#818 Regarding a Sacred Mountain

One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains.

Ah, how nostalgic. I was even involved in editing that masterpiece of dedication from Golden Bat.

An S-rank adventurer with a passion, or rather a life’s work, used his mountain-climbing experience to create it.

Golden Bat compiled information on all the mountains of the world, each entry graced with his ratings and personal reflections.

That’s the One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains.

I lent a hand in its creation, and the trials and tribulations from those days have certainly stuck with me.

“The published One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains went on sale in both the Demon and Human Kingdoms, recording explosive sales and becoming a mega-bestseller with forty million copies sold.”

Seriously?

I’d like to see something of mine sell forty million copies...!

“Its success, you see, owes much to it covering not just the mountains of his home, the Human Kingdom, but also those in the Demon Kingdom. Thanks to this, it was more than just a bestseller; it also deepened understanding between humans and demons, becoming a book that bridged worlds.”

“I’m not entirely satisfied with that explanation...!”

Silver Wolf expressed his dissatisfaction despite the presented facts.

Other S-rank adventurers have taken measures from their positions to advance the harmony between the human and demon races.

Yet, here we have Golden Bat, who pursued nothing but his own interests, achieving the most significant impact with a book about mountains purely for his hobby. For those who’ve been earnestly trying, it’s understandably frustrating.

“Golden Bat’s contribution to human-demon harmony with his book is causing you grief, Belphgamilia?”

“A book that bridged worlds? That’s a colossal mistake. This book incites conflict.”

What...?!

Belphgamilia spoke with such direct hostility!

What could be so wrong with the One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains?

“Well, I happened upon this book by chance. I had nothing particularly pressing, just idle time on my hands, so I thought, why not give it a read...”

“It’s not like we have time to be idle! There are piles of matters waiting for your approval, Commander of the Demon Army!”

Mamoru’s protest turned into an unheard plea.

“I’m not particularly knowledgeable about mountain climbing. I’ve done it, but it was mostly marching with the Demon King’s Army. So most of this book was all gibberish to me, except for one part... one single part that was completely contrary to my understanding.”

Eh? What?

Typos or something? Unless it’s something that completely messes up the meaning, I think it’s better to just let it slide...!

“It’s... on this page!”

Belphgamilia flips open the actual page of the book in question to show the problematic section.

Very considerate.

And that page happens to be about... Mt. Eternity?

Sacred Peak, Mt. Eternity.

That’s another nostalgic name.

After all, Mt. Eternity was the very mountain Golden Bat invited me to climb with him!

“This book says... ‘Mt. Eternity: Inarguably the world’s greatest sacred peak. Its height is unmatched worldwide, and the purity of the air surrounding it is also first-class, embracing a diversity of natural hues with the mightiest Lifeless King dwelling at its summit. From the author’s experience of conquering hundreds of mountains, it is asserted as the finest in every sense.’”

Praise galore.

Given Golden Bat’s obsession with Mt. Eternity even before penning that book, it’s understandable his pen flew with such enthusiasm...

So, Belphgamilia doesn’t like that passage?

Oh, I know—he must have a preferred mountain, and seeing Mt. Eternity get all the glory rubs him the wrong way?

Am I misunderstanding something?!

“You’re stupid, saint.”

“Did you just call me stupid?!”

“No mistake in what I’ve read so far. In fact, it’s quite astute. Mt. Eternity is indeed the finest mountain. Its grandeur, scenery, and sanctity are unparalleled. No other mountain can compare. That’s the truth. This book has done an excellent job of articulating that truth without distortion. It should be praised, indeed.”

Why is he suddenly talking a lot...?!

“Thank you for the compliment!”

And why is Golden Bat expressing his gratitude?!

What’s with these guys?! I’m starting to feel the suffering of Mamoru and Silver Wolf, who seem to be constantly at the mercy of these two!

“But it’s precisely because the rest captures the truth that this single error becomes unbearable. It’s a sinfully grave mistake. This one flaw negates the entire value of the book, and it’s that detrimental. It’s a fatal error...!”

“Just get to the point already!”

I simply can’t keep up anymore.

I want to finish by the evening to spend quality time with my kids. Please make it brief!

“Hmm, let’s come to a conclusion, shall we? The grave error in this book is...this!!!”

Belphgamilia points out the page in the One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains featuring Mt. Eternity.

It read:

“Area: Human Kingdom.”

...

“...What’s the problem with that?”

“You’ve got to be kidding! I can’t believe you don’t see it! There’s no mistake more glaringly obvious at first glance than this. Right?!”

“I don’t think I follow...!”

I’m genuinely clueless here.

Desperate for aid, I glance over at the Selfless Workaholics for help.

Help me out, guys! Reading the room is part of your job, isn’t it?!

“...Allow me to explain.”

Whether they sensed my plea or not, Mamoru and the others started to enlighten me.

“To notice this problem, one needs some geographical knowledge... In essence, the Mt. Eternity lies directly on the border between the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom.”

Pardon?

“And since Mt. Eternity is one of the tallest in the world, its base extends far and wide. In practice, its slopes deeply encroach both kingdoms’ territories.”

“Because of this, each nation has pressed their own assertions...”

The humans claim, “The Mt. Eternity belongs to the Human Kingdom.”

The demons retort, “The Mt. Eternity belongs to the Demon Kingdom.”

“Both humans and demons insist the mountain is theirs and won’t back down. Until now, the issue hasn’t been highlighted because of ongoing wars with much larger political stakes. But in these peaceful times, such minor misunderstandings are being brought to the forefront...!”

“It seems this book has inadvertently become a catalyst,” says Silver Wolf as he flips through the One Hundred Otherworldly Famous Mountains.

He says it with a rather dark expression...!

“So, that’s why we’re on the brink of an all-out war?”

“It appears every faction has its extremists...!”

The human side, Golden Bat (the author), insists, “Preposterous. Since the dawn of creation, Mt. Eternity has been part of the Human Kingdom... That’s why I recorded it as such in my book. Only the truth belongs in print, and I had no intention of deviating from that!”

The demon side, Belphgamilia (the reader), counters, “That’s exactly the mistake I’m talking about! Since the Big Bang, Mt. Eternity has been within the Demon Kingdom! Hence, the book’s description is erroneous! I’ve sent fifty letters a month demanding a correction!!!”

What a dedicated reader!

“There’s no obligation to respond to groundless accusations! Cease your bothersome behavior at once!”

“To protect the truth, I will keep sending my letters!!!”

“I’m telling you, that’s the nuisance here!”

How absurd.

This was the crux of their dispute?

A grand debate over the ownership of a mountain spanning borders?

But their stances only lead to an impasse!

Seriously, they’re an S-rank adventurer and a Heavenly One. Don’t they realize this squabble could escalate into a real war?!

“Demons, face reality!”

“You humans are the ones hiding in delusions!”

Yah, yah yah, blah, blah, blah, bicker, bicker bicker...!

Eep?!

On closer inspection, it wasn’t just these two troublemakers!

More radical elements from both demon and human races are gathering behind them!

Leading the pack, Belphgamilia and Golden Bat, say...

“It seems we have no choice but to resort to force...! Annoying as it may be, power must be exercised to have meaning!”

“Bring it on! Show me how fast an S-rank adventurer who can outrun dragons can flee!”

...and there was absolutely no sign of them backing down.

The commotion continued, growing louder and more unruly...

It was so noisy that even I, usually calm, felt an imaginary ‘snap’ in the back of my head...

“Ryaaaaaaah!!!”

Booooooom.

I found myself unleashing the blinding light of Wicked-Holy Sword Dreischwartz for the first time in a long while.

The Mt. Eternity extremists were scattered.

Seeing Silver Wolf and Mamoru dealing with this kind of stress day and night, supervising those troublemakers, I genuinely admired the Selfless Workaholics.