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

 

 

Drums After the Festival

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The square was in the middle of post-festival cleanup. Adventurers and the Nyaff tribe were working busily back and forth. There had been a stage and tables and chairs here, after all. Since they needed to be dismantled and stored, it would still take some time.

“Good mornin’ to you two!” (Adventurer)

The one directing the cleanup of the square was the adventurer in his thirties.

“Good morning, everyone.” (Elt)

“Good morning…!” (Stella)

We returned the greeting. However, there was one thing that caught my attention. The adventurer in his thirties was using a cane.

“…Did you hurt your back? Are you alright?” (Elt)

“Well, yeah… I got a bit too carried away.” (Adventurer)

So, the cause is that play after all. He had played the role of the dragon, rampaging around in all directions. Thrashing about like a dragon involved movements very different from ordinary martial arts. The strain on the waist and shoulders must have been considerable. Even for an adventurer, it might have been too much for a man in his thirties.

“Did you drink a potion? I hear it works even for back strains.” (Elt)

“Well, yeah. Leia made me chug one down right away…” (Adventurer)

“She gave it to you immediately, huh? Then it shouldn’t hurt anymore, right?” (Stella)

“That’s the thing…” (Adventurer)

The adventurer in his thirties hesitated.

I get it… Knowing Leia, she probably healed him with a potion right away. But once you injure your back, it becomes a recurring issue. Even if it heals, there’s no guarantee it won’t come back.

Stella looked puzzled, so she probably had never hurt her back before.

Well, if she’s fine after landing from those crazy jumps, that goes without saying… The fear of back pain is carved into that adventurer’s heart. Or maybe… he already has a ticking time bomb in his lower back… Considering his love of earthen baths, that seems plausible. Poor guy…

I stood in front of the adventurer in his thirties and patted his shoulder.

“Take care of your back. Seriously.” (Elt)

“Wha—!? Y-yes sir…” (Adventurer)

“Elt-sama…?” (Stella)

“Ah, well… I hear it’s painful, y’know.” (Elt)

Since I had memories from my previous life, I knew well the pain in shoulders and back.

Well, mostly from playing too many games…

After parting ways with the adventurers, we headed for the Large Tree Tower. The average age of this village was surprisingly high. After all, everyone here had relocated.

Still… shoulder stiffness and back pain, huh… Even though earthen baths help and potions can heal them, it wouldn’t hurt to come up with another remedy.

 

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When we arrived at the Large Tree Tower, the Dryads were already out working. They were planting or harvesting crops… or tending the fields. Of course, there were also some Dryads buried in the soil, sleeping. It was the usual sight. Tetetoka was also acting as usual, watering a Dryad buried in the ground.

Now that I think about it… that scene didn’t happen during the festival. Even though there was a sign warning people, the spread of such a shocking scene has been avoided so far.

“Oh my, good morning~” (Tetetoka)

“Good morning, Tetetoka.” (Elt)

“Good morning…!” (Stella)

“Welcome, please come in~” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka guided us into the Large Tree Tower. Since this place hadn’t been heavily remodeled, it had already returned to normal.

“The festival was fun~ I’d like to do it again.” (Tetetoka)

“I see… Anaria said she enjoyed it too.” (Elt)

“That’s great to hear~ I hope we can do it next year too.” (Tetetoka)

“Of course, I plan on it.” (Elt)

“Fufufu~ Thank you very much.” (Tetetoka)

The only thing I’m a bit concerned about is… Anaria’s cheeks looked a bit puffier than usual. She probably overate… and not just grass dumplings this time…

“Huh? That is…” (Elt)

“Yes~?” (Tetetoka)

My eyes were drawn to the drum boldly placed on the desk. Not only that, but it was surrounded by an incredible number of red and blue flowers, along with green leaves and stems. For a moment, I thought it was a flower stand. The branches were bent and arranged rather than just being piled up. At first glance, it was flashy, but also artistic.

Hmmm… it looks like ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) I once saw on TV in my previous life. The drum and drumsticks in the middle give it a surreal vibe, though.

“That decoration… what’s it about?” (Elt)

I asked out of simple curiosity. Someone here must have decorated it.

“We did it~ Apparently it’s a good thing to do when someone passes on. I forgot why though~” (Tetetoka)

She forgot, huh…

“I see… Still, it’s quite beautiful.” (Elt)

The drum didn’t look out of place, but rather strangely harmonious.

Maybe it’s because it’s mostly made of wood?

As I stepped closer to take a better look, I realized just how well-crafted it was. The flowers were arranged with varying heights, and the branches and stems filled the space to prevent emptiness. Stella also stepped closer, gazing at it with interest.

“We have a similar custom as well. I didn’t expect to see it here, though.” (Stella)

“Ohhh, you decorate drums too~?” (Tetetoka)

“N-no… it’s a ritual where we give thanks to crops and ornaments. Not drums specifically…” (Stella)

As one would expect from Elves who live alongside nature, they had such customs too. Here, at most, people just stuff nearby flowers into a vase. Even in this village, there were some flowers grown for gifting and sold that way, but the quantity was minimal. It catered mostly to a small group of enthusiasts.

The reason was simple. There wasn’t much awareness of selling or buying just cut flowers. Most wealthy people bought flowers and trees as part of a garden set. That made it more of a construction domain. Alternatively, for things like potted plants or bouquet exchanges during proposals or weddings, cut flowers were used. Even then, if transported long distances, they were prohibitively expensive for commoners. In some regions, a single bouquet of roses could cost a whole month’s salary.

“However… it’s truly splendid. These branches and leaves…” (Stella)

“Yeah, they’ve arranged them so that no part of the space feels boring. Around here, it’s like a stream of flowing water.” (Elt)

“Oooh~! You noticed! That’s right, that part is flowing water~” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka pointed at a curving branch.

“And that sudden drop must be a waterfall.” (Elt)

The tip of the branch dropped straight down. The blue flowers on it looked like droplets of water.

“Yes~ Exactly right~” (Tetetoka)

It looks like my interpretation is correct.

Tetetoka seemed pleased for some reason.

“Hmm, I see… That sort of deeper meaning… now that you mention it, I can see it that way.” (Stella)

Stella nodded thoughtfully.

“It’s very fascinating.” (Stella)

“In your homeland, do you not use this kind of symbolic imagery?” (Elt)

“No, our decorations are much simpler. Something like bending and twisting branches like this is…” (Stella)

“I see…” (Elt)

Maybe this drum decoration is quite unique… Even in art books I’ve seen, things like vases or ceramics are covered, but I don’t recall anything like ikebana.

“Hold-niisan’s art festival, huh…” (Elt)

“Hawaa~?” (Tetetoka)

At some point, Tetetoka had pulled out some grass dumplings and was munching away.

“You’re thinking of selling grass dumplings, huh… munch munch. Then we’ll need to make more~” (Tetetoka)

“…No, I mean this.” (Elt)

I pointed at the decoration in front of us.

“You mean… the drum too~?” (Tetetoka)

I nodded to Tetetoka.

“This time, the drum too.” (Elt)

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)