Health (4): The Gallery Under Watch
It might sound like a ridiculous story, but the Gallery is under close scrutiny even from the elite. They use it for intelligence gathering, leak detection, gauging the political climate, spying on daily life in other countries, and more. Sure, it's mostly full of crap posts, but you can unearth truly valuable gems there. Above all, it's the best window into public opinion—the thing high society frets over most. In these times, accurately reading the public mood is tough, making the Gallery their sole outlet. Of course, it's not foolproof; plenty of rulers have been burned by blindly trusting Gallery sentiment, sparking protests and rebellions.
That's when they learned to beware the "noisy minority" while filtering out the noise. Even so, no one could deny the Gallery's massive sway. It draws users from all walks—men, women, young, old, regardless of class. There's even that famous tale of a noble who trashed the Gallery publicly, only to be outed as a die-hard regular! High status doesn't erase human desires; if anything, the stress of maintaining a lofty facade drives many to vent anonymously there. So the elite go to great lengths to hide their Gallery habits. If caught, they claim they just lurk. No one buys those excuses, but privacy must be respected. Hence the unspoken rule among nobles: never mention the Gallery. If you do, it better be with close confidants.
"Your Highness, we cannot sit idly by on this."
"I know that. But that guy's on borrowed time. Isn't this a bit hasty?"
A blond blue-eyed man with the classic pretty-boy look and a solid build—flawless in every way—voiced his doubts. In response, a middle-aged man with graying hair spoke up, his tone urgent.
"That's exactly why we need to stockpile as many adult mandrakes as possible before he kicks the bucket."
"Gorgon Count, I thought you were the cautious type."
"Sometimes you need swift decisions."
The blond pretty boy pondered his loyal retainer, Gorgon Count's advice. He was Arnold Louis Messia, heir to the Messiah Empire throne and current regent while the emperor lay bedridden from illness and overwork.
"Dealing with him could massively curb the Mage Tower's influence. Especially if we lean on the Iris Kingdom."
"That's wishful thinking at best. With the elves acting up lately, no need to poke the Mage Tower too."
"However..."
"Enough. I don't want to talk about someone who might drop dead tomorrow."
"What if we back him? That changes everything, doesn't it?"
Gorgon persisted doggedly, but Arnold didn't chide him. The count had a reputation for foresight. It was amusing that even he was swayed by Gallery rumors—proof of its reach.
"Our support might extend his life. But who handles it?"
"I know someone."
"Not you?"
"......"
Gorgon's mouth snapped shut at Arnold's bluntness, eyes widening. Arnold smirked inwardly—as expected—and waved him off.
"Planning to exploit the anonymity, eh? Too hasty. Off with you."
"Your Highness."
"If you're that keen, it's your call. Just know if we snag bulk adult mandrakes, fingers will point your way."
"......"
"You haven't badmouthed me there, have you?"
"Absolutely not."
As if. Arnold didn't buy it. Even kings curse in private. A place like the Gallery? He'd eaten plenty of flak for one bad policy.
"It's only been three days since this Grill guy dropped into the Four Seasons Forest. Stay calm."
"......Understood. I was rash."
"Now go. I'm swamped."
Gorgon left quietly at Arnold's dismissal. Alone now, Arnold leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
It's not like I don't care.
The Gallery popped into view, ablaze with sudden rumors sparked by PassingDwarf's adult mandrake photo. Grill had gifted some to helpful high-nics, but they skipped proof pics to avoid doxxing. Skepticism lingered until PassingDwarf's post sealed it—especially since Grill had once shared grove photos. Watchers concluded: help Grill, score adult mandrakes.
This blew up while Grill slept. Now empire nobles were freaking—my buddy's in the imperial guard, emperor ordered mandrakes lol
└For real?
└Yup, legit. Word's spreading.
└Probably in a meeting rn.
└Nah, total bs rumor.
└Too many similar posts for bs.
Arnold chuckled. Baseless, yet hard to dismiss outright—Gorgon had just pleaded his case. Others would scramble to trade with Grill, currying favor.
Mage Tower quiet? They monopolize mandrakes, no reaction?
└Not yet, but soon.
└Tower's in Iris Kingdom, right?
└Yup, could spark empire war?
└Over mandrakes? Nah.
└They'll talk smack at least. Tower hates this anyway.
└Why?
└Monopoly, duh. Current sitrep:
1. Adult mandrakes ultra-rare. Key elixir ingredient.
2. Tower managed them before.
3. Monopoly profits insane.
4. Grill found adults—in bulk.
5. One adult = top-tier elixir easy.
6. Better direct from Grill than Tower losses.
└Sounds good, but Grill can't supply steady? Grove empties.
└Tower same. They "manage," can't grow.
└All wild-sourced?
└Yup. Keep healthy for elixirs anytime.
└Monopolizing like that? Thugs lol
└Bonus: Grill's in Four Seasons Forest—no pressure.
└This escalates? Whoa
You know one, not two. Arnold shook his head. Securing steady supply from Grill? Ideal. But Grill was volatile—living in that forest meant death loomed.
Not for sale with cash.
Grill needed survival gear over gold. Fresh off a fat payout from Olfather, no greed there. Barter only—more instability.
Better to watch.
Rushing could backfire. Too risky for the payoff.
Personally, one might be worth it...
Privately, not officially—the emperor's health was tanking. Top elixirs strained the palace budget. Restore him via mandrake? Solidify position.
No sibling rivals, luckily. Two younger brothers, two sisters. Second bro dove into culture as minister. Third went monk—paladin now, rumor had it. Sisters married off, competition nil.
Lucky break...
Better he hands over the crown willingly.
Not direct succession? Gripers emerge. A mandrake would preempt that.
"......"
Yet Arnold hesitated—not from contacting Grill. He sighed, checking his Gallery nick.
Childhood impulse: AbsolutelyZlRespectArnoldChamp
"Ha......"
Embarrassing on sight. Why that name? Should've lurked anon. No understanding past self.
Luckily secret. Exposure? He'd have fled the throne.
Can't change nicks?
Gallery advanced, but flawed. Patches galore, no rename. Float anon? Purge and refill mana—body cleanse equivalent. Even Hwan-gol-tal-tae wouldn't cut it. Lifelong.
If I snag a mandrake or aid Father, they'll sniff it out.
Nick exposed... Unthinkable. Timing tight—mandrakes tricky. Tower monopolized for reason. At least posts deleted. No delete? Black history eternal.
Send bro?
Arnold crossed arms. Culture minister? Play boy—sports fiend, total slacker. Better than drudgery.
Watch Gallery for now. ID mandrake holders.
Best move. Just three days. No panic.
Browsing, Arnold stroked his chin.
Should check culture trends.
Post something. Nick shame aside, Q&A fine.
Hello. Nice to meet you.
AbsolutelyZlRespectArnoldChamp
First time in Gallery. How's it work?
└Newb?
└AbsolutelyZlRespectArnoldChamp Yes.
└Drop the formal talk, asshole.
└Newb using polite speech?
└Nick tho lol
???
Arnold's eyes clouded in confusion.
*****
"Nngh......"
I stretched, loosening my stiff body. The mattress and pillow from auction spared my aches. Should've bought sooner. Good thing I wised up quick.
Gallery... what? Trade requests exploded?
Eyes wide, I stared. Tons piled up while I slept. Gallery mutes alerts on logout—great for sleep, but weird volume.
Mostly unknown high-nics. Mandrake beggars?
Likely. Post-Dwarf post yesterday. One adult mandrake fetches big bucks. I'd trade singles for survival aid—not bulk. My neck's on line; supply what?
Your Typical Gallery Newbie Experience [118]
"Hm?"
Spotted a hot post—massive upvotes. What happened overnight? Classic: sleep through the fun stuff.
Your Typical Gallery Newbie Experience [Again? F*ck Off] [I'm the Crown Prince, You Punks.] [Wtf These Insane Bastards.] [A. For Real.] [I Did Nothing Wrong.] [Why All the Hate?] [A. Listen Up.] [Is This Normal?] [Gallery's Wild.] [Hello. Nice to Meet You.] Read bottom-up
└lolololololol
└lolololololol
└Adapting hard lololol
└Wtf that nick
└Prob some rich kid new here.
└Dad-tier nick.
└Absolute. ZlRespect. ChampChamp. Instant fail.
└Nah, some do it ironic now.
"......"
Peaceful Gallery daily life.