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

 

 

Elt’s Wish

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The whole family fell asleep together, wrapped in cotton. Dia, Marcosias, and Wood had already gone suyaa… and were fast asleep. As expected, it seemed they were quite tired.

Well, it was their first time performing the actual play. There were a lot of tourists too, so they must have been nervous.

“Suyaa… piyo… suyaa… Maru-chan… so fast piyo~…” (Dia)

“Wafu… I shall break through the wall of sound~… wafu~…” (Marcosias)

Dia and Marcosias, sandwiched between Stella and me, were—as always—sleeping cuddled together.

Honestly, I’m a little tired too…

I recalled Hold’s words. About my deceased mother and our family.

I don’t think Hold is lying, but it’s dangerous to take everything at face value. Even Hold himself had emphasized that point. I don’t even know how much of it is true. Besides… is my mother still alive? It has already been fifteen years since I was born.

There’s a possibility she died unrelated to any of this. The more likely case is that she’s quietly living with another family. Just like how I am now. If I suddenly show up, I might only cause trouble. Or… would she really come to fetch me?

I don’t know. But not thinking about it isn’t good either. I can’t afford to endanger my current life. Haa, come to think of it, I wonder what kind of face my mother has? I don’t even know that… In this world without DNA testing, proving blood relations isn’t easy. I’m curious. But if I want to pull that thread…

Just as I was thinking that with my eyes closed… Stella’s hand gently touched my cheek.

I slowly opened my eyes.

“Mm… Stella?” (Elt)

“…I feel the same.” (Stella)

Stella, her eyes still closed, whispered in a very kind voice.

“Elt-sama’s problem is my problem too.” (Stella)

“Thank you…” (Elt)

*Funifuni*

Stella’s hand squished my cheek softly.

“Suyaa… piyo… Onii-chan is flying too~… higher and higher~… piyo…” (Dia)

“Wafu~… a single bound~… wafu…” (Marcosias)

“I wonder what kind of dreams they’re having?” (Stella)

Stella withdrew her hand from my cheek.

Muu… Lately, Stella had been touching my cheeks a lot. Is it that…? Could it be that… my cheeks have become… soft and squishy like Marcosias’s belly…?

 

—

Meanwhile, Audrey and Clarissa were in bed together. From afar, cheerful voices could faintly be heard. They were probably from people still enjoying the festival. Some time had passed since getting into bed, but neither of them felt sleepy at all. The events from their travels and the village kept them too alert for sleep.

“Dia-chan was so cute~…” (Audrey)

“Yeah, she was all fluffy~.” (Clarissa)

Audrey gently kneaded the belly of the cockatrice plush she had brought to bed.

“The plushie is really nice too. Haa, even so…” (Audrey)

“The mysterious plushie artisan?” (Clarissa)

“Yeah, I asked Stella-san in the bath, but she said she didn’t know… I wonder if there’s some clue somewhere…” (Audrey)

“Tomorrow morning is free time, right…? Should we look then?” (Clarissa)

“Let’s do that~.” (Audrey)

Audrey quietly placed the cockatrice plush beside her pillow. Then, slowly, as if gently coaxing her, Audrey spoke to Clarissa.

“Hey… are you really going to the prayer?” (Audrey)

“…Yeah.” (Clarissa)

“Father said it was dangerous. Gathering that much mana is… strange.” (Audrey)

“…Yeah. But if we don’t pray, the [Swallow] will go wild. It’s always, always… our duty.” (Clarissa)

Audrey lightly bit her lip. Audrey had heard about it from Hold. Near Clarissa’s home, the [Swallow] rampaged. There had once been an elf who made a deal with the Demon King, and it was left behind when control was lost. Suppressing it required prayer infused with magical power, and Clarissa’s family had borne that duty for generations.

Once she becomes an adult, Clarissa will have to devote herself to suppressing the [Swallow]. Until then, she needs to become as strong as possible in this country where magic is advanced. I don’t really understand it. Don’t know much. But… something feels wrong.

Audrey let out a small breath and turned toward Clarissa.

“We’ll find the plushie artisan, okay? Then we’ll have them make one with us.” (Audrey)

“Y-Yeah.” (Clarissa)

“I’m sure it’s a cool knight-sama who makes them.” (Audrey)

Audrey lightly stroked Clarissa’s hair.

Please let it distract her.

She thought, as she whispered…

“…We’ll definitely get a cute cockatrice plushie.” (Audrey)

 

—

The next morning, Dia and the others had another performance, so they left after getting ready. After preparing, I left the house with Stella. The weather was good again today. There would likely be a lot of tourists for the festival. We met up with Hold and headed for Leia’s house.

“Master Leia, huh… What kind of person is she?” (Hold)

“Hmm, well… a weirdo, I guess.” (Elt)

“Yes, Leia is just a little eccentric…” (Stella)

“Ah, I see. One of those. Judging by the hat.” (Hold)

“She’s a good person, though.” (Elt)

“Don’t worry. I have extensive experience dealing with eccentrics in the art salon.” (Hold)

That was strangely convincing. We arrived at Leia’s house and rang the bell.

“It’s Elt. I have something to discuss…” (Elt)

“Elt-sama!? You came at just the right time!” (Leia)

*Babaan!*

The door burst open and Leia jumped out. As always, wearing her cockatrice hat. And hugging a big, plump cockatrice plushie to her chest.

“How is it!? This is a new creation but… ah, excuse me…” (Leia)

When Leia noticed Hold, her high tension dropped instantly, and she quickly hid the plushie behind her back.

No, it’s still sticking out though… But I am an adult. Let’s pretend I didn’t see it.

Hold too cleared his throat and seemed to act as if nothing had happened. We were invited inside, and after a brief greeting, we got down to business. There was a festival going on and we needed to be quick.

“I see, so you’re Elt-sama’s older brother…” (Leia)

“Yeah, so I’d like you to hear us out a bit.” (Elt)

I exchanged glances with Hold, and he nodded. From here, it was his role.

“Ahem, actually…” (Hold)

Hold summarized what we had talked about last night. But Leia’s reaction seemed subdued. I had known her for quite a while, so I could tell for sure. She didn’t seem very enthusiastic…

“…Hmm, I see.” (Leia)

Leia listened while sipping her tea.

Normally, she’d be like, Shall we do it now? Immediately?… something like that.

“…I understand the story. But it’s not something I can answer on my own…” (Leia)

Touching his mustache, Hold responded.

“I-I see… So, it needs to be brought back to Zanzas after all.” (Hold)

“Yes, I’m sorry but…” (Leia)

Leia glanced at me, as if to ask You’re okay with that, right?.

I get it. This is the rejection route. I thought the collaboration between the Northern country and our art festival was a good idea, but maybe there’s more to it. No… maybe it’s just not clearly beneficial. Even if Zanzas is involved, what are the concrete benefits? Sure, it’d raise their profile. But they don’t know what kind of person Hold is yet. And unlike my usual dealings with Leia, this is distant geographically. Low reward… Leia must have judged it that way.

I sighed internally.

I should have realized it. But with everything about my mother, I couldn’t focus on Hold’s matter. Now then, what to do? Just by sitting at the same table with Leia, I’ve fulfilled my obligation. If it were only about my mother, I wouldn’t have gone this far. It’s because there’d have been no benefit. But now… I need Hold’s connection. If I want it, I have to reach for it.

“I’ll provide the funds and support. Could Zanzas get involved in terms of works and art pieces?” (Elt)

“Wha–…” (Hold)

It was Hold who let out a surprised voice. He probably hadn’t expected that.

Me neither. Until just now, I hadn’t planned to do this either. But once I made the decision, the words came easily. My resolve is set. Whatever the truth may be, I want to get as close to it as possible. If inheriting the family headship gets me closer, then I couldn’t ask for more.

“It’s also to build a pipeline for inheriting the family. Right, Hold-niisan?” (Elt)

Understanding what I meant, Hold gave a heavy nod. That meant Hold-niisan… acknowledged entering under my banner. When I looked at Stella, she also nodded. She understood.

“Gulp… Cockatrices can’t fly, but finally… Elt-sama shall soar!” (Leia)

Leia responded.

Yeah… something like that. I’ve decided. I’ll aim for the headship. What I need is power. A firm foundation that no one in my family can oppose.

This is just the beginning.

 

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