Chapter 63

Summoning the Chef in the Gardener's Garden.

And eating her food.

This was a logical structure that, when heard in words alone, could only be thought of as nonsensical.

The Gardener's Garden is a densely forested area without a single building.

While it might be possible to find ingredients, cooking would be nearly impossible.

Especially foods like pork cutlets and rice soup that I had been wanting to eat for a while.

But who was the Outer God I called?

None other than the Greater Outer God, the Chef.

For a Greater Outer God, nothing would be impossible except collapsing the laws of the universe.

And as if to prove this.

Sizzle, sizzle, plop plop.

I could see various cooking utensils summoned on top of a rock where no grass grew.

Of course, I had such worries.

After all, these utensils were created by the Chef's power, so I wondered if the food might turn out strange again due to the Outer God's interference.

"...Actually, I saw another pitiful soul wandering alone in the snowy mountains, so I dropped some food to test it out, and they ate it deliciously."

Of course, the Chef perfectly resolved my doubts with her experimental results, so it was a needless worry.

...Although it was a bit unsettling to experiment on people, I suppose it doesn't matter since someone lost in the snowy mountains is as good as dead anyway.

From that person's perspective, they might even think some unknown entity showed them kindness.

"...But, to start cooking as soon as you arrive..."

"Of course! I heard on my way here that many friends were coming. If I don't start preparing now, they might have to wait for a long time, right?"

Seeing the Chef speak affectionately with a warm smile, I felt myself healing without realizing it.

Many friends coming...

Well, if that's the case, she'll need to make a lot of food...

Wait.

Did she say 'many' friends are coming?

Just as that thought crossed my mind, another new form began to manifest.

And the shape that appeared this time...

As soon as I saw certain ears popping up above the head, I reflexively stretched my arms forward.

And something was trying to bend my arm with tremendous force.

"Human!"

...As expected of the Party Flute's unique characteristic.

Bell had also manifested and was trying to cover my entire body with saliva again.

Despite her appearance, she was unnecessarily strong, so I had to use all my strength to resist.

"Ung, don't resist! I have the right to lick humans!"

"And I have the right not to be licked?!"

I tried to tackle Bell, who was saying strange things so casually, but she didn't seem to listen at all and was putting all her strength into pushing her head into my hands.

This alone was quite overwhelming.

A chill.

Right.

I felt a chill running down my spine from right behind me.

While twisting my body to block Bell, I turned my head towards the source of the chill.

...For some reason, I could see the Gardener crouching down, showing her side profile while holding something in her hand.

"...Hmm, I see. You ignore my words and show a dying-of-love attitude towards other women. You think I can't do anything?"

...My body involuntarily trembled at the sight of the Gardener, who was making terrifying statements so casually with coldly frozen eyes.

It was like watching a scene from a horror movie.

Yeah, it felt close to seeing a monster just before it suddenly jumps out.

As expected of a genre rooted in dark fantasy and horror.

Even if the skin changes, the scary part remains the same!

I tried my best to satirize this situation internally and ignore reality, but all thoughts were wiped clean when I saw the Gardener suddenly stand up.

And then she started walking towards me with very slow steps.

"...Suddenly calling me now means you're prepared for whatever happens, right?"

"W-wait. Don't make that kind of expression!"

It was a moment when I realized that one could drive a person to extreme fear with just their eyes.

O-of course, it's certainly wrong that I haven't been listening to the Gardener's words at all until now!

"Uh, uwaah! Bell, save me!"

"I'll save you if you let me lick you!"

"If I get caught while being licked, it's over! Uh, uwaah! She's here! She's here! She's here!"

I ended up folding my arm that was pushing Bell away when the Gardener's hand approached my face while gently rubbing my shoulder.

As a result.

"Uh, uwaah!"

"Ungh?!"

Thud!

Due to Bell's charge, the three of us fell to the ground.

"...Wh-where are you touching!"

"It's not intentional for me either!"

"Human! I won't let go!"

"Kuh, kuah! Do you have to do this even in this situation!"

Just as I was trying to get away from Bell, feeling my cheeks getting wet again.

Suddenly, another form began to appear in the air, gradually materializing into dragon horns and a tail.

W-wait, if they see us like this now...!

But of course, the situation had no intention of waiting.

The Dragon Slayer, who was already intimidating to face, just had to manifest at this timing!

As soon as the Dragon Slayer fully manifested with a slightly embarrassed expression, she cleared her throat.

"...Ahem! Calling for me means you've finally decided to take responsibility. I thought my neck would fall off from waiting so long..."

...The Dragon Slayer froze upon seeing us tangled up on the ground.

Her frozen state with her mouth slightly open clearly showed how surprised she was to anyone watching.

"W-wait. Th-that's not it. Listen to me. So, this is...!"

I tried to move my mouth to explain, as we were clearly in a posture that could be misunderstood.

Even in this situation, Bell was obliviously continuing to lick, which seemed to reduce the effectiveness of my explanation.

Rather, my stammering seemed to have a negative effect, apparently helping the Dragon Slayer understand the situation better.

Her cheeks, which seemed red from embarrassment, became even more flushed, and she closed her eyes tightly and roared.

"Sh-shameless!!!"

...The Chef, who was watching us with a warm smile as we were about to be swept away, was just the cherry on top.

***

"...So, that was a misunderstanding just now?"

"...O-of course. Even I wouldn't try to get tangled up with just anyone like that."

After the situation calmed down a bit, everyone sat together on chairs provided by the Chef.

As soon as the Dragon Slayer sat down, she looked at me with a prim expression and spoke, making me feel like a criminal as I answered.

No, no matter how I think about it, there wasn't much fault on my part there.

If I had to pick something, it would be that I ignored the Gardener's words too much, and the sin of not being able to stop Bell?

No, to begin with, there probably isn't an Outer God here who could stop Bell with pure strength.

So this too was a force majeure!

"Then, this guy doesn't get tangled up with just anyone."

At that moment, I was startled by the Gardener's sudden voice and looked in that direction.

With an expression that looked more peaceful than anyone else's, she was drinking water with her eyes closed.

"He even ignored my words for two days, so how could a copycat wearing a fake mask be worthy?"

While speaking to the Dragon Slayer in a tone that was clearly attacking.

Hearing those words, the Dragon Slayer sneered and shrugged her shoulders.

"Poor weed. Now that you think this man will come to me, are you jealous? It would be less ugly if you spoke directly."

"Wh-what?! Who said I was jealous!"

"If not jealousy, then what? But, no matter what you do, nothing will change. This man has already expressed his heart to me several times."

...Ugh.

Hearing directly from her mouth the information I had heard from Agartha made my heart ache in a bad way.

Well, I'm not sure about taking responsibility, but I was trying to do something along those lines.

"Hm."

At that moment, the Gardener's voice, which had clearly been slightly heated just a moment ago, became infinitely cold.

As if feeling sorry for the other person.

"What is it, have you lost your mind because you can't think of a proper rebuttal to my words?"

"No, that's not it. I just feel sorry for you."

"...Sorry for me?"

The Dragon Slayer frowned at the Gardener's words, and the Gardener rather sneered and said.

"This guy acted without any information about dragons, so you're counting chickens before they've hatched."

...That phrase was definitely the English expression for "Don't count your chickens before they hatch," right?

The moment she heard those words, the Dragon Slayer's expression became blank.

Then, her gaze turned towards me.

"...Is that really true."

Ah.

This is driving me crazy.

Look at those pitiful eyes.

I felt like I was about to cry at the sight of her looking like she might crumble if I said one wrong word here.

But there are always truths that shouldn't be hidden.

"Uh..."

"No, don't answer!"

The Dragon Slayer covered my mouth with her palm as I was about to affirm.

When I looked at the Dragon Slayer with bewildered eyes, she suddenly smiled warmly.

"Whether it was a mistake or your intention, I don't care. Just... since my feelings were not false, if we can somehow create a conclusion, even a fabricated event can become reality, can't it?"

At first hearing, I couldn't immediately understand what those words implied.

But seeing the Gardener's surprised expression upon hearing those words, I could tell it was indeed a radical statement.

"I don't know what it means, but I like humans too!"

Bell said something that broke the atmosphere, and in an instant, the mood began to change even more ominously.

Ah, aah.

Please, someone help...

"Now, now, everyone! The food is ready?"

At that moment, the Chef's food resonated loudly on the table.

Because of that, everyone's gaze turned to the four earthenware pots, and we could see the rice soup boiling inside.

The rich pork aroma that enveloped my nose seemed to clear away all the thoughts I had been having until just now.

"...Well, shall we eat first and think later?"

"...Let's do that. It would be unseemly to show aggression in front of food."

"Delicious food! I'll eat well!"

And so the Greater Outer Gods began to eat quietly—one of them voraciously.

Sighing at the finally calmed situation, I looked at the Chef and could see her winking at me.

And her lips moving slowly.

-You owe me one.

...Maman.

You're the only one I can rely on.