Ch.156156. Invasion: Aftermath (1)

After the two high-ranking instigators of this incident were eliminated, everything progressed rapidly.

Almost simultaneously with the dissolution of the “Garden of Bacchus” corruption, elven armies poured in from outside the barrier, and in the process, most enemies within the amusement park were wiped out.

And I, too, was designated as a “key contributor” by the Elven Kingdom’s Emergency Committee, allowing me to hear the general circumstances.

According to them, while the immediate cause of this incident was the demon-possessed individual and alien life form that had been virtually abandoned by the zoo, the more fundamental cause was the cultists secretly operating within the “Garden of Bacchus.”

The demon-worshipping faction and the outer god worshippers had intended to make the “Garden of Bacchus” the first sacrifice in their grand dream of conquering the Elven Kingdom. These elven cultists perfectly demonstrated why cults are said to emerge spontaneously.

Those with seemingly normal identities first secured employment as staff at the “Garden of Bacchus,” even in entry-level positions, then naturally infiltrated the amusement park and used various methods to expand their influence.

While disguising themselves as ordinary religious groups to lure employees into their cult was certainly important, these cultists obviously didn’t limit themselves to such gentle methods.

Brainwashing with demonic magic or using hypnosis to force “cooperation” was just the basics. They didn’t hesitate to kidnap people to receive the “blessing” of outer gods and force them into semi-compulsory obedience, or even perform soul swapping.

Using these various magical means and crimes to endlessly expand their influence, the cultists eventually “recruited” the zoo’s manager at some point, bringing in the means to be used in their plans.

Up to this point, the demon worshippers following the “Wrathful Demon Lord Satan” and the outer god worshippers venerating the “Crawling Chaos” had been cooperating. However, as reasons for cooperation diminished, the two groups gradually developed an antagonistic symbiotic relationship.

Though they’re all called cultists, demons and outer gods are hardly allies—they’re competitors sharing the same pie. Moreover, the internal structure of these cults is fundamentally chaotic in the vast majority of cases.

After all, these organizations consist entirely of people willing to kill others to gain power.

The vast majority of cult organizations are madhouses teeming with individuals who, though ruled by force, will betray without hesitation given the opportunity.

Even among those sharing the same goals, this is how things typically are. How could entities of completely different classifications possibly get along harmoniously?

Anyway, after maintaining this awkward coexistence, the two sides eventually came into open conflict as the day of execution approached, somehow causing the incident…

And ultimately, their plan failed due to my counterattack as I happened to pass by. The cultists were all either killed or captured, and now await their execution after interrogation.

Oh, and normally a foreigner like me wouldn’t be able to receive such critical internal information, but my status as a “key contributor” and my original social standing carried significant weight here.

Not only did I play a crucial role in eliminating the high-ranking demon and alien creature who were the masterminds behind this incident, but I also rescued at least hundreds of lives through the rats I had hidden in the shadows and the “Nature’s Cabin.”

On top of that, I’m a high-ranking “Druid.” Being a druid alone would earn me treatment almost equivalent to a citizen in the Elven Kingdom, but I’m even a high-ranking one who can influence world affairs.

Even though the Elven Kingdom has many active high-ranking individuals, a high-ranker is essentially a nuclear weapon.

Even if I were a dwarf, with whom they have notoriously bad relations, they would have treated me with considerable respect. Knowing I was a druid, they praised me to the point where it was almost embarrassing.

At first, I felt a strange sense of discomfort seeing these proud and dignified elves being so deferential…

But thinking about it carefully, there are understandable reasons for the Elven Kingdom’s reaction.

Elves are famous for being arrogant and proud, but perhaps because of this, they have exceptionally strong bonds with their own kind.

Of course, this characteristic doesn’t always lead to positive outcomes—they can be excessively harsh toward those deemed inadequate as elves, and they have a notorious reputation in the Western Continent’s international community for blindly defending their own.

However, at least for now, this seems to work in my favor.

Despite appearances, I directly rescued at least hundreds of elves, and indirectly saved what could have been thousands of elves within the “Garden of Bacchus” who might otherwise have been massacred.

No matter how arrogant and unfamiliar with humility elves might be… or rather, precisely because of that, they absolutely cannot treat someone who saved thousands of their kin carelessly.

Logically, saving thousands of people from disaster would be enough to be treated as a hero in any era, especially when those saved are elves, who are so full of affection for their own kind.

“Hero, please rest comfortably.”

“Y-yes…”

Thanks to this, my companions and I were br…ought to the capital, ostensibly to facilitate the reward process more easily, but in reality, to properly entertain an honored guest under the elves’ goodwill.

Although it was almost forced upon us, the treatment itself was nearly that of state guests, so I had no real complaints.

If anything, I was happy to enjoy gourmet food prepared by royal halfling chefs at a high-class inn in the elven capital, together with all my companions.

And while I was enjoying these pleasant days of leisure…

“‘Hero of the Garden’! Our magnificent sovereign, the Lord-god of the elves, has invited you to the royal palace!”

“…What?”

Somehow, I received a direct invitation to the palace from the monarch (king) of the Elven Kingdom.

Of course, there was no way I could refuse such an important invitation.

※ ※ ※

After somehow ending up meeting with the Elven King for commendation.

The first thing I had to do was, quite naturally, dress appropriately for the royal palace.

No matter how socially inept I might be, I couldn’t possibly maintain my usual shabby appearance when meeting the head of state of a world-class superpower.

So I spent all my emergency funds to commission a custom-made outfit from a famous craftsman of this kingdom, resulting in the formal attire I’m wearing now.

This formal wear, created for me by an elven master who had spent 600 years of his life making only formal attire, was such a masterpiece that I questioned whether it truly emerged from mortal hands.

The overall design resembled the flowing robes of kings from fantasy novels, following the current elven fashion of pure white base with golden thread accents.

Of course, these “accents” were actually embroidery done stitch by stitch with thread drawn from the expensive orichalcum (divine metal) by the master craftsman.

While from a distance they might look like ordinary patterns, up close one could appreciate the incredible effort put into each detail.

Additionally, the cape made of silk and the enchantments on the formal wear itself provided self-repair and protection against stains.

Though I said I spent my emergency funds, I actually received a tremendous discount thanks to my heroic deeds being well-regarded.

Essentially wearing the equivalent of a castle, I began approaching the elven royal palace, which was certainly worth all this preparation.

The elven royal palace resembled less what we typically think of as a palace and more a modern architectural structure with some sort of postmodern something-or-other feel.

A building consisting of hundreds of pillars, each with different shapes and sizes, each surface covered entirely with orichalcum shining with golden light, and each adorned with different patterns.

At first glance, it might appear disorderly and chaotic, but upon closer inspection, even someone as ignorant of architecture and art as myself could notice the artistry embedded in its structure—a massive and splendid building.

This was the true nature of this insane structure, its surface entirely covered with orichalcum.

And right in front of this magnificent palace, countless crowds had gathered.

[[[WAAAAAAAAAH─!!!!]]]

As the elves, presumably welcoming me, cheered loudly, I subtly adjusted my aura to project dignity, trying to calm my wildly beating heart as I slowly began to move forward…

‘….!!’

Despite being so far away, I was inwardly startled by the intense presence I could feel even at this distance.

With determination like that of a soldier heading to battle, I stepped toward the brilliant and beautiful interior of the royal palace.