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

 

 

Northern Piyo Cathedral

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The banquet at the Large Tree Tower had concluded, and Anaria and Iskamina returned home with their stomachs full. The sun was setting, and the red glow of evening lit the great tree of the village.

“Ah, I ate far too much.” (Anaria)

“The same for me, mogu.” (Iskamina)

They were completely filled by the grand meal and the grass dumplings.

“Piyo!” (Cockatrice)

“Ah, so soft…” (Anaria)

Thus, the two of them were carried home on the backs of cockatrices. The ones carrying them were, in fact, cockatrices currently on a diet exercise.

“Piyo..” (Cockatrice)

“This feels unbelievably good, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“It truly does… and what is more, there is hardly any shaking. Their balance must be very strong…” (Anaria)

A faint breeze stirred the leaves of the trees and brushed against their cheeks, while the warmth of the cockatrices’ soft, round bodies embraced them.

“You must not fall asleep, mogu!” (Iskamina)

“Ah…!” (Anaria)

Anaria awoke at Iskamina’s voice.

“Piyo, piyo.” (Cockatrice)

“Piyo, piyo.” (Cockatrice)

The cockatrices were talking to each other, though the meaning was unclear.

Yet their “piyo piyo” had a strange rhythm that sank into one’s spirit, while their fluffy bodies, like being wrapped in soft wings, drew them toward rest.

“You must not fall asleep, mogu!” (Iskamina)

“Ah…!” (Anaria)

Anaria opened her eyes again. But by then it was no use. The full stomach and the fluffy cockatrices together pulled her into drowsiness. The sleepiness was overwhelming.

“Please wake me once we have arrived.” (Anaria)

“We have already arrived, mogu.” (Iskamina)

Before she knew it, they were already standing before their home. They slid down quietly from the cockatrices.

“Thank you very much!” (Anaria)

“Thank you, mogu!” (Iskamina)

The two gave their thanks, whereupon the cockatrices lifted their wings smartly.

“Piyo!” (Cockatrices)

And with that, they returned to their lodging. The two girls saw them off, then entered their house. As she removed her shoes, Anaria lightly rubbed her own stomach.

“Ahh… I truly ate. I really ate so much…” (Anaria)

Not since that festival had she eaten in such a way.

“Such a wonderful meal was my first, mogu!” (Iskamina)

“Even the graduation ceremony at the academy was not to that degree, I think…” (Anaria)

“If they served pancakes piled high with fruit and grass dumplings like that, the academy would go bankrupt, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“Fufu, sweets are indeed very rare.” (Anaria)

Even at the great academy, where talented children gathered, sweets were almost never served, not even at ceremonies. A fingertip of honey was already considered a blessing. Compared to that, the meals of this village were always rich. It was no wonder they overate.

There was no regret, at least until the food turned into fat.

“Then, Anaria, are you going to sleep right away, mogu?” (Iskamina)

“No, not yet… I shall bathe first.” (Anaria)

Suppressing a yawn, Anaria walked toward the bath. Watching her, Iskamina murmured softly.

“You must not fall asleep, mogu.” (Iskamina)

 

—

 

Meanwhile, Hold, Audrey, and Clarissa’s party had arrived slightly earlier at the venue of the art festival. The venue was an old cathedral that had been borrowed for the occasion. It was a heavy, dignified stone building. Many spires pointed up into the sky, and centuries of history were carved into the cathedral. Around it spread a snowy landscape. The mix of the gray cathedral and pure white snow created a scene of overwhelming presence.

“This is an amazing building…” (Audrey)

Stepping down from the carriage, Audrey spoke to her father, Hold.

The palace of her homeland was indeed impressive, yet that palace had been built with practicality as its first concern. In detail of decoration and in grandness, this cathedral surely surpassed it.

“It has been long since I last came, yet it still stirs me. This cathedral was built by Vampires who gathered from across nations.” (Hold)

Clarissa, who was also leaving the carriage, brought to mind the history she had read in books.

“They say they gathered here, and from there went deeper into the land… It is a building that always appears in Vampire history books.” (Clarissa)

“I have read that too…! The beginning of the great northern expansion, when countless Vampires moved north from here…” (Audrey)

Hold patted the heads of both girls.

“You have studied well. That is correct. This building is very important to Vampires.” (Hold)

Where Hold pointed with his chin, many cockatrice costumes were already gathered, forming a line at the cathedral entrance and going inside.

“Amazing… so many costume piyo!” (Audrey)

Audrey’s eyes shone with excitement.

“Those are exhibitors from the Vampire side. Though it is a joint festival, the Vampires have brought both more goods and more people. We must also greet them first, then begin our preparations.” (Hold)

Saying this, Hold led Audrey and Clarissa toward the cathedral.

“Hmm. Ignat-dono had said he would be waiting at the entrance…” (Hold)

But all around the cathedral there were only cockatrice costumes. The man they sought was nowhere to be seen.

“We may have no choice but to call out at random…” (Hold)

Hold was about to give instructions to his attendants when Audrey suddenly cried out.

“Ah!” (Audrey)

“Wh-what is it?” (Hold)

Audrey pointed toward the line of costumes, her mouth opening and closing in surprise.

“What is the matter…!?” (Clarissa)

Clarissa ran over and looked where Audrey pointed.

“O-o-o…” (Audrey)

“O?” (Hold and Clarissa)

Hold and Clarissa tilted their heads, while Audrey nodded strongly.

“Oji-sama…! Victor-ojiisama is there!” (Audrey)

“What?” (Hold)

Hold turned to the line. Yet all that stood there were cockatrice costumes. He could not understand it.

“There is no way Victor-niisan would be here…” (Hold)

“You are naïve, Hold.” (Victor)

“Wha!?” (Hold)

Without their noticing, one of the cockatrice costumes had come close. Hold recoiled in shock.

Audrey, however, grew certain as she looked. She had seen Victor’s cockatrice costume before, and this was definitely the same one.

“As I thought…! It truly is you, Victor-ojisama!” (Audrey)

“That is correct, Audrey. I noticed your carriage’s arrival, yet for you to notice me before I revealed myself… You have studied well.” (Victor)

Victor patted Audrey’s head with the soft costume wing. Audrey accepted it with a smile.

“Ehehe…” (Audrey)

“Wh-what are you doing, Nii-san…?” (Hold)

Hold, dumbfounded, received a fast reply from Victor.

“I heard that at this art festival, one of the Six Great Vampire Masterwork Costumes, the ‘Indomitable Piyo’, would be shown. It is a national treasure, rarely displayed. I came flying to see it first. I must write an article for Monthly Piyo. I will be the one to write it.” (Victor)

“I-I see…” (Hold)

“Do you know it? The ‘Indomitable Piyo’. It is one of the best cockatrice costumes still existing. In the age of the Great Expansion, it endured a desperate assault of monsters, during which King Egor put it on, fainted standing, and yet remained upright…” (Victor)

“I have heard that story…!” (Hold)

Panting as he spoke, Hold saw Victor nod with satisfaction.

“Then it is fine. By the way, Ignat-dono is over there.” (Victor)

With a flap of his costume wing, Victor pointed to a corner of the cathedral. Evidently, he had been listening to their talk.

Hold thought.

Brother seems absent-minded, yet he is not. His mind is quick, only turning in a way unlike most people…

And where Victor had pointed, a cockatrice costume wearing a crown stood with grace.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)