Based on the sensations pulsing through the trees that served as my limbs, the intruders appeared to be bipedal creatures. There were likely humans among them—four, perhaps five in total.
I wondered who on earth they were. If I had known they were coming, I would have set out some trap plants in advance. Since I hadn't, I decided to grow them on the spot. I could pinpoint their approximate locations through the forest's network, and since I was curious about their identity, I figured I would try to capture them alive.
"Good day, intruders. Welcome to my private forest. As the very first tourists to grace these woods, I shall personally see to your special treatment."
First, to spruce up the scenery, I caused Man-eater Flowers to bloom right where the guests were walking. From their petals, I sprayed a mist of paralysis powder as a substitute for a welcome drink. It would have been easier if they had simply collapsed in satisfied slumber, but it seemed these guests desired even more hospitality; they were still moving. They certainly were persistent.
"In that case, perhaps a massage with some sticky Sundew is in order?"
The plants were slimy, and I was sure it would feel wonderful to be massaged by them. Or so I thought, until the sensation of the Sundew being scorched reached me. It was unexpected that neither the paralysis powder nor the Sundew had any effect. These guests seemed to be quite capable.
In that case, I decided to use my Spirit Power while testing out the forest’s security features. I would show these guests some true woodland entertainment.
I activated "Dominion of the Great Forest (Herrschaft Pflanze)."
Rather than letting the Spirit Magic manipulate the forest automatically, I took the reigns manually. I sprouted some Gajumaru—Strangler Trees—and gave my guests a hug. Since they were my first visitors, I squeezed them with extra vigor to express the depth of my welcome.
Perhaps overwhelmed by the emotion of my embrace, the guests finally stopped moving. They really didn't have to be so shy.
With the welcome ceremony concluded, I woke the others. I told them we had visitors and sent Kiri and my sister-like Amazoness Treant to the scene. The people they brought back were none other than the Corporal, Drink Bar-san, and their party.
I had assumed they were hostile intruders, but I never imagined acquaintances would come calling. It was strange, though; I hadn't told anyone in the city that I was moving. Did that mean they were part of an official Investigation Squad?
"If a forest suddenly appears in a wasteland overnight, it’s only natural for humans to come poking around," Kiri pointed out.
She had a point. Even if I were still a Saint, I probably would have found it suspicious enough to send an Advance Squad.
Incidentally, the Corporal and his men had all fainted. It seemed my Gajumaru's "embrace" had battered their bodies to the very brink of death. They had broken bones in multiple places; I had clearly gone a bit too far.
I was truly sorry. As an apology for the scare, I gave them Nectar laced with Super Recovery Magic. In the blink of an eye, their wounds vanished. Once his body was fully mended, the Corporal finally opened his eyes.
"The pain... it’s gone!"
"Good... day."
My gaze met the Corporal's. He let out a weary, heavy sigh. "I thought I was a goner."
"I thought... you were... intruders... and attacked... you. I’m... sorry."
"Well, we're the ones who stepped into your territory without asking. You healed us up, too, so don't give it another thought."
I had noticed it before, but the Corporal really was far too kind.
"Still, I had a feeling this mysterious forest was the Alraune lass's handiwork."
According to the Corporal, the forest I had created was the talk of Tower City. Apparently, someone had witnessed the wasteland transform into a lush, vibrant wood in an instant the previous evening. Since the city sat on high ground, it was easy to overlook the entire area, and the sight had left the citizens in shock.
The Investigation Squad had been formed the very next morning. Fearing that Remnants of the Big Sister Dryades—one of the Four Heavenly Kings—might be responsible, they had appointed Drink Bar-san, the city's strongest adventurer, as captain. The Corporal had been drafted into the squad because of his past dealings with me, the Unique Monster who had supposedly defeated that same member of the Four Heavenly Kings.
"Why'd you build a forest here? For that matter, why is the Alraune lass here instead of in the Dryades' Forest?"
"I... moved."
"Building an entire forest just because you moved... well, I suppose it's perfect timing. To be honest, I have something to discuss with you. I was planning to head to the Dryades' Forest once this investigation was wrapped up."
"Discuss... with me...?"
"The Lord wants to tell you the details himself. I’ll come back tomorrow with him in tow."
The following day, the Corporal and Drink Bar-san returned, accompanied by the Apprentice Saint Nina and Lord Manfred.
Welcome to my forest!
Instead of the rough greeting I gave them yesterday, I waved my vines at Nina to welcome them peacefully.
"To think you could transform a wilderness into a forest in a single day... as expected of Iri—I mean, Lady Crimson Flower Princess!"
Nina was still constantly on the verge of calling me Iris. It made me worry that my true identity would be exposed. Sure enough, Manfred-san reacted to her slip of the tongue, his excitement visibly rising.
"Nina, it is only natural to be reminded of the radiant Saint Iris. After all, the Alraune is just as breathtaking! Even I can hardly suppress the urge to pick up a brush!"
Manfred-san seemed to be in peak form today. Since being praised didn't feel half bad, I responded with a beaming smile.
"How is... the city’s... reconstruction...?"
"Mm, it is progressing well enough, though our funds are nearly depleted."
So, the lack of money was the primary issue. Perhaps the time had come to mass-produce Golden Cotton.
"I have a favor to ask. I know we had a promise regarding the Golden Cotton, but before that, I find myself in desperate need of a large quantity of Saint Nectar."
"Just... the Nectar...?"
"The truth is, Tower City is facing a severe food crisis. This, too, is the fault of the Heavenly King Vergissmeinnicht."
Apparently, Tower City had lost the vast majority of its food reserves. There were two reasons for this. First, the Great Cold Wave this winter had caused crop yields to plummet, leading to skyrocketing food prices. Second, there was the recent troll attack. When the city was set ablaze, the granaries had burned down with it. To make matters worse, the starving trolls had devoured whatever food and livestock they could find. As a result, food had all but vanished from the city.
"To save my people from starvation, I ask that you share as much Saint Nectar as you can. We have no coin now, but I promise to pay you back later."
He wanted to buy the nectar on credit. But if that was the reason, there was no need to limit it to just nectar.
"Do you... need... vegetables... too... not just... nectar...?"
"...Vegetables?"
They all gave me blank, confused looks, as if they couldn't fathom what this Alraune was talking about. It was easier to show them than to explain. Using my Plant Generation ability, I sprouted vegetables directly from my vines.
Broad Beans, Turnips, Onions, Chili Peppers, and even Apples and Coconuts. I produced a massive haul of both vegetables and fruit.
"Vegetables in an instant!?" "I don't believe it!" "How is she doing that?" The humans cried out in shock.
"I shall... sell these... to the Lord."
Manfred-san, his eyes wide with wonder, picked up an apple and bit right into it. It was perhaps a bit unrefined for a nobleman to munch on a raw fruit like that, but I wasn't about to say anything so petty.
"It’s delicious...!"
Of course it was. After all, I had added my nectar as a secret ingredient. I had already experimented with the Little Witch to confirm that it made them taste better.
"To think I can taste an apple grown by the holy Alraune, infused with Saint Nectar... how blessed am I! Ah, I must offer my thanks to the late Saint Iris in heaven!"
Honestly, Manfred-san. Why did you start praying to me just because the apple tasted good? I couldn't help but feel his obsession with Iris was growing by the day. I worried that meeting an Alraune who looked so much like her was doing something strange to his mind.
"I haven't eaten anything this exquisite since the Saint Nectar itself. I can't stop!"
Manfred-san continued to devour the apple. It seemed he was satisfied.
"If you... wish... I can... grow... even more...?"
"You can produce more than this?"
"I should... be able... to make... a hundred times... as much."
"Bless you... Alraune, you are the savior of Tower City!"
He called me a savior. Being relied upon and praised felt wonderful. Back in my Saint Era, I had done these things as a matter of course and never gave it much thought, but after becoming a monster and being shunned by humanity, being recognized like this made me truly happy.
All right! For the sake of the people of Tower City, I was going to open Greengrocer Alraune! I would protect the city from hunger!
Watching Manfred-san eat those apples with such gusto was starting to make me hungry myself. Creating the forest and then mass-producing vegetables had taken its toll. Even though I was a Half-Spirit now, I still needed nourishment.
"That’s right... Lord."
I used my vines to snag Drink Bar-san.
"As... an advance payment... for the vegetables... may I... have... this person?"
A chorus of shocked cries erupted. "What...?"
Even with my improved efficiency as a Half-Spirit, I still needed nutrients. Since this land was originally a wasteland, it was still quite dry. I figured I could use Drink Bar-san’s Water Magic to handle the watering for me.
"I can... have him... right...?"
"No, well, that's..." Manfred-san stammered, looking terrified.
For some reason, Drink Bar-san looked like he was on the verge of tears. Everyone was looking at me with total apprehension.
Why? I didn't say anything weird, did I?
The Little Witch had expected to go into the city to sell nectar just like before, so she was stunned to see the city folk coming to us instead.
Next time: Alraune in Charge of the Field.