The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 203: The Shining Morning Star

Vol 2 Chapter 203 The Shining Morning Star

“Tia, this trip to the Mage Alliance might take years. If there’s anything you want to do, try to get it done within the next three months.”

Since that gathering of the new generation, Sylutia’s reputation spread quickly through the Hidden Grove Alliance. After calming the crowd’s emotional outburst, she had a few quiet days to rest, and now senior members of the alliance were offering advice.

“Anything I want to do?” She tilted her head, thinking, then suddenly realized it had been exactly five years since she joined the Hidden Grove Alliance.

Time had flown, and she should go to Scorchstone City to keep her appointment, to see how the companions she had been separated from for five years were doing now.

Still, she felt her current identity would probably make it hard for her old friends to treat her with simple ease, especially after new Regas was formed.

The girl propped her cheek with a finger, pondering how to meet her old friends.

…

Two weeks later, a carriage slowly entered White Cliff City.

In the palace at night, Sylutia and Mursa sat facing each other. Sylutia wore a pristine, slightly elaborate dress, while Mursa wore a deep-blue court gown accented with black ribbons.“It’s been two years, Tia. You finally came to see me.” Mursa stood, pouring steaming black tea for Sylutia, her words tinged with a coquettish complaint.

It was hard to imagine this was usually the dignified Queen Mursa, but given her youth, such behavior was understandable.

“I had no choice, Mursa. Coming and going from the Shadow World isn’t exactly easy.” Sylutia had to explain, offering a bit of reassurance.

They then talked about recent developments.

“How is new Regas doing? Is governance going smoothly?”

“Not smoothly yet. I found there’s still so much I have to learn.” Mursa shook her head slightly, brushing golden hair from her chest as she spoke in detail.

“First, many cities’ economies are hard to sustain, and expenses for patrol teams, officials, guards, and some institutions must be paid regularly.”

“Second, food production is uneven. The nation’s main granaries are on several plains and river valleys. Mountainous and other remote regions rely on merchant caravans for supplies, and caravan transport requires attention to safety. If we don’t periodically clear wild beasts and advanced creatures from the routes, escort costs soar, causing runaway prices in outlying areas.”

“Also, I don’t really know how to keep the bureaucracy honest. Over the past two years, I received many complaint letters reporting serious corruption—officials extorting taxes recklessly and so on.” She sighed.

“Economy, security, corruption—those are the three hardest problems. There are smaller issues too, but they aren’t as influential.”

Having listened to Mursa’s account, Sylutia nodded slightly.

“You’ve worked hard. Solving those problems indeed takes a lot of effort.”

“I happen to have some free time right now, so I’ll stay and help you think through solutions.” After all, she was the one who helped Mursa ascend to the throne; she couldn’t just abandon her.

“Really? Tia, are you really going to stay and help me?” Mursa sounded surprised.

To her, Sylutia should be an elite of the Hidden Grove Alliance with many responsibilities, whether alliance duties or self-improvement. Where would she find time to stay long in the palace and handle messy state affairs?

“Of course. But I probably can’t stay too long—three months at most.” Sylutia considered and replied.

“Three months…” Mursa was slightly disappointed, but three months with Tia sounded quite good.

“Then I’ll be counting on you during that time.” Mursa stood again and bowed, thanking the young woman.

“Why the sudden bow?” Tia helped Mursa to her feet, feeling her friend was already queen and didn’t need to be so formal.

Mursa didn’t mind; after all, it was Sylutia who had placed her on the throne.

Over the next two-plus months, Sylutia accompanied Mursa in summoning ministers and the power-holding city lords scattered across the realm. With the girl’s special methods, many corrupt officials were identified, tried, and removed from office, replaced with more competent and responsible people.

The department formerly tasked with hunting cult members was restructured into an agency that monitors officials. Considering many personnel had ties to the Hundred-Eyes Sect, and that the techniques and secret arts they used originated there, the new organization was named the “Sanctum of the Sacred Eye.”

From now on, all Sanctum of the Sacred Eye personnel would receive Sylutia’s instruction and be taught techniques for recording images and verifying authenticity.

Inside the cool marble building, members in white robes holding grimoires stood and listened as the girl on the dais taught the secret arts of the alien star.

She raised her hand, and a card engraved with twin-eye motifs manifested behind her.

[Eye of Truth] (alien star)

Lv.1-Lv.2: Can notice subtle contrasting details, discover hidden clues

Lv.3-Lv.4: Can discern various details and disguised illusions, discover hidden clues

Lv.5-Lv.6: Can discern various details and disguised illusions, discover hidden clues, and synchronize the scene before you for transmission

After the starlit card appeared, it transformed into many scattered meteors that imprinted into the Fate Plates of those present, allowing them to learn this ability directly and gradually familiarize themselves with and raise the skill’s rank.

“This ability will let you easily monitor conditions across the land, and transmit observed intelligence back to headquarters in the rear through special means, so you can obtain support and authorization in time.”

“I believe you will use this ability well to fulfill your mission.” As she spoke, Sylutia’s gaze swept slowly across the audience.

Compared to her usual shy quiet at gatherings, at this moment her pupils were bright. Those eyes, filled with a thousand stars, seemed to see through everyone’s thoughts, inspiring awe and causing them to straighten.

“Yes!”

Each of them had been carefully selected by Sylutia to ensure they wouldn’t easily become corrupt. Still, to guard against the unexpected, she planted a seed of reverence in their hearts so they would remember their duty.

After the group had pledged their vows and missions, Sylutia felt a little more at ease and her voice softened.

“This concerns whether the entire nation can develop steadily and maintain justice and prosperity. I know how difficult it is to sustain people’s hearts, but I hope you can preserve as much light in this country as possible. Your victories are the nation’s victories, your glory is Regas’ glory.”

“History will remember your resolve and contributions, so I entrust this to you.” She folded her hands gently in front and saluted those who would guard the night.

The hall grew very quiet. The crowd watched the flawless figure on the dais bow, and a faint emotion passed through their chests.

Most of them had lived ordinary, muddled lives, but in this moment they glimpsed a more sacred path. Like people walking in darkness seeing the rising morning star for the first time.

Not blazing, not dazzling, but shining with beautiful light, like a sun not yet in full bloom.