Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 97: Clue (3)

Chapter 97: Clue (3)

Summary‍‌⁠ of the Immortal⁠⁠ King.

Once‌⁠ upon a time, there was a kingdom.

That‍‍ kingdom was poor, but it had a kind king‍‌ and happy citizens.‍

The⁠ kind king devoted‌⁠‌ himself to serving⁠ his people, and‌ the citizens, recognizing his efforts, always smiled.

But‍‌ one day, some‍‌ bad guys invaded‌ the kingdom and‌‌⁠ began tormenting the‍ people.

The‍ king loved peace,‍‍ so he tried‍‌ to talk to‍ the bad guys,‍ but guess what‍ happened?

The⁠⁠ bad guys ignored⁠‌ the king’s pleas‌‌ and started mistreating⁠⁠⁠ the citizens even more!

Furious,⁠‍⁠ the king asked⁠ the people to‍ help him defeat those bastards.

The⁠ citizens also knew‍ how kind the⁠ king was, so‍⁠‍ they gladly joined⁠ forces.

Thanks‌‌ to that, the⁠⁠ king and the‍ citizens managed to‍‌ defeat the bad‌ guys, but what‌ horror!

It⁠‍‍ turned out there‍‍ was someone even‌⁠‍ worse among the⁠ bad guys!

He⁠ was so powerful⁠ that even the‍‍‌ kind king could‍ barely fight against‌ him.

Even‍⁠ so, the king‌ never gave up‍ and continued fighting⁠ to protect his⁠ people.

And⁠ the citizens also‌⁠ fought without caring‌⁠ about sacrificing their⁠‍ own lives for‌ their noble king.⁠‌

After‍⁠ that, the king‍ and the citizens⁠‍‍ defeated the most‌ evil villain.

And‌⁠ then, dreaming of‌‌ a happy future, the king and⁠‌ all his citizens‌ departed together to‌‌ the world of‌⁠ dreams.

Thinking about the day‍‌ when everyone would‌⁠ smile together once‍ again……

That’s⁠ more or less‍‍‌ how the story‍‍ would go, right?⁠

└HeavenlyDemon:‍‌‍ You have talent‌ for writing children’s⁠ stories.

└Swordmaster:‌ Yeah, old cruel⁠ fairy tales used‌ to be like‌ that, right?

└AllFather:⁠ Hahahhah. If the‍ Immortal King saw‌⁠ this text, he would cough up‌‌ blood.

└He’s‍⁠ already dead, so‌ I don’t think‌ he can cough⁠⁠ up blood hahaha.‌‌

└Wow.‍⁠‌ But comparing it‍⁠ like this gives⁠ me chills hahaha.‍⁠

└The⁠ parts about “fighting⁠⁠ without caring about their lives” and‍‍‌ “departed to the world of dreams”⁠ are terrifying;;

└Well,‍‍ from the undeads’⁠⁠ perspective, he really⁠⁠ was a kind king hahahaha.

└Literally⁠ a great king‍‍ for the undead⁠ hahahaha.

It‍ was right when the gallery was‍‍ in complete chaos because of the contents of the⁠ books I uploaded.‌

The⁠⁠ Immortal King, the‌⁠‌ Valkhan Kingdom, the‍ Holy Kingdom none of that mattered.‍

The‌‌ only thing important to me was‌⁠⁠ information related to‍ survival.

Hidden‍⁠‍ truths did not⁠⁠‌ interest me.

‘Even‌ if the gallery⁠ makes a huge fuss, that changes‌ nothing.’

Even‌⁠ if this issue‍‌ ended up spreading⁠⁠‌ into the real⁠‍ world, I did‌⁠ not care.

There was only one‍‌‌ situation where it‌ would actually affect‌‍ me.

When I managed to‌‌ escape the Four Seasons Forest.

Even‍ if the Holy‌‌ Kingdom caused a massive uproar over⁠ this, they would⁠⁠⁠ not be able⁠‌‌ to affect me⁠⁠ in the slightest.⁠

‘Though⁠⁠ maybe the head‍⁠⁠ moderator feels a little uncomfortable.’

The‍ Holy Kingdom was‌‍ a nation that‍ worshipped gods.

And‌⁠‍ the head moderator‌‍⁠ was an extremely‌⁠‍ devout believer.

So seeing a truth‌‌ that shook the‍‌⁠ very foundations of‍ the Holy Kingdom‍ would surely make⁠ him uncomfortable.

If they asked me‌‍ to delete the‍ posts, I planned‍ to do it‍‍‍ without complaint.

After⁠‍ all, they had⁠ already spread everywhere,⁠ and besides, the‌‌ books were already‌‌ in AllFather’s hands.‍

I only had to‌‍ quietly observe.

I had no interest‍‌ in the Immortal‍ King.

‘Though I also doubt⁠ people will believe‌ it.’

Unless⁠ AllFather officially made the books public,⁠⁠ it would be⁠ difficult to trust‌ information that came‍ from the gallery.⁠

Besides,‌‍ it would depend⁠ heavily on the⁠‌ Holy Kingdom’s public‍‍ image.

If‌⁠‌ the kingdom’s reputation‍‌ was bad, this‌⁠⁠ would become a huge problem.

But‍‍⁠ if its image‌‍ was good, most‌ people would probably⁠⁠‍ react with, “What‍⁠ kind of nonsense⁠ are you talking⁠ about?” and move‌ on with their‌ lives.

‘Most‍ human groups always⁠⁠ hide something rotten.’‍‌

Just⁠‌ as stagnant water⁠‍⁠ eventually rots, people‍‌ also become corrupted⁠⁠‌ when they gather⁠ together.

Even‍‍ if they begin⁠ with good intentions,⁠ over time they inevitably rot.

Unless⁠‍ they constantly renew‌ their members, it‌⁠ is difficult for⁠ an organization to‌⁠ remain clean.

‘Well,‌⁠ that happens everywhere.’⁠‍

That⁠ was a problem⁠ for the people of this world.⁠

And‍⁠‌ I, trapped inside‌ the Four Seasons⁠‍ Forest, had even‌‍ less reason to⁠ get involved.

I silently watched criticism‍‍ and attacks against‌ the Holy Kingdom‍ begin appearing in⁠ the gallery before‍‍ closing it.

It seemed it would‍⁠‍ still take a while for them‌ to decipher the⁠ survival-related sections that‌ truly interested me.‌‌⁠

‘Either‌‌ way, that means‌ there is at‍⁠ least a tiny‍ possibility that other‌‍ survivors exist.’

The‍ corpses I found‍‍ this time allowed‌⁠⁠ me to understand⁠‍ that.

There‌⁠ was a high⁠‍ probability that more‌ human remains were⁠⁠ hidden somewhere in‌‍ this forest.

Unlike‍ the corpses that⁠ seemed to have‌ been devoured by‌ the Owlbear, there⁠‌ were also people‌ who remained relatively‍ intact, like the‍ owner of those‌ books.

‘If⁠ they were people‌⁠ stronger than me,‍‌ they surely survived‌ much longer.’

The‌ owner of the‌‍ book was the⁠‍ last scribe of⁠ the Valkhan Kingdom.‌‍

A scribe was someone‌‌‍ closer to letters‌ than martial arts.‌⁠

Maybe‍⁠⁠ he became stronger‌⁠ by living in the forest just like me, but⁠ unfortunately they would‍ not have been‌ able to use‍‌⁠ the gallery.

Even‌‍ I could not‍ guarantee my survival‌‍ without it.

The⁠ difference was enormous.⁠

‘From⁠‍ now on, I’ll‍⁠ have to carefully‍ record places like‍ caves.’

There‍ was neither time‍‌ nor resources to‍ build cabins inside the Four Seasons⁠‌‍ Forest.

Most‍ people probably used⁠‍ caves as shelters.⁠‌

‘And it probably wasn’t‌ only humans who‌‍ entered here.’

If‍‍ I were incredibly⁠‍ lucky, maybe I could even encounter‍⁠ someone.

Especially‌‍ races like demons⁠‌ or elves, whose base level was‌‍ far higher than⁠⁠ humans.

They‌⁠ could use magic‌‌ easily, something humans‍ needed to study until their heads‌ broke to achieve.‍‍

Even⁠⁠‌ without the gallery,‌ having magic would‍ give them a huge advantage for‌‌ survival.

‘Though⁠⁠ according to this‌ world’s standards, I’m⁠ way too stupid⁠‍ for magic.’

I gave up on⁠‌ magic a long‍ time ago.

I remember they explained‍ fire using something⁠⁠‌ similar to physics.⁠

And‌ the moment I heard mathematics was⁠‍ also involved, I gave up without⁠⁠ hesitation.

I preferred physical methods over magic.

‘But‍ if there really‍ are other survivors……’

Just‌⁠‍ knowing other people‌‌ existed was already‍‌⁠ a huge comfort.‌

Until‌‌ now, I had⁠‍ thought I was⁠ completely alone.

Could I really find‍ traces of humans?‌

It‌‍ felt as though‌‍ I had found‍ a new goal.⁠‍

Escaping‌⁠ was still the⁠‍ main objective.

But⁠ finding traces of‌ survivors became a secondary objective.

‘They‍ said most people‌ who entered the⁠ Four Seasons Forest⁠ were criminals, right?’⁠

Criminals‍‌ condemned to lose‌‌ their eyes before‌‍⁠ being sent here.⁠‍

Or‌ delinquents so dangerous⁠ they no longer‍‌ had a place in society.

Or‍ even idiot explorers‌ who entered just‍‍ to show off‍‍ their bravery.

Of‌‍ course, the possibility‍⁠ of finding them was extremely low.‍‌‌

After‍ all, they said⁠ the Four Seasons⁠⁠‌ Forest was the‍ size of a small country.

‘Even‌‌ so, I can’t‌⁠ give up.’

It felt like a new hope had‍ been born.

The‌ hope of finding⁠‌⁠ another person if‌⁠⁠ I was lucky⁠‍⁠ enough.

I let out a long sigh and⁠ stood up.

‘Instead‌‍‍ of wasting time‌ thinking, I should‌‌‍ train.’

There‌⁠⁠ was still quite⁠⁠⁠ a while before⁠ dinner.

It⁠ was better to‍‌⁠ practice swordsmanship than continue wallowing in⁠‌ thoughts.

I picked up the⁠⁠ sword and shield,‌‌‌ and slowly began‌⁠‌ correcting my weaknesses⁠‌⁠ little by little.⁠‍

‘No‍‍⁠ matter who it⁠ is, I just⁠ hope they’re still⁠‌‌ alive.’

It‌ was a very‌ small wish.

***

Kadir⁠‍ was a person⁠ who wished to⁠‍ know everything in⁠ the world.

It‍ did not matter⁠⁠ whether it was‍⁠ magic, people, or‍ history.

There⁠‍ was nothing more⁠ fascinating to him⁠‌ than the truths‍ hidden within darkness.⁠

That‌⁠ thirst for knowledge‍ sometimes led to‌⁠ destruction, but who‌‌ was Kadir?

The‌ Mage King.

The⁠ owner of the‍ Magic Tower.

The⁠ man who mastered‍‍ all magic.

No‍‌‌ matter how enormous the secret was,‍‌ a “mere” truth‍‍ was nothing more‌‍ than a curiosity‌‍ to him.

“Rice‌⁠ Craone.”

[…….]‌

Kadir⁠‍‍ calmly mentioned someone’s⁠‍ name.

At that, the skull‍‌ placed in front⁠ of him reacted.

A green light appeared⁠⁠ inside its empty‌ eye sockets.

As‌‍ if it had‍‌‌ opened its eyes.⁠‍

“Do⁠⁠ you know who‌⁠⁠ that is?”

The‌ skull Kadir was‌ speaking to was‍ originally an existence‍‍ stored inside a freezer.

But⁠⁠‌ considering that it‍⁠‌ had requested to⁠ be killed, it⁠ was obvious that‌⁠‌ it was not⁠⁠ an ordinary existence.‍

[How⁠ do you know‍ that name?]

A dark and heavy‍‍ voice came from‌ the skull.

It‌‌‍ was not a voice produced by vocal cords, but⁠‍‍ rather as if⁠‌ it spoke through‍ mental will.

Kadir,⁠ or rather AllFather,⁠ did not flinch‌ despite that chilling⁠‍ voice and opened‍ his mouth.

“So‌⁠ what was written‌ in the book‌‍‍ was true.”

[I‍⁠ asked how you‌⁠ know.]

Not‍ receiving the answer he wanted, the skull no.

The Immortal King let‍‍ out a sound⁠‍ as if irritated.‍‍

At⁠‍ the same time,‌ a green energy‌‍ covered the skull and began burning‍‌ like flames.

It‍ was the very‌ energy of death‍ wavering.

Even‍‍ though only his‌‍ head remained, the⁠‌ Immortal King’s power⁠ was still present.⁠‍‌

“I‍ discovered it by‍‍ chance. From what‌ I can tell,‌⁠‍ it seems the⁠ scribe escaped into‌ the Four Seasons‍‍‌ Forest.”

[…….]‌

“If⁠‌ you answer my⁠‍ questions honestly, I will also tell‌‌‌ you where and‌‌ how I obtained⁠⁠‍ that information.”

The‌⁠⁠ death energy surrounding the Immortal King‍ slowly began to⁠‍‍ weaken.

As‌ if silently saying,‍ “let’s hear what‌‍ you have to‌‌ say.”

AllFather showed a faint⁠ smile for an‌ instant before asking‌ with a serious‌ expression.

“Why⁠ did you hide a truth like‍ this?”

[Because‍⁠ our kingdom was weak and lost.‍ Does that answer‍‌‍ your question?]

A cynical answer, but⁠ one that directly‌⁠ pierced the logic‌‌ of the world.‌

The‌ weak inevitably lose‌‍ many things before‍ the strong.

And‍‌ truth was no‌ exception.

Above‍‌⁠ all, history is‍ always written by the victors.

The‍ records of the⁠⁠ defeated inevitably end‌ up distorted or‍ disappearing.

AllFather‌ stroked his beard‌ as if he finally understood.

“I‌ already knew the⁠ Holy Kingdom was‌‍⁠ rotten, but I never imagined it was rotten to this extent. Even⁠‌ after there was⁠ a purge once‌⁠ because of you,‌⁠ this is still⁠ the result?”

[…….]⁠

“No. And despite that, they still expelled⁠ the Heroine tch‍‍‍ tch. It seems‍ they still haven’t⁠ come to their‌‌‍ senses.”

The⁠⁠ image of the Holy Kingdom of⁠ Eldorado could not⁠ be considered good‍ even out of⁠⁠ courtesy.

Originally,‍ they possessed the‌‌ conviction to defeat‌‍ the Demon King,⁠‌ but over time that faded away.‍

Even‍ recently, demons had⁠‍ become more obsessed‍ with sports than‍ fighting, to the point they no‍⁠ longer paid attention to other countries.⁠‌

Instead,‍‍ they began taking⁠ interest in culture,‍ and the Demon⁠ King started being‍‍ viewed simply as the king of demons.

A group that loses‍‍ its objective usually ends up collapsing.

But Eldorado was nothing‍ less than a nation.

As⁠‌‌ they tried to‌ forcefully hold it‌‌‍ together, the water‍‌‍ eventually became stagnant.‌

And‌ that stagnant water‌‍⁠ rotted.

[Now⁠⁠ answer my question.‌ How did you⁠ discover that truth?]⁠⁠

While⁠ AllFather muttered to‌ himself, the Immortal⁠ King spoke in‌ a dark voice.

At‌‍ that, AllFather snapped⁠ his fingers.

Then,‌ a book appeared‌‍ in his hand.⁠⁠

“This.‍⁠‍ The record left‌⁠ behind by Rice‌ Craone, the last scribe of the⁠‌⁠ Valkhan Kingdom.”

Shhk—‌

AllFather‌‍⁠ even kindly showed‌ him the book’s⁠‌‍ first page.

Even though he had‍ no eyes, the⁠⁠ Immortal King’s gaze‍ followed the pages.‌

And‌⁠‍ then, seeing his‌ native language again‌ after such a long time, he⁠⁠ let out an‌‍‍ empty exhale.

He‌ spoke in disbelief.‍

[I‌ cannot believe it.⁠ I gave the‍‍ order to escape‍‌ into the Four‌⁠ Seasons Forest.]

“And that is exactly⁠ where they obtained⁠‌ it.”

[Impossible.‌ The Four Seasons‌‍ Forest is a labyrinth no one⁠‍⁠ can ever escape from.]

“That‌ is also true.‍ But I was‌⁠ not the one‍ who found it‌ directly.”

AllFather‌⁠ briefly summarized everything‌ that had happened⁠‌‌ so far.

That‌⁠ Grills had fallen‍‌ into the Four‍‍ Seasons Forest and could use the⁠⁠ gallery.

That‍‍ after countless hardships⁠ he accidentally found⁠‌ a corpse and‍ the books.

The⁠‌ Immortal King listened⁠⁠ silently to the⁠ story before speaking.⁠

[I‍ cannot believe it.]‌⁠

“But‍ everything is true.‍⁠ So what do‍‍ you wish to do?”

[What⁠ do you mean?]‌

AllFather⁠‌‍ waved the book,⁠ which he had already finished deciphering,‍ and explained in‌‍ detail.

“I‌⁠⁠ mean whether you‍⁠‍ want to strike⁠ a blow against‍⁠⁠ the Holy Kingdom.⁠ I do not‌‌ like them very‍ much either.”

[…….]⁠‍⁠

“The‍‍ previous hero who‍ died alongside you.‌⁠ That man was‌ my friend. And‍‌⁠ moreover, that joint⁠‌⁠ death happened because‍ he could not‌⁠ withstand the pressure‌‍⁠ from the Holy‌⁠‍ Kingdom in practice,‍ he was murdered.”⁠‍

[Do‍ whatever you want.‌⁠ But I have⁠‌‌ one condition.]

“One‍ condition?”

Hearing‍⁠‍ that, AllFather raised⁠⁠ an eyebrow.

Then⁠‍‌ the Immortal King⁠⁠‌ stared directly at‍‌ him and spoke⁠ in a voice close to resignation.‌

[Please, kill me.]

“That‌ will be afterward.”⁠

[Damn‌ it.]

At‌‍ that answer, which⁠‌‍ left no room‌‍⁠ for doubt, the⁠‍‌ Immortal King cursed‌⁠ quietly.

It⁠⁠ was not a particularly harsh insult,⁠ but considering he‍ had been a king, it was‍ still fairly intense.‍

“Any‌ other request?”

[I‌ want to know⁠ who found those‍‍ records.]

“Did‌ I not tell‌ you it was‌⁠ through the gallery?”⁠‌

[Allow‍ me access to‍ that gallery.]

“What nonsense are you‌‍ saying. You clearly⁠‌ are……”

AllFather‍‍ fell silent halfway‍⁠‌ through the sentence.

Suddenly,‌ an interesting idea⁠ crossed his mind.⁠‍

Normal‌ undeads do not⁠‍ possess egos.

Their‌ will is too⁠ weak, making them closer to monsters.‍

But‍ the Immortal King was an exception.‌

Even‍ though his entire‍‍ body had disappeared,‍‍⁠ his consciousness remained‍‌ intact.

Then‍‌ perhaps he could‍ also access the‌ gallery?

[You⁠‌‍ just made quite‌ a perverted expression.]‍‍

“Ah.⁠ Sorry. I just‌‌ thought of something‌‍ interesting.”

[Then,⁠‍ will you help⁠‍ me?]

“Of‌‍⁠ course.”

[Even‍ knowing that I could reveal where I am?]

It⁠‍ was a question‌‍ close to a threat.

And at the same‍ time, a ridiculous‌ question.

AllFather‌‍ let out a small laugh and‍ answered logically.

“The⁠‍ story that the‌ Immortal King, who terrorized the continent,⁠⁠ is being stored⁠‍ inside a refrigerator.⁠ Who would believe⁠ something like that?”

[…….]⁠‍

“I‌‌‍ have no intention‌ of ever releasing‍‍ you. I am⁠ only saying you‌‌ can use the‍ gallery.”

After⁠ remaining silent for‍ a long time,⁠⁠ deeply thinking about⁠⁠‌ AllFather’s words, the‌ Immortal King finally⁠‍ made a decision⁠‍‍ and spoke in‍‍ a calm voice.‌‍

[Please,⁠‌ kill me.]

“Afterward.”‌⁠‌

It‌ was an impossible request.