Intruders had breached my forest.
I hadn't confirmed their identities yet, but I knew one thing for certain: they were no ordinary visitors. They weren't merely running along the ground; they were bounding across the treetops, closing in on my position with startling speed.
Suddenly, without warning, a surge of bloodlust prickled my senses from the sky above.
—What is this?
It didn't feel like a deliberate release of intent; rather, it felt as though their bloodlust had simply leaked out. However, the presence vanished as quickly as it had appeared. It seemed as if someone had harbored a secret malice that slipped through a momentary lapse in caution, only for them to immediately regain their composure and mask their presence once more.
Surely, someone was flying high above.
While my attention was diverted by that mysterious aura in the upper atmosphere, the intruders in the forest had drawn dangerously close. At this rate, we would cross paths in a matter of seconds.
They were coming...!
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a massive axe came spinning out from the trees ahead. Its target was me.
Having no desire to be split down the middle, I used "Plant Generation" to manifest a thick Gajumaru shield before me. I modeled it after Big Sister Dryades' Divine Tree; while it didn't quite reach the legendary hardness of the original, it was still incredibly sturdy.
The wooden shield successfully intercepted the flying axe. Then, moving without a sound, the intruders emerged from the depths of the forest.
"Beastmen...?"
A squad of what appeared to be Beastman Soldiers stood before me. Beastmen are members of the Demon Race with humanoid animal forms. I recalled reading in a history book during my Saint Era that there had once been a sovereign nation of Beastmen long ago. However, after being defeated by a human kingdom, they were eventually absorbed into the Demon King's Army.
The physical capabilities of Beastmen are considered top-class among the inhabitants of this continent. Conversely, they are known for having almost no aptitude for magic.
"Good day. Isn't it a bit rude to suddenly hurl an axe at a lady?"
I tossed out the question to buy time while I visually identified each of them.
A Tiger Beastman, a Wolf Beastman, a Boar Beastman, a Monkey Beastman, a Crocodile Beastman, an Elk Beastman, a Black Panther Beastman, and an Elephant Beastman—eight in total. Each was fully armed and armored. Despite their large builds, the speed at which they moved was unnatural. Every single one of them was a seasoned warrior.
At the very least, they felt significantly more powerful than Drink Bar-san, who was reputed to be the strongest Adventurer in Tower City.
The Tiger Beastman, acting as their representative, murmured quietly, "So you are the Forest Alraune, the Crimson Flower Princess. You must die."
The moment he spoke, something plummeted from the sky into the forest. It was likely the source of the bloodlust I had felt earlier. Moreover, the spot where it landed... was exactly where Hatake-raune was stationed!
In that instant, I felt a part of my own body blow apart.
—Eh?
You have to be joking...
Hatake-raune's presence vanished in a heartbeat. I felt the sensation of the body I had grown from the tip of my roots being obliterated.
What on earth just happened?
I wanted to use Teleportation to reach Hatake-raune's side immediately, but the Beastman Soldiers attacked all at once. I needed to check on my avatar's safety, yet these pests were in my way.
How bothersome...
"Don't. Get. In my. Way!!"
I sprayed a cloud of toxic pollen into the air. While the Beastmen faltered for a fraction of a second, I snared the Monkey Beastman with my toxic Briars. Then, acting on reflex, I pulled him toward my Lower Mouth—and munch.
Munch munch, gulp.
Oh, come to think of it, this was my first real meal in quite a while. Since moving to this forest, I had been surviving on Photosynthesis and Drink Bar-san's watering. I hadn't even realized how famished I was. I still had plenty of nutrients stored from my battle with Big Sister Dryades, so I wasn't at risk of withering, but a girl still needs to eat.
It seemed I was absolutely starving.
The Beastmen stared at me with looks of utter shock. Perhaps they were so captivated by the beauty of my flower that they couldn't look away?
Ehehe, you're more than welcome to admire me further. Though you'll have to do it from inside my stomach!
I had no mercy to spare for assassins sent to kill me. Instead, I would gently dissolve them within my belly.
As I let out an "Ufufu" smile, the Beastmen shifted to surround me. As they moved, each of them swallowed some kind of medicine. I wondered what it was, but I didn't have long to think on it before they charged again, hurling daggers as they leaped.
I used my Vines to swat down the dozen or so daggers and puffed out more toxic pollen, just as I had before. This time, however, the Beastmen pressed their assault without hesitation. It seemed they had taken some form of antidote.
If poison won't work, I’ll just have to make them understand through physical force.
Using "Plant Generation," I transformed all the surrounding trees into Gajumaru. Simultaneously, I forced the roots slumbering beneath the earth to erupt onto the surface!
Thick trunks and branches surged from every direction—front, back, left, and right—not just from beneath their feet. Embodying their reputation as the Strangler Tree, they crushed the targets within their reach.
The Boar, Crocodile, Elk, and Elephant Beastmen fell prey to the Gajumaru. The remaining three managed to evade the initial strike.
But it was futile. This was my home ground. It was only natural that I would prepare the battlefield to my advantage. I had already blanketed the ground with Sundews, covered in sticky, glandular hairs. No matter where they dodged, they wouldn't be able to move another inch.
I hoped they enjoyed getting a small taste of what it felt like to be a plant that couldn't move.
The Tiger, Wolf, and Black Panther Beastmen were now hopelessly entangled in the Sundews. While I munched on the four I had caught with the Gajumaru, I decided to interrogate the ones stuck in the sticky traps.
"Who are you people?"
"............"
They remained silent.
"If you're obedient and tell me what I want to know, I might even spare your lives, you know?"
I was worried about Hatake-raune, so I couldn't afford to waste time. Even so, I wanted to know if the one who attacked my avatar was their comrade, and what their ultimate goal was.
The Tiger Beastman was the one to answer. "We are the limbs of the proud Lord Marticoras. We would sooner choose death than beg for our lives."
Marticoras?
The name sounded familiar. I was sure I had come across it during my Saint Era...
As I rifled through the drawers of my memory, the Tiger Beastman took his sword and hacked off his own legs to free himself from the Sundew. The Wolf and Black Panther Beastmen followed suit, severing their own limbs without a second thought.
Whaaaaaaat?!
Wait, what are you doing?! That's so insane it's actually terrifying!
In their self-mutilation, I saw an fanatical obsession with their mission and an absolute loyalty to their master. To think I was being targeted by someone who inspired such devotion.
But more than that, I found myself feeling nothing but pity for the three of them. I really can't recommend throwing away your life just to follow an order. Because once you're gone, you're gone.
Dying is scary. It's a painful, lonely thing. I can say that as someone who has experienced it firsthand. You really should value your own lives more.
I used my Briars to give a gentle embrace to the three Beastmen as they lunged at me using only the strength of their arms.
It must have been so painful to lose your legs. I understand that pain; my own legs were severed by that Shitty Junior Apprentice Saint who stole my Hero. That's why I'll put you at ease so you don't have to suffer any longer.
I invited the three Beastmen into my Bulb. You'll be safe in here. Forget about your work and rest peacefully.
Now then, the assassins sent to kill me had all been dealt with. I had to get to Hatake-raune’s side immediately!
Just as I was about to activate "Teleportation," the weapons the Beastmen had dropped caught my eye. Engraved upon them was the Emblem of the Lion with Black Wings.
The moment I saw that mark, I remembered why the name "Marticoras" was so familiar. He was a figure famous enough to be featured in history books for the countless times he had bared his fangs against the nations of the continent.
Marticoras was a legendary member of the Demon Race who had existed for centuries. It was said that after a long conflict with the Demon King in ages past, he had eventually submitted and joined his ranks.
That was Beast King Marticoras. One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the current Demon King's Army.
Finally, the third of the Four Heavenly Kings has made his move.
Next time: The Four Heavenly Kings Attack, Part 3.