The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 166: The Little Bedtime Game

After gathering numerous War Beasts and coordinating with personnel from 'Beast-Call Valley', Sylutia returned to 'Lantern Town' at the foot of the Darkmist Mountains.

Crossing the long, sloping wilderness, Sylutia arrived once more at this garrison. The half-year separation felt like a lifetime, filling her with many emotions.

"Tia~"

As the young woman stepped through the main gate, someone came forward to greet her.

Rachel jogged over and hugged the girl tightly, the cold metal of her armor pressing against Sylutia's face.

"Alright, you don't need to keep holding on forever. How have things been recently?" After a good while, Sylutia pushed the other girl away with both hands.

"Everything's been pretty normal these past six months. The only major event was probably some time ago when a small number of Twilight Beasts attacked a supply convoy, resulting in the loss of some food," Rachel recalled.

"But it's been resolved. The troublesome Third Tier 'Black Jackal' that caused the trouble now has its pelt hanging in the council hall as a decoration."

Rachel then called out to the patrol team members behind her. "You all go ahead and start the patrol inspection. I'll brief Tia on the town's situation."

"Yes, Captain." They stood at attention and agreed, though their curious gazes still gathered on the rather adorable-looking young woman beside Rachel."Is that Lady Sylutia? She looks so young."

"Lady Tia should be around twenty, right? She still looks the same as before."

"Lady Dorothy's figure is much more mature and voluptuous."

"Keep your voice down. Lady Tia is a Third Tier Transcendent. She can hear easily."

"Uh, ahem, I didn't say anything." The group quickly jogged away.

Rachel, who had just finished updating Tia on the recent situation, proceeded to tease Sylutia for a while.

"Tia, you're like this. You're clearly very capable, yet you always look like a little sister, giggle."

"Hmph." The girl snorted lightly, ignoring Rachel's teasing. Her gaze then fell on several figures approaching from the distance: Green, Halton, and Dorothy.

Now, the core personnel of the town were basically all assembled.

After Dorothy approached, she did the same as Rachel, picking Sylutia up and making the girl's feet leave the ground, spinning her once in the air before setting her down.

To be honest, Sylutia wasn't short, standing at about 165 centimeters. It was just that Dorothy's figure was too tall and slender, that of a mature older sister type, which made Sylutia appear somewhat petite in comparison.

"Senior Apprentice Sister Tia is back." Green adjusted his glasses. He was holding a large stack of books and forms, likely data compiled during this period.

"Now the town is saved again." Halton chimed in with a smile.

The group returned to the town's council hall. On the way, Sylutia told them about the large number of War Beasts she had newly purchased and dispatched members within the town to receive them.

"This will greatly enhance the town's trading capabilities. Perhaps we can consider building a small market for the use of personnel from several nearby garrisons," Green pondered.

"The Wasteland Horses are very suitable for transporting and carrying goods. Those Sharp-Eye Eagles and Electric-Wing Falcons can also be used for reconnaissance and vigilance, helping to maintain safety within dozens of miles around the town."

"In that case, let's proceed with it." Tia blinked and then told Rachel that the area requiring vigilance would need to expand from now on.

"Sigh, Tia is giving me more work again." Rachel complained quietly.

"It's because you have too much free time now, isn't it?" the girl retorted.

"The area around the town is all wasteland. Monsters rarely attack here. Only when our supply convoys set out do they need protection."

"But daily patrols are also part of security. If no one patrols, many malicious intentions will quietly take root without us noticing." Rachel spoke her piece, hands on her hips.

"That makes some sense. But isn't this really just an excuse for you to be lazy?" Sylutia asked curiously.

"Ahem, what laziness? That's called resting, conserving energy, so that when facing unexpected situations, we can respond better~" Rachel wagged her finger.

"Alright. But now with the Sharp-Eye Eagles, your workload should be much lighter." Sylutia mentioned the War Beasts she had just brought.

The five of them chatted as they arrived at the town's council hall. The layout here was vastly different from half a year ago. Firstly, there was now a huge stone slab round table in the center. In the middle of the round table was a rough topographic model of the Darkmist Mountains. On one wall hung a wide, black beast pelt. The seat prepared for Sylutia in the center had a pure white stone base, adorned with light blue Cornflower carvings and dotted with sapphires.

Upon arriving here, Rachel clapped and called out to her companions.

"Welcome our little princess Tia home~"

As she finished speaking, a side door opened. One by one, familiar members walked in carrying candles, welcoming and congratulating Sylutia on her return.

"Welcome back, Senior Apprentice Sister Tia~"

"Welcome, Lady Tia~"

Some welcomed her, some greeted her with smiles. They placed the candles on candlesticks and tabletops, illuminating the entire room brightly. Then, they sat down in the council hall. The roughly two hundred people gathered here were essentially the earliest members of the town.

Faced with such a welcoming ceremony, Sylutia felt a little embarrassed, but a touch of emotion also welled up in her heart. Perhaps it was this long-lost warmth and liveliness that reminded her of the concept of 'home'.

Although they weren't related by blood, after two years of living together day and night, the bonds between them had become similar to those of family.

"Thank you, thank you, everyone." Sylutia bowed in thanks and then slowly took her seat.

Afterwards, everyone reported on the situation over the past six months. Sylutia listened to each one, nodding slightly, offering brief summaries and pointers.

By the time this meeting ended, several hours had passed.

At night, the town's Circular Restaurant once again became bustling and noisy. The place was brightly lit, with all sorts of delicious food served, allowing the garrison's apprentices and passing Travelers alike to enjoy a wonderful and memorable evening.

After the lively gathering ended, Sylutia, carrying her Lantern, returned to her bedroom. She bathed first, then, wearing her pajamas, sat down on her long-awaited warm wooden bed.

She wasn't sleepy yet. Leaning against the headboard, hands resting on the quilt, she closed her eyes and recalled the experiences of the past six months. It all felt somewhat unbelievable.

Dragon Bone, Vulture-Lion, Princess, Country, Queen, Kingdom's Grand Scholar, Acting Prime Minister... these once unfamiliar and distant terms popped into her mind one by one. She then carefully savored those memories.

In her recollections, a special, multicolored picture book appeared in the girl's hands. She slowly flipped through its pages. The images presented on them were vivid, their colors possessing a rare and wondrous beauty seldom seen in the world.

Her fingers gently stroked the pages. Looking at her own likeness in the different scenes, Sylutia slowly reviewed these pasts of hers. Though they were all different, they were all part of her.

Her fingers lifted slightly. Small, lifelike Cards appeared in her palm. Under the candlelight, Sylutia watched as these Cards floated before her and then landed on the paper pages, just like a certain game from her childhood.

These Cards arranged and combined freely on the pages, representing various characters. And she, as the fledgling little protagonist, moved among them, embarking on one magical and unknown adventure after another.

The orange-red candlelight flickered in her pupils along with her memories. A faint expression of nostalgia and happiness appeared on Sylutia's face.

And so, until very late, she reluctantly closed the picture book, pulled up the covers, leaned against the pillow, and fell asleep, continuing the unfinished journey in her dreams.