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

 

 

Stella’s Resolve

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On the other hand, Steven’s village. The banquet ended, and it became idle chatting. By the end, the misunderstanding about Healberry Village seemed to have been cleared up.

“Heheeh, when you get buried in the soil, you can become healthier…” (Villager)

“Yes, that’s right. It’s not like we’re burying the villagers against their will…” (Stella)

“Heheeh, they bury the villagers who want to be buried…” (Villager)

Hmm…?

Somehow, there felt like a subtle difference in nuance, but I guessed that was close enough. Probably, surely the misunderstanding had been resolved. After all, even Dryads went and buried themselves voluntarily.

Stella decided to just be satisfied with that.

“It works well for stiff shoulders and back pain, too.” (Stella)

“I see, so you become the kind of body where stiff shoulders or back pain don’t bother you……” (Village Chief)

The village chief, rubbing his hands together at high speed, was trembling.

Hmm…?

It still felt like he was misunderstanding something. As Stella tilted her head, Nana offered a lifeboat.

“Well, it’s something like a hot spring. Or maybe like a dwarf’s stone bath…… it’s nothing all that special.” (Nana)

Radan, sipping tea nostalgically, added…

“Dwarf stone baths… those were nice. You can only set them up halfway up a volcano. Certainly, the soil bath in Healberry Village is similar to that.” (Radan)

“Oh, didn’t you get in the soil bath…?” (Stella)

Stella recalled last year’s festival. The Black Dragon Knight Order had come to help with security, but she hadn’t paid attention to their detailed movements. She had a vague memory of delivering lots of vegetables and fruits as food.

Radan answered with a wry smile.

“There was a constant stream of tourists and villagers going in. I really wanted to try it, but lining up was just… you know.” (Radan)

The members of the Black Dragon Knight Order all nodded in agreement. Looking at them, they were all fairly young knights. It seemed they had planned to undertake this mission with only the younger members.

“Armor and swords really strain the shoulders and back.” (Knight)

“Right… it wasn’t something I noticed back in school.” (Knight)

“Mountain paths are even more taxing…” (Knight)

Nana nodded lightly as well. It seemed even knights had their hardships. Marcosias, who was a bit sleepy after eating her fill, casually spoke.

“If that’s the case, you should come try the soil bath next time. If you send a letter in advance, we can leave some space open.” (Marcosias)

“That’s right. People who like it seem to go in even on rainy days. Even Elt-sama goes in occasionally.” (Stella)

Upon hearing Stella’s words, the village chief looked surprised. His eyes were wide open.

“…He even goes to bury himself personally?” (Village Chief)

Somehow it felt like the meaning was being conveyed in the completely wrong direction again.

“Yes, exactly right……!” (Stella)

For now, Stella answered strongly.

 

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After that, they ended up staying overnight at the village chief’s house. They were even allowed to use the bath, so it was a refreshing feeling. The village chief’s house was the highest in the village and allowed one to overlook the entire area.

The night sky had already cleared up, and stars could be clearly seen through the window. Since they were east of Healberry Village, the night sky felt the same, yet somewhat different. Nana, and Stella & Marcosias stayed in separate rooms. In front of the room, Nana waved her hand lightly.

“Well then, good night.” (Nana)

“Good night…!” (Stella)

Nana, holding bags in both hands, looked very pleased. She had bought a few stones mined from the village.

“As expected of a mining village, I was able to buy them cheaply. Hmph-hmm~” (Nana)

“…Please don’t stay up too late.” (Stella)

“I won’t, it’s fine. Yaaawn… If I just sleep hugging them overnight, I can store them too…… Well then, see you tomorrow.” (Nana)

“Good night, you know~” (Marcosias)

Nana entered her room, and Stella and Marcosias entered theirs. The room they stayed in was neat and clean. The bed also looked decently fluffy.

“Wafu~” (Marcosias)

Marcosias suddenly transformed into her puppy form. There were no villagers around to see, so this was her way of unwinding.

“Tomorrow will be an early day too, so let’s sleep right away.” (Stella)

“Got it, you know~” (Marcosias)

Saying that, Marcosias moved her front paws with a flutter.

“Carry me, you know…!” (Marcosias)

“Fufu, of course.” (Stella)

Stella lifted Marcosias and brought her to the bed. She slipped into bed with her and pulled the covers over them. Marcosias, who looked sleepy earlier, already seemed about to fall asleep.

While nodding off, Marcosias spoke.

“…I wonder if Master, Father, and Brother are already asleep too.” (Marcosias)

“Probably. It should be bedtime over in Healberry Village as well.” (Stella)

“A week might feel longer than I thought, you know.” (Marcosias)

At Marcosias’s mutter, Stella nodded without getting up.

“That’s true… It’s the first time you, Dia, and Wood have been apart like this.” (Stella)

“That’s right, you know… But I can feel it.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias fidgeted and used her front paws to mimic washing her face.

“Feel what?” (Stella)

“My connection with Master. It becomes clearer when I’m away from the village, you know…” (Marcosias)

“…I see.” (Stella)

Stella gently stroked the soft fur of Marcosias.

“Mother, did Clarissa mean that much to you, I wonder?” (Marcosias)

“…I don’t know. Come to think of it, it’s strange. I only met her that one time in the village.” (Stella)

“I can feel it. Mother regrets it.” (Marcosias)

As if returning the favor, Marcosias patted Stella’s head.

“She sees herself in Clarissa, you know.” (Marcosias)

“…You can tell that much?” (Stella)

Marcosias looked at Stella with her round eyes.

“Mother was too strong, so she couldn’t stay in her homeland. I think I heard that before…” (Marcosias)

“Yes, that’s true.” (Stella)

Back when they clicked before the Demon King subjugation, she vaguely remembered saying that. To Stella, it didn’t feel like so long ago.

“I don’t intend to return anymore… Not after this is over, to the Eastern country.” (Stella)

“…I see. This is probably the last time you’ll go back.” (Marcosias)

Stella murmured with a lonely tone.

“I abandoned my homeland. I’m sure I’m resented.” (Stella)

“You are, huh?” (Marcosias)

“After sealing [Swallow], I chose to live in Zanzas. Maybe I should have stayed and forgiven the ones who cast me out…” (Stella)

Stella recalled. That because she was too strong from birth, her elder sister Tara had exiled her from the country. That was around when she was ten. And that same Tara had reached for the forbidden magical tool [Swallow], and ruined their country.

And Stella had returned just once to her homeland to seal [Swallow]. She, then, explained to the lost former comrades how to handle it, and returned to Zanzas. After that, those comrades begged her to become the new queen. But Stella declined and went back to Zanzas.

“You’ve already repaid your obligation, you know.” (Marcosias)

“Maybe so. According to the books, I was still treated as a hero in my homeland.” (Stella)

The people left behind, even knowing the truth, continued to bear Stella’s family name and used the method she left behind to suppress [Swallow]. She had thought it was all long over, but it wasn’t.

“…That’s why, I must settle it once and for all.” (Stella)

 

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