Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Became the Gallery's Only Reptile
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[......]
Just what was that voice a moment ago?
Was it a hallucination? Did I simply imagine it?
'It's strangely grating.'
But I couldn't afford to dwell on it any longer.
I had to deal with the Spirit Kings who had just blocked mine and Cheong's attacks.
Not just one or two, but all of them gathered here in a group—I couldn't show any weakness against the Spirit Kings like this.
That said...
I had no intention of letting the matter with the Earth Spirit King slide here.
If force wasn't an option now that the Spirit Kings had assembled, I'd just have to resolve it another way.
-Whoa! Is that an Imoogi? It doesn't look like the one I know!
-It must be the Imoogi the Wind Spirit King mentioned last time.
-Yes, that's right. But it's grown even more than I expected.
-Enough that we all had to step in immediately.
-Is this the power of the Yeouiju? I've never heard of an Imoogi wielding one.
The Spirit Kings all turned their gazes toward me in unison, as if they'd discussed it beforehand.
And with every gaze I felt, their presences pulsed in response.
Probably because they ruled over the various elements, resonating with the energies I possessed.
-First... let's get a grasp on the situation.
The one who spoke first from among them was the Wind Spirit King, whom I'd met before.
Unlike last time, his wounds seemed healed—no energy leaked from him or anything of the sort.
-For now, El. You must know full well what day this is. But... could you explain what exactly is going on here?
Addressing me with formal respect in this official setting.
I'd sensed his consideration before, but that had been the gaze of a parent looking at their child's friends, thanks to his bond with Silpi.
But now? The Wind Spirit King was treating me as an equal, someone standing on the same level as himself.
That alone shifted how the other Spirit Kings regarded me, and the Earth Spirit King—who'd been dismissing us until moments ago—looked visibly shocked, clearly not having anticipated this turn.
[If it's an explanation of the situation, I think the Water Spirit King would be better suited to handle it than me.]
If the Wind Spirit King had formally acknowledged me first, the least I could do was match that decorum.
I adjusted my usual curt tone, turning my gaze to the Water Spirit King who'd been watching us from the start, and passed the explanation to him.
-Water Spirit King? Do you know the full story?
-Ahem. Well, I did watch the whole thing from beginning to end.
-Then please explain.
-Hey now, old man. Just sit tight for once. Don't go stirring things up and get a beating from us.
I could've explained it myself for more advantage, but why pass up the chance to let someone else do it?
Because having another explain was more beneficial for my side, naturally.
-The situation itself is...
The Earth Spirit King had broken the rules set among the Spirit Kings.
He'd ignored Ceres, whom they'd appointed as this land's lord, and tried to claim the territory with his own power.
It was a blatant disregard for the other Spirit Kings' opinions and an insult to the Wind Spirit King who'd come here in person.
Even if he was close to the Water Spirit King, he'd realized it while blocking our attacks.
That if he lied, we'd go all out without holding back.
-...which is why those spirit beasts stepped in.
-That crazy bastard!
Whoosh.
Hot flames erupted.
Similar to the crimson blaze I'd conjured while dealing with Tam's remains before, yet different—a scorching inferno surged around one man, fueled by his current emotions, burning fiercely.
-Fire Spirit King. Calm down for now.
-Calm down? That bastard just ignored all of us!
-Indeed. This is something that deserves reprimand. I'm angry too.
They were kings.
Thus, they were furious at the Earth Spirit King's attitude in ignoring their words.
They held back only because of the surrounding eyes and the escorts they'd brought.
-Earth Spirit King. Explain yourself. Why did you act like that?
Simply because he coveted this land?
Enough to risk falling out with the other Spirit Kings over it?
The Earth Spirit King wasn't that foolish.
And the Wind Spirit King knew that better than anyone, so I needed to uncover what had made him so frantic and desperate.
-...There's a problem in our territory.
-A problem?
The Earth Spirit King—who'd been silent until now—finally loosened up and began spilling the details.
It was five minutes before he and the Water Spirit King arrived at Paradise.
-...What? You're saying some unidentified creature is roaming our territory?
-Yes, my king! It appeared out of nowhere without any warning and is corrupting the land! The top-grade and high-grade spirits under me, including myself, are working to purify it, but for some reason, it's resisting our power and accelerating the corruption instead!
-......
A sudden report from his subordinate.
An unknown creature had emerged in the Earth Spirit King's territory, corrupting all the land.
And worse, it was reacting against the spirits' powers, worsening the situation—a near-nightmarish exchange.
-...I'll wrap up the meeting quickly and head back. Hold out until then.
-Cough! Un... Understood! Everyone! Stay away from the corrupted land! Don't provoke it!
Even so, with the meeting requiring full attendance no matter what, the Earth Spirit King resolved to end it as fast as possible and return.
But the only ones to arrive were the Water Spirit King and himself.
Unsure when the others would show, time kept ticking away, and with his struggling earth spirits on the verge of death, he had no choice but to borrow Paradise's land...
[Shut your mouth. You're saying you dared to eye this place for that pathetic reason?]
I couldn't listen to any more.
I shook my head, suppressing the reigniting anger.
Fine, I got it—they were desperate too.
But that didn't excuse silently trying to encroach on our territory without a word.
-He's right. As El said, this was clearly your fault, Earth Spirit King.
-I acknowledge it. I apologize.
The Earth Spirit King bowed his head toward us.
It wouldn't fully satisfy us, but it was enough to cool tempers so we wouldn't let personal grudges interfere with the meeting.
-But what corrupted the land so badly that you'd go this far?
-If it's something antithetical to us spirits that's corrupting the land, it has to be deathly miasma.
-Come to think of it, didn't a massive war break out among the humans recently?
Heads snapped toward the Lightning Spirit King at his words.
'Humans. And a large-scale war?'
The recent incident with the Raythe race came to mind.
Was it connected somehow?
But I'd handed the culprit, the demon sword Lakea, over to the Star Furnace, hadn't I?
-No... it couldn't be related to that place, right?
-No. We'd have noticed immediately if it was.
-Yeah. If that had opened, the problem would've been way bigger than this.
Who the hell was messing with the Earth Spirit King's territory?
As the Spirit Kings debated, the Earth Spirit King grew even more urgent and opened his mouth.
-Sorry, but could we hurry with the meeting?
-I see. It might get dangerous if we drag this out, so understood.
-Right! Let's get on with it.
[Tch.]
-Father.
[Fine. I'm in favor of proceeding with the meeting too.]
I'd wanted to drag it out inwardly to corner him more, but since Ceres didn't want that, no choice.
-The sole reason we've gathered here is one: to confirm that Paradise's ruler is Lady Ceres.
-Pleased to meet you. I am Ceres.
As expected, the Wind Spirit King took charge of conducting the meeting.
-I've confirmed beforehand that Lady Ceres possesses ample ability to govern Paradise, and you've all accepted my judgment.
-I can't express how grateful I am that the rulers of nature acknowledge me.
-Eh, we're just following the Wind Spirit King's lead.
-Exactly. And we gathered today to publicly declare that we won't extend our hands toward Paradise...
Gazes shifted toward the Earth Spirit King.
Well, even with a reason, he'd broken the rules in secret, so it was only natural.
-We'd planned to end it after getting confirmations from the Spirit Kings, but given the earlier incident, mere words might not convince you.
-No, words alone are fi—
[Indeed. After that, it's hard not to feel some apprehension.]
-Father??
Hey. Stay quiet for a sec.
The perfect opportunity had just presented itself.
If I played this right, I could extract a solid concession from the Spirit Kings.
-I knew it.
-Yeah, I'd feel the same.
-Well... same here.
-So, what do we do?
Mere words weren't enough to earn their trust anymore.
So, something beyond words was needed.
I pondered, then my eyes lit up as I glanced at Keter beside Ceres.
[In that case, how about this?]
"G-Grandfather?"
I nudged Keter forward with my tail so all the Spirit Kings could see her, then gave a brief explanation about her.
[This child is the first lifeform Ceres created herself, and Paradise's guardian who will protect her.]
-Oh? To think she'd even created life.
-Such abundant natural energy from her body. Impressive.
-She brims with talent.
-And her beauty is striking.
"I-I'm Keter, Lady Ceres's first branch!!"
The Spirit Kings' evaluations were glowing.
Then they'd easily accept the condition I proposed.
[How about bestowing your blessings upon this child?]
-I see! You're saying to make her our symbol.
-Indeed. She's a lifeform Ceres made herself, and it paints a fine picture.
-With her outstanding talent, she'll accept our blessings without issue.
Perfect. That's exactly it.
Now Keter would wield the power of all the Spirit Kings' blessings, and if she passed that power to her future siblings?
Then every elf born henceforth would carry the spirits' blessings.
Just like the original elves in Jijiyong.
Sneer.
'Right on plan.'