The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 64: Preparations Before Departure

Vol 2 Chapter 64 Preparations Before Departure

Spring passed into autumn, and the wheat in the valley welcomed another bountiful harvest.

Sylutia directed the toads to harvest the ripe wheat, drying and stacking it separately according to its quality.

Standing inside the granary, Sylutia let her fingers sift through the plump wheat grains, making a mental estimate.

This harvest yielded about 33,000 jin of wheat, 3,000 jin more than expected. It was probably due to the enhancement of her Verdant Nectar Aspect and her increasing proficiency after advancing.

In truth, over these past few months, her main focus hadn't been on the valley. She spent more time studying various bodies of knowledge and attempting to construct spell models, among other things.

After the harvest was finished, in another two months, she would be transferred away from the Glittergold Plains to another location. She didn't know when she'd be able to return here, and suddenly felt a bit reluctant to leave.

Although this place was humble, and the living quarters were far less luxurious and comfortable than Lady Franne's place from before, it was, after all, her own little home. It had the stone cottage she liked to sleep in, where she could watch the wheat fields below from the window. In the afternoons, she could stroll and read books in the small garden behind the house without worrying about being disturbed. Occasionally, she could also lie on the recliner, feeling the breeze and taking an afternoon nap. It was utterly delightful.

Pacing back and forth, Sylutia wandered the fields of the valley. Remembering the two ponies in the stable, she led them out again, mounted them, and let them run freely through the valley.

The hem of her white dress swayed with the horses' gait. The wind blew through the hair at her temples, carrying scents from afar.Trotting down from the hillside, then joyfully galloping through the grass, the two ponies ran everywhere according to their nature, giving Sylutia a light, carefree feeling as well.

After about an hour, the two little ones finally grew a bit tired, their speed slowing down slightly.

Sylutia patted their necks and foreheads, handing carrots to the two creatures.

She lightly dismounted, circled the valley once more, and then, as evening fell, prepared a feast for the toads.

Today, there weren't just Alfalfa Buns;

she also made some stuffed buns. Although her skill was a bit unrefined and their shapes were a bit odd, she managed to wrap them up, and the filling didn't spill out.

"Ribbit, Boss made more delicious food~"

"Ribbit ribbit, delicious food."

"Tonight we get to eat buns again, ribbit."

The toads curiously gathered around her, watching the girl steam the food, then sitting by the fire to wait.

Speaking of which, although these toads were afraid of fire, they also liked the warm feeling of flames. They wanted to get close but didn't dare get too close. This habit occasionally amused Sylutia.

"Wait a little longer, it'll be ready soon," she soothed the somewhat anxious toad ribbitters, humming an unknown tune.

Sylutia herself didn't remember where the melody came from;

it was purely an unconscious hum. But the effect was good. As she hummed by the fire, the toads gradually quieted down.

A little over ten minutes later, the buns and stuffed buns were cooked. Sylutia handed them out to the toads one by one as a reward for their work during this period.

Holding the warm food, the toads happily gobbled it down, then sat by the fire to digest.

Perhaps because she was about to leave, Sylutia didn't send them back to their dwelling this time. They remained seated around the bonfire as she softly hummed her tune.

After a little while, she grew a bit tired and thought she should learn a simple musical instrument. That way, she could also express the surplus emotions of daily life.

But she had been so busy lately. She probably needed a truly free period to go and learn.

At night, the toads all fell asleep by the bonfire. Sylutia remained awake, slowly adding firewood, reminiscing about the past year or so.

She wondered how Talier and the others were doing in Scorchstone City, whether Instructor Heide was in good health, and whether Lady Franne was still at that estate. Thinking and thinking, she recalled the distant memories of her previous life.

Returning to Earth was probably very difficult. But since she was an alien star descending into this world, that also meant different worlds truly existed. If she became powerful enough in the future, perhaps she could try to find a way home.

Speaking of home, she wasn't the type to be obsessively determined to return at all costs, but there was a faint, hard-to-sever attachment. It was like a childhood game left unfinished. Playing it now might not bring the same excitement and joy as back then, but just playing it could make up for that faint regret and satisfy a bit of that longing and attachment.

In this life, she wasn't worried about her family. Given her mother's power, the one to worry about was probably herself—whether she could improve quickly enough to see them again.

Aster, Cornflower, the Hours of Spring... the family background of this life felt increasingly complex the more she learned about Secret History Knowledge.

Seventh Tier was no simple existence. That was almost the pinnacle of a continent, a figure who could influence the continent's situation. Moreover, Seventh Tier also meant the sublimation of life and a significant increase in lifespan.

Regarding searching for her origins, she sometimes felt a strange worry, afraid that truly understanding her family background would mean she couldn't live this leisurely life anymore and would have to actually participate in complex power struggles.

But for now, she would just go with the flow.

...

Several days later, the harvested wheat was transported to White Stone Fortress. The fields of this valley were once again filled with Alfalfa. Considering alfalfa was excellent forage grass, Sylutia brought thirty young foals from the Holy White Knight Hall to raise in the valley, letting them freely graze on the alfalfa and run around.

With these foals, the original two ponies gained many more companions. However, the two of them were much larger than the newcomers and soon became the leaders of this group of foals. They led them running through the familiar valley and even taught the newcomers to relieve themselves in fixed spots, which put Sylutia's mind at ease considerably.

Returning to White Stone Fortress, the two weapons Sylutia had commissioned earlier were completed and delivered to her.

"Here, try them out first, see if any adjustments are needed," the blacksmith uncle still warmly welcomed the girl, handing her the two newly forged weapons.

One was a long, narrow, dark-gold longsword with a slightly curved blade. Held in Sylutia's palm, as she flipped and swung it with her sleeve, it was like flowing water, light and fluid.

The other was a small dagger. The black goat horn hilt felt warm and smooth to the touch, but the black ferrule and the joint of the blade exuded a somewhat dark aura, making it feel mysterious.

[Black Dream Dagger] (Second Tier · Rare): A dagger with demon-breaking effects. When thrust, it brings an unexpected fear impact to the enemy, destroying their will to resist. (Demon-breaking +3, Sharpness +1, Fear +3)

[Glittergold Blade] (Second Tier · Rare): A longsword forged from Glittergold material, exceptionally sharp, comfortable to handle, and possessing demon-breaking effects. (Sharpness +3, Demon-breaking +2)

After receiving the two weapons, Sylutia thanked the blacksmith uncle and then paid the remaining 100 gold coins.

Seeing Sylutia wondering how to carry the two weapons, the blacksmith thought for a moment and told her the location of a tailor's shop, suggesting she go there to have straps custom-made.

"If you don't mind, you could have a dagger strap made on the inside of your thigh under your skirt. That would be quite convenient."

"As for the longsword, just carry it normally at your waist."

"Alright, I'll go take a look," Sylutia thanked him. After some thought, she indeed needed a method to carry weapons on her person, so she headed to the tailor shop the blacksmith uncle recommended.

After explaining her purpose, the tailor auntie in the shop said it was very simple. For just three gold coins, she could make them for her.

About twenty minutes later, the auntie had sewn the straps according to Sylutia's measurements and helped her adjust them.

"There, all done. Once you let your skirt down, others won't see it, hehe."

"A girl needs to protect herself outside. Having an unexpected weapon is always good."

After acquiring these, Sylutia went to the association, saying she wanted to commission a set of protective armor. This was the reward she received when she got the 'Outstanding' evaluation, which she hadn't come to claim until now.

"We know. But regarding this matter, the city's 'Master Artificer' Sir Tristan has already given instructions for you to go see him directly. He is the branch head of 'Forging Gold Hammer' and currently the strongest Forged Gold Blacksmith in the city."

"With this gentleman, he will definitely tailor-make the most suitable armor for you."

Tristan... Sylutia silently repeated the name, suddenly recalling the tall figure she saw at the top of the tower that day, whose physique seemed cast from bronze, solid as metal and stone.

She hadn't expected such important figures to pay this much attention to her, making Sylutia feel overwhelmed by their great kindness.

Well, she'd go take a look first. No matter what, having good equipment would always provide more security. Who knew where her next posting would be? According to the intelligence she'd recently received, it was likely to be a dangerous border area.

Based on the current strategy of the Hidden Grove association, they aimed to let current apprentices gain experience and grow. It was impossible they would transfer her to some safe rear area again.