

It‍ was almost breakfast⁠‍ time, so it⁠ would probably be⁠⁠ best to make‍‌ at least some⁠ progress with building‍‌ the oven.

‘Though⁠‍⁠ where should I install the oven?’‌‌⁠

Suddenly‌ I ran into⁠‍‍ an unexpected problem.‌‍

Where‌ would it be‌ best to install⁠‌⁠ it?

Inside⁠‌ the cave the‍‌ space was too‌ small and the‍ smoke would be⁠‍ a problem.

But⁠⁠‌ if I installed‍‌‍ it outside, then‌ the weather would‌⁠ become the issue.‌

After thinking about it⁠‍ for quite a while, I decided‌‍ to install it‌‍ right next to‍‌‍ the entrance of‍ the cave.

That‍‍ said, without forgetting⁠‌ to design it‍ while taking rain⁠⁠ into account.

‘When‍‌ I finish the‍⁠ oven, I’ll put‍⁠ a waterproof tarp‌‌‌ above it. I’ll‍‌ tilt it so⁠‌⁠ the water drains‍⁠‍ toward a gutter.’⁠⁠

Since⁠‍ I wanted to‍‌‌ place whole fish‍‍ inside, the oven‌‍ would need to‌‌ be fairly large.‍⁠

I entered the auction‌⁠ to search for⁠ bricks of an⁠⁠ appropriate size.

Since⁠ bricks had been⁠ used since ancient‌‌ times, there were‌‍⁠ many different kinds.‌

‘First‌‌‌ I need to⁠ level the ground‌ properly.’

It‌ turned out building⁠⁠ an oven required‍ quite a lot‍⁠ of preparation beforehand.⁠‍‍

Looks‍‌⁠ like I’ll have‍⁠ to eat the‌‍ usual breakfast.

‘I’ll⁠‍ just prepare the‍‍⁠ materials.’

Piles‍‌ of bricks.

Waterproof⁠ tarps.

Poles⁠‌ to secure the tarp.

And‍⁠‌ other things.

I left all the‍‍ materials piled up‍ near the entrance‍⁠ of the cave and prepared breakfast.‍‍

Right‌ at that moment⁠⁠ Wonmo had also⁠‌ just woken up.⁠‍

‘I’ll⁠‌ also be able to place this‍ iron plate inside the oven.’

I finished breakfast with⁠⁠‍ fish and immediately‌ started building the⁠ oven.

First⁠‍ I leveled the‌‌ ground as much‍ as possible and⁠‍ then stacked the⁠ bricks while taking the size of‌‍ the fish into‌ account.

The‍ most important thing‌⁠ was the chimney where the smoke‌⁠⁠ would escape.

I was not trying⁠⁠ to smoke food,‍⁠ so I needed⁠⁠ a proper outlet‌‌ for the smoke.⁠‍‍

But‌‌‌ at the same⁠ time I had⁠ to prevent rain‌⁠ from getting inside‌‌⁠ as much as⁠⁠ possible.

‘And‌ besides, what exactly⁠⁠ was the structure‌ of an oven⁠ again?’

From‍‍ time to time‍ I entered the gallery to check what ovens looked‍‌ like.

There‍⁠ were also ovens in the auction,‍ but they were‌⁠ expensive and I did not even know if they‌‌‍ would have the size I needed.‌‌‍

Besides,‍‌ a square, angular shape was much⁠ better than a round one.

It‌ was also easier‍⁠ to build.

‘Since‌‍ I have to‌⁠‌ consider the size⁠⁠ of the fish,‌ I should make‍ it somewhat long.’‍⁠⁠

The‍‌ height did not‍⁠ matter too much.⁠

The‍ important thing was‌ the depth.

Taking⁠‍ all of that‌‍ into account, I even ended up‍‍ building the chimney‍ on the upper‌ part.

‘Perfect.’‌

The‌ stone slab I installed was also‌‍ bought from the‍ auction, so there was no issue.‍‌

But⁠⁠ this still was‌⁠‌ not finished.

I still needed the thing I had asked the dwarf‍ for.

He‌ said he would‍ make it himself,‌ but he would⁠⁠‌ probably need to⁠ measure the size‌ personally.

(Photo⁠⁠⁠ of the oven‌ as a whole)‌

(Photo measuring the entrance‍ of the oven‍⁠ with a measuring‌‍ tape)

[WildGrills:‌‌ Is this enough?]

[DwarfPassingBy:‍ It turned out‍‌‌ pretty clean.]

[DwarfPassingBy:⁠ Put mud between the gaps in the bricks.]

[DwarfPassingBy:‌ That way the‌‍ heat won’t escape‍‌‍ and it’ll rise‌⁠‍ better.]

Thanks‌‌‌ for the advice.‍‌‍

I followed the dwarf’s‌ advice and gathered‌ dirt from around‍⁠ the area to turn it into⁠‌‍ mud.

Though⁠‍‌ it felt somewhat unpleasant, if it‌⁠ was for the⁠⁠ oven I was‌‌‌ willing to endure‌⁠ it.

“Kyuu?”⁠⁠

“Dad⁠‍ is working.”

Wonmo⁠‌ came over beside⁠ me, but I remained completely focused‌⁠ on building the oven.

It⁠‍ seemed Wonmo was⁠ also curious about‍‍ what I was‌‍ doing, because he⁠‍ sat nearby watching⁠ me.

I almost ended up hugging him because⁠ he was so⁠‌⁠ adorable, but somehow‍‌ I managed to‍‌ restrain myself.

After⁠ applying all the⁠‍ mud, I finally‍ finished.

Though‍‍‌ technically I still⁠‍ had to install⁠‍‍ the waterproof tarp.⁠‍

But‌‍ I could do that later.

‘Perfect.⁠ Absolutely perfect.’

Seeing⁠‌‌ the completed oven⁠‌⁠ automatically made me‍‍ smile.

Now‌‍⁠ all that remained‍‍⁠ was to show‌⁠ it off in the gallery.

And‌ just when I entered the gallery.‌

Title) Eldorado: They declared they’ll catch the‍ person who spread⁠⁠ false information hahaha‍

A sentence impossible to⁠‌‍ ignore caught my‌‍ attention.

And‍ on top of‌ that, it was⁠ a featured post.‌‌⁠

I immediately entered while‌⁠‍ wondering what kind‍⁠ of idiots had‌ said something like‍⁠‍ that.

It⁠ could simply be‌⁠‌ bait or false‍⁠ rumors, so I had to confirm‌ it.

Title) Eldorado: They declared‍⁠ they’ll catch the‌ person who spread‍⁠ false information hahaha‍

└When‍⁠ they were asked‌⁠‌ how they planned⁠‌ to catch him,⁠ they answered that‌‍ they would do it through a friendly conversation with‍⁠ the moderators.

└But‌ the funniest part‌ is that even‌‍ after finding out‌ he’s in the‌ Forest of the‍ Four Seasons, they⁠ said it didn’t matter hahaha.

└And the most shocking⁠ thing is that they even organized a search group⁠‍ to catch Grills‍‍‌ hahaha.

What the hell?

Are⁠‌ they gathering survivors‌ in the Forest⁠ of the Four‍ Seasons specifically for‌ me?