New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/10 chapters)

 

 

Cockatrice over Origin

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The dish that looked like Hoikoro was finished in no time. Especially Dia and Marcosias ate a large amount. Marcosias usually eats little, but I think she ate more than an average person this time.

Maybe both Dia and Marcosias like mildly spicy fried dishes. Indeed, such mildly spicy dishes are rare in this world. French-style cuisine dominates, so at most there is garlic, onion, and salt and pepper for spiciness.

“…By the way, what is the name of this dish?” (Elt)

“It is called Mimosa stir-fry. It is named after a plant whose leaves fold small when touched…” (Stella)

“Ah, you’re making a pun on taking ingredients out of the pan and putting them back in.” (Elt)

I nodded in understanding.

Hoikoro literally means ‘meat taken out and put back into the pan’. So, it’s the same kind of idea.

“You are quite perceptive… Elt-sama, are you interested in cooking as well?” (Stella)

“Hmm… well, yes. Plant magic and cooking are closely connected. When I was at my parents’ house, I read some books and practiced cooking to some extent. It wasn’t Elf cuisine, but I ate spicy dishes. This level of spiciness is okay for me.” (Elt)

The spicy dishes I just mentioned are Chinese food. I had to mix fact and fiction when talking about this, but it should make sense.

“I see…! I thought it was probably okay since I arranged that Mimosa stir-fry…” (Stella)

“Could it be originally spicier?” (Elt)

Traditional Sichuan-style Hoikoro includes chili peppers. It was actually a very spicy dish. Compared to that, Stella’s Mimosa stir-fry was quite mild. I supposed Stella adjusted the spice level.

“Yes, yes! That’s right! Before becoming a wooden statue, when I served it directly to adventurers, it was apparently too spicy.” (Stella)

“I can imagine…” (Elt)

“The Mimosa stir-fry is the only dish I practiced to make less spicy… yes.” (Stella)

Stella’s hard work really hits home. The taste of home. Because of emotional attachment, it is sad when it is not accepted. I gave up trying to reproduce Japanese food in this world. I think I understand Stella’s feelings to some extent.

“Piyo, I’m full piyo.” (Dia)

“I ate a lot too…” (Marcosias)

“Ugo ugo, it was delicious!” (Wood)

“It looks like they finished eating everything…” (Stella)

Stella was deeply moved.

Of course, Stella’s own cooking skills were also a factor. She was definitely at the professional chef level. It was really lucky that someone like her could cook Chinese food. I decided to try to find out more about Elf cuisine from Stella. If I succeeded, it might become a local specialty in the village. If others could share it, Stella might be able to eat authentic Elf cuisine more often. It was all good.

“We really should give thanks to the Gods.” (Elt)

Stella nodded with a smile at my words.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, at that time, Leia was trying to activate a magical device in the study at home. The magical device looked like an ordinary crystal ball at first glance. Several cables were attached, and many magical stones as mana sources were set inside.

The ninja present swallowed hard. The ninja knew.

That crystal ball was a national treasure-class magical device, possession and activation allowed only for the Grand Master. It was rarely found in ancient ruins, and its brokenly powerful feature was that crystal balls of the same type could communicate remotely.

It consumed a tremendous amount of mana. One magical stone worth a gold coin was needed every minute, but if necessary, there was no choice but to use it.

“…You are on time, Master Leia.” (Zem)

A stout white-haired man appeared on the crystal ball. The resolution was not high, but that was the power of the crystal ball. This white-haired man was Zem, the Grand Master of the Adventurer Guild headquarters. He was said to have influence comparable to a small country’s king. Though it was through the crystal ball, he certainly gave off an intimidating presence. The ninja noticed his heart rate rising.

“Long time no see, Master Zem.” (Leia)

Leia answered casually, without any pressure. She thought this level of courtesy was enough among adventurers of the same rank. Of course, she was wearing her cockatrice hat. And out of sight of the crystal ball, she was squeezing a cockatrice plush toy with both hands.

Unwavering. Completely unwavering.

“…I will not mention that strange hat. The crystal ball consumes a lot of mana. Let us get to the main topic. I have received all your documents…” (Zem)

“Was there some mistake?” (Leia)

“No mistakes. That is not the problem.” (Zem)

When he said that, Leia closed her mouth for a moment. Then, she immediately thought of what the problem might be.

“…Is it something about Elt-sama?” (Leia)

“Exactly. It seems there is quite a stir among the upper nobles of the royal capital. This is reliable information.” (Zem)

“I don’t understand. Please get to the point.” (Leia)

*Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze*

Her hands squeezed the cockatrice plush toy faster.

“Hmm… Do you know about Elt Nagash-sama’s mother?” (Zem)

“Only lightly from the documents. She disappeared from the Nagash Household immediately after giving birth to Elt-sama… literally vanished without leaving a name. Probably, the mother is another noble lady with some circumstances.” (Leia)

Leia was quite confident in this guess.

It was sometimes the case for nobles that one parent’s name simply disappeared. There were two possible patterns. Either the child was born to a commoner, or to nobles whose relationship was not permitted. However, since he had been entrusted with the territory at fifteen years old, his mother must also have had a certain lineage. If that had not been the case, those around him would not have recognized such leadership.

So it was very likely that the noble lady who could not be recorded in official documents was Elt’s mother. She had left no name behind and could not become a formal wife, which meant there was a significant reason. She might have been from one of the other five great noble families that were rivals, or perhaps a princess from another country, which could even have caused a diplomatic issue. In any case, there was a mystery about Elt’s origin.

“That is basically correct. Elt Nagash-sama’s mother is–…” (Zem)

 

—

 

After hearing Master Zem’s story, Leia sighed. The ninja present deeply regretted being there for this conversation. He wished he could erase his memory of it.

There was no need to ask why the Adventurer Guild had obtained such critical information. They simply had that much power and influence, enough to infiltrate even the highest-ranking nobles, which was dizzying.

“…So, what do you want me to do?” (Leia)

“The investigation of the underground passage this time. Even if something is found, the upper nobles will not intervene due to the matter of origin. However, the middle and lower nobles who do not know the situation will not understand. But you must not retreat at all.” (Zem)

“You want me to handle everything here? Well, that’s fine…” (Leia)

“If anyone is rude, rough measures are unavoidable. Keep that in mind.” (Zem)

“Understood. If that is the headquarters’ policy.” (Leia)

“You are unusual, but you have the pride of an adventurer. Then…” (Zem)

“Wait.” (Leia)

Saying that, Leia suddenly pulled the strings of her cockatrice hat.

*Piyo*

A gentle voice echoed.

“W-what are you doing, degozaru?!” (Ninja)

The ninja shouted without thinking. The cockatrice’s cry was clearly out of place. Naturally, from beyond the crystal ball, Zem’s voice mixed with exasperation and anger came back.

“…What is this, are you joking?” (Zem)

“No, it’s well made, isn’t it?” (Leia)

“A cockatrice’s cry, huh. That is… wait. It really is well made.” (Zem)

Zem put his hand to his chin and thought behind the crystal ball. After a few seconds like that, he nodded with great interest.

“Have you reproduced it? The cry of a cockatrice?” (Zem)

“There are not many patterns yet, but yes.” (Leia)

“…Cockatrices are gentle but strong monsters. There are many monsters that run away or change their behavior patterns just by their cries. If you can artificially produce cockatrice cries… you could influence monster behavior.” (Zem)

“Eh…?!” (Leia)

“Very perceptive, thank you.” (Zem)

“Send samples to headquarters. It would be difficult to verify only on your end.” (Zem)

“Yes, I appreciate how quickly you respond.” (Leia)

Then, Zem sighed deeply. Shaking his head, with a tone resembling resignation, he said,

“By the way, can’t you play those cries from a box like a music box…?” (Zem)

“No, that won’t do. Now, ending communication.” (Leia)

Leia touched the crystal ball, and Zem’s figure disappeared. The communication ended, and Leia buried her face in the cockatrice plush.

“…Hmm. It was more serious than I thought.” (Leia)

“I already want some stomach medicine, degozaru.” (Ninja)

“This is when it gets interesting. Helping set up the Adventurer Guild branch, increasing cockatrice goods… hehe.” (Leia)

Leia looked truly happy. The ninja sighed in disbelief but knew this was why everyone admired Leia.

No matter what happens, move forward. Even Stella, who is from a different era, does so. This is how an adventurer should be.

 

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