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

 

 

Being Carried

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

…And so, we ended up being carried by the Cockatrice.

Well, it is an impassioned request.

For now, it started with Marcosias and Stella.

The Cockatrice stood behind the two of them. Then, it slipped its wings under their armpits and lifted them up.

It looks kind of like when you carry a cat…

“Ohhh! This is amazing! So fluffy!” (Marcosias)

“Waaah…! This is wonderful!” (Stella)

“Piyo!” (Look at me!) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrice’s height was about the same as Stella’s. And in terms of power, it was no slouch either. It looked like it was easily carrying the two of them.

“How is it, piyo? It feels good, right, piyo?” (Dia)

“Yes, being held like this is a special feeling… It’s something you can’t get just by hugging.” (Stella)

Stella’s cheeks relaxed.

It’s like when she fluffs Dia after a bath. In other words, that’s how blissful this is.

“How about Wood and Elt-sama too?” (Stella)

“Ugo… I…” (Wood)

Hm? Unusually, Wood trailed off. That almost never happened. Wood usually plays with Dia on his body too, and he doesn’t dislike the Cockatrice… I don’t think that’s it… Is there something going on?

I approached Wood and asked him in a low voice.

“…Is something wrong?” (Elt)

“Ugo… You won’t laugh?” (Wood)

“I won’t laugh.” (Elt)

Wood answered hesitantly.

This is even more unusual… It might be the first time.

“I’m scared… Ugo…” (Wood)

“You mean… the Cockatrice?” (Elt)

When I asked that, Wood shook his head vigorously.

“Ugo, not that…” (Wood)

This time, Wood looked down and stared intently at the ground. His eyes were focused right at his feet. That was when it clicked.

Could it be… but it makes sense.

“You’re afraid of being off the ground…?” (Elt)

“U-Ugo…” (Wood)

Come to think of it, Wood was two meters tall. And he isn’t the type to jump or fly around. Treemen aren’t good with that kind of thing…

Stella might be light enough to be carried, but because of her height, no one ever brought it up. Even though he was a child, he’d never been treated that way.

Maybe that’s why…

“M-Mm, it’s okay now.” (Stella)

Saying that, Stella had the Cockatrice set her down. Then, she quietly came over next to Wood and smiled gently.

“It’s okay! This is really fun!” (Stella)

“Ugo ugo… Okaa-san?” (Wood)

“Piyo… Could it be, Kaa-sama…?” (Dia)

“Yes, I’ll lift you up.” (Stella)

Stella grabbed onto Wood firmly.

That’s right. If she doesn’t carry Wood now, what kind of parent would she be? Stella is doing everything she can. I have to do my part too!

I set Dia down on the ground and reached out to Wood.

“I’ll help lift you too…!” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, but…” (Wood)

“It’s not dangerous. I’m right here with you.” (Stella)

That line was incredibly reassuring.

“Okay, here we go… Up you go!” (Stella)

“Heave…!” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo… I’m floating…!” (Wood)

With a slight cue from Stella, Wood lifted off a bit.

Just a little, maybe ten centimeters…?

By the way, I was also lending a hand, but it didn’t feel like any weight was on me.

“How is it?” (Stella)

“Ugo ugo…! This might be fun.” (Wood)

*lutter flutter.*

Wood lightly kicked his feet. It wasn’t that he disliked it. It looked like he was just confirming that his feet weren’t touching the ground.

“Right? It’s fun once in a while!” (Stella)

“Yeah, it’s a good time!” (Elt)

“I love this too, piyoyo~!” (Dia)

“Ugo ugo, refreshing…!” (Wood)

Seeing how Wood was doing, Stella continued.

“Then, let’s go together… Over to the Cockatrice! Being carried by the Cockatrice is fun too!” (Stella)

“Piyoyo!” (Bring it on!) (Cockatrice)

“Ugo ugo… Don’t let go, okay?” (Wood)

“Of course!” (Stella)

“I’ll be right next to you too…” (Elt)

“After Wood, I’d love for Elt-sama to try as well…” (Stella)

Stella’s eyes were sparkling.

“Y-Yeah, alright.” (Elt)

“Of course, I’ll go again too…!” (Stella)

“You really love this, huh?” (Elt)

*Tototototot*

Tetetoka tapped a small drum.

“Of course, I love it!” (Tetetoka)

 

—

 

“This is the Healberry village… Like I said earlier, there’s a Cockatrice here. But there’s no danger. Don’t panic, stay calm.” (Radan)

“Yes, sir!” (Knights)

Radan, the muscular knight of the Black Dragon Knights, had arrived at Healberry Village with seven subordinates. The knight order wasn’t large. Even among the prestigious Black Dragon Knights, there were only about 40 members. For this mission, 30 of them, including the commander, were stationed in Zanzas for security. In terms of population ratio, the number assigned to Healberry was a lot but it was because of the first festival.

“This… This place was really just a wasteland until last year!?” (Knight)

This time, the subordinates Radan brought were different from the last ones. They were all stunned by the village lined with massive trees.

“I figured you’d say that. This is my second time here, and I’m still amazed… Looks like the festival preparations are in full swing too.” (Radan)

“And the Cockatrice’s… building?” (Knight)

Radan’s subordinates stared up in awe. Standing before them was clearly a massive structure made with magic.

“I’ve seen some work with earth and metal magic, but something this big…” (Knight)

“Something like this isn’t easily made. It’s not just mana. It requires imagination more than anything.” (Radan)

As far as Radan knew, magical structures this massive and unique only existed in historical records. He didn’t think any mage alive today could create such a thing. But if anyone could, it would have to be that young, talented lord.

Radan and his group slowly made their way into the village. Even from a distance, they could see colorful decorations at the entrance and stalls lining the way.

“For a population of around 200, this is incredibly lavish. They must have considerable resources…” (Knight)

“That seems likely. The villagers and the lord must be working together to generate profit. Otherwise, they couldn’t pull off a festival like this so quickly.” (Radan)

Radan understood well. He came from a poor territory. His subordinates had seen many rural areas too.

Festivals didn’t come free. Most villages and towns settled for modest decorations, drinks, some food, and music. Healberry’s extravagance, considering its population, was almost abnormal. It showed how rich and comfortable they were.

“Hm, looks like the setup’s already underway. We arrived at a good time… Ah…” (Radan)

“Ah…” (Knights)

Cockatrices…!

Right before the knights was a group of Cockatrices.

“Piyo!” (Guests!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo?” (Aren’t they early?) (Cockatrice)

“Piyo, piyoyo!” (It’s the smooth people from before!) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrices chirped away. Radan had to forcibly suppress the knightly instinct to pretend to faint.

“Hiiih… Even knowing it’s safe…” (Knight)

“Endure it. You must overcome your instincts…!” (Radan)

While comforting the frightened knights, Radan noticed something strange. When he had come before, Stella, Wood, Marcosias, and of course Dia, had all been by the lord’s side. But the most important one, Elt, was nowhere to be seen.

“Hm, where’s Elt-sama…?” (Radan)

*Fluff*

At that moment, from behind one of the Cockatrices, Elt appeared being carried, with a content smile. He looked completely at peace.

“Eh!?” (Knights)

“Ah…” (Elt)

Elt had a whoops expression for a moment before quickly changing his face. But it was too late. The knights had already reacted. They reacted instinctively.

A Cockatrice and a human. And in that very close position…

“The lord’s being attacked!?” (Knights)

“No, no! You’re wrong!” (Elt)

 

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