New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (7/10 chapters)

 

 

Age

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After that, I finished the meeting with Leia and showed her the Cockatrices’ dwelling.

The Cockatrice sisters love interacting with people, so it was fine. Currently, Stella, Leia, and I were at the Cockatrices’ dwelling. Dia got tired from all the excitement and was napping at home. Leia was surprised while being sandwiched between the Cockatrice sisters. She was surprised that we could talk with the Cockatrices.

“…You can talk with the Cockatrices…?!” (Leia)

“Y-yes…” (Elt)

“Piyo, piyoyo—” (Younger Sister, why is this human mimicking one of us?) (Cockatrice Sister A)

“Piyoyo, piyo.” (Probably because it’s cold. Just like how we wear straw when it’s cold.)

Cockatrice Sister B)

“Piyopiyo… piyo.” (Humans don’t have feathers… looks cold.) (Cockatrice Sister A)

“Piyopiyo.” (They have no feathers because they were abandoned by the gods.) (Cockatrice ister B)

“Piyo!” (Just like how they have no hair!) (Cockatrice Sister A)

The Cockatrice sisters were also fussing over Leia.

Without Dia, I have no idea what they’re saying. Leia looks like she’s having fun, though.

“Is it because Dia is a Cockatrice Queen that she can talk with them…?” (Leia)

“There might be other countries where Tamer Skills allow communication, right?” (Elt)

In that country, Cockatrices weren’t raised. However, I had heard that in other countries, they could be kept. If one acquired a Tamer Skill, communication should have been possible, though how much it allowed remained unclear. In the game, there had only been growth bonuses and stat boosts.

Incidentally, I had said that Stella had the [Cockatrice Tamer] skill. But I hadn’t mentioned that she had obtained it recently. I had claimed she got it before being turned into a statue. It was better not to reveal skill details too easily.

“Yes, but acquiring a Tamer Skill is classified information. It’s not easily known.” (Leia)

“True. That can’t be helped.” (Elt)

“Yes… indeed.” (Leia)

Stella, your eyes are darting a bit.

“We’ve ordered materials for Cockatrice breeding, but since they’re from abroad, it may take some time. Unfortunately, we don’t have any such materials ourselves…” (Leia)

“Ah, it’s fine. It can’t be helped if it takes time. It would be helpful if you had documents about the Cockatrice Queen as well.” (Elt)

“The Cockatrice Queen would be difficult… Only legends and myths exist, I think.” (Leia)

“I thought so…” (Elt)

There’s little hope for that kind of information. Still, just being able to get some Cockatrice breeding materials is good enough.

After that, Leia headed to the lodging.

I brought her because she claims to have a doctorate in magical zoology (specializing in Cockatrices), but I’m convinced now. Leia definitely got her doctorate because she loves Cockatrices to death…

 

—

 

That night. Leia and her secretary were having a meeting at the lodging. The secretary shared her honest impression with Leia.

“…This is my first time visiting this village, but it’s truly surprising. Everything about this great tree is Elt-sama’s magic.” (Secretary)

“Yeah, and his magic seems to have grown even stronger. He’s in a league of his own compared to other nobles his age.” (Leia)

“His demeanor didn’t seem like that of a fifteen-year-old either… So, how was the meeting?” (Secretary)

When the secretary asked, Leia pulled out a small Cockatrice plush from her bag.

She then began to slowly knead it with both hands.

Kneading it slowly… with both hands.

If Leia starts touching the Cockatrice plush, beware. It means a major issue.

The two-handed kneading indicates an even more serious situation.

“…Gulp.” (Secretary)

“The underground passage will be investigated jointly. If the conclusion is to seal it, he said he’ll follow that.” (Leia)

“Did he really say that? A fifteen-year-old noble? That’s incredibly composed.” (Secretary)

“Yeah, he answered clearly while we were alone. He’s quite the calculating lord.” (Leia)

The secretary thought…

Usually, a noble’s pride and arrogance correlate with their magic power. The reason is simple. With magic, you can distort reality. That leads to a sense of omnipotence, and they start to look down on others. Elt-sama’s thoughts are quite rare for someone with such magical power at age fifteen. Despite discovering something as historically significant as the underground passage.

Leia probably had the same impression. She nodded quietly.

“Rather than an ambitious youth, he behaves like a conservative middle-aged noble. Sometimes I even feel he’s in my age group.” (Leia)

“I see… So, he has that much capacity.” (Secretary)

“Yes, and he’s sharp too. He agreed to help with the Flower Archer subjugation, but he gave us one condition.” (Leia)

“What kind of condition…?” (Secretary)

“To hand over the boss’s materials. In exchange, he’ll fight on the front lines.” (Leia)

The secretary frowned.

“He wants to inspect our performance on the front line?” (Secretary)

“Probably. The boss materials are just a bonus… He worded it well. He wants to assess whether we’re worth working with.” (Leia)

Leia sighed while kneading the plush.

“As expected of the heir of the ‘Wise Serpent’, the Nagash Household. I thought he was just sent to develop a neglected territory…” (Leia)

“He’s involved in the successor dispute…? Aren’t his three older brothers much older than him?” (Secretary)

“Yes. All three are married and have children. They’re more than ten years older. Normally, Elt-sama wouldn’t even be in the running. Also, his magic isn’t suited for reclaiming the Sanctuary either…” (Leia)

There, Leia stopped talking.

“…I’ve said too much. We shouldn’t dig too deeply into noble affairs. For us, it’s more than enough that Elt-sama is trustworthy and capable.” (Leia)

“Indeed… We should focus fully on the Flower Archer and the underground passage.” (Secretary)

“Yes. I told Elt-sama it would take a week, but I’d like to shorten that by at least a day.” (Leia)

Leia tilted her head. Something about the plush didn’t sit right with her.

“Hmm, the Cockatrice sisters’ belly area was a bit different… This one lacks the ‘mofumofu’ feel. I need to improve this. I have to finish up the Flower Archer quickly so I can cuddle them again and memorize the texture.” (Leia)

“…Your inner thoughts are leaking out. So shortening the timeline is to play afterward?” (Secretary)

“Making Cockatrice plushies isn’t playing.” (Leia)

“W-well… I suppose so…” (Secretary)

Leia let go of the plush and got fired up.

“Alright, I’ve built the plan with Elt-sama included. Time to write it down!” (Leia)

“That was fast!” (Secretary)

Leia clenched her fist with determination.

“Let’s finish quickly and investigate the Cockatrices and the underground passage!” (Leia)

 

—

 

The next morning. Leia brought the Flower Archer subjugation plan to the house. She was intense for this early in the morning. I was the only one awake. I brought her to the living room and looked over the plan.

Hmm… my role is written in clearly.

“All we need are ignition potions and shields, huh?” (Elt)

Ignition potions were attack potions. When thrown, they briefly ignited the target. They were especially effective against plant-type monsters. A person could throw them too, so they were handy even in the game. They were easy to make but didn’t keep long, so I never stocked up.

“One hundred units… I think we can get that much, but it won’t be enough.” (Elt)

There should be over a thousand enemies.

As for shields, any material was acceptable. If wood was fine, I could make them with plant magic.

“There’s no issue. If you prepare that much, we’ll use it well.” (Leia)

I see… The plan says…

Lure the enemies while attacking them with ignition potions. Set traps at key points to whittle them down… The shields act as defense barriers. They’ll protect us from the Flower Archer’s projectiles.

Hmm… at a glance, it seems solid. Is this like the Battle of Nagashino? Defend well and strike with high firepower. That battle also used field fortifications and arquebuses. The plan even includes terrain and supply notes. She wasn’t bluffing when she said it’d be done in a week.

…Also, today, Leia is wearing her Cockatrice hat again. Now it has a chin strap. She must’ve added it last night. That’ll keep it from slipping, I guess.

While we were discussing, Dia and Stella came into the living room.

Dia saw the Cockatrice hat with the chin strap.

“Piyo. Your neck is strangled, piyo…!?” (Dia)

“I see, it looks that way.” (Elt)

“Is it not painful, piyo? Are you alive, piyo?” (Dia)

“…It didn’t work, huh?” (Leia)

Hmm… chin strap is a no-go. Do your best to keep it from slipping yourself…

 

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