An uncomfortable silence fell.
She was holding my hand, as if to prevent me from leaving the gardener's grasp, and staring intently at me.
There was Muyeon, exhausted and breathing heavily, and the beautiful flowers that would appear as corpses to anyone else.
It was truly an ecstatic state.
Even though quite some time had passed, the gardener wasn't doing anything—was she waiting for my answer?
But I didn't know anything either.
What was this about her followers? And that originally, just approaching would turn one into a flower?
When the Watcher attacked me, or when the gardener showed hostility and attacked me, it was clear they couldn't use much physical force.
Could it be that this Coward Mode has some hidden function?
As time passed, the aura emanating from the gardener grew sharper, so I decided to speak up.
"Ah, no. I'm not sure exactly, but it's probably not what you're thinking."
But the gardener only frowned, as if my words frustrated her.
"...So you're going to be vague and brush it off. That's how self-proclaimed mystics or worshippers usually talk."
Perhaps because I was too ambiguous, it seemed the gardener didn't believe a word I said.
It was a stark contrast to the Watcher, who had shown me unconditional favor.
I racked my brain, but it was clear that stalling for time would only deepen the gardener's suspicions.
At this point, whatever will be, will be.
"Look! If you're an Outer God, you should be able to tell if this is the eye of someone lying!"
I decided to try using the fact that Outer Gods are quasi-omnipotent.
Thinking about the Watcher and the Alien Gods so far, they were all Outer Gods capable of interfering with others' minds.
So, I thought maybe the gardener could also read the target's thoughts.
But I could only be shocked by the gardener's complete lack of reaction.
Ah, was that not it?
Then I'm in trouble.
"W-well, you see…"
"...Hmm."
I tried to come up with some excuse, but I could feel the threatening aura from the gardener diminishing.
The proof was that Muyeon, who had been trembling behind me, now looked somewhat relieved.
Ah, ahaha.
Thank goodness.
I thought it was a bit of an extreme method, but thankfully it worked out…
"...But you reek of dog. And that record-keeping bastard too… If the smell is this strong, it means you've been rolling around together."
…Or so I thought.
Just when I thought I had calmed the gardener down, her menacing aura flared up again.
Could it be because I was licked by the Watcher?
This is just too unfair!
Then at least give me time to wash!
And what did she mean by "record-keeping bastard"? She must mean the Recorder.
I never even met the Recorder in the first place, so what is she…!
No matter how much I complain, she won't understand.
Right, let's think.
From this conversation, I learned that the gardener is an Outer God who doesn't attack humans who aren't hostile to her, at a minimum.
The fact that she hadn't kicked me out of her domain yet confirmed this.
But at the same time, she was very wary of humans who entered her domain.
Well, who would be friendly to someone barging into their home? But her level of wariness was excessive.
Thinking that, I recalled something the gardener had said.
'No one can touch my friend.'
And that "something" she had spread around herself.
Wait a minute.
Now that I think about it, why did she deploy a circle but stay outside herself?
That means…
"I can…"
"...?"
"I can solve your friend's problem!"
Everything about the gardener's actions pointed to the fact that they were all to protect that being she called her "friend."
Like a mother cheetah charging at a bear to protect her injured cub.
Otherwise, considering the personalities of the Outer Gods I've met so far, there's no way she'd be this hostile toward humans.
And it seemed my words were correct.
"...How did you know that?"
Despite her calm tone, the gardener's pupils shook as if trembling like an aspen tree.
Simultaneously, the lush trees around us began to change rapidly, as if voicing the gardener's emotions.
"Eeek…!"
I wonder if this sound sounds creepy to Muyeon right now.
But to my eyes, it just looked like the space was transforming, the trees disappearing somewhere, and turning into a cute flower garden.
Fortunately, it didn't seem to be with intent to attack, as the gardener simply turned around and started walking.
"...Follow me."
I guess she decided to believe me.
Whew.
That took ten years off my life.
So, this current state means she's not wary? Can Muyeon remove the handkerchief now?
"Mr. Muyeon."
"...Yes?"
"Come here."
As he approached at my voice, I removed the handkerchief from Muyeon's eyes, and he soon opened them.
And immediately, anticipating the reaction he was about to show, I covered his eyes again with the handkerchief.
"...Eek!... Yaaah! Wh-what? Something just… like tentacles…? Wh-what?"
"...J-just keep it covered."
"As I thought, humans are all just trash."
So, it really was only okay for my eyes.
I was just utterly flustered.
I followed the gardener's guidance.
We were passing through a catacomb made of plants.
Even with Coward Mode active, the slightly damp and gloomy atmosphere felt strangely eerie.
"S-sorry. I can't do anything…"
Since I was holding Muyeon's hand and leading him, he said that.
"It's okay. If it weren't for you, Mr. Muyeon, I wouldn't have even made it here in the first place. Thank you."
Muyeon didn't say anything in response, but he seemed slightly pleased, so that was good.
"This is the safe path. The way you came is a path ordinary humans can't take."
"Ah, I see."
Ah, so the "Gardener's Garden" written before entering must refer to from here onward.
No wonder the path guided by the Alien God only had bright red flowers. So that's why.
It seems the Alien God used my immunity to mental attacks to guide me.
Looking at the gardener's back as she walked, I felt awkward for no reason.
"U-um, it seems like you've decorated it very prettily. It's charming and nice."
I tried starting a conversation, but the gardener didn't respond at all.
As I smiled awkwardly, the gardener finally turned her head slightly and spoke.
"...I don't fully trust you yet. Just… whatever, just follow me."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
Well, how could she show favor to someone she still considers an enemy in the first place?
I'll have to think about it after solving this problem.
We walked for quite a while longer.
A narrow passageway formed of vines appeared, lined up straight ahead, and upon reaching the end, a spacious area large enough for a person to live in was revealed.
It was the space where I first encountered the gardener.
The gardener moved aside as if telling me to stand beside her, so I stood next to her.
Looking to the side, she was pointing at something. When I turned my head toward it, I saw a single rose.
However, the peculiar thing was that it was shining with a silvery-white light.
"A slightly strange rose… Haha, it's pretty."
"Wh-what is that?"
Muyeon asked in confusion, but she didn't answer.
Once she confirmed I had observed it, the gardener sighed and lowered her arm.
"...If you look closely, you should be able to see what the problem is."
Huh? Was there a problem?
Because of the distance, I squinted slightly and observed the rose again, and only then could I understand what the gardener was talking about.
"That black thing, it's eating away at my friend. I'd prefer to handle it with my own power, but it's something even I can't do anything about.
Because of that, even the humans who tried to deal with my friend died en masse before I could do anything."
You'll probably end up the same, though.
At the following bloody remark, I unconsciously swallowed dryly.
I could tell from the gardener's gloomy expression that she wasn't lying.
I-Is it that bad?
Because to my eyes, it just looked like a caterpillar eating a flower.
The only differences were its character-like deformed appearance and its un-caterpillar-like long, stretched-out legs.
When I showed signs of panic, the gardener made a discouraged expression and sighed.
"...I knew I shouldn't have brought you. How could a human handle something even I can't…"
"Let me give it a try, whatever."
"What?"
Hey, I said I'd solve it. Why is she so surprised?
Ignoring the gardener's reaction, I walked toward the rose.
Hmm.
Even up close, it still just looks like a bug.
I twisted my mouth as if it were nothing and reached my hand toward the bug.
"Wait, you idiot…!"
At the gardener's shout, I reflexively jumped back, and I immediately understood why.
The caterpillar that had been munching on the rose suddenly raised its tail sharply toward the sky and spat blue liquid in my direction.
I saw it with my eyes, but avoiding the already flying liquid was impossible.
"Eeek…!"
I felt a sticky sensation all over my body, and my clothes turned blue.
Could it be a corrosive substance?
Am I in big trouble?
I thought that and tensed up, but…
Is, is this it?
Nothing happened; my clothes just got wetter.
"...So this is how it ends after all."
For some reason, the gardener was shaking her head as if she had already given up.
"Why, why? What is this?"
"If that hits a human, they can't maintain their sanity… Huh?"
The gardener, who had been speaking in a gloomy tone, looked up as if noticing something strange and began examining me.
I could clearly sense her confusion.
"Wh-what? Why are you fine?"
The gardener asked in astonishment.
W-well, why indeed?
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