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

 

 

Taste of Love and Prediction of a Date

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

If you think it, act immediately.

Right away, a melon and grape mixed juice was finished.

“Piyo. Then, I’ll drink it, piyo! I will come to know love, piyo!” (Dia)

“Ugo-ugo, so this is love……” (Wood)

“Something like that, yeah.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias secretly created an escape route. By the way, her in puppy form was being held in my arms. It was not that I was feeling love from the moist sensation of her back, but rather, it felt like this was the more natural flow of things.

…Love is a delicate topic. Let’s form a joint front with Marcosias here. Yeah.

Then, the mixed juice poured into a small wooden cup, and Dia began to drink it vigorously.

“Gulp gulp gulp gulp… piyo!” (Dia)

Good drinking form.

She drained it all in one go and placed the cup on the table.

“Piyo… Is this… the taste of love, piyo?” (Dia)

Dia narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.

Ah, she’s not convinced.

“Y-yeah, something like that.” (Marcosias)

“Piyo. Hmm… maybe a little sour, piyo.” (Dia)

Saying that, Dia opened the refrigerator and began rummaging.

What, what is she doing?

“W-what are you doing?” (Elt)

“The taste is lacking, piyo…! Kiwi, papaya… I’ll throw in mango too, piyo!” (Dia)

“Ugo-ugo, you’re going to mix it even more?” (Wood)

“That’s right, piyo! According to my intuition, this will make it even better, piyo!” (Dia)

…Well, as a mixed juice it might improve. But as the taste of love… I wonder. It feels like it’s going further away… but then again, does being far also mean being close in a way? If I say that, I’ll probably dig myself deeper, so I’ll keep silent.

The next mixed juice was finished, and again, Dia began to drink it with gusto.

“Gulp gulp gulp! Piyo!” (Dia)

She drank it all in one go and exhaled with a “puhah”.

“Ugo-ugo, how is it?” (Wood)

“…It’s tasty, but something’s different, piyo.” (Dia)

“Love is not just about taste. It also has depth.” (Marcosias)

“Depth?” (Dia)

Dia tilted her small head and stared intently at the wooden cup she held with her wings.

“Deeper than this cup, piyo?” (Dia)

That’s a hard question…!

Marcosias answered with a slight panic.

“Y-yeah. It’s deep.” (Marcosias)

“Th-then… deeper than that tub I play with, floating boats, piyo?” (Dia)

Dia tilted her head even more diagonally.

“…E-even deeper than that.” (Marcosias)

“That’s really deep, piyo… C-could it be… even deeper than the bath, piyo…!?” (Dia)

Dia tilted her head incredibly far. It was cute, but the mystery only seemed to deepen. Sensing Marcosias was breaking out in a cold sweat, I decided to step in to help. After all, we were on the same team.

“Pretty deep. Deeper than what Dia knows.” (Elt)

I gently patted Dia’s head with one hand.

“Piyo. Love is that deep, piyo…” (Dia)

“Ugo-ugo, I learned something new.” (Wood)

“Since it’s deep, you shouldn’t try to understand it all at once. It’s better to take time. Everyone is trying to understand love slowly.” (Elt)

Even I didn’t really know what I was saying anymore. Though the answer was rather vague, it seemed Dia was satisfied.

“I see, piyo…! I’ll take my time and investigate without rushing, piyo!” (Dia)

“I’m home now…!” (Stella)

Ah, just in time for Stella to come back.

Her bat and clothes being somewhat dirty must be from her training session.

…Hmm. Once things calm down, I need to talk to her about Wood.

 

—

 

I called out to Stella after she quickly showered, and invited her to the study. Talking in the living room would not do. Of course, it was just the two of us. We went upstairs together.

“You wish to speak with Elt-sama…” (Stella)

…Huh?

Somehow Stella’s face was flushed and her cheeks red. She seemed fidgety, a bit different from usual.

Ah. Fresh from the shower, alone together…! She might be expecting something in the wrong direction.

“Um, Stella…” (Elt)

“You’re finally forming a shadow organization to spread noball…!?” (Stella)

“…” (Elt)

“I, Stella, will devote myself on the front lines…!” (Stella)

“…” (Elt)

I was momentarily surprised. But seeing Stella’s eyes, I could tell it was a joke.

We’ve been together long enough for that. I’m starting to get it.

About ten percent of it was probably serious, but I ignored it.

“…Stella, sorry, but it’s not about that.” (Elt)

“Ufufu, then it’s about Wood, isn’t it?” (Stella)

“That’s right. So, you noticed?” (Elt)

“No, but when I was out earlier, Tetetoka mentioned it briefly.” (Stella)

I see, so Tetetoka was making her own moves. As expected, she’s thorough.

We entered the office, and both sat down on the sofa.

“But I do not know much about current romance or marriage customs. If he likes her, I think that’s fine, but given Wood’s position, a different decision might be needed.” (Stella)

“…I agree. Even if the parties are fine with it, that doesn’t always mean it’s okay.” (Elt)

That is something nobles cannot avoid.

“To mention in advance, I spoke with Anaria and Naru as part of gathering information. Wood and Dryad would affect the foundation of the village.” (Elt)

Stella visibly looked relieved at that.

“Yes, exactly. I was also thinking of consulting them.” (Stella)

“So our thoughts matched.” (Elt)

“Yes… It seems so!” (Stella)

I was glad Stella was being cautious.

“According to Tetetoka, Lalatoma seems quite absent-minded… Regardless of good or bad, she wants to support it.” (Elt)

“Hm…? So not necessarily to make it go well?” (Stella)

“It may be a Dryad way of thinking… or a difference between sisters.” (Stella)

I see, that’s quite possible. Tetetoka is the elder of the Dryads, and Lalatoma is her younger sister. To me, Wood is like a newborn child, but to Tetetoka, she’s had her sister for a long time. Different perspectives are natural.

“…One thing I’m curious about. How long will Wood live? Dryads seem to live very long.” (Stella)

“Yeah…? Well, Treemen are special. …He’ll probably live longer than me.” (Elt)

Golems, to begin with, last as long as mana remains. It’s like the thunder golem Stella defeated on the second floor of Zanzas, or the lion knight statue. And Wood has developed independence, to the point of self-sustaining nourishment. Thanks to the traits of plant magic.

…In the game, I think there was even a Treeman several thousand years old as part of an event. So probably, Wood will outlive me too.

“I see… Then, in a way, they’re well-matched.” (Stella)

“Yeah. I also support him deepening his bond with Dryad. Over-involvement wouldn’t be good… I want to watch over the two of them.” (Elt)

“I feel the same. Well, for me, just being able to have someone I’m in a relationship with is already a miracle-level event, so I can’t really say much…” (Stella)

“I don’t think that’s true…” (Elt)

“You think so? Thank you.” (Stella)

Stella gave a small laugh.

Cute. But earlier, she was saying something not-so-innocent about a shadow organization, so I won’t forget that.

“But things like dates… I wonder what they’ll do.” (Stella)

“Well, probably within the village…” (Elt)

It’s small, so rumors would spread fast.

“…A soil bath date, starting by dumping water on one’s head…” (Stella)

Ah. I forgot. If it’s to match with a Dryad, that’s how it’ll go. Was that what Tetetoka was worried about? Hmm, I think Wood will be fine with it though.

…Somehow, I’m feeling just a little uneasy. If it were me, being doused with water and taken to a dirt bath on the first date, that’d be a shock. But Wood knows about soil baths, and Dryad understands too. Yeah.

It’ll be fine. Do your best, Lalatoma. Wood.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)