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

 

 

Was it that person?

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

They had finished eating dinner, and now the Hold family only needed to head to the inn. That said, it was still just the beginning of the night. Apparently, they would play at my house for a while before heading to the inn. In the living room, Audrey, Clarissa, and Dia were playing. Dia was floating in a large tub filled with hot water.

“Waaah! She’s really floating!” (Audrey)

“Amazing…!” (Clarissa)

“Piyo, floating is easy, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia’s magical body floated in water. It seemed to be a general trait among cockatrices.

It reminds me of a rubber duck toy floating on water.

“I can also sink, piyo…!” (Dia)

Dia’s body slowly sank. Though the tub was shallow, so her feet quickly touched the bottom…

“I will float again, piyo.” (Dia)

*Fwaaah*

Dia floated up from the tub.

“Heeey! That’s so amazing!” (Audrey)

“So mysterious…” (Clarissa)

“Yeah, mysterious…! You can float and sink however you want!?” (Audrey)

“I can, piyoyo!” (Dia)

Just as she said, Dia floated and sank at will.

Hmm, it’s amusing to watch too…

“This is fun, piyo!” (Dia)

“Heeey, is it magic? It looks really fun!” (Clarissa)

“B-but…” (Audrey)

Audrey trailed off and glanced at the adults. Stella smiled gently.

“There is a large bath over there… How about going to play in it?” (Stella)

“…Sorry. The children are all very excited.” (Hold)

“No, it can’t be helped if they like cockatrices.” (Stella)

Audrey’s accessories and trinkets had cockatrice-themed designs here and there. She had even bought a cockatrice plushie earlier. She must really love cockatrices. So, Audrey and the others headed for the bath. The adults going with them were Stella, Yaya, and Hold’s attendant. Our bath was made large enough for Wood to enter. Also, I had always wanted a big bathtub myself. They could go play with the floating Dia. Dia seemed to enjoy it as well, and she might learn something from playing with children. By the way, Marcosias… was sleeping wrapped in cotton, leaning on Wood. She had eaten too much…

 

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Facing Hold, he muttered something quietly. It sounded more like the words of a parent than a noble.

“That child might have eaten vegetables like that for the first time… Thank you.” (Hold)

“Really? She was eating a lot though.” (Elt)

“She always used to complain about vegetables… Audrey-chan, that is.” (Nana)

Nana spoke thoughtfully while sipping tomato juice. As for the earlier meal, Audrey eventually ate about as much as Clarissa. Clarissa was an elf, so she simply ate everything deliciously. So once Audrey got over her hesitation, she must have eaten quite a bit too.

“…It’s partly my fault. When Audrey was younger, I dragged her around to salons… I made her eat meals that weren’t meant for children. That must have caused her to develop many dislikes.” (Hold)

“I see…” (Elt)

Hold had probably intended to give her early gifted education, but instead, it backfired and increased her food aversions.

This kind of thing is difficult…

For example, even in my previous life, Kabuki was the same. Children would make their stage debut at four or five. That meant practice started even earlier, in their toddler years. To inherit an art form that had been going for centuries, the environment was prepared even before they were born.

Depending on how you look at it, it’s harsh.

“I thought that if I distanced her from gourmet food for adults for a while and let her face vegetables slowly, she might get over her dislike… But it didn’t go that smoothly.” (Hold)

“I think… maybe there was a bit of rebellion too.” (Elt)

“Harsh… But yes, that may be true…” (Hold)

So, this is a parenting issue…

At the moment, Dia and Wood were easy children to handle.

Marcosias… If she regains her memory, will she become a brave figure like in that play…?

“By the way, have you met with Berzel-niisan? Was he well?” (Hold)

Hold asked with a tone filled with nostalgia.

“He was laughing with a hearty gahaha, so he was doing fine. He came and went in a flash though.” (Elt)

“That’s good to hear. We haven’t had much chance to meet since he became independent…” (Hold)

Well, that made sense. Hold was managing art salons, and Berzel-niisan was leading a knight order. Of course, he also had a wife and children. He needed family time.

…And he has to raise his child, just like Hold is doing with Audrey.

They would only get to meet if the timing was really good, or for a wedding or funeral.

“So then, the only one you haven’t met yet is Victor-niisan?” (Hold)

“It seems like it.” (Elt)

“He’s well known as the Prime Minister’s right-hand man and a teacher at the Royal Capital Academy.” (Nana)

Nana spoke with admiration. I had done some info gathering on that area too. The more famous someone was, the more their movements and rumors tended to spread.

Victor… it would be more accurate to call him an intellectual. A serious and studious person. He had strong mana too… if I remember correctly.

“…He often looked unwell, didn’t he? Is he still like that?” (Elt)

From my memories, he had helped me study a few times.

Well, it was only for about an hour at a time. Thinking back, I remember his face always looked pale. Maybe he’s frail.

“Victor-niisan’s mother was like that too, so it might be hereditary. Now that he’s grown up… I’m sure he’s fine.” (Hold)

Hold spoke while gazing at the ceiling. From the way he said it, he hadn’t met with Victor-niisan much either. With a small sigh, Hold exhaled lightly.

“After that, if I can meet Master Leia of the Adventurer Guild in Zanzas, my goal for this trip will be complete.” (Hold)

“…Huh?” (Elt)

Leia? She was here during the festival though…

“Leia… as in that Leia?” (Elt)
“That Leia, yeah.” (Nana)

Nana nodded in agreement.

“You know her? Master Leia?” (Hold)

“…You saw her too, Hold. The woman narrating the play.” (Elt)

“The one wearing the cockatrice hat and playing the violin…? No way…” (Hold)

“It’s true, Hold. She’s Master Leia.” (Elt)

“S-Seriously…?” (Hold)

Hold stroked his mustache at high speed. He seemed flustered.

Well, there hadn’t been a good moment to introduce them. Hold’s business was personal, after all. And Leia was probably busy. I figure a brief greeting tomorrow will be enough.

“W-Well… it is a festival. Leaving a strong impression is important, yes.” (Hold)

“She’s always like that.” (Elt)

“Always!? That’s… Well, I mean, she’s an adventurer. There are some eccentric ones… A-Ah! Nana! I wasn’t trying to insult adventurers or anything, I just…” (Hold)

“Hmm… I didn’t say anything though.” (Nana)

Hold leaned forward slightly, trying to explain himself. Nana wasn’t angry. She was teasing him. This kind of back-and-forth felt like when they were students.

Kind of funny.

“So, what about Leia? Do you have business with her?” (Elt)

“Y-Yes, that’s right. Actually…” (Hold)

Hold cleared his throat and continued.

“I’m planning to hold a joint art exhibition with nobles from the northern country. This trip was meant as a personal inspection for that… I didn’t schedule a meeting with Leia, but if she’s here, that makes things easier. I didn’t expect her to be here instead of in Zanzas.” (Hold)

…I see. That sounds interesting.

“Hmm? The northern country…?” (Elt)

“My country. Right?” (Nana)

“Yes… That’s right. The cockatrice costume powerhouse, the nation ruled by vampires.” (Hold)

 

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