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

 

 

The Two Older Brothers

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“…You seem tired. Are you alright?” (Stella)

“I’m fine. Thank you.” (Elt)

We had prepared all the necessary lumber. Now we returned home for a short break. Setting everything up had taken quite a bit of concentration.

It didn’t use much mana, but still… Creating something I don’t normally produce always tires me out mentally before anything else.

After holding and petting Dia for a bit, I had recovered quite a lot. That said, I had finished preparing all the wood I needed to. The rest was just placement and decorations. The people of Zanzas were experienced with this.

Well, now that I think about it, this is an annual event for them.

Their efficiency and preparation went far beyond what I had imagined. Even without me giving out instructions, they were finishing the preparations carefully and safely.

“Then, shall we go see, piyo?” (Dia)

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it too.” (Elt)

Dia felt nice in my arms.

So fluffy… and warm.

By late December, it was cold outside. But Dia’s feathers were imbued with mana, like a magical hot water bottle.

Phew… During the festival, Hold might show up at any time.  Hold was probably busy, so he hadn’t written a specific date or time. I should probably finish my patrols early, just in case. The Black Dragon Knight Order are also sending a few people as security for the festival. It seems like Berzel-niisan wouldn’t be coming… Well, that couldn’t be helped. Zanzas is the bigger city.

“Alright, let’s go.” (Elt)

“Ugo-ugo, let’s go~!” (Wood)

“I’m excited!” (Marcosias)

I carried Dia as we left the house. She had grown bigger than a basketball already.

“…There were a lot of tasty-looking shops. I could tell from the smell.” (Marcosias)

“Maru-chan, don’t eat too much, piyoyo…” (Dia)

“Mmm… Brother…” (Marcosias)

“Ugo-ugo… Endurance is important!” (Wood)

“Ugh… I get it.” (Marcosias)

Dia, Marcosias, and Wood have changed a bit lately. They’d been spending more time acting independently from me and Stella, especially with all the play rehearsals. Once separated from their parents, they had more chances to think for themselves. That alone made getting involved in the play worth it.

I hadn’t actually seen the contents of the play in detail. Stella had seen a bit of the rehearsals, but she wouldn’t tell me anything. Apparently, I had to look forward to seeing it myself…

 

—

 

Around the same time, preparations for the Cockatrice Festival were also underway in Zanzas. Stalls lined the roads, and banners hung between spires. Street performers had already gathered, and eager merchants had placed price tags on their goods, ready and waiting. The festival hadn’t officially started, but a little bit of early selling was quietly allowed.

“My, it’s lively indeed.” (Berzel)

Berzel, now without his armor, walked through the city with his attendants. Though not officially the commander of the Black Dragon Knight Order yet, the responsibilities had already been entrusted to him.

This was Berzel’s first major assignment. Every year, some knight order was assigned to guard Zanzas during the Winter Solstice Festival. The reason they had passed through the Healberry village earlier was related to this security duty. That said, for the knights, this was something like a half-vacation. They took turns enjoying the festival thanks to the rotation.

“I thought it was a vibrant city when I came before, but now it’s truly exceptional. Who knew there was another city like this besides the royal capital…” (Radan)

The muscular knight, Berzel’s close aide, Radan spoke earnestly. The young knights around them nodded vigorously. In reality, Zanzas was one of the most prosperous and commercially active cities in the country. Radan and the others had seen many cities, but few could confidently claim superiority over Zanzas except, perhaps, the royal capital.

“The wealth brought by the dungeon. The ingenuity born from self-governance. The tradition and wisdom of a city older than the kingdom itself. Everything functions in harmony.” (Berzel)

Berzel summed up Zanzas’ strengths in a single phrase. Under proper management, a dungeon ranked among the world’s most dangerous had become an endless source of wealth. And the residents’ self-governance enabled them to adapt quickly to the times.

Moreover, Zanzas’ history was older than that of the kingdom. The residents and adventurers had protected it together for generations. The current royal family had been founded by the Prince of the Sword, who quelled a major monster outbreak. Zanzas had aligned itself with him early and secured extensive autonomy.

“Even so… There sure are a lot of cockatrices.” (Radan)

Radan looked a little tired.

“Gahaha, I get it. Knights can’t relax in this atmosphere, huh?” (Berzel)

“Even knowing they’re not dangerous… my instincts still react.” (Radan)

They laughed wryly together. No matter where one looked, there were piles of cockatrice goods. Naturally, the townspeople were all wearing cockatrice-themed items for the festival.

Radan, to be honest, was shocked. There weren’t just dozens of people wearing cockatrice hats… there were countless. Children and merchants alike wore hats with those beady cockatrice eyes. Even people in cockatrice costumes were standing around. Apparently, the Adventurer’s Guild had arranged them.

I’ve never heard of an Adventurer’s Guild doing something like this anywhere else.

“There are also books and small statues of Hero Stella… Some merchandise too. But that bat is clearly strange, right?” (Radan)

“Gahaha, that’s how heroes are. They always have quirks normal folks can’t understand.” (Berzel)

Berzel laughed heartily and pulled out a few coins from his pocket.

“Sorry for dragging you around. Radan and I will handle things from here. Go look around and have fun.” (Berzel)

The young knights let out surprised voices.

“A-Are you sure?” (Knight)

“Yeah, go buy some souvenirs for your families. These cockatrice plushies are pretty well-made.” (Berzel)

After sending the young knights off to play, Berzel and Radan settled into a café.

“Good grief. Becoming the head of a famous knight order means you can’t even walk the streets without attendants. It’s exhausting.” (Berzel)

“We’d be held responsible if anything happened to you, Commander…” (Radan)

“Gahaha, no need to say it. I know. But letting them off the hook now and then is also part of leadership.” (Berzel)

“I respect you. To be honest, the previous commander struggled in that area.” (Radan)

Radan spoke frankly. Though their time together had been short, trust had grown between Berzel and Radan.

“There’s something I wanted to talk about, just the two of us. Not work-related.” (Berzel)

“May I ask what it is?” (Radan)

“My younger brother Hold, and his family are apparently coming to the Cockatrice Festival. I got a letter.” (Berzel)

“…Hold-sama? I’ve heard rumors about him.” (Radan)

Radan, as an officer of a noble knight order, was somewhat familiar with the circumstances of the Nagash Household. Hold had graduated with excellent grades from the noble academy. Now he ran an art salon with his mother’s relatives and his old school friends. And he was supposed to be in a succession rivalry with Berzel.

“I’ve heard Hold-sama’s salon is making waves, hosting events all over the place…” (Radan)

“No doubt. Here’s what I need you to do. I can’t meet him directly right now. Please deliver this message quietly.” (Berzel)

*Gulp.*

Radan nodded heavily. He understood well that even if Berzel wished to meet, that wasn’t easily done in noble society.

“Tell him, ‘Just as we promised as children’. He’ll understand.” (Berzel)

“Yes, sir!” (Radan)

“You’ll lead a squad to Healberry Village, just as planned. Elt should be flexible enough to cooperate.” (Berzel)

“Understood!” (Radan)

Berzel gave a satisfied nod, then spoke somewhat wistfully.

“To think I can’t even casually meet my own brother… Such is the fate of nobles, huh.” (Berzel)

 

Cockatrice Festival Preparation

95%

Grass Dumpling Festival completed

Lodging set up in the underground plaza

Elven Cuisine Welcome (Spicy Stir-Fried Tomatoes, Steamed Dumplings, Almond Tofu)

Dia’s Play (Cockatrice Costume Edition & Paper Bat)

Adventurer Guild Construction

Large-scale setup completed; only decorations remain

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)