New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (7/10 chapters)

 

 

Normal Operations

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The discussion with Nana ended. Nana politely expressed her thanks and left the house to go to the inn. I offered to escort her, but she declined firmly, saying she could see well at night, and it was unnecessary.

Phew, for now, I guess this is good enough…? Nana’s temporary stay has been decided after all.

“…She has gone home.” (Stella)

“Yeah… Nana’s lodging fees will be covered by this check from Hold.” (Elt)

“That is a good idea. By the way, is he your brother’s friend, Elt-sama? He doesn’t seem simple.” (Stella)

“Probably not. But he showed respect to me, so he likely won’t break our agreement suddenly. How well we can keep her here depends on the future.” (Elt)

Then, I noticed Stella was looking at the letter. I supposed she was curious about it. That was understandable. I had hardly ever talked about my family to anyone in the village. I only mentioned them when absolutely necessary.

Naturally, I had never sent letters to my family. This was the first letter I had received from them. Others might have thought the nobility was secretive, but Stella, who lived under the same roof, must have found it strange. She might have wondered if we were in contact. No, we were not.

I hesitated briefly but decided I should explain some of it to Stella. Not everything, but enough. I did not want her to distrust me.

“Stella, could you listen for a moment?” (Elt)

“Y-yes.” (Stella)

I sat properly and told her about the current state of the Nagash Household and my brother. About the house and family… it was the first time I explained this much myself. I skipped details about my treatment at home and how I came to this village.

Stella listened with deep interest. I do not know how much of it makes sense to her since there are gaps.

“From what you told me, Elt-sama, the Nagash Household is one of the kingdom’s five great noble houses. It has several million people under it. It is almost the scale of a small country. It is even larger than the elf countries I know.” (Stella)

“Elves are said to have small numbers. Still, it is a large scale.” (Elt)

“And you have three older brothers with a big age gap…” (Stella)

“They are about ten years older than me. All three are married. Basically, they are properly managing the family as nobles.” (Elt)

“I see…” (Stella)

“Also, each of the four of us has a different mother. It is quite complicated.” (Elt)

“That makes sense…” (Stella)

“As the youngest, I do not expect to inherit the family headship. Nor do I want it. I just want to help this village thrive and enjoy life. I want you to understand that much.” (Elt)

“So, this life you live now is the best for you?” (Stella)

“Of course.” (Elt)

I nodded.

Honestly, there is nothing more important to me than this village. That much is clear.

“…I feel the same. This village is the best.” (Stella)

I had placed my hand on the table. Stella gripped it tightly. I could feel her warmth.

“Though there is nothing special, I just want you to know.” (Elt)

“But it is important.” (Stella)

Stella smiled then. Her smile was bright and beautiful, more than I deserve.

“I will clear the table. Shall we have some tea? There is some blended tea left that I bought from Naru.” (Stella)

“I’ll help. We should finish it.” (Elt)

We stood up at the same time. In the living room, Marcosias, Dia, and Wood were playing.

For me, this is what matters. I will never mistake that.

 

—

 

At that time, Nana was heading to the inn made from Large Tree wood. Walking alone, Nana observed the village. Her first impression was how clean and well-kept it was.

They were not gathered here in disorder. It was clearly an orderly community. And the number of Large Tree houses… It was truly astonishing. Nana had seen many places but could hardly believe that this was a field just a few months ago. However, Nana thought the greatest surprise was something else. It was the recent dinner.

Nana was not very eager about investigating the underground passage. If not for Hold’s matter, she might have come much later. But when Elt sensed this, he immediately changed the topic. Tomatoes… Of course, she could have refused, but she became very interested. About Elt as an individual.

“That Hold’s younger brother is too capable for his age… Is he really only fifteen?” (Nana)

She murmured while recalling the conversation. Creativity and flexibility to instantly propose new ideas without consulting anyone. Yet he was not reckless. Although younger than Nana, he felt like someone much older to talk with.

Hold was widely known as a careless person. He had talent and ability and was not lazy. But perhaps because he was the third son, Hold had continuously avoided responsibilities. He was also pushed to join the student council at the noble academy but refused. For that, Nana ended up having to do it. In the end, Hold settled down after becoming an adult as the owner of an art salon. He seemed to get along well with wealthy hobbyists and managed funds flexibly.

“…It seems so, or rather it does.” (Nana)

Still, Nana was helped by Hold. Thanks to Hold’s resourcefulness, she managed to clear the daytime classes she was bad at. Without Hold, she would have had to attend for another year. Although Hold had his own motivation, that was to get closer to a female friend of Nana’s, that eventually led to marriage, so it was fine.

The more she thought about it, the less Elt and Hold resembled each other. Elt was much more reliable and fulfilled his responsibilities as a lord.

Walking steadily, Nana quickly arrived at the inn.

“Oh…?” (Nana)

At the inn’s reception was a familiar, or rather unforgettable person. It was Leia who was wearing a cockatrice hat. She was the master of the Zanzas’ Adventurer Guild. Extremely capable but notorious for being eccentric. From the earlier atmosphere in the second square, Nana thought it was true that she was eccentric.

“We were expecting you, Nana-sama.” (Leia)

“Just Nana is fine. I’m younger anyway.” (Nana)

“…Understood, Nana.” (Leia)

“So, why are you waiting for me like this?” (Nana)

Leia seemed a little nervous.

“I have something to discuss and consult with you.” (Leia)

“Hmm…?” (Nana)

Nana tilted her head. At this timing, it was probably a secret mission from the Adventurer Guild. Or maybe something related to Elt.

‘I honestly don’t like dark matters’, Nana thought, but she could not ignore it.

“For now, please look at this.” (Leia)

“Hmm…?” (Nana)

Leia twisted a string hanging from her hat, and the eyes on the cockatrice hat lit up.

*Peka!*

It was quite dazzling.

“Hey, that’s too bright!” (Nana)

Nana protested at the sudden brightness, and the lights in both eyes went off immediately.

“Sorry, I thought it would be best if you saw it yourself. I installed a function for the cockatrice hat’s eyes to light up.” (Leia)

“Why did you add such a function?” (Nana)

“I thought it might be useful for investigating the underground passages.” (Leia)

“Why did you think to make the cockatrice hat’s eyes light up?” (Nana)

“There is a subspecies of cockatrice whose eyes glow at night. I tried to reproduce that… It was written in last month’s Monthly Piyo.” (Leia)

“…” (Nana)

This was bad. Nana sensed it instinctively. She felt Leia was deeper into strange matters than herself.

“So, I added the lighting function, but the light goes out quickly. I can’t quite find a solution.” (Leia)

“…So that’s why you came to ask?” (Nana)

“Yes.” (Leia)

“The light works, so the wiring probably cannot handle the output.” (Nana)

“I thought so… But stronger wiring is difficult.” (Leia)

“There is also the method of wiring multiple cables in parallel. It’s not simple. Do you have time?” (Nana)

“Of course!” (Leia)

“…I was surprised by the brightness coming from such a small hat. If improved, it could definitely be useful.” (Nana)

Leia was honestly happy to hear that.

“Right! Should I add it to Nana’s mascot costume too?” (Leia)

Nana exhaled lightly and said one thing.

“…I’ll consider it positively.” (Nana)

 

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