New chapters of Plant Magic Lord is out! (4/10 chapters)

 

 

Adventurers

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Gulp, Stella swallowed hard.

I know it. Stella is not the type who can fake expressions.Like just now, things show on her face and in her behavior immediately. The role I intend for Stella is, plainly put, goodwill ambassador. I want her to win over the citizens of Zanzas. Right now, our relationship is probably still just businesslike, but eventually, I want a broader alliance.

For that, recognition and popularity in Zanzas are important. That said, this way of thinking might be unusual in this world. Now, I need to communicate that to Stella effectively.

“People in Zanzas seem to adore you, Stella. It looks like there are plays and books about you. So maybe just showing your face would be fine, wouldn’t it?” (Elt)

“Fuee… That’s true, but… I understand. I will try it…” (Stella)

Stella hesitated a little, but in the end, she nodded.

That’s just how she is… Although our time together is short, I notice Stella rarely refuses. While that is helpful, I also worry that I might be pushing her too far.

“…If you don’t want it, you don’t have to do it. There’s no need to force yourself.” (Elt)

“Thank you very much… But I’m okay. Rather than that… it’s embarrassing.” (Stella)

“Embarrassing…?” (Elt)

I tilted my head, and Naru and Anaria quietly looked away. That reaction told me they knew something.

“What do you mean?” (Elt)

“…I’m a loner… I’ve always been a solo adventurer, and I don’t have any friends… That was in the play too… Uuu… sniffle” (Stella)

“A-alright! Sorry for asking!” (Elt)

Stella, your darkness runs deep. Now that I think about it, something similar happens before. That time it is a story about defeating her former fiancé in a duel. Hmm… I don’t think Stella is a bad person, though. Still, it is something from her past, different from now. Perhaps there hasbeen darkness as deep as a black hole in various places back then.

“Fueee…” (Stella)

“I’m your friend, okay? So, well…” (Elt)

“Really? Elt-sama is?” (Stella)

“Y-yeah…” (Elt)

Ugh… Is that the right thing to say?

Stella looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I’m not entirely sure if this is good, but… at least she sees me as a friend. Why do I say something like that so suddenly? Hmm… Even though I have vassals, I don’t have any friends either. Yes, I have to admit it. Even at home, I never have anyone like that. That is why I answer her reflexively.

…Maybe I am also starving for friendship.

“Ehehe…” (Stella)

Stella, who had seemed timid until now, was now smiling cheerfully. At the very least, it seemed her affection toward me had increased.

 

—

 

After finalizing the details, all that was left was to reply with a letter. The Adventurer Guild had included a carrier pigeon with the letter. They were quite thorough. With this, our reply should reach them quickly. As long as nothing went wrong, all that remained was to send an envoy to Zanzas and exchange contract documents. Just like we discussed earlier, Stella would be the one taking the lead.

…I cannot leave here due to Father’s orders. There is no surveillance, but it is also a matter of pride. Now that I am a lord to the people gathered here, I have to do my part. Still, I also want to prove myself, even just a little. In a sense, it might be childish…

Also, well… I am still a noble. Nobles only leave their territories in response to calls from other nobles. It is rare to go negotiate with commoners. I personally don’t think that way, but I can’t predict how the other side will perceive it. If I myself go to Zanzas, it might leave a bad impression. They might think I am not behaving like a proper noble. Therefore, appointing a representative is the safer option. That is at least for now.

 

—

 

Several days later. I was in the forest to the west of the territory with the adventurers. We came looking for materials we could offer as a gift to the Adventurer Guild. Of course, Wood was with us, and Brown had come along as a material appraiser. Since monsters might appear, Brown rode on Wood’s shoulder.

“It doesn’t shake at all, so it’s very comfortable, nya…” (Brown)

He seemed quite pleased. However, the forest was dim and only had animal trails. Naturally. It was my first time entering a forest. From the look of the entrance, Naru said there seemed to be many materials. It was a good opportunity, so I joined in while also testing a new spell.

Plant magic was not just for creating things. At present, I was using the intermediate spell, [Forest Appraiser]. From what I understood in my past life, it was a spell that grasped the surrounding plants. When something was found, it would come to mind as words… or so it was supposed to work. It was completely unsuited for combat, but in gathering materials, it had tremendous power. I had always wanted to see how effective it really was.

Then suddenly, words appeared in my head.

…So, this is how it worked.

“Right side of the tree’s shadow, Exploding Grass” (System Message)

“Hmm… In the shadow of the tree on the right, there’s Exploding Grass. Retrieve it.” (Elt)

An adventurer quickly moved and shouted in delight.

“Heh heh! Ah, there it is! Got it!” (Adventurer)

“…That’s amazing, nya. You’re finding materials faster than the adventurers, nya.” (Brown)

“I can only detect plants though… I don’t know anything about minerals or animals.” (Elt)

“Even so, it’s wonderful, nya. I think you have better eyes than veteran adventurers with ten years of experience, nya.” (Brown)

Apparently, the spell is more effective than I had imagined. You really don’t know until you try.

“Ugo ugo. Branches, in the way!” (Wood)

Wood used his large arms to move branches and bushes aside. Standing at two meters tall, Wood’s strength was considerable. Thanks to him, we made good progress.

“Next patch of grass, Silver Clover” (System Message)

“Next, in the patch of grass 20 steps ahead, there’s Silver Clover.” (Elt)

“A clover made of silver, nya. That’ll sell for a high price, nya.” (Brown)

In this way, we kept acquiring more and more materials. After about an hour of progress, the adventurers’ attitudes had noticeably changed. Their eyes had started to show respect.

“…The lord seems quite knowledgeable about plants. I didn’t expect him to find them so easily.” (Adventurer)

“Shows he’s well-educated… Nobles really are different, huh…” (Adventurer)

Is this being recognized? I hope that is the case. If so, that is great. It looks like I can build a good relationship with the Adventurer Guild.

Then, another reaction appeared.

…What is this?

“30 steps ahead, Dryad’s Village” (System Message)

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)