New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Group Guests

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

When everyone raised their voices, Leia nodded in satisfaction.

Then, raising both hands high–…

“I’m going to take a quick lap around like this!” (Leia)
“Off I go.” (Tetetoka)

With that, horseback-riding Leia and Tetetoka marched off out of the square.

Accompanied by the sounds of drums and piyopiyo.

*Teketeketek*

*Piyopiyopiyo*

After they left, Stella and I looked at each other. It really was like a whirlwind blew through.

“…That was amazing.” (Elt)

“I never imagined they would appear in such a combination.” (Stella)

But the impact was massive. I could clearly understand why people in the past focused on height and sound during festivals.

Hmm… Maybe next year we should incorporate a float or something like that. It seems the Zanzas’ Cockatrice Festival doesn’t have mikoshi (portable shrine) or dashi (festival float). No one ever mentioned anything like that.

“Alright, let’s do this, nyan!” (Nyaff)

“Nyaa!” (Nyaff)

From all around the village, energetic voices could be heard. Fortunately, the weather was perfect.

I felt my own spirits rising. I held out my hand to Stella for a high-five.

“Alright, let’s go!” (Elt)

“Yes!” (Stella)

And so, the festival finally began. The real crowd would probably come around noon. That was when there would be all sorts of events on the stage. Like the grass dumpling festival, theatrical performances, and live piyo handshake events.

“Hnn…!?” (Stella)

Suddenly, Stella twitched her ears. Tilting her head, she looked toward the village entrance.

“Something wrong, Stella?” (Elt)

“…It seems a lot of carriages are arriving.” (Stella)

“A lot?” (Elt)

Already? No, that’s too early for guests. It’s only around nine o’clock or so. Maybe they camped nearby overnight?

“Nyaaaan!” (Naru)

Naru, who had been standing by at the village entrance, came running toward us. She looked pretty flustered.

“Naru, did something happen?” (Elt)

“Elt-sama, you came at just the right time! This is serious, nya!” (Naru)

After a dramatic pause, Naru spread her arms with joy.

“So many guests, nya!” (Naru)

“Oh! That’s great!” (Elt)

“So, it was true…!” (Stella)

“It’s a group of vampires, nya! They came all the way here this morning, nya!” (Naru)

Huh? A group of vampires?

“Could it be…” (Elt)

Before I could finish my thought, the guests began streaming in through the village entrance with lively chatter.

“The live piyo handshake event is that way!” (Vampire)

“For now, I wanna drop off my luggage—” (Vampire)

“Where’s that super tasty tomato juice—?” (Vampire)

“Nana-sama? Is she over there too?” (Vampire)

…Hmm.

What appeared was a crowd dressed in Cockatrice costumes. About 30 people, from adults to what were probably children. Every single one of them wore a Cockatrice costume.

Well, of course… I already knew from Nana that vampires always wear costumes. But for now, I have something I need to do.

Taking a deep breath, I called out loudly.

“Welcome to the Healberry Village!” (Elt)

 

—

 

After that, the number of guests kept increasing. It was far beyond what I had anticipated. Happily, things became very busy all at once. Most of them seemed to be traders heading to Zanzas or travelers passing through.

The ones arriving now were Dwarf merchants. Apparently, they had come from the many Dwarf kingdoms to the west. Normally they only exchange letters and goods, but once every few years, they make a trip to Zanzas. If something interesting catches their eye there, they begin trading.

It seems that on their way nearby, they learned about our village, and they decided to stop by. A very welcome development.

“This whole region used to be wasteland… The lord-sama’s power is truly magnificent.” (Dwarf Merchant)

“No, no…” (Elt)

“Your vegetables are also wonderful… My uncle deals in vegetables, so if I tell him, I’m sure he’ll be interested.” (Dwarf Merchant)

“Please, by all means.” (Elt)

That was pretty much how things were going. Apparently, it was rare for a lord to stand at the entrance personally. But sitting proudly in the back didn’t feel right either.

Well, it should be fine. This is sort of like reception duty anyway.

By the way, Stella was also standing at the village entrance. Naturally, a crowd had gathered around her.

Well, she’s more well-known… And later there’s going to be a play based on her exploits too.

“My, my. Things seem quite lively.” (Nana)

“Nana, huh… Thanks to you, yeah.” (Elt)

Nana toddled up in her costume. She was accompanied by a few tiny costumed figures, probably children. Kids from the vampire group that arrived earlier.

“You brought those guests, right? Thank you.” (Elt)

“No, it wasn’t much. I just sent a letter, and some sample bottled tomato to my hometown. The fact that those vampires came means they thought it was worth it.” (Nana)

I couldn’t see her expression through the costume, but she seemed somehow happy.

“I sent the letter to a few relatives and acquaintances, so more might come later.” (Nana)

“I see… Still, thank you. Nothing can start unless people come.” (Elt)

In this world where communication isn’t developed, personal connections are a huge asset. We need to slowly build trust.

Nana turned to the child she was holding hands with.

“Hey, how do you like this village?” (Nana)

“The tomato juice was yummy!” (Child)

“And that small green… that candy was good too!” (Child)

“There was a Cockatrice too!” (Child)

The kids happily chattered away. Just hearing that made all the effort feel worth it.

“Like this, like this!” (Stella)

Over there, for some reason, Stella was demonstrating how to swing a toy bat being sold nearby.

*Whack whack*

She sliced the air as she demonstrated an actual swing.

“You swing with your whole body… Just using your arms won’t transfer the power.” (Stella)

“Hooh! I see!” (Villager)

People around her listened with admiration. And they were already buying up Stella merchandise. Bats, gloves, balls. Her famous-quote cloak and mini booklets. She really had some devoted fans. Today was also a chance for those fans, who had come from far away, to meet her.

Let’s give them their space.

As we continued welcoming guests like this, time passed in the blink of an eye. Nana also stood at the entrance, guiding the vampire guests. Or rather, costumed visitors kept pouring in. Guests arrived nonstop.

Before I realized it, the sun was already high in the sky. It was probably about time for the Grass Dumpling Festival to start.

“It’s about time for the Grass Dumpling Festival to start in the square!” (Lalatoma)

Oh, just as I was thinking that.

Lalatoma called out, leading the Dryads along. The main participants were Anaria and Tetetoka. They would simply eat in rhythm with the music, though to Dryads, it was an important tradition.

Alright, let’s head to the square! I wonder what kind of atmosphere it has become…

 

Territory Information

Place Name: Healberry Village

Special Facilities: Adventurer’s Guild (temporary), Tower of the Great Tree (with soil bath), Underground Plaza Inn

Total Festival Visitors: +356 (Vampires in Cockatrice costumes, merchants from afar, adventurer-enthusiast tourists)

Total Population: 208

Tourism Level: C (Soil bath, fantastical underground spaces, Elven cuisine)

Fishing Level: C (Rainbow Fish farming, soup from scale stock)

Ranch Level: C (Cockatrice sisters, Cockatrices with glowing eyes)

Demon King Level: E (Demon Maru-wanchan)

 

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