At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 216
18. A Rare Experience
“I’ve heard the story. About what you made and sold.”
The vines wrapping tightly around the alchemist’s body constricted even more. In El Ragneil, plants reacted to the emotional state of the one who nurtured them, so this meant Solmih’s mood was extremely low.
Among the children of Ellandos, each tree had one exceptional wizard and one outstanding gardener. Usually, the wizard took responsibility for major issues, while smaller matters were handled by the gardener.
So the fact that the gardener from the other group had come to threaten and resolve this meant serious trouble.
As the sharp thorny vines pierced deeper, causing increasing pain, the alchemist raised his voice in protest.
“Your side asked me to make that!”
“Ah.”
There was no trace of a smile in Solmih’s voice.
“You’re saying our side requested an item that, once used, the person cannot escape from of their own will?”
“…”
“One that traps someone inside, and unless they perform a specific act, they can’t get out easily? In other words, you were explicitly asked to make a drug that forcibly pushes our children to intertwine their bodies?”
“That’s…”
“It’s an incredibly easy tool to control someone ignorant in this field. And you already knew that our spouse was exactly that kind of person.”
“…”
“What solution did you plan to offer if things went wrong and we asked for help?”
The alchemist swallowed dryly.
Solmih was asking what kind of trick he was trying to pull. His sudden loss of words meant he’d hit right at the point.
Although he had tried to muddy the waters by talking vaguely about improving relationships, the drug was indeed meant to forcibly provoke physical intimacy.
However, what Arven originally requested was more mundane. Since they’d soon be heading home, he wanted to get some scented oil for massaging Jiwoo’s feet to relieve fatigue, a potion to improve night vision because her eyes seemed weak in the dark, and waterproof shoes.
Those things weren’t difficult to make, so he had joked about creating a love potion, and when interest was shown, he had pushed the conversation a little further.
That was how they ended up here.
The alchemist hadn’t lied.
But it was true that he had omitted certain truths.
“You won’t answer. I’ll ask again. If things went wrong and we called for help, what solution did you plan to offer?”
If such a situation occurred.
The poison would have to be neutralized with another liquid, and since help was requested, they’d naturally have to dive in and participate.
It wouldn’t be hard to create a situation where refusal was impossible.
He was confident he could make them comply easily.
‘Did he suspect my thoughts?’
As the alchemist’s silence dragged on, Solmih seemed to guess the answer on his own.
“I know my spouse pity you and find your little tricks somewhat amusing, so I’ve mostly just observed. But…”
A long thorny vine wrapped around the alchemist’s arm, then coiled tightly around his fingers.
“…There are limits you shouldn’t cross, aren’t there?”
The vine gripping his weakest pinky finger bent it painfully in the wrong direction, applying increasing pressure.
The more force it applied, the worse the pain became. Just before a fracture could occur, the alchemist screamed and managed to block Solmih’s action for a moment.
“Ah! Wait! Wait!”
He raised his voice desperately.
“Do your spouse know you’re doing this?”
The female manifestations of El Ragneil generally despised the ‘children of Ellandos,’ especially when they showed violent behavior like this. So usually, except for the group’s lead wizard, they disguised themselves as beautiful, gentle, harmless figures.
And the gardener was the most exceptional at this. Solmih tilted his head and said mildly,
“Of course, she knows.”
Of course, Jiwoo does not know.
The children of Ellandos tended to somewhat deify their spouses.
“Do you think snitching on me will change anything?”
Tsk. Solmih clicked his tongue lowly, clearly not letting it slide.
This attitude could not be overlooked.
If Seo Jiwoo was a female manifestation of El Ragneil, would this fellow have dared do such a thing?
No. After being caught trying to deceive, he would never dare again, fearing what might follow.
In short, the reason this happens is obvious.
Because she was an easier target than the female manifestation.
Sssshh. The vine tightening around the alchemist’s fingers thickened, and the thorns squeezing his neck grew sharper.
“I have more questions. What kinds of ingredients did you use? Judging by your nature, I think you left some things unsaid.”
“…”
This time, the alchemist couldn’t answer. He didn’t use silence to his advantage, but because Solmih’s presence left him speechless.
“I heard you used blood-sucking plants to make that bath salt. I know quite a few varieties of blood-sucking plants. If you don’t want to talk, shall I keep testing until you reveal which ones you used?”
“N, no!”
In the end, the alchemist surrendered.
“I, I’ll tell you everything… please forgive me.”
***
While the alchemist was being thoroughly grilled by Solmih, Jiwoo spent some more time underwater.
She had been in the sea before, but never stayed submerged this long or until nightfall for safety reasons.
After receiving Petar’s final gift and making a decision, Jiwoo asked to be guided back to the tree and was now standing before it again.
Leaving Petar behind, she took only Kaman and Skiass with her to circle the tree.
Finding a suitable spot, Jiwoo dropped all the power from the tree into the surrounding area.