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

 

 

Northern Piyo Has Come

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

While we were making the mini boat, the sun had completely set. Little birds were chirping toward the evening sky.

As for going to Leia’s place… tomorrow will be fine.

After tidying up the tools and materials, it was time to prepare dinner. I had Stella take a seat, and I stood up and headed to the kitchen.

“Let me make dinner.” (Elt)

“Is that alright? Elt-sama…” (Stella)

“Yeah. Stella, you must be tired too…” (Elt)

She had no part at all in the crafting, only watched alongside the children.

…So, I guess I wanted to do something.

“I’ll help, piyo!” (Dia)

“Do what you can.” (Elt)

“Ugougo, what are we making?” (Wood)

The kids volunteered to help.

That makes me happy. Even chores become easier when you split them up.

“Thanks. Let’s make a vegetable platter and gyoza.” (Elt)

If the four of us work together, it should be done quickly. Dia and Marcosias do not eat much, after all. Even if I say “vegetable platter”, I sprinkle several kinds of powdered cheese on top, so the flavor is rich.

I bought those recently from Naru… Just a little luxury. We’ve gotten quite used to making gyoza. Marcosias and Wood handle the wrappers, and Dia kneads the filling.

“Knead, piyo… knead, piyo…” (Dia)

With a thin cloth over the filling, Dia treads on it, pressing it with her feet.

How cute. Maybe not hand-work, but foot-work in her case.

Just like that, we made dinner and ate together. The extra cheesy version was well received.

Honestly, if I do that every day, even I might go bankrupt, so it is a treat for special occasions only.

After eating, we cleaned up and spent a relaxing time together.

“Piyo… Pukapiyo…” (Dia)

Dia was in the tub, rocking the mini boat while bathing with it. Wood was stroking Dia gently.

“It was worth making, wasn’t it…” (Wood)

Stella was now asleep on my lap. And she was holding Marcosias against her chest in that position. A while ago, Stella started to often ask for lap pillows from me.

Yeah, it still embarrasses me a little.

“By the way… Did you learn boat making somewhere?” (Elt)

“No… I just saw it. If I see something once, I can usually do it.” (Stella)

“Woof. You saw someone else making a boat and were able to make one… that’s amazing.” (Wood)

“Since I was a child, if I see physical movements, I can do them myself.” (Stella)

…That is an incredible talent. Well, just watching her swing when hitting back makes it clear. Even an extraordinary genius would struggle to do that.

“But it’s been a while since I last made a boat. I’m glad it went well…!” (Stella)

“Dia looks like she’s having fun too.” (Elt)

I gently patted Stella’s head.

“Nfuu” (Stella)

Stella narrowed her eyes in satisfaction and rubbed her head against my hand.

How cute… She acts like Dia sometimes… I guess that is because they’re mother and daughter. Dia also pushes her head into me like that.

Stella is occasionally animal-like… Well, I should not think too deeply about it. The warmth on my lap… Family really is a wonderful thing. That is what matters most.

 

—

 

Meanwhile, in the northern country ruled by Vampires. In winter, the blizzards never cease, and except for small, inhabited areas, everything is covered in pure white snow. The royal palace was built nestled against a mountain slope, to make full use of geothermal energy. The palace was the very height of opulence, made from monster bones and jewels.

“One, piyo, two, piyo, three, piyo…” (Soldiers)

Soldiers dressed in cockatrice costumes were training in the courtyard, relying on the faint light of the snow. They were jogging in a line while wearing the costumes.

“One, piyo, two, piyo, three, piyo…” (Soldiers)

The origin of this chant was unclear. What mattered was that it had been used for so long that its origin was no longer known.

As he looked down on the jogging soldiers in costume, a young man with pale blonde hair muttered to himself. Of course, from inside a cockatrice costume. He had dignified eyes and a slender but broad-shouldered build, a handsome youth. Even among the beautiful Vampires, he was described as godlike in beauty.

“Training is proceeding diligently, I see.” (Ignart)

“Yes… That’s because the art festival will draw crowds, we must make no mistakes.” (Butler)

The butler in a costume affirmed.

Satisfied with that, the blond youth, Ignart, took out a letter.

“A letter has arrived from Nagash-dono. It seems we’ll be able to hold the art festival just before spring, roughly as planned.” (Ignart)

“Ignart-sama, that is good news indeed.” (Butler)

“Indeed. Do not neglect gathering people from various lands. Make it as grand as possible.” (Ignart)

“Understood completely.” (Butler)

The northern country, being full of snow and mountains, faces great difficulties with transportation. Gathering people is harder than one would imagine. And they must achieve results worthy of that effort.

“But to think the [Half-Body Tiger] would be found…” (Ignart)

“…That is unexpected, indeed.” (Butler)

“Yes, although we still do not know whether it is the real one or not…” (Ignart)

Ignart was a great noble of the northern country. Even with all his wealth, he had been unable to locate the [Half-Body Tiger] until now. And yet, unexpectedly, news of its discovery had arrived.

“And there’s a rumor that the Swallow was defeated in the country of the Elves…” (Ignart)

“‘Stella’s single strike fells her foe. Farewell, Swallow, you were the hero.’ Or so they say. It’s true there were stories that the Swallow was in the eastern country, but…” (Butler)

“Hmm.” (Ignart)

Ignart picked up a glass of tomato juice placed on the desk. Since he was still in costume, it had a straw attached. The beak part of the costume had an air hole, where he inserted the straw and began drinking.

And then, Ignart was surprised.

“Hmm…!? It’s very sweet, but delicious. I feel like I’ve never tasted this before.” (Ignart)

“As expected of your refined palate. This came through the southern Zanzas route.” (Butler)

“Zanzas…” (Ignart)

Inside the costume, Ignart narrowed his eyes.

“That wandering sister of mine has been coming and going recently, I hear.” (Ignart)

“It is said that Nana-sama went to the country of the Elves…” (Butler)

“She remains incomprehensible as always. Wandering aimlessly around the world…” (Ignart)

Ignart once again drank tomato juice through the straw.

*Kupikupi…*

Tomatoes were in season from spring to summer. In winter, they cannot grow outside of greenhouses, and their flavor is usually different. And yet this one had a powerful taste, as if it were in peak season.

“Ko-Ti-En is so far away, and yet…” (Ignart)

Nana’s elder brother, Ignart, let out a sigh as he drank his tomato juice.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)