Spring had arrived.

This was my second spring as an Alraune.

It seemed to be that the season I reincarnated in was spring.

Shortly after I was reborn in my new body, summer came and the drought began.
Working backward, that means I was born as an Alraune in spring.


Warm, gentle weather.

The sun is just right, a perfect day for photosynthesis.

Now that the snow has melted, the ground is full of meltwater.
The water tastes wonderful.

Spring is the best!


Goodbye to that miserable winter. I don’t want to see snow for a long time.

That said, now that I’ve learned how to self-generate heat by eating that skunk cabbage, winter won’t be nearly as frightening.

Even so, spring is still much better than winter.

The animals seemed happy about it too. Nights have gotten noisy recently and I’m not sure what to do.

I don’t mind the late night celebrations, but keep it reasonable. Think of the neighbors.

And it’s not just animals.
Insects and plants are springing back to life too.

Lately the area has been filling up with new plants.
It’s nice having the place lively again.

I can feel it myself, deep in my body, this joy that spring brings.


My flower crown looks bright.
My vines have a healthy shine.
And my nectar is more abundant than usual.


Ah, spring really is wonderful.

The season that nurtures every living thing, letting them share their joy and grow.

It just makes me that much more excited to photosynthesis everyday.

What am I going to do? At this rate I might end up growing again.

Don’t you think so too, Ms. Bee?


Good day.
My female knight, Ms. Bee, had come to visit along with everyone else.

It’s the first time we’ve seen each other since before winter started. I’ve been lonely all this time.

Hmm? What is it?
Ah, I see. You’re here for nectar.


Of course. If it’s for you, Ms. Bee, I’ll give you all my nectar.
Take as much as you like.

I bit into a vine, smearing nectar all over it.
Once the vine was coated, I handed it to her and I bit into the next one.

Before long, the bees started gathering nectar from more than ten vines.

It felt like I was holding hands with all the Ms. Bees at once.

Oh, I know.
Hey, bees.

Since it’s spring, why don’t we dance a little?

Last time, Papa Bear rejected my invitation, so this time I really want a proper dance.
Don’t worry, in this forest circle, women can dance with women.

Now then, Ms. Bee, would you honor me with a dance?

A spring waltz with an Alraune and ten little bees.

Since I couldn’t do proper footwork, Ms. Bee moved her wings with elegance in my place.
And so they danced while gathering nectar.

Being escorted by so many Ms. Bees all at once…
Or maybe I’m the one escorting them?

I feel like a conductor waving a baton before an orchestra.

Come, Ms. Bee, let’s dance a tango next.
Spring has filled me with energy. I’m on fire right now. My heart, I mean!

So let’s dance fiercely and passionately, like a maiden in love.

This is so fun.
What should I do? This forest club is just too good.


Oh my, hello there.

I don’t recognize you. Are you new here?
May I ask your name?

Ah, you’re a butterfly.

Our new guest was a butterfly-type monster, a Lustschmetterling.

The butterfly was about the size of a human.

A butterfly. In other words, a tefu-tefu¹. (TL: Another way to say butterfly)
A giant tefu-tefu!

It kind of looks like a cabbage white butterfly.

And it seemed to be here for nectar.

This is the forest club. Ill-mannered guests will be shown the exit.

Oh, but look what a refined butterfly it is.

The one at the front had even more beautiful markings than the rest, and its movements had a sense of elegance to it.
It’s like a certain duchess who was always the center of attention at royal tea parties in the capital.


Butterfly, could it be that people called you Lady Butterfly?

Even if you’re a young, unmarried butterfly, there’s this graceful aura around you that makes me want to call you that.

Yes, I’ve decided.
I shall be calling this tefu-tefu Lady Butterfly.

I bit into a vine, coated it heavily in nectar, and presented it to Lady Butterfly.
She extends her proboscis in response.

Basically, butterflies have a long, straw-like thing for sipping nectar and water from flowers.
That is called a proboscis.

Lady Butterfly busily used her proboscis to drink the vine’s nectar. It’s somehow so soothing to watch.


Ah, you there!

Don’t come any closer to me.
Collect nectar properly, just like Lady Butterfly here.

Is that your companion, Lady Butterfly?
You really ought to keep your entourage properly trained.

Come on, gather nectar politely like Lady Butterfly does.

What? You won’t listen?
Charging straight at me, you’ve got some nerves.

If you touch my pistil like that, I’ll get pollinated just like when Ms. Bee touches me.

The thing is, butterflies, too, often carry pollen on their bodies.
If one bumps into me, I’ll get pollinated.

I have no intention of letting a tefu-tefu attack me.

Rebellious tefu-tefus are invited to the lower mouth.

I don’t show mercy to hostile opponents.

A normal carnivorous plant wouldn’t play around gracefully with butterflies like this. They’d just devour them without mercy.
I’m still on the sweeter side, I suppose.

I munched on the tefu-tefu.

Lady Butterfly seemed to want to apologize for her companion’s faux pas.
While sipping my nectar-coated vine with her proboscis, she started swaying gently

Could it be… she’s inviting me to dance?

But of course, Lady Butterfly.
If you’d be so kind, I would be delighted to be your partner.

A waltz with a butterfly.

Now that is a true butterfly dance.

At this rate, we might just be able to go for the top spot at the ball together.


I guess my rival would be Her Majesty the Queen Bee, my older sister.
I’ve never met her, but somehow I just know she’d be excellent at anything she tried.
After all, she is my older sister. I trust her completely, without a doubt.


Ah, what a lovely time this is.

Winter was long and exhausting in so many ways, but moments like this make it all worth it.


Right.
Lately I’ve been fighting the forest’s Four Heavenly Kings and Papa Bear, shivering through harsh winter days, and all that kept me so busy, so it all felt so distant. But this peaceful existence was what I truly wanted.

A quiet, happy life spent photosynthesizing.

Enjoying good water, living calmly as a plant.

And inviting friends like my female knights and Lady Butterfly to come play together.
Right now, I feel like I’m living inside a dream.

A peaceful, everyday life, dancing with my female knights and Lady Butterfly.
This spring ball is incredible. It’s so much fun!

This forest club is the best.

As the host, I’m overjoyed.

Let’s do this again, everyone!


Our delight was interrupted by a sharp, ominous sound that sliced through the forest air.

While I was dancing with my forest ladies, the forest beyond began to grow noisy.


To my left.
Something was making a racket in that direction. The noise was even a little menacing.

Sounds of trees falling, animals and monsters crying out reached my ears.

Moments like this hurt a little, because I can’t go check. After all, I’m a plant. There’s nothing I can do about that.


The bees and butterflies had all stopped moving too.
We were having so much fun, but now it’s been ruined.


Who’s making such a ruckus in broad daylight?
As the forest’s master, I won’t tolerate this.


As I fumed angrily, something emerged between the trees.

A raccoon.

The raccoons were fleeing in a panic.
They rushed past me and vanished deep into the forest.

Some were injured. What on earth happened?


Then the Elder Raccoon appeared, his expression was desperate.

He opened his mouth wide toward me as if trying to say something, then ran off after the others.

Huh? What?
What does that mean?

Was that a warning that someone’s coming?


Not long after, my guess was proven correct.
The Elder Raccoon brought a guest.

Yes, a guest known as an enemy of the forest.


Knocking over trees, it approaches.


It walked forward lazily, irritation was written all over his face as he chewed on a raccoon he caught.

His head was that of a bull’s, its body human from the neck down.

A minotaur.


That muscular, hardened body spoke of countless battles.

He must have been about five meters tall.
I wanted to hope that I’d be ok since he was smaller than Papa Bear, but that isn’t the case.

Minotaurs aren’t monsters like Papa Bear or me.
They’re demons.

Monsters are beasts; they’re vicious, savage creatures that don’t speak language.
Demons are different.

Demons command monsters.

It’s a collective term for all the races that control monsters.
Therefore, because a wide variety of these species coexist, they are collectively referred to as demons

They use language, have intelligence like humans, and can use magic.
Some legendary demons who wield particularly powerful magic are apparently even called Majin.


And most demon tribes serve the Demon King.

As proof, this minotaur is wearing armor.

He was clad in iron armor, a helmet on his head, and a huge axe in his hands.

Two black wings were painted on the helmet.
The mark was a sign of belonging to the Demon King’s army.

There’s no mistaking it.
He doesn’t belong in this forest.

A complete outsider.

Elder Raccoon led him to me.
Which means… this is an enemy I must defeat.

All right. I understand.

The day I became the forest’s guardian, I made a vow.
I would protect this whole forest and everyone in it.

If I don’t act, this forest club will collapse.

I ordered Ms. Bee, the other female knights, and Lady Butterfly to retreat.
It’s dangerous. Get somewhere safe.

I’ll protect everyone.


Now then, Mr. Minotaur.

Hello.

It’s been four years since I last fought the Demon King’s army.

Back then, I was still human and at my peak as the saint, but now I’ve given up being human.
I’ve become a plant monster, but even so, you remain my enemy.

Please go easy on me, alright.


To protect my peaceful life, I’ll remove you.
All so I can continue to live quietly as a plant.

Well then, shall we begin?

As the Lord of the Forest, it’s time for my first task.

***

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading.

Next Time: Is There Anyone Willing to Become My Dessert

TL’s Note:

1. てふてふ (tefu-tefu) is an ancient way of saying butterfly