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

 

 

A Bargain Item

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At the Adventurer’s Guild. After showing the design to Elt and the others, Brown was cheerfully preparing to leave. He carefully tried to put the rolled-up paper into his bag…

“Nya, Brown… could that paper be?” (Naru)

“Nyan, yes, nya! It’s a boat, nyan!” (Brown)

Brown, called from behind by Naru, turned around quickly with a beaming smile. Brown was telling various people about the boat like this. Or rather, he wanted to talk about it. He wanted to talk about his precious own boat.

“The design is finished, nya?” (Naru)

“Yes, nyan! Want to see, nyan?” (Brown)

He took out the design paper he had already almost put into his bag and tried to untie the string.

“Nya, I want to see nya… let me see nya?” (Naru)

Naru peeked into the unfolded paper.

“Nya nya. It’s a Cockatrice boat, nya…” (Naru)
“A boat is a boat nyan! And it’s a bargain, nyan.” (Brown)

Brown whispered the price to Naru. That price was three gold coins. For ordinary people’s wages, that was about several months’ worth. However, hearing that price, Naru was a little surprised. It was cheaper than expected.

“Nya? Isn’t it kind of cheap nya?” (Naru)

“Well, yes, nyan. Normally it would be several times this price, nyan.” (Brown)

In this world, all ships were handmade. The problem was transporting and processing the wood, both requiring considerable labor fees. By the way, the shipbuilding timber business was a huge market, and Elt didn’t get involved. Which wood to use where was top secret…

Naru also had intentions to get a ship someday, so she had researched the market price. Even so, this was quite cheap.

“Since it’s Leia, she probably values safety, nya, but why is it cheap, nya?” (Naru)

“It’s a festival effect, nyan.” (Brown)

“Tell me more, nya.” (Brown)

Naru leaned closer to Brown’s face.

“Do you know that Zanzas is focusing on exporting Cockatrice goods, nyan?” (Brown)

“Of course, nya… Nya! Are they planning to transport them on their own, nya?” (Naru)

Naru’s clear mind quickly came up with an answer. Zanzas, as a trading city, held many carriages and fast horses. However, it did not border the sea or large rivers. Therefore, it didn’t focus much on water transport and rented it as needed.

“Leia hasn’t said it outright, but this boat is surely a test case, nyan. If it goes well, they plan to build bigger ships in Zanzas… That’s what I’m guessing, nyan.” (Brown)

“Nyaa… possible, nya.” (Naru)

Thanks to the Healberry Village, Zanzas had escaped a potion shortage. That led to profits from dungeon expeditions and monster hunts. But transporting monster materials elsewhere was necessary for final profits. Efficient logistics were always important to Zanzas.

“The last festival was a big success, nyan. But if you’re a merchant, you’d think this way, nyan.” (Brown)

At Brown’s words, Naru responded firmly.

“How to gather even more customers next year, nya…!” (Naru)

“That’s right, nyan. To do that, focusing on water transport is a good strategy, nyan.” (Brown)

“Nya, as expected of Leia, nya. She’s seeing far ahead, nya. I thought she was just increasing Cockatrice goods.” (Naru)

“…I think there’s a hobby involved, nyan.” (Brown)

Brown answered while looking away a little.

Recently, Leia was often with Nana. Of course, there was work, but Naru and Brown suspected that despite the costume, Leia wanted to be with the Cockatrice.

“Well, if it’s the size in this design, it’s a bargain, nyan. No doubt about it, nyan.” (Brown)

Naru nodded excitedly after the mystery was solved.

“The oars are about this size, nya, really good nya.” (Naru)

As Naru stared intently, her desire for a ship grew.

“Nyaa… if it’s this price, I can pay immediately, nya…” (Naru)

Her tail swayed left and right.

“A boat, nya… Cockatrice, nya… a boat, nya…” (Naru)

“You’re hesitating, nyan.” (Brown)

Nodding, Naru said “Nnyaa”.

Then, Brown whispered quietly.

“Now, it seems the boat will be completed in less than a month, nyan…!” (Brown)

“Nyaa…!” (Naru)

Naru, finally overcome by desire for a ship, raised her hand and shouted.

“I’ll buy one too, nya!” (Naru)

“Nyan, everyone, let’s go to the lake, nyan!” (Brown)

“Nyaa!” (Nyaff)

…And so, a few other Nyaff tribe members also ordered Cockatrice boats.

 

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Meanwhile, at the Hold residence.

Audrey was walking through the mansion in a very good mood.

“Hun hun~” (Audrey)

“You’re in a good mood, Audrey.” (Hold)

“Ah, Father!” (Audrey)

Audrey hurried to her father, Hold.

“Of course, Clarissa will be returning soon after all!” (Audrey)

“Ah, yes. I’m truly glad nothing happened.” (Hold)

The other day, a letter arrived at Hold’s from the Queen of the Eastern country. It said the swallow was defeated by Stella, so the worries were gone. Therefore, they wanted Clarissa to do a homestay again.

Hold had no reason to refuse. Clarissa was the beloved daughter’s close friend. When told this, Audrey was overjoyed and had been in a good mood day after day.

“Father, you’re in a good mood too… Is something going to happen?” (Audrey)

Audrey was a smart girl. She had noticed the mansion had been noisy lately.

“Hmm, it’s still a bit ahead… but the art festival seems to be coming together.” (Hold)

“Really!?” (Audrey)

“Yes. Elt said he would cooperate before. Negotiations with the Northern Country are progressing too. It’s steadily taking shape… Were you that excited?” (Hold)

“Yes, when you say Northern country, it means Cockatrice costumes!” (Audrey)

In Audrey’s mind, gentle images of the Northern Country floated. Vampires and costumes, the country with many Cockatrice costumes. For Audrey, it was almost heaven. To be connected with such heaven, it was almost like paradise.

Hold smiled warmly at Audrey’s dreamy heart.

“Vampires excel not only in costumes but also in crafts and decorations. We can’t fall behind either.” (Hold)

“Y-Yes. Then Father, will you do something?” (Audrey)

“Of course. Come.” (Hold)

Hold beckoned Audrey and led her to another building. They walked from the mansion through a connecting corridor. Ahead was a perfectly square building.

“This place… maybe it’s my first time here.” (Audrey)

“You’re ten now. It’s about time you gradually learn about the family business.” (Hold)

This square building was an art workshop, almost unknown territory to Audrey. There was always a guard, and people with no business were not allowed in. The square building had few windows, and smoke billowed from the chimney. Inside, there was a huge painting. It was not an ordinary painting. It was drawn on hard paper, folded, and respectfully placed on the carpet. A folding screen.

Audrey looked closely at the painting and said…

“…A yellow cat-san?” (Audrey)

“Hmm, not quite. It’s a painting of a creature like a cat called a tiger.” (Hold)

“Wow… it’s an unusual painting.” (Audrey)

The folding screen was lavishly decorated with gold powder, giving it a luxurious feel. It showed a huge tiger slowly emerging halfway from a bamboo grove. Its eyes looked somewhat angry but also sad. Since it probably used monster materials, it radiated strong magic.

“This painting style is often made in the Eastern country. Clarissa probably knows it. We bought it from the Liger Household some time ago, but now we’ve finally prepared a fitting stage for it.” (Hold)

“From the Liger Household?” (Audrey)

The Liger Household was one of the five great noble families of the kingdom. Smaller than the Nagash Household but famous for being hot-blooded nobles.

“Ah, the current Liger main household is indifferent to art. Well, we managed to buy it well.” (Hold)

After all, it was bought for half the appraisal value by Hold. A bargain item. Still, it cost as much as a small castle.

“We also bought various other things from the Liger Household. If things go well, it will lead to great fame and trade.” (Hold)

Vampires, making art, were also passionate about appraisal and purchase, of course, if successful. And this tiger folding screen was to be the highlight exhibit. Hold stroked his small mustache and spoke with determination.

“Yes. Hold family’s fate rests on this [Half-Body Tiger]…!” (Hold)

 

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