The blue flower lay withered on the floor.
It was the same kind of flower the Big Sister Dryades had used to parasitize the Golden Birdman and the Giant Eagle.
I realized that Toro-ko, not the Big Sister Dryades herself, must have been the one controlling the Demon Maid. Since I had defeated Toro-ko, the brainwashing had been lifted.
For now, I decided to see what the Demon Maid could tell me.
"How... much... do you... remember?"
"From the moment a bubble hit my face. It seems I accidentally swallowed it, then spat out the water. When I did, I saw this blue flower on the ground, and my consciousness returned as clearly as if I had woken from a dream."
The bubble she meant was my soap bubble.
That meant the attack I used back when I was a Laundry Maid had affected her too.
However, soap bubbles containing nectar should have been harmless to ordinary people. It was strange.
I decided to put aside the complicated thoughts for later. I had to report this to the Flame Dragon Lord immediately and get his help!
"Could you... tell... Glüh-sama... that Alraune... was attacked?"
"I cannot simply take the word of an Alraune whose origins are unknown."
"Then... at least... could you... take me... there?"
"...Since you cannot walk, Alraune, I suppose it cannot be helped."
Carried by the Demon Maid, I headed toward the Flame Dragon Lord’s Office.
When we arrived, the Flame Dragon Lord was absent.
Instead, Uncle Teddy was there, so I decided to tell him the details of what had happened.
"Attacked by a subordinate of the Spirit Princess... It’s hard to believe, but first, show me the scene."
I returned to the room where I had been attacked, accompanied by Uncle Teddy and the Demon Maid.
However, the room was empty.
There wasn't even a trace of Toro-ko’s remains left behind.
"How strange. It appears no one is here...?"
They got me!
Toro-ko must have had other allies.
They had used the time we were gone to destroy the evidence.
Even the blue flower that had been on the floor was gone. There was no doubt about it.
"No, what this Alraune said is the truth. I don't know who the assailant was, but a Troll had definitely collapsed here."
The Demon Maid was actually defending me!
She used to insult me by calling me a 'pot,' but she really did have a good side.
"I understand that you are also a witness. While it seems to be a fact that you were attacked by someone, we have no confirmation that the culprit was a subordinate of the Spirit Princess."
Uncle Teddy, please believe me.
The Big Sister Dryades' clone really did attack me!
"For now, I will take charge of this matter. Alraune, go to the Botanical Garden and get yourself a new flower pot."
That’s right—I had been on my way to the Botanical Garden in the first place.
That was when I was ambushed!
If I didn't get a new pot soon, I would wither away.
Leaving the matter in Uncle Teddy's hands, I hurried to the Botanical Garden with the Demon Maid.
When we reached the entrance, we happened to run into the manager, Hydra-san.
"So you're Alraune's... I'd heard she had a child, but you really do look just like your mother."
I see. To everyone else, the 'me' who used to be in the Botanical Garden was dead.
That meant the current me was a total stranger.
I had to keep up the act of being Alraune's child.
"More importantly, look at you... what happened to your pot?"
"It... broke. Do you... have... a new one?"
Hydra-san looked shocked to see my roots exposed. "Wait here," he said, before running off.
The manager returned a moment later with a flower pot of the perfect size.
Yes, having soil around me really did bring peace of mind.
I had reached a point where I could no longer live without a flower pot.
"By the way, Barometz is in the garden and wants to see you. Sorry, Maid, but take Alraune over to her."
Still held in the Demon Maid's arms, I returned to the Botanical Garden for the first time in several days.
Finally, we reached the spot where Barometz-san grew.
Barometz-san, a fellow plant monster, was waiting for me.
As always, her upper body was that of a girl with sheep horns, while her lower body was covered in golden cotton.
It hadn't been very long, but seeing her felt nostalgic.
"So you are Alraune-san’s legacy... I have wanted to meet you!"
A cotton hand reached out from Barometz-san.
She snatched me away from the Demon Maid and pulled my flower pot close to her face, bursting into tears.
"Alraune-saaaaan! How could you be so cruel as to die and leave your dear friend behind! Waaaaaaaah!!"
Oh no, Barometz-san thought I was dead too!
I felt terrible, as if I were cruelly deceiving my own friend.
"I shall raise this little one myself! In Alraune-san's stead, I will ensure she grows into a magnificent lady!"
"U-Um...?"
"Do not worry, dear. You may think of me as your mother. As your family, I will surely live for Alraune-san’s sake... Ugh, why did you have to die, Alraune-saaaaaann!!"
Barometz-san hugged me, sobbing uncontrollably.
It made me happy to be mourned so deeply.
When I was a Saint and was betrayed and killed by my fiancé, the Hero, and that Shitty Junior Apprentice Saint, there had been no one to grieve for me.
That was why her warmth touched my heart so much.
I felt like I was going to start crying too. I couldn't keep deceiving Barometz-san when she cared for me this much.
I leaned in and whispered into her ear, making sure the Demon Maid waiting in the hallway couldn't hear.
"I... didn't die. I'm... smaller now, but... I'm the same... Alraune."
"...Eh?"
"Barometz-san... it's been a while. I promised... we'd meet again... didn't I?"
I was a plant that kept my promises.
"...Alraune-san? Is it really you?"
"Yes. But... this is... our secret. If anyone... finds out... I'll... be killed."
"Alraune-saaaaaaaaaann!!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, she squeezed me in a tight hug.
I... I can't breathe, Barometz-san!
"Just what on earth happened to make you look like this?"
"I'll tell you... the full story... later. Right now... I'm looking... for a plant."
"It sounds like you've been caught up in something dreadful. I understand. If there is anything I can do to help, I shall."
"I'm looking for... a plant... brought here... four days ago. Do you know... where it is?"
"If that is what you seek, it is right in front of you. Since the spot where Alraune-san used to grow was vacant, they planted it there instead."
Wait, the spot where I used to grow?!
I turned around immediately.
There, the plant I was looking for was growing quietly.
It was a vine with round, brown fruits hanging from it.
"Barometz-san... I have... a request."
"I will do anything for Alraune-san’s sake."
"Can you... pretend... that Barometz-san... did what... I'm about to do?"
"Ufufu, I understand. Alraune-san always did have quite the appetite. I shall inform the manager that I was the one who ate it."
"Thank... you."
I would definitely find a way to repay this kindness.
One day, I would show Barometz-san the forest.
I would never forget that promise.
While the Demon Maid was distracted by the other plants, I predated my target.
The plant I ate was a Winged Gourd.
With the power of this plant, I would be able to escape the Demon King's Castle on my own.
If I were lucky, I could return to the Dryades' Forest in the same amount of time it took for me to be brought here after my kidnapping.
If I were unlucky, it might take a lifetime to reach the forest.
Even so, I had to go.
I had to see everyone again and protect the forest from the Big Sister Dryades.
The Little Witch was waiting for me.
But don't worry.
I will definitely make it back to the forest!
I finally obtained the means to escape from the Demon King's Castle. Knowing I could finally go home brought a wave of relief.
Next time: I was caught by the Flame Dragon Lord.