Chapter 219

Normalization (4)

I put Cain to work, but unfortunately, he wasn’t very efficient.

His body was so large that the amount he could clear was pitiful compared to what the rest of us could do.

So we decided that he would play with Tyrano while we worked.

Tyrano seemed to have taken quite a liking to Cain, so he had no complaints.

[Let us go, my friend! We shall bring down that enormous tree!]

"Piiiiiik!"

Yesterday, they had been playing dragon slayer, and today, it was dragon rider.

Cain climbed onto Tyrano’s back and tried to knock over a tree rooted in the ground.

They were so delighted when they finally toppled it that I couldn’t help but smile.

’It’s nice to see them so lively.’

Ludwig’s expression turned strange whenever he watched them play, but he would get used to it eventually.

Maybe Wonmo would join them later. That would be quite a sight.

’Fortunately, nothing was damaged this winter.’

There had been an avalanche, but nothing had been swept away.

Partly because I had built everything as sturdily as possible, and partly because I had moved everything that might get swept away into the cave.

Thanks to that, all we had to do was clear the snow. This winter would probably pass without any further trouble.

’I would like to try doing something with the Ice Snow Flower, though...’

So many things had happened that I hadn’t even had the chance.

Besides, the Ice Snow Flower was an extremely delicate plant, so it was difficult to care for.

I would have to put it off until next time. That would give me peace of mind.

’Once spring arrives, I should start exploring again.’

Ludwig was gradually getting used to his mithril foot as well.

If we had to travel a long distance, he could simply ride Largo.

The only problem was deciding who would stay behind at the cave. If possible, I would have to leave Cain here.

’But what if some beast carries him off?’

One might ask what kind of beast would carry away a stone statue.

But this was the Forest of Four Seasons. Nothing that happened here would be strange.

Cain had been inside a mimic’s stomach in the first place.

On top of that, Cain was the weakest among us. I could confidently say he would even lose to Wonmo.

I didn’t know about the outside world, but within the Forest of Four Seasons, he truly was a pitifully insignificant existence.

’How can I make this guy useful?’

Should I just leave him as a toy for Wonmo and Tyrano?

But I felt bad doing that whenever I noticed Ludwig’s reaction.

I had to find some kind of use for him. That was what I decided.

Afterward, since we had more or less finished our work, we ate lunch and rested inside the cave.

Naturally, I didn’t forget to browse the entertaining gallery while I rested.

Title: Hero: You feel wronged?

(A video of the Pope protesting the injustice while the Hero rebuts him)

If you feel wronged, take it up with the Forest of Four Seasons, kekekeke.

└ Damn, that was satisfying, hahahahaha.

└ So are those bastards going to be sent into the Forest of Four Seasons?

└ Probably? They sent people there every time they carried out a purge, so this serves them right, kekeke.

└ Is Grylls getting more friends?

└ Wouldn’t even Grylls hate those guys?

└ Wild Grylls: Stop illegally dumping garbage in the Forest of Four Seasons. ;;;

└ Hahahahahahahahahaha.

└ The man himself has appeared, kekekekeke.

└ Grylls, just accept your fate, kekekekeke.

They said they were going to dump garbage here without permission, but surely it wouldn’t end up near me.

Even Ludwig had nearly died despite having a decent starting point and receiving proper support.

Those people wouldn’t even have that. Even if they begged me for help, I wouldn’t give it to them.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Mr. Grylls! Are you there by any chance?!]

Just as I had that thought, the head admin sent me a message.

I flinched at the unexpected message, then immediately replied.

[Wild Grylls: Hello. What’s the matter?]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: I just realized that I thanked you far too late! Thank you so much!]

It seemed she had messaged me simply to express her gratitude.

It was exactly the sort of thing the absurdly kindhearted head admin would do.

I chuckled and casually laid a trap for her.

[Wild Grylls: Since it was the Hero’s request, of course I had to grant it.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Thank you!]

Wait. Why did she admit it so readily?

I expected her to play dumb. I never imagined she would simply acknowledge it like that.

I was the one who ended up flustered. After considering what to say, I sent another message.

For the record, I had called her the "Hero," not the "head admin."

Apparently, she hadn’t noticed that detail because she had immediately thanked me.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Pardon? The Hero?]

[Wild Grylls: It was just a guess, but I suppose it was true. You’re the Hero, aren’t you?]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Actually, I’m not! I was only playing along!]

[Wild Grylls: Really? That’s too bad. If you were the Hero, I was going to grant you a favor.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: I really am the Hero! Please wait!]

Of course, she realized her mistake three seconds later.

I immediately replied to the message that practically screamed panic.

Was this person really the Hero who had once won the hearts of the people?

Judging solely by her foolishly kind personality, she certainly suited the role.

[Wild Grylls: Aren’t you the Hero? I thought you were.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: H-How did you know?! No one else has ever noticed!]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: (A photo of Asella standing in front of a full-length mirror) What do you think?! I’ve proven it!]

There was no need for her to go as far as proving it.

I was left speechless as I looked at the photo of Asella, the Hero, reflected in the mirror.

Perhaps she rarely took photos, because she was standing stiffly at attention.

Her face, on the other hand, was truly beautiful. It felt as though the photo failed to capture her full beauty.

’Her hair really is orange.’

She even had the rare orange hair and eyes said to belong to only a handful of people in the world.

I chuckled at the out-of-nowhere proof, then asked why she had sent it.

[Wild Grylls: You didn’t have to go as far as proving it. ;;]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: This is the least I can do for my benefactor!]

[Wild Grylls: What if I harbor malicious intentions?]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Then I’ll ban you!]

[Wild Grylls: ;;;]

Oh, right. This person was the head admin.

Within the gallery, she wielded absolute power.

No matter how much of a pushover she seemed, the fact remained that I had to tread carefully around her.

That photo was essentially an expression of trust. She simply wanted me to know who she was.

’Besides, exposing the head admin as the Hero wouldn’t benefit me in any way.’

Once I thought of it that way, I felt more at ease.

I should treat her as Asella the person, not Asella the Hero.

[Wild Grylls: So, what favor would you like to ask?]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Do you happen to possess a statue of Lord Cain? I think it may be connected to Lord Cain, who descended this time!]

She was perceptive despite her personality. The moment I read her words, I turned my head.

Tyrano and Cain were happily playing together in that direction.

[Ah! There is an enormous sloth over there! Let us vanquish it at once!]

"Piiik!"

[M-My friend! Where are you going?!]

"..."

What would she think if she saw that?

I seriously considered telling a well-intentioned lie.

Still, this was a private message rather than a gallery post. It should be fine to reveal a small truth.

[Wild Grylls: You might be disappointed. Is that all right?]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: It doesn’t matter! I only need to confirm it!]

[Wild Grylls: (A video of Cain and Tyrano fooling around frivolously) Here he is.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: That isn’t Lord Cain!]

The instant the head admin said that—

[Urgh?! M-My chest...!]

"Piiik?!"

Cain clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground.

Was he genuinely in pain?

It was a rather alarming situation, but it didn’t last long.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Ah! No, wait! Now that I think about it, I was told that Lord Cain was very friendly in private! Judging only by his behavior, that must indeed be Lord Cain!]

The instant the head admin regained her faith(?) Cain returned to normal.

Apparently, his condition fluctuated according to the owner of the Holy Sword.

The absurdity of the situation made me laugh. I had no idea how that mechanism worked.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: In any case, Lord Cain is protecting you as well, Mr. Grylls!]

[Wild Grylls: It’s the other way around. That statue is genuinely useless.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: What?! What do you mean?!]

[Wild Grylls: I’m only telling you the truth. He can’t even clear snow.]

He might be the very embodiment of dependable strength outside, but here, he was utterly incompetent.

The head admin didn’t seem to believe me, but I didn’t care whether she did.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Ahem! Ahem! In any case, allow me to thank you once again! Is there anything you need?! We can provide you with all possible material and moral support from now on!]

[Wild Grylls: Then come here and help us escape.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: I can’t go myself, but I’ll send someone else in my place!]

[Wild Grylls: Don’t send any non-recyclable garbage.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: It’s combustible garbage!]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Our Holy Nation will rescue you and Sir Ludwig without fail!]

Oh my. Combustible garbage, she said.

So she wasn’t denying that they were garbage. Truly astonishing.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: If anything happens from now on, please contact me at any time!]

[Wild Grylls: Thank you.]

Her words gave me hope.

This was a promise of support not from an individual, but from an entire nation.

Since Ludwig was here as well, I could probably expect them to act more proactively.

’I’ll have to explore more diligently from now on.’

I was the only one who possessed information about the forest’s interior.

I would have to help any future expedition entering the Forest of Four Seasons avoid disaster.

It seemed I would need to expand my range of activity. I might even have to consider camping outdoors.

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Ah! Could you also send me a photo of Sir Ludwig? I’d like to know how he’s doing!]

[Wild Grylls: (A front-facing photo of Ludwig) Here you go.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: ...? Why do you have an old photo of Sir Ludwig, Mr. Grylls?!]

[Wild Grylls: That isn’t an old photo. It’s a current one. You remember that golden apple from before, right? He ate it and became younger.]

[Don’tAbandonTheHero: Wow! There are so many amazing things there!]

[Wild Grylls: Right? I’m amazed too.]

The mention of the golden apple reminded me of the deer that had brought it.

Since the weather still hadn’t warmed up, the creature remained holed up in the brick house.

I occasionally saw it eating sweet potatoes, but it spent most of the day sprawled across the floor.

’It’ll leave on its own, won’t it?’

Honestly, its presence didn’t cause any problems. Especially if it was going to give me items like golden apples.

Besides, I suspected it was extraordinarily powerful.

It had killed a bull shark with a single kick from its hind legs.

’Fast Sloth is here too, so it won’t cause any trouble.’

At the very least, it was a creature that understood proper manners.

With that thought, I ended my conversation with the head admin.

Oh, right. Just before we finished talking, she asked me to upload something about Cain to the gallery.

When I asked why, she said it would actually be better that way.

Her reasoning was that openly revealing him would make more people take an interest in the Forest of Four Seasons.

’I really can’t tell whether this woman is clever or foolish.’

She was kindhearted, but far from being a pushover. That was probably the best way to describe her.

In any case, I decided to postpone the matter of Cain and wait for spring to arrive the next day.

The beginning of spring would bring pollen-laden yellow dust, so I planned to prepare thoroughly.

"Mister, we’ll be going on a long expedition once spring arrives, so make sure you’re fully prepared."

"Understood."

[An expedition? I shall do everything in my power to assist you!]

"Just make sure you don’t become a burden instead."

[How saddening.]

I informed Ludwig in advance as well.

And so, another uneventful day passed, and the next morning arrived.

Just as expected, warm spring weather greeted us.

We had wrapped our faces tightly in cloth to prepare for the possibility of pollen-laden yellow dust, but—

Flap! Flap!

[Oh! Something is flying toward us! Could it be a dragon?]

"Looks like it... Wait a minute."

The wingbeats of the enormous creature approaching from afar blew all the pollen-laden dust away.

A moment later, the colossal being landed and revealed its overwhelming majesty in full.

"Grrrrr."

Tyrano’s mother had come to visit.

[It is a dragon!]

"I know that, you idiot."