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

 

 

Something Completely New

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Leia’s gaze sharpened slightly. It was her serious mode, seen only occasionally. Inside the head wrapped in a Cockatrice hat, she was likely running mental calculations with an abacus.

“This is a most welcome offer to us… but what would be the compensation?” (Leia)

“Hmm… I thought that if Zanzas develops, this village would also receive benefits.” (Elt)

“That is certainly true, given how closely connected we are… However, even if you support us at this stage, Elt-sama, would there be any merit for you?” (Leia)

Well, that is fair. She did say she could not even see a glimmer of hope. After spending several months working with Zanzas, I had come to understand something. Zanzas does not hesitate to invest. Or rather, one should say they do not fear loss. The very first paralysis recovery potion was like that.

More recently, I heard they had prepared a large number of costumes for the festival. Joining the art festival was the same. For that not to be going well meant it was quite a difficult matter. It likely could not be resolved with simple monetary means. Precisely because of that, if I were to get involved, the merit would be substantial. Zanzas would not skimp in that area.

Of course, that is only if things go well, and I would need to consider how to go about it.

“For example, if things go well, perhaps Zanzas could purchase some of the wood they use from this village.” (Elt)

“…” (Leia)

“If it’s wood that we’ve quietly grown, I doubt anyone would notice…” (Elt)

“As expected, I cannot give an immediate answer…!” (Leia)

Mmm, it could not be helped. After all, timber still carried a certain degree of danger.

I thought it would not be a bad deal for either of us.

“Elt-sama, but… why go so far?” (Leia)

“…Hmm. I wasn’t particularly eager to get into lumber before.” (Elt)

I organized my own thoughts.

“But I felt that the Nyaff tribe and others had a stronger desire to own boats than I had imagined. I want to respond to that.” (Elt)

What is important as a ruler… It is, I believe, to let everyone dream. And for me to chase their dreams as well.

“I see… I think I understand. I also can hardly contain my desire to spread Cockatrices, after all.” (Leia)

“O-oh.” (Elt)

That was less the people’s dream and more Leia’s personal obsession, was it not?

So, I thought, but I did not say it aloud.

“In any case, I understand your thoughts, Elt-sama. Including what approach we should take, I will first discreetly inquire with the Zanzas council members.” (Leia)

“That would be good. There’s no rush, but I’m counting on you.” (Elt)

First up is the Cockatrice boat, huh? Just then, a thought occurred to me.

“…Come to think of it, even if Zanzas owns a boat, would it be… that? I mean, a Cockatrice design…?” (Elt)

“Yes…! I’m hoping to recreate the charm of the Sea Cockatrice, of course!” (Leia)

Leia declared it without the slightest hesitation.

This sort of vibe… She clearly intended to have the crew wear Cockatrice costumes and build a 100% Cockatrice ship. Having known her for quite a while now, I could tell. Inside Leia’s head, there were surely images of Cockatrice crew members waving from atop a Cockatrice ship.

Well, I will not probe too deeply into that. After all, I made the Adventurer Guild using Dia and Wood as motifs too…

 

—

 

A week passed, and various things were progressing in the village. While handling daily matters, we were also preparing exhibits for the art festival.

Right now, I was at the Large Tree Tower. Today was a practice session where Anaria, Iskamina, and Lalatoma were learning to attach branches and flowers to cotton. It seemed I had arrived just as things were getting underway.

Incidentally, Wood was participating too. Apparently, he happened to be present last time and began creating things as well. Of course, there was no issue with that. Rather, it was perfect for fostering independence. I was simply observing and not particularly involved. I was just lucky enough to be present. I wanted to see what it was like, at least once.

“Okay. How’s it going, everyone?” (Tetetoka)

“Piyoyo.” (Have you finished?) (Cockatrice)

The instructor was Tetetoka.

Each person had a table in front of them, and a piece using cotton as the base had been completed. Rather, they had already finished when I arrived. The size was about half that of the flower drum set Tetetoka had made. Incidentally, behind Tetetoka was Assistant Piyo (a hardworking Cockatrice hired with grass dumplings).

“Yes, I’m done!” (Anaria)

“Let’s see, let’s see?” (Tetetoka)

The first to raise her hand was Anaria.

She had skillfully combined blue and red flowers to create a vibrant composition. It was close to a flower stand, but it gave the impression of a classic floral arrangement.

“Thump-thump…!” (Anaria)

“Ooh… Hmm…” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka walked in circles around Anaria’s piece.

“Hmm hmm…” (Tetetoka)

“Piyo?” (Sensei, what do you think?) (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka pulled a grass dumpling from her pocket and began munching on it. She looked every bit like a grand master artist. She even gave off a vibe like she might flip a table at any moment.

“Assistant Piyo-chan, lift me up.” (Tetetoka)

“Piyopiyo!” (Roger, piyo!) (Assistant Piyo)

The Cockatrice behind her slipped its wing under Tetetoka’s side and lifted her up.

Was it to allow her to view the piece from above? Quite professional. Still, did that Assistant Piyo really understand Tetetoka’s words…? Well, they had worked together for a long time, after all. Not so strange, I suppose.

“Hmm hmm… Okay, lower me down.” (Tetetoka)

“Piyopi!” (Here you go!) (Assistant Piyo)

Tetetoka gracefully landed.

“Thanks. Here you go.” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka fed the grass dumpling to Assistant Piyo.

“Piyo—!” (You’re welcome!) (Assistant Piyo)

Assistant Piyo gulped it down in one go. She looked delighted.

“Now, about this piece…” (Tetetoka)

“Y-yes… gulp.” (Anaria)

“It’s quite nice. Even from above, there are no gaps.” (Tetetoka)

“Thank you very much…!” (Anaria)

Apparently, it passed. Even from where I stood, it looked well done.

“Also… let’s see… try adding some yellow or purple flowers and using more colors overall.” (Tetetoka)

“Yes…!” (Anaria)

Oh, solid advice. She clearly knew her stuff.

“Now then, Iskamina’s piece… oh ho…” (Tetetoka)

Tetetoka moved on to the next work.

Iskamina’s piece… oh, she had incorporated distinctly gray stones, building around a central branch. It lacked flashiness and gave off a sense of wabi-sabi.

“Hmm hmm…” (Tetetoka)

“What do you think, mogu?” (Iskamina)

“Just a moment… Assistant Piyo-chan, I’m leaning diagonally now.” (Tetetoka)

“Piyo!” (Go ahead!) (Assistant Piyo)

Diagonally…?

Tetetoka began leaning backward. Assistant Piyo supported her from behind. Tetetoka remained in a slanted posture.

O-oh. Diagonal indeed. Such dedication to viewing angle…

“Hmm… gulp.” (Tetetoka)

Even while slanted, she did not forget to eat her grass dumpling.

What composure.

Eventually, Tetetoka returned to an upright position and fed another dumpling to Assistant Piyo.

“This is a bold choice… but I like this direction.” (Tetetoka)

“Thank you, mogu!” (Iskamina)

“Next time… yeah, maybe reduce the number of branches, or place moss and grass on the base.” (Tetetoka)

“I see, mogu…!” (Iskamina)

That would make it close to a dry landscape garden. It felt like she was stepping into new artistic territory.

“Adding branches and flowers is good, but subtracting can be good too. What’s important is… the overall completeness, maybe?” (Tetetoka)

“Yes, mogu!” (Iskamina)

Iskamina had become a full-fledged student of Tetetoka. And now, Tetetoka moved to the next piece, Wood’s work.

…Huh? Why is there a small bat stuck into the cotton?

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)