New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/10)

 

 

Dryads’ Luxury

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Knead, knead. Knead, knead, knead…

“Phew, this should do…” (Elt)

For several hours, taking breaks in between, I had been kneading grass dumplings. That was quite a lot kneaded.

Well, I did nibble a little while making them.  Even for storage, this amount is probably the limit.

Brown was slumped heavily against the desk.

“Nyaa~n… we kneaded quite a bit, didn’t we, nya!” (Brown)

“Yeah, good job.” (Elt)

“Nya no! I enjoyed it, nya. Making any more wouldn’t be finished eating, nya.” (Brown)

“Me too. I ended up making more than I expected…” (Elt)

Looking around, the atmosphere showed everyone was done making theirs. The Dryads also finished.

It seemed their ingredients were all used up… they sure are fast at making them.

Anaria, who came nearby, told me about the baked sweets group’s situation.

“It looks like they are done too.” (Anaria)

“Alright then… let’s start eating.” (Elt)

After cleaning up, it was time to actually eat. We would enjoy the sweets with various teas and herbal teas brought by the Nyaff tribe. Several tables were prepared, and we took our seats.

Hmm… somehow, it feels a bit lonely with just this. The Dryads aren’t very interested in decorations. There is nothing like decorative items inside the tower either… They are the kind of species that, even if they have money, would buy expensive soil without hesitation.

While thinking that, Tetetoka brought a flowerpot. Other Dryads did too.

Why?

“…How do you use that flowerpot?” (Elt)

“You put it on the table and enter it, you know~” (Tetetoka)

“Eh…?” (Elt)

“When we have a grass dumpling contest, we always do it like this.” (Tetetoka)

“Is that so?” (Elt)

“Eating grass dumplings while inside the flowerpot is the ultimate luxury~” (Tetetoka)

“…Uh, I see.” (Elt)

Looking closely, all the Dryads had brought flowerpots. They were all shiny. One per person.

“A personal flowerpot…?” (Elt)

“Of course~” (Tetetoka)

“So, it’s like this? We look at the Dryads sitting inside flowerpots lined up on the table while eating sweets?” (Elt)

Saying that was way too surreal. However, Tetetoka’s face lit up brightly.

“That’s right~!” (Tetetoka)

“Well… that’s normal for Dryads, right?” (Elt)

“Eating while inside a flowerpot is very luxurious~” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka radiated an aura of sparkling expectation. I had no courage to interrupt that.

“Alright, then this time we’ll go with that… we have no choice.” (Elt)

“Yay!” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka placed the shiny flowerpot on the table. It seemed well cared for. The other Dryads placed their flowerpots on the table the same way.

Anaria quietly whispered in my ear.

“Well… it’s good we understood this before inviting others from other territories…” (Anaria)

“Yeah…” (Elt)

I nodded.

The Nyaff tribe also looked surprised, but as merchants, they probably have experience dealing with various species. They seemed to understand somewhat and helped move the flowerpots.

“This is quite fitting for this territory, isn’t it, nya.” (Brown)

“True. At least the Dryads look very happy.” (Elt)

This is also a form of interspecies exchange. We can surely become friends.

I thought it was good to learn about the Dryad culture.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, Stella and the others were crossing the Death Bird Grassland.

“That area ahead is the second floor.” (Stella)

Ahead, where Stella pointed, stood a huge gate made of old, weathered wood. It was the gate connecting each floor of the labyrinth. Passing through this would take them to the second floor. The light blue magician tightened her focus.

“Yes… phew, it’s alright.” (Blue Mage)

“From the second floor, ‘Infinite Rock Mountains,’ we will have to move actively. Everyone, stay alert.” (Stella)

“Ugo Ugo! I’ll do my best!” (Wood)

“Yes… it’s only a walk of about ten minutes to the unexplored area. From here on, it’s our turn!” (Blue Mage)

“We’re counting on you.” (Stella)

“Yes!” (All)

The eager elite adventurers passed through the gate. The moment they went through, the scenery distorted. When they opened their eyes, the landscape had changed completely. All around was bare rock mountains. Not a single blade of grass grew in this empty land.

“T-this is… Infinite Rock Mountains…” (Blue Mage)

“Ugo Ugo! It’s all gray!” (Wood)

“Yes, it’s nostalgic here…” (Stella)

Stella recalled the scenery she had seen many times before.

“Alright, here comes the warp balls. Let’s get through.” (Stella)

Before the target area, Stella spotted the second floor’s challenge right away. The warp balls looked like large, round, bright red balls that a person could carry. They bounced rhythmically.

Bouncy, bouncy. Boing, boing.

Warp balls are frequently seen magical traps in the second floor. They aren’t living monsters. It’s more accurate to say they are traps powered by magic. The warp balls are very soft, so even if you touch them, they won’t cause injury. However, if you are hit three times in one hour, you are warped back to the floor’s entrance. You have to start all over with tears. This is why the second floor is called the ‘Infinite Rock Mountains’. You must read the pattern and move rhythmically, or you will never clear it.

“Now!” (Stella)

“Understood!” (All)

While the warp balls bounced around, Stella and the others dashed.

Right, left…

Stella danced with elegant steps to avoid the warp balls. Wood also watched their movements and avoided them with minimal effort. After several minutes, Stella stopped. Wood and the elite adventurers caught up, panting.

“Phew, phew…” (Blue Mage)

“Going well. This is a safe zone, no warp balls come here. Let’s rest a bit.” (Stella)

“Y-yes… but it’s harder than I expected.” (Blue Mage)

“It’s okay if you get hit twice…” (Stella)

“N-no! I want to avoid all of them!” (Blue Mage)

You can destroy warp balls with magic attacks, but using magic carelessly is not allowed. Basically, all warp balls should be avoidable.

Boing~ boing. Boing~ boing.

The warp balls bounced while making sounds. The endless sounds echoing here are the second floor’s characteristic.

Booing, boing~.

“It’s a nice sound, isn’t it… very soothing.” (Blue Mage)

“Ugo Ugo! It makes me excited!” (Wood)

“Is that so…?” (Stella)

“The slow dwarves called this place ‘the place where hell’s music plays’ and ‘endless torment’, or so I heard.” (Stella)

“Well… rhythm sense and speed are everything here. Let’s move on soon…” (Stella)

Later, hearing about this area, Elt said…

“A giant athletic course… or maybe it was a TV show?” (Elt)

Jumping and bouncing. That actually sounds fun. Some people are getting a bit chubby…

The Athletic Land in the Healberry Village would be built a little later.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)