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

New Idea

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The cockatrice sisters enter the workshop. They looked like they were fired up for some reason. Since I dealt with Dia often, I could somewhat tell. Or rather, everything they were thinking showed right on their faces.

“They want to work… huh… I appreciate the thought, but…” (Elt)

Still, how should I put it? They can’t speak with normal people, and we can’t let them do dangerous work.

“…Not okay, piyo?” (Dia)

“Hmm… Leia, do cockatrices have any particular talents? I only know Dia and these sisters.” (Elt)

“There are various things. Cockatrices have both stamina and strength, and they can run fast… They’re far superior to horses.” (Leia)

“Better than horses? That’s impressive.” (Elt)

Now that she mentions it, Stella did talk about this before. A grown cockatrice has power. If one hugs you, you should go limp. Also, don’t jump out in front of one while it’s running. You’ll get launched. Well, generally speaking, monsters are more powerful than animals of the same size. If they weren’t, they’d be no different from bears or boars. That’s part of being a supernatural lifeform, a monster.

While I was thinking, Anaria timidly spoke up.

“Then, how about watering duties? Like with the vegetables or dryads.” (Anaria)

“Ah… that’s a good idea. They live behind the Large Tree Tower anyway. If they’ve got decent strength, that would help. Dia, can you tell the sisters?” (Elt)

“Piyo! Piyopiyo, piyo!” (Dia)

“Piyopiyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Pipiyo!” (Cockatrice)

“She says, ‘Got it,’ piyo!” (Dia)

“Then, let’s talk with Tetetoka about it tomorrow. It’d be too sudden otherwise, and we need some coordination. That okay?” (Elt)

I had Dia pass the message to the cockatrice sisters, and they gave us the okay.

It’s good they’re motivated. Living a lazy life probably isn’t healthy. They’ve slimmed down a bit, but gaining too much weight would also be bad.

After that, we made some ignition potions and produced medicinal herbs, and the day ended. That included transportation, we had most of it figured out by then. All that was left was for the apothecaries to produce the rest.

That evening, a random conversation led to the topic of hats. Meanwhile, Dia and Maru-chan were practicing “piyo” language again. Judging from the earlier exchange, the road ahead still looked long.

“Your hat slips off… huh.” (Anaria)

Without stopping her hands, Anaria speaks to Leia. It seemed the two were acquainted from Zanzas, so it was to talk to each other.

“Wouldn’t a chin strap work?” (Anaria)

“From Dia’s perspective, it looks like the neck is being strangled.” (Leia)

“…Ah, I see… Hmm, then how about fixing it in place with a fluffy fur band?” (Anaria)

“That’s it…!” (Leia)

Leia gives a big thumbs-up.

“Anaria, you’re still great at coming up with ideas. Like with the material for this hat…!” (Leia)

“I-I can’t guarantee it’ll work though…” (Anaria)

“Let’s try making it tonight. If the hat comes off, we’re treated as dead.” (Leia)

Leia excitedly shared her plan. They were really going to do it that night. She was energetic. At that point, I had one question, but I didn’t voice it. It was a very fundamental one.

Why had they started wearing cockatrice hats in the first place…?

 

—

 

Meanwhile, in the village square, Stella stood before the newly arrived adventurers. She held a wooden stick and wore a helmet also made of wood.

(…This doesn’t suit me…) (Stella)

Even so, Stella was here because Leia asked her. This was a sort of speech. Or maybe a mental boost. A boost of baseball spirit. Beside Stella stood Wood and several middle-aged adventurers. The baseball trainees were all lined up.

Ten of the new adventurers had gone off on a scouting mission, so the 40 remaining ones stood before her. Facing an S-rank adventurer like Stella, they were all tense. Stella spoke to the lined-up adventurers. Her voice wasn’t rough, but it carried clearly.

“Um… I believe all of you here have at least some experience fighting Flower Archers. Of course, as adventurers, everyone has their own fighting style. I won’t interfere with that.” (Stella)

Stella slowly raised the wooden stick.

“However… for safety, I believe it wouldn’t hurt to learn the basics of evasion and defense. So, today we’ll be throwing balls.” (Stella)

Flower Archers attack by shooting seeds. No one here would lose in a one-on-one fight. The real threat was when they were surrounded by Flower Archers. When they fired in rows, that became quite dangerous. Today’s training was designed to prepare them for that kind of situation. It was to train both eyes and reflexes.

“We have the balls here, nya!” (Nyaff)

“Thank you.” (Stella)

Many Nyaff brought baskets filled with balls. Stella picked up one and gripped it tightly.

“…These balls are fairly soft, but still…” (Stella)

She stepped a little away from Wood, who stood beside her, and lightly wound up. She mimicked a Flower Archer’s projectile. Not too fast, not too slow. Stella used only her arm strength to throw the ball. A *bashin* sound rang out as Wood caught it.

Some adventurers gulped. That soft-looking ball had been thrown lightly… yet it had clearly reached the same speed as a Flower Archer’s shot. That was around 100 kilometers per hour. It was an astounding physical feat. If she threw seriously, even a soft ball could kill someone. Of course, a Flower Archer’s shots were no joke either. If it hit the head or torso critically, injury was unavoidable. Avoiding and blocking them was definitely better.

““…Gulp.”” (Adventurers)

“Ugougo, good ball!” (Wood)

“You’re welcome…! Alright, I’ll keep throwing like this. The adventurers on this side are fairly decent throwers, so pair up and practice together.” (Stella)

““Yes, ma’am!”” (Adventurers)

One of the middle-aged adventurers mumbled happily.

“Heh, who’d have thought throwing balls would come in handy like this…” (Adventurer)

“…It really is surprising.” (Adventurer)

“Your energy’s low, nya. What’s wrong, nya?” (Nyaff)

“…It’s just a little disappointing. I know it’s rare as a strategy, but still.” (Adventurer)

“Hmm, can’t be helped, nya.” (Nyaff)

Despite this many adventurers showing up, Stella felt just a little unsatisfied. Of course, she knew it was wishful thinking. But still, she had hoped… and it didn’t happen.

“…Not a single person tried to hit the shots back.” (Stella)

 

Flower Archer Kill Rate

Scouting team confirmed kills +1%

Total Kill Rate: 5%

 

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