New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Village Night

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Night had fallen.

The hooting of owls echoed softly through the village. The adventurer in his thirties and Brown had ventured out into the village tavern. While the village contained a few taverns and eateries, this particular establishment catered primarily to the villagers themselves. A sparse number of patrons had already arrived at the tavern.

Perhaps it was because night had only just begun; in any case, the number of people was not particularly large. The two of them took a seat by the wall and immediately began placing their orders.

“First, we shall have the mead, nyan.” (Brown)

“I shall take the apple wine, please.” (Adventurer)

This tavern offered a wide variety of alcoholic beverages as well as assorted snacks. Since it procured its ingredients from the village at very low cost, the prices were exceedingly reasonable.

“You do, in fact, seem to have a preference for sweet drinks, nyan.” (Brown)

“On the contrary, you yourself drink rather strong alcohol, do you not?” (Adventurer)

Mead was said to be the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world. Its history predated that of beer or wine, and thus it was somewhat strong and possessed a distinct, acquired flavor.

“After drinking a little, I shall dilute it with water, nyan.” (Brown)

“Ah, how practical. I shall drink mine as it is, without dilution.” (Adventurer)

“How refined, nyan.” (Brown)

“Here you are, nyan!” (Nyaff attendant)

A Nyaff attendant brought them the drinks in wooden cups.

“Then, let us make a toast, nyan.” (Adventurer)

“Cheers.” (Brown)

With a light clink of their cups, the two of them began drinking. They drank deeply. The adventurer in his thirties exhaled with a satisfied sigh.

“Puhah. Delicious!” (Adventurer)

“Exactly so, nyan.” (Brown)

Brown set his cup down and examined the menu.

“Cheese gratin, please, nyan.” (Brown)

“Oh, splendid. I shall have a portion as well! Two servings in total!” (Adventurer)

“And perhaps… some potatoes as well, nyan?” (Brown)

“Let us have them! Also, please provide an assortment of oranges!” (Adventurer)

“…You have a fondness for sweets, nyan?” (Brown)

“It is part of my profession, after all. I require sugar.” (Adventurer)

“Nyan. Adventurers do move about considerably, after all.” (Brown)

Brown nodded in agreement while glancing at the adventurer in his thirties.

“By the way, nyan, do you ever drink alcohol at the Adventurer Guild?” (Brown)

“Hm. The work is rather individualistic, so aside from events, not particularly often…” (Adventurer)

“I see, nyan.” (Brown)

“Leia does drink, but the manner in which she drinks…” (Adventurer)

“Is it extraordinary, nyan?” (Brown)

At that point, the adventurer in his thirties leaned forward with curiosity. Brown, caught up in the moment, did the same, leaning over the table.

“She drinks continuously without the slightest change in expression… It is an endless pit.” (Adventurer)

“Does she not trouble others, nyan?” (Brown)

“On the contrary, she chooses those who bother her and incapacitates them with her drinking. Well, I have benefited from it myself on occasion.” (Adventurer)

“Nyan. What a capable leader.” (Brown)

“Indeed, that is beyond dispute. Even the other scheming members of the Zanzas council dare not oppose her.” (Adventurer)

Ever since Leia assumed her position within the guild, the standing of the Adventurer Guild in Zanzas had risen, an accomplishment recognized by all Zanzas adventurers. Though the guild was an important institution within Zanzas, adventurers are neither merchants nor scholars. Across its long history, they had often been regarded merely as laborers, valued only for their physical capabilities.

Yet, as Leia ascended the guild hierarchy, she produced various products. Most of these were cockatrice-themed goods. These significantly increased the profits of Zanzas, which in turn elevated the status of the Adventurer Guild itself.

Consequently, among the members of the Zanzas council, it was said that Leia’s ancestors were cockatrices. Half of this assertion was, of course, a joke.

The other half stemmed from a legendary event in Zanzas, the infamous incident in which a cockatrice plush was rubbed into a councilor’s head, leading many to believe it partially true.

“Nyan. Leia is indeed formidable… But why does she adore cockatrices so much, nyan?” (Brown)

“Ah…” (Adventurer)

“It does not seem that other adventurers share Leia’s enthusiasm, nyan.” (Brown)

“That is… something no one truly knows. Why Leia loves cockatrices so dearly… remains a mystery.” (Adventurer)

At that moment, a sharp, high-pitched voice rang out.

“Piyo..” (Good evening.) (Cockatraice)

A cockatrice had, in fact, appeared gracefully at the entrance of the tavern.

“A takeaway cockatrice, nyan!” (Nyaff attendant)

“Piyo-ppi!” (Yes!) (Cockatraice)

The Nyaff attendant, experienced and practiced, handed over a bag.

“It is a set of grilled eggplants, nyan!” (Nyaff attendant)

“Piyo!” (Thank you!) (Cockatraice)

Receiving the bag, the cockatrice departed smoothly.

“Piyo-pī.” (Goodbye) (Cockatraice)

While Dryads do not cook using fire, cockatrices partake of many kinds of cuisine. In time, they had learned to take their meals as takeaway… Payment would come later, yet because of the cockatrice’s labor, it could be covered in mere minutes, causing no issue whatsoever.

“Indeed, they are exceedingly adorable, nyan…” (Brown)

“I have heard that Leia’s ideal partner is someone with a plump belly and gentle, enveloping charm…” (Adventurer)

Hearing this, Brown moved his lips quietly, unable to resist commenting.

“…Exactly like a cockatrice, nyan.” (Brown)

 

—

 

At the same time, at Nana’s house.

Nana’s eyes sparkled at the Cockatonia House that Leia had brought. Lying on the living room floor, she beheld the Cockatonia House spread before her. She prodded one of the cockatrice dolls lightly with her finger.

“Ohhh… wonderful…” (Nana)

Next, she poked at the great tree tower as well. The coarse texture of the wood conveyed itself clearly.

“Hm… delightful…” (Nana)

Nana let out a voice of enchantment, her reaction the most enthusiastic yet.

“…It is extremely well received, indeed.” (Leia)

Leia, clad in cockatrice-themed pajamas of the hoodie type, seated herself beside Nana.

“Of all the things I have created, this has garnered the strongest reaction.” (Leia)

“Hm. Yes, it seems so. I wonder why?” (Nana)

Nana tilted her head slightly and lifted a cockatrice doll, placing it near the model of the treehouse.

“Somehow, it possesses a charm of its own. Yes. It is originality, I suppose.” (Nana)

“To me, it is simply an extension of a plush doll, though.” (Leia)

“I think it is different. You may take greater pride in your work.” (Nana)

She picked up another cockatrice doll and moved it into place.

“…Yes, this feels right.” (Nana)

It seemed that Nana had her own particular standards. Nana, then, looked up at Leia.

“Tell me, why do you make so many cockatrice goods?” (Nana)

It was a casual question. She had long wondered, yet never asked. Even for Nana, it was somewhat curious.

Leia responded earnestly, leaning slightly forward.

“…It is because my ancestors were cockatrices.” (Leia)

“Pfft, ahahaha!” (Nana)

Nana burst into laughter.

“Are you serious?” (Nana)

To Nana’s question, Leia gave a quiet, knowing smile.

“Well… who can say?” (Leia)

 

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