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

 

 

Reunion

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Audrey? Isn’t Hold-niisan with her? I do not really understand why she suddenly appeared… but for now, I have no choice but to meet her.

When I stepped outside the Adventurer Guild, several luxurious carriages were parked there. The large crest of the Nagash Household, depicting a snake, was boldly displayed.

Hmm, it’s the same carriage I saw during the festival.

In front of the carriage stood Audrey and the accompanying attendants. Indeed, there was no sign of Hold-nii-san or Yaya. Audrey’s clothing was formal, meant for going out.

There were cockatrice motifs here and there… perhaps a safe choice for a child. On her face was a visible mix of nervousness and excitement.

This is…

Then, perhaps because she saw me, Audrey and the others properly bowed.

“It has been a while, Elt-ojisama!” (Audrey)

“Ah, it has been a while. Hold-niisan is…?” (Elt)

“Mother and Father are not with me. I came alone…” (Audrey)

Among the attendants, the oldest butler quietly stepped forward.

“Ojou-sama has come alone. Please be aware of that.” (Butler)

“I also brought letters with me!” (Audrey)

Audrey said cheerfully, and the maid standing behind her brought several letters forward. I took them and immediately began reading.

Hmm hmm. The first letter stated that Audrey had been sent as a representative, and that she would meet with Clarissa in this village. It also asked me to take care of things.

I see. So as expected, Audrey came today alone, without her parents. This is… that, isn’t it? A “first errand”. It seems there are two general lifestyles among nobles.

One is the type who devotes themselves to their own territory and rarely travels to other lands. This is common among lords of small territories, just like me. The other is the type who actively travels outside their territory. This is more common among high-ranking nobles or those without territories.

That would be Belzel-niisan and Hold-niisan. Audrey will surely follow in Hold-niisan’s footsteps and continue the art salon. In that case, she will need to become accustomed to going out without family as early as possible. That said, with the family butler and maids accompanying her, it is certainly a secure situation. It seems multiple people capable of using mana are present too. A perfect arrangement.

And Clarissa, huh? I heard from Stella that she was in the eastern country. So, she is returning here.

“Hmm hmm… so she is meeting Clarissa in this village.” (Elt)

“Yes…! Chichiue thought it would be perfect. Clarissa is supposed to arrive here in a day or two…” (Audrey)

The second and third letters were labeled about the art festival.

I suppose I can read those later. Delivering the letters to me and picking up Clarissa at the same time… killing two birds with one stone, huh? Of course, I have no problem with that. In this world, family showing up unannounced is not unusual. After all, there are no telephones.

“Got it. Welcome. You’ve come a long way.” (Elt)

“Yes, thank you very much…!” (Audrey)

She is a proper child. Hold-niisan must have been worried about sending his daughter. No matter how trustworthy the accompanying adults are… Still, it is something that must be done. As Hold-nii-san and Yaya’s daughter, she has to learn and grow.

Oh right. I should let Dia and Marcosias know. They were close with Audrey. They will surely be overjoyed.

“Well then, shall I take you to the house? Dia and Marcis will be happy to know you are here.” (Elt)

“…! Dia-chan and Marcis-san! Yes, I want to see them too!” (Audrey)

Audrey smiled brightly. She must be really happy.

Thus, we headed for the house.

 

—

 

At that time, at Elt’s house…

On the sofa, Dia was massaging the back of Marcosias in her puppy form. Stella and Wood were out. It was break time, with the picture book reading on hold. Dia gently pressed with her wings as she massaged.

*Momi momi.*

*Momi momi momi.*

“Piyo~… you are moist again today, piyo.” (Dia)

“Indeed. I am always moist, you know.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias in puppy form had a nice belly, but her back was also good. Dia gave a thorough massage to Marcosias. In the daytime, they would occasionally massage each other like this. Fur quality is important. They never neglect grooming.

“Just like gyoza, piyo. The more you knead, the better it becomes, piyo.” (Dia)

“…W-Well, that may be true.” (Marcosias)

It was a strange comparison, but not wrong.

“…Piyo?” (Dia)

At that moment, Dia stopped her wings and tilted her head.

“Hmm? My master, is something the matter?” (Marcosias)

“I feel like I sensed something… but maybe not… piyo.” (Dia)

“That is… woof?” (Marcosias)

Marcosias sniffed the air with a sunsun.

It seemed she noticed something. Usually, when this happened, someone was about to visit the house.

“Maru-chan, is someone coming, piyo?” (Dia)

“Woof. That is right.” (Marcosias)

Saying so, Marcosias jumped down from the sofa and returned to her human form, a silver-haired girl.

“Piyo. Who is it, piyo?” (Dia)

“They will be here soon.” (Marcosias)

“Got it, piyo. Let’s go to the entrance, piyo!” (Dia)

Then, as Dia and Marcosias headed to the entrance, they heard a sound. The key turned, and the front door opened. At the front was Elt.

“I’m home.” (Elt)

“Welcome back, piyo!” (Dia)

“Welcome back indeed.” (Marcosias)

Then, Dia noticed the figure behind Elt. It had not been that long, but she dearly wanted to see her friend. Dia jumped up.

“Piyo!? Audrey-chan, piyo!?” (Dia)

“Dia-chan, Marcis-san!” (Audrey)

“It has been a while.” (Marcosias)

“You came all of a sudden, piyo! But if it is Audrey-chan, then it’s fine, piyo!” (Dia)

Trot trot, Dia walked over to Audrey’s feet. Elt watched this fondly. As Dia approached, Audrey crouched down and patted her.

“I wanted to see you.” (Audrey)

“Me too, piyo!” (Dia)

Then, Audrey picked up Dia’s fluffy, plush body. Dia accepted it as if it were natural.

“Ahh… so fluffy…” (Audrey)

Audrey happily buried her face in Dia’s feathers.

*Fluffy. Puffy.*

Just like when they parted that day, unchanged. A heavenly fluff.

“Piyo! Your fur is still as perfect as ever, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yeah, it hasn’t changed!” (Audrey)

“Glad you came.” (Marcosias)

When Marcosias bent down and held out her hand, Audrey took it and shook it. Her hand seemed to tremble slightly.

“You look well…” (Audrey)

“Yes, I am doing well.” (Marcosias)

While Audrey spoke frankly with Dia, she seemed a bit nervous around Marcosias. Dia tilted her head slightly.

“Piyo. You seem nervous, piyo?” (Dia)

To Dia’s question, Audrey fidgeted a little.

“…Well, you are so beautiful, and during the play too…” (Audrey)

“I see, piyo. That time, Maru-chan was amazing, piyo.” (Dia)

In Dia’s memory, Marcosias was mostly in puppy form with her belly exposed. But when serious, Marcosias had a coolness rivaling even Stella. Although, such moments were rare.

Then, Dia noticed that there were quite a few people behind Audrey, spilling out from the entrance.

“At this rate, they cannot come inside.” (Marcosias)

“That’s true, piyo. Come on, please come in, piyo!” (Dia)

 

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