Spring had finally arrived.
It was my second spring since I had become an Alraune. I’d deduced that I must have been reincarnated during this season, considering that the summer droughts had begun shortly after I first woke up in this body. Calculating backward, spring was my true birthday as an Alraune.
The weather was pleasantly warm. With the sun shining just right, it was a perfect day for photosynthesis. Thanks to the thaw, the ground was saturated with a massive reserve of melted snow. The water tasted delicious.
Spring was simply the best.
I was more than happy to say goodbye to that grueling winter. I didn't want to see snow again for a long time. Of course, now that I had learned Heat Generation by consuming that Skunk Cabbage, winter was no longer something I had to fear—but I still preferred the warmth.
The animals also seemed to be celebrating the season’s return. Unfortunately, that made the nights quite noisy. It was fine to be in heat, but I wished they would show some moderation. There was no need to be a nuisance to the neighbors.
It wasn’t just the animals that had perked up, either. Insects and plants were becoming active as well. A variety of flora had begun to sprout in my immediate vicinity, making the area feel much more lively.
I could feel my own body rejoicing in the season, trembling with a delight that reached down to my very roots. My corolla was in vibrant bloom, the luster of my vines was excellent, and my nectar was flowing more abundantly than ever.
Ah, spring truly was magnificent—the mother of seasons, where all living things shared in the joy of growth. My daily photosynthesis felt even more rewarding than usual. I felt like I might just experience a growth spurt of my own.
“Don’t you agree, Hachi-san?”
The Hachi-san, my loyal Lady Knights, had all come to visit. We hadn't seen each other since the start of winter, and I’d been quite lonely without them.
“Oh? What is it? Ah, I see. You’re here for the nectar.”
For my Hachi-san, I was happy to oblige. I invited them to take as much as they wanted. I bit into my vines, coating them in a thick layer of honey-sweet nectar, and offered them to my friends. As soon as one group began their harvest, I bit into another vine. Soon, more than ten of my vines were covered in bees. It felt as though I were holding hands with all of them at once.
Then, a thought struck me.
“Hey, Hachi-san. Since it’s spring, why don’t we dance?”
I had been rejected by Bear-papa during the winter, so I was itching for a proper dance. This would be a ball hosted by the Forest Circle, a private party for the girls.
“Now, Hachi-san, may I have this dance?”
The Alraune and her ten bees began their Spring Waltz. Since I couldn’t take any actual steps, the Hachi-san beat their wings gracefully in my stead. They performed a mid-air dance while continuing to collect their nectar. Being escorted by so many bees was a wonderful feeling—or perhaps I was the one escorting them? It felt like being a conductor waving a baton before a grand orchestra.
“Next, Hachi-san, let’s try a tango!”
Spring had filled me with energy; my heart was practically on fire. We danced fiercely and passionately, like a maiden in love. It was so much fun. I couldn't get over how amazing the Forest Circle was.
“Oh, good day. I don’t recognize you. Are you a newcomer?”
A new guest had arrived: a butterfly-type monster known as a Rustschmetterling. It was a butterfly roughly the size of a human. A butterfly—a fluttery little creature. A giant fluttery creature! It looked a bit like a cabbage white.
It seemed she was also after my nectar. Since this was the Forest Circle, I would have normally asked any "evil" guests to leave, but this butterfly was remarkably elegant. The one at the lead had a more beautiful pattern than the rest, and her movements were incredibly graceful. She reminded me of a certain duchess who had always been the center of attention at tea parties back in the Royal Capital.
“Butterfly... or should I say, Madam Butterfly? Is that what they call you?”
Even if she was young and unmarried, she possessed a dignity that made the name feel appropriate. I decided then and there: I would call her Madam Butterfly.
I bit into a vine, coated it with nectar, and offered it to her. She extended her proboscis—the long, straw-like organ butterflies use to drink—and began to diligently sip the nectar. It was a soothing sight.
“Hey, you there! Don’t get any closer!”
I snapped at one of the other butterflies. I wanted them to collect nectar politely, just like Madam Butterfly.
“Stay back! I’ll have to teach your entourage some manners. Behave yourselves while you eat.”
One of the companions ignored me, attempting a direct "special attack" on my body. If it touched my pistil, I would end up being pollinated, just as if one of the bees had done it. Butterflies often carried pollen from stamens on their bodies, after all. I had no intention of being assaulted by a random insect.
I invited the rebellious creature into my lower mouth. I showed no mercy to hostile opponents. A normal carnivorous plant wouldn’t have played gracefully with butterflies at all; it would have just eaten them without a second thought. I was actually being quite lenient.
I munched on the rude butterfly.
Madam Butterfly, perhaps wanting to apologize for her follower’s blunder, began to sway rhythmically while she drank from my vine. It looked like an invitation to dance.
“But of course, Madam Butterfly. If you’ll have me, I would be delighted.”
A waltz with a butterfly. This was a true "Butterfly Dance." At this rate, we could have been the stars of any ballroom. Our only rivals might have been the Queen Bee—my "Big Sister." I had never met her, but I had a feeling she was perfect at everything she did. I had total, blind faith in my Sister.
It was such a wonderful time. The long, harsh winter had been a struggle, but this joy was enough to wash all those memories away. After all the fighting with the Four Heavenly Kings and Bear-papa, and the constant shivering in the cold, I had almost forgotten that this was my goal: to live a peaceful life.
I wanted to photosynthesize, mutter about how delicious the water was, and spend my days playing with my friends. This was the dream I had envisioned. A spring ball, dancing with my Lady Knights and Madam Butterfly. It was perfect.
As the organizer of the Forest Circle, I couldn't have been happier.
Then, an ominous sound echoed through the woods, threatening to shatter our fun. While I was dancing with the princesses of the Forest Circle, a commotion broke out on the far side of the forest. To my left, something was making a massive racket.
Trees were snapping, and I could hear the panicked screams of animals and monsters. It was frustrating being a plant at times like this; I was curious, but I couldn't exactly go over and investigate.
The Hachi-san and the butterflies all froze. Our pleasant afternoon had been dampened. I wondered who would dare make such a mess in broad daylight. As the Lord of the Forest, I wouldn't stand for it.
As I fumed, the culprits finally emerged from the treeline. It was a pack of Tanuki. They were fleeing in a desperate rush, scurrying past me and vanishing deeper into the woods. Some of them looked injured.
The Elder Tanuki was the last to appear. His face was a mask of desperation. He looked at me, his mouth moving as if trying to say something, before he scrambled after the others.
What did that mean? Was it a warning?
My suspicion was confirmed a moment later. The Elder Tanuki had brought a "guest" along with him—an enemy of the forest.
The creature emerged, toppling trees in its path. It walked with an annoyed air, casually devouring a Tanuki it had caught in its hand. It had the head of a bull and the body of a man.
It was a Minotaur.
Its muscular, powerful frame marked it as a veteran warrior. It stood about five meters tall. While it was smaller than Bear-papa, that didn't mean it was less dangerous. This wasn't a mere monster like me or Bear-papa; it was a member of the Demon Race.
Monsters—or mamono—were usually beast-like creatures that lacked language and couldn't use magic. But the Demon Race was different. They were the ones who commanded the monsters. It was a collective term for various intelligent species that possessed human-level intellect and could use magic just as people did. Some of the most powerful among them were even referred to as Majin.
Furthermore, most members of the Demon Race served the Demon King. As if to prove the point, this Minotaur was wearing gear. It was clad in iron armor and a helmet, and it carried a massive axe. Painted on its helmet was a pair of black wings—the crest of the Demon King's Army.
There was no mistake. This was an outsider. The Elder Tanuki had deliberately guided it to me, knowing I was the only one who could stop it.
“Alright, I understand.”
On the day I had become the Lord of the Forest, I had made a vow to protect this place and everyone in it. If I didn't step up, the Forest Circle would fall.
I signaled for the Hachi-san, Madam Butterfly, and the others to retreat. It was too dangerous for them here. I would be the one to protect them.
“Now then, Mr. Minotaur. Hello.”
It had been four years since I last faced the Demon King's Army. Back then, I was still a human, a Saint at the height of her power. Now, I wasn't even human anymore. I was a plant monster, but that didn't change the fact that he was my enemy.
“Please, try to go easy on me.”
To protect my peaceful life, I had to eliminate him. Everything was for the sake of my quiet days as a plant.
“Shall we begin? It’s time for my first real job as the Lord of the Forest.”
Thank you for reading.
Next time: "Is there anyone who would like to be my after-dinner dessert?"