The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 102: Distant Memories

Vol 2 Chapter 102 Distant Memories

Inside the tent, Sylutia knelt on a thick blanket, her delicate feet splayed outward to the sides like a little duckling. She gazed at the magnificent sword before her knees. Even though it was only drawn a sliver, the overflowing 'Castle' Aspect it revealed brought her immense pressure.

Such a holy sword was simply not something she could use in her current state. Even if she forced it out, she wouldn't be able to control the immense power within the blade, only able to swing it as an empty shell.

At the very, very least, one needed to be above the Third Tier to wield this 【Severing Steel Sword】, and it had to be a knight of the 'Iron Knight' progression path to truly unleash this sword's power.

The silvery-white blade faintly revealed thread-like patterns, inscribed with elegant, delicate handwriting. It didn't resemble the oath of a powerful knight, but more like the prayer of a certain young girl. In fact, these patterns were precisely the words written by Emersand in her youth.

To commemorate her younger sister, and to remember that sister's prayer, Emersand had these words engraved upon the blade. They later gradually became part of his legend.

The sword was somewhat heavy. Sylutia needed to hold it with both hands to get used to it. Wielding it with one hand would be far too heavy.

Her fingers slowly stroked the scabbard. The girl carefully perceived the Rhythms emanating from within, as if listening to an ancient ballad, feeling the distant emotions it radiated.

The night grew deeper. The wind and snow outside continued unabated. Inside the tent, a small candle flickered. Sylutia placed the sword by her side, wrapped herself in the fluffy quilted blanket, and slowly fell asleep.

……In her dream, she heard a song from afar.

Hazy and indistinct, she ran down a slope in the wilderness. All around were wheat stalks half a person tall. The pale yellow awns and white fluff brushed against her arms, bringing a slight itch. The wind blew from ahead.

She kept moving forward.

Pushing aside the wheat stalks along the way as she ran.

The song from afar grew clearer and clearer.

Until a certain moment, that hazy, blurry vision suddenly cleared.

From between the parted blades of grass, she saw a figure with its back to her.

It was a girl about her own height. The other wore her hair in a flaxen-colored braid, dressed in simple cloth garments, standing in the grassy field and wind, singing with her eyes closed.

Sylutia reached a hand forward, and a strange call sounded.

'Emersand…'

This wasn't her voice. It was probably the call of that person in the memory.

Hearing this call, the girl with the flaxen braid turned around.

The other's appearance wasn't outstanding, plain like the wheat stalks of the countryside.

But in the young girl's eyes, a feeling of familiarity and warmth arose.

This was probably the tenderness the original owner had preserved in her heart for so long.

Slowly walking to that girl's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, the two bathed in the gentle breeze of the countryside, looking down at the village below.

This was the place where they grew up, an exceptionally ordinary place.

The two chatted and laughed about the small things of life.

Auntie Bren made a very delicious pie today.

Little Dith caught a big black fish.

In the evening, Uncle Fengge would bring back delicious honey and little toys from afar.

She wove a sun hat and gave it to her busy older brother working outside.

These seemingly ordinary things were exceptionally clear in the memory.

'What does big brother like?' The girl beside her turned her head, her gaze soft as she looked at her.

The words spoken at the time were already blurred. Sylutia also didn't hear clearly what the reply was.

'Just for living and taking care of me? That's no good.'

'Big brother should have things he wants to do too.'

'Whether it's for someone he likes, or things that make him happy.'

What the two said later, the original owner could no longer remember clearly.

Finally, that girl clasped her hands together, praying to the distant wind and the Wheat Fields.

'I hope big brother can live a happy life of his own.'

……

The dream ended, but its lingering resonance lingered for a long time, immersing one in that distant memory.

The next morning, Sylutia woke up, sitting up from within the fluffy quilted blanket.

She rubbed her eyes, shook the hair behind her head, letting it automatically return to smoothness, no longer messy.

Her gaze turned once more to the 'Severing Steel Sword' by her side. The girl's fingers slowly caressed it.

Although it was a weapon meant for combat and killing, the longing and emotion contained within held no hostility, only that distant and tender remembrance, like the ideal homeland in a dream.

Someone who could hold this sword for a long time would also be warmed by the emotion within, right? Even facing the harshest winter and adversity, they could hold firm to their heart, unwavering.

……

After resting well in the camp for a day, everyone had recovered quite a bit of stamina. However, it wasn't yet time to leave and return.

Sylutia led everyone to inspect various parts of the camp, clearing out any weak 'Gray Sludge' that had appeared. Afterwards, she worked with everyone to reinforce the camp's facilities, ensuring both people and horses could adapt to the severe cold and Storm here.

"Is Dorothy still sleeping?" It was almost two in the afternoon, but Sylutia still hadn't seen that golden-haired alchemist come out.

"Yes, Lady Dorothy said not to disturb her. She wants to properly laze around and sleep." A nearby apprentice reported helplessly.

"I see."

Sylutia thought about it. Dorothy had indeed been very busy during this period, searching for solutions, adjusting medicinal powders, and following her to 'Ironwall Precipice'.

"Let her sleep and rest then. When she gets hungry, she'll come out on her own."

"Yes."

In the afternoon, Sylutia made food together with the apprentices in the camp. They made some dumplings, as well as baked flatbreads, bread, vegetable and meat soup, and the like. They had been on the road these past few days, and everyone hadn't eaten well.

In the evening, Dorothy finally emerged from her tent, drawn by the enticing aroma.

"Tia, I'm hungry." She ran to the side of this silver-haired girl, shaking her sleeve. Despite her tall stature, she had absolutely no psychological burden acting spoiled like this.

"I know."

Sylutia pulled Dorothy over, making her sit on a small stool by the campfire, telling her to wait here obediently. Then she went to fetch the food.

Soon, Sylutia returned carrying a sumptuous dinner. It included freshly grilled parsley steak, pies, and a bowl of hot milk and mushroom soup.

"Eat." Placing it on the small table in front of Dorothy, Sylutia handed her the utensils.

This golden-haired great beauty, just like a grade schooler, happily picked up the knife and fork to taste, then began eating cheerfully.

Sylutia sat to the side, watching Dorothy eat heartily, feeling a strangely adorable sensation.

At night, Sylutia and Dorothy sat together on the carpet inside the tent, looking at the 'Severing Steel Sword' placed before them.

"So it's this sword." Dorothy carefully and curiously reached out a finger to lightly touch it.

"Dorothy has heard of it?"

"Yes. After all, it's a legend passed down across the continent. Of course I've heard of it." The other nodded.

"The 'Steel Furnace Knight Order' led by Emersand, while not considered powerful, was the knight order most willing to impart experience to the poor and train young cavalrymen."

"He taught his lifelong learnings almost free of charge, requiring only that the other party swear to use these skills to fight against the encroachment of the Twilight Beasts."

"Such an oath, for various factions and organizations, held no conflict and didn't require undertaking great responsibility or pressure, so many could accept it."

"He was the chivalrous knight in the hearts of commoners, the Night's Watch who drove away wilderness Monsters. He was the Firekeeper who traveled a thousand miles, guarding the borders of civilization. Even though his strength remained at the Sixth Tier his entire life, he made many remember his name."

"After his death, many bards compiled his deeds into poems, singing them far and wide. The cultivation manual for the 'Iron Knight' progression path he founded was also publicly released for free, circulating across the continent. It was only in recent centuries that the nobility gradually gathered them up, reducing their spread."

"The 'Steel Furnace Knight Order' he founded had long since disbanded. However, those who studied the 'Iron Knight' progression path and followed him still established the 'Ironwall Crown Furnace' to commemorate this legendary knight."

"Even though the 'Ironwall Crown Furnace' isn't considered powerful, within the Hidden Grove, its reputation is still quite prominent, surpassing many large organizations." Dorothy recounted this leisurely.

"Large organizations?" Sylutia was somewhat curious.

"Which ones in the Hidden Grove nowadays can be considered large organizations?"

"Giggle, Little Tia really doesn't know anything." Dorothy playfully booped the girl's nose.

"Currently, the 'Four Seasons Alliance', which is closely related to you, is one of the top-tier large organizations within the Hidden Grove. Even the 'Rainbow Colored Glass Vial' I belong to is slightly inferior."