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

 

 

A Certain Village, Once More

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

And thus, at last, the day arrived to set forth for the art festival. February too was drawing to a close, and the outside world was beginning to grow warm. My family and Nana were gathered together upon the roof of our house.

“Nevertheless, it seems that the north remains cold…” (Elt)

“Yes, I shall persevere with fluffy layers piled upon layers…!” (Stella)

Stella, with a muffler wrapped around her neck and wearing a soft and voluminous coat, declared her resolve. As for Nana, she seemed to be fine in her costume. She was already being carried upon Stella’s back.

“But it seems as though you are wearing a uniform beneath that coat…” (Elt)

“*Shocked*.” (Stella)

“Ugougo… Kaa-san, you are fine with both heat and cold, are you not?” (Wood)

“Y-yes, that is correct…” (Stella)

Then, why the coat…? I see, it must be for the sake of wearing the uniform.

And within Stella’s bosom were secured the small puppy forms of Marcosias and Dia.

“Piyo. I am fine because Maru-chan is with me! So warm, piyo!” (Dia)

“Woof. To tell the truth, I am rather sensitive to the cold. I am relying upon you.” (Marcosias)

“Gabiin, piyo…! A shocking truth, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia was genuinely startled. I too had never before known this truth.

“…So, when you often wrapped yourself in cotton in the living room, and when you snuggled together with Dia, it was because you were cold…?” (Elt)

“Woof. That is exactly right!” (Marcosias)

Marcosias thrust up a firm thumbs-up.

“If that is the truth, then it cannot be helped, piyo…” (Dia)

“Indeed, it cannot be helped…” (Stella)

“I might be the one to say this, but is that truly acceptable?” (Nana)

So spoke Nana, riding upon Stella’s back, yet… it was Marcosias. It was Maru-chan. Such freedom was her nature.

“If I grow cold, you must warm me, you know…!” (Marcosias)

She clung tightly to Dia, squeezing with all her might.

“Piyo. Understood, piyo…!” (Dia)

With a not entirely displeased expression, Dia returned the embrace.

“Tou-sama, Onii-chan, we are departing, piyo!” (Dia)

“I shall be going as well!” (Marcosias)

Wood and I drew close to Dia and Marcosias, and gently patted their heads with soft pressure.
It was a kind of ritual, an unspoken wish that they might return safely. Incidentally, Leia had already departed in her capacity as representative of Zanzas to the art festival. She too was engaged in her own struggles.

“Stella, Nana… I entrust the two to you. I pray for the safety of you all.” (Elt)

“Ugou, take care of yourself as well!” (Wood)

At our words, Stella and Nana gave firm nods. Since this was their second time, there was little reason for unease.

In the northern country, the ground would be covered in snow. To speak honestly, I thought that the rapid transport might even prove safer under such conditions.

“Yes, let us meet again in good health…!” (Stella)

“We shall be careful upon our journey.” (Nana)

“Then, we take our leave…!” (Stella)

Wood and I stepped back lightly. Stella pressed her foot firmly upon the ground and, in the next instant, leapt high into the air. It was the same great leap as before. And as she reached the peak of her ascent, a red flash burst forth.

“Piiiiiiyooooooo…!” (Dia)

A dazzling sparkle. And just so, Stella and her companions flew off toward the north.

“Ugougo… they have gone…” (Wood)

“Ah, indeed they have…” (Elt)

Pon. Wood’s great hand descended softly upon my head. From it, I felt the warmth of wood.

“Ugou… I feel a little lonely.” (Wood)

“Fufu, as do I…” (Elt)

Wood and I had been together for long years. There was no need to embellish words.
I simply spoke my heart.

 

—

 

From Stella and the others, Healberry Village swiftly receded into the distance, and soon even the great tree tower was no longer visible.

Several hours later. Their rapid transport progressed without incident. Upon one of their many landings, Dia began to speak in excitement.

“It is amazing, piyo… Somehow, even the forest around us feels different, piyo.” (Dia)

“Indeed… Deciduous trees are overwhelmingly numerous here.” (Stella)

“Let us perform a positional check around here. I do not believe we are off course, but just in case.” (Nana)

With a light movement, Nana descended to the ground. From within her belly she rummaged, producing a compass, sextant, and map, and began her measurements with careful attention.

“Time for a short rest, you know.” (Marcosias)

“Piyo. Why do the trees around here have no leaves, piyo? Are they cursed, piyo?” (Dia)

“They are not cursed…” (Stella)

“In cold places, it is more efficient this way. To carry leaves through all seasons is somewhat difficult.” (Marcosias)

“Difficult, piyo?” (Dia)

“Leaves are weak against both cold and dryness. Therefore, they abandon them by their own choice.” (Marcosias)

“So that is how it is, piyo…!” (Dia)

“In warm regions, leaves do not fall. This too is one of the wondrous habits of plants.” (Stella)

“Naaru, piyo…” (Dia)

As Dia murmured, Marcosias gave a shiver.

“And so at last it grows colder.” (Marcosias)

“Though the border is still some distance away, this area does occasionally see snowfall.” (Nana)

“Fumu fumu.” (Stella)

Stella raised and lowered her feet against the ground several times, testing the sensation.

“Judging from the feel of it, it does not seem to have snowed recently.” (Stella)

“…You can discern that?” (Nana)

“When snow falls, does not the ground become somewhat peculiar? In the manner of frost…” (Stella)

Fumu, Nana tapped the earth with the padded foot of her costume.

“I see… When compared with the hardness of the ground in my homeland in the northern country, it is indeed different. It is true.” (Nana)

“Yes, it is indeed so…!” (Stella)

Stella was pleased that her meaning had been understood. Nana then returned her instruments into the costume with a rustling.

“The direction and distance are both fine. No deviation. If we aim for that mountain ahead, all shall be well.” (Nana)

“Thank you very much…!” (Stella)

“Once we cross that mountain, snow will certainly fall. We shall enter the domain of deep snow.” (Nana)

“It has been long since I have seen snow.” (Marcosias)

“I am beginning to feel excited, piyo!” (Dia)

While Dia and Marcosias grew more and more exhilarated, Nana once more climbed upon Stella’s back.

“And after we advance a little further, we shall reach the place where we are to stay tonight. I have never been there, but it should be an ordinary village.” (Nana)

“Piyo. An ordinary village, piyo!” (Dia)

“Ordinary, is it. Ordinary is a fine thing.” (Stella)

Stella nodded firmly.

“Yes… Its name too is a common one. Yet… just now, something has caught my attention.” (Nana)

“The ordinary village has?” (Stella)

Then Nana murmured in a subdued voice.

“It is called Stephen’s Village.” (Nana)

“…” (Stella)

Stella froze. As she raced through the northern lands, faint and hazy memories returned, of striking down monsters with cheerful vigor.

“See, you do recall it after all, do you not!?” (Nana)

 

—

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