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

 

 

Piyo and Puzzle Mushroom

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At that time, within the quarters of the Cockatrices.

It was a night illuminated by starlight.

Anaria was serving Puzzle Mushroom dishes to Iskamina, Tetetoka, and the Cockatrices.

“Mogu… I made a great many, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“Ufufu, I worked hard! Goodness, it has been since the academy days that I cooked this much!” (Anaria)

Before the proudly straightened Anaria were arrayed numerous dishes of Puzzle Mushrooms. She had neatly sliced a Big Puzzle Mushroom and cooked it.

“Piyo” (Monyu) (Cockatrice)
“Piyoyo” (Monyu monyu) (Cockatrice)

However, several of the Cockatrices were already munching on raw Puzzle Mushrooms.
Cockatrices possessed absolute resistance to poison, and thus mushrooms were not things to be avoided but simply things to be eaten.

Tetetoka toddled and peered onto the plates, nodding softly.

“Hee, so many mushroom dishes.” (Tetetoka)

Pickled Puzzle Mushrooms, grilled Puzzle Mushrooms, stewed Puzzle Mushrooms. These three represented the basic dishes, with various toppings prepared.

“So, these are the recommended dishes of the Eating Master?” (Tetetoka)

“Well, rather than recommendations, they are more familiar ones… yes.” (Anaria)

Dryads such as Tetetoka were not particular about daily cuisine. To them, grass dumplings were supreme and ultimate, and all other dishes ranked below.

However, that did not mean they lacked taste. On the contrary, their sense of flavor was extremely keen, for they could even distinguish slight differences in water. They could precisely discern the quality of grass dumplings, something even elves would overlook.

Anaria knew this well, hence her vague reply.

“However, I can guarantee the quality.” (Anaria)

“It truly feels just like those days, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Anaria and Iskamina spoke with nostalgia.

Even if she had served poor dishes, Tetetoka would have said nothing. She was not the type to throw plates or complain. She would simply tilt her head quietly and gaze with eyes resembling the darkness of the forest.

“Piyo, piyo, piyo.” (One, two, three.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyopiyo, piyo.” (Heave-ho, heave-ho.) (Cockatrice)

Several Cockatrices lay upon the straw, stretching their legs and wings as though performing exercises.

“What are they doing, mogu?” (Iskamina)

“They seem to be reducing their ‘tap’.” (Tetetoka)

“Tap mogu?” (Iskamina)

Unfamiliar with the word, Iskamina twitched her whiskers.

Tap…?

Tetetoka watched for a moment, then approached one of the reclining Cockatrices.
She stared intently for a short while.

“Hmm, this one looks to be around two taps.” (Tetetoka)

“Piyo~. Piyo! Piyo.” (Ah~ tap tap! Ahaha!) (Cockatrice)

“And this one here might be about three taps.” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka gently patted the Cockatrice lying on its stomach and staring into the distance.

“Piyo, piyoyo.” (I am tap, therefore I tap.) (Cockatrice)

It seemed to be lost in thought about something profound.

“To think there would be such differences among fluffy Cockas.” (Anaria)

“I do not really understand, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Anaria explained with a distant look in her eyes.

“In short, it is a matter of overeating. Tap itself is not evil, but one must make the effort to reduce it.” (Anaria)

That much seemed to make sense to Iskamina. She had already spent several months in the village and was not entirely free from tap herself. After all, all such things were either tragedies or comedies brought about by delicious food.

“Well then, the dishes will grow cold. Please enjoy them while they are warm.” (Anaria)

At Anaria’s words, the Cockatrices chirped “Piyo” and flocked toward the dishes.

The one with the distant gaze crawled forward on its belly, wriggling closer. Thus, even among Cockatrices, there was individuality. In general, Cockatrices were hearty eaters. They practiced restraint, yet could not endure hunger.

“Piyoyo.” (This is the one from earlier.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyo, piyoyo.” (The squishy one.) (Cockatrice)

Some groups were encountering Puzzle Mushrooms for the first time. Such Cockatrices gazed curiously at the cooked form of the Puzzle Mushroom.

“Piyo.” (I see.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo.” (So, the big shimeji becomes like this.) (Cockatrice)

Naturally, there were preferences in how Puzzle Mushrooms were prepared.

For instance, grilled Puzzle Mushrooms were said to loosen their fibers somewhat due to heat. However, the difference was almost imperceptible, and few people chose to eat them that way. Nevertheless, lightly salted and peppered grilled Puzzle Mushrooms were not bad as a side dish, particularly for impoverished students who could not afford even a slice of meat. Pickled or stewed preparations, however, offered greater variation as cuisine.
Pickling was for preservation, while stewing was for immediate consumption.

Though it required time, stewing produced the unique flavor of Puzzle Mushrooms. Because the taste soaked deeply in, it became a popular dish. In some regions, it had even become a local specialty much like that of vampires. As for pickling, or rather marinating, it was likely the finest method of preparation humanity had discovered for Puzzle Mushrooms. As an accompaniment to alcohol, it was by far the most popular.

 

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