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

 

 

Vigorous Gulp

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“…Pray, forgive me.” (Victor)

Victor took a single step back. It was not proper for a third party to raise their voice in the midst of a formal greeting. Yet Victor was an authoritative figure as Professor Piyo. It was precisely because of his eminence that he had been unable to suppress his voice. The quality he had just witnessed was of that high a level.

“Hmm…” (Ignat)

Ignat addressed Leia, who stood before him.

“For what reason did you just make the cry?” (Ignat)

“I thought that you would be pleased by it.” (Leia)

Leia spoke without a trace of hesitation.

“Was I mistaken?” (Leia)

“…Amusing. Indeed, I do love the Cockatrice.” (Ignat)

From within his costume Ignat laughed softly, and Leia too smiled brightly.

“The quality of the hat is also splendid. The sense of fullness is truly well crafted.” (Ignat)

“Thank you very much. This is, in fact, a new product from Zanzas.” (Leia)

“Oh? I have heard that you are the one responsible for product development in Zanzas.” (Ignat)

“Yes, indeed. The one upon my head at this moment is the very first prototype.” (Leia)

Ignat nodded at the proud declaration of Leia.

At first Hold had been sweating nervously, but he relaxed upon perceiving Ignat’s softened demeanor. Indeed, when their handshake parted, there was between them a bond greater than that which is ordinarily born from mere formal greeting. There existed that “air” which only lovers of Cockatrices could share.

Ignat spread the wings of his costume in a grand sweep.

“Once again, allow me to welcome you. I see now that you are the genuine article.” (Ignat)

“No, no, I am nothing so grand. I am but an adventurer who makes a living within the dungeon of Zanzas.” (Leia)

It was a mysterious humility. Then, Ignat turned his face toward Victor.

“Professor Piyo, was that cry truly close to the real thing?” (Ignat)

Ignat held Victor in respect. At least until Victor himself revealed otherwise, he would continue to honor him as Professor Piyo. Leia too had already discerned at once the caliber of Victor’s costume. Without a doubt, the one within it must be a high-ranking noble, or so she judged.

Victor crossed his arms thoughtfully and spoke.

“Ah, it was most excellent indeed. Though it may seem simple, to reproduce the piyo accurately is exceedingly difficult.” (Victor)

Hold too nodded at Victor’s words.

“…I have heard a tale before. If one carelessly says ‘piyo’ before a Cockatrice, it will rush forth as though something has happened.” (Hold)

“When a human utters and pronounces ‘piyo,’ to the Cockatrice it sounds like an SOS. It is understandable, for Cockatrices employ exceedingly subtle variations of ‘piyo’ to communicate in a highly developed manner. However, mankind has not yet attained that level.” (Victor)

Even Victor, for all his passion, did not attempt to remove Leia’s Cockatrice hat in that moment. Although it fascinated him, it was something she wore upon her person. To ask her to take it off would be discourteous in the extreme. After this, Hold and his family exchanged greetings with Leia. As they had met several times before, there was no difficulty.

When the greetings concluded, Ignat lifted the wings of his costume smartly.

“Very well. Then allow me to guide you further into the Grand Cathedral. It is your exhibition space.” (Ignat)

 

—

 

Meanwhile, in the Healberry Village.

During the day, as I was working at home, a voice came from the entrance.

“Nya. Is Elt-sama present, nya~?” (Naru)

It was Naru’s voice. I had asked her to procure ingredients for grass dumplings, so she had likely brought them. Naturally, I intended to pay her. To accept without compensation would be misappropriation. Of course, it was not feasible for me to go fetch them from the Large Tree Tower, for then the plan of gifting grass dumplings with Wood would be exposed.

“Please, come in. It is no trouble.” (Elt)

When I went to the entrance and opened the door, there stood Naru and Anaria. In Anaria’s hands was a rather large bag. And behind the two of them were two Cockatrices.

“Piyo!” (Hello there!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoppi!” (We came to play!) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrices chirped lively greetings. Wood too peeked out his face from the living room.

“Ugo, do we have many guests?” (Wood)

“Indeed, it seems so…” (Elt)

Naru glanced about the surroundings.

“Nya. I have brought the ingredients as requested, nya.” (Naru)

“I happened to see Naru carrying them from the fish preserve…!” (Anaria)

Anaria added in explanation. That was, of course, not a problem. It only mattered that the Dryads remained unaware.

“I wondered if there were something I might help with.” (Anaria)

“That would be most helpful indeed.” (Elt)

Excluding the Dryads, Anaria was likely the most skilled in the village at making grass dumplings. To have her assistance was reassuring.

“I too have been greatly indebted to him, after all.” (Anaria)

“Ugo ugo, thank you!” (Wood)

Perhaps it was thanks to the connections that had spread from the Large Tree Tower. Truly, it was a good thing.

“And these Cockatrices behind you…?” (Elt)

“Piyoppi!” (We have no particular business.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo!” (We just came because it seemed fun.) (Cockatrice)

“Nya. It appears that they were idle, nya.” (Naru)

“I… I see.” (Elt)

Perhaps they had been drawn by the scent of the ingredients. Or perhaps they truly had nothing better to do. Well, having them piyo-piyo about in the house once in a while was not a bad thing.

“Please, come inside.” (Elt)

“Excuse us…!” (Anaria)

“Piyoo!” (Pardon our intrusion!) (Cockatrices)

The Cockatrices thumped noisily into the house. At that moment Naru snapped into a salute.

“Nya. I shall return to the guild, nya…!” (Naru)

“Thank you, Naru. As for the ingredients—” (Elt)

“I have them here…!” (Anaria)

Then, Naru fished out a small handkerchief from her pocket.

“And this as well, nya!” (Naru)

“This is… ah, my thanks. I had forgotten.” (Elt)

What Naru had wrapped carefully was something indispensable, in a sense, for making grass dumplings. It had been so long since I last used it that I had quite forgotten.

“Ugo?” (Wood)

Wood tilted his head. It was only natural. What had been handed to me was a gleaming scale, the scale of a Rainbow Fish.

By consuming this, a skill would awaken…!

“Now then, let us take a vigorous gulp.” (Elt)

“Ugo!?” (Wood)

It would be fine. It would only sting a little…!

 

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