New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (8/10)

 

 

 

A Fearful Thing for Knights

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

After Lalatoma and Tetetoka finished talking, Lalatoma made a request to move to the village. It was unclear what kind of discussion they had, but it seemed Tetetoka had promoted the good points of the village. That was a good thing. An increase in residents through word of mouth from people actually living there proved that what I had done was not wrong.

Lalatoma’s eyes sparkled with expectation.

“Tetetoka-oneechan told me! We want to move to the surface too!” (Lalatoma)

“Ah, of course you are welcome.” (Elt)

“Thank you very much!” (Lalatoma)

The Large Tree Tower still had space. Lalatoma and the others decided to live in the tower. Although the floors would be separated, there was enough space for all the Dryads. Originally, Tetetoka’s and Lalatoma’s groups already knew each other, so living together was not a problem. They were rather happy to live together.

The underground Cockatrices were also going to live in the dormitory behind the Large Tree Tower. When they met the sisters, the Cockatrices hugged each other softly…

“Piyo ppi” (Nice to meet you) (Cockatrice)

“Piyo!” (Likewise!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyo ppi!” (Thank you!) (Cockatrice)

That was the kind of atmosphere.

Leia, the Piyo expert, who saw this scene, nodded and said…

“Cockatrices are gentle and think about their companions. They will get along well.” (Leia)

“Even when different groups join, no fighting occurs, right?” (Elt)

“That’s right! You know a lot!” (Leia)

“Hmm, I studied for Dia’s sake. Well, aside from glowing eyes, they do not seem to be particularly unusual Cockatrices.” (Elt)

“It seems their bodies were small due to food conditions, but they will grow larger eventually.” (Leia)

In any case, it is good that they seem likely to get along.

 

—

 

Oh yes, also the lion statue. It seems we can use the lion statue that was deactivated as we like. I asked this while kneading grass dumplings in the tower for friendship.

*Knead knead.*

*Knead knead knead.*

Tetetoka and Lalatoma do not seem to have a sense that the lion statue belongs to them.

Even when asked their opinion, neither of them seemed to understand the meaning.

“That statue was taken underground by Hime-sama and the Cockatrices.” (Tetetoka)

“It was there from the beginning. We didn’t do anything special!” (Lalatoma)

“So the Dryads are not involved.” (Elt)

Lalatoma’s way of making grass dumplings was very similar to Tetetoka’s. Their kneading rhythm was the same.

*Knead knead.*

“For now, I only saw them off.” (Lalatoma)

“I sometimes touched it, but that was all.” (Tetetoka)

“Hmm, if that is so, I will make good use of it. Thank you.” (Elt)

“No, no.” (Tetetoka)

“I am glad to be of help!” (Lalatoma)

That statue had considerable historical value. After analysis was complete, it would probably be taken to some museum or research institute. The Lion Knight statue might have been good to place in the new Adventurer Guild. I had thought that there were not enough eye-catching decorations. It was beautiful with its milky color, and it had been found underground in the territory. Yes, it did not seem bad.

Then, when arranging the timeline:

• At first, there was a magician called Hime-sama and Cockatrices.
• Tetetoka and the others moved to the place where the current forest is.
• Hime-sama and the Cockatrices made the lion statue.
• After the installation of the lion statue was completed, Hime-sama and the Cockatrices left.
• Later, Lalatoma and others moved in, unaware that Tetetoka and the others were there.

However, it was unknown how much time had passed between each event. For that reason, the Dryads did not remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The lion statue and underground space existed from when Lalatoma first began living here.” (Elt)

“Yes, that’s right. We don’t know Hime-sama or the Cockatrices.” (Lalatoma)

“Oh, so there was a little time difference.” (Elt)

“That’s right…” (Lalatoma)

If so, Lalatoma barely knew about the underground passage. It was complete when she came here on the queen’s orders.

“Were those Cockatrices there from the beginning?” (Elt)

“Yes. They lived underground before we came.” (Lalatoma)

“I see…” (Elt)

I would ask the Cockatrices about the situation, but the hope was low. There were three things learned from a quick investigation of the underground space. First, that space was artificially created with mana. It did not move even during earthquakes. Its safety was perfect. Second, there was a quietly continuing passage leading further inside. This would be investigated later. Lalatoma rarely went to that area and did not know what was there. Third, at the corner of the underground space was the root of the Flower Castle. It had been gnawed and was already dead. It seemed to have been food for the Cockatrices.

“If that is so, Hime-sama is the key person after all.” (Elt)

“That seems to be the case.” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka spoke while eating the finished grass dumplings.

*Munch munch.*

This was a familiar sight. This would reduce the number of finished pieces by about half, but in a way, it was reassuring. However, Lalatoma, who saw Tetetoka sneak a taste of the grass dumplings, raised a voice of surprise.

“Onee-chan…!? You did that even in front of people other than us!?” (Lalatoma)

“I do it. Gulp. This is delicious.” (Tetetoka)

“Ehh… but in front of other people…” (Lalatoma)

“No, you don’t need to worry. I am used to it too.” (Elt)

Saying that, I also took some of the grass dumplings I had made and ate them. Surprisingly, they were delicious. Without a doubt, it was the Dryad way, and if done elsewhere, it would have caused trouble.

“See, Elt-sama understands Dryads, right?” (Tetetoka)

“I feel like you are too familiar with them.” (Lalatoma)

“Well, I won’t deny that…” (Elt)

But eating what is just finished myself, this feeling of guilt, is surprisingly hard to stop. Yes… it is similar to putting hot water into a cup ramen at midnight in my previous life and eating it as is.

*Munch munch…*

“Lalatoma, eat too, okay?” (Tetetoka)

“Ha wa… I never thought I could do this even in front of others.” (Lalatoma)

However, once she started eating, she could not stop. Lalatoma ended up eating half of the grass dumplings she made.

First, has the ice broken? Well, to get along with Dryads, just naturally follow their customs.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, on the north side of the village, a group of knights raised dust as they approached the village. They were the Black Dragon Knight Order. One of the Seven Great Knight Orders of the kingdom. They were an unquestionably prestigious knight order.

The knights spoke to the big man running at the front.

“Soon, we will reach Healberry Village. I heard your younger brother and Stella are there…!” (Knight)

“Now is the time for revenge. S-rank adventurers are easy to handle! Surely Sir Tristan must have lost by using unfair means!” (Knight)

“We, the prestigious knights who can even defeat dragons…! Together with the next captain, we will rewrite this humiliating history!” (Knight)

Their words showed passionate bloodlust. Furthermore, those knights spoke as if recklessly charging ahead was appropriate. However, the lead knight, Elt’s older brother Berzel, tilted his head slightly and restrained the knights’ enthusiasm.

“Being spirited is not bad, but we are only stopping by during our mission. We must not be rude.” (Berzel)

“Yes… but we will definitely…” (Knight)

“I have a bad feeling. That Stella might really be strong, don’t you think?” (Knight)

“She must be exaggerated! If even half of the legend is true, she would be a monster… such a human cannot exist.” (Knight)

The knights nodded all at once. Then, they continued.

“No monster other than Cockatrices can resist our magic and swords!” (Knight)

“That’s right… except for those terrifying Cockatrices whose fur even repels mithril, they are not worth fearing…!” (Knight)

“Yes, other than Cockatrices that rarely appear near human villages, we will definitely win!” (Knight)

Cockatrices blocked almost all magic. Moreover, they were very strong against physical attacks. Their attack power was lower than dragons, but they were tough. For that reason, Cockatrices were nearly impossible to defeat with normal attacks. For nobles, Cockatrices were actually more fearful opponents than dragons.

There was also a certain training in the process of becoming a knight. It was spending one night in the forest where Cockatrices lived. This was feared greatly by noble children. For that reason, magic did not work on Cockatrices, and swords were useless. Since they had knowledge, they could not stop trembling.

Cockatrices were gentle, but the idea of them being nearby caused instinctive fear and a sense of biological disparity. That was the training. This was the so-called “Cockatrice Test.” Although these knights had never fought Cockatrices, their stories and combat abilities were thoroughly taught.

Listening to the knights’ words, Berzel said one thing.

“Hmm, well… don’t get too worked up.” (Berzel)

They did not yet know that they were about to enter the Cockatrices’ paradise.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)