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

 

 

Year’s End

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Today is the last day of the year. In Japan, it’s called Ōmisoka, but in this world, it’s just called “year’s end” or “the last day of the year”. The sense of language around here is pretty loose.

Preparations for opening the Adventurer Guild are just about done. Well, the furnishings had already arrived after all. The mildly spicy stir-fry was well received too, so it looks like that’s where we’ll be starting from. The office for the Adventurer Guild is also ready. With this, we can begin working here after the new year.

“This wraps up the year’s work, huh…” (Elt)

I placed the writing tools into the desk drawer.

“Nya, everything went according to plan, nya!” (Naru)

Naru is also organizing documents and such for use next year.

“Thanks to the festival, I got a little closer to my dream, nya… Next year, I think I can make it, nya.” (Naru)

“Dream? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.” (Elt)

“Until now it felt way out of reach, nya, but now it feels like I might be able to grasp it, nya…!” (Naru)

Naru spreads her arms wide for emphasis.

“A ship, nya!” (Naru)

“A ship…?” (Elt)

Like a cruiser? It sounds like something a rich person would be into…

“A trade ship, nya. Owning one is a merchant’s dream, nya…!” (Naru)

“Heh, that’s the first time I’ve heard that. I’ve read that having a wagon means you’re a full-fledged merchant, though.” (Elt)

In that beginner merchant book I read recently, that was presented as one of the goals.

“You’re well informed, nya. That’s right, nya… Being able to carry more than you can on your back is when you become a real merchant, nya. A wagon is one milestone, nya.” (Naru)

“So, a trade ship is the same kind of thing?” (Elt)

“Exactly, nya. Including bringing goods into this village, a ship is the best way to transport things, nya.” (Naru)

In that world, there were many regions infested with monsters. Of course, it was possible to bring in a team of mages to break through, but the goods transported that way became incredibly expensive. So, most merchants avoided areas dense with monsters. Even so, while monsters did exist in rivers and the sea, they were much fewer in number.

There were dangerous regions, of course, but there was still active ship traffic. In that world, ships were the most efficient means of transportation. Just like on Earth in my previous life, trade by ship was extremely important.

“I see… So that’s why becoming a ship owner is your dream.” (Elt)

“That’s right, nya. Only top-class merchants can handle goods with their own ship, nya.” (Naru)

Ships must be expensive in this world too. Even on Earth, ships cost far more than cars. And the bigger the ship, the more crew you need…

“…But if you need a ship, I can get one.” (Elt)

“Nya!?” (Naru)

“No, really. Everything kind of started from you, Naru. And I’ve got money…” (Elt)

I do have money, but finding meaningful ways to use it is another matter. In that sense, a ship might be interesting.

But Naru fidgeted for a while, then said…

“Nya nya… I’m really happy, nya. But this is something I’ll prepare myself, nya.” (Naru)

“I see… That’s admirable.” (Elt)

“Nya! I really appreciate your feelings, Elt-sama, nya!” (Naru)

Your own dream, fulfilled by your own hand, huh. It sounds obvious, but keeping your resolve is not easy.

“But Brown said… he wants to buy a boat, nya.” (Naru)

“A boat…? There’s only the river and that lake around here though.” (Elt)

“Seems like he wants to investigate the middle of the lake, nya.” (Naru)

“Oh, that does sound interesting.” (Elt)

There’ve been quite a few reports from the lake’s edges, but the middle and bottom remain unknown. What we do know is that Rainbow Fish live throughout the lake. They can be lured using grass dumplings, that much is certain. But with no boat, the lake’s center is untouched. It’s entirely possible the deep parts of the lake have a different ecosystem.

“But I get the feeling it’s just an excuse to go fishing, nya…” (Naru)

“Well, maybe… But it’s not a bad idea to investigate at least once.” (Elt)

A boat, huh… This world doesn’t really have the concept of a casual boat trip. There aren’t even paddleboats. Since there’s a lake nearby, it might be nice to see the scenery from the water. Even Dia only knows water from rain, baths, or looking at rivers and lakes from land. But being on the lake… that’s something else entirely.

“In Zanzas, he has a lot of connections, nya, so Brown apparently went to consult with Leia, nya.” (Naru)

“What?” (Elt)

My heart skipped a beat.

W-Well… Naru’s not from a coastal region either. Even if he’s going to buy a boat, he’ll have to get it from elsewhere. Leia is cultured, in her own way, so going to her for advice is probably the right choice. But… a cockatrice floating on water… Leia’s sense of style…

*Gulp*

What kind of boat is he planning to buy, I wonder…

 

—

 

A short while earlier…

Right after the festival in Zanzas ended, the Hold family and the Black Dragon Knight Order quickly formed a caravan and headed east. Their destination was the eastern border. The point of contact with the eastern nations where Clarissa’s homeland lies.

“Clarissa…” (Audrey)

Amidst the desolate hills, Clarissa trembled quietly inside the carriage. Only the two of them were inside. Sitting beside her, Audrey firmly held Clarissa’s hand. As if to cover up her anxiety.

“…It’s okay. I’m right here with you.” (Audrey)

“Yeah…” (Clarissa)

At the beginning of each year, Clarissa returned to the land of the Elves. She offered a prayer to suppress the [Swallow] and then came back to Audrey. At the end of that journey, the eastern nation’s knight order was supposed to be waiting to receive Clarissa.

That was the purpose of that procession. But Audrey had heard that the ritual to suppress the [Swallow] was a dangerous one that greatly exhausted even adults. It required a huge amount of mana, and Audrey had noticed it.

That even though Clarissa acted composed, she was afraid. Probably because of the ritual. After spending several years together, Audrey had learned. This path wasn’t used by normal merchants or travelers. There were too many monsters and it was far too dangerous.

If you had a team of mages, you could push through. There had already been a few monster attacks. But Berzel-jiisan had dealt with them swiftly, it seemed.

“…I’m not that scared of the swallows. No, I am scared… but…” (Clarissa)

“Yeah.” (Audrey)

“I’m more afraid of failing my duty.” (Clarissa)

Audrey nodded at Clarissa’s squeezed-out words.

For those born to nobility, power comes with responsibility. Eventually, she too would have to follow in her father and mother’s footsteps.

“In times like this… I read something that might help.” (Audrey)

Audrey dug through her bag and pulled out a stuffed cockatrice.

“You’re supposed to squish its belly. Look, it’s soft.” (Audrey)

*Squeeze squeeze*

Audrey kneaded the plush belly of the cockatrice she’d bought in the Healberry village. It was soft and springy. She didn’t know exactly why but doing this helped calm her down.

“It was in Monthly Piyo too. A lot of people say this makes them feel better…” (Audrey)

“O-Okay…” (Clarissa)

Clarissa’s hesitant attitude frustrated Audrey a little… but it couldn’t be helped.

You can’t run from your duty.

So, Audrey took action. She pushed the stuffed animal toward Clarissa.

“Here. Squeeze this belly…” (Audrey)

“Yeah… thank you.” (Clarissa)

Clarissa gave a faint smile. She placed her hand over it, and together they kneaded the plush cockatrice’s belly.

*Squeeze squeeze*

After a while, Clarissa’s trembling stopped. Even if it was only a temporary comfort, that comfort was important.

“I’m sure… it’ll be okay.” (Audrey)

“Yeah…” (Clarissa)

Audrey recalled something Stella had said. When they were bathing together, and Stella heard about the two of them, she’d quietly said:

“There is hope.” (Stella)

What she meant by that, Audrey didn’t know. She’d just said it, softly, in passing. Clarissa’s expression softened. Kneading the stuffed animal’s belly had distracted her, at least. Neither of them knew. That the world’s highest-ranked S-rank adventurer was on her way to them.

Stella never says anything meaningless.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)