I was Alraune, a plant monster girl.
After I defeated the Minotaur from the Demon King's Army, I found a drawing of a human among his belongings. To put it politely, he wasn't much of an artist. It looked like nothing more than a child’s scribble. Then again, I suppose one shouldn't expect a refined artistic sense from a Minotaur.
I wondered what it was supposed to be. Maybe an old woman? But why would a Minotaur be carrying a drawing of a human grandmother?
I didn't really understand, but I decided to keep it for now. It seemed like it might be good for killing time later.
Regardless, I wondered why a subordinate of the Demon King's Army had come to this forest in the first place. Honestly, from their perspective, I didn’t think there was anything of value here. A paralysis potion, a sleeping potion, and a sketch of an old lady. I’d never seen an old woman in this forest.
If that Minotaur had been searching for one and intended to use those potions to capture her, what then? It was a possibility. I had no idea why they would want to do such a thing, though.
Thinking about it that way, the theory that they were looking to snatch up a human and kidnap them seemed more likely. I’d heard that in regions where the Demon King’s Army was active, young women were often abducted. They probably prepared the drugs for that purpose—to make them docile before taking them back. Was that it?
Well, I still had no idea what the drawing was for.
Just as I was wondering, a group appeared that looked like they might have the answers. Or rather, a group of the Demon Race.
More comrades emerged from the same direction the first Minotaur had come from. Reinforcements had arrived. Furthermore, they were leading a group of Bull Monsters with them. It was a party of three Minotaurs and five Ehrestier.
I see; the one from before had been a scout.
As I expected, the Demon Race was troublesome. Moreover, at this rate, it would be eight against one. With three of them being Minotaurs, the odds were predictably bad. It seemed my work as the Lord of the Forest wasn't over yet.
I was at an overwhelming disadvantage. There was nothing I could do. I felt that if I could hide my form and use guerrilla tactics to confuse them, I might have some advantage since the forest was my home. Normally, that’s when one would flee, but that wasn't an option for me.
Because I was a plant. I didn't have legs to run with. My roots were buried deep in the soil.
Therefore, I had no choice but to stand my ground right where I was. Since I’d been reincarnated as a plant, I’d already grown used to this. Movement simply wasn't a means available to me. If there was anything I could do, it was simply to defeat the enemies before my eyes. That was what I’d done until now, and that wouldn't change moving forward—even if I knew there was no chance of victory.
Now then, it was time for the second round.
Given that there were multiple Minotaurs of the kind I’d struggled so much against, they would likely attack in coordination. If they did, I probably wouldn't be able to cope.
Moreover, the Minotaur in the center was intimidating. He was different from the ones on either side of him and from the one I’d defeated earlier. It looked like he had a wound on his left eye, which was covered by an eyepatch, but it was more than just that.
His aura was on a completely different level.
Even now, I was still a Saint who had possessed enough ability to join the Hero’s party. I took pride in the fact that I’d survived many brushes with death. Because of that experience, I could tell: this Minotaur was in a different class than the others.
The Eyepatch Minotaur inspected the discarded armor of the scout and then stared fixedly at me, his gaze wary. He was clearly the leader of this group.
He called out to his subordinates, "Let's do this."
Since they were of the Demon Race, it was only natural for them to use language. That didn't surprise me. The group of bulls began to radiate intense bloodlust. Apparently, I was about to be hunted down as the enemy who had killed their comrade.
Even for me, having buried Bear-papa and numerous other powerful foes, I truly had no chance of winning against these numbers. If only it were one-on-one, I might have managed somehow.
While I was debating whether I should request a formal duel, the Eyepatch Minotaur began to chant. As he spoke the incantation, his axe suddenly erupted in flames.
No way—Fire Magic!?
There was no mistake. It was Fire-Attribute Magic, one of the four great elements. I was shocked. This Eyepatch Minotaur was even capable of using magic.
Even among humans, there were many soldiers who couldn't use magic; having a talent for it was rare. It was the same for the Demon Race. No matter how much potential varied by species, individuals who could use magic were rare and exceptionally strong.
The Eyepatch Minotaur’s great axe flared up as if exploding, becoming one with the flames.
Ah, no. This was bad. I couldn't win this.
I was weak to fire. Because I was a plant. Just seeing flames like that made my flowers shrivel. If I were burned, it would be the end.
Moreover, this Minotaur was clearly a skilled magic user. He hadn't just dabbled in it; he was properly trained for combat. Was I really just going to be burned to a crisp like this?
"You look delicious," the Minotaur said, his wet gaze fixed on me. "And beautiful, too."
Being praised as beautiful didn't make me feel bad, even as a flower, but I really wished he would stop saying I looked delicious. I had some lingering trauma regarding being viewed as a tasty treat.
However, his next words made me question my entire future. To my surprise, the Minotaur offered me a second choice.
"Submit. Or I will burn you to ash as an enemy."
The Minotaur was telling me to surrender to him. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. He clearly intended to lick me all over. He was showing that he’d rather enjoy my nectar than burn me, if possible.
Whether I was turned into a dessert and then burned, or simply burned alive without being made into a dessert, neither option offered much salvation. In that case, would it be better if I obeyed and became his dessert? He might keep me as a snack without killing me.
To give the Minotaur my nectar, I’d have to let him lick my face. I hated the thought, but at that point, I would be his property. No matter how much I loathed it, I would have to keep offering nectar to keep him happy.
The Minotaur wouldn't care about my feelings; he would just keep enjoying me, licking and swallowing. I would have to put on a smile and be attentive to him just to avoid being treated violently. I might be "doted on," but I would just be an ornamental pet plant that doubled as a dessert. My body and soul would be gone.
However, my life would be saved.
To offer my body with my life as collateral, or to be burned and killed—it was the ultimate choice between two terrible options. A life dedicated to offering my nectar and my plant body to a Minotaur. I wondered if that was truly better than being burned to death.
...No, I couldn't allow that.
I couldn't bear it. Being licked by Bear-papa had been humiliating enough. If I spent a lifetime enslaved by a barbaric Minotaur, having my nectar licked incessantly, I would regret it forever. Even if I could survive by offering my body, I had no intention of handing over my heart.
Even if I were burned here and returned to the earth, I would not regret it. My pride as a Former Saint and a Duke's daughter told me to resist until the very end. A life spent serving the Demon Race was something I utterly refused.
I would live for myself. I would live quietly and peacefully, photosynthesizing in the sun. I refused to lead a life of humiliation as some Minotaur's pet.
I would fight until the end, even if this body was burned away.
I readied my Briar, taking a clear stance of refusal. My will to resist must have gotten through to him. The Eyepatch Minotaur took a step toward me, showing no mercy.
But then, he suddenly stopped his advance.
I wondered what had happened. At the same time, something fluttering caught the corner of my eye. When I looked, I saw a familiar friend hovering there.
It was Hachi-san.
My Lady Knight, Hachi-san, had come to save me, and she had brought her comrades with her. But that wasn't all. On the other side, a swarm of butterflies appeared. Madam Butterfly, my dance partner, had arrived leading her fellow Tefutefu.
Did you all really come back to save me? Even though I didn't ask?
Just look at the enemy. They’re clearly stronger than us. And they can manipulate fire! Every single one of us is weak to fire. If we take even one hit from those flames, we’ll be nothing but cinders. It’s too dangerous. You should run while you can.
And yet, here they were, coming to my aid.
Ugh, what should I do? Nectar began to stream from my eyes. I couldn't stop it.
Normally, Hachi-san and the Tefutefu would be all over me if I produced this much nectar, but they remained focused, ignoring the sweet scent as they confronted the Minotaurs.
Since I was reincarnated as an Alraune, mostly bad things had happened to me. But being able to become friends with the Forest Circle like this... that was the one truly good thing.
Alright, I’d made my decision. I couldn't let my Lady Knight and Madam Butterfly be miserably burned after they’d gone this far for me. For the sake of everyone who cared for me, I couldn't afford to lose. Even if I couldn't do it alone, I knew I could fight if I was with them.
Let's take these guys down together. The peace of the forest will be protected by us, the Forest Circle.
Now then, Mr. Minotaur.
If you wouldn't mind, would you care to dance with me?
Since it’s your first time in this forest, let us maidens give you a proper forest-style welcome. But this isn't just any ball. It’s a bit more... physical. A martial arts tournament style, if you will.
Now then, everyone. Are you ready?
Let the welcome ball begin.