A colossal wave of fire surged through the forest.
The scene looked as if a terrifyingly massive flamethrower was being unleashed upon the woods.
The forest was being systematically incinerated.
But the real problem was that the flame spray was headed straight for me.
A direct hit would reduce me to ash in a heartbeat. That was the kind of firepower we were talking about.
At this rate, I was going to be burned right along with the forest.
Someone, help me...!
But such a convenient savior wasn't going to appear.
Reality was cold and cruel.
I had to protect myself.
I shielded my body with my vines.
A wall of plants would probably burn in an instant.
Even so, this was the only thing I could do.
After all, plants can't run away. Since I couldn't walk, hiding in the shadows wasn't an option.
A plant’s fate was simply to be bathed in the approaching flames and consumed.
──When I opened my eyes, I was still in one piece.
It seemed that flame spray had missed me.
I’d narrowly escaped the sweeping barrage of fire. That was way too close.
But in exchange, the forest to my left was an inferno.
The torrent of fire that had grazed me turned a section of the forest into ash in the blink of an eye.
If the angle had been off by even a fraction more, it would have been a direct hit. If that had happened, I would have joined those ashes by now.
This power wasn't ordinary fire.
It was a super-high-level magic attack, or something equivalent to it.
To the culprit burning the forest—no, wait, to the Honorable Culprit.
I am deeply sorry for my earlier impudence when I said I’d give you a lecture.
Since it would be a hassle, there is no need for you to identify yourself.
You are innocent. Please, I beg of you, just head home as quietly as possible.
So, please, no more flame sprays.
And those monster-like beam attacks are strictly off-limits, too.
I had never seen a being capable of such destruction.
If that fire scored a direct hit, a plant like me wouldn't stand a chance. I’d be turned into cinders instantly.
What is even happening?
How did things get like this?
I didn't know who was on a rampage, but there was no doubt that it was best to stay far away from them.
Still, since the forest was on fire, it wasn't exactly someone else's problem.
The air had become stiflingly hot because of the flames.
My body felt hot enough to burn, too.
Wait, burning?
When I looked down, my vines were on fire.
That wasn't all.
Before I knew it, the fire had spread to my bulb.
Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Fire! I'm on fireeeeeeeeeeeee!!
I—I have to put it out!
I pulled out my water flask and started trying to douse the flames.
Still, I couldn't put them all out.
The amount of water inside the flask was too low.
It hadn't rained once since I'd defeated the Minotaur.
Because I had used the water flask against those Kingdom's Soldiers earlier, I didn't have enough water left.
I was at my wit's end.
Someone, help...!
As if they had heard the cry of my heart, something approached from the bushes ahead.
He's here, my savior!
The Prince on a White Horse!!
No, I don't mind if it's a Princess.
Anyone is fine, just please help me!
If you do, I’ll dedicate my very life to you!
That was how cornered I was.
However, it seemed the Prince wasn't on a white horse.
It was a Tanuki Monster.
A pack of Tanuki Monsters came scurrying toward me.
At the head of the group was the Elder Tanuki.
Could it be that the Elder Tanuki had led the Ponpokos here to rescue me in my time of need?
As expected of the Elder. He was reliable after all.
However, strangely enough, the Ponpokos ran right past me, fleeing toward the opposite side of the forest at full speed.
The Elder Tanuki only spared me a single glance before leading his pack into the distance.
He had an expression of total resignation, as if to say this forest was already finished.
...Wait, was I just abandoned?
That’s not fair! That’s too much!
Even if a plant is the Lord of the Forest, you could at least cooperate a little!
I risked my life to fight and defeat the Demon Race that you brought here, you know!
Ugh, I really have no allies.
At the very least, I just want some water.
Everything feels like it's about to burn up.
A part of my bulb was being roasted nicely.
At this rate, I’m going to be turned into a stir-fry. I’m not a vegetable, just a flower, but still!
As Nectar streamed from my eyes in a fit of sobbing, a white dot appeared in the sky.
As that small white object drew closer, it gradually took on the silhouette of a bird.
The White Bird had come for me.
Ah!
White Bird-san, you really are my white horse... no, my Swan Prince!
Or perhaps my Swan Princess?
Is it male or female?
I really don't know the bird's gender.
But you know, White Bird-san...
While I am incredibly happy that you rushed here during such a crisis, there is something that's bothering me.
That thing you're holding with your feet... that's a bucket, right?
Why is a bird flying through the sky holding a bucket?
It didn't seem interested in answering my question, as the White Bird flew directly over my head.
Then, it dropped the bucket, upending it.
Splash!
A deluge of water scored a direct hit on the flames on my bulb.
Thanks to the water in the bucket, the fire was completely extinguished.
──I—I was saved.
I never would have dreamed that the White Bird would put out the fire with a bucket of water.
White Bird-san, thank you.
I am so grateful that I could practically dedicate my body to you right now.
But before that, there's something I have to ask.
Um, Bird-san?
I’m curious—how can a tiny bird like you fly while carrying a bucket full of water?
Even just holding a bucket larger than your own body should be a struggle.
And yet, flying through the sky with a bucket made heavy with water should be physically impossible.
Hey, White Bird-san.
As I thought, you aren't a normal bird, are you?
Normal birds don't perform firefighting duties with buckets. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't.
Just who in the world are you?
Are you actually a monster like me?
Is that why you're smarter and stronger than other birds?
The mystery only deepened, but for the time being, I decided to convey my thanks.
"Thank... you... for... saving... me."
I wonder how many times my life has been saved by this White Bird now.
That was how much I relied on it.
I didn't know why it cared for me so much, but regardless—thank you. I am truly grateful.
But as expected, it probably didn't understand my words.
Even when I asked it to get flowers in the winter, I had to use gestures to get the point across.
This time, I would use my vines to convey my gratitude.
No matter how special the White Bird was, a bird wouldn't understand human speech.
However, in the next moment, I learned a shocking truth.
The White Bird flew right in front of my face and began to hover.
Then, it opened its cute, small beak and began to chirp.
"Hide."
──────Eh?
Did the White Bird just chirp in a weird way?
If I recall, the White Bird was supposed to be bad at chirping. Did it get even worse in this short time?
Or did it conversely become too good at it?
It somehow sounded like human speech, but perhaps I was hallucinating from the heat.
"Hide, quickly."
The White Bird was talking to me.
It really didn't sound like anything other than human words.
This time, I recognized it for certain.
This White Bird understood human speech.
"Before he comes, hide."
The White Bird sp—spoke!! Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Thank you for reading.
As it is the one-month anniversary, I will be doing two updates tomorrow as well.
Next time: The White Bird's Secret.