New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Gradually Spreading, the Circle of Noball

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

My answer seemed to make Hold-niisan relax as if letting go. His gaze was not on me but fixed on the black tea.

“Who is coming?” (Hold)

“Stella and Marcis, Nana… and also Dia.” (Elt)

For Dia, it will be her first time leaving the village. However, it should be fine. It is about time she gets to know the outside of the village.

“In any case, while Stella is away, I should stay in this village. Hold-niisan won’t leave the entire territory empty either, right?” (Elt)

“Well… of course, I will leave trustworthy people behind…” (Hold-niisan)

Still, Hold-niisan seemed unable to fully accept it. I understood his feelings.

But this is my pride. Father told me not to leave the territory. Maybe if I left, there would be no reprimand. Maybe it would be overlooked and nothing would happen. But having come this far, I do not want to break that rule. That is all there was to it.

“Phew… it seems you have some reason after all. Elt, you are a proper lord. I will not interfere any further.” (Hold-niisan)

“Thank you, Hold-niisan.” (Elt)

Saying so, Hold-niisan raised his face as if surprised.

“The one to thank is me. Though belated, about Clarissa, you really helped me.” (Hold-niisan)

Hold-niisan bowed his head. Deeply. This time it was my turn to be surprised. Hold-niisan did not raise his head. Probably as a noble, it was rare to bow so deeply. It was that kind of bow.

“No, it’s not so much me…” (Elt)

“But fundamentally, it is thanks to you, Elt. Because of that, the hero Stella was revived, and the swallow was defeated. If not…” (Hold)

There Hold-niisan stopped speaking.

“We might have lost Clarissa. She is important to us as well.” (Hold)

Those words made me feel saved. I said gently to Hold-niisan on purpose.

“Raise your face, Nii-san.” (Elt)

“…Ah.” (Hold)

After a while, Hold-niisan raised his face.

There was the usual Hold-niisan’s face, looking somewhat confident. It could be said to be a typically cold and noble expression. At least, completely different from the adventurers, apothecaries, and merchants in this village.

But now, somehow, I understood. It was like a mask. A mask worn since childhood and become hard to remove. Under that mask, Hold-niisan was a person who, in his student days, was devoted to love for the woman he liked, devoted himself to art, and cared for his daughter’s best friend.

“Well then, let’s talk about the exhibit items. That’s why you came, right?” (Elt)

When I said so, Hold-niisan nodded while touching his small mustache.

“Yes, I understand roughly the exhibit items, but I want to hear a little about that clothing.” (Hold)

As I expected. Well, the concept of a uniform does not exist in this world yet. If he does not understand properly, it would be difficult to explain.

I began the explanation I had prepared. Though it would turn into an explanation of Noball.

 

—

 

Hold-niisan, with his clear intellect, seemed to understand the necessity of the uniform at once. He nodded repeatedly while listening to the explanation.

“Ah, I see. So, it is necessary for that sport called ‘Noball.’ Golf is an individual competition, so I did not come to that idea.” (Hold)

“That’s right. Hold-niisan, do you play golf?” (Elt)

“Hm? I have not played recently. There are no good courses unless near the royal capital, and I am too busy anyway.” (Hold)

Hmm hmm. I had heard there were various sports here and there. As far as I know, archery and golf seem popular among nobles. Sports like tennis, baseball, basketball, or soccer do not seem to exist yet. Well, if there is a ball, some people probably kick it.

Hold-niisan touched his small mustache again.

“Golf is too much trouble to make courses. Some countries have little land. The northern continent has many mountains and snow. The south is full of deserts. It is not a sport common people can easily do.” (Hold)

This world consisted of one huge continent. The north was cold, the south scorching, the central region in between, and most people lived in the central region.

“Compared to that, this sport called Noball seems easy to do. What is really necessary is probably just a bat and a ball.” (Hold)

“You know well.” (Elt)

“Clarissa, who returned home to us, plays it often.” (Hold)

“…” (Elt)

I quietly averted my eyes. That was thanks to Stella’s enthusiastic, very enthusiastic, proselytizing.

“It seems Clarissa’s country tries to spread Noball to neighboring countries as well.” (Hold)

“Ah, I see.” (Elt)

She was seriously hooked.

“Elves do not like metal much. Also, they do not want to make the forest into a golf course. But Yaball with wooden bats that does not require cutting the forest seems to fit the demand. A splendid insight.” (Hold)

Hold-niisan looked happy nodding.

Sorry. I had not thought so far. Because it is Stella’s hometown, I thought maybe they might get a bit interested. It spread unexpectedly.

“This art festival will raise the fame of this territory again. No, it is splendid.” (Hold)

Then, Hold-niisan looked at me steadily.

“If you make business of that uniform and dollhouse, could you sell them to me first?” (Hold)

“Hm? That is absolutely fine. Rather, there are many prototypes of the uniform. Do you want to take some today?” (Elt)

“Ah, that is appreciated. Perfect as souvenirs for Audrey and Clarissa.” (Hold)

Then Hold-niisan closed his eyes and touched his small mustache. Somewhat embarrassed.

“Also, where do they sell bats for adult men?” (Hold)

“…” (Elt)

Hold-niisan… You too got hooked.

 

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