I was Alraune, a Plant Monster Young Girl and Former Saint.
By photosynthesizing and wielding Light Recovery Magic, I had managed to regenerate my withered plant body. It appeared I could convert the power of sunlight directly into Light Recovery Magic. In essence, the more light I absorbed, the more I could grow and restore myself.
Of course, what I was doing wasn't fundamentally different from my usual routine.
I accelerated the flow of my Light Recovery Magic, channeling the overflowing power back into Plant Generation. By repeating this cycle of rapid growth, I successfully neutralized the herbicide’s components. As a result of that effort, I produced dozens of Poison Briars.
I extended the briars, using them to intimidate the Poison Fairy.
Now then, I believe it is time I taught you a lesson in proper etiquette. Bad children deserve a punishment, after all.
"I-If you kill me, you’ll regret it!" the fairy shrieked.
"Wh-y... is... that?"
"I’m a member of the Demon King's Army! If the Demon King's Army gets involved, an Alraune like you will be burned to a crisp in no time!"
This Poison Fairy... she was a member of the Demon King's Army despite being a fairy? I was surprised; I suppose even fairies could fall into the ways of evil. However, Demon King's Army or not, this fairy was still a target for my discipline.
I lashed out with every one of my briars.
"Eek!"
"No... letting... go."
I tried to ensnare the fairy with my Poison Briars, but she proved to be quite adept at fleeing. Using Spirit Magic, she generated a poison mist to act as a smokescreen. She vanished into the haze, acting much like a squid spitting ink to escape.
The Poison Fairy was a small target to begin with, and now she was attempting to fly away while masked by the mist. This was troublesome; if things continued like this, she would escape before I could finish her punishment. In this visibility, I couldn't precisely grab her with the briars.
In that case, I simply had to swat her down.
Like a person wielding a fly swatter, I swung dozens of Poison Briars down toward the poison mist. I made sure to put my very heart and soul into the strike.
Suddenly, I heard the Poison Fairy cry out, "Gugya!"
It seemed she had collided with the briars. I felt the distinct sensation of my Poison Thorns piercing her skin. It served her right. I felt a small sense of satisfaction as my resentment began to subside.
The Poison Fairy slammed into the ground, her body twitching with convulsions. She appeared to have taken significant damage, but her punishment was far from over. After all, I had been on the verge of death just moments ago.
"I-I'm gonna be eaten...!"
The Poison Fairy scrambled back into the air. She still had enough strength to flee; she was quite tenacious. But really, how rude of her. The thought of eating a fairy had never even crossed my mind. What I was doing was strictly a matter of discipline.
I could never commit such a barbaric act as snacking on a fairy. Though, I suppose it would be a different story if she were to beg me, foaming at the mouth, for the privilege of entering my gullet.
Having successfully put some distance between us, the Poison Fairy pointed a finger at me with a triumphant look.
"You can't reach me from here with those vines! Too bad for you, loser!"
"Then... how... about... this?"
I manifested a Teppou-uri Machine Gun upon my vines. I took aim at the fairy as she tried to fly away. Since I had already given her the "whip" earlier, I decided to present her with a "treat"—a hail of seeds. I had to be kind once in a while, or the one being punished would be far too pitiful.
Now then, do forgive me.
Spo-po-po-pon!
The seeds, as sharp as thorns, pierced the Poison Fairy's wings. She was instantly pinned to a nearby tree. Her left wing was stuck fast by the seeds, leaving her unable to move. I extended my briars toward the trembling fairy.
Don't be afraid. I’m just going to catch you. And then I'll just pour a little poison into you.
"T-To end like this...!"
The Poison Fairy spat out another cloud of poison mist. She really was a stubborn one. However, since her wing was pinned to the tree, she shouldn't have been able to get away. I waited for the mist to clear.
But when the haze vanished, the Poison Fairy was gone. Only a single wing remained, pinned to the bark by my seeds. Apparently, she had chosen to sacrifice her wing to facilitate her escape. Even for an enemy, I had to admire that level of grit.
With one wing gone, she wouldn't be able to fly properly. She was likely escaping on foot. But here, I was at a disadvantage. I was a plant. I couldn't simply walk over and deliver the finishing blow.
Resigned, I decided to wake the Little Witch. To think she had slept through all that commotion—she must have been in an incredibly deep sleep.
"Why didn't you wake me up?!" she demanded.
"Because... it was... dangerous."
"From now on, rely on me first when you're in a pinch!"
"Understood."
When I explained that the Poison Fairy had attacked, the Little Witch got angry with me for some reason. I had only kept quiet because I didn't want to involve her in something so hazardous. Still, I promised myself to rely on her just a little bit more in the future.
The Little Witch went to search the area where the fairy had been pinned, but she found nothing. The Poison Fairy had truly escaped.
Well, so be it. I had claimed one of her wings as compensation for her trying to wither me. We could call it even for now. Besides, the time might come when I can resume her punishment. I would look forward to that day.
When I informed her that I had nearly died from the herbicide, the Little Witch flew off toward the city in a panic. She was going to buy fertilizer for me.
In truth, my physical energy was at its absolute limit. Because I had withered so close to the point of no return, my strength was nearly exhausted. If I had been hit by even one more dose of that herbicide, I might not have been able to regenerate at all. It had been a truly narrow escape.
I had consumed far too much energy. I was malnourished, and I desperately wanted some water.
I was looking forward to the fertilizer, but I knew I shouldn't expect too much. She said she would use whatever change was left over from buying vegetables, and I doubted there was much left. She probably wouldn't be able to afford anything substantial.
Ah, regardless, I was exhausted. Being on the brink of death was draining. I hadn't felt my life in such peril since my encounter with the Flame Dragon Lord. At that time, I had been saved by pollination and becoming a Sprout. This was likely the first time I had taken lethal damage while remaining in the same body.
I decided it was time to rest. I closed my Bud and prepared for a nap. Basking in the sun while sleeping was the greatest luxury.
Well then, good night. I hope for a better dream this time...
Thank you for reading. Next time: Hospitality with a Nectar Bath.