Weed ~The One’s Gardener~ - Chapter 79

Yes, Weed was that kind of person—needlessly sacrificial, devoted, oblivious to himself, and highly responsible. He was willing to sacrifice anything for a cause without hesitation, but such a person could not be the cause of a world riddled with holes.

“Your efforts have been in vain. Coming to a place like this was pointless. He isn’t a god. There are no gods. If there were, they would have created this world and abandoned it. That’s why those left here desperately sought ways to survive.”

Calden shook his head and then chuckled softly.

“It depends on how you look at it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Humans turn to God in times of trouble. They hope for something transcendent or a miracle, but in reality, humans are surprisingly practical and don’t truly expect it to happen. God and religions are just that—comforts for the survivors.”

These were his words after sending Inis away. Hana listened silently.

“When someone dies, people search for miracles. They pray to God, hoping the deceased will return to life. But humans aren’t that foolish. Even if someone were to come back from the dead, no one would consider it normal. Still, that’s why people seek God. Even knowing that no such God exists. They believe that God has taken the lives of their loved ones. That God kept them close because they were valuable. Perhaps the deceased found happiness in their death. People console themselves with these thoughts.”

“Consolation.”

“Exactly. That’s all it is.”

Understanding Calden’s response made sense now. He believed in God. Immediately after sending Inis away, he would be thinking that way. He had to think that way. Yes, even knowing that there were none. He needed comfort.

Hana remained silent as she listened. Calden smiled quietly, a dry smile that scattered into the air.

“To Inis, you must have been like a god.”

“Me?”

“Yes. It was her lifelong wish to experience such joy. You may not understand, but… every time a banquet was held at the palace, every time an invitation arrived from some noble house, every time she heard that someone her age had already made their debut in society, seeing her pretend to be nonchalant despite her true feelings, it was heartbreaking. I never saw her enjoy anything as much as she did with you. I’ve never seen her so persistent.”

She couldn’t find words to respond.

The actions she took, done with such seriousness and thoughtfulness for Inis, were not intended to be that significant. Yet, in the end, she had become the greatest comfort for Inis, even at the very end.

“I am truly grateful to you. I mean it.”

It was a farewell.

As Calden asked her if she would come with him one last time, Hana naturally declined. He accepted the rejection with a calm smile as if he had expected it.

Ruttis would accompany him back to the kingdom. There would be no chance to meet Calden again, and it was uncertain when Ruttis would return.

Just before leaving, Calden took her hand.

Hana wondered if he was going to give a parting kiss, but he did not. Instead, Calden placed his lips near the tip of Hana’s finger and murmured something quietly.

“Accept this as a token of my gratitude, and don’t feel burdened by it.”

Calden then whispered something even more quietly into her ear. Afterward, he departed. Hana received a parting gift.

Even without checking immediately, she knew what he had given her.

* * *

Hana had a few days to think things over.

During that time, she lived as usual. She would wake up in the morning, kiss Weed, have breakfast together, wear the clothes he chose, and go out to the flower fields with him. She bathed with him and shared the bed. Occasionally, she also spent with the priests.

The days were calm and peaceful.

The weather had warmed to the point of being hot, but it was fine. As Weed had once said, it was a place with many winds. Perhaps Weed was the one moving the weather, as he had such power.