New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Gazing at the Flow

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Tetetoka’s critique came to an end, and we began cleaning up.

That said, the excess materials were just to be turned into fertilizer. Assistant Piyo being strong was a great help. The cleanup ended swiftly.

“Piyo, piyo~.” (I’m done, so I’m going home~) (Piyo)

“Thanks a lot, Assistant Piyo.” (Elt)

After eating the last grass dumpling, Assistant Piyo returned to the dormitory. I also left the Large Tree Tower together with Wood. We slowly walked through the village as the sun began to sink.

“It was interesting how everyone was different in their own way.” (Elt)

“Ugougo. Even when told similar things, the works turned out differently…” (Wood)

Wood said this as if savoring each word.

That is what one calls individuality.

“Ugo, that bat… what did you think?” (Wood)

“Hm? I thought it was good.” (Elt)

It only looked that way because we were thinking of it as a bat. As an object of that shape, it was in harmony.

I might just be a doting parent, though. Besides, for Wood, the bat is a memorable item that both he and Stella have swung. Perhaps the influence is too strong…

It truly is a difficult matter. Stella loves field ball sports, and I am not against it, either. However, how far the children will go with it… That is something we have to observe over time.

“…Ugo. To tell the truth…” (Wood)

“Yeah?” (Elt)

Wood seemed to be hesitating about something he wanted to say.

But then, as if he had made up his mind…

“I want to chase after Kaa-san’s dream… Ugo.” (Wood)

“Her dream…” (Elt)

“Ugo, the dungeon of Zanzas…” (Wood)

“You mean exploring it?” (Elt)

Stella, at her core, was either overly kind or had a heroic temperament. She could not overlook those in trouble. At least in front of me or from what I have heard, not once.

The Demon King subjugation, Marcosias, Swallow… those were the same. She always wanted to get involved and fix things somehow. Of course, that was a rare and valuable trait. But separate from that, she also had a major goal. That was the exploration of the Zanzas dungeon.

It was her life’s work, and she was the current record holder for reaching the deepest part… Right now, Stella had not spoken of it.

Since starting to live together, she had devoted herself to the family. However, it seemed that Wood was thinking slightly differently.

“Ugo… I can’t say it well, but. I feel like one day, Kaa-san will challenge it again.” (Wood)

“…You’re right.” (Elt)

Life in the village and her relationship with me… Even if the exploration of Zanzas’ dungeon is added on top, there is no contradiction. With Marcosias’ vroom!, we can go and return quickly.

It might be many, many years from now, but it is entirely possible that Stella will want to increase her work as an adventurer. I think about it as well. The answer is already decided. Stella should do as she wishes. That is what love and equality mean. I support Stella too. I want her to live freely and enjoyably. That is my honest feeling.

…So then, how does that connect to the bat?

“Ugo, that’s why I want to understand… Kaa-san’s passion…” (Wood)

“…I see.” (Elt)

“Why she can get so fired up over a bat… Ugo. If I can understand that, I feel like I can follow after her.” (Wood)

…Hmm. In other words, right now, Wood does not understand why Stella is so passionate about the bat. Do not worry. I do not get it either.

“Well, there’s no need to rush… I don’t really understand it myself.” (Elt)

“Even you, Tou-san?” (Wood)

“Knowing that you don’t know… piyo.” (Dia)

“That’s Dia’s phrase, Ugo!” (Wood)

Wood laughed happily.

“Ugougo, I understand. I’ll watch Kaa-san without rushing.” (Wood)

“Yeah. And if you’re going to challenge the dungeon… be careful.” (Elt)

Lately, Wood’s growth had been approaching its limit. He should already be at a level where he could fight dragons, but… the bounds of what training could do were near. That said, within the village, he should be among the strongest, after Stella and Nana. In terms of combat ability as an adventurer, he was probably already equivalent to A-rank.

He had already accomplished much that could be done in this village. But for further growth, it would take either real combat or items. Without some kind of catalyst, it would be difficult. Maybe he sensed that vaguely himself.

It was not as if he was desperately seeking strength. However, somehow… he wanted to break through his shell. He wanted to feel something tangible. Just like I once became obsessed with a game close to this world.

To be driven forward and to run… that is what it means to live.

 

—

 

At that time, by the side of a great river…

A lone scholar was gazing at the flow of the great river bathed in the sunset. This river flowed close to the royal capital, and eventually reached the sea. It could truly be called the aorta of distribution. It was under the jurisdiction of the Liger Household.

A great noble family involved in water transport for over a hundred years. But that did not mean there were no problems. Though their numbers were few, aquatic magic beasts existed. They were a constant source of headaches.

For magic users, underwater combat was almost suicidal. That was because it was incredibly difficult to maintain the concentration necessary for magic underwater.

“What are you doing here?” (Boatman)

A boatman called out to the scholar who stood at the wharf. He was neither boarding a ship nor buying anything. The scholar had been standing by the river for over an hour. That struck the boatman as odd.

“…I was observing whether a river Cockatrice would appear.” (Scholar)

“Hooh. Those are rare, aren’t they.” (Boatman)

“So, it seems. Their nesting grounds are not well documented… It’s worth investigating.” (Scholar)

“Hohoh. So, you’re a scholar, eh?” (Boatman)

“Indeed. A student of magic beastology.” (Scholar)

At that, the scholar looked once more at the great river.

“The last time I came, I thought there were more boats… but now they’re few.” (Scholar)

“Yeah. The Leviathans’ve been showin’ up often lately. We’ve been sittin’ idle here too.” (Boatman)

“They’ve been appearing frequently, it seems.” (Scholar)

“Even when the nobles do their best, the ships get wrecked. Then we have to reduce the number of vessels crossing.” (Boatman)

“…I suppose so.” (Scholar)

The scholar sighed, then turned on his heel.

“It’ll be dark soon. Today was a bust.” (Scholar)

“Heheh… You’re not good with nights?” (Boatman)

“No, I’m not a Vampire, after all.” (Scholar)

Saying that, the scholar left the wharf. The boatman tilted his head.

“…Even though he’s not a Vampire, why was he wearin’ a river Cockatrice costume, I wonder…” (Boatman)

This scholar… was the kingdom’s top prodigy, the youngest ever to gain a professorship in magic beastology, and the son of a noble house.

Victor Nagash.

A handsome young man with ice-like blue eyes and hair like the moonlight. His specialty was Cockatrice studies.

 

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