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

 

 

Underground Plaza Once Again

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Ugo, the last pair.” (Wood)

Wood seized a blue Puzzle Mushroom. This was the final pair.

“✕○△〜!” (Puzzle Mushroom)

The Puzzle Mushroom flailed about, but it could not escape from Wood’s grasp.

“Piyoo!” (This way!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoppi!” (Here I go!) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrice pinned down another blue Puzzle Mushroom and lifted it up firmly.

“Ugo, ready, set.” (Wood)

““Piyooo!”” (Heave!) (Cockatrice)

Wood and the Cockatrice threw the blue Puzzle Mushrooms toward each other.
They collided in midair, and a flash of mana gleamed for an instant.

“○✕△ー!” (Puzzle Mushroom)

The Puzzle Mushrooms fell to the ground with a dull thud and ceased moving.

Good.

A quick glance around confirmed that no other Puzzle Mushrooms were moving.

“Well done, everyone. It seems the battle is over.” (Elt)

As soon as I spoke, cheers erupted from the group.

“Yeah!” (Adventurer)

“It is over, degozaru!” (Hattori)

Anaria and Iskamina ran over, confirming that no one had been injured.

“It seems everyone is safe.” (Anaria)

“Not a single scratch, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Wood raised his arms in joy.

“Ugo, we did it.” (Wood)

“Yes, you did very well.” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, Tou-san, you worked hard too. Now we can move forward.” (Wood)

Hearing that almost brought tears to my eyes.

The battle against the Flower Archer had been a defensive struggle. We had discovered the underground passage, but that had been about holding the line. This time, however, it was for my son’s sake and also for our progress forward. Thinking about that made this moment feel quite different. Yet there was no time to indulge in sentimentality.

I composed myself and approached the hole that lay ahead.

“Now then, how is the area beyond? Have the Puzzle Mushrooms stopped moving?” (Elt)

The shields filled the opening so completely that I could no longer see inside.

“Yes, these obstacles are not moving in the slightest, degozaru.” (Hattori)

Pressing his face close to the shields, Hattori added…

“There are no signs of movement beyond, degozaru. They seem to have stopped.” (Hattori)

“So, they have given up, then?” (Elt)

“They are not exactly dexterous creatures, you know. They probably turned back.” (Adventurer)

“Their reactions are slow even in Zanzas’s dungeon, degozaru.” (Hattori)

The adventurer in his thirties nodded thoughtfully.

“So, we managed to drive them back after all. Still, without magic, this tactic would not have worked. It is all thanks to you, Elt-sama.” (Adventurer)

“Indeed. Carrying so many obstacles at once would be impossible otherwise, degozaru.” (Hattori)

Good. It seems my presence has been of some use after all.

“Nevertheless, we should remain cautious. We do not know what lies beyond.” (Elt)

Anaria nodded in agreement.

“This place seems suitable for establishing a base. We can take turns keeping watch.” (Anaria)

“Leave the water quality inspection to me, mogu.” (Iskamina)

With light steps, Iskamina trotted toward the small stream running through the cavern. That task could safely be left to her.

“Hmm.” (Elt)

And then, there was something else. This underground plaza also had a slope. Due to the battle, I had not paid much attention to it until now. Everything here was identical to the underground plaza beneath the village.

Anaria seemed to have noticed the slope as well. Looking upward, she spoke to me.

“Shall we proceed, Elt-sama?” (Anaria)

“Yes, if it has the same structure, then in terms of elevation, it should lead to the surface.” (Elt)

The upper part of the slope was near the ceiling, though no light shone through.
However, if it was merely covered by soil, removing it should allow us to reach the surface.

“If this is directly above us, I wonder where exactly it would be.” (Elt)

“Mogu, it should be along the road to Zanzas, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Iskamina waved her hand as she answered.

“There should be nothing around that area, mogu. The ground there is stable, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“I see. Then, let us confirm it.” (Elt)

I instructed everyone to rest and stay alert, then ascended the slope with Wood.

The glowing moss was sparse here. It was somewhat dim, but still bright enough to walk safely.

The Cockatrice was busy munching on a Puzzle Mushroom.

“Piyopiyo.” (Munch munch.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo?” (Maybe I ate too much?) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo, piyopiyo.” (Munch… not yet. Munch munch.) (Cockatrice)

It occasionally pinched its belly.

Perhaps it is at an age where it worried about such things. I suppose I would have to start worrying about that myself someday.

“Ugo, this underground plaza looks the same as the one beneath the village.” (Wood)

“I think so too. Even from this height, it looks nearly identical.” (Elt)

We stopped and looked down at the underground plaza.

From here, the similarities were even clearer. The side entrance, the flowing stream, and the slope all matched perfectly.

“Ugo, was it made by the same person?” (Wood)

“Most likely. Everything looks the same. The only differences are the density of the moss, the presence of Puzzle Mushrooms, and the strength of the mana.” (Elt)

This plaza, being closer to Zanzas, had a much stronger sense of mana. That was likely due to geography rather than design.

“Ugo, the slope’s size and height are the same too.” (Wood)

Wood spoke with certainty.

“That is impressive. You can tell?” (Elt)

“Ugo, yes. Kaa-san taught me to measure by counting my steps and keeping track of my stride. She said it was a type of mapping.” (Wood)

“You truly are a skilled adventurer.” (Elt)

I gently patted Wood’s head, and he accepted the gesture with delight.

We reached the top of the slope and looked straight upward. The height was not too great. For Wood, it was just within reach.

He stared intently into the space above.

“How is it?” (Elt)

“Ugo, it is covered in dust, but… there it is!” (Wood)

Wood pointed to a section of the ceiling. Squinting through the sparse moss, I could see an old wooden door.

“Well done, Wood.” (Elt)

“Ugo ugo, you are welcome.” (Wood)

Unlike the previous plaza, there were no tree roots obstructing it. If we opened the door, it should lead to the surface. Even if there was soil above, I could handle that with plant-based magic.

“All right, try opening it.” (Elt)

“Ugo, roger.” (Wood)

I watched nervously as Wood placed his hands on the ceiling door. He pulled with all his strength.

*Pak!*

The door opened easily, without resistance. A faint stream of light shone down from above.

“Ugo, it opened without a problem.” (Wood)

“Yes, it did. All right, let us make a foothold and climb up to the surface.” (Elt)

Just then, a voice called down from above.

“Nnyaa!? There is a hole in the ground, nyan!” (???)

“W-what is this…?” (???)

Moments later, the owner of the voice peeked through the opening.

Both sides stared in mutual surprise.

“Elt-sama, nyan!?” (Brown)

“Brown!?” (Elt)

Standing there, with a shocked expression, was Brown.

 

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