I was so glad the Little Witch was back.
As we sat face-to-face, her eyes suddenly drifted upward.
“Alraune, there’s a flower growing on your head?!” she exclaimed, reaching out to touch the small bloom.
I didn't have this flower on my head when we last met, so her surprise was only natural.
“Where did this come from?”
“It... bloomed.”
It was quite embarrassing to have a flower growing out of my head. If the Little Witch thought it was weird, I considered asking her to prune it for me. But as I fretted, she gently patted my head.
“It’s cute, Alraune.”
“Really?”
“Just like my Alraune. You should grow even more beautifully and let lots of flowers bloom.”
Little Witch...!
What was this feeling? In that moment, I might have felt a surge of joy not just as a former human, but as a plant as well. Yes, I was glad I bloomed. If it made her that happy, I’d grow as many flowers as it took!
While I was enjoying our reunion, the dragon carrying Uncle Teddy landed. Simultaneously, Lady Dryades, who was supposed to be in the West Forest, teleported to the scene.
“I saw a dragon and hurried back. I see it was you,” she said. It seemed she had been concerned enough to check on us personally.
Uncle Teddy hopped down from the dragon and approached me. “As promised, I have properly delivered the Witch’s Daughter. Our contract is fulfilled.”
The Flame Dragon Lord and Uncle Teddy had held up their end of the bargain. Now it was my turn.
“I understand. As promised... nectar, for the Flame Dragon Lord... I shall provide.”
I let the nectar drip from my mouth, filling the barrels I had asked Fairy Kiri to prepare. Uncle Teddy nodded, satisfied, as he took them.
“This should be enough for now. Going forward, we will send an Exclusive Nectar Transporter. Please give the nectar to them.”
“Understood.”
This meant the Demon King’s Army would be visiting this forest regularly. I trusted the Flame Dragon Lord and Uncle Teddy, but that didn't mean I could trust the rest of them. I didn’t think they’d do anything weird, but I couldn't be sure.
Someone like Big Sister Dryades might appear and bare their fangs at us. After all, I had already defeated two of the Four Heavenly Kings. If word of that had spread through the Demon King’s Army, I likely had enemies.
Yes, I had definitely decided. I needed to act on the plan I’d been secretly hatching for the last three days. I never wanted to be separated from the Little Witch again. I had to do everything in my power to prevent that.
“Little Witch... could you, listen, to a request?”
“What is it?”
“I want to leave this forest... and move, to a new place.”
“...May I ask why?”
“I want to make... my own forest.”
I couldn't move. Because of that, I knew nothing about the neighborhood, let alone the rest of the Dryades' Forest. If an enemy struck, I wouldn't even notice until it was too late. Since I was stationary, I had to solidify my own defenses.
I wanted to build a home where the Little Witch and the others could live without fear. Now that I was a Half-Spirit, I had more options, and there were several ideas I wanted to test. But this was Lady Dryades’ forest; I couldn't just remodel it on a whim.
So, I would build my own! It was all to protect the Little Witch and the others. She squeezed my hand and smiled.
“I never had any real attachment to this forest anyway. My only wish is to be with you, Alraune. If you want to build your own forest, I'll follow you anywhere.”
“Thank you...!”
Her words filled me with joy. However, Lady Dryades, who had been listening to our conversation, looked at me in shock.
“What are you saying?”
As the Forest Bodyguard, I owed her an explanation as well.
“There are, other reasons. If I stay here... I might, put everyone, in danger.”
Life had finally quieted down, but I didn't know if it would stay that way. Unknown monsters, the Kingdom's Army, new enemies from the Demon King’s Army, or even the Witch Queen coming back for Rufe—I didn't want to bring trouble to this place.
“Alraune, I don’t care about that. I have nothing but gratitude for your service.”
“That makes me happy... but, there is something, I want to try... in another location.”
Because I was a plant, I was always on the defensive. Surprise attacks were common. I could handle myself, but with more people to protect, I was worried. I needed a castle. A forest of my own.
“I want, a forest. A forest, to protect, those I love. And now... I have the power, to make it.”
“Certainly, with your current strength, it isn't surprising you'd want to be independent,” Lady Dryades sighed. “I suppose I have no way to stop you.”
“Thank you, for understanding. And, for everything.”
“However, I have one request. Please do not take Fair with you yet. There is much I must teach her as a Dryades.”
She was right. I couldn't teach Fair-chan how to be a Dryades. Only someone like Lady Dryades could.
“Mother! I want to go too!” Fair-chan cried.
“Fair-chan, please... stay here.”
“But why?!”
“I cannot, teach you... how to survive.”
Fair-chan’s main body was a small, fragile tree. If it were destroyed, her spirit would die. Being near me was dangerous. She needed to learn to protect herself.
“Study hard, with Lady Dryades. We won't be far... so don't be, afraid. Once I have, settled in... I will send, for you.”
“Really?”
“I promise. So, wait for me... okay?”
“Okay!”
I stroked Fair-chan’s head with a vine. It would be dangerous if an enemy attacked before I could fortify my new forest, so I would entrust her to Lady Dryades until I was certain it was safe.
“Lady Dryades... please, look after her.”
“I shall.”
I leaned in and whispered to her so Teddy wouldn't hear.
“This, is my seed. Once Uncle Teddy, leaves... plant it here. It will be... your new bodyguard.”
“That would be a wonderful help.”
Leaving a Clone Alraune behind would keep the Sanctuary safe. It had my memories; it would do its job well.
My work here was done. Now, I just needed a mover.
“Uncle Teddy!”
He walked over from the dragon. “Yes?”
“I have... a request.”
“About the move, I presume?” He was quick on the uptake.
“I want you, to use the dragon... to carry, my body.”
“I’ve heard the gist of it. Since we have no objection to you relocating, we will help.”
Thank you, Uncle Teddy! This would be my second time moving by dragon, though this time I was the one choosing the destination.
Fairy Kiri flew onto my shoulder. “If Alraune-sama is leaving, I’m coming too!”
My younger sister, the Amazoness Treant, rustled her branches in agreement. With everyone together, I wouldn't be lonely. I’m counting on you all!
And so, we set off for a new home. I was going to make my own forest! To achieve my dream of a slow life, a new chapter was beginning.
Next time: I make a forest.