Chapter 182

The Succession Ceremony (3)

The Gallery had existed for so long that even its origins were unclear.

Countless moderators had come and gone over the years, and the Gallery’s rules changed with each new moderator.

Some were excessively strict, while others were far too lenient.

Yet there was one rule that had remained unchanged throughout all those upheavals.

The prohibition against fraternization.

It did not refer to socializing within the Gallery, but to Gallery users meeting and associating with one another in the real world.

There were various reasons why real-life fraternization remained taboo, but the decisive cause was one major incident.

Title: The Greatest Result of a Gallery Meetup

(A photograph of a group of elves)

The photograph showed a group of beautiful and handsome elves posing together.

└ Who are those people?
　└ The great elven ancestors who expelled the dark elves.
　└ They regularly posted about hating dark elves on the Gallery. Then they held a meetup and actually put their words into action, lol.
└ The dark elves didn’t object?
　└ Of course they did. But these bastards also had some influence in politics...
　└ Once they started spreading propaganda as well, there was no stopping them.
└ There have been plenty of other bastards throughout history who claimed they were holding a meetup, only to conspire to start a rebellion.

The Expulsion of the Dark Elves.

Originally, dark elves were less a distinct race and more an ethnic group that had lived in a particular region for a very long time.

Just as there were countless ethnic groups among humans, dark elves were merely one such group among elves.

However, just as humans discriminated against one another over something as trivial as skin color, elves were no different.

Elves were a race particularly steeped in a sense of superiority.

At one point, hateful posts about dark elves began appearing on the Gallery, and the elves who agreed with them arranged a meetup.

Had it ended there, it would have been nothing more than a gathering.

The problem was what happened after they met.

One person might hesitate, but when two or three gathered together, their courage grew. And as their numbers increased, that courage sometimes went too far.

The elves who had spewed hatred toward the dark elves stopped at mere words no longer and took direct action.

The result was the Expulsion of the Dark Elves.

That incident was why fraternization—and meetups in particular—became the greatest taboo of all.

└ But bans only work on registered users, don’t they? Aren’t they meaningless against anonymous and semi-registered users?
　└ That applies to registered users. There are other reasons too.
　└ What reasons?
　　└ Too many anonymous and registered users went out for a meal and were never seen again.
　　　└ Lmaooo.
　　　└ There’s a high chance that a meetup itself will get you caught up in a crime. Who in their right mind would meet a stranger in a world this dangerous?

Meetups between anonymous and semi-registered users involved all manner of dangers.

For that reason, meetups had become completely taboo, and sensible registered users did not form real-life relationships with one another.

Unless, of course, they happened to notice a shared trait and realized each other’s identities by chance, as these two had.

So it really was her.

SwordMaster—Ash—quietly studied the beauty standing before her.

Selena’s beauty was reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, her figure so exquisite that she looked like a painting.

It was not merely her face. Her figure was more than enough to stir the hearts of countless men.

Even though it was concealed beneath a white dress, its exceptional beauty could not be hidden.

Considering her activity, she must be Starlight Princess.

Ash had identified her not because of the elixirs she regularly supplied, but through Starlight Princess’s activity on the Gallery.

As someone practically living on the Gallery, Ash knew the distinguishing characteristics of countless registered users.

Starlight Princess’s defining characteristic was her daily prayer for a complete recovery.

The user had appeared on the Gallery one day and faithfully posted prayers for a cure every day thereafter.

Meanwhile, Selena, the young lady of a ducal house standing before her, was widely rumored to suffer from an incurable illness.

There are countless people in the world suffering from incurable diseases, but...

Selena had personally confirmed it just moments ago.

She had admitted that she was Starlight Princess, a registered user with ties to Grylls.

Even if she had merely been testing Ash with her answer, it did not particularly matter.

The very fact that she had responded that way amounted to an admission.

Ash might have remained uncertain if Selena had replied as though she genuinely did not understand, but she had done no such thing.

Then why had Ash approached her first and done something akin to coming out?

The reason was simple curiosity.

Even if she exposes me as a Gallery user, there’s little chance the rumor will spread.

It might have been a problem if Ash alone had revealed herself, but Selena had reciprocated.

The Gallery was one of those things nobles preferred not to mention.

Simply being exposed as a registered Gallery user could seriously tarnish one’s reputation.

However, that was only if the details of one’s activity were revealed.

Most nobles used the Gallery because they could not bear the boredom of their lives. Everyone merely pretended otherwise.

After all, it was a private matter.

Even if Selena betrayed her, Ash would be fine.

Doing so would reveal to everyone that Selena also used the Gallery. It was effectively an elaborate self-destruct button.

Besides, Ash had done little besides posting useful swordsmanship advice. She had never shown any particularly disgraceful behavior.

Though I did occasionally ask someone to marry me.

It was embarrassing even as a joke, but if it ever came to light, it would probably result in nothing more than a few nights of kicking her blankets in mortification.

This woman is a relatively mild user as well.

Starlight Princess’s Gallery activity had also been rather tame.

One need only look at the Heavenly Demon for comparison. She went around behaving according to some bizarre persona.

And it was not just the Heavenly Demon. Most other registered users were far from normal.

Ash had decided that knowing one another would not be so bad in this particular case, so she revealed herself first. Selena had understood her intentions as well.

This would remain a secret between them.

Betraying the other would only harm the betrayer too.

In exchange, perhaps they could discuss Grylls a little.

“Have you also been fortunate enough to form a precious bond, my lady?”

“Of course. My parents, as well as my younger sister Mary, are all people I could never separate from my life.”

“Then we are alike. If it would not be too presumptuous, might I ask to speak with you privately?”

“I’m sorry, but I would like to spend today with my family. Please visit our territory when you have the time. My parents would gladly welcome a visit from you, Count Menesil.”

“I fear that may be difficult for me. I have been rather busy recently.”

By ‘busy,’ she must mean the Gallery.

Selena understood instinctively.

The Heavenly Demon and SwordMaster left comments on practically every post Grylls made.

SwordMaster was also famous for regularly posting swordsmanship advice.

Selena was no different. She carefully read every one of Grylls’s posts.

She even recorded what she read in her diary and sent him all kinds of supplies besides.

Keeping our distance would be best for both of us.

Becoming close to SwordMaster would be fine.

Becoming close to Ash, however, was another matter entirely.

Who was Ash?

She was one of the people constantly named among the strongest on the continent.

Getting close to someone like that would inevitably embroil Selena in rumors, whether the consequences were good or bad.

In the worst-case scenario, both of their registered usernames might be exposed.

Quietly pushing Ash away and allowing them both to attend to their own affairs was the best course of action.

“Come to think of it, Count Menesil, what sort of exercise do you usually perform?”

“Nothing special. I simply exercise every day. Do you exercise as well, my lady?”

“Yes. I became quite engrossed in it after recovering from my illness. However, I’m no expert, so I’ve encountered some difficulties.”

“If I may offer some advice...”

Keeping their distance was one thing, but Selena still received plenty of useful practical advice.

As an added benefit, Ash explained some of it as though deliberately intending for Mary to hear.

In truth, this was also a kind of smokescreen.

They were passing the time with harmless chatter.

Dealing with other people was tiresome, so it was more comfortable for both of them to converse with someone who shared their disposition.

“I hope you enjoy the rest of the gathering.”

“It was a pleasure speaking with you.”

They could not remain together for too long, however.

After spending an appropriate amount of time together, the two parted ways.

The instant Ash left, numerous young noblewomen flocked around Selena.

They asked what sort of relationship she had with Ash and whether the two had known each other before today.

Selena had anticipated this, so she answered without becoming flustered.

Come to think of it, wasn’t Lady Mercedes said to have contributed greatly to her house with her extraordinary intellect?

As Ash walked away, she reflected on Selena.

Selena regularly sent Grylls elixirs. Perhaps she had manufactured them herself.

During their brief conversation, Selena had said that she had created all manner of medicines in an effort to cure her illness.

She claimed that she had “coincidentally” discovered an effective medicine during that process and cured herself completely.

Grylls must certainly have been involved in that coincidence.

There was a strong possibility that it had been a mature mandrake.

There doesn’t seem to be any need to remain wary of her.

Considering Selena’s character, she had no intention of exploiting Grylls.

If anything, the opposite was true.

Their conversation made it clear that she regarded Grylls as her benefactor.

Whenever Ash subtly steered the conversation toward Grylls, delight seeped into Selena’s voice.

He cured her incurable illness. Her reaction is only natural.

It was something only Grylls, the survivor of the Forest of Four Seasons, could have accomplished.

Grylls himself might not realize it, but he had exerted a tremendous influence on the Messiah Empire.

After all, the woman he had cured was not some ordinary noblewoman, but the daughter of House Mercedes.

The fact that there was virtually no chance of this truth becoming public—and her meeting with Starlight Princess—changed Ash’s thinking.

It would be best to help her continue supporting Grylls.

Starlight Princess was supplying Grylls with elixirs.

In other words, she had a direct influence on his chances of survival.

It would be best for them to continue pretending they did not know one another. However, if anything happened to Selena, Grylls’s survival could also be jeopardized.

Besides—

I’ve finally discovered such promising talent. I can’t simply let it pass me by.

She wanted to ensure that this young sprout could grow strong and healthy.

She wanted it to blossom and bear sweet fruit.

And, before too long, she wanted to harvest that fruit herself.

It was a small desire, yet also one of her greatest wishes.

“His Imperial Majesty has arrived!”

First, however, they had to bring the succession ceremony to its conclusion.

Hearing the thunderous announcement, Ash turned her head.

Emperor Arnold strode proudly through the great doors of the audience chamber.

Count Gorgon and several other attendants followed behind him.

Arnold approached the throne upon which only the emperor could sit.

Count Gorgon stood beside him like a trusted confidant.

It was obvious to anyone watching that the emperor placed great trust in the count.

As Ash and the other nobles began to wonder about this, Arnold spoke.

“I offer my gratitude to all who attended this succession ceremony. The occasion has allowed me to confirm once again just how bright the Empire’s future is.”

It was a formal greeting.

Ash, Selena, and the assembled nobles listened attentively.

These were Arnold’s first words now that he could sit upon the throne with unquestioned authority.

They were of the utmost importance, for they would establish the direction in which the Empire would proceed.

“The Empire...”

Arnold’s message could be summarized as follows.

The Empire itself remained unwavering, but the same could not be said of the nations around it.

Just as a landslide swept away everything nearby, instability in the surrounding countries could easily harm the Empire.

For that reason, he intended to place greater emphasis on diplomacy with neighboring nations.

In other words: Do not cause any foolish trouble from now on.

As it was a perfectly orthodox policy considering the current international situation, Ash leisurely sipped her wine.

“And from this day forward...”

Arnold placed a hand upon Count Gorgon’s shoulder.

The count lifted his chin proudly at the gesture, a look of immense satisfaction appearing on his face.

“Count Gorgon will be able to provide the Empire with assistance in matters both great and small. When my imperial father was gravely ill, the count stepped forward and did everything in his power to help. Thanks to him, my father was able to pass the imperial crown on to me.”

“Count Gorgon did that?”

“Wasn’t the former emperor’s illness said to be incurable?”

Count Gorgon had treated Robert, the former emperor.

The nobles began murmuring among themselves at this shocking revelation.

Ash was no exception.

She pondered the matter before muttering inwardly.

Surely not... Right?

Perhaps meeting Selena only moments ago had made her suspicious.

Just then, Ash glanced toward Selena.

Apparently having reached the same conclusion, Selena looked back at her, and their eyes met perfectly.

They could understand each other’s thoughts through that single glance.

It appeared the situation was about to become rather complicated.

***

At the same time that the succession ceremony was taking place in the Messiah Empire, Grylls headed for the arena immediately after waking that morning.

He wanted to see what happened there and, while he was at it, have Kkobong participate.

“Woooooo!”

“That’s it! You’re doing great, Kkobong!”

Grylls enthusiastically cheered for Kkobong during the morning tournament.

What had he wagered?

No fewer than three Fasting Pills.

The instant he placed the three-pill wager, Fast Sloth stared fixedly at him. Grylls responded by shouting:

“I’ll win them back and repay you. Besides, everything will be fine as long as Kkobong wins, right?”

In the end, Fast Sloth had no choice but to reluctantly cheer for Kkobong as well.

While Grylls was busy enthusiastically supporting Kkobong at the arena—

“Is this the place?”

A holy knight riding a giraffe arrived at Grylls’s shelter.

Just as an unusual connection was forming during the Empire’s succession ceremony, the Forest of Four Seasons was also preparing to form—and unravel—another bond.