The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 100: A Hard-Fought Victory

Sylutia and Iona worked together. When the Ogre chased one of them, the other would seize the opportunity to attack and harass. After several such alternations, even the Ogre's not-so-intelligent brain quickly figured it out.

Its two heads faced different directions to respond, and its two arms each wielded weapons, sweeping to deal with both of them.

The crude iron great club swung, directly smashing the trees along its path, even shattering parts of the rocks. The flying fragments struck both of them, causing waves of pain.

Fortunately, at this moment, the hallucinogenic poison Sylutia had administered also began to take effect. This Two-Headed Ogre felt dizzy and lightheaded, seeing everything with a slight double vision, its vision darkening, and even its walking became somewhat unsteady.

Its originally roaring and fierce attacks became sluggish and often missed, completely unable to keep up with the agile pair.

Faced with this situation, Sylutia and Iona seized the opportunity to attack, continuing to expand the original wounds and also attempting to attack the vulnerable eyes and throat.

In its anger and weakened state, the dark red Two-Headed Ogre could only wildly swing and block with the iron club in its hands. Although it lacked accuracy, if either of them were struck by a solid blow, they would be half-crippled.

With no other choice, Sylutia retreated again and took the lantern hanging from her waist.

Several drops of Verdant Dew Water fell onto the 'Fire Glow Orchid' within the glass bottle. The flickering sparks became blazing, and then she opened the lid, manipulating the remaining 'Fire Glow Orchid Stamens' to all float out and scatter towards the Two-Headed Ogre not far away.

Having already witnessed the power of these stamens, Iona quickly avoided them.When those faint, flickering sparks touched the Ogre, they instantly blazed brightly, erupting with explosive heat waves that made it unable to open its eyes. It roared in pain, and after several evasions, it finally lost its footing and fell to the ground.

Poisoned, blinded, bleeding, and injured—under the combined effects of multiple negative statuses, the Two-Headed Ogre's ferocity finally weakened. Seizing the moment when it was difficult for it to dodge, Iona leaped up once more. The rapier in her hand shone brilliantly, like a bright stream of light falling from the sky, piercing the Ogre's chest and penetrating one of its hearts.

Black-red flesh flew about. Just as Iona was about to sigh in relief, this dark red Ogre, with a ferocious expression, used its giant hand to grab Iona's waist, holding her tightly.

Under the immense strength, Iona felt her internal organs being squeezed, and indescribable pain surged from all over her body.

Why? Even with its heart destroyed, this Ogre could still exert such powerful strength. Iona couldn't understand, but it was too late now; she couldn't break free.

Faced with the critical situation before her, Sylutia made a prompt decision. She rushed forward, gripping the Black Steel Short Sword with both hands, and stabbed it into the other side of the Ogre's chest.

The sharp black steel barely pierced through that thick, tough hide and stabbed into the other pulsing, heaving heart.

"ROAR—"

The Ogre let out a violent roar. The intense sound waves, a vibrational shock from the 'Bloodline' Aspect, made the two of them feel as if their entire bodies were falling apart. Not only did their operating Breathing Techniques stall, but their hearts also felt gripped by iron pliers, aching painfully.

Fortunately, this was the Two-Headed Ogre's swan song. After the roar, it became extremely weak, and the hand gripping Iona slowly loosened its strength.

Several minutes later, Iona slowly struggled free from the Ogre's grasp and propped herself up to stand.

By now, the Ogre was completely dead, its originally dark red skin gradually turning a bluish-gray.

Walking to a tree nearby, Iona leaned against the trunk, took out a potion she carried at her waist, and gulped it down. Her originally pale, weak face regained a bit of color.

On the other side, Sylutia also pulled out the Black Steel Short Sword, bringing up a small amount of black, thick blood. She noticed that a small piece of the sword's tip had broken off and remained inside the Ogre's body.

With such tough hide and flesh, searching for it would probably not be a simple task. Sylutia herself was also aching all over and utterly exhausted, with no energy left to rummage around.

She glanced at Iona not far away and then also found a spot under a large tree to rest.

Taking a deep breath, she used her Breathing Technique to adjust her state. The girl remembered something, took out a golden petal bracelet from her bosom, and put it on herself. Her body felt a bit warmer now.

Having defeated the enemy should be a happy occasion, but the two soon faced the next problem.

There was only one 'Blood Aberration Flower,' and only one spot. How should the two of them divide it?

About twenty minutes later, Iona, as the one with the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect, was the first to stand up, looking towards the bloody flower on the distant cliff.

She glanced at Sylutia, who was still sitting under the tree, then, holding her sword, walked step by step towards that cliff.

Because the flowering location was steep and difficult for ordinary people to reach, even Iona had to carefully climb, getting closer bit by bit.

At this moment, her clothes were stained with blood, her originally gorgeous and beautiful hunting outfit was in tatters, and her golden hair was smeared with dried blood and grass debris. However, those red eyes of hers remained determined, completely unlike those of a pampered noble young lady.

Sylutia came to the foot of the cliff. She watched Iona climbing above, raised her hand, but after waiting a moment, lowered it again.

Attacking Iona now, she could easily knock the unsuspecting opponent down. But should she really do that?

Indeed, the Hidden Grove was currently her best choice. Going there would allow her to easily obtain many inheritance secret arts, growth resources, opportunities, and more. But should she really attack Iona for this? She felt it was very difficult for her to do so.

Probably, she didn't face the desperate struggle Iona did, and thus lacked Iona's resolute will.

Forget it. She would wait for her to come down, then discuss the issue of the Blood Aberration Flower's ownership. The two of them would probably have to have another match.

...

However, fate is never that smooth. A sharp eagle cry shattered the silence.

An orange-brown falcon dove down from the high sky, trailing a long stream of air currents, its entire body enveloped in high-temperature airflow. It directly swept Iona away. Its sharp claws tore through Iona's leather armor hunting outfit, leaving several bright red wounds.

[Gale Hawk] (First Tier, Blazing Sun): A ferocious bird of prey that appears during the Rising Wind Season, often active in groups, attacking and preying on various animals, especially fond of things with the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect.

If on level ground, this Gale Hawk would absolutely be no match for Iona. But it attacked from the air, not only sweeping Iona away in one strike but also grabbing Iona's shoulders with its claws, carrying her out over the cliff and throwing her towards the hard rocky ground.

Seeing Iona being snatched away, Sylutia quickly gave chase. As the other fell, she leaped up with all her might, catching her mid-air, then rushed towards the ground, hurriedly kicking several times mid-fall to mitigate the tremendous impact force of the descent.

Seeing that Iona wasn't killed by the fall, this Gale Hawk let out another sharp cry. It turned its body and dove down again. Its spread wings began to gather high-temperature airflow, slamming towards Sylutia like a cannonball.

Putting Iona down, Sylutia, holding the broken sword, fixed her gaze on the diving Gale Hawk, constantly estimating its angle and direction. When the Gale Hawk was only a few meters away from her, she swung the raised broken sword down with all her might.

Scorching waves of fire and feathers flew about. Scalding hot blood showered Sylutia. The short sword, already overburdened and full of notches, this time completely broke. The Gale Hawk, whose chest was slashed open by the broken sword, still struggled on the ground. Its wings, about five meters wide, continuously flapped, stirring up soil and heat waves. Dark red blood mixed with dust, and the air carried the smell of scorched blood.

Struck painfully by the Gale Hawk's wing beats, Sylutia had no choice but to throw away the broken sword, leap back to avoid it, then find the previously bent Tree Jade Spirit Sword and grip it in her palm again.

Under the infusion of the [Verdant Nectar] Aspect, the originally bent, glow-green long sword straightened once more, and the blade full of notches regained its flawless sharpness.

Taking several steps forward to accelerate, Sylutia gripped the sword with both hands, her steps and waist following the rotation of the blade. She swung with all her might, a striking emerald arc slashing out, directly severing the struggling Gale Hawk's neck.

As dusk fell, steaming white blood slowly flowed across the grass. The golden-haired girl lay unconscious under a tree. In the distance, the Ogre's corpse lay as still as stone. The only figure still conscious, panting, slowly stood up in the remaining glow of the sunset.