The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 204: Meeting Again

Vol 2 Chapter 204 Meeting Again

After helping Mursa refine the nation's administrative system, Sylutia counted the days, watching the approaching time.

"We're about to set off, Ya." Karen arrived at the foot of the high tower where Sylutia resided and gently knocked on the door.

"Wait a moment." The familiar response of a young girl came from within the tower.

About ten minutes later, accompanied by the sound of descending stairs, the closed door opened, revealing Sylutia, who had changed into a summer dress and a sun hat.

This was something Lady Franne had custom-made for her before. In these past few years, her figure hadn't changed much, and it still fit perfectly.

"Very beautiful, Ti Ya." Karen smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

Over these years, Karen had changed a great deal. Not only had her figure matured further, but her facial features had also become slightly more defined and sharp, giving off an air of a female general's heroic spirit. Today, she had taken off the engraved silver knight armor she usually wore and changed into lightweight ranger leather armor, resembling a mountain adventurer.

"Let's go, the carriage is already prepared for you." Karen spoke while leading the way ahead.

Nowadays, Karen was a young general of the new Regas, and a rare female general at that. She excelled in archery, reconnaissance, and mountain combat. She often led teams to patrol various parts of the new Regas, clearing out wild beasts and troublesome monsters, earning much praise and admiration. Together with Solyn, she was called the new rising twin stars of the military.Although there were many generals in Regas now, most were quite old, personnel left over from the former Reygas Duchy. It was foreseeable that in another ten years, most of them would retire, and by then, the military generals would all be knights who had trained and advanced after the establishment of the new Regas.

Getting into the carriage Karen had prepared, the small group of five or six people slowly drove out of the palace's side gate and entered the bustling streets of White Cliff City.

Along the way, Sylutia watched the scenery outside through the carriage curtains, relaxing her mind after this period of busyness. Later, the carriage left White Cliff City, and the two chatted by the carriage window.

"In these past two years, has Sister Karen returned to Scorchstone City?"

"I went back twice. Not much has changed there."

In this era similar to the Middle Ages, many cities might not undergo significant changes for a hundred years, especially places inhabited by long-lived species.

"Do you have any news about Komea and Mick?" Sylutia remembered the two familiar faces from before.

"Komea sent me a letter half a year ago, telling me roughly when she would return. As for Mick, I'm not sure." Karen shook her head.

Afterwards, the two talked a lot about the current state of the new Regas and some insights on the Path of the Knight.

Several days later, the group arrived at Scorchstone City. As they only wanted to reminisce on this trip, they kept a low profile and did not report to the city officials. The residents merely saw a carriage calmly driving in.

After arriving at the small house where Sylutia and Talier had once stayed temporarily, Karen and Ti Ya tidied up the room and settled in to sleep there again.

The next day, they found Ray at the city's blacksmith shop. This companion had grown even taller and larger now, currently sweating as he hammered by the anvil.

Upon seeing the two, he smiled honestly, rubbing his head, temporarily set down his work, washed his soot-blackened hands with water, and then led them to the quieter backyard.

"Karen, and Ti Ya, ma'am." He wasn't very good at socializing; after saying these two sentences, he didn't know what else to talk about.

"Ray is getting stronger and stronger." Karen looked up, comparing their heights, and praised with a smile.

Afterwards, the three sat at the stone table in the yard. Then, Ray, a bit slow on the uptake, brought a pitcher of water and poured some for the two.

Sylutia examined Ray's condition with a bit of curiosity and discovered that he had already advanced. He was now a 'Second Tier · Gold Steam' blacksmith. Although there was still a significant gap between him, her, and Karen, among his peers, Ray was quite outstanding, even exceeding the expectations the two had for him previously.

Then, Ray talked about his life and experiences over these years.

"After Ti Ya left, I went to Scorchstone City. The blacksmiths there are very skilled."

"There, I worked as an apprentice while learning to identify ores. Because of Instructor Heide's recommendation, the instructor didn't drive me away for being slow."

"But I still learned relatively slowly. It took over three years to gradually master the heat control, until I learned how to refine ore into metal ingots." He rubbed his head.

"Later, the instructor taught me how to forge iron and do metalworking."

"I really liked this. Picking up the hammer felt just like before, striking easily. I struck every day; I really liked the feeling of striking iron." As he spoke, he showed a simple, honest smile.

"The instructor first had me forge iron plates, then knives, and later swords. Slowly, I learned many things just by hammering away."

"So how did you finally advance?" Sylutia asked with some curiosity.

"That was two months ago. I remembered the time agreed upon with Mick and everyone was approaching, and I wanted to forge a good weapon to give to you all."

"I tried using black steel ingots I had saved up for a long time. Black steel ingots are very hard. When the temperature isn't high enough, they melt slowly and take a long time to work."

"I hammered for a long time, the strikes felt heavy, different from usual. The instructor said my method was clumsy, but it suited me, so I just kept going."

"After a month, I finally finished that greatsword. After it was made, the instructor looked at it and said I could graduate, then let me come back."

After speaking, Ray stood up, went to the back room, and retrieved that greatsword wrapped in oiled paper from a hidden cellar. Its color was black with a silvery sheen, and upon closer inspection, it had many delicate, folded patterns.

[Hundred-Forged Black Steel Greatsword] (Second Tier · Rare): Made from black steel, forged hundreds of times, impurities hammered out, structure densified, resulting in a greatsword of exceptional quality.

*(It represents a craftsman's painstaking effort and learned achievements, allowing it to condense the 'Gold Steam' Aspect.)

"A very beautiful blade. Ray must have put a lot of effort into it." Ya praised and applauded. Hearing her words, the tall young man opposite actually seemed a bit embarrassed.

"Actually, the instructor said my method was very clumsy."

"It's fine. This is your achievement. It won't be inferior just because the process was different." Sylutia shook her head, encouraging him.

"In the future, Ray will also forge more, even more amazing works."

After receiving this praise from the silver-haired girl, Ray finally gained some confidence and laughed happily.

This is so nice, Karen thought to herself, watching this scene.

Even though their statuses were now completely different, and there was a huge gap between her and everyone else, Ti Ya was still that Ti Ya, able to gently perceive others' difficulties and kindly treat her former companions.

The three continued to sit, chat, and laugh in this quiet backyard until night slowly fell.

Sylutia stayed in Scorchstone City for a few more days, tending to the sunflowers in Lady Franne's mansion, until one afternoon, accompanied by the sound of a carriage.

A familiar figure jumped down from the carriage. She carried a light suitcase, one hand lightly pressing down her flat-topped beret, looking up at the familiar gate.

The clear, crisp sound of an iron ring knocking rang out.

Soon, Sylutia walked out of the courtyard and saw the figure standing and waiting through the iron bars.

"Komea?" She called the other's name with some surprise.

The girl, who had grown much taller, raised her hand and waved at Ya inside, responding happily.

"Yes, yes, it's me, Komea. Ti Ya, open the door quickly, I'm back!" It was still that familiar, energetic voice. The girl with her hair cut into a bob showed a cheerful smile.