Chapter 456 – The Gardener in Black (3)

Camellia.

“Is your name Camellia?”
“Yes, it’s a Korean name.”

As I watch her wander through the flower beds, I think it’s quite a fitting name for her.

A woman who cannot see, with not a single limb in good shape. Her only senses are sound and smell. I’ve heard that in time, even those will weaken, leaving her with nothing but skin.

“Did you fall in love at first sight?”

Supervisor David cheekily pats me on the shoulder.

“It will take quite a while to seduce the young lady. Many have tried to woo her, but none have succeeded.”
“…Haha. How could I harbor such thoughts?”

Personally, I may not, but as a king, I am intrigued.

With a body encumbered by severed limbs, and leading the territory even during the ongoing civil war, it was clear that he was remarkably resourceful.

The fact that he had not suffered a military invasion from either the pro-world faction or the anti-world faction implied that some form of diplomacy had taken place behind the scenes. The gathering of many aristocrats and the revitalization of the shopping district indicated that numerous economic measures had been implemented.

“Incredible.”

The supervisor nodded in satisfaction at my words and smiled warmly.

“Getting a job here is quite fortunate, friend. The lord ensures that even the most menial laborers are well taken care of.”
“The lord? At such a young age?”

I asked knowingly, and the supervisor shrugged.

“Yes, it was an unfortunate incident. Just think about the reasons for having a disability in this day and age, and you’ll understand. It’s not a topic to discuss here, so let’s leave it at that.”

To have a disability in this day and age.

It implies that they have a mental issue like mine, or they’ve suffered severe injuries that can’t be healed by magic or medicine alone.

In a world where even severed limbs can be treated without lingering effects, reaching a complete deficit requires not only the nerves but also the existing magic circuits to be extinguished. Take Aori, for example. My powers couldn’t heal her body. She, Camellia, might be in a similar situation.

‘I’ll have to try and see if it’s genuinely incurable.’

There must be a valid reason why she, being of the highest-ranking nobility, couldn’t heal herself.

Let’s see.

I took a deep breath and focused my eyes. When I used a small amount of magic, my field of vision expanded, allowing me to see clearly inside Camellia.

The structure of the world came into view.

The faint magical power found in plants appeared blue, while the cold iron took on an inorganic gray hue. The body of Camellia, as she moved in her wheelchair, began to reveal irregular clusters of white magical energy.

A little below the heart.
The rather complexly entwined magical circuits had been severed at her elbows and thighs, leaving her magic swirling about, unable to find an escape.

Her arms and legs are mere models.
Not even blood flows within them.

‘The fever seems a bit too high.’

Perhaps they are enduring a level of pain that would make living outside nearly impossible. Their patience is remarkable.

– Clank.

As I tucked my tree care tools into my arms, I naturally changed direction and continued pruning. There was little to glean from a distance.

For now, I would take it slow,
and observe them closely.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

– Click, clack.

Ebony’s small hand moved nimbly beneath the light of the stand.

Sentences formed as her hand grasped the pen.

Lifting the blanket, I asked Ebony, who was sitting and concentrating.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

A late bedtime after inspecting the estate following work.

“In a little while.”

I was thinking of putting Ebony to sleep and getting on with my tasks, but I wasn’t really considering what I was doing.

Curiosity stirred within me, and I rose from the bed to approach Ebony. From above, I could see a charming drawing.

“Is this swordsmanship?”

“…Yes.”

Ebony nodded with an uncertain tone. The drawing style was cute, but the positions and movements of the core muscles were depicted quite well. Even without attention to detail, the posture was pretty good.

Could it be image training?

As I observed Ebony’s drawing from beginning to end, I felt as if it seamlessly connected together. She was quite skilled at drawing as well.

“….”

Ebony, seemingly a bit embarrassed to have the image exposed, covered the drawing with her palm. Her hand was small, so despite her efforts, the picture was still clearly visible.

I observed for a moment before pointing to the illustration in the bottom left corner.

“Here.”
“…?”
“This muscle shouldn’t move like that. Give it to me for a moment.”

I took the pen and corrected the position of the knee, which improved the depiction. Beginning with the awkward parts, I demonstrated a few additional movements to enhance the drawing.

Long ago in Moorim, it was said that techniques like these were recorded and preserved. I had never come across such records myself. Perhaps, when I find the time, I should create one of my own. As I contemplated this, the scene took shape in my mind.

With about a week’s worth of refinement, this could become a respectable secret manual.

“Not bad.”

I drew a few more pictures and showed them to Ebony, who stared at the illustrations with wide eyes.

Ebony undoubtedly possesses a talent for swordsmanship.

There is also a method to apply the Heavenly Demon Technique to the sword, so it seemed that the choice could be made later on.

“Any questions?”

As a mentor, I asked Ebony, who nodded in response. The point she hesitantly indicated was the second stance, one of the more challenging positions among those I had illustrated.

– Chuckle.

“Ah, this one.”

I don’t possess the same aptitude for swordsmanship as Ebony. However, although I haven’t reached the pinnacle, I still have the skill to easily subdue those who brag about learning a thing or two from somewhere.

Lately, I’ve been using my sword more than my fists, but that’s to conceal my true identity. In any case, my expertise in swordsmanship was not profound.

After finishing my explanation to Ebony, I saw her face still showing confusion as if she found it perplexing. I gently stroked her head, and said:

“Let’s learn slowly together. You’re doing well.”

– Soft patting.

Her head swayed with my touch; left, right, and then left, right again.

Ebony gazed at me with a slightly puzzled expression.

“…Am I doing well?”
“Huh? Of course.”
“Then, can I become stronger soon?”
“If you wish.”

We were having quite a conversation today. Ebony usually spoke little and expressed emotions solely through facial expressions, so this felt rather refreshing.

“I see…”

-Tap tap-

As I tapped her head, Ebony’s eyes closed and her lips quivered.

“You said you needed a disciple.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well.”
“So, am I going to be your disciple all along?”
“Perhaps for now? Are you thinking of backing out later?”

Ebony’s desire for vengeance toward Flower had been ignited by the loss of a friend. If her revenge were to come to an end, would she plan to close her mouth and flee?

If that were the case, I had no intention of holding her back. If there’s no will, there’s no learning. There was no need to cling to regrets.

“I’m not sure.”
“You always say you don’t know.”
“……”

Somehow, Ebony’s breathing seems calmer than usual.
Will stroking her head soothe her significantly?

“Since we’re on the topic, it’s good timing. Are you feeling alright? Perhaps we should train.”
“…?”

Ebony looks at me as if wondering how we could possibly train physically in this spot.
When I extend my hand, she finally understands, grasping it firmly as if holding a helium balloon.

– Snap.

With a flick of my fingers, the world transforms.

“…!”

Startled, Ebony surveys her surroundings.
Several swords lay scattered on the floor.

These are genuine swords.

“Pick one up.”
“Sir, this place…”
“A dungeon that has lost its power. I occasionally visit to loosen up, and recently realized it would make a decent training ground.”

As I gesture towards the floor, Ebony retrieves a sword, her eyes wide and face bewildered as she regains her stance.

I, too, grab a wooden sword from nearby and raise it. In an instant, the dungeon fills with our combined magical energy.

“Ready, begin.”

– Clang!

The sound of clashing swords echoed through the cave.

* * * * * * * * *

“Here we are. Let’s set down our bags and go meet the lord.”

At Soo-yeon’s words, the entire Cotyledon team dispersed simultaneously.

“Soo-yeon-sang, Soo-yeon-sang. It’s so huge and spacious here! I think it’s even bigger than our Spirit Hall, isn’t it? Wow~!”
“Yes, Descanso Garden is famous for that as well. The largest artificial flower garden in the world.”

Descanso Garden, Camellia’s domain, is a vast aerial garden showcasing a diverse array of beautiful flowers, some of the finest in existence.

On the second floor, which extends above the mansion, numerous flowers can be seen on the magically-treated soil. It is said that over a thousand gardeners tend to the flowers and trees.

The faint magical energy emanating from some artificial flowers could be refined and utilized with magic stones, and the amount of magic was said to be sufficient to easily support the entirety of LA.

“We didn’t come here to play, Saku.”
“Right!”
“How about you, Shiba? How are you feeling?”

At Soo-yeon’s gentle words, Shiba’s shoulders shuddered slightly.

“Ah, yes, I’m alright.”

The first mission for Team Cotyledon was to escort Camellia, one of the Four Great Demon Trees.

The Four Great Demon Trees were the trees targeted by the repulsive King Mokryeong. It was said that with each tree he conquered, his power would grow significantly.

‘…King Mokryeong.’

If things went well, she might see that man she had encountered before. Power surged through Shiba’s hands.

“Shiba?”
“Yes?”
“I’m not sure why you want to meet him, but others might think you don’t realize how precious your life is.”
“I know…”
“Especially since you’re a woman.”

Woman.

Considering the power of the king, everyone knew the fate a female hunter who lost to him would face.
It was said that the World Tree counted thousands of women who had already fallen victim to the king.
Whether it was baseless gossip or not, it was undeniable that most female hunters in this world were cautious of the king.

“Let’s quickly unpack and gather.”
“Yes.”

With that, Shiba entered her own room.
Perhaps not being from the highest-ranking nobility, the room was excessively large for her to use alone, even more so than the house she lived in.

“Beep…”

A single beep in surprise.

Of course, it wasn’t a room to use alone. Not knowing what might happen, they were assigned in pairs even for their sleeping arrangements.
Shiba shifted her gaze to look at the woman who followed her.

‘…Why is she here?’

The hunter’s name was ‘Bam’.
A cheeky squirrel of a girl.

The girl, with a chainsaw slung over her shoulder meant for cutting wood, set down the menacing object beside the bed and looked at Shiba.

“…Why are you staring?”
“Beep. Just curious. Is that a weapon?”
“Yes.”
“You use a chainsaw as a weapon?”
“…I’m used to it.”

Bam spoke those words and hung her backpack next to the bed.

Visible through the open zipper were various treats. The snacks that had been piled up in her basket when boarding the plane now protruded from her bag.

‘…Is she a beggar?’

Did she bring them all? Even during the occasional encounters at the academy, Bam would make do with cheap bread or triangular gimbap instead of a proper meal.

It seemed she had lived a life quite short on finances. Shiba, who had grown up in the wealthy embrace of Azalea, could not understand why Bam lived like that.

“Well, we’re on the same team, so let’s get along.”
“Yes.”

Even when trying to engage in conversation, the only response received was a brief answer.

Though they were brief responses, they seemed to be uttered half-heartedly, which was slightly irritating.

A vein surfaced on Shiba’s forehead.

She reminded herself to be patient because they were siblings. With her sword fastened at her waist, Shiba drew back the curtains and opened the window for some fresh air.

A rather beautiful scene unfolded outside. Flowers swayed in the wind, and gardeners bustled about.

At the edge of her view, a young woman caught her attention. A girl with red hair, looking uncomfortable in her wheelchair, was led back to this place by the hand of a maid.

Shiba knew from the picture that the noblewoman was the one she was assigned to protect.

‘…I heard her eyesight and her limbs are completely gone.’

She had lost her parents in a series of incidents, as well as her body.

It was challenging enough for Shiba with only the memory of her father. She couldn’t imagine what kind of life the noblewoman had led, having lost her family and her body. Moreover, she was now a target of the king.

Shiba resolved to protect her at all costs.

Shiba’s fists surged with power.