The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 34: Heart-to-heart talk during the night watch

Vol 2 Chapter 34: Heart-to-heart talk during the night watch

Night fell, and the group gathered around the campfire, enjoying tonight's delicious food to soothe their somewhat frightened hearts.

Yan, however, didn't feel much about it. He just felt he should have thrown away his shield earlier and switched to his greatsword for offense. On the other side, Karl and Pona had just walked a tightrope on the border of death.

In terms of pure combat power, that Giant Python might not have been stronger than any single member of the team. But in actual combat, situations change in the blink of an eye, and it was highly possible for the enemy to find an opening and kill a vulnerable member.

The monster would definitely die in the end, but even a one-for-one trade would be a huge, unbearable loss for the exploration team. This was the biggest difference between the apprentices and these monstrous enemies.

"Karl needs to sleep and rest well tonight and can't take a watch shift, so I can only trouble you, Tia," the captain told the girl after dinner.

"Pona will be with you too. You two will take the safer first watch. The latter half of the night will be me and Yan."

"I understand," Sylutia nodded.

Afterwards, everyone sat by the campfire, checking and adjusting their respective weapons and equipment.

"So scary," Pona whispered, hugging a pillow made from a folded coat, leaning against the warmth of the fire.Beside her, Sylutia was feeling a bit sleepy. She usually went to bed around this time, and staying up late today felt a bit unfamiliar.

"Yes, very scary," she murmured in response, her eyelids heavy and fighting to stay open. The red flames in her vision blurred, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

The strands of hair by her ears curled slightly, resting against the soft contours of her cheeks. Her small ears peeked out from between the locks, revealing somewhat youthful earlobes that hinted at her young age. Her legs were pressed together, slightly drawn in. Her shoulders, leaning against the tree trunk, supported her head. Her chest rose and fell slightly, outlining a gentle, rising curve.

About fifteen minutes later, the balance Sylutia had found leaning against the tree trunk was broken. Her body lurched forward as she jolted awake.

*Ugh, I think I fell asleep. I'm supposed to be on watch.*

She stood up, looked around, and seeing that nothing had changed much, felt slightly relieved.

*I probably didn't sleep for long.*

She stretched her body. Perhaps because of the short nap, she felt much more awake now.

Seeing that Pona's mood was somewhat low, Sylutia walked over, took her hand, and tried to comfort her.

Truthfully, she wasn't very good at comforting others either. In her previous life, she had no siblings. At most, if friends saw she was unhappy, they would all go out to eat together.

However, perhaps because she was sensitive and thoughtful, she could easily understand other people's emotions and feelings.

She sat down beside Pona, gently patted her shoulder, and waited for her emotions to pass.

About half an hour later, perhaps having emerged from her low mood, or perhaps feeling embarrassed about being so dejected in front of a junior, Pona perked up, a hint of awkwardness appearing on her face.

After all, she was supposed to be the one guiding Sylutia, the new junior. How did it end up with her being comforted by the junior?

"There's still quite a bit of time left tonight. Tia, do you want some midnight snacks?" By now, the other three were already asleep.

"Won't making food now disturb them?"

"It's fine. I'll just roast something. No frying or boiling needed, so it won't make much noise." Pona rummaged through a nearby pack.

Soon, she pulled out two potatoes and buried them under the edge of the fire. Then she took out the remaining dried meat, skewered it on thin sticks, and placed it by the fire.

The two leaned by the campfire, talking softly, sharing about themselves.

"I've been at the Hidden Grove for almost seven years now," Pona reminisced.

"I was just over 17 when I came here. Now I'm 24."

"Back in my hometown, a 24-year-old would probably already have several children."

"Last year, a letter I mailed home finally got a reply. It told me my older sister had another child."

"Now, I can't remember many people from my hometown anymore," she sighed with some emotion.

"Can't you go home after coming to the Hidden Grove?" Sylutia was a bit puzzled.

"You can, but entering and leaving the Hidden Grove requires spending a high amount of points. And those points can be used to buy courses, exchange for rare potions... The vast majority of people can't bear to waste them like that."

"If you advance to the Third Tier, you can go back for free once," she added.

"I thought back then, when I someday reached the Third Tier, I'd go back for a visit and cook delicious food for my family while I'm at it," she murmured, poking at the fire.

"Even though it's only been seven years, it feels like I've become a completely different person. The old me would even get shy talking to boys." She propped her chin on her hand, her chestnut-red short hair framing her face as she smiled with reminiscence.

"Being a cook is fun, Tia."

"You know, seemingly ordinary, common ingredients transform in your hands, becoming exquisitely beautiful food. Not only does it have an enticing aroma and delicious nutrition, but it can also help others improve."

"Every time I finish preparing food, I receive everyone's praise and affection. That sense of accomplishment, that feeling of being recognized and acknowledged, is something my former, ordinary self could never experience."

"The secret arts learned at the Hidden Grove, the abilities slowly improving... they're like the flames roasting food, gradually changing me. I'm very grateful for such an opportunity, and I'm also very passionate about discovering fresh, interesting things during each travel and expedition."

"Because the things I make are delicious and very useful, even if I'm a burden, everyone is still willing to take me along, protecting me without complaint. Such things always warm my heart, and I often want to make even better food to repay everyone."

"Probably because of this mindset, my cooking skills improved quite quickly. My instructor said I was the most talented professional chef they'd seen in the past ten years."

"Although I always feel I'm not a true genius—after all, I've seen a few of the real geniuses in the Hidden Grove—I'm still very happy."

"Very happy," she repeated, the flames reflecting orange-red light in her eyes.

"Many people cultivate and improve to become stronger. I don't have such a strong desire myself."

"For me, living happily together with everyone, then immersing myself in everyone's love for my cooking, is a very happy thing."

"However, today's encounter really did hit me hard," she shook her head slightly.

"It was so scary, that Giant Python. When it charged at me, if the captain hadn't kicked me away, I probably would have been Devoured by it in an instant."

"Death is just a moment away," she sighed softly, twisting the wooden skewer threaded with meat.

"After this expedition ends, I won't follow everyone anymore," she declared, as if having made some kind of resolution.

"After all, always making everyone distracted to protect me is irresponsible. Especially as, going forward, the secret realms everyone goes to become more and more dangerous. Me following along just becomes more of a burden."

"Pona..." Sylutia tried to comfort her.

"It's okay. Actually, staying in the rear preparing delicious food for you all is also a good way. Welcoming you back, preparing tasty rations for your departures... I'm willing to do that too. As long as you tell me all the places you went and the interesting things you experienced when you return."

Regarding this, Sylutia didn't know what else to say.

Advancement, strength... She hadn't encountered major obstacles in improving her strength yet, so she didn't have a deep understanding of this feeling.

If she were in Pona's position, she would probably feel sad and regretful too. Because her own abilities and strength were insufficient, she could only bid farewell to various adventures and encounters, staying in the quiet rear, waiting for her companions to return.

This was a world with various supernatural powers, a world vastly different from the orderly society of her previous life. Even if she wasn't keen on fame or profit, she needed to continuously advance upwards. Only then could she gain more freedom—the ability to let herself travel the world without hindrance or trouble.

Like Pona, Sylutia stared blankly at the campfire at this moment, each thinking of their own concerns and past memories. It wasn't until oil dripped from the roasting meat, sizzling lightly, that the two snapped out of it. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Alright, Tia, come taste my cooking." She sprinkled on some salt grains, then added a bit of tasty spice, finally handing the skewer to Sylutia.

Watching the cute girl blow on the meat gently and take a small bite, a happy smile spread across Pona's face.

"Is it good? I'll roast a bit more for you. If you want to learn my secret recipe, I can teach you too~"