I moved, transported by Uncle Teddy’s dragon!
Even so, I was still in the general vicinity of the Dryades’ Forest. With Tower City as the center point, I decided to establish my own forest on the opposite side of where the Dryades’ Forest sat. If you headed straight from my new home and cut through the city, you could return to the Dryades’ Forest in no time.
Well, I couldn’t actually walk there myself, of course.
Fairy Kiri often snuck into the city to play, so I figured this location would be convenient for everyone but me. And so, we all migrated to a new land.
I had thought this while being carried through the sky by the dragon, but there really was nothing here. It had the air of a desolate wasteland. A short distance away, a small thicket grew that looked like it was on the verge of withering, but otherwise, there wasn't a single notable landmark. It felt as though we were the only ones left in this vast, empty expanse.
Beside me stood the Little Witch, Fairy Kiri, and my younger sister-figure, the Amazoness Treant, who had all come along for the move. Uncle Teddy, who had served as my transport, and his dragon were there as well.
As everyone took in the surroundings, the Little Witch asked worriedly, "Is it really okay here?"
I understood what she meant. I had suddenly announced I wanted to move to create a forest, only to lead everyone to a vacant wilderness. It was only natural she’d be concerned. She likely wanted to point out that there were plenty of more comfortable places to live.
Next, Kiri fluttered around me, trying to talk me out of it.
"Lady Alraune, let’s move somewhere else. This is a dead land that even the humans have abandoned. It's a terrible place for plants to live!"
The thicket a little further ahead looked like it would die at any moment. Even if I didn't want to admit it, it was obvious that survival was difficult in a place like this.
Uncle Teddy, seemingly sharing their sentiment, spoke up as if telling me not to hesitate.
"It certainly is a dreadful location. If we travel just a bit further, there should be much better soil. If you wish to relocate, allow us to carry you with the dragon once more."
"No... that... is not... necessary."
The wilderness was perfectly fine for my new home. It was close to Tower City where Nina lived, and it was a stone's throw from the Dryades' Forest where Fair-chan and the others remained. It was an excellent location that would allow me to respond if anything happened to either the city or the forest.
Besides, as a fellow plant, I couldn't just abandon that thicket over there as it struggled to survive in such emaciated soil.
"Here... I will... create... my forest."
As a Half-Spirit, I felt confident I could transform this barren earth into a lush, vibrant wood. Therefore, I was going to make my new home right here!
It was also a fair distance from the main road, so I likely wouldn't be a nuisance to the city folk. I intended to do as I pleased, partly as an experiment to see just how far my powers could reach.
I extended my roots through the soil, spreading them horizontally like a massive spiderweb. Then, invoking 'Plant Generation,' I sprouted tree after tree from my roots. The trunks shot up rapidly from the ground, quickly overtaking the Little Witch's height.
"What is this!?" the Little Witch cried out in surprise.
While glancing at her as she stared intently at the growing plants, I continued to let the trees expand. Once they reached a height slightly taller than the Amazoness Treant, I halted the forest's growth. If I let them grow any higher, they would block my sunlight. Being unable to photosynthesize is a nightmare, so I had to make sure my neighbors didn't overgrow.
For the time being, a small forest had been created—at least in appearance.
"I cannot believe you created a forest in an instant. As expected, Lady Alraune’s power is truly outside the norm." Uncle Teddy nodded to himself with an impressed look. "I must report this to Glühschwanz-sama as well."
I was happy he was praising me, but the forest-making wasn't over yet.
This forest was connected to me, and it would grow vigorously as long as I provided nutrients. However, as it stood, the trees were still unable to draw nourishment from the desolate earth. Next, it was time to work on the soil itself.
By becoming a Half-Spirit, I had not only increased my basic abilities but had also gained the power to interfere with nature to some extent.
Utilizing the 'Transpiration' of my plants, I began venting water vapor from the undersides of the leaves. This wasn't ordinary vapor; it was nectar-filled and heavily infused with Light Recovery Magic. As a secret ingredient, I mixed in my Spirit Power.
Ordinary nectar-filled vapor wouldn't be enough to affect the soil. However, if I simultaneously poured in the Dryades' magic that resided in the flower on my head, I could revitalize the earth using the principles of Spirit Magic.
Spreading spirit magic as a substitute for fertilizer—this was a new technique I had learned by consulting with Lady Dryades.
"Grass is growing from the ground...!"
Green vegetation sprouted beneath the Little Witch's feet. The lifeless brown ground transformed in an instant into a vivid landscape, as if a lush lawn had been rolled out over the dirt.
The Little Witch, seemingly wanting to see the state of the forest from above, flew up using Levitation Magic.
"It's amazing, Alraune! Everything is turning green!"
Well, of course it was. After all, Spirit Magic Transpiration wasn't something only my main body could perform. Because I was connected to the trees in this small forest underground, I could send them magic power, allowing every single tree to perform the same transpiration. Thanks to that, all the land surrounding my forest had been richly reborn through Spirit Power.
Kiri, who had been standing there with her mouth agape, flew into my chest.
"To think an Alraune can do the same things as a Dryades! You really are my master!"
Now that I had obtained Spirit Power, I felt like I could do even bolder things. I planned to try various experiments as I expanded the forest.
Oh yes, I had to do one more thing before I forgot.
I extended my roots and located the roots of the thicket that had been about to wither. Then, using the scissor ability I'd gained from the Christmas Tree, I grafted my roots onto theirs.
That thicket fell under my dominion as well. With this, all the trees growing in this newly created forest were connected to me underground. In other words, this forest was now an extension of my own limbs. If someone stepped on a tree root, I would know immediately. If an enemy invaded and touched a tree, I would perceive it. My security measures were now perfect!
At the same time, I could use the entire forest as a weapon, much like 'Dominion of the Great Forest (Herrschaft Pflanze)'. This forest was, essentially, a living fortress.
In this way, I succeeded in creating my own forest. My dream "My Forest" was complete!
Once the forest was finished, Uncle Teddy rode his dragon back to the Demon King’s Castle. Tonight, we would have a housewarming party with everyone who remained!
The ingredients were, of course, all provided by me. I produced broad beans, turnips, and onions with 'Plant Generation,' and used my eucalyptus ability to start a fire for a stir-fry. For the drinks, I served my coconut juice, and for dessert, I provided my apples.
There was no worry of being attacked, nor any need to be on edge. It had been a long time since I had enjoyed a meal with companions who were like family. After making a ruckus with the Little Witch and the others, we eventually fell asleep right where we were.
Ah, this was truly the life I had desired. In this new forest, I would spend a quiet plant life, photosynthesizing in peace.
The next morning.
I woke up to the sensation of someone stepping on a root.
It wasn't a root near my main body, but one of the many roots spread throughout the wider forest. The base of a specific tree had been stepped on.
I opened my bud and looked around. I could see the Little Witch, Kiri, and the Amazoness Treant. That meant the person who had stepped on the root was someone else entirely.
In other words, an intruder had entered my forest.
Furthermore, I could feel the vibrations of multiple sets of footsteps through the roots. What should I do? This was an emergency—intruders were in my forest!
Alraune’s Forest is complete. I have finally obtained my own forest and become the lord of my own castle!
Next time: Greengrocer Alraune opens for business.