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

 

 

The Path Ahead

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At Nana’s words, Stella leaned forward sharply.

“What did you just say? Did you say Koshien?” (Stella)

“I did.” (Nana)

While tasting her vegetable juice, Nana continued speaking.

“Nii-san mentioned that it might be related. He wanted to know whether you had heard of it. Judging from your reaction, it seems that you do know what it is.” (Nana)

“Yes, ah, my apologies.” (Stella)

Stella straightened her posture gracefully.

“It is fine to tell you, Nana. Koshien is formally called Koshien. It seems the word has become distorted over time.” (Stella)

“Koshien… It sounds like an ancient word.” (Nana)

“To me as well. It feels old, as if from a bygone age.” (Stella)

“And what does it mean? Nii-san called it a ‘coordinate of destiny’, which sounded rather exaggerated.” (Nana)

“I see. ‘A coordinate of destiny’ is quite a splendid way of putting it.” (Stella)

Stella nodded with great satisfaction.

“Koshien, Ko Ti En, Koshien. It refers to a magnificent and unknown realm that lies beyond those who continue to swing their bats.” (Stella)

“…” (Nana)

“What is it? Why do you frown so deeply? I am being serious.” (Stella)

“It is only the bitterness of the vegetable juice, that is all.” (Nana)

“I see. In any case, it is something marvelous that can be reached by mastering the way of Noball.” (Stella)

“…” (Nana)

“What is it this time? That same serious face again.” (Stella)

“No, it is nothing. I understand now. So that is the kind of topic we are discussing.” (Nana)

Nana did enjoy Noball, but even so, she could not compare to Stella’s enthusiasm for the game.

“I understand now. Thank you. I will tell Nii-san about it.” (Nana)

“Please do. Elt-sama will surely be delighted as well.” (Stella)

“Hmm? So that Koshien comes from Elt-sama’s knowledge too?” (Nana)

“Yes, indeed! In fact, almost everything related to Noball originates from Elt-sama’s knowledge. Truly, it is a testament to his vast wisdom!” (Stella)

With a proud expression, Stella puffed out her chest. Even in her own eyes, Elt’s knowledge was extraordinary. It was hard to believe he was only fifteen years old.

“I see. That makes sense. Recently, my body has grown sluggish from preparing for the art festival. Perhaps I should get serious and play Noball again.” (Nana)

“You are most welcome to join us.” (Stella)

Stella smiled brightly.

“I shall even create a special uniform just for you.” (Stella)

“Well, I play during the daytime, you know, while wearing my costume.” (Nana)

Noball was played under the sun, and for Vampires, that meant wearing costumes was mandatory. Nevertheless, Stella’s cheerful smile did not fade. It seemed she had anticipated this response from the beginning.

“Of course, it will be a uniform specially designed for wearing over your costume.” (Stella)

 

—

 

In the Healberry village, at the Second Underground Plaza.

After lunch and a short rest, we decided to proceed further into the underground passage. Brown had been on her way back to the village, so we entrusted her with reporting and sent her home.

“Please take care, nyan.” (Brown)

“Ah, I am counting on you to deliver the message to the village.” (Elt)

“Yes, nyan.” (Brown)

And thus, we continued our exploration with the adventurers once more.

The detection range of Puzzle Mushrooms was not wide. Therefore, the likelihood of encountering a large group beyond an obstacle was quite low.

“I hear no sounds. It seems there is nothing beyond the barrier, degozaru.” (Hattori)

“Ugo, is it safe to proceed?” (Wood)

“Yes, once they lose interest, they simply wander about aimlessly. It should be safe now.” (Adventurer)

It appeared to be the same situation here as well. We carefully cleared the remaining obstacles and advanced with caution. The atmosphere had not changed from before. Since the forest near the starting point, there had been little difference, aside from the dense mana and the small Puzzle Mushrooms growing on the walls.

“Piyo piyo, piyo.” (Ah, there is another mushroom on the wall. Let us eat it.) (Cockatrice)

*Snap, munch*

Each time the Cockatrice spotted a Puzzle Mushroom, it plucked it from the wall and ate it.

“Piyo pii.” (There are a lot around here.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyo piyo… piyo.” (Chewy, yes, indeed.) (Cockatrice)

“There are clearly more Puzzle Mushrooms than before.” (Elt)

At my remark, the adventurer in his thirties nodded.

“Yes, at least several times more. The atmosphere feels more like the third layer now.” (Adventurer)

“Ugo, is it like that on the other side as well? Mushrooms growing on the walls?” (Wood)

“One must strain one’s eyes to see them, but yes, they tend to grow in the corners and cracks.” (Hattori)

I see. These tiny shimeji-like ones must eventually grow into the large Puzzle Mushrooms.

“Are these smaller ones more common than in the third layer, or fewer?” (Elt)

I pointed to the one the Cockatrice had picked up.

“Piyo?” (Would you like to eat it?) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrice politely offered it, but I declined with equal politeness.

“They are still far fewer. In the third layer, there are small springs where many grow, but there are none here.” (Adventurer)

“So, moisture may also be a key factor.” (Elt)

That made sense, given that they were mushrooms.

Under the light of the Cockatrice’s glowing crest, we continued walking through the tunnel. Perhaps an hour passed. We kept moving straight southward, yet encountered no Puzzle Mushrooms. Only small ones remained on the walls.

“Surprisingly, there are few mature ones.” (Elt)

“That might be the case. The underground plaza had a river, but this area does not.” (Adventurer)

“It is fortunate that none are present in the tunnel, degozaru.” (Hattori)

As we spoke, I sensed the mana thickening once again.

Hmm.

“Ugo, is it happening again?” (Wood)

“Yes, it seems so. Judging by the distance, we might be approaching something significant.” (Elt)

Hattori nodded in understanding.

“The distance we have traveled is about the same as that between the village’s underground plaza and the second one, degozaru.” (Hattori)

Iskamina spoke up next.

“Mogu, then that means… yes, it must be so, mogu.” (Iskamina)

It appeared that the underground plazas were constructed at regular intervals, and we were now approaching the third one.

 

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