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

 

 

Piyo & Grass Dumpling Festival

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

When I went to the plaza, quite a number of people had gathered. There should be around three hundred and some tens of people here. With the villagers together, that meant over 500 people were assembled.

At the front of the plaza, tables and chairs were lined up, and the Dryads were already sitting there. Of course, on top of the tables, piles of grass dumplings were placed. All the Dryads had sharp, crisp expressions. They were filled with spirit.

This might be the first time that every Dryad is up and about looking like this.

“Uwaah… Somehow, I feel nervous.” (Stella)

“Y-Yeah…” (Elt)

It was the first event, after all.

If we fail here, it will be so sad.

On the stage in the plaza, there was only a single large table placed.

That must be the seat of the Eating Master.

Sitting squarely in the center of the stage, as if staring down everyone, was Tetetoka. Naturally, drums were also set up. On Tetetoka’s left side, sitting grandly again, was Lalatoma. With arms crossed, she had plenty of dignity. And to Tetetoka’s right, Anaria was sitting with her chest puffed out as much as she could… or so it looked. Even from a distance, she was somehow trembling.

“She is stiff with tension.” (Elt)

“Looks that way… But all she has to do is eat…” (Stella)

Other than Tetetoka, everyone would simply eat in time with the drum beats. And Tetetoka would drum while eating. Well, there were other things too, but in the end it was all about eating. Then, Leia appeared on stage. She was the one in charge of hosting. It was about to start. Leia called out to everyone in a loud voice.

“Fuuu… Everyone, thank you for gathering!! From here, we will begin the Dryads’ traditional festival, the Grass Dumpling Festival! Please enjoy this event that has continued for hundreds of years!” (Leia)

*Clap clap clap*

*Ooooh*

Applause arose from the audience. Then, Tetetoka stood up lightly and spoke in a clear, relaxed voice. Though her voice wasn’t loud, it carried well to everyone.

“Eeh… I am Tetetoka, the chief of the Dryads. Well then, let’s begin!” (Tetetoka)

O-oh… She never wavers in this area.

With only those words, Tetetoka sat back down. She twirled her sticks and lightly tapped the drums a few times.

*Ton ton ton*

*Gulp*

Everyone in the venue focused their attention on Tetetoka. In contrast, Tetetoka looked completely free from any tension. Utterly natural. And then, with a ton beat, she paused.

I can tell. It’s starting…!

*Takakatakata, tan!*

Tetetoka began to play the drums with a lively rhythm.

*Nom nom nom nom!*

At incredible speed, the Dryads and Anaria began to eat the grass dumplings. Of course, Tetetoka too, while drumming, was eating the grass dumplings at a speed faster than the eye could follow.

Well then, what’s the audience reaction…

*Shiiin*

They were reacting as if they didn’t know what was happening. Clearly bewildered.

I understand. That’s how I was the first time I saw this, too. But this time, it is the complete version.

Tetetoka and Lalatoma had wracked their heads and thought up many things. Everything was different from the first time I had seen it.

I’m anxious, so anxious… but it should pick up from here.

*Nom nom nom*

While everyone kept eating without stopping, Tetetoka began to sing.

“Lalala. Cocka, cocka, Cockatrice!” (Tetetoka)

““Piyo!”” (Cockatrice)

*Teketeke, denden!*

From the back of the stage, the Cockatrice appeared.

“Waa, it’s Cockatrice.” (Spectator)

“Ooh…no way…” (Spectator)

The audience began to stir. This mysterious festival suddenly presented to them. And then a new element added in.

“Grass, grass, grass dumpling~” (Tetetoka)

The Cockatrice began to line up and walk across the stage. Just like that, they came right behind Tetetoka.

“Cocka, cocka, Cockatrice!” (Tetetoka)

When Tetetoka grasped a grass dumpling and held it up, the Cockatrice nipped it and ate it.

“Piyo!” (Cockatrice)

The Cockatrice that ate began to spin around and around as they walked along the stage. One after another, the Cockatrice who ate grass dumplings started to dance and pose. And then, returned behind Tetetoka again. Of course, Tetetoka used the chance to also munch on more grass dumplings.

“Piyoo” (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo!” (Cockatrice)

*Tetete, tontonton.*

*Tetetetete, donton!*

*Piyo piyo.*

*Piyo piyo piyo!*

Before anyone noticed, it had become a combination of Tetetoka’s singing and drumming and the Cockatrice’s dance. The Cockatrice went up and down the stage, each dancing as they pleased.

“Piyoyo!” (Feels so good!) (Cockatrice)

Lalatoma and Anaria and the other Dryads, when the timing matched, also offered grass dumplings to the Cockatrice.

“Piyo!” (Thanks!) (Cockatrice)

*Nom nom nom…!*

“Piyopiyo!” (Over here too!) (Cockatrice)

All over the place, grass dumplings were given to the Cockatrice, in a kind of disorderly fashion. The Cockatrice looked in high spirits from the grass dumplings and the drumming. Gradually the speed increased, and the dance grew more splendid and beautiful.

When I glanced at the audience, they were leaning forward, absorbed.

“Haa…so that’s how Cockatrice move.” (Spectator)

“The drum and song are also so pleasant…!” (Spectator)

“To think the Dryads have a custom like this…!” (Spectator)

All they were doing was eating. But to reach this point had taken many years of effort. The Cockatrice sisters and the underground Cockatrice. It was only recently that both could eat grass dumplings to their heart’s content. This was not only for the Dryads. It was also a festival for the Cockatrice, who loved grass dumplings dearly.

“Looks like some Dryads are about to give up…” (Elt)

When I looked, here and there were Dryads pausing to take a breath.

Some of them look full and sleepy, too. However, the Grass Dumpling Festival was not a festival to compete.

You just eat as you please and make a racket. When you’re full, you rest. That is all the festival aims for.

 

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At the start, Anaria up on the stage had felt like she was going to die from nervousness. There were more spectators than she had thought, and she was the only one who wasn’t a Dryad. But in the front row, Iskamina was waving and cheering for her. And for some reason, Tetetoka had chosen her to sit beside.

I have to see this through… Somehow, I have to liven things up…! (Anaria)

However, once the festival began, her heart instead grew calm.

“Nice, you’re getting into it.” (Tetetoka)

“That is exactly what an Eating Master does!” (Lalatoma)

*Nom nom nom.*

Tetetoka and Lalatoma spoke so that only the three on the stage could hear. Truly, from the bottom of their hearts, they looked like they were enjoying themselves. And Tetetoka’s drumming burst forth, the Cockatrice danced. The Dryads devoured grass dumplings to the beat. There was no logic to it. They just did it because it looked fun.

Nom nom… I feel like I’m starting to understand! (Anaria)

“Hee, really?” (Tetetoka)

“If you simply enjoy the grass dumplings in front of you. If you just hurry and enjoy them, that’s all there is, right?” (Anaria)

Nom nom… To reach that state of mind, splendid! (Lalatoma)

Tetetoka’s song repeated the same phrase.

“Cocka, cocka, Cockatrice~ Nom nom.” (Tetetoka)

Dryads had no past. Their homeland lay so far away that even their memories had faded.

“Grass, grass, grass dumpling.” (Tetetoka)

Dryads knew. That tomorrow’s sun was capricious. Even so, they enjoyed themselves. They were happy. Every day, working and eating grass dumplings. Then, when they finished eating, they fell into peaceful sleep.

“…A long time ago, we were doing this too. It’s nostalgic.” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka murmured softly. That was surely the truth.

“Ugguuu. This is how it was last time too!” (Lalatoma)

*Plop*

Lalatoma slumped over onto the table.

Well, she’ll surely revive soon.

The Grass Dumpling Festival would continue until Tetetoka could no longer move.

“Aryarya. The festival isn’t over yet. Cocka, Cocka, Cockatrice.” (Tetetoka)

“Pippiyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Piyo!” (Cockatrice)

*Nom nom nom*

When I looked, the audience was clapping and cheering happily. They seemed to be getting excited.

I’m glad. (Anaria)

Later, the leftover grass dumplings would be divided among everyone. Until then, the audience would probably stay.

Nom nom… Hm? What is this feeling? (Anaria)

Anaria certainly felt a bond with the Dryads. More than ever, she thought she had become one with them in her heart. In Anaria’s mind, a certain word surfaced. She felt like something like this had happened before…

[Available Skill]

Dryad’s Power Lv2

“Ah… Did my level go up?” (Anaria)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)