New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (9/10)

 

 

Notes from the Heart

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I was recalling knowledge I had heard from various people and read. It was about a characteristic of the Zanzas dungeon.

“In the Zanzas dungeon, was the only living monster the Cockatrice?” (Elt)

“Yes, in the parts that have been clarified so far…” (Stella)

“So, it must have come here from the Zanzas dungeon for some reason… or rather, it might have been brought from here to there.” (Elt)

The dungeon is a special space created by mana. A supernatural field spreads out. However, there are rules. One of those rules is that living creatures cannot be produced there. Therefore, if living creatures are in the dungeon, they must have been brought from somewhere else. There must be an original source existence.

Next is the destination of this passage…

“This is just a guess, but if this underground passage connects to the dungeon, where do you think it would lead?” (Elt)

“Well… this passage is on the third layer, the ‘Garden of Riddles,’ right? That place only has riddles and puzzles. There is also an unexplored area there.” (Stella)

“Hmm… so it might be connected to that unexplored area.” (Elt)

While Stella and I were deep in conversation, adventurers gathered. The hole was still illuminated by the glowing moss. If you looked in, you could probably see the passage clearly. Perhaps some thought the same as Stella, because the adventurers gradually grew excited. There was only one entrance to the Zanzas dungeon in the city center. If there was another way in, it would be a great discovery.

Stella spoke quietly.

“…Because of the second layer, the amount of equipment we can carry is limited. There are rare items, but the efficiency is not good.” (Stella)

“I’ve heard a bit about that… If we can shortcut through this passage, it would be valuable.” (Adventurer)

“Yes, the financial gain would be great too. Leia would be happy as well.” (Stella)

In that case, a vertical shaft closer to the dungeon would be necessary. Even the adventurers in their thirties could not hide their excitement.

“This might actually be… an incredible thing if true.” (Adventurer)

“Hmm… well, maybe. It’s still too early to say.” (Elt)

“We’ve explored the third layer thoroughly, so there’s no doubt. But I never expected there would be a mechanism like this… If it weren’t for Elt-sama’s magic, we wouldn’t have noticed until death.” (Adventurer)

The adventurers voiced their opinions one after another. How long it had existed, if others knew about it… The discussion heated up quickly. However, no one jumped in. They were not that reckless. The underground can be surprisingly dangerous. There might be gas, collapses, or traps. The professional adventurers surely understood this.

Discovery is discovery, but safety is another matter. No one suggested going down.

Among them, Marcosias was looking into the hole while pacing around it. To put it one way, she looked like an excited dog.

“Father… about this hole…” (Marcosias)

“…You’re not saying we should go down, right? It might be dangerous.” (Elt)

Gulp.

“But from below…” (Marcosias)

“Below?” (Elt)

Marcosias pointed to the hole.

Where she pointed, a side tunnel extended… towards the forest’s depths.

Ah, something is there.

A shadow was faintly reflected by the glowing moss. That shadow made a sound.

“Piyo?” (Shadow)

“Ah, a comrade, piyo!” (Dia)

“Piyoyo??” (Shadow)

The shadow wiggled as if confused.

Is that a Cockatrice…? It was chirping “piyo piyo”. The shadow is about the same size as before.

“…Piyo, piyo!” (Shadow)

The shadow made another sound and disappeared into the side tunnel. It seemed to have run deeper inside.

“…It’s gone, piyo.” (Dia)

“Is that a Cockatrice…?” (Elt)

“Yes, piyo. It came from under the hole, piyo.” (Dia)

“The place where that Cockatrice ran to seems to connect somewhere.” (Elt)

“It looked a lot like the comrade who was under this tree’s shade. They must be family, piyo.” (Dia)

“Dia, can you tell them apart?” (Elt)

I had no idea. As expected of the Cockatrice Queen.

“I can tell, piyo!” (Dia)

“I see, Dia is amazing.” (Elt)

Petting, fluffy.

I praised her to encourage her.

“Piyo… Tou-sama’s hand feels good.” (Dia)

“My lord, my lord. I also noticed a shadow.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias quietly approached Dia.

“Amazing, piyo!” (Dia)

“Isn’t it?” (Marcosias)

Marcosias then lowered his head in front of Dia.

Hmm? Could it be he wants to be petted?

However, Dia did not understand. Marcosias’s gesture was ignored.

Well, Dia is used to being petted but never pets others.

After a moment, Marcosias looked up at Dia with a sideways glance,

“Um, my lord…?” (Marcosias)

“Piyo?” (Dia)

“…Maru-chan seems to want to be petted, Dia.” (Elt)

“Piyo, you want to be petted, piyo?” (Dia)

“…(nod nod)” (Marcosias)

“Good, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia popped a small feather out of her chest pocket and gently petted Marcosias’s head.

…Yeah, Dia’s feathers are still small.

She only lightly stroked her. Still, Marcosias looked satisfied.

Also, is Marcosias really a Marquis of Hell? For now, she’s a loyal dog Maru-chan.

 

 

 

For the time being, we decided not to go down the hole. It was a unanimous decision.

According to the adventurer in his thirties…

“This kind of investigation is better left to mining engineers or dwarves. The Zanzas’ Adventurer Guild should have contacts.” (Adventurer)

That was the opinion.

If this underground passage connects to Zanzas, an explanation is needed anyway. It’s not just a matter of my territory. We also have to discuss the matter of the Cockatrice that ran away.

For now, we reinforced the floor of the resting area and proceeded deeper into the forest. Our goal, of course, was the side tunnel’s far end. It was the direction where the shadow had run. We didn’t know where it would lead us, but there was probably an entrance to the underground passage. That would be our target.

Leading the way was Marcosias. She was sniffing carefully.

“Hmm hmm… the scent is from that way.” (Marcosias)

“Maru-chan, can you really tell? The scent of that shadow earlier…” (Stella)

Marcosias nodded as if that was obvious.

“It smells like dried grass. We just need to follow that.” (Marcosias)

“…Alright, I’m counting on you.” (Elt)

Though there were some points to question, it was definitely useful. She was even more dog-like.

“My lord, if this goes well… um…” (Marcosias)

“Piyo, I’ll pet you! Pet, pet, piyo!” (Dia)

“Alright, let’s do our best.” (Elt)

Marcosias, full of spirit, started walking. We followed closely behind.

If she could follow the scent, we should find the Cockatrice soon enough.

By the way, I was a little curious, so I whispered to Stella.

“…Has Marcosias always been this kind of personality?” (Elt)

“No, while she didn’t like loneliness, she was harsher before…” (Stella)

Marcosias pointed deeper into the forest.

“This way, my lord! It’s not that far!” (Marcosias)

“Got it, piyo!” (Dia)

Well, it’s fine if she’s enthusiastic… She’s also getting along with Dia.

“Maybe this personality is his true self…” (Stella)

…That might be true.

 

Dia’s Notes from the Heart

The hole continues somewhere.

Two comrades.

Maru-chan is happy when petted.

If she sticks out his head, pet her.

 

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