New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Third Underground Plaza

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“It seems there is another open space deeper within the passage.” (Elt)

The light of the Cockatrice’s glowing feathers illuminated the distance. It spread in a way clearly different from how it shone along the corridor.

“It would appear so. The echo also sounds different, degozaru.” (Hattori)

“So, this would make it the third plaza then. It has been about an hour since the previous one. Perhaps these plazas were built at regular intervals.” (Adventurer)

Anaria nodded in agreement with the adventurer in his thirties.

“It does seem that way. The underground plaza beneath the village was already astonishing, but to think there might be several of the same size. How many such underground spaces could there be?” (Anaria)

“If they are built at even intervals, there could be several dozen, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“I find it difficult to believe they constructed that many.” (Elt)

The distance between the village and Zanzas was two days by carriage and several times longer on foot. If we assumed roughly four full days on foot, and one underground plaza every hour, there would be around thirty to forty of them. It was a rough calculation, but likely not too far off the mark. Of course, that assumption depended on the plazas being evenly spaced apart.

“If it were dug by hand, it would be an enormous undertaking. Just one plaza would take months to complete. Would it be different for dwarves or the Mole Tribe?” (Elt)

“Mogu. If it were dwarves or us of the Mole Tribe, we could complete one in less than a month, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Iskamina raised her hand lightly. It was adorable.

“However, manpower, tools, and funds are necessary, mogu. Only if we invest properly, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“That makes sense. Even this corridor is vast in scale. If it truly connects to Zanzas, the very thought is overwhelming.” (Anaria)

Paved roads were scarce in this world. Places with wealth, like Zanzas, maintained proper roads, but across the nation, they were still uncommon. And especially between cities, most roads were said to be poorly maintained. Eventually, I wanted to change that as well.

“Ugo, what about using magic?” (Wood)

“Of course, that would make the process far easier.” (Elt)

If we used earth and stone magic, construction would proceed much more efficiently, though it would still require considerable mana.

“Well, we are nearly at the next chamber. Do not let your guard down.” (Adventurer)

“I sense something ahead as well.” (Hattori)

“Piyo.” (A mushroom?) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo.” (It must be a mushroom.) (Cockatrice)

We adjusted our formation and prepared to enter the underground chamber. Though, to be honest, I felt relatively at ease. With this group, there was little cause for concern. The Cockatrice had stored several Puzzle Mushrooms on the tip of its wings. I wondered if it planned to take them home rather than eat them immediately.

“All right, let us move in!” (Adventurer)

“Ugo! Charge!” (Wood)

The adventurer in his thirties and Wood dashed forward energetically, followed by the rest of us and the Cockatrices.

“Good grief…” (Elt)

The space that opened up beyond the corridor was indeed another underground plaza. But there, standing before us, was an enormous Puzzle Mushroom.

“Ugo, it is much bigger than I am.” (Wood)

The Big Puzzle Mushroom loomed tall before us. It must have been three, perhaps four meters in height.

“✕△○ー!!”

The giant mushroom swayed and began to approach. Its red cap gave it the appearance of a deadly poisonous mushroom.

“This is the first time I have seen one that large!” (Adventurer)

“Should we engage it directly, degozaru?” (Hattori)

The adventurer froze, visibly tense.

Had such a large Puzzle Mushroom appeared in the game version? I do not recall it as a normal enemy, though now that I think about it, there has been something like it in an event scene, a boss monster that is planned but never implemented.

And now it stands before us.

“Ugo, what shall we do?” (Wood)

“Well, perhaps we should observe it first–…” (Elt)

“Piyoo!” (It is huge!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyoo!!” (Charge!!) (Cockatrice)

“Ah!” (Elt)

Before I could respond, the Cockatrices charged forward with cheerful cries.

“Piyopi!” (Munyure!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo!” (Pinch it!) (Cockatrice)

Before we could stop them, the Cockatrices were already upon the Big Puzzle Mushroom.

“What should we do!?” (Adventurer)

“There is no helping it, advance!” (Elt)

The Big Puzzle Mushroom swung one of its mushroom-like arms toward the Cockatrices.

“Piyo!” (You will not hit me!) (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrices dashed swiftly across the ground, easily avoiding the heavy strike.

“Ugo, that was fast!” (Elt)

Normally, the Cockatrices acted lazy and soft, but their physical ability was extraordinary. I once read that at full speed, they could run faster than a cheetah.

“Piyo, piyo!” (Cocka-kick!) (Cockatrice)

They struck the Big Puzzle Mushroom while evading its attacks.

“✕○✕ー!?”

The giant mushroom staggered from the blow. It seemed that physical attacks were indeed effective.

“Still, I wonder how much damage we can actually deal to it.” (Elt)

Its durability was unknown. If it was merely twice as tough as a normal one, the battle would not take long.

“Ugo?” (Wood)

“What is it?” (Elt)

“The Puzzle Mushroom looks like it’s about to fall.” (Anaria)

“What?” (Elt)

When I looked up, the Big Puzzle Mushroom was already swaying unsteadily.

“▽✕○……”

With a heavy thud, it toppled over and stopped moving.

What? That is… anticlimactic.

“Is it over?” (Elt)

“It appears to be no longer moving.” (Adventurer)

Even the adventurers holding their weapons stood there stunned.

“It seems the battle has ended.” (Hattori)

Anaria’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“As expected of Coka-chan!” (Anaria)

The Cockatrices climbed atop the fallen mushroom and began dancing joyfully.

“Piyoo!” (We got it!) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo~!” (Mushroom get~!) (Cockatrice)

Well, I suppose it is fine since we have defeated it. Perhaps it has only looked formidable.

While we were distracted by the Big Puzzle Mushroom, I took a moment to examine the underground plaza itself. At a glance, it appeared similar to the previous two. Glowing moss covered the ceiling, and the gentle sound of running water echoed throughout. There was also a sloped passage that seemed to lead to the surface. However, something felt subtly different. I could not quite put it into words.

Iskamina walked up beside me and spoke softly.

“Mogu. It feels a little narrower, mogu.” (Iskamina)

 

Territory Information

Region Name: Healberry Village

Baseball Team: Village Cocatonia

Special Facilities: Adventurer Guild, Great Tree Tower (with soil bath), Underground Plaza Inn, Cockatrice Grand Bath, Cockatrice Boat Dock, Second and Third Underground Plazas

Total Population: 243

Tourism Level: B (soil bath, fantastical underground scenery, Elven cuisine restaurant)

Fishing Level: B (Rainbow Fish breeding, fish-scale broth, Malde Scallops)

Ranching Level: C (Cockatrice sisters, luminous-eyed Cockatrice)

Demon King Level: D (Demon Maru-chan, red super speed)

 

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