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

 

 

Discovery and Encounter

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The Adventurer Guild in Zanzas. Jessica was wearing her usual light-blue mage robes. Her hair was also light blue, and her staff was light blue. In her hometown, Jessica’s beauty was so striking that she was even said to be an incarnation of the sea goddess. Right now, she was sitting face-to-face with Leia in the Guild Master’s room.

“Ah, this is an S-rank quest personally assigned by the Guild Master. You understand its importance, right?” (Leia)

“Yes… it’s a matter that affects not just one town but the entire region, isn’t it?” (Jessica)

“That’s right.” (Leia)

Jessica was 18 years old, but she had become an adventurer around the age of 13. She was called a prodigy, and she had completed many high-difficulty quests. However, she had only taken on two S-rank quests so far. That showed how rare S-rank quests were.

“Well, the task itself is simple. I want you to deliver a letter to Elt Nagash-sama. If you have Elt-sama read the letter on the spot, he will give you further instructions.” (Leia)

“I see… I’m a bit nervous.” (Jessica)

“Since this involves nobility, it pains me that I can’t tell you more details…” (Leia)

“That’s common enough… but this is actually perfect timing. I’ve wanted to meet Elt-sama once.” (Jessica)

“Hmm, he’s a friendly and good person. Among the nobles I’ve met, he’s probably the best.” (Leia)

“Since even Stella-sama admires him… by the way,” (Jessica)

Jessica changed the subject. She was very curious. Why was Leia wearing a cute hat shaped like a stylized cockatrice chick’s head? It looked like a child’s hat, no matter how you saw it. She couldn’t understand why.

“That cute hat is?” (Jessica)

“Finally, you asked. I was a bit worried it would be ignored completely. This is a new product we’re releasing as a reward for clearing an unexplored area.” (Leia)

“Why are you wearing it yourself?” (Jessica)

“It’s durability testing.” (Leia)

“…Being Guild Master is tough, huh.” (Jessica)

“By the way, I wear it because I like it. Haha, it’s a perk of the job.” (Leia)

“…Should I ask about the little string hanging from the side of the hat, too?” (Jessica)

“Thank you. If you pull this string…” (Leia)

Leia pulled the string.

“Piyo!” (Hat)

The hat made a cute cockatrice chirping sound.

“What do you think? It’s a simple magical tool, but it makes a cockatrice sound. Isn’t it wonderful?” (Leia)

“Y-yes…” (Jessica)

“By the way, Jessica-kun, is your head size S?” (Leia)

“Why did you ask that now?” (Jessica)

“As a part of this S-rank quest, wearing this hat is mandatory. The Guild Master can require equipment necessary for the quest. You’ll cooperate with the promotion too…!” (Leia)

“I’ve never heard of using that system for something like this!” (Jessica)

Leia silently pulled the string on the hat.

“Piyo!” (Hat)

She pulled it again.

“Piyo!” (Hat)

“…A-alright. I’ll wear it. It is cute, after all…” (Jessica)

When Jessica said that, Leia quickly took the cockatrice hat from the desk and handed it to her.

“Thank you. This hat is part of your reward. Good luck!” (Leia)

 

—

 

Healberry Village. Several days had passed since Dia was born. Dia was growing rapidly. She was becoming noticeably bigger each day. When Dia was born, she fit in the palm of a hand. Now she was big enough to be held with both hands.

“You’re getting pretty big. Good, good.” (Elt)

Patting, fluffy. But the softness of her fur hadn’t changed. It felt very nice.

“Piyo! Am I growing?” (Dia)

“Yes, you eat and sleep well. Good job.” (Elt)

Stella was stroking Dia too. She seemed enchanted. Dia really liked being petted.

“Yes, good job~ Good, good.” (Stella)

“Piyo! Yay!” (Dia)

The weather was nice today. It looked like it would get quite warm after a long time. Also, it was a holiday. They could spend the whole day together with Dia.

“Hey, Tou-sama?” (Dia)

“Hm? What is it?” (Elt)

“I want to go for a walk…” (Dia)

Recently, Dia had been walking around the house a lot. She seemed curious by nature and wanted to do various things while awake.

“Until now, Dia only walked inside the house… How about going for a walk together?” (Stella)

“That’s true… Dia’s getting bigger, so let’s go out.” (Elt)

Chickens walk from birth. Not being able to walk when they could would be stressful for her.

“All right, everyone, let’s go out. We’ll take a walk around the village.” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, a walk with everyone!” (Wood)

“Sounds good!” (Stella)

So, we decided to go for a walk.

“Piyo! The sun feels so good!” (Dia)

“Don’t rush so much. The walk isn’t going to run away…” (Elt)

Stella and I walked while guarding Dia in case she suddenly started running. Even if she was still toddling, we had to be careful about things like that.

Today was truly good weather. It was the perfect day for a walk. As the four of us walked together, we heard a commotion near the square. Dia twitched in reaction.

“Is something happening over there? I wonder what it is?” (Dia)

“Shall we go take a look?” (Stella)

“Piyo, let’s go see!” (Dia)

In the square, a makeshift platform had been built. On it stood Tetetoka and several adventurers. The adventurers were lined up making grass dumplings. Tetetoka was walking among them, giving instructions.

Ah, was the grass dumpling workshop scheduled for today? If I remember right, Tetetoka said she would gather adventurers and teach them how to make grass dumplings. I was busy practicing myself, so I hadn’t paid much attention.

Tetetoka stopped walking. Standing before him was an adventurer probably in his thirties. The grass dumplings he had made were lined up on a wooden board. Tetetoka picked up one of them.

“It has a nice color.” (Tetetoka)

“Y-yes!” (Adventurer)

“But the kneading is still just a little lacking…” (Tetetoka)

Saying so, Tetetoka began kneading the grass dumpling.

Kneading. Kneading, kneading.

“Phew, like this. Please touch it.” (Tetetoka)

“Y-yes… Hmm, it’s definitely softer…” (Adventurer)

“That’s right, this is about the right texture.” (Tetetoka)

Pop, munch.

Tetetoka casually ate the grass dumpling. This was quite the workshop. Or rather, was this a workshop where he ate what others made? Tetetoka was becoming more creative than I expected.

Watching this, Dia gave her impression.

“Piyo… looks yummy.” (Dia)

“Ugh… it’s still too early for you, Dia. I’ll give you some as a snack once you’re a bit older.” (Elt)

“Yes… once you grow a little more, I’ll make some for you!” (Stella)

“Piyo, it’s a promise, piyo!” (Dia)

While we were having that conversation, a carriage arrived at the square. That was a luxury carriage from Zanzas. Only someone quite wealthy could ride one of those. Lately, visitors had been increasing. At least one carriage arrived per day, and on busy days, two or three came.

“What’s that?” (Dia)

Ah, that’s right. This is Dia’s first time seeing a carriage.

“It’s a vehicle that came from far away. There should be someone riding inside.” (Elt)

“Piyo… I wonder what kind of person it is?” (Dia)

“Ugo ugo, shall we greet them?” (Wood)

“Yes, let’s go welcome them.” (Elt)

If it were a merchant’s carriage, it would stop in front of Naru’s office. Since it was stopping here, it was probably for sightseeing or to see me.

The door of the carriage slowly opened. From inside appeared… a female mage wearing a hat. Her hair and clothes were light blue. She was also wearing a cute cockatrice hat.

Seeing the woman, Stella’s eyes widened.

“You are…” (Stella)

“Ah, Stella-sama!?” (Jessica)

It seemed she was an acquaintance of Stella.

Now I remember… she was the mage who controlled water that I had heard about in stories. She was one of the companions Stella had when she explored an untrodden area.

Then, Dia shouted loudly.

“Piyo! A friend!” (Dia)

“Hyeee!? The chick spoke!?” (Jessica)

…Oops.

Because of the hat, Dia had mistaken her for a cockatrice.

 

Territory Information

Place name: Healberry Village

Special Facility: Great Tree Tower (includes soil bath)

Visitors: +1 (Mage Jessica equipped with Cockatrice Hat)

Total population: 151

Tourism Level: D (soil bath)

Fishing Level: D (Rainbow Fish cultivation)

Ranching Level: E (Birth of Cockatrice Queen)

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)