New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (8/10)

 

 

Under the Large Tree

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The cry just now sounded very much like Dia. Could that have been a Cockatrice?  I couldn’t see it clearly, though. Well, there shouldn’t be any other creature that chirps “piyo piyo”…

Stella quickly asked.

“…Shall we follow it?” (Stella)

“No, it’s fine… It’s not worth acting alone. That shadow went deeper into the forest. If we go, we might meet it.” (Elt)

“Understood.” (Stella)

“Let’s ask Tetetoka first. Go and call her.” (Elt)

Originally, Tetetoka lived in this forest. Of course, she’s with us this time as well. We were in the front of the group, and Tetetoka should be somewhere near the middle of the formation. However, I had never heard that Cockatrices lived in this forest. There were no reports from adventurers either…

Why did one appear this time? Hmm, could it be because Dia is here? Even after entering the forest, Dia chirped as usual. Did it attract the Cockatrice’s attention…? That seemed possible enough.

I stroked Dia, who had come into my chest pocket. So, fluffy.

“…Was that a friend?” (Elt)

“Piyo, no doubt about it, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yes, there’s no mistaking that cry… That slightly high-pitched piyo piyo is definitely a Cockatrice.” (Stella)

Honestly, Dia’s Cockatrice identification was a bit suspicious… Because of what happened with Jessica. But since Stella also agreed, it was probably true.

The adventurer in his thirties, who was also in the front line, spoke.

“It seemed a little weak though.” (Adventurer)

“Is that so?” (Elt)

“I’ve heard the Cockatrice’s voice so many times I can kind of tell.” (Adventurer)

That was impressive. Well, if you’ve been diving into the Zanzas Labyrinth, it makes sense. I heard there were quite a few Cockatrices there.

Anyway, our opinions matched. That was definitely a Cockatrice.

Just then, Tetetoka came up to the front.

“Yes-yes, did you call? Munch munch.” (Tetetoka)

She walked while eating a grass dumpling. Completely in a hiking mood.

“Sorry, Tetetoka. Actually—” (Elt)

I explained to Tetetoka. She listened attentively, but her answer was unexpected.

“Hmmm, monsters in this forest? Birds, you say… I’ve never seen any.” (Tetetoka)

“Hmmm, so she doesn’t know.” (Elt)

“We don’t really go on many walks either.” (Tetetoka)

“I see…” (Elt)

I somehow feel convinced. Dryads love to bury themselves in soil. They don’t usually wander about. So, the key must be Dia after all. If we keep Dia with us, could we make contact?

“Piyo?” (Dia)

“Do you want to meet your friends?” (Elt)

“I want to meet them, piyo!” (Dia)

That’s right. Dia would answer like that. Hmm, should we include the Cockatrice search in this expedition? It wouldn’t change much of what we do anyway.

 

—

 

I continued walking toward the old Dryad house.

Compared to the last time I saw it, its color had faded… The once mighty large tree was now near the end of its life.

“Well then, this is our first resting spot. Tetetoka, may I use it?” (Elt)

“Sure, with pleasure!” (Tetetoka)

There is healing magic among plant magics. Though it only works on plants.

This time, I planned to use a regeneration spell on the great tree.

[Rebirth Healing]

It was intermediate level. The magic removes withered or rotten parts and makes the tree reborn. Although it would become smaller, it was a spell that could greatly extend its life. Last time, I didn’t have enough mana for it, but now I was fine.

Touching the great tree, I poured my mana and chanted.

[Rebirth Healing]

Mana flowed strongly out of my body. Big original size really drained mana heavily. But I still had plenty of mana left…

Well, I brought mana recovery potions, so it will be okay anyway.

Green light spread from where I touched and wrapped the great tree.

Creaaaak…!

Gurururu…!

A sound of reconstructing the old parts echoed for a little while. When the sound stopped, the green light disappeared at the same time.

The Large Tree had become considerably smaller. However, leaves returned to the branches, and its color and gloss improved. It was no longer withering.

“Oh! There are leaves on the branches!” (Tetetoka)

“…It succeeded. But it’s about one-fifth the original size.” (Elt)

“But it’s better that this tree is alive.” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka was pleased. This Large Tree House would become our base when exploring the forest from now on. The Dryads also agreed. They said the Large Tree would be happy too.

“All right, for now it’s a short break. Oh, the roots also became smaller… so the ground looks dangerous.” (Elt)

Looking, the ground was uneven. The part of the Large Tree’s roots also changed roughly by magic.

Hmm, there are holes, and I could see the roots from there. This might collapse. We should reinforce it or it would be bad…

“Should we fill it with soil and plant magic…?” (Elt)

“Yes, I think it will be done quickly.” (Tetetoka)

“Ugo ugo, I will carry and fill it!” (Wood)

Fortunately, there was soft soil around.

If we also let other strong-rooted plants grow, there should be no problem. Now, where should we start…?

I looked around the hole’s perimeter with Stella.

“Father, Father.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias, who had come next to me, called out.

It’s okay, right? About me…

“What is it?” (Elt)

“There are stones lined up inside this hole. Is this normal?” (Marcosias)

“Piyo?” (Dia)

“…What do you mean?” (Elt)

Hmm, I don’t know either. Dia is tilting her head too.

“Piyoyo, I don’t understand, piyo.” (Dia)

“All I can say is that I can see stones lined up inside the hole.” (Elt)

“I can’t see them…” (Stella)

“Maru-chan can see them, piyo?” (Dia)

“That is correct, my lord. My eyes see clearly even in the darkness.” (Marcosias)

“Hmm… inside the hole, huh.” (Elt)

I don’t quite understand Marcosias’ words, but she has no reason to lie.

I looked into the hole, but I couldn’t see.

All right, I will use plant magic. The plants I can create include glowing plants.

I focused my mana.

[Moon-viewing Moss]

Glowing moss grew around the hole. The moss grew following the inside of the hole. With this, I should be able to see to some extent. Thanks to the glowing moss, the hole became brighter.

Then, I saw deep inside the hole, quite underground.

Let’s see…? Ah, Marcosias was not mistaken. I clearly see it too. Is that a cobblestone floor…? Stones are neatly laid out. No, that’s not all. From the hole I am looking into, another hole extended sideways…

I muttered quietly.

“…This is an underground passage.” (Elt)

“We could walk through it, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yeah, it looks like that…” (Elt)

I never expected there to be such a passage. We almost filled it up without knowing.

“Good job finding it, Marcosias.” (Elt)

“Awesome, piyo!” (Dia)

“I’m glad I could help my lord and Father. Hmm? Why the serious face?” (Marcosias)

I looked and saw Stella was crossing her arms, thinking.

“Fueeh… Ah, sorry.” (Stella)

“This is a big discovery. So? Was it a reward for catching the spider?” (Elt)

“Yes, of course… Actually, I think Maru-chan was more amazing.” (Stella)

“Nah, I just want you to catch bugs in the future too.” (Elt)

“Well, well… that’s nothing, though…” (Stella)

“So, Stella, you were thinking about something?” (Elt)

Stella nodded at my question.

“Yes… about this cobblestone floor, I feel like I’ve seen it before.” (Stella)

“Hmm, Stella recognizes it… Then, it must be a very old passage.” (Elt)

“Probably, yes.” (Stella)

Stella took a breath.

“I saw the same cobblestone floor in the Zanzas dungeon. I think this passage connects to Zanzas.” (Stella)

…I see.

I somehow felt convinced.

If that guess is true, then it wouldn’t be strange for Cockatrices to be here.

 

—

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