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

 

 

Commemorative Gifts

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Leia continued speaking.

“Understood. In that case, I will most certainly offer my cooperation.” (Leia)

“Thank you, Leia.” (Hold)

Hold-niisan stroked his small mustache with a relieved expression.

He really might not be very good at negotiations. He’s bad at showing the benefits, one could say. The fundamental plan doesn’t seem bad, but he’s not good at pulling people in. Probably, Nana understands that and acts the way she does.

“That’s a relief… With Zanzas’ support, our chances of success will increase.” (Hold)

“I will help, even if it’s only a little.” (Leia)

Phew… for now, she’s on board. Leia, once she gets involved like this, wouldn’t back out. The problem is that the content of the discussion still isn’t very clear.

I don’t have many books written about the art festival either… I’ll ask Naru to gather some books or materials about past art festivals.

While I was thinking such things, Leia’s gaze turned toward the cockatrice plushie she had been holding earlier.

*Glance. Glance glance*

Something like that.

Hmm… I guess I should bring it up.

“…By the way, earlier, at the entrance to the house, what were you trying to say?” (Elt)

She had been holding the cockatrice plushie too.

That plushie… I feel like I’ve seen it before. Lately, when we had meetings at Leia’s house, it’s been sitting on her desk sometimes.

Upon my words, Leia’s face lit up with joy.

“I’m so glad you asked!” (Leia)

Saying that, Leia quickly stood up and placed the cockatrice plushie on the table.

*Ta-dah.*

As expected, it was big.

“I tried making a slightly soft and squishy cockatrice plushie! It’s a handmade piece I’m really proud of!” (Leia)

“Oooh… May I touch it?” (Stella)

Stella asked, and Leia nodded happily.

“Please do, please do!” (Leia)

“Then, pardon me…” (Stella)

Stella gently picked up the plushie.

*Squeeze squeeze…*

She was thoroughly pressing the belly and back. Hold, not knowing what to do, touched his small mustache lightly.

“The plump feel of the belly is close to the real thing. Combined with the fluffy feathers, it’s reached a whole new level.” (Stella)

“Thank you so much…! I’m honored to hear that from you, Stella-sama!” (Leia)

“However, this isn’t a quality you can mass-produce…” (Stella)

“Indeed, I was thinking of submitting it to a certain contest. Oh, right… yesterday, was the girl who was nearby your daughter, Hold-sama?” (Leia)

“A-Ah… yes, she is.” (Hold)

Suddenly being addressed, Hold removed his hand from his mustache.

“Judging from the fact that she was dressed in cockatrice-themed goods, I believe she would be pleased.” (Leia)

Saying that, Leia stood up again and began rummaging through a drawer.

“Heave-ho, this is a sea cockatrice plushie. I’ve never touched a real one, so it’s an imagined version… therefore, I can’t submit it to the contest.” (Leia)

What she pulled out was a plushie slightly smaller than the one on the table.

The feathers look sleeker? Is that the difference between a sea cockatrice and the local kind?

“Still, it’s a work I’m proud of. Please take it as a souvenir…!” (Leia)

“A-Ah…” (Hold)

“I believe one of the people with you was an Elf princess. Please take one more for her, too…!” (Leia)

Before we could even mention Clarissa, Leia placed two plushies on the table. Then, as if something occurred to her, Leia tugged on the string of her cockatrice hat.

*Piyo~!*

“How about this hat as well?” (Leia)

In place of the frozen Hold, I stood up and replied.

“No, that’s a bit much… we’ll just take the plushies.” (Elt)

It’s about time. We’ve talked quite a bit already.

“I see… then, please send my regards to the children.” (Leia)

With that, the discussion came to a close. Hold reunited with his family and headed toward Zanzas. Upon leaving Leia’s house, Hold spoke with feeling, while holding two large cockatrice plushies in his arms…

“…I’m counting on you, Elt.” (Hold)

 

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Meanwhile, Audrey and Clarissa had been wandering around the village with their attendants since morning, but they hadn’t found any information about the plushie maker. As they trudged along, they suddenly ran into Dia and Marcosias. Apparently, they were taking a walk during their break. Fluffy Dia was being firmly carried by Marcosias.

“So that’s piyo… you’re going to Zanzas today, piyo.” (Dia)

Audrey honestly shared their plans. There was no point in keeping quiet about it. More importantly, they were glad to have the chance to say goodbye.

“Yeah. From there, we’ll head straight home…” (Audrey)

“I see, piyo…” (Dia)

Many merchants had come to the village and then left. But this was the first time people she had even bathed with were going away. Dia tilted her head. She tried to express the emotions in her heart, but the words wouldn’t come.

That expression Tou-sama and Kaa-sama sometimes made… Like they were thinking of something far away… What am I feeling now? It’s kind of like that… but I can’t put it into words well.

So instead, Dia asked the simple question she truly wanted to know.

“Will we meet again, piyo?” (Dia)

“Yeah…! Definitely!” (Audrey)

“We’ll come see you again…!” (Clarissa)

“Piyo… Then I’m not worried, piyo!” (Dia)

“My master…” (Marcosias)

The soft touch of Marcosias’ hands made Dia happy.

“In times like this, it’s good to give something as a memento.” (Marcosias)

“A memento, piyo?” (Dia)

“Yes, so you can meet again.” (Marcosias)

“Piyo… Like what?” (Dia)

“Your feathers, for example, would be fitting.” (Marcosias)

“I see, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia softly touched her tail feathers. Cockatrice feathers couldn’t be cut even with mithril. However, cockatrices could easily groom their own feathers. That was why they were always at peak fluffiness. Dia gathered a handful of her golden feathers with a quick motion. She shaped them into a small scrunchie-like ornament that would fit a finger.

“Take this with you, piyo.” (Dia)

“Dia-chan…!” (Clarissa)

“C-Can we really?” (Audrey)

“It’s okay, piyo. It’s a memento, piyo!” (Dia)

Audrey and Clarissa approached and buried their faces against Dia.

“Thank you, Dia-chan.” (Audrey)

“I’m… so happy too.” (Clarissa)

“You’re welcome, piyo!” (Dia)

“…From what we have now…” (Audrey)

Audrey took a small handkerchief out of her pocket. It had a childlike embroidery of a cockatrice on it.

“…Clarissa and I made this together. It’s our gift in return.” (Audrey)

“We hadn’t thought about giving it to someone… but please take it.” (Clarissa)

“Piyo, thank you, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia, upon receiving the handkerchief, felt both happiness and a touch of sadness.

This kind of exchange always leads to partings… Somehow, the other merchants who came to Tou-sama’s place were probably the same…

“Your bond has been formed. It won’t be broken so easily.” (Marcosias)

“Maru-chan…” (Dia)

The attendants whispered to Audrey and Clarissa. Time was running out.

“Well then… we have to go. Stay well!” (Audrey)

“We’ll come see you again.” (Clarissa)

They knew well that it wouldn’t be easy.

…I kind of understand too. If we could meet easily, we wouldn’t be giving away handmade handkerchiefs like this.

“We might see each other again sooner than you think.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias muttered quietly. Dia took those words positively.

If they’re Tou-sama’s relatives, then surely, there will be opportunities.

So, Dia flapped her wings and saw them off. She had her theater. Audrey and Clarissa had their journey. Even so, surely, someday… They would meet again.

“Piyo! Until the day we meet again, piyo!” (Dia)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)