The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 1: The Girl in the Rising Wind

Vol 2 Chapter 1 The Girl in the Rising Wind

Walking along the main street, Sylutia passed through the bustling thoroughfare. In the distance, she heard a burst of music, the sound of bagpipes and a lyre playing together.

Behind a stall selling potatoes and parsnips in the distance, two people sat on stacked barrels and crates. One pressed the bag of a bagpipe and played, while the other gently plucked the strings of the lyre in their hand.

Judging from their clothes dotted with mud stains, the two were likely the stall owners, not professional musicians. The melody they played was simple and melodious, their movements relaxed, as if they were improvising on a whim.

Most people on the noisy street were busy, some carrying goods, others selecting items. Not many were listening to their music. The most attentive audience was probably the down-and-out vagrant in the corner.

Sylutia didn't walk away. Instead, she stood under the awning of a nearby stall, quietly listening to the two finish their performance before continuing to browse the market.

Was there any practical use in listening to this tune? Probably not. However, this peaceful, natural atmosphere was something Sylutia faintly liked.

Perhaps years later, she would have long forgotten what she bought at the market today or how much she haggled with the merchants. But the sight of the two casually playing their instruments at the market this day would be remembered for a long time.

This is a nice place, the young girl thought, her steps becoming slightly lighter.

After resting temporarily yesterday, she planned to properly tour this fortress city today. The resident population here was considerable, roughly over ten thousand people. Even if it was less than a quarter of Scorchstone City's population, in the Shadow World, this was definitely one of the major cities.After a day of touring, Sylutia had a preliminary understanding of the general situation of this fortress city, and her mind felt much more settled.

Although the population was smaller, the grade of shops and various guilds and associations in the city was far higher than in Scorchstone City. Here, one could even see Third Tier items directly for sale, along with equipment, potions, and so on. Of course, the prices were also delightfully high, in a way she couldn't afford.

Returning to her lodgings to sleep and rest, the next morning, they gathered again to listen to the old man's guidance.

"In these past two days, I assume you've all walked around the city. I won't introduce the more prominent guilds and organizations one by one. Now, let's talk about some practical matters for daily life."

"First, while living in the Hidden Grove, whether it's for daily living, collecting esoteric resources, or buying things to improve yourselves, you all need money. But how to earn money is something that requires long-term attention."

"Students on the Gardener path have it easier; they can directly rely on selling their produce. Students seeking the path of craftsmanship can also earn remuneration by forging items themselves, helping with repairs, or working as apprentices/helpers for master blacksmiths."

"As for you few members who have chosen the Knight's path, the association currently has arranged patrol tasks, but the compensation isn't high."

"If you want to earn some extra money, either find a side job yourself, or go patrol the borders of the Glittergold Plains. If you can find and kill a few monsters, you can earn some that way too. It's just a matter of luck. If you feel it's a waste of time, then focus on improving your own strength. Once you reach the Second Tier, your options will be much broader."

"Additionally, whether you're selling your own harvests or purchasing things you want, remember to come to the market inside the fortress city on the third day of each month. On that day, everyone gathers to trade. Not only can you sell for better prices, but you can also find the things you want."

"Basically, that's all I have to say. In the future, if you have any questions, you can also come to the association to consult me. I'll be stationed here regularly."

"Thank you, Teacher Bede." Although he only taught some basic things, they were all quite practical, so everyone didn't skimp on showing respect.

...

After staying a few more days, personnel from the association notified Sylutia that the valley plain she had previously selected had been preliminarily tidied up.

On this day, a guard wearing a white overcoat came to find Sylutia.

"You are Miss Sylutia, right? I am a patrol cavalryman of White Stone Fortress. Five days ago, the Hidden Grove Association notified us to assist in clearing the newly opened valley plain. It was tidied up yesterday."

"According to your request, a two-story stone cottage was built for you on the sun-facing side of the valley. Next to the cottage is a newly dug well that can be used for irrigating crops. However..." He hesitated slightly before continuing.

"Because it's newly opened land, the water there is still somewhat polluted, meaning it contains a certain amount of the Distortion Aspect. You'll need to frequently use 'Shadow-Settling Powder' to precipitate and purify it before it can be drunk."

"Considering that drinking water indeed has a significant impact, we will later provide you with an additional half-year's supply of 'Shadow-Settling Powder'. After that, you may need to purchase and handle it yourself."

"I see..." Sylutia didn't mind this much. She could even directly drink water with the 'Distortion' Aspect without much issue, as her origin was the Star, unafraid of Distortion pollution.

However, water with the 'Distortion' Aspect would affect crop cultivation.

"While I understand your difficulties, long-term use of Shadow-Settling Powder is a significant expense and will also affect my future crop cultivation," she said, speaking a few words.

"Can you provide some additional subsidy from other aspects? After all, a large portion of the crops I produce will also be handed over to White Stone Fortress."

"This... My authority isn't sufficient to decide, but I can report your situation to my superiors later." The other party also knew the water issue had a significant impact on crops.

Afterwards, the two discussed for a while longer. In the afternoon, several patrol guards came over to help Sylutia load her luggage onto a cart.

"Today, we'll take you to that valley on the western side of White Stone Fortress."

Soon, tall, gray-black draft horses pulled the cart out of the association's residence, heading onto the city streets.

Sitting on the stacked wooden crates and haystacks in the cart, Sylutia lightly held the guardrail with one hand, watching the four cavalrymen escorting below the cart.

The leader was a 'Second Tier·Castle' Knight Squire, said to have already begun learning the prerequisites for the 'White Knight' abilities. The others were 'First Tier·Castle' Light Cavalry, probably all seniors from the year above Sylutia.

The group of five followed the streets out of the city, walking across the stretching plains. Along the way, they occasionally chatted. Sylutia also listened as they talked about recent training and interesting happenings within White Stone Fortress.

"The strongest in the city is probably Knight Captain Char. He reached the Fourth Tier a long time ago and completed his trial last year, successfully condensing the 'Holy White Knight' profession."

"Apart from him, there are two other Fourth Tier Transcendents in the city, but their main focus isn't combat, so not much is known about them externally."

Hearing this, Sylutia couldn't help but ask, "Are Fourth Tier Transcendents very common in the Hidden Grove?"

"Of course not. The Fourth Tier is often the leadership of small organizations. Even in large organizations, Fourth Tier members are core backbones. They are usually exploring remote secret realms at the borders of the Shadow World or carrying out some dangerous, difficult tasks. They rarely appear in stable, secure hinterland outposts."

"Higher-level powers, we don't know about, because we can't access them." After saying this, the group continued riding forward. One of them started humming an unknown tune.

"That's a tune from his hometown. He always likes to hum a few lines when he has nothing to do," a companion teased.

"I bet it's probably tied to a tragic, beautiful romance from his youth, haha." The remaining two also chuckled for a bit before spurring their horses to catch up.

Sylutia lay amidst the dry haystacks, her skirt spread over the golden wheat stalks. She slightly spread her arms, her eyes gazing at the azure sky above. Her body, like a drifting small boat, slowly moved forward with the cart.

It had been a long time since she had looked at the sky like this. Back when she worked part-time jobs, the streets were lined with tall buildings. She couldn't even see the morning or evening sun, only the piercing midday sun.

Thinking back on her ordinary past life, Sylutia, leaning against the haystack, closed her eyes. Her body warmed by the sunlight, the faint, gentle warmth made her drowsy, and she slowly drifted into a light afternoon nap.

The cart continued along the small path through the wilds, the young girl among the golden wheat stalks accompanied by the morning wind, slowly drifting toward the distance.