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

 

 

Timing

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Ignat and Nana came to where Stella stood. First, Ignat offered a bow.

“I am indebted to you as well. I am Ignat Sacratov, one of the co-organizers of this Art Festival. I would very much like you to call me Ignat.” (Ignat)

Stella also bowed in return.

“Thank you most sincerely for your courtesy. I am Stella of Healberry Village. I have come as the representative of Lord Elt. Nestled within my bosom are–…” (Stella)

“Dia, piyo!” (Dia)

“I am Maru-chan.” (Marcosias)

Piyo-piyo and woof waved their hands cheerfully.

“…I guarantee that there is no danger from Dia and Marcie. They are both straightforward and pure.” (Ignat)

“Was I praised, piyo?” (Dia)

“I was praised.” (Marcosias)

“Today we are being praised a great deal, are we not, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yeah!” (Marcosias)

Having finished the battle against the Ice Crystals, Dia and Marcosias, their spirits heightened, frolicked about merrily. From across the snowfield, Leia also arrived to join them. She led the Guard Piyos and the Soldier Piyos.

“Hah, hah… You are unharmed!” (Leia)

“Leia, are you yourself unharmed!?” (Stella)

“Yes, thanks to everyone’s efforts…” (Leia)

Leia seemed fatigued, yet she bore no injury whatsoever.

“Piyo. There are so many piyos here, piyo…!” (Dia)

“There are so many of the northern piyos.” (Marcosias)

“So many piyos. Will they all shed their skins, piyo?” (Dia)

“Most likely, they shall.” (Marcosias)

“Piyo. Their life cycle is truly fearsome, piyo…!” (Dia)

Dia gulped softly in awe.

One after another, the Royal Guard Piyos and the Soldier Piyos appeared. None of them bore any injury. That was thanks to Leia’s leadership. Seeing that all were safe, Ignat called out.

“Has everyone assembled?” (Ignat)

His voice carried authority; it was unmistakably the voice of a ruler.

“In honor of the visit of the great hero, let us salute once again!” (Ignat)

““Piyo!”” (Royal Guard Piyos/Soldier Piyos)

All at once, the costumed Cockatrices saluted Stella. Beholding this, Stella too returned the salute. Stella knew that greatness did not belong to herself alone. The two bats fastened at her waist glistened under the sunlight.

“…Truly, the bat is a great instrument…” (Stella)

 

—

 

Meanwhile, at Elt’s house, the making of grass dumplings had reached its climax.

One more grass dumpling kneaded by a Cockatrice was placed upon the table. Upon the table already rested several dozen grass dumplings.

“Piyo.” (…There.) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoppi…” (Very good indeed…) (Cockatrice)

“Piyoyo.” (So are yours.) (Cockatrice)

““Piyo piyo piyo!”” (Ahahaha!) (Cockatrice)

It seemed they were enjoying themselves thoroughly in their craft.

On the other hand, we struggled with the making of the double-sized grass dumpling, the big grass dumpling. Wood tilted his head and muttered. Before us lay a big grass dumpling that had failed to solidify, still soft and drooping.

“Ugo, it does not solidify. It remains soft.” (Wood)

“Hmm… To think it would prove so difficult…” (Anaria)

Anaria groaned with determination. Although she had attempted it several times already, the making of the big grass dumpling remained troubled.

“Simply doubling the ingredients does not succeed, then…” (Anaria)

“Yes, when divided back into the original proportions, it succeeds without issue…” (Elt)

“Then it must be that there is insufficient binding substance… hmm.” (Anaria)

Grass dumplings were made by mixing medicinal herbs found by the Dryad. No other additives whatsoever were included. Within the herbs resided a binding component, and by kneading, the dumpling solidified. Yet when the ingredients were doubled, the balance seemed to collapse. Therefore, it remained soft, never setting properly.

The recipe was precisely as taught by the Dryad. At a glance, it was unclear what ought to be altered.

“To think such a thing would occur merely from changing the size…! We cannot determine which part of the recipe to adjust.” (Anaria)

“That is true… In that case…” (Elt)

“Ugo?” (Wood)

I looked up at Wood.

“Perhaps I ought to inquire subtly.” (Elt)

“Ugo…! Tou-san, you will?” (Wood)

“If I manage to phrase it skillfully, I do not believe it shall be discovered.” (Elt)

To be honest, Wood could make ordinary grass dumplings. Yet, given his size, it was not quite optimal. That somehow seemed a waste.

…Tetetoka was sharp in intuition, yet I believed she would be willing to help.

“…Ugo. Then, may I entrust it to you? I do not think I could inquire skillfully myself.” (Wood)

“Yes, I understand.” (Elt)

I patted Wood gently. The warmth of wood was transmitted to me.

“Truly, there are many variations of grass dumplings, are there not… It has been most instructive.” (Anaria)

“Yes, indeed…” (Elt)

“I too shall try changing the ingredients in various ways. Perhaps some principle or unexpected discovery may be found…” (Anaria)

“I am grateful. That would be of great assistance.” (Elt)

Indeed, it was important to try various approaches.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Then, the front door was struck.

“It seems a guest has arrived…” (Anaria)

It appeared that someone had come. I did not recall any appointment, however.

“Ugo, I shall go!” (Wood)

“Yes, I leave it to you.” (Elt)

Wood went to the entrance and opened the door–…

Standing there was Tetetoka, looking somewhat dazed.

“Hello.” (Tetetoka)

“Ugo, welcome!” (Wood)

“Good day, Tetetoka.” (Elt)

“Good day!” (Tetetoka)

““Piyo!”” (Good piyo-day—!) (Cockatrices)

After exchanging greetings, Tetetoka slipped lightly to my side. That was unusual. Rarely did she close the distance so suddenly.

“May I have a moment?” (Tetetoka)

Moreover, it was spoken in a whisper. Truly unusual. What could it be? I stooped slightly and lent her my ear.

*Whisper, whisper*

“Ah, very well…” (Elt)

“Lalatoma seems to wish to present a gift to Wood… She wished to consult me about it.” (Tetetoka)

…What timing this is.

I could not help but stare intently at Tetetoka’s face. It appeared we both had been thinking the same thing.

“As it happens, I too had wished to consult about precisely that.” (Elt)

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)