“Once again, an easy victory thanks to my paintings.”
Petrov could earn enormous amount of Contribution in Vargo Fortress due to this. But this was not the only thing Petrov did.
Country Snake, Cerberus, Worm and other Sculpture Lifeforms that were given life in Jigolaths were at Vargo Fortress. They came under the orders of Weed to protect the fortress and destroyed monster dens one by one far away. The Death Worm that acted in conjunction with the Knights to defeat the monsters. Petrov built up a friendship with these large sized Sculpture Lifeforms.
It happened one day when he was painting a new piece. The Death Worm that Weed named simply as Worm, popped up from the ground, observed and left. From that day, several other Sculpture Lifeforms came and introduced themselves.
“You are quite a friendly bunch. Let me draw something for you.”
Petrov sometimes drew for them or showed them the work he’d done till now, increasing his friendship. And as the Sculpture Lifeforms were birthed from art, they quite liked it as well.
“What an amazing talent.”
“He’s much better than our Master.”
“You are right. Our Master gave us strange names and just abuses us. I am beginning to like this painter.”
Petrov sought friendship with the 47 Sculpture Lifeforms, also buying them food every so often.
“Eat. I will bring some more if it’s not enough.”
“Nom nom. Delicious. It tastes like honey.”
“Bring some more meat tomorrow, and also, I want to drink grape juice.”
“I want to chew on some bones.”
Petrov fulfilled all their wishes.
‘Soon they will abandon Weed to follow me.’
*****
On his way to Morata, Weed gave a surprise visit to the place the King Hydra and the Black Imugi hunted at.
“You guys!”
Using his 9 heads interchangeably, the King Hydra was stampeding through the forest, hunting.
“Master.”
“Long time no see.”
With it’s 9 head ramrod straight, the King Hydra approached Weed. It’s mouth could swallow Weed whole in one gulp. The King Hydra stopped once it stood in front of Weed.
“Move, I was here first.”
“4th head, you ate more yesterday, remember?”
“Me! The Master likes me the most!”
King Hydras were ferocious monsters who were vicious and did not heed orders. That’s why it was difficult for Weed to handle the Hydra. It had a large body; did not listen to beating; and even doing the utmost to persuade one head, it easily became corrupted by the sly tongue of the other heads.
The wisdom of ‘making sure not to meet the wrong kind of friends’ applied here as the King Hydra became crooked. Nothing could be done as from the beginning, all the heads were attached to one body.
Weed did not need to say anything, as he could clearly see the King Hydra’s belly protruding out.
‘This guy became a glutton.’
King Hydra’s personality was unscrupulous and sceptical that no amount of compliments would help it listen to Weed.
Weed frowned.
“Who told you to eat so much?”
“..........”
“You, did I not tell you not to hunt like that everyday?”
“4th head, I am talking to you. You better listen properly.”
“7th head I know it’s you.”
“From now when I am gone, make sure not to gorge yourself on monsters. They are also precious living beings.”
“I understand.”
“I will eat less from now on.”
The King Hydra acquiesced quickly.
But Weed knew.
‘When I am gone, they will hunt more diligently.’
Reverse psychology! When you tell them not to eat, they will want to eat even more!
“You, when I see you next time make sure you loose some fat.”
“I will try. But just breathing in air is making me fat.”
“We have 9 heads, even eating small morsels each will make us fat….. this is unfair.”
“I don’t care, make sure you lose the fat. Also, the purple tree, it’s dangerous so make sure not to get too close. At your level, you won’t manage. But I did hear the monsters there were really scrumptious...”
“Really?”
“Are they that delicious?”
“It tastes heavenly. Once you start eating, you won’t even know if one of your head’s disappeared. One monster has a complex mix of 6 different flavors, its sweet, sour, spicy, hot… and what was the other two again? No matter, the taste is unbelievable. It’s something you need to try out rather than listening about it.”
Gulp!
Each of the nine head of the King Hydra was drooling at the thought.
Using this method to direct the King Hydra to it’s most suited hunting ground, Weed pretended to leave, intending to watch what would happen. The 9 heads murmured quietly among themselves and went hurriedly toward the forest with purple trees.
Weed found the Black Imugi bathing at the lake located on top of the mountain.
“How have you been?”
“I been doing great. I have been enjoying the life you have granted me to the fullest.”
“I heard you made a new lair...”
“It’s just a small hole in the ground.”
“Should I call Bingryong and Phoenix for a housewarming party today?”
“Master!”
Black Imugi, who treasured his lair above all in this world, gave a small amount of jewels to Weed to keep his lair a secret. Weed even took pocket change from Sculptures whom he bestowed life upon!
After completing his simple visits, Weed flew toward Morata. As he had no need to hide himself in Morata, he decided to fly straight there while riding on his Wyvern.
“I should use this chance to visit the Church of Lugh in Morata.”