My name is Tulpe Edelweiss.
I am the older sister of Saint Iris—my beloved Iris-chan.
My dearest Iris-chan became an Alraune and came to visit me. Even now, I cannot forget those dream-like days. Furthermore, she saved Edelweiss from the clutches of the Demon King's Army. Even in her form as an Alraune, Iris-chan remains a Saint.
And yet, my dear sister has departed from this city once again. Just when I had finally reunited with the adorable Iris-chan after thinking I would never see her again, we were separated once more. It was simply too heartbreaking.
We two sisters did not spend our childhood together. Consequently, the time we have actually lived under the same roof has been painfully short. This time, I truly wanted us to live together—as sisters, as a family.
That was why I wished that she would have at least… at least left a small Alraune clone behind at the Duke's Mansion.
And yet.
And yet, and yet!
Iris-chan, of all things, departed on her journey without leaving a single Alraune clone behind!
How could this be? I-I was so lonely! Since an Alraune has the ability to multiply, she could have at least left one person behind for me! Oh, the tragedy. It was simply too cruel.
When will be the next time I can see my sister? For all I knew, our parting this morning might have been a final farewell for this lifetime. I was consumed by a profound sadness.
However, I am not a woman who simply wallows in pessimism. I had to take action to bring divine punishment upon those hateful enemies who did away with Iris-chan—Saint Zelma and the Second Prince.
Our House of Duke Edelweiss still possessed considerable power within the Kingdom of Gardenia. It did not matter how much the family had been driven into a corner by Zelma's conspiracies. I intended to take all the rage boiling within my heart and hurl it directly at Zelma and the Second Prince. I could not forgive those people for framing Iris-chan while they lived nonchalantly in the Royal Castle!
Just as I was beginning to formulate a plan to topple those two, an incident occurred.
It happened half a day after Iris-chan departed from Edelweiss. Suddenly, a small Alraune popped right out of the soil in our garden!
Iris-chan had only just left by carriage that morning. The fact that she returned to the Duke's Mansion must have meant that she missed me, her big sister.
Very well! I was ready to have her fly into my arms at any moment. I hurried to the garden immediately.
However, as soon as we were reunited, Iris-chan spoke to me with a serious expression.
"Further down the road, there were Glanz Empire soldiers. I've captured them, so please come and collect them."
To my astonishment, Edelweiss had been under a total information blockade. Every messenger I had attempted to send to the Royal Capital had been intercepted by the Empire's soldiers. Even the messenger pigeons had apparently been caught by Harpies.
This was a grave state of affairs! It was an act equivalent to insulting the name of Edelweiss. The Glanz Empire was truly unforgivable.
As the reality of the situation set in, I began to understand its severity. It appeared they were working in league with the Demon King's Army that had recently attempted to invade. The Kingdom of Gardenia was on the verge of being overrun by both the Demon King's Army and the Glanz Empire.
As a noble, I could not remain silent during a national crisis. I had to summon the Knight Order immediately and dispatch reinforcements to the Royal Capital. Normally, I would have required prior permission from His Majesty the King, but there was no time for such formalities. If we delayed, the capital might fall.
Fortunately, Iris-chan had broken the information blockade. If we sent pigeons to the capital now, we could still warn them.
Then, Iris-chan continued.
"I’m going to the Royal Capital with Rufe now. I’ll save Father… Duke Edelweiss, so don’t worry, Tulpe."
Maids and butlers had gathered around the garden to look at the Alraune. I could not let them realize we were actually sisters. It was a shame she couldn't call me "Big Sister Tulpe" in front of everyone, but since we had already shared a moving farewell that morning, I decided to act professionally. I would fulfill my duties not as her sister, but as Duke Edelweiss's Proxy.
"I also captured someone claiming to be a disciple of one of the Twelve Sword Generals of the Empire. The Twelve Sword Generals themselves might be lurking near Edelweiss, so be careful."
The Twelve Sword Generals of the Empire were the elite twelve swordsmen that the Glanz Empire took such pride in. They held status equal to a General and were idols to the Imperial subjects. I had heard that in the Glanz Empire, which was a martial nation, even a commoner could rise to that rank through sheer skill.
If I recalled correctly, Malai Glanzweisheit, the Crown Princess known as "Malai of the Dancing Sword," was also one of these generals. Despite being a woman, she was ranked among the Empire's Strongest and had become the consort of the Golden Tiger Prince. Her fame was well-known even here in the Kingdom of Gardenia.
Upon hearing this, a clever idea occurred to me. I decided to make a plea to Iris-chan.
"The current state of Edelweiss is essentially that of an empty shell. Since the strongest among us, including the Knight Commander, have followed the Duke, we will be helpless if the Twelve Sword Generals appear."
If only the Grand Mage, renowned as the "Guardian of Edelweiss," had remained behind, we might have stood a chance. But since he was in the capital guarding my father, it couldn't be helped.
"Oh, if only there were a strong and reliable person to protect us. If only the new Saint who saved this city would live here as a small Alraune, I could finally feel at ease…"
I stole a pointed glance at Iris-chan. She responded with an expression that suggested she had given up on resisting.
"Fine. I'll stay in Edelweiss."
"Is that true!?"
"When I say 'me,' I don't mean the main body, but the child. I wasn't sure about this because I don't know what you'll do to her, Tulpe…"
As she spoke, Iris-chan did something incredible. She made a flower bloom from a vine, extracted a seed, and planted it in the dirt. Moments later, a new, small Alraune sprouted from the ground!
"T-this… could it be!?"
"Yes. My child."
"Nice to meet you, Tulpe. I am called Alraune."
Following Iris-chan's lead, the small Alraune offered a polite greeting.
Did this mean… did this mean Iris-chan had just given birth to a child right before my eyes!? My younger sister had a child—and she did it all by herself! I could hardly wrap my head around it!
"I'll have one Child Alraune stationed in Edelweiss at all times. She’s strong enough to repel enemies even of the Four Heavenly Kings-class, I think."
"I am Mama's child and have inherited most of her power, so I am very strong. I will turn anyone who harms Mama's beloved Edelweiss into fertilizer."
"Mama… Mama!?"
Iris-chan was a Mama. Which meant this child was… my niece?
My sister, who was supposed to have died six years ago, had returned as a plant monster and given birth. And now, I had an Alraune for a niece. Furthermore, she called Iris-chan—a former Saint—"Mama." My mind was reeling. One truly never knows what to expect in this world.
"Rest assured! I shall use my heart and soul to raise and love this Niece Alraune with the utmost care!"
"Niece… well, fine. I’m counting on you."
"I'll do my best for Mama's sake!"
The maid and butler were looking at me as if I were speaking in riddles. The talk of nieces and mamas must have been incomprehensible to them.
But I didn't care. An Alraune with Iris-chan's face and a Niece Alraune with Iris-chan's face were both speaking to me. It felt like a dream come true.
"Um, Alraune-chan… having only one Niece Alraune to protect all of Edelweiss feels a bit unreliable."
"……"
"I would like a few more Niece Alraunes. At least ten more… no, thirty would be ideal!"
"…Absolutely not."
"Why not!?"
"If the Child Alraunes increase too much, it becomes a problem. These children are quite selfish."
"I do not mind that at all! After all, I am their Aunt!"
"…You’re not their Aunt, are you?"
Iris-chan tried to gloss over my outburst for the sake of the maids. I appreciated her concern, but it wasn't necessary. Everyone in this mansion already knew I treated the Alraune like my own sister. No one would find my behavior suspicious at this late stage.
"Besides, the Child Alraune can multiply on her own if it’s necessary."
"Is that true!?"
"Mama—. Can I make some sisters?"
"Don't increase your numbers unless it’s an emergency, okay?"
"Okay, Mama—."
My niece could multiply by herself. My niece was truly incredible.
Afterward, Iris-chan asked me for a significant favor. However, my mind was so focused on how I was going to dote on Niece Alraune that I wasn't listening very closely. I believe it was something about two people coming from Tower City and wanting me to put them on a carriage to the Royal Capital.
Since the butler was listening to the details, I decided to have him fill me in later. More than anything, I was simply overwhelmed by the discovery of this new side of Iris-chan. To think that she was a Mama… she had a new family, and I was truly, truly happy for her.
Ah, the ink has blurred again. I seem to have become quite prone to tears since reuniting with Iris-chan.
Alraune-chan, having left Niece Alraune in my care, departed the city once more using a technique called 'Teleportation.' And there, right next to the spot where Iris-chan had turned back into a seed and vanished into the ground, stood my new family member!
I initially thought about repotting Niece Alraune so we could live together in my room, but she refused, explaining that she needed to stay connected to the roots in the ground to maintain security.
Thus, Niece Alraune remains in the garden. While a bit disappointing, she is perfectly visible from my room. I intend to observe her day and night. Perhaps I should start a new book specifically for my niece, separate from the 'Iris-chan Observation Log.' I am looking forward to every single day!
The day after Niece Alraune moved into the Duke's Mansion, a report arrived concerning suspicious individuals in the city. It may have been the Twelve Sword Generals of the Empire that Iris-chan mentioned.
When I spoke to Niece Alraune about it, she simply said, "I will protect Edelweiss," and teleported away. She is such a reliable niece.
I feel as though I might be forgetting something… but it must just be my imagination. Nothing is more important to me right now than bringing divine punishment upon Zelma and the Second Prince, and showering Niece Alraune with love.
Oh, I am truly excited. Which dress shall I have her wear tonight?
It will likely be some time before Niece Alraune returns. In the meantime, I must complete the Elite Education Plan for my adorable little niece. She is the child of my precious Iris-chan, after all. I will raise her into a fine individual and ensure she becomes a magnificent Saint, just like her mother!