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

 

 

School of Thought

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The immense white tornado pressed upon the Great Cathedral. Around it, Ignat and Victor were flying by means of magic. Ignat was astride a crow formed of vast shadows, while Victor was enveloped in wind.

“…What of Hold?” (Ignat)

“I entrusted him with the interior of the cathedral. Since he is inclined to act somewhat flamboyantly, it would not do for the artisans to be shaken.” (Victor)

When they observed the white tornado separating itself from the chamber of the cathedral’s high priest, the two of them had taken to the field.

“Leia-dono was entrusted with the ground forces of the royal guard chicks. In matters of large-scale coordination against monsters, she is more suited than I.” (Ignat)

“A wise decision.” (Victor)

Victor nodded.

“And thus, it is the two of us who shall serve as the mobile unit.” (Victor)

Even as they spoke, white flashes gleamed within the tornado, at which times small swarms separated. Victor swept his arm, stirring the atmosphere. The detached swarms were drawn toward him. Ignat dispatched them with shadow magic efficiently. With a spell that sent flying black fragments, the Ice Crystals were severed one by one.

Ignat turned toward Victor with a brisk “piyo”.

“A swarm of this scale has little restorative force. With a single magic we can obliterate them.” (Ignat)

“Indeed. As for the ground portion, we shall leave it to them.” (Victor)

Victor concentrated mana into his hand, whereupon lightning exploded forth. He possessed multiple magical aptitudes, each one offensive, the very pinnacle of noble combat.

“Wind and thunder… it is something enviable.” (Ignat)

When one witnessed the instant he released magic, it became apparent. Not merely magical aptitudes, but Victor’s sheer quantity of mana itself was extraordinary. At the very least, it was tenfold that of an ordinary noble. Furthermore, his defense was heightened by the cockatrice costume, and he surely carried concealed magical tools.

“Indeed, it is a natural-born talent, refined by the finest education and its results. He is truly a successor worthy of the Nagash Household.” (Ignat)

Hearing Ignat’s words, Victor slowly turned his gaze toward him. Ignat must certainly have been aware that the successor of the Nagash Household had not yet been decided. Nevertheless, he had spoken so deliberately.

“Were you not allied with Hold?” (Victor)

“If you and he were to contend in earnest, he would have no chance of victory.” (Ignat)

“Our fields are different. Hold is an artist.” (Victor)

“Yes… he would make a fine business partner. Yet for that very reason, I would not have him engage in reckless behavior.” (Ignat)

Once again, a small swarm detached from the tornado, this time from its lower section. The Ice Crystals directed beams toward nearby foes. For those seeking to intercept, if they were too far away, their attacks would prove ineffective, but if they drew too near, they would be struck by beams. Amidst fierce winds and dancing snow, Leia discerned the precise distance.

“Magic and arrows, now!” (Leia)

““Piyooo!”” (Royal guard piyo)

At Leia’s command, the royal guard piyo launched a coordinated assault, annihilating that swarm.

“Next, over there!” (Leia)

““Piyooo!!”” (Royal guard piyo)

The ground forces led by Leia also appeared to be progressing well. Observing closely, one could see that the tornado had diminished somewhat in size and vigor. Perhaps if they continued a while longer, they might even dispel the tornado itself.

“…You mean to say, I am the one who shall succeed the Nagash Household?” (Victor)

“Berzel-dono indeed holds a respectable position, yet the difference between him and you is considerable.” (Ignat)

In Ignat’s view, Victor’s standing as a professor of monsterology was exceedingly high. Confrontation with monsters was humanity’s eternal challenge, and the matter was not determined solely by lineage or mana. So, it was even within the realm of vampires.

“Hm… I myself have little interest in succession.” (Victor)

“…Truly?” (Ignat)

“Between us, I value intellectual curiosity and family more.” (Victor)

As he spoke thus, Victor once more unleashed lightning, hurling it toward the swarms of Ice Crystals below.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, at Elt’s house.

There, the kneading of grass dumplings had commenced. Upon the table lay the ingredients, which Wood was kneading.

“Ugo… now to press in my strength…” (Wood)

“Yes, yes, if the force is too weak it will turn out limp. One must apply sufficient pressure, gyu-gyu, like this. Gyu-gyu.” (Anaria)

Anaria too was shaping grass dumplings. Of course, so was I.

*Kone kone kone…*

“Piyo. Piyooo.” (This looks fun.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoppii.” (This looks delicious.) (Cockatrice)

The cockatrices gazed intently at our work. I took some of the grass dumplings ingredients in my hand and showed them to a cockatrice.

“…Do you wish to try?” (Elt)

““Piyooo!”” (We want to!) (Cockatrices)

Anaria rummaged within her bag and produced a piece of cloth.

“In that case… if we drape this cloth over it, their feathers will not be soiled.” (Anaria)

“Piyooo.” (Okay.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoppii.” (We shall knead.) (Cockatrice)

A fluffy cockatrice came to my side. When we placed the cloth over the grass dumpling ingredients–…

“Piyoyooo!!” (Heeei!!) (Cockatrice)

*Kone kone kone*

“Piyopiyooo!!” (Kneading, kneading!!) (Cockatrice)

*Kone kone kone kone!*

The wild cockatrice began kneading the grass dumplings with ferocious intensity.

“…Th-that is an astounding manner of kneading.” (Elt)

“H-he is truly enthusiastic…” (Anaria)

“Indeed, but…!” (Wood)

In truth, if grass dumplings were over-kneaded, it became hard. There was a point of just-right kneading that one must achieve.

“Piyopiyopiyooo!” (Kneading, kneading!) (Cockatrice)

This is bad. At this rate… rock-hard grass dumplings would be born.

“Stop, halt for a moment!” (Elt)

“Yes, stop at once!” (Anaria)

As we called out, the cockatrice froze in place.

“Piyo?” (What is the matter?) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopi?” (Is it finished already?) (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice tilted its head adorably.

“N-no… if you knead too much, then…” (Elt)

“Yes, it will become hardened.” (Anaria)

“Ugo… I see.” (Wood)

When we explained, the cockatrice carefully removed the cloth.

“Piyoppi.” (It is done.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo…” (Poke poke…) (Cockatrice)

The cockatrice prodded the grass dumplings through the cloth to test its firmness.

“It is somewhat on the soft side but appears edible.” (Elt)

“Yes, indeed…” (Anaria)

Preferences differed even among Dryads. Some favored a firmer texture, while others preferred a softer one.

“Piyopiyo.” (Cockatrice)

“Ah.” (Elt)

The cockatrice gazed at the grass dumplings it had pinched through the cloth–

“Piyo.” (Cockatrice)

–and without doubt would toss it straight into its mouth. Dryads often consumed half of the kusa-dango they made on the spot.

*Gulp*

So I thought, yet the cockatrice instead gently placed the grass dumplings upon the edge of the table.

“Piyo.” (Alright, next one.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo.” (Let us make more.) (Cockatrice)

The cockatrices began gathering new ingredients. Watching this, Anaria murmured softly. I too was surprised.

“Cocka-chan… does not eat it immediately.” (Anaria)

 

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