New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/3 chapters)

 

 

Commendation Ceremony with Bats

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“This is… the Swallow’s statue?” (Stella)

Stella held the broken wooden statue and went to show it to the Queen. It needed to be verified. The Queen stepped down from the palanquin and carefully examined the statue in her hands.

“Yes, indeed, I no longer sense even a trace of mana. It seems the oppressive force covering the forest is gone as well.” (Queen)

Now that the battle was over, it was clear that this forest, too, was brimming with life like any other. Compared to earlier when they had arrived, the sounds were on a whole different level. The country of Elves was warm and had frequent rain. For that, the trees grew thickly, and there were many birds, insects, and beasts. Those lives must have been in fear as well. Now they were released, and the forest had come alive again.

Clarissa agreed.

“…It’s completely different from when we arrived. I can clearly sense life pulsing everywhere.” (Clarissa)

“Yes… This was just an ordinary forest.” (Stella)

Stella nodded and called Nana over. Nana walked over with soft steps. Since the mascot costume had an auto-cleaning feature, it was already clean again.

“Your Majesty, is this acceptable as well? We will transfer the Swallow’s statue to Nana.” (Stella)

“Yes, I understand. Rather than us hoarding it, it’s better to entrust it to an S-rank adventurer.” (Queen)

The Queen gently held the Swallow’s statue and handed it to Nana.

“Unparalleled adventurer Nana-sama. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for your assistance. As promised, we hereby pass this wooden statue to you.” (Queen)

Nana gracefully bowed and received it.

“I accept it with gratitude. Someday I shall unravel its mechanisms and let it serve future generations.” (Nana)

“Thank you. If that happens, our ancestors will surely rejoice.” (Queen)

Then, the Queens turned to face Stella. Their expressions were filled with joy and tension.

“…We don’t know how we can possibly thank you. Please forgive us for even slightly doubting you.” (Queen)

“No, in your position, it was only natural.” (Stella)

Stella replied casually. Even without elaborate words, that alone conveyed everything to the Queens. For hundreds of years, it was their bloodline that had suppressed the Swallow.

“Well then, shall we return? I swung with such spirit, now I feel a bit hungry…” (Stella)

 

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After that, Stella and the others returned to the palace and took a break. The Swallow had already been defeated. The only remaining plan was to stay the night at the palace and then return to Healberry Village.

Throne Room.

By evening, everyone gathered once more in the audience chamber. Once again, formal thanks were given to Stella and the others in the name of the Queen. This was part of the official procedure, so Stella had no choice but to comply.

The Queen spoke apologetically.

“Stella-sama refuses to accept any reward whatsoever… But are you truly certain? Normally, a great amount of wealth and treasures would be offered.” (Queen)

“Yes, I respectfully decline.” (Stella)

From inside the mascot costume, Nana glanced at her with a look that seemed to say, “what a waste…”. Nonetheless, Stella had decided this from the beginning. She had also received Elt’s permission before departure. “Do as you like,” he had said.

“I cannot accept anything from the descendants of my elder sister.” (Stella)

Regardless of the truth, that was Stella’s honest feeling. The Queen before her was not her blood relative. But she had not run from her duty, she had confronted it head-on. That may be falsehood. But it was also hope. A necessary hope to unite the country.

“Thank you so much…!” (Queen)

The Queen’s shoulders trembled. The attendants were also on the verge of tears. At last, it was over. The grudge of hundreds of years.

“However… is there anything at all we can offer you? If there is even a little we can do to help…” (Queen)

“…In that case.” (Stella)

Stella quietly approached Nana. Sensing what was happening, Nana whispered to her.

“…Are you really doing this?” (Nana)

“This is a keepsake. We brought them all this way, after all.” (Stella)

“They’ll definitely be happy!” (Marcosias)

“Yes, exactly.” (Stella)

Resignedly, Nana began rummaging around in her belly. Then, she pulled out bats. One, two, three… many of them. The Queen widened their eyes.

“Th-This is… the weapon Stella-sama used earlier, correct? There are this many of them…?” (Queen)

“Incredible…!” (Attendant)

The attendants whispered to each other in surprise. Judging by the appearance of the bat, it must contain some tremendous mana. That was what the Queen and her attendants believed.

“Gulp… If we have this many of those weapons…” (Attendant)

“No monster would be a threat. This is quite shocking indeed…!” (Attendant)

Stella quietly picked up one of the bats Nana had pulled from her belly.

“I brought them just in case, but I’ll gift one to you. As a memento of this occasion.” (Stella)

“Oh my, how thoughtful…!” (Queen)

With great ceremony, Stella brought the bat to the Queen. It was a bat handmade by Elt. Even in Stella’s eyes, it was a masterpiece at its most basic and refined form.

“Such heartfelt consideration in every regard.” (Queen)

“Not at all. Please, do hold it.” (Stella)

“Yes, of course…!” (Queen)

The beloved weapon of the hero Stella. Surely, it must be an extraordinary item. As Stella encouraged her, the Queen took the bat in her hands.

After a beat, she tilted her head. It was a wooden stick. When held, it was obvious. This bat had no mana at all. It was completely a wooden stick.

“Huh… Perhaps it’s just my imagination, but I don’t feel any mana from it?” (Queen)

“Yes, there is no mana in it.” (Stella)

““Eh?”” (Attendants)

The attendants reflexively raised their voices.

“…Umm, even if it has no mana, maybe there’s… some amazing strength…” (Queen)

“No such thing in particular.” (Stella)

“I-I see!? Then, isn’t this just an ordinary wooden stick…?” (Queen)

“It is not an ordinary wooden stick.” (Stella)

Stella said clearly and firmly. To avoid any misunderstanding. First impressions are important.

“It is a bat.” (Stella)

“…” (Queen)

The Queen and others were struck speechless.

“I have poor compatibility with iron weapons, and after much wavering, this is the one and only sacred tool I encountered. It’s not just a weapon. It is my soul partner…!” (Stella)

“I-I see… But with no special mana? Even so… receiving this, um, bat…” (Queen)

The Queen and her attendants were dumbfounded.

Then, does that mean Stella defeated the Swallow using just a plain wooden stick? That might actually be far more terrifying…

But Stella smiled brightly. She had a plan, of course.

“Clarissa-chan knows how to swing it.” (Stella)

“Hyai!?” (Clarissa)

“When you came to our village, you saw the play that used bats, didn’t you? You should be able to manage a bit. Isn’t that right?” (Stella)

“Y-Yes!” (Clarissa)

Clarissa nodded her head rapidly. Seeing that, Stella was satisfied.

“I’ll leave about 30 of them behind for now…” (Stella)

“30!?” (Queen)

“It may not be much, but if you need more, you can contact Healberry Village or Zanzas…” (Stella)

Then, Stella looked around at the others and tightly clenched her fist.

“Let’s aim for Koshien!” (Stella)

“Ooh, let’s go!” (Marcosias)

And so, Marcosias went along with it for now.

 

Bat Evangelism

32 Bats

 

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