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

 

 

 

Secret of Birth

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The applause did not stop. The play had ended in great popularity. With this, there were no more programs to be performed on stage today. Before long, the villagers returned to tending their shops, and the tourists began once again to walk around the stores, or headed toward their inns. The sun had begun to lean, for it was already afternoon.

“This is a small gift from me to all the tourists.” (Elt)

I swiftly used plant magic to create melons, strawberries, and grapes, and placed them on the stage. This was not something sudden, but rather, something I had discussed and decided upon with Naru. Right after the play ended, I would serve them. The tourists, though surprised, picked them up.

Well, that’s to be expected. They must look extremely delicious.

“What a generous Lord-sama. I cannot believe it…” (Villager)

“To so quickly make this much food… I have never known a Lord-sama like this… It is a most grateful thing.” (Tourist)

“In this village, you can eat lots of vegetables and fruits, nya.” (Tourist)

“Ho—… How very enviable.” (Tourist)

Judging by their dialect, perhaps they’ve come from quite a distant place? Good, good. The fact that I have wealth and am generous has become fairly well-known in this area. But it’s still not enough. The higher the reputation, the better.

The Winter Solstice Festival is worldwide, the largest festival period of the year. There is the possibility that people from faraway lands would come and go all over the world. Therefore, even to places my name would normally never reach, my reputation and that of the village would be carried.

In the end, it’s about people. In this world, nobles are generally not very skilled at business. Sometimes, I feel that from Naru and Leia’s words. No matter how much mana one has, simply acting high and mighty won’t bring in money. The domain folk won’t work beyond the taxes and imposed labors. What’s necessary is to draw out everyone’s motivation.

 

—

 

“Sorry to have kept you waiting, Hold-niisan. Shall we go?” (Elt)

“…I understand. But, are you always doing things like that?” (Hold)

“I am, but…” (Elt)

“Hm… Well, let us talk in detail at the house.” (Hold)

By the way, Audrey and Clarissa were extremely interested in Dia, who was being held by Stella. No, they were staring so intently, it looked as though they would bore a hole through her.

“I feel gazes, piyo.” (Dia)

“Ah, I am sorry…! You are just too cute, I could not help it!” (Audrey)

“…Cute, piyo?” (Dia)

Dia tilted her little head.

Cute!

“Of course, you are cute…!” (Audrey)

Audrey extended her hand to try to pet her, then quickly drew it back. She had probably been taught not to pet animals without permission.

“It is fine, piyo! You can pet me, piyo!” (Dia)

“Eh… I-is it really okay!?” (Audrey)

“Yes, she herself is saying so.” (Stella)

Stella calmly held Dia out toward Audrey and the others. Dia was peeping with her round eyes, piyo piyo.

“Ha… Here I go.” (Audrey)

“M-me too…” (Clarissa)

Dia was gently petted from both sides. As we walked, she remained like that for a while.

“So warm…” (Audrey)

“She’s so fluffy, Audrey!” (Clarissa)

“Yeah, she feels so nice!” (Audrey)

The two of them said such things to each other.

“Piyo! If you would like, you can even hold me, piyo!” (Dia)

“Eh… T-that’s…!?” (Audrey)

“A big service, piyo!” (Dia)

Hmm, this truly is rare. It might be the first time Dia has ever said something like that to someone outside the family. Perhaps it’s because my niece, Audrey, resembles me somehow… In fact, rather than Hold and me, Audrey and I are closer in age.

Stella also smiled as she passed Dia into Audrey’s arms.

“There you go… She is not so heavy.” (Stella)

“Piyo!” (Dia)

“Wah… So fluffy and puffy~!” (Audrey)

Audrey looked completely satisfied. Clarissa was also softly rubbing Dia’s belly.

“Piyo! Children should interact with me, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yay! I love you!” (Audrey)

*Fluff fluff fluff*

Audrey buried her face in Dia’s body. She did not hesitate at all. A child unafraid of anything.

But… hm?

I glanced at Stella.

Though Dia’s the child here… Is it perhaps because she played the role of Marcosias’ Onee-san too much…?

 

—

 

We arrived at my house. Just as planned beforehand, we decided to eat dinner together, all of us. Nana would also be joining, which was reassuring.

A dependable mascot adventurer. While Stella prepared Elven (Chinese) cuisine, Hold and I decided to talk alone. Or rather, Hold had requested that himself.

To be honest, I also feel it would be difficult to speak about certain things in front of my niece and Hold’s wife. Yaya’s a noble as well. I can’t speak carelessly.

“Well, please have a seat.” (Elt)

I guided him to a small reception room on the second floor. There was only a small table, and two sofas. I almost never came here, since I usually spent my time with family downstairs. It was mainly used when I had meetings with Radan about security, or when handling confidential matters.

Thanks to Naru’s help, I had equipped it with sufficient magic tools to prevent eavesdropping and theft. Most likely, it was the most secure place in the village.

“Ah… Sorry for coming all of a sudden.” (Hold)

As soon as he sat down, Hold said that first. He touched his little mustache, probably because he felt awkward.

“…About what?” (Elt)

If he meant matters at home, my three older brothers had not treated me particularly cruelly.

…Looking back on it now. Compared to Father, Stepmother, the other relatives, and the butlers and maids, the brothers’ attitudes were restrained. To say it nicely, they were uninvolved. To say it badly, they pretended not to see. But I can’t bring myself to blame them for that.

All the elders despised and shunned me. In such circumstances, it would’ve been impossible for them to stand by my side. They also spent much time away at the Noble Academy or living in dormitories. After some time had passed since regaining the memories of my previous life, I’d become calm enough to think that way.

“It is about the household… Especially, about my mother. I apologize.” (Hold)

Hold placed his hands on the table and bowed his head. Somehow, I perceived that gesture as lacking a sense of reality.

“It’s all right, Hold-niisan. Back then, you had no choice but to act that way.” (Elt)

Ever since I had received a letter saying Hold would come, I had suspected this. That he wanted to apologize to me.

Otherwise, there was no reason for him to go out of his way to visit. But it’s a strange thing. Why is it, I wonder, Berzel-niisan as well,why do they want to apologize to me? It feels like there’s something more behind it than simply that they’re “good people”. Is there some reason?

“But why now? Berzel-niisan was the same.” (Elt)

I asked frankly.

“…You have not heard anything from Berzel?” (Hold)

“I have not.” (Elt)

“I see… Do not blame him. As a knight, he probably could not bring himself to say it.” (Hold)

Saying so, Hold sank deeply into the sofa. His gaze turned upward to the ceiling. He seemed to be debating whether to speak.

“What I am about to tell you also includes some conjecture. The only ones in the Nagash Household who know the exact truth are likely our father, or our grandfather, the previous family head. This is that kind of story.” (Hold)

In Hold’s voice, tension was unmistakably mixed.

“I understand.” (Elt)

“One more thing. You must never speak of this. Not even to your family. After we leave this place, you cannot even talk to me about it again. You must also not try to verify whether it is true. Can you swear this?” (Hold)

“…I swear.” (Elt)

This seemed to be a truly serious matter.

Then, perhaps it’s about my mother. It was said she died not long after giving birth to me, but I know almost nothing specific. I have no memories, and no one in the household ever spoke of her. So, I don’t know what sort of person she was.

A long time ago, when I asked a certain butler about it, he stopped me with a terrifying expression. For that reason, rather than feeling curious, I grew to feel it was something I must not try to learn. Considering how firmly he pressed this point, it’s surely about my mother. Most likely, she was a commoner’s daughter or something like that… That was probably why I was treated coldly. If I had to say, it’s surely a common story.

“To put it simply, Elt, your mother, was likely the princess of this country. You have inherited royal blood.” (Hold)

What? That’s… somewhat beyond my expectations.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)