New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out (1/3 chapters)

 

 

 

Morning of the Festival

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At that time, in a place not far from Healberry Village…

Luxurious carriages were traveling in a line. The carriages moved in formation, each bearing the emblem of a snake, the crest of the Nagash Household. They belonged to the Hold family. Inside one of those carriages were Audrey and Clarissa. Their parents were riding in another carriage because having work to attend to. But Audrey, happily kneading the cockatrice plush on her lap, was in high spirits.

“Run-run~. We’re almost there~.” (Audrey)

“Y-Yeah. We should arrive around tomorrow.” (Clarissa)

“Yay, so soon, so soon~!” (Audrey)

*Run-run*

Audrey had been excited for a while now. No wonder she might finally learn something about the mysterious plush maker…

“But the village chiefs along the way really praised him a lot, huh?” (Clarissa)

“Yeah… My Ojii-sama is the feudal lord of Healberry Village, after all.” (Audrey)

“Uncle Elt. But I’ve never met him.” (Audrey)

In Audrey’s memory, Elt was the one person who didn’t exist. So, she had no impression of him whatsoever, but perhaps because of that, the evaluations from others left a stronger impression. During this trip, the closer they got to Healberry Village, the more praise Elt seemed to receive.

“Father was surprised too. ‘Thanks to him, merchants come and go more frequently now’… Only ever good things being said.” (Clarissa)

The vegetables and fruits exported from Healberry Village by Elt were enriching the surrounding areas. After all, massive quantities were exported daily. As a result, merchants and carriages came and went constantly. They stayed overnight or rested in nearby villages, rented warehouses… the indirect economic effects were immeasurable.

Recently, with preparations for the festival, goods were going back and forth even more. Even the surroundings of Healberry Village were experiencing a small-scale economic bubble.

“He was all smiles, wasn’t he…” (Clarissa)

“Exactly. Father is not very good with that stuff.” (Audrey)

Audrey knew.

That recently, when he thought she wasn’t looking, her father had been struggling with money.

Art must cost money, probably… (Audrey)

“That’s the kind of thing that would make Mother mad if she heard it.” (Clarissa)

Despite being only nine years old, Audrey was remarkably perceptive. From her mother’s behavior and the reactions of maids and butlers, she was good at constructing deductions.

“Maybe getting involved with the theater troupe was a bad move.” (Audrey)

“R-Really…? It was super large-scale and interesting though.” (Clarissa)

“…But the necessary audience didn’t show up. Father’s not good at selling things like that.” (Audrey)

Audrey pointed to the cockatrice plush sitting on her lap.

“Cockatrice…” (Clarissa)

“Right, the age is all about cockatrices now. Did you know? There are over 30 places making cockatrice plushies now.” (Audrey)

“T-That many?” (Clarissa)

“Zanzas is famous, but there are more popping up. And the quality’s surprisingly good.” (Audrey)

Clarissa remembered Audrey’s room. Her bed was overflowing with cockatrice plushies.

“But according to the merchant people who come and go, even that isn’t enough to meet demand.” (Audrey)

“Really…” (Clarissa)

“Yeah, that’s why… I’m going to find the super cool, mysterious plush artisan and have them make plushies. For Otou-sama to sell.” (Audrey)

“U-Um…” (Clarissa)

Clarissa nodded vaguely.

That sounds ridiculously difficult… (Clarissa)

Audrey was a dreamy girl. But Clarissa also knew well that her thinking was often a bit unconventional.

“There was something else that caught our attention too, right?” (Audrey)

“Ah… That.” (Clarissa)

It was something they heard from villagers during their stay the previous night. A new, unbelievable heroic tale had been added to the legend of Hero Stella.

“The story about Clarissa’s ancestor, Stella-san, defeating the Flower General with a wooden stick…” (Audrey)

“T-That’s definitely an exaggeration. I mean, deflecting the Flower General’s shots and all…” (Clarissa)

“Ehh… maybe you could pull it off too, Clarissa!” (Audrey)

“No way I could!” (Clarissa)

Laughing together like that, the carriage steadily continued on its way.

 

—

 

Yesterday, after being held by the cockatrice, things wrapped up with a tour of the underground plaza. I had a quick meeting with Lavan, and it felt like everything necessary was taken care of.

The next morning, when I woke up, Stella was already awake.

“Good morning!” (Stella)

“Morning, Stella.” (Elt)

Her eyes were wide and alert. She was fully awake.

“You’re up early… Is it because the festival starts today?” (Elt)

“Yes, I couldn’t sleep.” (Stella)

“O-Oh…” (Elt)

Like a kid excited for a field trip, huh… Well, that kind of thing is definitely part of who Stella is.

“Huh? Where are Dia and Marcosias… and Wood too? Did they already head out?” (Elt)

Dia and Marcosias were usually between me and Stella, and Wood often used my arm as a pillow. I’d heard they had to leave early for the play, but still.

“Yes, they left quite early. They seemed very motivated, so I let them go on their own.” (Stella)

“I see… You could’ve woken me up too.” (Elt)

“Fufu, you looked so peaceful. You’ve been very busy lately, after all.” (Stella)

Hmph… true, I’ve been all over the place with festival prep lately. Being allowed to sleep in is a blessing, I suppose.

“Well, I’ll see them in the dressing room before the play anyway…” (Elt)

“Yes, both I and Elt-sama need to keep an eye on those three.” (Stella)

“That’s not exactly easy, though.” (Elt)

I spoke honestly.

Sure, Dia is basically a newborn, but she is incredibly smart. Depending on the situation, she doesn’t need everything paved for her. Like this play, for example. But actually putting that into practice is harder than expected. Letting the three of them handle it within reason is probably best.

“It’s hard for me too. After all, they’re just so adorable.” (Stella)

“…Yeah, they are.” (Elt)

But once this Cockatrice Festival ends, the Adventurer Guild will be fully operational. If anything marked a turning point, it was this.

Feels like the end of the year, bringing everything to a close.

“Well, no point worrying too much. Let’s enjoy the festival too!” (Elt)

“Yes, let’s!” (Stella)

We got dressed and headed out. It was a bit chilly, but the sky was clear. Our breaths didn’t even fog.

“Stalls are still being set up, huh…” (Elt)

Villagers were starting to come out of their houses.

Still early, but…

During the festival, Stella and I would be on patrol and in charge of large-scale purchases. If a stall had the seed of a promising business, it was my role to help it grow.

“Yaaay! Festival time!!” (Leia)

“Whoa, what the–…!?” (Elt)

“It’s Leia!” (Stella)

Stella pointed sharply toward the back of the village.

“What in the world is she doing…?” (Elt)

*Tat-tan, tat-tan, takatakata!*

Three cockatrices were grouped in a triangle, just like the base of a cavalry charge formation. On top of them were Leia and Tetetoka. It was practically a cavalry game from a school sports festival. Leia was making a huge fuss, while Tetetoka beat the drums nonstop.

“Pippi-yo, pippi-yo!” (Light, yeah! Heave-ho!) (Leia)

“Pippi-yo, pippi-yo!” (So fun~! Heave-ho!) (Tetetoka)

They were clearly having a blast. And they made perfect festival cheerleaders. Leia called out to everyone.

“Let’s start the festival!!” (Leia)

No way I’m losing to that energy. Such excitement, this early in the morning.

When I looked to my side, Stella nodded with resolve. We took a breath, and raised our voices in unison with Leia’s.

““Yeah!!”” (Elt & Stella)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)