Reborn as the Failed Lord with my Resource Gathering System. - Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Christmas Special- [Part 2]
Day One: The Planning

Maria spread a large parchment across the table in Dorian’s study.

Her quill moved swiftly, scratching out diagrams and notes as the others crowded around.

“We’ll need performers. Jugglers, fire breathers, musicians—people who can keep a crowd entertained for hours.” Maria said, tapping the quill against her chin.

“I can handle the decorations.” Seraphina chimed in, already pulling out fabric samples from her satchel. “Red and green fabrics, gold ribbons, crystal ornaments that catch the light. We’ll make the entire city sparkle.”

Ishtar leaned back in her chair, her fan slowly waving in front of her face.

“And what about food? People will expect a feast. Something they’ve never tasted before.”

“Roasted meats, spiced wines, pastries filled with cream and berries.” Dorian listed off, his fingers drumming on the armrest. “We’ll set up stalls throughout the city. Free samples to draw them in, then sell the full portions.”

Yelena, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

“What about the trees? You said trees would be important.”

Dorian’s grin widened.

“Ah, yes. The Christmas trees, is what they are called. We’ll need hundreds of them. Pine trees, specifically. Tall, full, green. Each household gets one, decorated with candles, ribbons, and handmade ornaments.”

Ravina nodded slowly, her mind already working through the logistics.

“I’ll have my people start cutting them down tomorrow. We can transport them by dragon—it’ll be faster.”

“Perfect.” Dorian said, standing up and moving to the window. “And I want lights. Everywhere. Candles, lanterns, enchanted orbs—anything that glows. When night falls, this city should be visible from the other side of the kingdom.”

The room fell silent as they all absorbed the scope of what Dorian was planning.

Then Ishtar laughed.

“You’re insane, husband. But I love it.”

Day Two: The Execution Begins

The sound of hammers striking nails echoed through the streets of Ishtar City.

Dozens of workers moved in coordinated chaos, constructing wooden stalls along every major road.

Seraphina stood in the center of the market square, barking orders at a team of seamstresses.

Bolts of red and green fabric were being unfurled and measured, cut into banners and drapes that would hang from every building.

“No, no, no! The gold thread goes on the edges, not the center!” Seraphina snapped, snatching the fabric from a young girl’s hands. “Like this. See? It catches the light better.”

The girl nodded frantically, taking the fabric back and following Seraphina’s example.

Across the square, Maria supervised the construction of a massive wooden stage.

Carpenters worked tirelessly, sawing and hammering planks into place while she checked measurements and made adjustments to the design.

“The stage needs to be higher.” Maria said, shaking her head. “If it’s too low, the people in the back won’t see the performances.”

One of the carpenters wiped sweat from his brow.

“My lady, if we make it any higher, it’ll take another full day to build.”

Maria’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Then we work through the night.”

The carpenter sighed but nodded, turning back to his crew and relaying the orders.

Meanwhile, Ravina stood at the edge of the city, watching as her dragons descended from the sky.

Each one carried a massive pine tree clutched in its talons, the branches swaying with the movement.

They landed with heavy thuds, releasing the trees onto the ground, where workers rushed forward to drag them into position.

“Careful with those branches!” Ravina called out, her voice cutting through the noise. “If you damage them, they’re useless!”

One of the workers looked up at her, confusion written on his face.

“My lady, where exactly are all these trees supposed to go?”

Ravina pointed toward the rows of homes lining the streets.

“One in front of every house. And one inside for the noble families. Lord Dorian’s orders.”

The worker’s eyes widened.

“Every house? My lady, there are thousands—”

“Then I suggest you get started.” Ravina interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The worker gulped and hurried off to join the others.

Day Three: Decorations and Doubts

Yelena sat cross-legged on the floor of the estate’s main hall, surrounded by piles of ornaments.

Glass baubles, wooden stars, clay figurines—all waiting to be painted and hung on the trees.

Flare lay beside her, the dragon’s tail occasionally twitching as Yelena worked.

“Do you think this is going to work?” Yelena asked softly, dipping her brush into a pot of gold paint.

Flare huffed, a small puff of smoke escaping from her nostrils.

Yelena smiled faintly.

“You’re right. Brother always knows what he’s doing.”

She held up a finished ornament—a small golden dragon—and examined it under the light.

Satisfied, she set it aside and reached for another.

Outside, Ishtar walked through the city streets, inspecting the progress.

Everywhere she looked, something was being built, hung, or assembled.

Stalls lined the roads, their wooden frames freshly painted and ready for vendors.

Banners hung from rooftops, fluttering gently in the winter breeze.

And the trees—dozens upon dozens of pine trees—stood proudly in front of homes, waiting to be decorated.

But it was the lights that caught her attention.

Strings of enchanted orbs hung from every lamppost, glowing faintly even in the daylight.

When night fell, they would blaze to life, bathing the entire city in warm, golden light.

Ishtar stopped in front of one such lamppost, reaching up to touch one of the orbs.

It pulsed gently under her fingertips, responding to her magic.

“Not bad, husband.” She murmured to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. “Not bad at all.”

Day Four: The Final Touches

Dorian stood on the balcony of his estate, overlooking the city below.

From this height, he could see everything.

The stalls, the banners, the trees, the lights.

It was almost complete.

Behind him, footsteps approached.

“My lord.” Maria’s voice came from the doorway. “The stage is finished. The performers have been briefed. The food stalls are stocked and ready.”

Dorian didn’t turn around.

“And the presents?”

“Wrapped and distributed. Every noble family will wake up to gifts at their doorstep tomorrow morning.”