The Gardener was looking at me, her mouth agape as if bewildered.
So, the reason I'm fine even after being hit is because it only erodes the mind and has no other function?
It seems the liquid this larva spews is threatening to the rose.
As I tilted my head in confusion, the larva showed signs of panic and raised its tail again, starting to spray more of that liquid.
"Gyah!"
Did it judge that the quantity was insufficient before?
It doesn't look particularly disgusting, but since it's an impurity coming from a bug, it's hard to just stand there and take it.
"Ew! That's gross!"
I already feel gross because I can't wash up, what are you doing!
It's also frustrating to just stand here and get hit.
I decided not to care and moved forward. As soon as I reached the flower, I tried to snatch the larva, but it swiftly evaded by moving across the flower, as if it were a living creature.
This little...?
"Okay, you want to play it that way."
I steadied my stance to begin the serious larva collection, gesturing with my hands, trying not to disturb the flower as much as possible.
But it was frustratingly elusive, testing the limits of my patience.
"Now!"
Spotting an opening, I quickly reached out, but it suddenly shot out something that wasn't liquid.
I realized it was thread, coiling tightly around my hand.
"Ouch!"
Whatever was on the thread stung as if the area it touched was melting.
Is this why the Gardener can't approach recklessly?
Not only is it hard to get close because of the blue liquid, but if you finally manage to get close, it binds you like this and then sprays more blue liquid.
On top of that, with the flower it cherishes held hostage, it can't even use the plants it controls to handle the situation.
It's truly a dilemma with no way out.
"Tch!"
I tried pulling the thread wrapped around my hand towards me to make the larva fly towards me, but it just snapped the thread and hid in the flower's calyx.
Ah, seriously.
Why won't you just get caught nicely...!
Furthermore, it was subtly setting up something around itself with the thread. When I ignored it and tried to grab it, my hand stuck smack to it, and it took a while to peel off.
Is this that so-called 'String Trap' skill?
I think they said on the community it's a skill optimized for restraining opponents.
So that's why.
If this keeps dragging on...
In a fit of anger, I reached out, resolved to grab the larva along with the entire flower, and that's what it took to finally catch it.
But the problem is, if I pull the larva off like this, the flower will break.
"Friend! Help me."
I called the Isolation God. It came out and approached the larva.
Judging by its current appearance, the Isolation God seems weaker than the Gardener, so I was honestly worried it might get into trouble.
But for some reason...
When the Isolation God spread its arms like a red panda to threaten it...
"Kii, Kiii."
The larva stiffened completely and stopped moving in my hand.
Like a creature facing overwhelming terror.
Is this also related to that frequently mentioned 'her'?
Seizing the opportunity, I quickly snatched the larva and finally succeeded in separating it from the flower.
"Squeak!"
"Gah!"
But as if in retaliation, it stabbed my hand with its long legs, forcing me to drop it on the ground immediately.
As soon as it hit the ground, the larva tried to approach the flower again.
No, after I finally separated it...!
"Not so far."
But fortunately, the larva couldn't achieve its goal.
Before it could reach the flower, a stem growing from the ground impaled the larva like a skewer at the Gardener's gesture.
Squelch!
"Keeeeek!"
The larva let out a loud noise, like the sound of squishing a doll.
As if that wasn't enough, two more stems grew and firmly impaled it for good measure.
With that, the larva's movements ceased completely.
"Phew, haah..."
Feeling that everything was finally over, I lay down on the ground. The Isolation God, looking worried again, flew over to me.
I stroked the Isolation God with my finger.
"It's okay, I'm just tired."
My abdomen had been throbbing since earlier, which was bothersome, but maybe it'll be better after I sleep and wake up.
All I could think about was wanting to rest quickly.
But I still need to finish up.
Lifting my head to look towards the flower, I saw the Gardener carefully approaching.
Like someone approaching a family member they haven't seen for years.
Perhaps because the larva had chewed on it a lot, parts of it were torn, but as the Gardener got closer, it began to glow.
"Ah, ah."
Seeing this, tears welled up in the Gardener's eyes.
Then, something started wriggling out of the flower, yawning as if waking from a long sleep.
It was about the size of the Isolation God, with silver long hair and white skin, beautiful like a doll.
"Friend..."
"Uh, Unnie?"
The child from the rose stretched out both arms towards the Gardener.
Finally, a single tear drop fell from the Gardener's eye, tracing down her chin.
Seeing such a strong being show such vulnerability felt like being hit on the head.
The fact that an Outer God, who seemed to have neither blood nor tears, did this, made it even more so.
I was about to say something but closed my mouth upon seeing that sight.
Thinking about how worried the Gardener must have been all this time, it's probably better to let her express her emotions freely for a while.
"You're awake. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I have no energy, but I feel... refreshed."
But was this a hint of the unfortunate future waiting?
Despite her words, something faint about her state didn't look too good.
It felt like she might disappear at any moment.
Isn't there anything I can do?
I didn't want to bring misfortune to the woman smiling so faintly.
I never like bad endings like this.
Even if it's an Outer God, everyone being happy is much better, right?
Then, the Isolation God peeked its head out of my pocket and tapped my hand.
"Why?"
Wondering if it had some opinion, I looked, and the Isolation God was holding out a candy to me.
Wait, why the suicide pill again?!
Does it mean I should take this and find peace quickly?
As if reading my mind again, the Isolation God shook its head rapidly.
Then what...?
Not wanting to attract the Gardener's unnecessary dislike, I tried to put the candy back in my pocket.
"That is..."
The Gardener slowly approached me.
I've been caught after all!
Ah, no!
I don't want to die yet...!
"Really... from the beginning, your intention was to help us...?"
I reflexively guarded my face with my arms, but the words I heard were the complete opposite of what I expected.
Carefully lowering my arms, I looked at the Gardener.
I only ever saw her stern, threatening expression, so I didn't know, but seeing her teary, faint smile left me speechless.
It felt like a painting.
Thinking she might need the candy, I gently offered it to her. The Gardener quickly took it and rushed to the rose, placing the candy in its mouth.
The child held the candy, licked it, and then continued her actions with a bright, happy smile.
Simultaneously, the child's body began to become less transparent, eventually regaining its full form.
I thought it was a useless medicine, but it ended up being used like this.
Hmm.
Confirming the child was much better, the Gardener stood up and offered me her hand.
Seeing her, who always had a stern expression towards me, smiling faintly, I thought her smiling face was very pretty.
"Uh, well, um."
"Thank you."
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, took her hand, and used it as support to stand up.
As we stood there silently looking at each other, the Gardener said with a smile in her eyes,
"You should wash up quickly when you get back. You're all slimy."
"...Yeah."
Saying that and returning to the rose seemed to be her way of saying goodbye.
Really, an Outer God who can't be honest until the end.
But I still had something to say.
"I heard that in this garden, you made it possible to get out somehow. You didn't really want to kill people, right?"
At my words, the Gardener's eyes widened in surprise, then she snorted and said,
"What does that matter? I still killed people. You guys shouldn't forgive me."
"But..."
"Enough. Take this."
The Gardener extended a branch and gave me something. Receiving it, I saw it was a dandelion and a leaf with a peculiar pattern.
As I looked blankly, the Gardener explained.
"If you're a knight, you'll need proof that you killed us. Submit the hair as evidence, and keep the dandelion."
"Will the Knight Order be fooled by just this?"
Since Muyeon couldn't hear my conversation with the Gardener, I explained it in a simplified way, and she answered innocently.
"Uh, I think so. Actually, this leaf is commonly known as a byproduct from the Gardener..."
I'm still a little worried.
But since it's Muyeon saying it, I guess I can trust it.
By the way, what's with the dandelion?
It was surrounded by buds, as if it hadn't bloomed long.
"The dandelion?"
"If you plan to keep helping Outer Gods in the future, it might help you someday. There are those united by malice towards humans."
The Gardener said, gritting her teeth slightly.
"Especially if you want to deal with the ■■ who made this world like this."
"What did you say?"
She clearly said something, but it crackled as if there was noise, and I couldn't hear it properly.
I thought it was just my ears, but the Gardener let out a sigh and said,
"I see. It seems someone stronger than me is interfering. Then there's nothing more I can say."
I wondered if she meant 'that woman', but the Gardener shook her head.
"No, not the one you're thinking of. I'm not weaker than her."
"...But how, for an Average Outer God?"
"It's a mistake to define us by human value judgments. I am not what you call an Average Outer God."
"So, what you call the 'Gardener' is actually my friend."
Then that means we've encountered another Greater Outer God, like the Watcher.
"Then... who are you?"
"Even if you're okay, the woman behind you probably wouldn't be able to maintain her sanity if she heard my name."
Ah.
Thinking about it, that makes sense.
Even if I asked her to step away for a moment, she'd probably be horrified and refuse.
Seeing me flustered, the Gardener snorted and said,
"I'll just say I'm the coward from the garden where humanity first committed sin."
"A coward."
So, not much different from me or Muyeon.
I guess we're a trio of cowards, huh.
"Hurry and go. My friend needs to rest too."
"...Can we meet again later?"
At my words, the Gardener looked at me with a subtle expression, then smiled and said,
"Who knows. Maybe."
With those final words to the Gardener, we headed towards the main gate.
Seeing the many flowers still there, I felt a sense of loneliness, wondering how the Gardener must have felt all this time.
She didn't want to, but the killings were forced upon her.
Perhaps the true nature of Outer Gods is that they are beings surrounded by misunderstanding.
"Sigh..."
"Uh, so, Mr. Tantun?"
Muyeon called me. I looked at her, feeling a bit gloomy.
"Yes, what is it?"
"When can I take off this handkerchief?"
Ah.
It was only after we completely left the main gate that Muyeon finally regained her sight.
＃
The underground of the furnace where massive flames soar.
The Vice-Captain sat at the round table in the Knight Order's underground outpost.
He looked at the mark they had contracted before their departure.
Even though he had received Muyeon's return signal, looking at Tantun's still glowing mark, the Vice-Captain let out a sigh.
"The Hunter was within expectations, but I never thought that lunatic would pull it off. It must be thanks to Muyeon after all. What motivation made her swallow her fear and act?"
As he watched, the light from one of the finger marks completely vanished.
It was Agartha's.
"...Worthless wench."
Even upon seeing the signal confirming her demise, the Vice-Captain continued his work indifferently.
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