Normalization (4)
I tried putting Cain to work, but his efficiency proved utterly abysmal.
Given his miniature stature, the amount of labor he could output was pitiful compared to what we managed. Ultimately, we decided his best contribution would simply be keeping Tyrano entertained while Ludwig and I worked. Tyrano seemed quite fond of him, raising no objections whatsoever.
"Charge, my friend! Let us bring down that colossal tree!"
"Kreeeee!"
Yesterday they had been playing Dragon Slayer, but today it was Dragon Rider. Cain sat perched atop Tyrano's back, egging the hatchling on as they tried to snap a sturdy trunk wedged firmly into the dirt. When it finally toppled over, the tiny knight threw his hands up in sheer triumph. Seeing them revel in such pure joy brought an involuntary smirk to my face.
Well, at least he's energetic.
Ludwig’s expression turned exceedingly complicated every time he glanced over at the holy forefather he had worshipped his entire life tumbling around in the dirt, but he would grow numb to it in time. Later on, Wonmo would probably join the fray as well. That was bound to be quite the spectacle.
Fortunately, nothing took any real damage this winter.
An avalanche had roared down from the peaks, but nothing was swept away. We had reinforced our barricades as durably as possible, and anything fragile had already been moved inside the safety of the cave. Thanks to those precautions, clearing away the snowbanks was all that remained. With any luck, the rest of the winter would slip by without further incident.
I wanted to experiment with that Ice Snow Flower, but...
So many crises had erupted back-to-back that finding the time was nearly impossible. On top of that, the Ice Snow Flower was an exceptionally delicate herb, notoriously finicky to preserve and process. Postponing it for now was the sensible choice. At least that gave me one less headache to worry about.
Once spring arrives, we need to begin pushing outward on expeditions.
Ludwig was steadily adapting to his mithril prosthetic. For long-distance treks, having him ride Largo would resolve mobility issues. The only lingering dilemma was deciding who should stay behind to watch over the cave. Normally, Cain would be the obvious candidate.
...Except what if some wild beast just carries him off?
One might wonder what kind of animal would bother snatching an animated stone figurine, but this was the Forest of the Four Seasons. Absolutely nothing was beyond the realm of possibility. After all, I had originally fished him out of a mutant mimic's stomach. Furthermore, Cain was indisputably the weakest combatant among our shelter's roster; I had no doubt he would lose in a fistfight against Wonmo. Whatever legendary status he held in the outside world, in this prehistoric primordial forest, he was bottom of the food chain.
How am I supposed to make this guy useful?
Should I just let him remain a permanent playmate for Wonmo and Tyrano? That felt somewhat awkward whenever Ludwig caught sight of him. I needed to figure out a practical role for him somehow.
Having wrapped up the bulk of our chores for the day, I ate lunch and took a breather inside the cave. Naturally, I didn't forget to pass the time browsing the Gallery.
(Video clip attached: The former Pope desperately pleading his innocence and persecution, followed by the Hero coldly dismantling his arguments)
If you feel so wronged, go plead your case in the Forest of the Four Seasons lmao
The post-revolution cleanup in El Dorado was advancing at full throttle. As for the threats of dumping clerical trash into the woods, I doubted any of them would ever make it near my sector. Even Ludwig, backed by a favorable drop point and my direct guidance, had barely survived the wilderness crossing. Those disgraced officials had no survival skills and no divine miracles to bail them out. And if they somehow stumbled into my territory begging for help, I certainly wasn't running a shelter for deposed despots.
Right as that thought crossed my mind, a direct message notification popped up on my interface from none other than our Head Moderator.
Startled by the unexpected direct message, I quickly drafted a reply.
It seemed she had messaged purely out of a desire to express gratitude. How fitting for a Main Mod who possessed the honest, earnest heart of a pushover.
I snickered quietly and slipped a discreet little hook into my next message.
To be clear, I hadn't referred to her as 'Juddak,' but specifically as 'the Hero.' And she, failing to notice the slip, had instinctively accepted the compliment.
Of course, it took about three full seconds for the realization to register. Sensing the sheer fluster radiating through the screen, I immediately followed up.
Wait, why did she confess so easily?
I had fully expected her to play dumb or fiercely deny it, never imagining she would surrender her secret identity in a single stroke. Now I was the one thrown off balance. Struggling to find the right words, I typed back.
Was this woman genuinely the continental savior who governed the hearts and minds of an entire kingdom? Her naive, guileless personality certainly fit the textbook mold of a pure-hearted fantasy protagonist.
How is this! That should serve as verification!
She really hadn't needed to provide photographic proof, yet there it was. Staring at the reflection of the Hero, Asella, I found myself momentarily lost for words.
She stood ramrod straight with her arms glued to her sides, like someone utterly unaccustomed to capturing selfies. Yet despite the rigid posture, her facial features were breathtakingly radiant—so stunning that a mere photograph failed to capture her full splendor.
Her hair really is a vivid orange.
Her luminous orange tresses and striking amber eyes, both exceedingly rare across the continent, were mesmerizing. Shaking off my brief daze, I replied with a wry smile.
Ah. Right. She is the Head Moderator, after all.
Within the sovereign digital boundaries of the Gallery, she held absolute, omnipotent authority. No matter how much of a harmless lightweight she seemed in conversation, the reality remained that I had to tread cautiously around her admin privileges. In truth, sending that picture was an explicit gesture of trust—a quiet declaration of: Know who I am, and trust that I am on your side.
Besides, exposing that the Juddak is the Hero brings me zero practical benefits anyway.
Thinking of it like that put my mind at ease. Rather than walking on eggshells around the exalted Savior Asella, it was far simpler to treat her as an ordinary human acquaintance.
Her observational prowess was razor-sharp, regardless of her innocent demeanour. I turned my head toward the cavern entrance. Tyrano and Cain were still engaged in their raucous antics.
"Behold! A colossal sloth rests ahead! Charge forth, let us subjugate it at once!"
"Kreee!"
"M-My friend! Where are you running?!"
"......"
What on earth would she think if she saw this degrading display? I seriously contemplated concocting a white lie to preserve her sanity. But seeing as this was a private direct message rather than a public Gallery thread, revealing a bit of reality wouldn't hurt.
Here he is.
The moment her message flashed across the screen—
"Guh?! M-My chest...!"
"Kreee?!"
Cain suddenly clutched his miniature breastplate with both hands and collapsed to the cavern floor, writhing in agony. Wait, is that actual physical pain?
Before my shock could deepen, another notification arrived.
The instant the Head Mod restored her faith, Cain abruptly popped back up, dusting himself off as if nothing had happened.
It appeared his physical vitality directly fluctuated depending on the conviction of whoever held the Holy Sword. I let out a dry chuckle. Just what kind of ridiculous spiritual feedback loop governed this guy's existence?
To the outside world, he was an untouchable avatar of divine protection, but in this primordial forest, he was an absolute invalid. The Juddak seemed unwilling to process the harsh reality, but whether she believed it or not made little difference to me.
Good grief. Combustible waste?
She didn't even attempt to deny that they were trash. What an extraordinary woman.
Reading her resolute pledge, a spark of genuine hope ignited in my chest. This wasn't merely the sympathetic offer of an eccentric forum regular; it was a state-level commitment backed by the full authority of the realm. With Ludwig physically present beside me, I could reasonably anticipate more proactive rescue measures from their side.
Which means I need to step up our reconnaissance efforts.
I was the only one who held firsthand topographical and ecological data regarding the interior of this death trap. When a dedicated expedition corps finally breached the perimeter of the Four Seasons Forest in the future, I needed to have accurate navigational data prepared so they wouldn't march straight into mass casualties. That meant expanding my exploration radius significantly—perhaps even preparing for multiday camping excursions far from the cave.
Here.
Mentioning the Golden Apple instantly brought to mind the eccentric stag that had brought it to us. Because the bitter cold hadn't entirely dispersed yet, the pampered beast was still squatting comfortably inside our brick cottage. While I occasionally caught him chewing on roasted sweet potatoes, for the vast majority of the day he was stretched out in front of the hearth, doing an uncanny impression of an overgrown rug.
Well, he'll leave under his own power once the thaw sets in.
Frankly, having him around wasn't an inconvenience in the slightest—especially if his rent took the form of mythological treasures like the Golden Apple. Moreover, he possessed terrifying strength. He had pulverized a massive bull shark with a casual flick of his hind leg, after all. With Bbarmbo standing guard over the campsite as well, there was zero risk of him running amok. For a wild beast, he had remarkably refined manners.
Satisfied, I concluded our conversation. Just before signing off, however, the Juddak made a specific request: she asked that I post a short video of Cain onto the Gallery eventually. When I pressed for her reasoning, she explained that taking the initiative to reveal his presence openly would generate immense continental interest and redirect public scrutiny toward mounting a relief expedition into the Four Seasons Forest.
I really can't tell whether this woman is brilliant or an utter airhead.
She was unquestionably gentle and earnest, yet she was far from a defenseless dupe. Shrewd pragmatism ran beneath that innocent exterior.
At any rate, matters regarding Cain could be sorted out at a leisurely pace. What mattered right now was bracing for the dawn of spring tomorrow. The initial onset of the season would bring the suffocation of the Pollen Storm, and I intended to prepare thoroughly against the floral blizzard.
"Old man. Once spring breaks tomorrow, we're going to embark on lengthy reconnaissance trips. Make sure you're fully geared up."
"Understood," Ludwig replied with a firm nod.
"An expedition?! Fear not, for I shall lend you the boundless might of my arm!" Cain boomed proudly from the dirt.
"Just try your best not to be dead weight, let alone a pillar of strength."
"How utterly heartless...!"
Having briefed Ludwig well ahead of time, the remainder of the uneventful day drifted by, and the following morning dawned upon the wilderness.
Just as forecasted, a wave of gentle, balmy warmth washed over the forest. Anticipating the choking onslaught of the seasonal Pollen Storm, I had wrapped thick layers of cloth tightly around my nose and mouth. But just as I stepped out into the open air—
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Tremendous gusts of turbulent wind tore through the canopy, flattening the tall grasses and sending dust spiraling violently into the sky.
"Oh! Behold, something colossal approaches on the horizon! Is that... a dragon?!"
"What are you talking about... Wait. Hold on."
The colossal downforce generated by those distant, thundering wings sheared through the dense clouds of yellow pollen, scattering the suffocating haze across the horizon in a matter of seconds. The immense silhouette rapidly descended from the heavens, landing with an earth-shattering tremor that showcased raw, primordial majesty without the slightest restraint.
"Grrrr-r-r..."
"......"
Tyrano's mother had come to visit.
"It truly is a dragon!" Cain declared in awe.
I have eyes, you ridiculous doll.