"Aah... I slept so well."
Waking from my slumber, I stretched by extending my vines and raising both arms.
As I turned toward the window, the pleasant morning sunlight was streaming into the room. It was another fine morning, perfect for photosynthesis.
Since the incident, we had been staying at the Ducal House. Even now, it felt strange to spend my days in Iris's family home as an Alraune.
"Morning, Rufe. It’s time to get up."
"……Morning, Alraune."
I woke the Little Witch sleeping in the bed and asked her to move my flowerpot. Since I was currently in the form of a Child Alraune living in a pot, my mobility was quite limited on my own.
Once we were up and ready, we ate breakfast with the family. Perhaps due to the exhaustion from last night's party, the Little Witch still looked sleepy.
For three days and three nights since we saved the City of Edelweiss, the Duke's Mansion had been host to a series of celebrations.
The first day had been a quiet, personal gathering hosted by my sister, Tulpe. The second day was a magnificent gala hosted by the House of Duke Edelweiss. And the third day had been a large-scale festival involving the entire city. Every night since our victory, the town had been alive with celebration.
In contrast to those lively nights, it had become part of my daily routine to share a private tea party with Tulpe during the day. We met in the gazebo at the center of the Ducal House's gardens. After breakfast, I parted ways with the Little Witch and allowed Tulpe to carry me to our usual spot.
When we were children, we used to drink tea together in this very place. It felt incredibly nostalgic.
"Say, Iris-chan."
Tulpe, sitting in the chair opposite me, addressed me by my old name. Since there was no one around to eavesdrop, I allowed her to call me Iris during these private moments.
"What is it, Tulpe?"
"Honestly! I have told you so many times to call me 'Big Sister Tulpe'!"
"Then... Big Sister Tulpe."
"Yes, yes, that’s it! That title I've longed for—being called 'Big Sister'—it only ever happened in my dreams and my diaries until now! Finally, it's reality! I have been having so much fun these past few days that I simply can't contain myself!"
I had always called my sister "Tulpe" since we were young. However, ever since I accidentally let "Big Sister Tulpe" slip once on the day we were reunited, she had been pestering me for it constantly. Calling her "Big Sister" was a bit embarrassing, but I had eventually been worn down by her sheer enthusiasm.
"I had something I wanted to ask, Iris-chan. Does your Saint-Nectar work on tendonitis as well?"
"Tendonitis? I think it probably would, but why do you ask?"
"Lately, my pen just won't stop moving. Thanks to that, I've been suffering from terrible sleep deprivation... Can Saint Nectar fix a lack of sleep, too?"
"I'm afraid it doesn't work on sleep deprivation."
It could soothe physical fatigue and things of that nature, but that was all. My nectar was a top-tier product with a reputation for being so addictive that people couldn't stop at just one taste. It was known to blow away not just exhaustion, but normal cognitive function entirely.
I wondered what she meant by her "pen not stopping," though. Perhaps she was writing letters to our father to report on the events in the city.
"So, where are your companions today, Iris-chan?"
"They said they were going out to see the sights in Edelweiss today."
While I had tea with Tulpe, the Little Witch and the others were being entertained by the staff of the Ducal House. Fairy Kiri, my Younger Sister Treant, and even Kusukusu—the Sphinx who had recently joined our group—were all staying as guests of the House of Duke Edelweiss.
Even though they were non-humans like fairies and monsters—or in one case, a member of the Demon Race—they seemed to have blended into the city perfectly. It appeared the townspeople had accepted them as the companions of their new hero, Saint Alraune.
To be honest, I was still confused by the title "Saint Alraune."
At first, the citizens were simply overjoyed at the thought that Saint Iris had been resurrected. But the day after I told Tulpe the truth, the atmosphere shifted. Not only were there rumors of Iris's return, but stories viewing me as a hero in my Alraune form increased dramatically.
Now, I had become the Saint of Edelweiss in both name and reality. The people believed that the Alraune was not a dangerous monster, but a kind ally who helped them just as the Saint once had. Stories had spread that I had saved not just the city, but the House of Duke Edelweiss itself, turning my life into a local legend.
The city-wide party yesterday had been overwhelming. Whenever people saw me, they would start praying as if I were a Goddess. I saw women shedding tears while calling me "Iris-sama," and men raising their hands to the sky, shouting, "Long live Lady Alraune!"
I had tried to explain that I wasn't the Saint anymore, but the misunderstanding didn't seem to be going anywhere.
"The people of this city have truly accepted you and your friends, Iris-chan. So please, leave everything to me. As your older sister, I shall deliver divine punishment upon those two insolent fools in the Royal Capital!"
"……Thank you."
The enemies were royalty, and there was only so much a Duke's Daughter like Tulpe could do. Even so, simply having my family on my side meant the world to me. I was so touched that nectar almost started leaking from my eyes again.
"Now then, what kind of extravagant party shall we hold tonight? We celebrated in this garden the day before yesterday, so how about we move to the Botanical Garden this time? I think it would be a lovely setting for you... what do you think?"
"Hey, Tulpe."
"Big Sister!"
"……Big Sister Tulpe."
"Yeees?"
"I think it's time for us to leave the city."
"Eh……"
The reason we were traveling in the first place was to attend the wedding in the Royal Capital. Pandia, the Angel, had asked me to help protect the city. There were far too many concerning things happening there for me to ignore.
There was the wedding between Lord Manfred of the Tower City and my friend, the Glanz Empire's princess, Freundliche. There was the Witch Queen sealed beneath the capital, the secret maneuvers of Saint Zelma, and a unit of the Demon King's Army advancing on the city. Then there was the presence of the Goddess of Darkness, Hecate, and the Angels and Church trying to intercept those threats.
I didn't know exactly what was going to happen, but I believed that if I were there, I could at least prevent one disaster. I couldn't afford to keep relaxing here in Edelweiss.
"I stayed because I wanted to spend time with you, Big Sister Tulpe, but we have to get moving."
"I see……"
Edelweiss was no longer under threat. There were no more casualties, and reconstruction was well underway. The forest covering the city had been pruned back enough that there wouldn't be any problems even after we left.
"There is no need to rush. You could stay for months if you wished! This is your home, Iris-chan!"
"I'd love to stay here forever, but... we have work to do."
"I suppose you're right. Even when you were little, you were never someone who could be contained within the borders of Edelweiss."
I had told Tulpe about the wedding and the approaching Demon King's Army, but I had kept the details about the Witch Queen, the Goddess of Darkness, and the Angels to myself. I preferred to keep the more complicated parts of my life as an Alraune a secret for now to avoid worrying her.
Tulpe seemed to sense the weight of the situation, though. Given what had happened between me and Zelma, she likely assumed I was heading there for revenge.
"I have a favor to ask, Big Sister Tulpe. In a few days, I think First Prince Leonhart and a Flashy Man named Kyle will arrive here. Could you look after them for me?"
"A Flashy Man?"
"His name is Kyle. He’s a friend of the First Prince, and he's incredibly strong."
I didn't mention that Kyle was actually a Dragon and the younger brother of the Flame Dragon Lord. My family didn't need that kind of stress.
"Leave it to me! I shall welcome First Prince Leonhart and march into the Royal Capital by his side!"
"Please, keep it within reason."
I had already told Tulpe about finding the missing prince. If he reached Edelweiss, he could use the Ducal House's influence to reclaim his position in the capital. Tulpe seemed very keen on making that happen.
"I shall make the First Prince indebted to us, oust the Second Prince and Zelma, and make those two atone for every one of their sins!"
"Again, within reason, please."
I had always been bad at politics. Now that I was a Plant Monster, it felt even more daunting. All I could really do was prune the trees of Edelweiss and keep them looking beautiful. From now on, this place would likely be known as the Green City of Edelweiss.
"When do you plan to depart, Iris-chan?"
"As soon as we're ready. I'd like to leave by tomorrow or the day after."
"Then we must finish the preparations today."
To be fair, we only really needed food and water. I figured I would ask the Pilz Trading Company for supplies; I had received so many gifts from them that placing a large order seemed like a good way to return the favor.
"In that case, I have a parting gift for you before you head to the Royal Capital."
"A parting gift?"
"Information. I spent the last three days gathering intelligence on the situation in the capital for you."
As expected, Tulpe was incredibly efficient. Having the latest news on the capital was a huge help.
"So, what is this?"
"It is an Alraune doll! They are currently a massive fad in the Royal Capital!"
The "gift" Tulpe handed me was a strange doll that looked remarkably like me.
"What on earth...?"
"I bought it from a merchant who just arrived from the capital. Apparently, an unprecedented Beauty Goddess Alraune Faith is sweeping through the city."
I remembered Nina mentioning something like that in her letter. My Saint Hair Tonic had apparently triggered a Great Beauty Boom. The letter had mentioned a Sister from the Tower City was the catalyst, but it hadn't given any details beyond that.
"This Alraune Faith has grown so rapidly that some reports say its influence is rivaling that of the Selene Church."
"Wait... what?"
"Be careful, Iris-chan. Saint Zelma and the Demon King's Army aren't the only ones waiting for you in the capital."
"Alraune Faith? I don't understand."
"It means you've drawn attention, both good and bad. You have the Alraune Faith followers who will welcome you with open arms, and the Selene Church, which views them as a threat. Both sides will have their eyes on you."
I looked down at the Alraune doll in my hands. Was this... an idol for my own worship?
But why? I could understand it here in Edelweiss, where I had actually saved people. But why was this happening in the Royal Capital, a place I had never even visited as an Alraune?