New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (3/10 chapters)

 

 

Which to Choose

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Ah… there’s just something I want to check briefly, but… what is Koshien?” (Elt)

I asked timidly. In my previous life, it was a well-known term, but of course there was no Koshien in this world. I wondered in what sense that word came from the elf, Stella. Maybe she heard it through me.

“I heard it from Elt-sama…” (Stella)

Still holding up the bat, Stella answered blankly.

“I understood it as something like a state of mastery one reaches by perfecting the act of hitting.” (Stella)

“…Hmm, that’s not entirely wrong…” (Elt)

But not really correct either… Now that she mentions it, I might have let the word slip in front of Stella. Even though I’m no expert, I can tell Stella’s swing is extraordinary. Her bat control is both precise and powerful. Normally, you can’t return a projectile like that so cleanly.

I probably said something. Something like, “You could even make it to Koshien”. You would say that, wouldn’t you? When the person is this talented. If this were Earth, I would tell Stella to aim for the pros.

“Is that not correct?” (Stella)

“…You can’t reach Koshien just by being good at hitting. There are other factors too…” (Elt)

“Fueeh, really?” (Stella)

“Yeah, like being able to pitch, to catch the ball, and to run. It’s a bit complicated…” (Elt)

What am I even saying? Still, I can’t give a random answer when asked about Koshien. It’s a sad reflex.

“Hehh, it’s deeper than I thought…” (Stella)

“Yeah, more importantly… didn’t it seem like the cockatrice could understand words earlier?” (Elt)

“…Yes, that’s what it felt like. It seemed like a conversation was taking place…” (Stella)

“Piyoyo~” (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice let out a cute chirp.

“I understand you, piyo!” (Dia)

“Hmm… can you understand my words?” (Elt)

Dia translated.

“Piyoyo, piyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Piyo… piyo.” (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice tilted its head, thinking.

So, it doesn’t understand after all.

“Umm, it said it doesn’t understand… piyo.” (Dia)

“I thought so. Stella, can you understand what the cockatrice is saying?” (Elt)

“No, I can’t… It only says piyo piyo to me.” (Stella)

“Piyo piyo~” (Cockatrice)

“It said, ‘That’s right~,’ piyo!” (Dia)

That’s a pretty light-hearted attitude. But now I understand. This is likely due to the effect of Stella’s skill, [Cockatrice Tamer]. There’s no other clear difference between Stella and me. Tamer-type skills give bonuses when raising the targeted monster. Or they enhance combat performance… but apparently they have effects like this too.

These kinds of features didn’t exist in the game, but they seem to in this world. It’s unfortunate that the communication is only one-way… but maybe with a higher skill level, they could eventually understand each other fully.

“Well, it’s probably the effect of [Cockatrice Tamer]. It seems the cockatrice can understand Stella’s words.” (Elt)

“…But it can’t speak back in a way she understands, right?” (Stella)

“We don’t know what might happen in the future, but… that’s how it is for now.” (Elt)

“Even so, it’s amazing…” (Stella)

As she said that, Stella reached out toward the cockatrice.

“May I… touch you?” (Stella)

“Piyoo!” (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice hugged Stella with a fluffy motion.

This really does feel good. Being wrapped in the soft fur of the cockatrice could become addictive. The blankets and clothes in this world are somewhat lacking… which makes the cockatrice’s fluff feel even better. It’s no wonder many people are fans.

“Fueeh… so soft…” (Stella)

Wrapped in fluff, Stella looked blissfully happy.

“But it’s a little thin… The fluffiness doesn’t feel as full underneath…” (Stella)

“Is that so?” (Elt)

“Yes. The cockatrice in Zanzas is more plump and squishy.” (Stella)

“…Hmm. Maybe there’s not enough food here.” (Elt)

Monsters are usually picky eaters. It already knew about the Flower Archers, so maybe their habitats overlap. If so, they must be a real problem for the cockatrice. Flower Archers attack indiscriminately.

“C-Can I also…?” (Marcosias)

Marcosias approached the cockatrice. It was a calculated move. While still burying her face in the cockatrice, Stella responded.

“Maru-chan, do you want to enjoy the fluff too?” (Stella)

“Yes, I’m interested. Very interested.” (Marcosias)

She looked like he would be wagging his tail wildly if he had one.

“Alright, I’ll ask… Umm, this one also wants to touch you…” (Stella)

“Excited…” (Marcosias)

“Piyo… piyopiyo?” (Cockatrice)

“Oh, a human? Is that what you are? Piyo.” (Dia)

Oh no. This is bad.

Stella also flinched a little.

Could the cockatrice recognize Marcosias’s unusual nature?

Luckily, the adventurers were far enough away.

Marcosias looked puzzled.

“I am a Marquis of Hell, you know.” (Marcosias)

“…It doesn’t understand that.” (Elt)

“What…!?” (Marcosias)

“Piyo-piyo!” (Cockatrice)

“But it said it’s okay~ piyo!” (Dia)

“Yay!” (Marcosias)

Phew, good. Looks like it won’t dig too deep.

Marcosias leapt into the cockatrice and joyfully rubbed into it.

“Haa~… This is amazing. So fluffy.” (Marcosias)

“Yes, it’s the best, right?” (Stella)

“Is there any other coat like this anywhere…?” (Marcosias)

“…Huh?” (Stella)

“Hmm? Mother, why are you looking at me like that?” (Marcosias)

“No… Well, we’ll talk about that later.” (Stella)

 

—

 

After that, the adventurers who had cut the Flower Archer roots returned.  By the way, Flower Archers did not sprout from seeds.  They only increase through upper species like the Flower General.

In the meantime, we spoke with the cockatrice and learned the general situation. Without Dia, we probably wouldn’t have figured it out this quickly. At the very least, we wouldn’t have been able to connect with the cockatrice.

“Let’s summarize. You two live here together, right?” (Elt)

“Piyo!” (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice nodded.

In summary, only two cockatrice sisters lived in this forest. The one in front of us was the elder sister, and the other was the younger one. Since birth, their parent cockatrice was not around, and the two of them had survived alone. Their nest was connected to the underground passage, which they used without really thinking about it.

They had lived like that for quite a long time, but things changed recently. The change was the appearance of the Flower Archers. Flower Archers attacked any moving creature. For that reason, their feeding grounds have been shrinking. So, they started using the underground passages to avoid the Flower Archers.

Then, one day, Dia appeared.

“Piyo, piyopiyo!” (Cockatrice)

“She said she recognized my voice immediately, piyo.” (Dia)

“Yeah, that makes sense…” (Elt)

Dia’s adorable voice is easy to hear. You’d notice it if she were speaking in the forest. So, they took turns scouting us out… that’s what happened.

“And where is the younger sister now? It’s safe for her to be away, right?” (Elt)

“Piyopiyopiyoyo~” (Cockatrice)

To Dia’s words, the cockatrice nodded.

“Piyopiyoyo, piyopiyo!” (Cockatrice)

“She’s guarding the feeding ground. She needs to head back soon, piyo.” (Dia)

“…Hmm.” (Elt)

Apparently, these cockatrices often used the underground passages.

If we could get them to explain the layout… But at this rate, that conversation would take time. And there’s still the issue of the Flower Archers.

Stella was looking at the cockatrice with some worry.

“…Elt-sama, these children…” (Stella)

“Yeah, don’t worry. We’ll do whatever we can.” (Elt)

This cockatrice risked itself to warn us earlier. It could have pretended not to know anything.

I feel like we can get along well with them, and it would be better if we did. In any case, if the Flower Archers keep multiplying, we’ll have to handle them ourselves. You can’t negotiate or reason with Flower Archers. If they keep spreading, they might even reach the village. We’ll have to face them at some point.

“…Are those flowers still around?” (Elt)

“…Piyopiyoyo.” (Cockatrice)

“There are still a lot, piyo.” (Dia)

“Got it.” (Elt)

I made my decision.

There is a cockatrice we can communicate with. There are Flower Archers that attack without warning. There’s no need to compare which one to help. Besides, neither Dia, Stella, nor Marcosias would want to abandon the cockatrice. I don’t either. I want to fluff more…

“Let’s defeat those flowers. So… can you lead us to the nest where your sister is?” (Elt)

 

Dia’s Notes from the Heart

Maru-chan loves fluff.

Her companions saw through her true form.

Maru-chan is mostly… a dog.

She walks and talks, but… a dog.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)