The Cornflower Witch

Book 2 First Arrival in the Valley

Vol 2 Chapter 2 First Arrival in the Valley

"We've arrived, Miss Sylutia."

The carriage slowly drove into the vast valley, finally stopping before a small stone cabin.

The first floor of this cabin resembled a rectangular prism, built from white stone, and was empty inside. It could be used to park the carriage and store miscellaneous items, or to store harvested grain crops. Ascending the steps on the side of the cabin led to the second floor, which was where Sylutia would live. It had a bedroom with good views, a study, and a dedicated small meditation room.

"The kitchen is on the side of the first floor. A cellar has been dug next to it. Later, Miss Sylutia can also store things inside." The lead Knight Squire led her to inspect each area.

How to build city walls, castles, towers, and dwellings—within the 'Castle' Aspect, there were professional planning examples. Often, these structures would be part of a grand 'Castle' formation and also symbols of civilization's boundary.

Though small, it had all the essential organs. This stone house was just right for Sylutia to live in alone, and it was located on a relatively high hillside within the valley, so there was no need to worry about flooding.

Behind the cabin, roughly 400 meters to the north, was the steep cliff face that encircled the valley. It was covered in wind-eroded rock formations, with no birds flying past.

The entire valley resembled a faint 'C' shape, with an entrance about two hundred meters wide in the east. Inside was a vast plain, roughly estimated to be around 1,200 mu, which is about the size of 120 football fields.

Currently, the inner part of the valley still had large stretches of virgin forest, rocks, and weeds. Only the area near the exit had been simply cleared.Sylutia had mentally prepared herself somewhat, but upon arrival, she realized she had still underestimated the difficulty of cultivating this land. Setting aside the issue of planting for now, just clearing this land alone was no easy task.

Fortunately, considering the difficult start, the personnel from the Hidden Grove association had already helped her clear and plow the initial 50 mu of fields, so she wouldn't be completely at a loss.

"Miss Sylutia should have a general understanding of the situation now. Do you have any other questions?" The Second Tier Knight Squire stood with her on the open ground in front of the cabin.

"We're still very short on manpower."

Sylutia guessed this problem wouldn't be easy to solve. If they truly weren't short on people, they wouldn't have sent her here.

"There's no way around that. However, at the beginning of next month, you can check at the market to see if you can find some slaves or laborers from other races. But managing and providing for these people will also require considerable effort," the other party suggested.

"Also, is this place safe? I see there are still large stretches of forest and trees in the inner part of the valley."

"That area has already been combed through by us. Now, there are basically no wild beasts inside, at most some rabbits or rats."

"If you're still worried, here are three signal rockets. You just need to light and launch them, and they will be detected by the towers of White Stone Fortress. Then Patrol Cavalrymen will arrive."

"About 6-7 kilometers south of the valley, there is a hunter's cabin. Forest rangers are stationed there long-term. They patrol the border and deal with any monsters or beasts that rashly intrude. If you have any troubles that need resolving, you can also try negotiating with them."

"About 10 kilometers to the north, there is a lumberyard. People work there on weekdays. If you want to add furniture, expand fences, or purchase the most basic things, you can also go there to take a look."

"Oh, right. When we set out, our captain said that this carriage and horse transporting the luggage would be directly given to you as compensation. Furthermore, during the first year, we will regularly deliver fodder and beans to you to feed this draft horse and the two ponies."

Hearing this, Sylutia finally carefully examined the tall draft horse that had brought her here. Its coat color was similar to a roan, appearing grayish-white, but its broad, thick hooves were black.

【Lakeshore Horse】: A tall draft horse possessing a small amount of the Bloodline Aspect. It has a robust and sturdy build, suitable for hauling heavy goods and for plowing fields. Its speed is not fast, making it unsuitable as a cavalry warhorse.

The young girl gently stroked and patted this tall draft horse. Its hooves were probably thicker than her thighs, and its weight was roughly around one ton. Standing under this draft horse, the top of Sylutia's head just reached its chin. If she wanted to ride it, she couldn't mount it normally; she could only sit sideways on its broad back.

Although this draft horse was too large, the two miniature ponies beside it were just the right size for Sylutia. She could ride them very comfortably.

【Lakeshore Foal】: A not-yet-grown Lakeshore Horse, with a lively temperament.

These two little ones were brown and black respectively. On the journey here, they had always followed beside the mare. When resting, they hid under their mother's body, occasionally tilting their heads to look at these cavalrymen with their black eyes.

When no one was around, they would come out to play, hopping and skipping about, frolicking everywhere.

Later, a few more matters were explained, and then these cavalrymen departed on their return journey, leaving Sylutia to live in this newly cultivated valley.

...

That afternoon, the young girl's footsteps traversed the wilderness of the valley, familiarizing herself with the environment here initially, before returning to her stone cabin.

Should she cook? She thought for a moment and went to the kitchen. Below the cupboard here were two sacks of vegetables, delivered with the carriage that morning.

Untying the sealing cord on the sack, Sylutia opened it and looked through the contents inside.

Inside were roughly 20 jin of potatoes, one 8-jin pumpkin, five onions, six greenish tomatoes, four large cabbages, sixteen parsnip roots, and eleven turnips.

After taking inventory, Sylutia opened the other sack. Inside were three bundles totaling 26 sections of smoked sausage, five jin of smoked dried meat, and a bag of salt.

If eaten sparingly, this food would last her a month.

Standing up, she checked the flour sack on the other side. Inside were 30 jin of good quality flour, also the relatively decent staple grain that could be bought in White Stone Fortress.

As for excellent quality wheat flour, not much was sold in the market. Most of it was supplied to the formal members of various organizations stationed in other locations.

Taking out three potatoes to peel and one parsnip root to peel, she put them in a pot of water to boil. Soon after, Sylutia added a small amount of smoked dried meat and a small spoonful of salt.

For the staple food, she mixed water with flour until it reached a sticky consistency, then poured it onto an oiled iron pan to make simple flatbreads. Once cooked through, she shoveled them up, cut them into small pieces, and put them in a bowl.

Steaming buns or making bread were too troublesome. Right now, eating alone, she naturally wanted to save some time.

After these operations, Sylutia sat at the table by the stove, eating the vegetable and meat soup she had cooked, paired with the crispy, fragrant flatbreads. It felt quite good.

In the deep quiet of the night, Sylutia, having finished washing up, sat on the edge of the bed, covered with a brand-new cotton bedspread. A candle was lit by the bedside now, allowing her to peruse the book in front of her.

Under the faint lamplight, the young girl's soft cheeks were tinged with a gentle warmth. Her eyes were lively as she flipped through the pages with great interest. Only when the candle was almost burnt out did she reluctantly lie down.

The world outside the window was pitch black and silent. The night passed quietly.