What on earth should I do?
The Flame Dragon’s fiery breath had come for me.
In response, I had used the Great Axe and iron armor for defense, then utilized my own burning vines to trick the dragon into thinking I had been incinerated.
──I thought that would be the end of it, but reality is rarely that simple.
The Flame Dragon, who was supposed to have left the area, had doubled back in secret.
I didn't know how he’d managed it, but there hadn't been a single footfall to signal his return. Whether he possessed a Stealth skill or had simply flown back and landed in total silence, I couldn't say.
I didn't know the trick, but one thing was certain.
For better or worse, the Flame Dragon had taken an interest in me. He had likely returned just to confirm whether I had truly burned to a crisp.
The result was that we were now locking eyes once again.
The Flame Dragon let out a low, surprised sound as he continued to loom over me.
"I returned on a mere whim, yet to think there existed a plant that could survive even my flames."
Please, don't let it concern you for a second longer! I’m just a lowly, common flower of the fields. I have no desire to trouble the thoughts of a noble existence such as yourself, Lord Flame Dragon. So, if you could just think of me as a stray weed and be on your way, I would be eternally grateful.
"I have never encountered anything so amusing. I shall grant you a reward for surviving my fire."
Wait, a reward?
Does that mean you’re going to let me go, Lord Flame Dragon?
What a merciful dragon! Oh, I knew it all along. I knew this Lord Flame Dragon wasn't some wicked beast who would incinerate a flower he’d taken a liking to. He was surely a noble, kind-hearted dragon who cherished nature and appreciated fine Nectar. The forest was currently a blazing inferno, but let’s just overlook that for now.
"I have decided against turning you to ash in an instant. Instead, I shall take my time to ensure you burn away completely."
...Wait, what?
Hold on, what do you mean by that!? That’s not a reward at all! My fate was still to be burned!
"Do not misunderstand. The reward I grant you is time. Savor the brief final moments remaining until you are consumed."
A small spark of Blue Flame flickered from the Flame Dragon’s glowing tail and flew toward me. It latched onto my Bulb.
I could tell just by looking at it—this was a Magic Flame.
"You will find it impossible to extinguish this Blue Flame. It is a special fire that will not go out, even if drenched with water."
Indeed, the Blue Flame didn't show any sign of spreading immediately. Instead, it was slowly but steadily expanding its reach. It was an eerie, mystical fire.
"I have suppressed the heat so that it will not consume your entire body at once. You shall slowly turn to ash, savoring what little remains of your life. Consider this time I have granted you as my thanks for the Nectar."
Honestly, I would have preferred it if your "thanks" had ended with that first Flame Breath.
And really, Lord Flame Dragon, you already left once! How much of an interest did you take in me to sneak all the way back? If you’re that curious, why not just take me home with you? I wouldn't even mind being a combination of a breakfast dessert and a decorative houseplant. Please, let me stay by your side. Anything is better than being slowly burned alive!
"It will take time, but it will undoubtedly finish you. Now then, I am a busy dragon. I am still in the middle of a job. Although, in this state, the forest may have claimed you anyway..."
The Flame Dragon scanned the surrounding woods. Muttering about where to begin his search, his massive frame began to move.
"Then, truly farewell, Alraune. That Nectar was quite good."
With a heavy, swaying gait, the Flame Dragon disappeared into the depths of the forest.
This time, I was truly alone again.
Now then, what should I do?
Thanks to the fact that he liked my Nectar, I had avoided being incinerated on the spot. Considering the situation had been utterly hopeless, I suppose that alone could be counted as a victory.
However, I had also suffered a crushing defeat.
After all, I had been equipped with a Magic Flame that functioned like a time bomb. He said this fire wouldn't go out even with water. Slowly but surely, the Blue Flame was beginning to erode my body.
At this rate, by the time the forest fire reached this clearing, my entire body would be engulfed in blue. That meant I had very little time left. Going by my intuition from my days as a high school girl, I probably had less than an hour.
This completely ruined my plan to dig a hole and wait out the fire underground. Even if I buried myself, this Blue Flame likely wouldn't go out. I tried kicking some dirt onto the flame as a test, but it didn't do a thing. It was hopeless.
What kind of reward was this? Savor my final moments? How am I supposed to enjoy anything when I know I’m about to be reduced to ash? It was like a candle of life—the kind where your life ends the moment the wick burns out. Except in this case, I had become the candle itself.
There was nothing left for me to do. My thoughts drifted to the safety of my friends in the Forest Circle.
As if in response to my concern, a heavy, rhythmic droning like a fleet of helicopters echoed from the unburnt woods to the right. My Lady Knight and her Bee Monster Army had arrived. Behind them, a large butterfly fluttered gracefully—Madam Butterfly and her entourage of Tefutefu.
Everyone was safe. I was so relieved. The members of the Forest Circle had come to find me.
A lump formed in my throat. I was so happy. Even with the forest screaming in flames, I had friends who would come looking for me.
Good day.
Hachi-san, is Big Sister safe?
I see... Hachi-san’s nest had been spared from that Flame Spray. But even so, they were being driven from their home by the spreading fire.
I shifted my gaze toward the sky. The Bee Monsters and Zornbiene were flying in a dense, organized cloud.
It was a Swarming. In honeybee colonies, when a new Queen Bee is born, the old Queen Bee takes about half the workers and moves out to find a new home. This is called Swarming. The Queen Bee uses pheromones to lead the group, allowing them to migrate together in harmony.
That meant the large bee at the head of the formation was Big Sister—the Queen Bee.
It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. Good day, Big Sister. I am honored to finally meet you like this.
I suppose they had no choice but to swarm with the entire hive to escape the fire. Yes, that was for the best. If they stayed here, they would only be caught in the blaze.
Did that mean Madam Butterfly and her group were moving out too? Seeing them following the bees, it seemed they were all sticking together as fellow members of the Forest Circle. As the founder, that made me incredibly proud.
They had to escape the forest immediately or they’d be trapped by the flames, yet they had gone out of their way to come to my side.
Honestly, Hachi-san, Madam Butterfly... you’re all such fools. They knew perfectly well that, as a plant, I couldn't move from this spot. It was obvious that I would be left behind to burn. And yet, they used their precious time just to come and see me.
──Oh, what should I do?
Nectar started trickling from my eyes.
Really, they were impossible. When the Forest Circle first started, it was just a business relationship—a give-and-take of Nectar for food. It was supposed to be a professional association for mutual survival, but somewhere along the line, they had become friends who would risk their lives to fight the Minotaurs of the Demon King’s Army alongside me.
They really were too good for me.
That’s why I’ll give this final Nectar to Hachi-san and Madam Butterfly. Go on, hurry and gather the Nectar from my vines. Savor every drop. It’s my final gift to you.
Oh, please don't make such sad faces.
Even if everyone leaves, I have to stay. I’ve been saddled with this time bomb by the Flame Dragon, anyway. Even if I could run, I am destined to burn. So, as the Lord of the Forest, as a plant, I will meet my end here.
But there is no reason for any of you to share that fate. So don't waste another second in this dangerous place. You have to run.
Now then, everyone, this is our final farewell.
As of today, the Forest Circle is disbanded.
Hachi-san, thank you for fighting for me as my Lady Knight all this time. We’ve been together for so long and been through so much; I was truly happy to call you my friend.
Madam Butterfly, you were a wonderful help during that "ball" with the Minotaurs and the Demon Race. Let’s dance together again someday. And of course, we’ll have a Tea Party to go with it.
Now, go. Quickly.
The fire is almost upon us. You don't need to worry about me anymore.
So, everyone... for the last time, good day.
Looking back with lingering regret, the Bee Monster Army and Madam Butterfly’s group finally took flight, heading toward the heart of the forest.
Farewell, my friends.
They were the first friends I’d ever made since becoming an Alraune. Even if you find a new home in a distant forest, I hope you’ll remember me every now and then. If I can live on in your memories—just the thought that there was once an Alraune in a certain forest—that would be enough to make me happy............
Next time: I will not burn with the forest.