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

 

 

A Day Off (2)

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At the same time…

In front of the Large Tree Tower, the soil baths were very popular. Today the sunlight was strong, so it was not very cold even outdoors. While the Dryads were happily buried in the earth, Anaria was also enjoying the soil bath in the women’s area.

“Ah, this is nice… It feels like it’s working deep inside my body…” (Anaria)

“…It’s nice, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Next to her, Iskamina was also lying face down in the soil bath. She had completely adapted.

“So, Iskamina, you said you were going to improve the soil bath, right? How is it? Will it get even better?” (Anaria)

“That’s right, mogu… The current problem is that it’s outdoors, so comfort depends on the weather, mogu.” (Iskamina)

The soil bath area was expanded, but the main purpose was for the Dryads’ use. The Dryads didn’t care about rain or shine. They entered the soil bath regardless.

There was, of course, a soil bath with a roof for rain protection. However, it was just a structure with pillars and a roof placed on top. So, it was useless against sideways rain. Moreover, the Dryads prioritized sunlight over the roof, so they had not increased the number of rain-protected soil baths much.

“Watering with a watering can is one thing, but being exposed to the rain is too difficult for amateurs.” (Anaria)

“Instead of just a roof, it would be good to make a wheeled enclosure, mogu. That way, it could be set up and moved as needed, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“Ah, I see…” (Anaria)

Originally, the soil bath’s purpose was to infuse the Dryads’ power. They regularly dug it up and used it as fertilizer for plants, but if it was all indoors, the effort to move soil increased. That related to plant cultivation, so it was a difficult problem.

“For now, a movable roof might be good.” (Anaria)

“I’ll draw up plans at night and propose it after the holiday, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“I’ll help too, of course…” (Anaria)

As the two relaxed, Tetetoka came toddling over. She was carrying a tray with grass dumplings instead of a watering can now. She was selling grass dumplings by walking around.

“Hello! Would you like some grass dumplings? Freshly made by the Dryads, they’re delicious!” (Tetetoka)

“I’ll eat some!” (Anaria)

“I’ll have one too, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“Sure, sure! Thanks as always!” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka stopped right beside the two. She took grass dumplings and fed them to the two.

*Mochi mochi*

Just the right amount of elasticity. And a faint sweetness spread in their mouths.

“Ah, delicious…” (Anaria)

“Dryad style is good, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“You’re welcome! I’ll bring tropical juice next, so wait for it!” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka toddled away. Other Dryads were also walking around selling grass dumplings, but… watching that, Iskamina felt a little curious.

“…By the way, Dryads don’t rest, mogu?” (Iskamina)

“Ah, well, that’s because–…” (Anaria)

Anaria explained.

Dryads didn’t have much concept of holidays. They rested as soon as they got tired and ate on the spot when hungry. They lacked the modern idea of working divided by time. However, they were skilled at rotating work properly among themselves. Therefore, Elt let the Dryads be free. The Dryads were very satisfied with that.

“That’s the reason. Actually, they do rest in rotation.” (Anaria)

“I see, mogu. Freedom, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“That must suit them better. By the way, tropical juice, huh… Ugh, it’s sweet and delicious, isn’t it?” (Anaria)

“It’s a holiday, so I’ll drink it, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Anaria did not answer immediately but spoke after a moment.

“…There is one problem.” (Anaria)

“What is it, mogu?” (Iskamina)

Anaria whispered.

“I might be in trouble with my weight…” (Anaria)

 

—

 

Behind the Large Tree Tower, at the recently built second plaza.

It was surrounded simply by a net, and the ground was covered with grass. When Marcosias, Dia, and the Cockatrice sisters appeared in the second plaza, many people were already sweating. By the way, Marcosias wore a wooden helmet made by Elt and a light armor worn over it. Dia and the Cockatrice sisters also wore wooden helmets made by Elt. Their defense was perfect.

“Oh! Everyone is already doing it!” (Marcosias)

“Piyo! There’s a ball, piyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Piyo!” (Sounds fun!) (Cockatrice Sister)

“Piyo piyo!” (I wonder if we can do it too!) (Cockatrice Sister)

In the second plaza, something more like serious baseball was being played. Of course, it was not actually baseball. However, they swung wooden sticks fully and hit a ball tied with a string. Or they threw a ball to each other wearing gloves. Modern people would probably think it was practice for amateur baseball.

The first plaza had Nyaff tribe members and elderly herbalists strolling around. Honestly, it was dangerous to throw or hit balls seriously there. By contrast, the second plaza was a place for serious athletes. It had nets and was away from houses. They could play at full power there.

Of course, since it was serious, everyone was protected by wooden helmets and armor.

“They have arrived…!” (Leia)

“Good timing, we just finished a round.” (Adventurer)

The two who ran over were none other than Leia and the adventurer in his thirties. Marcosias and Dia bowed to them. Seeing that, the Cockatrice sisters also bowed.

“Thank you for today!” (Marcosias)

“Nice to meet you, piyo!” (Dia)

““Piyo!”” (Cockatrice Sisters)

“We welcome you as well. Let’s have fun without injuries.” (Adventurer)

“I’ve only been giving orders lately and have gotten rusty. Let’s move our bodies together.” (Leia)

The adventurer in his thirties was the organizer of the second plaza. Since they were older, it was said they were forced into the role… However, recently, this age was oddly fun for hitting and throwing. Of course, after finishing, it was routine to enter the soil bath and refresh.

Leia’s purpose was more to relieve lack of exercise. Still, she wondered if this exercise could be introduced in Zanzas as well. It was also a Stella brand. By the way, Leia wore a wooden helmet over her Cockatrice hat. Nobody knew where to start questioning that, so no one did.

“…By the way, you can actually hold the ball and bat, right?” (Adventurer)

Looking at Dia and the Cockatrices, the adventurer in his thirties said with a little worry.

“It’s okay, piyo. I can hold them with mana, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yes, no need to worry!” (Marcosias)

Marcosias took several balls from his pocket and crouched to hand them to Dia. Dia gathered mana at the tip of her wing and bounced the balls like juggling. For Dia now, this was no trouble at all. By the way, the Cockatrice sisters could do the same. Essentially, Cockatrices are very strong creatures…

“Ah, amazing… I’m impressed.” (Adventurer)

“…That’s incredible mana. As expected from the children of Elt-sama and Stella-sama…!” (Leia)

“Thank you, piyo!” (Dia)

And so, everyone began practicing baseball together.

 

—

 

Several hours later. The setting sun dyed the earth a crimson color. A Cockatrice costume was walking from behind the village. It was Nana, an S-rank adventurer.

“Alright… I should be arriving at the village soon.” (Nana)

She had parted from the carriage a little while ago and was walking toward the landmark large tree. The direction should be correct–…

“Hm? What is this net?” (Nana)

Nana tilted her head at the net stretched in front of her. Perhaps it was to keep animals away. What was more curious was that a leather-like ball was caught in it…

Then, a strange something wearing a wooden helmet passed by. It was small and chirped “piyo piyo”. It was walking while looking at the ground as if searching for something. Slowly, it approached here.

“Piyo. The ball should have flown around here, piyo.” (Dia)

“Eh…?” (Nana)

Nana recognized it for the first time as she got closer. It was a small Cockatrice. Probably a child. Moreover, it was a Cockatrice that spoke in a human-like way, which was unusual.

“A Cockatrice is talking…?” (Nana)

Nana honestly expressed her surprise. This was natural. The information given to Nana was only about the village and the underground passage. There was nothing written about Dia.

The moment Nana spoke up, Dia also looked up and noticed Nana in the costume.

“Are you a friend, piyo? …Did you see the ball, piyo?” (Dia)

“If it’s the leather ball, it’s here…” (Nana)

Nana answered without thinking. So the Cockatrice was looking for the ball caught in this net…

*Poke, poke*

Nana poked the ball caught in the net with the wingtip of the costume. The ball fell from the net and rolled at Dia’s feet. Seeing that, Dia jumped up with joy.

“Nice, piyo! Thanks, piyo!” (Dia)

“…Y-your welcome.” (Nana)

For now, not really understanding what was going on, Nana answered politely. There seemed to be no hostility. Rather, it was friendly. This was S-rank adventurer Nana. It was the encounter with the first villager, Dia.

 

Territory Information

Name: Healberry Village

Special Facilities: Adventurer Guild (temporary), Large Tree Tower (with soil baths)

Visitors +1 (Nana in Cockatrice costume)

Total Population: 156

Tourism Level: D (soil baths)

Fishing Level: D (Rainbow Fish breeding)

Ranch Level: D (Cockatrice sisters)

Demon Lord Level: F (protecting a Demon)

 

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