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

 

 

Passion

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Lalatoma’s piece took on an entirely different approach compared to the previous two. At its center stood a large log, around which branches and flowers had been arranged. This piece did not include a snare drum. Instead, the log itself occupied the central position of the composition.

“This makes my heart beats faster somehow, doesn’t it?” (Audrey)

“Yes, it feels… passionate, in a way.” (Clarissa)

Audrey and Clarissa leaned forward, gazing intently at Lalatoma’s creation.

The source of that emotion lay in the branches and flowers. The vivid green of the leaves and the striking reds and blues gave the piece a powerful presence. The arrangement contained an abundance of blossoms, and the overall impression was bright and dazzling. Geraniums and blue stars, though small flowers, were well known as symbols of love.

“Do you feel the same way, Sistalia?” (Audrey)

“Yes. Although it is somewhat abstract, this resembles a bouquet.” (Sistalia)

Sistalia adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses as she answered.

The philosophy and spirituality behind this piece differed from the previous two. Without realizing it, Sistalia attempted to interpret it through her cultivated learning. The log perhaps represented a building or some kind of structure, covered by delicate yet passionate flowers. What could that mean, she wondered.

At that moment, Dia turned to Marcosias.

“Piyo. There are so many flowers, piyo. Why is that, piyo?” (Dia)

“It’s about love and romance and all that sort of thing.” (Marcosias)

Marcosias wagged her tail gently.

Hearing that, Stella closed her eyes. The explanation was overly vague and had been filtered through Marcosias’s unique phrasing, but she chose not to comment.

Dia tilted her head at Marcosias’s words.

“Piyo. It sounds difficult again, piyo. What do flowers and love have in common, piyo?” (Dia)

“When feelings burn brightly, they turn into something else. When you’re happy, you flap your wings, don’t you?” (Marcosias)

“That makes sense, piyo! I understand, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia flapped her wings excitedly, the motion quick and cheerful.

Adorable.

“So that means Lalatoma turned those feelings into flowers, piyo! I think I get it now, piyo!” (Dia)

“Wau. Good job, you did well.” (Marcosias)

“Piyo, piyo, piyo!” (Dia)

Marcosias hugged Dia tightly, gently patting her head. Taking advantage of the moment, Nana slid quietly beside Stella and whispered.

“Wait… is that really what it means? Is it that kind of theme?” (Nana)

“Yes, it is. You didn’t know?” (Stella)

“No, I didn’t…” (Nana)

Stella replied sideways to her.

“Well, it’s not entirely confirmed yet, but… Nana, you should be careful with your own situation too.” (Stella)

“Ugh… okay.” (Nana)

In front of Stella, who was not only older but also a far more experienced adventurer, Nana was uncharacteristically obedient. She understood perfectly what Stella meant. Meanwhile, Audrey, Clarissa, and the others circled around Lalatoma’s piece, exhaling softly when they completed the circuit.

“This one feels very different from the others.” (Audrey)

“Yes, completely different.” (Clarissa)

Love and romance often appeared in music and stories, but to them, those were simply topics that were portrayed, nothing more. They had never truly yearned for them. To them, such things simply existed as part of the world. However, the piece before them felt different. Behind it, they could sense the presence of a woman who had poured her wishes and dreams into its creation.

Perhaps Dia had been the one to place the log and the flowers into position. That was precisely why their hearts beat faster. This work confronted emotion head-on without hiding it. That was the nature of Lalatoma’s art.

“So then… the next one is the last.” (Audrey)

“Y-yes.” (Clarissa)

The two girls exchanged glances and moved toward the final exhibit, Wood’s piece.

“Piyo! I worked hard, piyo!” (Dia)

“I helped set it up too!” (Marcosias)

Audrey and Clarissa walked toward Wood’s work, their hearts filled with anticipation.

 

—

 

In Healberry Village.

Inside the adventurers’ office, I was reading through Iskamina’s documents.

“Hmm…” (Elt)

Iskamina’s paperwork was full of technical terminology. It included terms like the “Ultra Dragon Engine” and the “Piyo-type Energy Conversion Reactor”. I remembered seeing those in engineering books. They originated from research into monster ecology and behavior.

The magical trolley was also a type of magical tool, and much of its technology had been inspired by magic beasts. Of course, the Piyo-type Energy Conversion Reactor was derived from cockatrice-based technology. Certain forms of mana increased their reactivity when exposed to cooling, such as bathing, and stasis, such as napping. Because of this, energy conversion systems using that principle could yield long-term gains. Apparently, scholars had discovered it while observing cockatrices.

While I was absorbed in reading, Naru, who had joined midway through, offered me some tea.

“Nya. Would you like a refill of tea, nya?” (Naru)

“Thank you. I’ll have some.” (Elt)

I had asked her to join since she seemed free. Given the thickness of the documents, it would be better for her to review them too.

“I would like to make it possible for people to travel eventually, mogu.” (Iskamina)

“At first, it will be limited to cargo only, correct?” (Elt)

“When people ride, we need seats, safety devices, and many other things, mogu. It also reduces the cargo capacity, mogu.” (Iskamina)

That made sense. The planning would differ greatly between vehicles meant only for drivers and those meant for passengers. Of course, it was possible to prepare both types, but the initial cost would be high.

As for the introduction cost of the magical trolley, it seemed that at least 500 gold coins would be required. That price applied to the testing and short-distance track stage. Without that, extending the line would be impossible.

Further expansion of the route would need to be discussed separately.

“Nya. That’s quite an expensive project, nya…” (Naru)

It could be covered with the funds I had saved, but it was truly an investment on an entirely different scale from anything before. However, the potential profit was just as clear.

If the magical trolley line could be completed, travel between Healberry Village and Zanzas would take about half a day. The expected speed was roughly three times that of a horse-drawn carriage.

“Hmm… hmm… hmm?” (Elt)

As I continued reading, I came across a drawing of the trolley car itself. It had proper wheels and a detailed sketch. It looked strangely familiar.

“…Did Anaria draw this?” (Elt)

“Mogu! That’s correct, mogu!” (Iskamina)

I nodded slowly.

At the front of the trolley was the face of a cockatrice.

It truly embodied the spirit of the “Pippiyo Railway (Provisional).”

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)