Chapter 31

The day after the barbecue party. After getting a good night's sleep and finishing breakfast, I decided to get to work.

I would go around all the fields I was cultivating and apply growth promotion.

That said, I didn’t do it every day.

I adjusted based on the growth of each crop. It was probably about once every two or three days. Since I was using magic stones as fertilizer, there wasn’t much need to apply it every day.

At the edge of my vision, Rent and the other Gaia Notes were watering the fields.

Watering was mainly handled by Leidia, who was skilled in water magic, but since the fields had become so vast, it was now the responsibility of Rent and the others.

It was heartwarming to see the four Gaia Notes, with their leaves on their heads, moving around like close siblings.

"Good morning, Kira Plant."

I greeted the Kira Plant, which was diligently guarding the fields, and applied growth promotion.

In response, the Kira Plant wriggled its body as usual, showing its joy.

"You've grown quite a bit, haven't you? You're bigger than when we first met, aren't you?"

The Kira Plant, which had been transplanted by its own will, seemed larger than when we first met.

Despite this, it showed no signs of stopping its growth. I wonder how big it will get.

"Right. Since I've added more fields, can you give me some Insect Killer seeds? And if possible, it would be great if you could give me some of your subordinates."

With the increase in fields, the area that needed protection had also increased. The Kira Plant, like me, could produce vines to cover a wide area, but it would be slower in dealing with approaching monsters and wouldn't be able to deter them.

If possible, I wanted to increase the number of Kira Plants to boost the overall defense.

As I wished this, the Kira Plant produced vines and tapped my pouch.

Inside were small magic stones, which served as snacks for the Kira Plant and Insect Killers.

"Hmm? Do you need magic stones?"

When I asked, the Kira Plant nodded.

"Is this amount of magic stones enough?"

When I asked, the Kira Plant shook its head and made a gesture with its vines, indicating a large quantity.

It seemed that the snack-sized magic stones wouldn't be enough to create subordinates.

"Got it. I'll get a large magic stone."

It would be too convenient if it could be done without any cost. I had been storing magic stones as fertilizer for the fields and for emergencies, but I decided to use them to boost the field's defenses.

Even without magic stones, the materials alone would be sufficient to convert into cash.

I decided this and went to get a large magic stone from the storage room in the house.

In addition to magic stones from Armored Bears, Green Deer, and Devil Fangs, there were also large magic stones that Rent had obtained from somewhere. I brought all of them to the Kira Plant.

The Kira Plant lifted them with its vines and started to eat them voraciously.

I thought this amount would be enough, but the Kira Plant didn't stop eating and finished all of them.

I was surprised that it would eat all of them, and then the Kira Plant's body started to tremble.

The Kira Plant's body grew rapidly, similar to the effect of applying growth promotion. As its body grew, branches and leaves extended, and the flowers became larger. The thorns on the vines also grew larger and more ominous.

Before I knew it, the Kira Plant had grown to more than twice the size of our house.

Beautiful large flowers bloomed at the tips of the branches extending from its body.

"...You've grown even bigger."

I looked up at the fully grown Kira Plant in amazement.

To be honest, it looked so different that it didn't seem like the Kira Plant anymore.

By absorbing the magic stones of the forest's monsters, its magic power had increased significantly.

It had a presence like a final boss or a hidden area boss. If it were to appear in the area, it would be a disaster.

【Mother Plant】

A legendary monster that is born once every few thousand years.

It absorbs nutrients from all living things, grows, and increases its power by producing plant-type monsters with vicious abilities, expanding its influence. In the past, it has destroyed many countries and is known as a monster that can destroy nations.

As I stared at it, this knowledge flowed into my mind.

It really would be a disaster if it appeared in the area.

"Hey, Hashira! I felt a powerful magic presence!?"

"Is it an enemy!? Is an enemy coming!?"

"Miss, it's dangerous to rush out carelessly!"

Leidia, Carmilla, and Claire, who were busy with their respective tasks, were surprised and came out.

They looked up at what was in front of me and had a stunned expression.

"Is that the Kira Plant...?"

"But its strength is clearly different, isn't it?"

"It seems to have become a Mother Plant."

When I told Leidia and Carmilla, who were tilting their heads, they didn't seem to fully understand.

Since it wasn't a monster that appeared in the area, it wasn't in their knowledge.

"That's strange. It's a nation-destroying monster that was recorded in ancient documents... If its existence is confirmed, countries would unite to defeat it..."

However, Claire seemed to know and was pale with fear.

It seemed she had seen records about the Mother Plant.

"Don't worry. It won't do such things, and if it does, I can stop it."

No matter how vicious the monster, as a plant, it cannot defy me.

"So, does that mean Lord Hashira has a nation-destroying monster under his control?"

"...Huh? Is that how it is?"

"That's how it is."

"Well, we're comrades, so it doesn't matter."

"Y-Yes. It's really fortunate that we became comrades. And that we met before it took this form."

If we had been enemies when it was in the Mother Plant state, it would have been a disaster.

Claire seemed to truly appreciate our good fortune.

"Still, why did the Kira Plant become like this?"

To Leidia's question, I explained the process.

Leidia seemed to understand why the Kira Plant had become this way.

"You gave it all the magic stones over there. Well, since those magic stones were collected by Hashira and Rent, there's no complaint, but please let us know when you do something like this. It's a shock to the heart."

"Ah, got it. Sorry for the shock."

I didn't expect it to eat that much magic stones, nor did I expect it to change like this. I thought it would just need a lot of magic stones to produce subordinates.

But since I had brought out that much magic stones, I should have consulted Leidia and the others beforehand.

I consider what we collect to be shared property. I need to be more careful in the future.

"Since the magic stones are gone, we need to replenish them, right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Then, can I go monster hunting for the first time in a while?"

Carmilla, who had become fond of agriculture, was basically a tomboy and a wild child.

She probably wanted to move around more dramatically from time to time. Given the current situation where the magic stones were all gone, Carmilla's suggestion was welcome. There was no reason to reject it.

"That would be a big help."

"Will Claire or Leidia come with me?"

"Please spare me, Miss. I would be hunted instead."

"I don't think I can keep up with Carmilla either."

Carmilla looked at them, and they subtly averted their gaze.

"Boring. Then, will Hashira come?"

"No, I have things to do here. Can you take Rent Jiro instead? I want to see how well he can fight."

I was curious about the difference in combat ability between Rent and Rent Jiro, who I had created in the same way.

"Got it. The one with two leaves, right? I'll take him with me!"

Carmilla called out to Rent Jiro, sprouted wings from her back, and flew off. Rent Jiro chased after her at high speed.