The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 131: The Sunflower's Letter

Vol 2 Chapter 131 The Sunflower's Letter

For the following week, Sylutia and Lucas remained in Scorchstone City, of course, under some camouflage, not directly exposing themselves before the soldiers and the populace.

Under the supervision and assistance of the two, Aru gradually gained control over the soldiers within Scorchstone City. During the process, all soldiers were given a share of money, making them all accomplices and preventing anyone from actively leaking information.

Due to the duo's suppression, the high-end combat power in Scorchstone City was significantly reduced. The soldiers also became much more restrained compared to before. Aru also told the soldiers that those two mysterious and powerful individuals would be watching over them from the shadows.

Under this atmosphere of fear, bullying behavior within Scorchstone City decreased dramatically. Afterwards, the two also contacted some retired scholars and young apprentices taught by Scholar Hyde, letting them gradually replace the Anty people in managing the city.

Although the Anty soldiers felt some displeasure and rejection towards these people, under Aru's suppression and jurisdiction, they slowly accepted it. In truth, most of them were uneducated and didn't know how to specifically handle various affairs, perform calculations, summaries, or planning. What they cared about was only that their benefits would decrease after losing power.

To solidify the loyalty of his allies, Aru took 10 of the 20 strings of 'Blood Currants' given by Sylutia to win over the First and Second Tier officers among the garrison. Thus, the situation finally stabilized.

As for the future, the war in the southern part of the continent was still ongoing. Whether the Kingdom of Ante would even exist in the future was uncertain. Who could clearly predict the situation ten years from now?

After resolving the stability of Scorchstone City, Sylutia came to the front of the mansion where Lady Franne once lived.

The main gate here was tightly shut, and emerald vines climbed the surrounding walls. Judging by the slightly rusted lock, it had been some time since anyone had lived here.Sylutia took out the key Lady Franne had entrusted to the association from her sleeve, inserted it into the keyhole, and gently turned it. With a click, the lock sprang open.

She slowly pushed open the gate with both hands, as if dispelling some invisible seal, allowing the mansion within to see the light again.

Upon entering, she saw a somewhat desolate inner courtyard. On the once neatly trimmed lawn, weeds of varying heights had grown. Flowers still bloomed in the flower beds, but other plants had also appeared within.

The white door of the Western-style mansion was closed, and all the windows were shut.

Sylutia approached, opened the door, and went inside. She walked through the hall and corridors covered in a thin layer of dust, opening each tightly sealed door and window one by one.

Afterwards, a gentle breeze blew, causing the curtains to sway softly.

The scenery here remained the same, only it was exceptionally quieter compared to the past.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room as the sun gradually set in the west, Sylutia opened the letter Lady Franne had left for her. Reading the elegantly written lines, she recalled the scene of the first day she met this instructor.

'Tia, welcome back.

By the time you open this letter, I have probably already left, gone to the northern part of the continent, the place where I was born.

It's a very small country, famous for its blooming Wind Chime Grass.

I have very complex feelings towards my hometown: nostalgia, sadness, a sense of the old, oppression, and occasionally appearing in dreams when I dislike it.

In your heart, my image might be very mature and towering. This is the form I grew into bit by bit over time, traveling to many places. Now, perhaps very few people know about my childhood or my state and appearance as a young girl.

The pages of a book turn one by one, and people also change little by little.

The starting point of a story might be a very small matter, a tiny, helpless figure. But when the story reaches its end, people have long forgotten that small beginning, remembering only its most blazing and glorious form.

The gap between them is so vast, the change so profound, that without flipping through that thick book, one simply cannot associate or believe it. But this is the truth.

I have grown into the form I once yearned for. Those things that once hurt me, trapped me, can no longer hold me back. So, I have decided to return to that place to resolve the regrets of the past.

Life is not long, but neither is it short. There are many difficulties that cannot be solved by the present you. If one day you feel particularly difficult and helpless, then go on a journey.

Go to other places, experience new people and things, and begin anew and grow once more.

Again and again, until one day you are strong enough, strong enough to face the past with a calm heart. Only then return to save that helpless self from back then.

This kind of parting letter probably makes you feel somewhat troubled and isn't very relevant to your current self. But when people leave, they often want to pass down what they cherish most.

This is the thought I cherish most, and also a truth I have never told you—a part of the truth about my own experiences.

People long for their true selves to be seen and understood by others, but they also fear this truth being exposed, because it is their most fragile vulnerability. Thus, many words difficult to speak probably only have a chance to be said at the moment of parting.

Because at this time, they will no longer meet.

The Wind Chime Grass Plain is a very distant place, and you will also stay in the Hidden Grove for a long time. By the time we meet again, perhaps over ten years will have passed.

Once again, I wish you success in your studies, that you find the past you cherish, and discover life's many surprises.

—Your senior gardener, Franne'

After finishing the letter, Sylutia once again gazed at the sky beyond the living room. By now, part of the azure horizon in the distance was already tinged with rosy clouds.

The sound of the wind remained, gently brushing past the windowsills and door curtains, reminding the young girl of the scene when she first moved here to live. There was a bit of caution, joy mixed with anticipation, and a fear of not performing well and being blamed.

Fortunately, everything that followed went smoothly. Lady Franne gave her no constraints. Although Lining occasionally made sharp remarks, she never slighted her, still patiently and meticulously teaching her things she completely didn't understand.

This feeling was something her previous life lacked. However, in this life, she has enjoyed it twice. The stark contrast between them made her both happy and compassionate. Against the backdrop of this beauty, the poverty and pain of the past also became more apparent.

Standing up, Sylutia felt a surge of emotions. She slowly walked through the mansion, her fingers brushing over familiar objects—the walls, tables, chairs, decorations, and the figures that walked through her memories: her own, Talier's, Lining's, and Lady Franne's.

Finally, she came to the backyard of the mansion. A patch of golden sunflowers still grew here, but these were newly planted by Lady Franne before she left and did not possess an Aspect.

Although Lady Franne never mentioned anything about the flower field, Sylutia understood the unspoken thoughts and intentions of this lady from her actions. She probably wanted to test her, to see if she could recreate that beautiful sea of golden flowers.

Thinking of this, Sylutia once again picked up the watering can, walked into the familiar flower field, and began tending to these new children—the brand-new sunflowers that would be cultivated by her, the new mistress of this mansion.