Chapter 23
The Gardener looked at me with her mouth open, seemingly confused.
I wondered why I was fine after being hit by this, but it seems it only affects the mind without any other function.
It appears this liquid spat by the caterpillar is threatening to the rose.
As I tilted my head in confusion, the caterpillar showed signs of panic and raised its tail again, starting to spew more of that liquid.
"Aaaagh!"
Perhaps it judged that the quantity was insufficient.
Although it didn't look particularly disgusting, just thinking that it was an impurity from an insect made it hard to endure being hit by it.
"Ugh! How filthy!"
I was already feeling uncomfortable from not being able to wash, and now this!
I was getting angry just standing there being hit.
I tried to move forward regardless of being hit or not, intending to snatch the caterpillar as soon as I reached the flower, but the little life form slithered away along the flower, avoiding me.
This little...
"Okay, let's try this."
I took a stance to start seriously catching the caterpillar, gesturing while trying not to touch the flower as much as possible.
However, it was frustratingly just out of reach, testing my patience.
"Now!"
In the midst of this, I spotted an opening and quickly reached out, but suddenly it fired something other than liquid.
I could tell it was thread as it wrapped around my hand.
"Ouch!"
Whatever was in the thread, the area where it touched felt like it was melting, stinging sharply.
Is this why the Gardener couldn't approach carelessly?
In the first place, the blue liquid makes it difficult to approach, and even if you manage to get close, it would tie you up like this and then shoot more blue liquid.
Moreover, with her precious flower held hostage, she couldn't use the plants she controls to deal with it.
It was truly a dilemma.
"Hah!"
I tried to pull the thread wrapped around my hand towards me to make the caterpillar fly towards me, but it cut the thread again and hid in the calyx.
Oh, come on.
Just get caught nicely, you...!
Moreover, it was setting up something around itself with the thread, and when I tried to ignore it and catch it, my hand got stuck, taking a while to detach.
Is this what they call a String Trap?
I remember the community saying it was a skill optimized for binding opponents.
So that's why they said that.
If this continues...
In a fit of anger, I reached out ready to grab the caterpillar along with the flower, and only then was I able to catch it.
But the problem is that if I pull out the caterpillar like this, the flower will break.
"Friend! Help me."
When I called for the Lesser Outer God, it came out and approached the caterpillar.
Judging by its appearance alone, the Lesser Outer God seemed weaker than the Gardener, so I was honestly worried about what might happen.
But for some reason...
When the Lesser Outer God spread its arms threateningly like a red panda...
"Eek, eek."
The caterpillar froze in my hand and didn't move.
As if facing overwhelming fear.
I wonder if this is also related to that person they keep mentioning, "her".
Taking advantage of that moment, I quickly snatched the caterpillar, and finally succeeded in separating it from the flower.
"Kiki!"
"Argh!"
But as if counterattacking, it stabbed my hand with its long legs, forcing me to throw it to the ground immediately.
As soon as it fell to the ground, the caterpillar tried to approach the flower again.
No, after all the effort to remove it...!
"That's far enough."
Fortunately, the caterpillar couldn't achieve its goal.
With a gesture from the Gardener, stems grew from the ground and skewered the caterpillar like a kebab before it could reach the flower.
Piyong!
"Kiiiiieek!"
The caterpillar made a loud noise along with a sound like pressing a doll.
As if that wasn't enough, two more stems grew and pierced it firmly.
With that, the caterpillar's movement completely stopped.
"Huff, haah..."
Thinking that everything was over now, I lay down on the ground, and the Lesser Outer God flew to me with a tearful face again.
I stroked the Lesser Outer God with my finger.
"It's okay, I'm just tired."
Although the throbbing in my abdomen had been bothering me for a while, I thought it might get better after sleeping.
I just wanted to rest quickly.
But I should finish up.
As I lifted my head to look towards where the flower was, I saw the Gardener approaching carefully.
As if approaching a family member she hadn't seen for years.
Although part of it was quite torn due to being chewed on a lot by the caterpillar, when the Gardener approached, it started to emit light.
"Ah, ah."
Tears welled up in the Gardener's eyes at the sight.
Then something started to wriggle out of the flower, yawning as if waking up from a long sleep.
It was about the size of the Lesser Outer God, with silver long hair and white skin that looked beautifully doll-like.
"Friend..."
"Uh, sister?"
The child that came out of the rose stretched out both arms towards the Gardener.
Finally, a tear rolled down the Gardener's cheek.
The fact that such a strong being showed such a weak appearance made me feel like I'd been hit on the head.
Even more so because it was an Outer God that seemed like it would have no blood or tears.
I was about to say something but closed my mouth seeing that scene.
Considering how much the Gardener must have worried all this time, it might be better to let her express her emotions freely for a moment.
"You're awake. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, I feel weak, but how should I say it, refreshed."
But is this a sign of a sad future waiting?
Although she said that, something seemed faint, and her condition didn't look very good.
It felt like she might disappear at any moment.
Isn't there anything we can do?
I didn't want to bring unhappiness to that woman with the faint smile.
I never like these bad endings.
Even if they are Outer Gods, it's much better if everyone is happy, right?
At that moment, the Lesser Outer God poked its head out of my pocket and tapped my hand.
"What is it?"
Wondering if it had some idea, I looked at it, and the Lesser Outer God was holding out a candy to me.
No, why the suicide pill again!
Could it mean for me to eat this and feel better quickly?
As if reading my mind again, the Lesser Outer God shook its head rapidly.
No, then what...
I tried to put the candy back in my pocket, not wanting to look bad in front of the Gardener.
"That is..."
The Gardener slowly approached me.
Have I been caught after all!
Ah, no!
I don't want to die yet...
"You really... came to help us from the beginning..."
I reflexively covered my face with my arm to guard, but I heard words completely opposite to what I expected.
I carefully lowered my arm and looked at the Gardener.
I hadn't noticed because she always looked serious or threatening, but seeing her teary-eyed, faint smile, I couldn't say anything.
It felt just like a painting.
Thinking the candy might be needed, I gently held it out to the Gardener, who quickly took it and ran to the rose to put it in its mouth.
The child held the candy with her hand and licked it, then continued the action with a bright smile as if happy.
At the same time, the child's body started to become more opaque, and in the end, it completely regained its form.
I thought it was just a useless medicine, but it ended up being used like this.
Hmm.
After confirming that the child was completely fine, the Gardener stood up and held out her hand to me.
Always showing a serious face to me before, now seeing her smile, albeit faintly, I thought her smiling face was really pretty.
"Uh, well..."
"Thank you."
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and took the Gardener's hand, using it as support to stand up.
As we stood looking at each other silently, the Gardener smiled with her eyes and said:
"You should wash up quickly when you get back. You're all slippery."
"...Right."
Saying that and returning to the rose seemed to be the Gardener's way of saying goodbye.
Well, an Outer God that can't be honest until the end.
But there was still something I wanted to say.
"I heard that you've made it possible to get out of this garden somehow. You didn't really want to kill people, right?"
At my words, the Gardener showed surprise with wide eyes, then snorted and said:
"What does that matter? In any case, I killed people. You shouldn't forgive me either."
"But..."
"Never mind, just take this."
The Gardener extended a branch and gave me something, which turned out to be a dandelion flower and a leaf with a peculiar pattern on it.
Seeing my blank expression, the Gardener explained:
"As a knight, you'll need proof that you killed us. Submit the hair as evidence, and keep the dandelion."
"Will the Knight Order really be fooled by something like this?"
Since Muyeon couldn't hear my conversation with the Gardener, I explained it loosely, and she answered innocently:
"I-I think so. Actually, this leaf is said to be a common byproduct from the Gardener..."
I'm still a bit worried though.
But since it's Muyeon saying it, not someone else, I guess I can be confident.
By the way, what about the dandelion?
It was surrounded by flower buds, perhaps because it hadn't grown much yet.
"What about the dandelion?"
"If you plan to help Outer Gods in the future, it will be useful someday. There are also those who are filled with malice towards humans."
The Gardener said, gritting her teeth slightly.
"Especially to deal with ■■ who made this world like this."
"What did you say?"
I clearly heard something, but it sounded like static, as if there was noise, so I couldn't hear it properly.
I thought it was just my ears, but the Gardener sighed and said:
"I see. It seems you're being interfered with by someone even stronger than me. Then I have nothing more to say to you."
I thought she might be talking about "her", but the Gardener shook her head.
"No, it's not what you're thinking. I'm not weaker than her."
"...How can a Lesser Outer God..."
"It's wrong to define us by human value judgments. I'm not what you call a Lesser Outer God.
Rather, what you call the Gardener is actually my friend."
Then that means we've encountered another Great Outer God like the Observer.
"Then... who are you?"
"You might be fine, but the woman behind you probably wouldn't be able to maintain her sanity if she heard my name."
Ah!
Come to think of it, that's right.
Even if I asked her to step out for a moment, she'd probably turn pale and absolutely refuse.
Seeing my confused look, the Gardener snorted and said:
"I'll just say this much: I'm the coward from the garden where humans first committed sin."
"A coward, huh."
You're no different from me or Muyeon.
I thought we were quite the chicken trio.
"Hurry and go. My friend needs to rest too."
"...Can we meet again someday?"
At my words, the Gardener looked at me with a subtle expression, then smiled and said:
"Who knows. Maybe we will."
With those words as our farewell, I left the Gardener and headed towards the main gate.
Seeing so many flowers still, I felt melancholic thinking about how the Gardener must have felt all this time.
Forced killing, even though she didn't want to.
Perhaps Outer Gods are really beings surrounded by misunderstandings.
"Sigh..."
"S-so, Mr. Tanton?"
As Muyeon called me, I looked at her with a slightly gloomy feeling.
"Yes, what is it?"
"When can I remove this handkerchief?"
Ah.
Only after completely leaving the main gate could Muyeon finally regain her sight.
***
In the underground of the hearth where huge flames rise.
The Vice Captain was sitting at the round table in the Knights' station under the hearth.
Looking at the mark they had contracted before departing.
The Vice Captain sighed, looking at Tanton's mark that was still shining despite receiving Muyeon's return signal.
"I expected the Hunter, but to think that lunatic would succeed. Is it thanks to Muyeon after all? What kind of motivation made him swallow his fear and act?"
As he was looking, the light of one of the finger marks completely disappeared.
It was Agartha's.
"...Worthless woman."
Even seeing the signal indicating her demise, the Vice Captain continued his work indifferently.