Got a Gallery in the Wild

Until now, I’d taken in all kinds of animals into my home.

A baby Owlbear, an incredibly strong sloth, a gorilla that practiced martial arts, a giraffe used as a mount, a hatchling, a bully deer, and many more.

At the very least, they were all living creatures that ate, slept, and relieved themselves, so I could accept them without too much trouble.

But a statue was a different story.

Something that didn’t even seem to be alive was behaving as though it were.

And on top of that, it could talk.

Who would believe something like that?

They’d think I was crazy.

“Sit.”

Shff.

“Stand up.”

Shff.

“Turn around. Now turn back. Attention.”

Shff. Shff. Shff.

Yet the statue standing before me behaved like a living being.

More than that, it understood everything I said and obeyed my commands.

Was that thing really made of stone?

“What exactly are you?”

[Cain.]

“I’m not asking for your name. I’m asking what you actually are.”

[Aris… #% #%^]

Judging by the tone, it seemed to have answered that it was one of Aris’s knights.

But that wasn’t the answer I was looking for.

I rubbed my face in resignation.

As if my situation wasn’t already complicated enough, now even statues were alive.

‘Maybe it’d be easier to think of it as a robot with a transferred consciousness.’

After all, this was a fantasy world.

Maybe statues here filled the role that robots would have in another world.

I decided to leave the matter for later and eat first.

It was better to deal with complicated problems on a full stomach.

“For now, go back and stay over there. You don’t need to eat, right?”

The statue nodded.

At least I wouldn’t have another glutton to feed.

I sighed and walked outside.

Outside, Ludwig was enthusiastically chopping firewood.

I wondered how he’d react when he discovered that the statue behaved like a living being.

I got my answer that very night.

[# Cain! Aris… ##$ $%##! ##$?]

“……”

He rubbed his eyes over and over, unable to tell whether he was dreaming or awake.

He even cleaned out his ears.

He simply couldn’t accept what he was seeing.

And I couldn’t blame him.

I’d had a hard time believing it myself.

As extraordinary as the Forest of Four Seasons was, this shattered every notion of common sense.

[#%… #%%$%?]

[#%$! #%%#! %$#%%^]

Since they were speaking in Eldorado’s language, I couldn’t understand a single word.

Still, judging by the tone, it sounded like Ludwig was asking whether he really was Cain.

And Cain was pounding his chest as if to say he was.

At least, that was my impression.

“Oh, Aris…!”

[Aris!]

The conversation ended with both of them praising Aris.

They had both been Holy Knights, so it was only natural that they shared a deep devotion to her.

Especially for Ludwig.

Standing before him was a legendary hero, an ancestor from ages long past.

‘I guess it’d be something like having a conversation with Admiral Yi Sun-sin.’

I didn’t know exactly what feats Cain had accomplished, but they had to be comparable.

After all, he held the title of the First Holy Knight.

His achievements must have been extraordinary.

In any case, it was time to ask him everything I wanted to know.

Why had he been sealed inside the Mimic?

Why was he in the Forest of Four Seasons?

I had a mountain of questions.

‘The problem is that I don’t know Eldorado’s language.’

I wanted to ask Ludwig to translate, but his ability was still quite limited.

For now, it’d be best to ask the Main Moderator through the Gallery.

Without making a public post.

Just as I was thinking that—

[Greetings!]

“…?”

The statue greeted me as naturally as could be.

I couldn’t help blinking.

What I’d just heard was Korean.

And it sounded nothing like the way Lackey spoke.

What the hell was going on?

“Uh…? You can speak…?”

[That’s right! We can finally understand each other!]

While I was still bewildered, Cain answered in an energetic voice.

It wasn’t a human voice.

It sounded mechanical, with a faint metallic tone.

[I have a translation function! I had only just awakened a moment ago, so it wasn’t working properly yet!]

“……”

[Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Cain, the First Holy Knight of Aris. May I know the name of such an honorable knight?]

“Park Jonghyuk.”

[Then I’ll call you Bark from now on!]

“…Just call me Grills.”

What an unpredictable guy.

“But even if you have a translation function, how are you able to speak?”

[I don’t know myself! I just know that I can!]

“……”

[Don’t look at me like that. I listened carefully to your conversations and learned how to speak based on them.]

I nodded.

I didn’t completely understand how it worked, but being able to communicate normally was more than enough.

Besides, he could now also serve as an interpreter between Ludwig and me.

That was a huge advantage.

“I have a lot of things I want to ask, but are you really Cain? The First Holy Knight of Aris?”

[There is absolutely no reason to doubt it. I am indeed him.]

“Aren’t you just a rock pretending to be that person?”

It might have been a rather disrespectful question.

But it was something that needed to be clarified.

If I were alone, it wouldn’t matter.

The problem was Ludwig.

He saw Cain as a genuine hero.

I couldn’t allow there to be any misunderstanding.

[It’s understandable that you’d think that. But tell me, Grills. Have you ever heard of the Ship of Theseus?]

“…How do you know about that? Who taught you?”

[Lady Aris explained that concept to me. Although I must admit I have no idea who this Theseus was.]

Just like the Da Vinci Bridge and cement.

Every now and then, completely out-of-place references would appear.

And Theseus was, of all things, a hero from Greek mythology.

Was this really a world with no connection whatsoever to Earth?

As that doubt began growing in my mind once again, Cain spoke firmly.

[Even if you gradually replace every part of a ship, it remains the same ship. But once the replaced parts outnumber the original ones, the question arises is it still the same ship? That is the concept.]

“You’re quite intelligent.”

[Thank you for the compliment. In any case, I also exist under a similar principle. So I advise you not to look too deeply into it.]

“…Isn’t that exactly the sort of thing that should be looked into?”

[It gives me a headache. Besides, it’s very troublesome.]

“……”

What a simple-minded person. He was nothing like the noble figure I’d imagined.

[But the fact that I am one of Lady Aris’s Holy Knights does not change. Isn’t that enough?]

Or perhaps he truly was noble, to the point that he simply didn’t care about such things. His attitude felt strange.

Anyone in his situation would question their own identity. I know I would have. Yet Cain didn’t seem to harbor even the slightest doubt.

That said, watching him speak so confidently with one hand resting on his hip made him seem far less dignified.

There wasn’t a trace left of the majestic presence he’d shown in the Gallery video.

“You’re completely different from how you were in Eldorado. Not just your size—even the way you speak.”

So I decided to ask him directly.

Where had all that majesty gone?

Cain’s answer was surprising in more ways than one.

[Of course. How could I not show my best side to my descendants? If you were in my position, you’d understand too.]

“……”

It was an answer that left me completely speechless.

Though, to be honest, deep down I could understand it.

In any case, I could no longer deny that this statue really was Cain. Or rather, the First Holy Knight.

What mattered now was finding out why his body had shrunk.

I still had plenty of questions.

“Why do you become gigantic outside but return to this small size in here?”

[Because of the mana pressing down on me from all directions. I can barely use my power.]

“How long have you been in the Forest of Four Seasons?”

[I don’t know.]

“Then what do you know?”

[That the inside of a Mimic is surprisingly warm and comfortable.]

How useless.

I stared at him with an utterly cold expression.

How the hell could a rock even have senses?

[Don’t look at me like that. I’m confused too. My memories are all mixed together.]

“Mixed memories? Is it because you were swallowed by the Mimic?”

[Very likely. I spent so long inside it that I eventually gave up even thinking.]

“……”

[My memories will gradually return, so have a little patience. Though I can’t guarantee they’ll be of any use to you.]

“Excuse me, but you don’t need to eat, do you?”

Everything else was secondary.

As long as he didn’t consume food, I had no complaints.

Fortunately, he didn’t need to eat.

According to him, the mana in the atmosphere was enough.

Even though the immense pressure of the forest prevented him from using his power, he could still absorb mana.

[Even though I now possess an insignificant body, if you ever need my help, I will come without fail. I will never forget the debt I owe you.]

“Well, it’s good to hear that. I suppose someday you’ll go flying off again.”

[If the owner of the Holy Sword calls for me, then yes. I’ve heard that the owner of the Holy Sword is that man’s disciple.]

Cain pointed at Ludwig.

At that moment, Ludwig was quietly listening to our conversation.

I had no idea whether he actually understood what we were saying.

[It was not a pleasant sight. To think that glorious Eldorado ended up like that… sigh.]

Cain slowly shook his head as he sighed.

I could understand exactly how he felt.

After all, he’d appeared just before the Hero was struck by the arrows.

At least everything had ended well.

Now all that remained was for Eldorado to regain its former glory.

“I’m glad everything worked out. Hopefully there’ll never be a reason to call you again.”

[Mmm, that would be a shame.]

“Why?”

Wouldn’t it be better if no one ever had to summon him again?

Someone once said that a society wasn’t unfortunate because it lacked heroes.

It was unfortunate because it needed heroes.

And Eldorado had just proven exactly that.

So wasn’t it better if he never had to be called again?

[Because the Hero was truly very beautiful.]

“……”

[Of course, not as beautiful as Lady Aris, but she was a beauty rarely seen.]

I couldn’t tell whether he was simply honest or just unbelievably carefree.

I let out a long sigh.

In any case, the statue had now joined our group.

We’d see how useful he could be.

‘Maybe spring will finally arrive in another two or three days?’

Spring had already come to Eldorado.

Hopefully it would reach this place too.

At least this winter seemed to be passing more quickly because I’d prepared in advance.

Though the statue had unintentionally given me quite a bit of extra work as well.

Just as I was getting ready to sleep—

[Evil dragon! Come and face me!]

“Peeeeep!”

Without my even noticing when they’d become friends, Cain and Tyran started wrestling with each other.

Of course, given the difference in size, Tyran was really just playing along.

And Cain seemed to be having a great time.

[Aaaahhh!]

With stiff but surprisingly nimble movements, Cain charged at Tyran.

Given the size difference, it looked like a knight confronting an enormous dragon.

‘Maybe I should give him a sword someday.’

According to him, he’d used nothing but a shield his entire life.

And he was still carrying it.

He ran while holding it high, as if intending to smack Tyran with it.

At this rate, I’ll have to start calling him Captain Eldorado.

“Peeeep!”

Tap.

In reality, the difference in physical ability was comparable to that of a supersoldier.

In other words.

Against gigantic monsters, he was completely powerless.

[Aaaahhh!]

Tyran simply gave him a light shove with his foreleg.

Cain was sent flying all the way to the other side of the room, crashing into the wall with ridiculous ease.

He was absurdly weak.

It was hard to believe this was truly Eldorado’s legendary hero.

“Mister.”

“……”

“What do you think, seeing him like this?”

I quietly asked Ludwig, who was watching the scene beside me.

He didn’t answer.

I couldn’t tell whether he was still in shock or had just realized that this was Cain’s true personality.

[As expected of a dragon! You’re comparable to the enemies I fought in the past!]

“Peeeep!”

[But I, Cain, the First Holy Knight, shall never surrender!]

To tell the truth.

The two of them were having quite a lot of fun.

And since Tyran seemed to enjoy it, I saw no reason to stop them.

‘Though why does he always keep speaking in Korean?’

He’d said he had a translation function.

Maybe everyone heard him in their own language.

I told Tyran and Cain it was time to sleep and that they could continue another time.

Both of them reacted with obvious disappointment.

I had to admit that Cain had an incredible knack for getting along with others.

[What a pity. We’ll leave the conclusion for next time.]

“Peeep.”

I couldn’t help letting out an incredulous laugh.

And so, the next morning arrived.

[What is this?]

“What do you think it is?”

I answered while handing him a small gardening shovel I’d bought from the Gallery.

“Go clear the snow.”

[…….]

A tremendous amount of snow had piled up overnight.

Cain looked at me in disbelief for a moment.

But in the end, he obeyed without complaining.

Outside this place, he might be Cain the Holy Knight.

In here, he was nothing more than a talking toy.

[These piles of garbage are always just as annoying!]

“……”

[If I still had my original size, this wouldn’t require any effort at all!]

“Lord Cain. Less talking, more working.”