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

 

 

Old Friend, Louise

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

At Louise’s shout, Hold gave a weary sigh.

“What is with that, showing up so suddenly… without even bringing a retainer?” (Hold)

“That’s because flying alone is faster, of course!” (Louise)

Louise puffed out her chest with a proud “ahem”. Aside from her clothes and magic, she had absolutely no air of nobility about her.

“Well, fine. It’s a nuisance to have you out here. Let’s talk inside.” (Hold)

“Thanks! While we’re at it, I’m hungry. Give me some food! Oh, and hey, is that Audrey next to you!?” (Louise)

*Jolt*

Louise’s fierce-looking eyes turned toward Audrey. But she must not flinch.

Audrey tightly pressed her lips together. The golden fur of Dia, wrapped around her arm, fluttered in the wind.

Courage… have courage.

“It has been a while, Louise-sama.” (Audrey)

“Ooh, you’ve grown up, haven’t you! Haha, your eyes look just like Hold’s.” (Louise)

Louise laughed brightly and approached Audrey, floating gently through the air. Hold smoothly stepped between Louise and Audrey.

“…Audrey will also be present for this discussion. You have no objections, right?” (Hold)

“Hm? I don’t mind.” (Louise)

With that, Louise seemed to lose interest, and the three moved into the mansion’s reception room. Even during the walk, Louise remained floating and continued to chatter without dispelling her magic. To hold a conversation while maintaining magic was quite difficult.

Inwardly, Audrey was impressed. As a magic user, she truly lived up to her great noble lineage. There was no one in Audrey’s circle who could do such a thing so effortlessly. Louise finally stopped floating once they arrived in the reception room. She plopped herself onto the sofa like she owned the place.

So arrogant and yet Hold only raised his eyebrows slightly and said nothing. As the head of an art salon, he had the composure to overlook such behavior.

“So, what’s this about borrowing money?” (Hold)

“A Leviathan showed up again and blocked the shipping route.” (Louise)

Louise said it bluntly and without shame.

A Leviathan…

Audrey recalled the entry in the monster encyclopedia. An S-rank monster known for its violent nature and tendency to cause massive damage.

“That fishy bastard… Well, there weren’t any casualties, at least. The Sea Cockatrice drove it off, but financially, it’s a disaster.” (Louise)

“I see. So, you’re out of money?” (Hold)

“Exactly, so lend me some!” (Louise)

Saying that, Louise held out both hands.

Hold let out a long sigh.

“…You could just make a deal with Zanzas instead of coming to me for money.” (Hold)

“You knew?” (Louise)

“I went to Zanzas at the end of the year. I made a few connections while I was there. Apparently, Zanzas wants to get into maritime shipping?” (Hold)

“That guy’s always up to something.” (Louise)

Louise laughed heartily.

“But I hate it.” (Louise)

Under the table, Audrey clenched her fists.

Louise was radiating a magical pressure, like cold air.

“Those guys are smart and rich. That’s why they can’t be trusted. Maritime shipping is our lifeline. I can’t just sell it off so easily.” (Louise)

“Better to borrow from me, a Nagash Household member, then?” (Hold)

“You bought Half-Body Tiger from me, didn’t you? You’re betting on me, right? Raise the stakes.” (Louise)

Audrey struggled to keep up with Louise’s fast-talking thoughts.

Louise was supposed to be in the middle of a family inheritance dispute within the Liger Household. Her father, Hold had paid a large sum, indirectly supporting Louise. But on the other hand, Audrey had heard that Louise had sold Half-Body Tiger to Hold at a bargain. Of course, Hold was also planning to use Half-Body Tiger as a trump card for an upcoming art festival in the north.

Multiple layers of transactions, negotiations between noble families… It was all tangled together.

“Our household isn’t exactly swimming in money either, with the art festival coming up.” (Hold)

“Eeh? Don’t send me back empty-handed.” (Louise)

“I understand. I’ll move up the payment schedule for Half-Body Tiger’s installments.” (Hold)

“Ooh!” (Louise)

Louise leaned forward with a look of interest.

“Four! Pay four installments and it’ll really help!” (Louise)

“Two. I said we’re short on money.” (Hold)

“Then, three. Give me three installments in advance.” (Louise)

“…Fine.” (Hold)

“Yesss!” (Louise)

Louise snapped her fingers.

“That’s settled, then!” (Louise)

 

—

 

After that, they moved to the banquet hall and held a simple dinner.

Louise was beaming as she sank her teeth into a steak.

…She must have eaten at least three servings already.

Despite her short stature, she had a huge appetite. Hold was also eating diced steak, but Audrey, honestly too nervous, could barely taste her meat.

“By the way, Victor-aniki came into our territory recently.” (Louise)

“Victor-niisan did?” (Hold)

“He was talking about some new paper or something. Still wandering around alone without a retainer, as usual.” (Louise)

Since their time in the Academy of Nobility, Louise had always admired Victor, calling him “aniki” fondly. Victor, a scholar of monster studies, was intellectual but despite being total opposites, he and Louise were quite close.

“He hasn’t changed, has he, Victor-niisan.” (Hold)

Hold said this while stroking his little mustache.

Victor was also good at sneaking out of the mansion. Louise’s current habit of barging into places alone was practically inherited from Victor. On the flip side, perhaps because they were both physical types, she had never gotten along with Berzel.

“…One more thing I want to ask.” (Louise)

“What is it?” (Hold)

“Back to the Zanzas topic but they’ve been doing pretty well lately. The shipping offer wasn’t a bad deal either.” (Louise)

“Hmm… Their festival was quite a success too.” (Hold)

“Is it true they’re getting along with someone from the Nagash Household now?” (Louise)

Louise was eating vigorously but with no sloppiness.

No sound, no splattering juices. But behind her dining gaze was a piercing sharpness.

“Those guys, Zanzas were shrewd even during the warring era. They cozied up to the royal family and have been doing whatever they want ever since…” (Louise)

Hold nodded as he sipped his coffee.

“Which is why they ally with no one. More than the royal family, they’re enamored with the local hero Stella and her Cockatrice.” (Hold)

“So why, then? Did the Nagash Household have someone worth their interest?” (Louise)

“My younger brother, Elt.” (Hold)

Hold muttered it under his breath.

“Even Victor-niisan acknowledged him… so did Berzel-niisan and I.” (Hold)

“…Was there such a person? I don’t remember.” (Louise)

“What did you think of him, Audrey?” (Hold)

The question caught Audrey off guard, and she almost jumped.

“Um… He was a very composed uncle. It was hard to believe he’s only fifteen.” (Audrey)

“His mana… how was it?” (Louise)

Louise leaned forward toward Audrey.

“Tell me, is he stronger than me?” (Louise)

“Uh, um…” (Audrey)

Audrey was at a loss for words, but Hold just fiddled with his mustache, quietly watching.

Apparently, it was fine to answer honestly.

“…I think Elt-ojiisan is stronger.” (Audrey)

“Haah!?” (Louise)

Louise slumped back into her chair. Her reactions were always exaggerated. But at the very least, Audrey made sure not to avert her gaze.

“Got me there. So that guy is your Nagash Household’s trump card?” (Louise)

“More precisely, he’s a trump card for us brothers.” (Hold)

“I see… interesting.” (Louise)

Louise grinned, showing her small fangs. They were clean, almost childlike but for Audrey, that only made them feel sharper.

“You didn’t look away from me. Well done, Audrey. If I have a son, want to marry him!?” (Louise)

“Ehh!?” (Audrey)

Audrey squeaked with surprise.

“…You’re moving a bit fast.” (Hold)

“Ahaha, I’m serious though!” (Louise)

Though she said it jokingly, there was a serious air about her. Sharp-minded Audrey could tell. Hold moved his eyebrows slightly and shifted the subject.

“By the way… I heard Nana made quite a name for herself in the eastern country.” (Hold)

“Ugh!? She’s in the eastern country now?” (Louise)

“I don’t know her current location. But that’s the report I received.” (Hold)

“Grr… is that so.” (Louise)

The moment Nana was mentioned, Louise’s energy visibly drained. It was like she had encountered her natural predator. The extreme contrast in her reaction shocked Audrey.

Seeing this, Hold let out a chuckle.

“Still traumatized?” (Hold)

“She nearly turned me into squashed tomatoes. You think I could forget that easily?” (Louise)

“You did splash her tomatoes. And onto her costume, no less…” (Hold)

Hold shuddered, recalling the incident at the academy. Nana, cheerfully carrying tomatoes, got caught in Louise’s wind magic and chaos ensued. Up to that point, Louise had never lost a duel. Nana shattered that record.

Ever since, Louise had been afraid of Nana. Had she been here today, Louise probably would have taken the long way around and gone home.

“I thought she was the quiet type, but she turned out to be a real monster. The only one who could duel her evenly… was Victor-niisan.” (Louise)

“True. You can’t win against Nana if you rely on instinct. She senses it all.” (Hold)

Vampires, superior as individuals, could detect all sorts of patterns. And indeed, among her age group, Nana was unmatched.

Without hiding her frustration, Louise muttered,

“…Whenever it gets inconvenient, you bring up Nana. That’s your bad habit.” (Louise)

“Well, you suddenly asked for my daughter, after all.” (Hold)

The two exchanged glances and chuckled together.

“Care for some wine? I’ve still got some fun stories to share.” (Hold)

“Trying to pry information from me, huh? I’m tough, you know!” (Louise)

“It’s nothing too serious, really.” (Hold)

And just like that, the previous atmosphere completely changed, and the two began chatting merrily.

*Heart pounding*

Audrey watched them.

Thinking it felt just like how she was with Clarissa.

 

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