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

 

 

Anaria-Style Puzzle Mushroom Cooking Method

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

After that, we decided to have lunch together in the underground plaza.

“Nyan… I was just thinking of having lunch too, nyan! What perfect timing, nyan!” (Brown)

“Nyaa!” (Nyaff)

The Nyaff Tribe immediately began preparing their meal.

I see, so that is why they had stopped their carriage along the highway. The timing is quite something.

Brown’s carriage carried food for eating back at the village. On the way out, it was loaded with crops for export and materials gathered from the forest. On the return trip, it carried food and daily necessities that the village lacked. It was an efficient system.

“Ugo ugo, is it alright if we eat here?” (Wood)

“If it is Elt-sama, there is no problem, nyan. Also, we have some newly purchased goods, nyan.” (Brown)

Nyan-nyan, Brown said as she took something out of a box. It was a mushroom. It looked like an ordinary mushroom. It was the kind already eaten in the village.

Rather, a mushroom, huh. The plaza is full of those Puzzle Mushrooms…

The adventurer in his thirties, who was also overseeing the cooking, placed a hand on his chin with interest.

“Oh, is that a cultivated one?” (Adventurer)

“That’s right, nyan. It’s the same variety we supply to the hotels in Zanzas, nyan.” (Brown)

“As expected, cultivated ones are uniform in shape and quite large.” (Adventurer)

“Ugo ugo, they look pretty.” (Wood)

Wood and the adventurer nodded in agreement.

“I see. So, the mushrooms eaten in the village are wild?” (Elt)

“Indeed, that is correct, degozaru. However, cultivated ones are still a luxury item. Even in Zanzas, commoners cannot afford them.” (Hattori)
“They’re meant for hotels and fine restaurants. The cultivation method’s a secret, so no one in Zanzas can grow them.” (Adventurer)

Hmm, the cultivation method of mushrooms… I have no idea. I could not even begin to guess. Even if I know, there is no way a modern person could reproduce mushroom cultivation from scratch without equipment. Moreover, mushrooms are outside the Dryad’s domain of cultivation, since fungi are not plants.

Then, Anaria appeared, trembling slightly as she held a large knife. At her feet was a Puzzle Mushroom.

Wait. Is she really going to do that?

No matter how one looked at it, Anaria was about to cut the Puzzle Mushroom.

“Mogu! Could it be that we’re about to witness Anaria’s ‘that thing’ after such a long time, mogu!?” (Iskamina)

“Now then! Allow me to demonstrate the Puzzle Mushroom Cooking Method I perfected during my days as a struggling student at the High Academy!” (Anaria)

The adventurer in his thirties cheered enthusiastically.

“Can that really make them edible?” (Adventurer)

“Please do not be surprised. Living for a week on Puzzle Mushrooms alone allowed me to grow immensely as a person!” (Anaria)

“That sounds pretty intense, degozaru.” (Hattori)

Apparently, it was intense indeed.

“But Puzzle Mushrooms have no taste, don’t they?” (Elt)

“Ugo, the Cockatrice has been chewing on them the whole time.” (Wood)

Indeed, the Cockatrice was still chewing the Puzzle Mushroom endlessly.

“Piyo?” (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo?” (Cockatrice)

Its puffed cheeks as it chewed made it look adorable, but apparently it never got tired of it.

“There is no flavor, but there is a trick. If you cut across the fibers and simmer it…” (Anaria)

*Swish, swish!*

With practiced precision, Anaria sliced through the Puzzle Mushroom. Her movements were confident and sure.

“Piyoo!” (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo!” (Cockatrice)

*Pof pof pof!*

The Cockatrice clapped its wings in admiration of her skill.

“Fufufu… I have not grown rusty!” (Anaria)

“I see. So, the trick is to shred the fibers completely.” (Adventurer)

“Yes, that is the key!” (Anaria)

She tossed the sliced Puzzle Mushrooms into the pot.

“The water here is safe to drink, mogu, so let’s simmer it thoroughly, mogu!” (Iskamina)

The underground plaza’s water, the food we brought, and my own plant magic were all at hand. Thanks to the smokeless heating magical tool, cooking underground was perfectly safe.

“Onions, tomatoes, green peppers… there’s even basil and mint.” (Elt)

Seeing the plants I produced one after another, the adventurer in his thirties was impressed. The other adventurers seemed equally amazed.

“As expected of Elt-sama! But is your mana all right?” (Adventurer)

“I still have plenty to spare.” (Elt)

“You help us in both battle and rest, de gozaru!” (Hattori)

“I even have dessert ready for after the meal.” (Elt)

After all, replenishing sugar was important.

“This is quite a feast. When we travel far, we can hardly bring proper food.” (Adventurer)

“Indeed, degozaru. At best, it is dried meat, hard bread, pickled vegetables, or dried foods.” (Hattori)

Gradually, the stew neared completion. Wood was also helping, cutting Puzzle Mushrooms and assisting with outdoor cooking.

“Ugo ugo, like this?” (Wood)

“Yes, stir it like that. This magical tool’s heat is weak, so you have to mix it well.” (Adventurer)

“Ugo, I’m learning a lot!” (Wood)

And so, after a long simmer, the dish was complete.

A hearty stew of Puzzle Mushrooms and premium mushrooms with aromatic vegetables. Quite a long name for a meal.

We ladled portions into small soup bowls and began to eat together.

“Let us give thanks for the blessing.” (Elt)

“Let us give thanks for the blessing!” (Everyone)

*Slurp*

Hmm, the soup was delicious. The sourness and bitterness of the vegetables comes through well, and the basil and other herbs I have added give it a fine accent.

The question is…

I scooped up a piece of Puzzle Mushroom with my spoon.

“Piyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo!” (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrice seemed to enjoy the stew very much, eating happily.

“Now then, the Puzzle Mushroom…” (Elt)

I gulped and braced myself before placing it in my mouth. In that instant, I felt it. The richness of the soup and the refreshing aroma of the herbs. In other words, as for the distinct flavor of the Puzzle Mushroom itself.

*Monyu, monyu…*

Yes, it has no taste.

*Monyu, monyu…*

If I were to compare it, it is like a firm jelly that is hard to chew through, or perhaps a thick piece of gum. But the flavor of the broth has soaked in. If I were to judge whether it is good or bad, I would say it was good.

*Monyumonyu… gulp.*

Well, this is acceptable enough as it is.

 

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