I was Alraune, a plant monster girl.
Soaring above was the Golden Birdman, Garda-fresvelg of the Radiant Crown—one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army. He was currently radiating the pure, holy light of a Saint.
I had accidentally let a question about his Light Magic slip through my lips. It was only natural for him to find it suspicious. How could a mere plant monster living in the forest recognize Light Magic so easily?
To make matters worse, Garda-fresvelg seemed to recognize my face from my days as a Saint. We were supposed to be meeting for the first time, but it appeared he had been watching me from afar without my knowledge.
He’d claimed to have watched me from the shadows for years. Was he some kind of fan? I certainly hoped he wasn't a stalker—being followed by a "Stalker of the Four Heavenly Kings" was not a joke I wanted to be a part of.
However, my guess was probably right on the mark. He directed a greasy, suspicious gaze toward me that made my skin crawl.
I couldn't let it be revealed that I was originally a human Saint. If my true identity were discovered, the Little Witch and Fairy Kiri, who were listening nearby, would find out as well. That was not something I wanted.
I had to deceive him somehow. I would play the part of a foolish, airheaded plant.
"Light magic... what’s... that...?"
"……What did you say?"
"I thought... the light... reflected... like magic."
"……Huh?"
"Feathers... so shiny... Photosynthesis... is yummy."
I was just a plant monster. I needed to prove I wasn't some genius Alraune with a mastery of magic; I had to be a total airhead whose only thoughts were "sunlight" and "water"!
"Magic... is the sun... right? It always... feels... so warm and good."
Come on, do your best, me! I told myself. Cast aside what little pride and shame you have left.
I was neither a former Saint nor a high school girl from a previous life. I was an Alraune born and raised in the forest. I was a wild, plant-based creature in the shape of a girl who didn't even understand the concept of clothes and only covered her chest with vines. I was a plant that didn't know the first thing about "intelligence"—in fact, I didn't even know that things called "letters" existed.
I had to say something even more stupid and vacuous!
"I... love... sunbathing!"
"……The Saint Iris whom I observed for all those years was not such an idiotic girl. She was noble, modest, and brimming with talent. Perhaps I was mistaken?"
"What... is a... Saint? Is it... yummy?"
"……That is true. There is no way a mere plant monster like an Alraune would know anything of Light Magic."
Yes! Success!
Honestly, I hadn't expected him to be fooled by such simple acting. This member of the Four Heavenly Kings looked down on me simply because I was a plant monster, and thanks to that, I managed to avoid further questioning. I supposed I should be grateful he wasn't a particularly perceptive member of the Demon Race.
That being said, he had mentioned watching me for years. He really was a stalker, wasn't he? "Stalker of the Four Heavenly Kings" was definitely the right title for him.
Just as I directed a suspicious gaze of my own toward him, the ground began to rumble. A massive bear-type monster, Laobubear, emerged from the trees behind me. He was a relative of Bear-papa, the former guardian of Lady Dryades’ Sanctuary.
It seemed Lady Dryades had sent him as reinforcements after hearing the commotion. I was surprised the day had come where I’d fight side-by-side with one of Bear-papa’s kin. With him here, I felt as strong as a hundred warriors!
Alright, let's take down this member of the Four Heavenly Kings together. I’d show this Birdman that the Four Heavenly Kings of the Forest were plenty strong, too!
"I flew over to investigate Begia-Ad Adler’s defeat. I see. It wasn't that tiny Alraune, but this Laobubear who struck him down. That makes much more sense."
Actually, it was me, Mr. Birdman. I was the one who defeated the giant eagle. To be precise, my children and I poisoned him together.
"A human, a Treant, a Fairy, an Alraune, and now a Laobubear. Hmph, it is a strange combination, but since the topic of Light Magic has come up, I shall give you a brief greeting by way of introduction."
The Birdman's golden feathers began to glow. He was preparing to use Light Magic.
"Rainbow Arrow (Regenbogen)!"
Arrows of light, shimmering in seven colors, rained down like a storm. I raised my Vine Shield to intercept them. It seemed they really were just a greeting, as the volume of arrows wasn't particularly high.
The Birdman spread his arms wide, boasting of his power.
"I am the Golden Birdman, Garda-fresvelg of the Radiant Crown. I am the sole member of the Demon King’s Army capable of wielding the Light Magic reserved for human Saints."
Apparently, he had fired those arrows just to show off. Even though he was a man of the Demon Race, he seemed immensely proud that he could use a power meant only for Saints.
But he was right. He was a rare demon who could wield a magic that shouldn't exist in his kind. It was a fact worth bragging about.
I wasn't the only one shocked by the display. Fairy Kiri, who was the most knowledgeable about magic among us, shouted up at him.
"Wait just a minute! How can a demon use Light Magic? That’s only supposed to be usable by human women recognized by the Goddess!"
Kiri made a good point for once. I wanted to know the answer to that, too.
"Hmm, it is not strange for a Fairy serving a Dryades to know of Light Magic. Very well, I shall tell you as a special favor."
The condescending Birdman crossed his arms and began to speak with pride.
"I am the 'Corpse Swallower' (Fresvelg). My unique ability allows me to absorb one magical attribute from any opponent I consume."
I was stunned. I had never heard of a demon with the power to steal the magic of those they ate.
"The attribute I chose was Light Magic. Thus, I have obtained these feathers that emit a golden radiance."
"Which means...?" I asked, looking up at him as he hovered in the sky.
I couldn't help but ask, yet a part of me dreaded the answer. Those contradictory emotions swirled inside me like a dark flood.
"Naturally, I devoured those girls they call Apprentice Saints. They were quite delectable. I can still recall the sensation of their soft, human flesh sliding down my throat, and their rich screams of despair as their lives flickered out. I’d love another taste."
I felt the nutrients and water surging backward through my vascular bundles. If I were still human, the blood would have been boiling in my veins.
Of all things, this Birdman had admitted to eating Apprentice Saints. That meant he had eaten my former comrades—my sisters.
Moreover, his Aura of Light appeared to be layered. That meant he had consumed the light of multiple Saints.
"I am fond of Saints. I research them and their Light Magic every day, but I find myself wanting to swallow them whole whenever I see one."
I knew firsthand the agony of being swallowed whole. It was a tragic, miserable death—so painful it made one want to despair of existence itself. And that was how my fellow apprentices had been murdered and consumed by this monster.
I hadn't realized how much it would hurt to know my companions had been eaten and their powers stolen. I was still a former Saint. If he was an enemy of the Saints, then he was an enemy of mine.
I would be the one to defeat this member of the Four Heavenly Kings. Thinking of my fallen sisters, I made a silent vow in my heart.
Thank you for reading. Next time: The Light Magic of Ruin.