"Look at this, Alraune."
The Little Witch handed me a small glass bottle filled with liquid.
The label on the bottle somehow read: "Alraune Brand Saint Hair Tonic!"
And that was how it happened.
In truth, a new shampoo—branded as Saint Hair Tonic—had actually gone on sale.
I was a bit concerned about why it was called "Saint Hair Tonic" instead of just "Hair Tonic," but I decided to ask about a more pressing matter first.
"It has 'Alraune' written on it... Is that really okay?"
"The Lord said it was fine because everyone in this city thinks the Alraune is a spirit. Besides, he said he wanted to advertise it so people would know the Alraune isn't a monster."
Well, if Manfred-san was fine with it, I wouldn't say a word.
I was honestly happy that he was working so hard to help me be accepted by humans.
Still, I wondered if people would really use a shampoo with a monster illustrated on the label.
"The Lord also mentioned he was surprised by how well the Saint Hair Tonic is selling."
Apparently, it was a massive hit with the traveling merchants passing through Tower City.
Since most merchants bought it alongside the Saint Nectar, the Lord predicted its popularity would spread far and wide.
"He also said a Great Merchant of the Empire heard the rumors and bought a huge stock of it."
"A merchant from the Empire? Its fame has already reached the neighboring country..."
"Everyone in town was thanking you, Alraune. One woman was gushing about how her hair quality had rejuvenated to what it was in her teens. She said her hair sparkles as if it’s clad in Light Magic, and she’s so happy she’s enjoying every single day. A man was even praying at the Alraune's Chapel; he was so grateful because his dead hair roots regenerated into a thick, fluffy head of hair."
That was strange.
I had never heard of a shampoo that could make hair glow with youth or cause it to regrow like that...
Well, I decided not to think too deeply about it.
"Even so, the Empire..."
Tower City was geographically quite close to the Empire.
If one headed south through the Dryades' Forest, the land beyond was Imperial Territory.
The Empire was also the Little Witch’s birthplace.
The Witch Queen had recently hauled seawater from the ocean, and that had also come from the direction of the Empire.
There was one thing regarding the Empire that weighed on my mind.
According to reports, that Shitty Junior Zelma was moving south from the Royal Capital.
Since the information came from both the Witch Queen and Nina, it was almost certainly true.
They didn't know her exact destination, but the Empire lay directly south of the Royal Capital.
I didn't think it was likely, but it was certainly a bit concerning.
That wasn't the only news.
According to the Witch Queen, the Hero had apparently headed toward the Kingdom of Myrte Holy Light.
Vol-nii's letter had said the same thing, so it was likely a fact.
What in the world was he planning to do there?
However, the Hero and the Saint weren't the only ones on the move this summer—
After handing me the new shampoo, the Little Witch headed off to continue the desalination work.
For the past few months, everyone had been working diligently on the reconstruction.
In a few more weeks, it looked like the forest would finally return to its original state.
"Still, isn't it awfully hot today?"
It felt just like that summer when the drought had hit.
If the Little Witch hadn't been using her Storm Magic to bring the rain, everything might have dried up by now.
"I feel a strange heat coming from... above?"
Noticing the warmth drifting down from the sky, I happened to look up.
A single, massive dragon was descending right toward me.
Wait, what?!
That was the Flame Dragon Lord!
Why was he coming here?!
"It has been a long time, Alraune."
The one speaking to me was an old acquaintance and a regular customer of my nectar.
It was Glühschwanz-sama—the Flame Dragon Lord.
But appearing in his dragon form in broad daylight... wouldn't that cause a total panic?
"Do not worry. I am concealing our presence with my illusion magic."
The one who answered, as if reading my mind, was the butler, Uncle Teddy.
He was there with the Flame Dragon Lord.
He looked like a stuffed bear as usual, which was quite cute.
I was relieved to know that other people couldn't see them.
I possessed the eyes of a Saint's Light Magic, so I had likely seen through Uncle Teddy's Dark Magic to perceive them.
"Alraune, I am pleased to see you are in good health."
"And you as well, Flame Dragon Lord. I'm glad to see you're doing well. What brings you here today?"
"Nothing special. Merely a vacation."
The Flame Dragon Lord’s body shrank as he assumed his Human Form.
I was grateful for that; the forest would have been damaged if he stayed in his true form.
Still, he was as impressive as ever.
With his scorched-red hair, the Flame Dragon Lord’s presence felt even more intense when he was human.
It wasn't just because he had a face so handsome it was hard to look at.
It was likely because the entire life force of a colossal dragon was being compressed into a human-sized vessel.
When we met before, I hadn't been able to measure his true strength this clearly.
However, now that I had become a being closer to a spirit, my own abilities had grown considerably.
Because of that, I was able to catch a glimpse of the summit of his power—a peak that had been too high for me to even perceive before.
"I happened to be passing by, so I thought I would stop. Alraune, do you drink?"
The Flame Dragon Lord took a bottle from Uncle Teddy.
It looked like he had brought wine.
"Alcohol is... a bit difficult for me."
I didn't think alcohol and plants were a good mix.
In fact, I felt like the alcohol might just make me wither.
"Is that so? However, I wish to speak with you at leisure for the first time in a while. You need not drink, but I would appreciate the company."
The Flame Dragon Lord used his magic to manifest a Flame Chair.
With a series of flowing, elegant movements, he took his seat.
I’d thought this before, but his mannerisms were indistinguishable from a high-ranking noble's.
Back when I was a Saint, I was taught that the demons of the Demon King's Army were all savages. Seeing the Flame Dragon Lord always left me a little conflicted.
I had started to think that the Demon Race might not be the barbaric creatures we were led to believe.
"This is wine made from the grapes of my own botanical garden. My subordinates exert themselves every year to produce a vintage for my enjoyment."
That sounded exactly like him; he was clearly adored by his people.
Still, a botanical garden owned by the Flame Dragon Lord...
It was a bit nostalgic. I wondered if Barometz was doing well.
"I suspected you might not be able to drink. I brought this for you instead."
"Wait... is that fertilizer?"
"A special blend. I use it in my own botanical garden as well; it is a rare substance that can replenish magical power."
As expected of the Flame Dragon Lord—he really knew what I liked!
And yes, the fertilizer was delicious.
With this, my Root Expansion Project would likely progress even faster.
"I am glad it is to your liking. I am aware I have put you through many hardships recently. It seems my elder sister caused you no small amount of trouble."
When he mentioned his sister, he was referring to the Ice Dragon, the Prime Minister of the Demon King's Army.
Since I had been frozen solid over the winter, he was likely talking about that.
"It was cold, but it wasn't really a problem."
"As expected. Seeing through my sister’s scheme is a feat few could manage. She was quite vocal in her complaints about her precious Golem being stolen."
That was her punishment for trying to kill me with a Great Cold Wave.
I saw no issue with taking her Golem as compensation for the trouble.
"I also heard that Kirke picked a fight with you. Since she broke the covenant, I shall see to her punishment myself."
The Flame Dragon Lord was going to punish the Witch Queen?!
Was that even allowed?
"Kirke reneged on our agreement not to lay a hand on you. As the one who brokered the deal, I must see that she settles the score."
I had completely forgotten, but the Flame Dragon Lord was incredibly strict about keeping promises.
The Witch Queen had certainly made an enemy of a terrifying man.
"What is your relationship with the Witch Queen, anyway?"
"We are old acquaintances... something akin to relatives."
A dragon and a witch were relatives?
I couldn't even begin to imagine how that worked.
"I shall handle the matters regarding my sister and Kirke. I came today specifically to tell you that."
So that was why he had come.
He had come to apologize on their behalf.
Even though it wasn't something he personally needed to apologize for...
"Given the incident with my sister, you may forget my previous invitation to join the Four Heavenly Kings. Furthermore, the Demon King's Army will likely refrain from any unilateral attacks against you."
"Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"It matters not. Though it does not change the fact that I shall be waiting for you."
During our previous secret meeting, he had forced me to choose between being an ally or an enemy. It was a relief that I didn't have to give a final answer now.
I had no intention of becoming a subordinate, but saying that would have likely triggered a battle with him. I had truly dodged a bullet.
That said, I felt bad that he had come all this way to apologize and clear my status as an enemy.
There was only one thing I could really do for him in return.
"Um... would you like some of my nectar?"
I owed him quite a bit.
The Harpy’s regular nectar delivery was still ongoing, but I wanted him to have a taste of the freshly harvested stuff for once.
"Was the nectar actually part of the reason you came today?"
"That as well, but this is also a yearly tradition. When summer arrives, I take my vacation in the Dryades' Forest."
A vacation?
The Flame Dragon Lord taking a vacation??
"Did I not mention it at the castle? I am quite fond of Bear Meat. Therefore, every summer, I come to this forest to hunt Laobubears."
By Laobubear, he meant Bear-papa’s species!
The Flame Dragon Lord ate Bear-papa’s kind.
He was just like me...
"Tell me, did you know? The Laobubears have horns. Normally, very few carnivorous animals possess horns. In fact, horns are far more common among herbivorous animals and certain demons."
Herbivores often evolved large horns to protect themselves from predators.
Water buffalo, deer, goats—they all had horns and used them as weapons.
Because of that, large horns were generally a trait of prey animals.
So, why did the predatory Laobubears have such sharp horns?
"I began hunting Laobubears in this forest seven hundred years ago. During that time, they began to grow horns."
A predator capable of hunting the Lord of the Forest had appeared.
In other words, because they were being hunted by the Flame Dragon Lord, the Bear-papas had evolved horns over seven centuries specifically to defend themselves!
I was stunned to learn the truth behind their biology.
After that, we chatted about the quality of Bear Meat and I asked about Barometz’s recent status at the botanical garden.
The idle conversation continued for a while.
Looking back, I realized I had become comfortable enough with him to speak without hesitation.
So, I decided to ask a slightly more probing question.
"You were in the north recently, weren't you? What was the situation like there?"
"The General Commander of the Northern Army was Beast King Marticoras. Since he was defeated by you, Alraune, I went to suppress the northern troops in his stead."
It turned out his expedition had been my fault!
The north was full of rowdy soldiers, and apparently, Marticoras-san had been the one keeping them in line.
With the Beast King gone, the northern demons had started acting on their own, which became a major problem.
A large-scale conflict had broken out between the northern human nations and the Demon King's Army.
The Flame Dragon Lord had gone there to purge the troublemakers and force the rest to behave.
"A ceasefire has been established. My sister has temporarily taken over as commander to handle the aftermath, so things should remain quiet now."
I caught something in his tone.
He spoke as if he had no real desire for war.
"I’ve been wondering for a while... but you don't actually like conflict, do you, Flame Dragon Lord?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Because with your power, humans would have been wiped out ages ago."
There were eras in history where no Hero existed.
If he had gone on a rampage during those times, the entire continent would have been reduced to ash.
And yet, he had never destroyed the human nations.
It was as if he had no intention of doing so at all.
Despite that, he was stronger than anyone I had ever met.
He was like the Demon King from the legends...
That was why I had been wondering ever since I first met him.
"Who exactly are you?"
I finally got to reveal the backstory of the Laobubears and the Flame Dragon Lord, which has been teased since the beginning of the story. It's been a long road to get here!
Also, with this update, the total word count has officially surpassed one million characters!
The fact that I've been able to weave this story for so long is entirely thanks to your support. Thank you for always being part of this journey (。・ω・。)ゞ
Next time: The Flame Dragon Lord and the Black Flame.