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"There are many vendors who voluntarily set up stalls for the Sabzeruz Festival and even refused subsidies. Let's go show them some support first."
"You know the area better than we do—lead the way!"
Dunyarzad walked ahead of them and led the group toward one of the stalls. "Look, this one sells dishes for the 'Haft-Mewa Feast.'"
"Oho—" The stall owner looked surprised. "You recognized it at a glance. I thought not many people knew about it anymore."
Paimon peeked at the dishes and commented, "Mushrooms, flowers, fruits… they're all veggies. Kind of disappointing…"
"Your priorities sure are clear." Dunyarzad smiled. "Actually, the 'Haft-Mewa Feast' is a traditional custom on the day of the Sabzeruz Festival. In ancient times, every household in Sumeru would lay out seven types of food on their table… The most common ingredients were Rukkhashava Mushrooms, Nilotpala Lotuses, Roses, Sunsettias, Kalpalata Lotuses, Harra Fruits, and Sumeru Roses. Displaying these seven represented the seven virtues of the Sumeru Archon."
"Hmm… If the God of the Nation of Grass is symbolized by veggie dishes… then wouldn't the Nation of Fire have festivals full of grilled poultry, grilled beast meat, grilled fish? Lumine, let's move our Natlan trip ahead!"
"Hahaha… I hope your wish comes true, Paimon." Dunyarzad was amused. After a few laughs, she looked at Victor Wang. "Learning a bit more about these customs should help you finish that book faster, right?"
"It helps… somewhat."
Don't rush me, I'm writing it, I'm writing it… I already bought the notebook and pen… Victor Wang silently protested.
"Let's keep going. Hmm… look at that stall. Seems like 'Alchemical Divination.'"
"Alchemy and divination? Those can go together?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Yes. According to legend, this was invented by Lesser Lord Kusanali. The method is to randomly pick two things you're carrying that can be used as alchemy materials, then randomly perform one alchemy attempt."
"So random? Doesn't that guarantee failure?"
"Exactly. Alchemical divination is about interpreting the traces left behind after the alchemy fails." Dunyarzad spoke smoothly—she had clearly studied Lesser Lord Kusanali closely. "According to the Dendro Archon's view, everything is interconnected, and all things can point toward 'destiny.'"
The stall owner was clearly stunned. "Such deep meaning… this young lady knows so much. Would you all like to try?"
Lumine went first. She offered two materials, and the result was the 'Moon's silhouette,' symbolizing 'illusion' and 'falsehood.'
Thinking of Mona's strange divinations regarding Victor's fate, Lumine encouraged, "Victor, do you want to try too?"
"Let me guess—my alchemy result will be empty, making divination impossible."
Since it had to be random, Victor Wang suppressed his perception and blindly pulled two items from his Inner Space… but then quickly shoved Barbara's photo back and replaced it with another item.
No one seemed to notice. He was just about to exhale when he suddenly realized—what if this scene would keep repeating again and again? His heart tightened.
The stall owner completed the alchemy and sighed. "Well… the materials disappeared entirely. With complete success or total failure leaving no trace, the interpretation range includes everything… and nothing. I cannot divine anything."
"It's fine. I expected that."
And so, after visiting all the stalls, Dunyarzad announced, "The next thing I'll show you is one of the highlights of the Sabzeruz Festival."
"Highlights?!"
"Ta-da! The Flower Parade!"
Dunyarzad pointed forward, though she didn't even need to. A huge float could already be seen in the distance.
From bottom to top, its base looked like a chair with the back sawed off, its four legs replaced with wheels. At the center of the chair stood a hollowed flower bud—currently filled with flowers and candies. A performer dressed as the Knight of Flowers stood on the outer platform, tossing flowers and sweets to the crowd packed tightly alongside the float.
"The two biggest features of the Sabzeruz Festival: the Flower Parade and the Dance of Sabzeruz."
As everyone's attention focused on the float, Dunyarzad's voice sounded beside their ears:
"Long ago, enormous floats would parade through the city during the Sabzeruz Festival. Sitting on the float was the Dendro Archon—Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Lesser Lord Kusanali. People followed along the streets, offering flowers, candies, and wine. The float would bump along all the way to Port Ormos…
"Later, when the Archon no longer appeared, the one sitting on the float became the guardian knight—Knight of Flowers Farris. The Knight of Flowers would toss flowers and sweets back to the crowds, representing the Archon's blessings.
"Later still, when the Akademiya stopped hosting the festival, such large-scale events disappeared…
"But this year, thanks to Victor's funding, Nilou commissioned a smaller reproduction of a flower float.
"It can't reach Port Ormos, but it's enough to circle Sumeru City twice. First it will circle once inside the city, then leave the city, pretend to complete the parade outside, and then re-enter from another direction for a second lap—tossing flowers and candies along the way…"
Her voice grew softer and softer, as if she herself were floating atop the passing flower float. Paimon looked back. "Dunyarzad's eyes are sparkling!"
"Hehe… The Flower Parade was what I longed for most when I was little."
The mountain of candies nearly made Paimon drool. She swallowed it down hard. "I really long for it right now!"
Lumine immediately chimed in, "Which is why Paimon is still a child."
"I am not a child! But… I really want candy…"
"You'll get some," Dunyarzad laughed gently. "No matter your age, everyone can get candy. Look, the float is coming this way. We just have to wait."
Sure enough, the float drew closer and closer.
"Knight of Flowers! Knight Farris!"
"Yo-ho! Soldiers, line up properly if you want Yalda Candies! No pushing, and don't block the float's path!"
"Yes, Knight Farris!"
"Very good! Little soldiers, take your reward, hold loyalty in your hearts for Lesser Lord Kusanali—dismissed!"
The Knight of Flowers scattered handfuls of candies. Whether children or adults, everyone knew the rules—no one stood in the float's path. After receiving their candy, they all stepped back, giving others their turn.
A new group rushed forward. Vihar, the performer playing the Knight of Flowers, focused—and the first person he gifted was the VIP, Paimon. "Thanks to Miss Dunyarzad's sponsorship, the children can have such fun memories."
"Ahem…" Dunyarzad coughed lightly, changing her tone and even placing a hand to her chest as she bowed. "Ah—oh holy Knight of Flowers, you even know my name. What an honor!"
"Ah… oh—ahem. Of course. In the name of Knight of Flowers Farris, I commend your contribution to the glorious Sabzeruz Festival!"
Vihar then looked toward Victor Wang. "And thanks to Mr. Victor's sponsorship, I could stand on this float as the Knight of Flowers. Thank you."
He added, "Mr. Victor, in the name of Knight of Flowers Farris, I commend your contribution to the glorious Sabzeruz Festival!"
The float, surrounded by waves of people, slowly moved forward, heading toward the outskirts of Sumeru City.
"Oh no, I forgot my Kamera! I kept feeling like something was missing. Since you're all here… could you come with me to get it?"
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