New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (2/10)

 

 

She’s Dying!

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I called out to the light-blue mage. First, I had to help her calm down. For now, I casually picked Dia up in my arms.

“Aah… sorry for startling you. The one who just spoke isn’t a chick. She’s the Cockatrice Queen, Dia.” (Elt)

“Piyo!” (Dia)

“Eeeeh!? Cockatrices ain’t supposed to talk!” (Jessica)

“Ain’t supposed to”? Her sentence ending was heavily accented. It sounded like Kansai dialect, or more like a Kansai comedian… And indeed, cockatrices don’t talk. That explanation doesn’t help at all.

Hmm, I see… What would be the best way to help her cool down?

Just then, Stella cleared her throat.

“Ahem, Jessica… This person is the lord of this land, Elt Nagash-sama. Please compose yourself.” (Stella)

“Ah…!? I beg your pardon!” (Jessica)

The light-blue mage bowed her head deeply.

Nice assist, Stella. Even her cockatrice hat moves with her. It is cute, undeniably…

“I apologize for the delayed greeting! I am Jessica, an adventurer. I was terribly rude earlier…” (Jessica)

“Ah, don’t worry about all that from a moment ago… I’m Elt Nagash. I’ve heard about you from Stella. Welcome.” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, long time no see!” (Wood)

“You look well too, Wood-sama. It’s been a while!” (Jessica)

Now that I was listening calmly, Jessica’s speech wasn’t accented at all. That “ain’t supposed to talk” earlier… That was the first time I had heard someone speak with such a thick accent.

Or rather, so that’s how it sounds. It reminded me of something I had seen on TV in my previous life. There was a nostalgic ring to it. Not bad… I even wanted to hear more. Hmm, maybe I should ask Jessica directly.

“…If speaking in your hometown dialect is easier, you don’t need to hold back. Feel free to use it here.” (Elt)

“Eeh…!? U-um… b-but…” (Jessica)

“I’d prefer to keep things relaxed here.” (Elt)

“O-okay… then, I’ll talk this way.” (Jessica)

As expected, she was speaking with a strong accent again… That was one lesson learned. So, I could perceive dialects in this world like this.

Now that things had settled down, I decided to change the subject. Or rather, steer it away from Dia. Jessica was supposed to be an A-rank adventurer. A-rank adventurers were commonly referred to as heroes. In some countries, they were even treated as key military assets or special advisors.

So why had Jessica, someone like that, come here wearing such a whimsical hat? She couldn’t have come just for sightseeing and to buy Stella merchandise… No, that couldn’t be it.

“So, Jessica, what brings you here today?” (Elt)

“Well, I was entrusted with a letter from the Adventurer Guild. This is it.” (Jessica)

“…You came all this way just for that?” (Elt)

“That’s how it turned out. But I understood why once I got here. I reckon this letter is about that cockatrice there…” (Jessica)

“Hmm… That makes sense. I did report the Cockatrice Queen to the Adventurer Guild. So, this is about that, then.” (Elt)

“Piyo, about me?” (Dia)

“Yes. Well, I’ll explain more once you’re a bit older.” (Elt)

I passed Dia, who I had been holding, over to Stella. The letter Jessica brought was sealed carefully. I took the letter and opened it immediately. It read as follows…

 

===

Dear Elt Nagash-sama,

Thank you for your letter. We received your report that a Cockatrice Queen was born from that stone. This is an unprecedented case.

As for cockatrices themselves… (extensive commentary about their charm and importance omitted)… Accordingly, the Adventurer Guild in Zanzas wishes to assist with her rearing. We hope for your cooperation.

The adventurer Jessica, who has been sent as our messenger, should be useful in various ways. The term of the contract is three months. Please feel free to work her hard.

I plan to visit again soon. Thank you in advance.

P.S. Jessica does not know the contents of this letter. Please share only what is appropriate.

Lastly, the hat Jessica is wearing is a new product we plan to release. If possible, we would appreciate your feedback.

===

 

…Jessica, my condolences. Leia sold you out, didn’t she?

Now that I thought about it, I had heard this before. B-rank adventurers have fewer mandatory duties and can take things easy. But A-rank adventurers have to take on all kinds of special quests. Of course, their rewards must be on a whole other level…

Stella glanced at me.

“What did it say?” (Stella)

“They want to cooperate with Dia’s upbringing. And then there’s this part…” (Elt)

Without a word, I pointed to the section that said “Please feel free to work her hard”. Stella read that part and looked at Jessica with sympathy in her eyes. She, then, whispered softly.

“…I see. Well, she is a very business-minded person.” (Stella)

“She knows how to negotiate. She’s definitely competent…” (Elt)

Jessica was an A-rank adventurer who used water magic. If I recalled correctly, she was from a different country than this one. If she could share her knowledge and techniques, then even for a short period, she was a valuable asset.

“…Jessica, Guild Master Leia wants you to assist with Dia’s rearing.” (Elt)

I couldn’t do it myself… Because of that hat, Jessica already seemed like a comedic performer, so overworking her would just feel wrong. I decided it would be better to have her take on a relaxed advisor role.

“I see, understood!” (Jessica)

The finer details could be worked out later. For now, Jessica would be joining as a new resident. At that moment, Dia, who had been quiet, tilted her head.

“Piyo? What is that string, piyo?” (Dia)

“You’re curious?” (Jessica)

“Yes, why is it hanging down from the side?” (Dia)

“That’s a relief. I would’ve been sad if you ignored it…” (Jessica)

Jessica tugged on the string.

Piyo!

A cute chirping sound came from the hat. Jessica pulled the string again. Multiple times.

Piyo, piyo, piyo!

Stop it, that’s hilarious.

When I looked over, Stella was about to burst into laughter—

“Fuh… ahaha… what is that!” (Stella)

She couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing. I couldn’t help but laugh along too.

“Hahaha…! That’s a funny hat you’ve got there.” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, funny! Cockatrice!” (Wood)

“I’m glad it made you all happy. It was worth wearing all the way here…” (Jessica)

Upon hearing the chirping sound, Dia flapped her wings.

“Piyo…! Yay, I knew it, we’re comrades!” (Dia)

“About that…” (Jessica)

“Ah.” (Jessica)

Jessica casually took off the hat. Dia froze… Then, she started shouting.

“Piyo…!? It’s dead!” (Dia)

“H-hurry, put it back on!” (Elt)

“Eeh…!?” (Jessica)

“Piyo! Live!” (Dia)

“Can’t be helped, alright then…” (Jessica)

Jessica put the hat back on. Seeing that, Dia visibly calmed down.

It seemed she had recognized the hat as another cockatrice’s head…? And if the hat was removed, she apparently judged it as dead.

“Piyo! Not dead… alive?” (Dia)

“A-alive, yes.” (Jessica)

“Good, piyo!” (Dia)

Jessica sent me a glance. I returned a solemn nod.

“Keep wearing it.” (Elt)

“Gah…!” (Jessica)

Hmm, I couldn’t come up with an explanation as quickly as I had with the soil bath. This depended on how Dia understood the concept of a hat. To her, it might be a companion she just met for the first time…

As I pondered that, Dia looked at Jessica again.

“Piyo. Now that you mention it, the piyo-piyo is a bit low. Are you feeling okay?” (Dia)

“Eh…?” (Jessica)

“…Pull the string, Jessica.” (Elt)

“Ah, yes…” (Jessica)

This should be enough. Sorry, Jessica… but wearing the hat is now mandatory in front of Dia. Also, if it doesn’t chirp regularly, Dia will start to worry.

Jessica gave a distant look as she pulled the string.

Piyo!

“Piyo! You seem healthy!” (Dia)

And so, Jessica became our new resident. By the way, I later heard that Jessica’s family runs a major business dealing in fish farming.

Hmm… we really gained a valuable person. I’ll make sure to pay a proper bonus…

 

Territory Information

Place Name: Healberry Village

Special Facility: Great Tree Tower (with soil bath)

New Resident +1 (Mage Jessica equipped with Cockatrice Hat)

Total Population: 152

Tourism Level: D (soil bath)

Fishing Industry Level: D (Rainbow Fish Cultivation)

Ranching Level: E (Cockatrice Queen Born)

 

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