A harpy is a member of the Demon Race with the face and torso of a human woman, but with the wings and legs of a bird. One could say that a harpy, being half-human and half-bird, is quite similar to my own existence as a half-human, half-flower alraune.
Such a harpy had suddenly emerged from the woods. Naturally, I was startled, but I also recognized her.
"A yellow harpy... No way!"
There was no mistake. She was a member of the Demon King's Army—and also one of my friends. I called out toward the figure as she emerged from the trees.
"Could it be... Parca-san!?"
"Well, well, if it isn't Lady Crimson Flower Princess! I am delighted by this reunion!"
Recognizing me, Parca circled gracefully in the air before gliding down to land directly in front of me. Yes, it was definitely her. Parca was the harpy from the Demon King's Army who handled the Nectar Exchange Delivery between the Flame Dragon Lord and me. She used to come by periodically to pick up my nectar, though I hadn't seen her lately.
I could have assumed she had simply come to collect nectar after a long absence, but the circumstances made that unlikely. If that were all, she wouldn't have been hiding in the woods. That left only one other possibility.
"You haven't... been stalking me again, have you?"
"It is my only pleasure. Therefore, I ask for your forgiveness."
Just like her brother, Garuda-Hraesvelgr of the Four Heavenly Kings—also known as the Golden Birdman—Parca was a devoted stalker of Saint Iris. Or, well, me. While I appreciated the sentiment, I would have much preferred she stop.
I tilted my head slightly and offered a gentle, aristocratic smile. "...Parca-san?"
"That was a joke! I am here on official business!"
"I know. I was only joking as well."
The Imperial soldiers I had just defeated mentioned they had a single collaborator from the Demon Race. The conclusion was obvious.
"Parca-san, your 'business' is helping those Imperial soldiers, isn't it?"
"That is my current mission. I declare with astonishment that you have seen through it."
Of course I had. I couldn't think of any other reason for a harpy to be out here. This meant Parca was the one who had been intercepting the messenger pigeons sent from Edelweiss.
Even so, it had been a while since we last met—perhaps three months. We hadn't seen each other since the party in the forest. Since then, I had fought the angel Pandia-san, battled the Goddess of Darkness Hecate, departed the Dryades' Forest, and saved Edelweiss. So much had happened that it felt like an eternity.
She seemed to feel the same way, as she began reminiscing about the party with a nostalgic look.
"I have not seen Lady Crimson Flower Princess since that party. I have wished to see you this entire time."
"I’m happy to see you again too, Parca-san. We didn't really get a chance to talk much that day."
"The grilled fish Lady Crimson Flower Princess prepared for me then was exquisite. I was greatly impressed."
"...Grilled fish?"
I blinked, confused. What on earth was she talking about? I remembered that Parca had been the one in charge of grilling the fish at the party. I hadn't known why she wanted to try it, and I certainly hadn't provided any grilled fish to her myself.
"Thanks to the instruction of Lady Crimson Flower Princess, I have become a master of grilled fish making. I am deeply grateful."
"R-Really? I'm glad to hear that, but... did I really do that?"
I had no memory of it whatsoever. If I had taught Parca how to grill fish, I surely would have remembered. As I hummed in thought, Parca suddenly looked as if she had realized something.
"Ah, now I remember. That Lady Crimson Flower Princess was Lady Crimson Flower Princess, but also not Lady Crimson Flower Princess. I declare that I made a mistake!"
"Huh!?"
"But I must offer my thanks to the Original as well. I express my gratitude."
"...You're welcome?"
She had just called me the "Original." That meant... had one of my clones done something? During the party in the forest, I had left the cooking to the Avatar Alraunes. Parca must have been taught by one of them. When did that even happen? I had no idea. Once I returned to the forest, I was going to have to have a long talk with my clones about what they’d been up to.
"So... why is Parca-san out here working with Imperial soldiers?"
"I am here on a mission."
"What kind of mission? Was it an order from the Flame Dragon Lord?"
"......I cannot reveal that much. I claim my right to silence."
"Hmm..."
So it was a secret mission for the Demon King's Army. While it was clear she was helping with the information blockade, I had plenty of other questions, such as why she was collaborating with the Empire. It was a shame she wouldn't tell me willingly, but I wasn't worried. We had known each other for a long time, after all. I knew exactly how to handle her.
I let out a deliberate cough before posing my next question.
"You know, you haven't come by for Saint Nectar lately. Have you... grown tired of it?"
"Never! Licking Saint Nectar is my only pleasure! I beg you to bestow it upon me once more!"
Wait, didn't she just say stalking me was her "only" pleasure? Now she had two "only" pleasures. Regardless, Parca was a massive fan of my nectar. Just like her boss, the Flame Dragon Lord, she was one of my best customers. And that made her very easy to manipulate.
I pulled out a wooden cup and began pouring nectar into it. As the sweet fragrance saturated the air, Parca’s face drifted closer and closer. When I glanced up, I saw her staring at the cup with her mouth open, drool practically cascading from her lips.
"Lady Crimson Flower Princess... May I have that nectar?"
Perfect. She had taken the bait. I put on my most apologetic expression.
"I would love to give you some nectar, Parca-san, but..."
"What!? No!? Did I do something to offend you!?"
"Well, given our history and the fact that we've finally reunited... I suppose I could give it to you as a gift, a token of our friendship."
"Hooray! I have missed this nectar so terribly!"
"After all, we are friends, right?"
"Indeed! You and I are friends!"
"Then, I was hoping you could do a small favor for your friend."
"If it is for Saint Nectar and a friend's request, I have no choice. I shall tell you everything!"
I handed the cup of nectar to Parca. she drained it in a single, desperate gulp.
"Exquisite! I must have more!"
"There's plenty more for seconds. But first, tell me what the Demon King's Army is doing."
"Understood. I was stationed here on the orders of the Prime Minister."
"...The Prime Minister?"
Parca had previously served under the Ice Dragon, the Prime Minister of the Demon King's Army. The Ice Dragon was the Flame Dragon Lord's older sister. I hadn't met her yet, but I had heard plenty of rumors.
"But Parca-san, weren't you the Flame Dragon Lord's subordinate? Why are you taking orders from the Prime Minister?"
"Glühschwanz-sama is currently enjoying a vacation in the forest. Since I was idle, I accepted a commission from the Prime Minister."
"A vacation in the forest... So that's it!"
The reason I had met the Flame Dragon Lord in the first place was because he went to the forest for vacations. His hobby was hunting Bear-papa at the edge of the Dryades' Forest. Every summer, he would go bear hunting. I had learned all about it back when I was working as his Maid Alraune at the Demon King's Castle. It wasn't even summer yet, though—he was early this year.
"The Prime Minister decided to invade the Kingdom of Gardenia while Glühschwanz-sama is away. I am told the objective is the Witch Queen Recovery."
"What? Does the Flame Dragon Lord not know about this?"
"The Prime Minister was plotting to ensure no information reached him. It is highly probable he is entirely unaware."
"I see... So he has nothing to do with this."
The Demon King's Army was clearly not a united front. This might actually be an opportunity. If the Sister Dragon was doing this behind her brother's back, then informing the Flame Dragon Lord could throw a massive wrench into the Demon King's Army's plans. After all, the Flame Dragon Lord was a pacifist and had very little interest in fighting humans.
"I understand that much, but why were you with the Glanz Empire soldiers?"
"The Prime Minister has formed an alliance with the leader of these humans."
"Why would the Demon King's Army ever ally with the Empire!?"
"The Empire has fallen under the control of the Witch Queen. Therefore, the goals are the Witch Queen Recovery and the Fall of the Royal Capital."
Now that I thought about it, the Emperor’s Third Consort—Haken-hime—was the Witch Queen in disguise. Furthermore, Crown Princess Malai, the wife of Golden Tiger Prince, was a witch. I was certain of that after our battle in the Little Witch's Village. The Empire was being controlled from the shadows by the Witch Queen.
I finally understood why the Demon King's Army and the Empire were working together. The common soldiers likely didn't know the specifics, but the alliance itself was a massive problem. To make matters worse, the Empire intended to enter the capital as wedding guests and then launch a surprise attack from within.
"Do you know when they plan to attack the Royal Capital?"
"I do not have the exact details, but it will apparently happen within the next few days. That is why we were blocking information here."
"That can't be..."
Even with the speed of the Wood Horse Golem, it would take a week to reach the Royal Capital from here. We were out of time. If we traveled by land, we wouldn't make it. At this rate, the city I had grown up in—my second home—would be reduced to a sea of fire while its people were completely unaware.
As I agonized over the situation, I felt a gentle tap on my head.
I looked up to see the Little Witch, who was still cradling the Potted Alraune me in her arms.
"...Rufe?"
"Alraune, it's okay."
The Little Witch smiled at me, and I instantly understood what she was thinking. If we did that, we might actually make it to the Royal Capital in time!
"Rufe and I will go to the Royal Capital."
The Little Witch gave a firm nod. It was a moment of perfect wordless communication. With our plan set, there was only one thing left for me to do. I turned back to the harpy.
"Parca-san, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor for me?"
"Please find the Flame Dragon Lord. And give him a message from me."
Involving the Flame Dragon Lord, who was currently a bystander, would likely require a significant price. But I couldn't afford to be picky. No matter how much of a monster I had become, I was still Saint Iris. As a former Saint, I could not stand by and watch the people of the Kingdom of Gardenia be slaughtered. I would do whatever it took.
"Tell the Flame Dragon Lord this—"