Water Magician-Chapter 558: The Plum Grove Garden

Editor: Tseirp

The Plum Grove Garden, located near the Imperial Palace, is a famous spot for viewing plum blossoms.

Normally, it’s a public park open for leisure to all citizens of the Imperial Capital, but today, access was restricted.

That said, there were no fences or barriers in the first place, and the grounds are vast, making it impossible to completely restrict entry.

This much was understood by those around Princess Shio Fen.

“This place is far too open.”

“Indeed. According to Count Matan’s original plan, the flower viewing was supposed to be held inside the palace.”

The princess’s guard captain Bizis said, pointing out the difficulty of protecting her. The attendant, Mifa, also expressed suspicion over the sudden change in plans.

“It can’t be helped. The event coordinator for the princess decides such things. From tomorrow’s wedding ceremony onward, everything will follow the traditional rites, so there won’t be any last-minute changes like this again.”

Princess Shio Fen herself replied, calmly accepting the situation.

Her composure was striking for someone just seventeen years old, but it came from a wealth of experience.

Most of it, unfortunately, painful… rather than pleasant.

She had survived numerous assassination attempts—ten, twenty, maybe more.

And that was back in her homeland.

In a great empire like Darwei, rife with imperial succession struggles, she expected even greater trials.

“Now then, both of you—let the banquet begin.”

Although it was called ‘flower viewing’, they didn’t actually enter the plum grove to admire the blossoms directly.

Instead, they sat in elegantly arranged seats and, with noble ladies of the Shitaifu class who were granted entry to this event, sipped tea and enjoyed sweets.

Groups of four noblewomen took turns sitting before the princess, engaging in conversation for about ten minutes each.

This cycle was repeated six times.

Such was the flower viewing.

The newly appointed event coordinator for the princess, Count Mezo, stood off to the side of the gathering along with other senior officials.

The women were the main focus of this flower viewing.

However, Count Mezo was not just standing idly.

He moved behind the scenes and whispered to one of his subordinates.

“What about the operatives?”

“They are all in position.”

“Good. Once the signal is given, cause confusion and swiftly administer the poison to the princess.”

“Understood.”

But just then… something unexpected happened out front.

Sha-la-ran.

The sound of a harp echoed.

Just a single stroke.

That alone captured the attention of every guest, all eyes fixed on a single man.

One woman among them cried out.

“Wang A-Shi-sama!”

The bard Wang A-Shi was well known even among the Shitaifu class.

His year of performances across Darwei, particularly in the imperial capital Hanlin, had made his name known.

He smiled warmly at the woman who had called to him.

Even without singing a note, his charming smile alone captivated the hearts of the women.

That, too, was an essential trait for a bard.

“It must be fate that we meet here today. If I may, I would love for you to hear one of my songs…”

Wang A-Shi bowed gracefully toward Princess Shio Fen as he spoke.

Receiving this, the princess nodded elegantly.

“Thank you. This time, I have prepared something special—my song will be accompanied by a sword dance. Please, enjoy.”

As Wang A-Shi said this, two men stepped forward.

One wore a black cloak and carried a sword on his back—a swordsman.

The other wore white robes and looked like a magician.

“Ah, Abel-sensei?”

“Ryo-dono?”

Mifa and Captain Bizis, who stood behind the princess, involuntarily spoke out.

“To appear with Wang A-Shi, the most celebrated bard of the moment… those two never cease to amaze.”

Princess Shio Fen murmured with a smile, her voice too soft to be heard by the women around her.

“The royal capital has fallen. Into the hands of the prince and the Empire. The cries of the people cloud the skies of the kingdom. The people’s anger runs through the land. Their hope…will give birth to a new king. His name—King Abel. He shall rise from a frontier town. The adventurer king who will blow away the kingdom’s dark clouds. He shall gather the people’s tears, and rise against the invaders!”

As Wang A-Shi began to sing, Abel drew his glowing red magic sword and began his dance.

His movements were slow yet graceful…

A sword form he practiced daily, though it seemed exotic to the people of Darwei.

As the song progressed to the theme of battle, it was Ryo’s turn.

Kneeling a short distance away, he conjured ice dolls.

These glided across the …and were struck down by Abel.

Though their limbs didn’t move, they were shaped with flair—some like sword-wielding warriors, others like staff-bearing magicians—each bearing Ryo’s distinctive touch.

One after another, they slid across the ice floor and were cut down.

The audience, enchanted by the performance and the song, watched in awe.

But a few suddenly snapped back to reality.

Count Mezo and those around him.

“W-what are you doing?! Give the signal!”

“Yes, sir!”

With that, a group of citizens watching the flower viewing from afar sprang into action.

They clashed with the guards stationed around the perimeter.

As expected, the skirmish created gaps in the defense… some intruders broke through.

“”

Using his

to monitor the situation, Ryo quickly encased Princess Shio Fen, the noblewomen, and their performers—including Wang A-Shi—in thick walls of transparent ice.

Clang! Clunk! Bam! Thud…!

The attackers collided with the ice walls.

Those who had broken through the guards were all suspicious and dangerous types.

The noise from hitting the walls was so loud, it frightened the women inside the ice barrier.

“It’s alright. These ice walls are absolutely impenetrable.”

Princess Shio Fen said with a confident smile.

Her assurance calmed the terrified women.

“Wang A-Shi, please continue.”

Ryo said in a soft voice.

With a nod, Wang A-Shi resumed singing.

His song gradually wiped away the last of the women’s fears…

“And with King Abel stands a lone magician. His magic that dims the heavens, shatters the earth, and freezes the world—the great water magic. With a single spell, he crushed an army of a hundred thousand—this is no fantasy. People sing his praises as ‘The Icefall’ or the ‘Silver Duke’.”

As Wang A-Shi finished singing the final part about Duke Rondo.

There was a brief silence, then the area erupted with applause and shrieks of admiration.

“*Kyaaaaaah! Wang A-Shi-sama!”

“That was amazing! Truly amazing!”

“Oh, how I wish I could meet King Abel and Duke Rondo…”

At that last comment, two particular people subtly averted their gazes, though no one noticed.

By then, the guards had regained control. The attackers who had been stopped by the ice walls were removed.

Reserve guards stationed outside the Plum Grove Garden had arrived to reinforce the defense.

The guard captain muttered that they should have done this from the beginning… but apparently, some superior had insisted on holding them in reserve.

“Wang A-Shi-dono, and your companions— your performance and sword dance were splendid.”

Princess Shio Fen offered high praise, to which Wang A-Shi, Abel, and Ryo bowed respectfully.

Captain Bizis quickly stepped forward and handed Wang A-Shi a pouch filled with money.

Wang A-Shi bowed even more deeply.

“Count Mezo!”

“Y-yes, Princess!”

At the princess’s call, Count Mezo scrambled forward and bowed.

“It seems there was an incident outside. Has it been resolved?”

“Yes…”

“Then let us all return to the palace. I would love to serve everyone tea. And discuss that marvelous performance.”

“Understood. Princess!”

The noblewomen nodded happily at the princess’s suggestion.

They were not ordinary women, but the wives of the Shitaifu class—the aristocracy of Darwei.

Among their husbands were men of the same rank as Count Mezo.

It would be one thing if they had been caught in a riot disguised as an accident, but it would be difficult to suppress their actions purely on Count Mezo’s authority.

His face pale, Count Mezo had no choice but to make arrangements for their return.

He didn’t even want to imagine what fate awaited him for this failure…

Once Princess Shio Fen and the noblewomen were safely inside the palace, Ryo, Abel, and Wang A-Shi finally relaxed.

“That went well.”

“I didn’t think a riot would actually break out.”

“Oh, what a magnificent story I’ve acquired! Thank you!”

Ryo and Abel were relieved they had averted disaster. Wang A-Shi was thrilled to gain yet another treasure for his bardic tales.

“Abel, your sword dance was truly magnificent! Combined with that glowing red magic sword, it was absolutely beautiful!”

“I-it wasn’t that big of a deal…”

Abel blushed under Wang A-Shi’s praise.

Clearly embarrassed but pleased nonetheless.

“And Ryo, your magic was incredible too! Those ice dolls? Beautifully crafted! And the ice wall—so sturdy!”

“Oh, it’s nothing special…”

Ryo also blushed at the compliment.

Clearly, both Ryo and Abel were the type who thrived on praise.

TLN: Please read my translations at tseirptranslations.com, I did not give permission to any site to host my translations.

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