The Cornflower Witch Chapter 190

Spring passed and autumn came, and the wheat in the valley once again yielded a bountiful harvest.

Hylial directed the toads to harvest the ripe wheat, and based on quality, they were spread out and stacked to dry.

Standing in the granary, Hylial’s fingers sifted through the plump wheat grains, making calculations in her mind.

This time, the harvest was about 33,000 Jin (approx. 16,500 kg) of wheat, 3,000 Jin more than expected. This was likely due to her advancement and the improvement of her ‘Emerald Honey’ Aspect, coupled with her increasing proficiency.

In fact, for the past few months, her main energy hadn’t been focused on the valley. Instead, she had spent more time learning various kinds of knowledge and attempting to construct spell models.

After the harvest, in two months, she would be transferred from Glittering Gold Plain to another place. She wondered when she would be able to return here; a sudden reluctance began to settle in.

Although the place was simple and far less luxurious and comfortable than Madame Faran’s previous residence, it was, after all, her little home. She had her favorite stone house to sleep in, could watch the wheat fields below from the window, and in the afternoons, she could stroll and read in the small garden behind the house without worrying about being disturbed. Occasionally, she could also lie in a lounge chair, enjoying the breeze and taking a nap, which was very pleasant.

Pacing back and forth, Hylial walked through the valley fields. She thought of the two ponies in the stables and brought them out again, riding them and letting them run freely in the valley.

Her white skirt swayed with the horses’ hooves, and the wind, carrying the scent of distant lands, brushed through the strands of hair on her forehead.

They trotted down the slope and then galloped freely through the grass. The two ponies ran around instinctively, giving Hylial a lighthearted feeling.

After about an hour, the two little fellows finally seemed a bit tired and slowed down slightly.

Hylial caressed their necks and foreheads, and offered them carrots.

She gracefully dismounted and took another stroll around the valley. In the evening, she prepared a grand feast for the toads.

Tonight, besides alfalfa steamed buns, she also made some regular steamed buns. Although her craftsmanship was a bit unrefined and the buns looked a bit odd, they were passable and didn’t fall apart.

“Croak! Boss made delicious food again~”

“Croak, croak, yummy!”

“We get to eat steamed buns again tonight, croak.”

The toads gathered curiously around her, watching the young girl steam her food before settling by the fire to wait.

To be fair, these toads, despite their fear of fire, also enjoyed its warmth. They wanted to get close but dared not get too close. This habit occasionally amused Hylial.

“Just a moment, it’ll be ready soon,” she comforted the anxious, croaking toads, humming an unknown tune.

Hylial herself couldn’t recall where the melody came from; it was a purely unconscious hum. But it worked well, as the toads gradually quieted down as she hummed by the fire.

Ten minutes later, the steamed buns were ready. Hylial handed them out one by one to the toads as a reward for their cooperation over the past period.

Clutching the warm food, the toads happily devoured it, then sat by the fire to digest.

Perhaps because she was about to leave, Hylial didn’t send them back to their usual dwelling that night, but instead kept humming by the bonfire.

A little while later, feeling a bit tired, she thought that she should learn a simple musical instrument to express her surplus emotions.

However, she had been very busy lately, so it would probably have to wait for a time when she had more leisure.

At night, the toads were all asleep by the bonfire, but Hylial remained awake, slowly adding firewood and reminiscing about the past year and more.

She wondered how Talil and the others were doing in Burntstone City, whether Teacher Hyde was still in good health, and if Madame Faran was still in that mansion. Lost in thought, she recalled distant memories from her previous life.

Returning to Earth was probably very difficult, but since she was an alien who had descended, it meant that other different worlds did exist. If she became strong enough in the future, perhaps she could try to find her way home.

Speaking of home, she didn’t have the kind of obsessive longing that absolutely required her to return, but there was a faint, lingering attachment, like a game from childhood that she never finished. Playing it now might not bring the same excitement and joy as before, but playing it would nevertheless make up for that faint regret and satisfy a bit of that longing.

In this life, she wasn’t worried about her family. Given her mother’s strength, she probably had to worry more about herself and whether she could improve quickly enough to see them again.

Aster, Cornflower, Hour Lords of Spring—her family background in this life, after learning much secret history, she increasingly felt was extraordinary. A Seventh Rank being was not a simple existence; it was practically the peak of a continent, a figure who could influence the continental situation. And a Seventh Rank also meant the sublimation of life and a significant increase in lifespan.

Sometimes, when seeking to understand her origins, she would feel a strange apprehension, fearing that truly understanding her family background would mean she could no longer lead such a leisurely life, and would have to actually participate in complex power struggles.

But for now, she would let nature take its course.

…

Several days later, the harvested wheat was transported to Whitestone Stronghold. The fields in this valley were once again filled with alfalfa. Considering alfalfa to be excellent forage, Hylial brought thirty foals from the Holy White Knight Hall to raise in the valley, allowing them to graze freely and run around.

With these foals, the original two ponies gained many companions. However, the two original ponies were much larger than the newcomers and quickly became the leaders of the group, guiding them through the familiar valley and even teaching them to relieve themselves in designated areas, which greatly relieved Hylial.

Upon returning to Whitestone Stronghold, the two weapons Hylial had previously commissioned were finished and delivered to her.

“Here, try them out first and see if you need any adjustments,” the blacksmith uncle warmly greeted the young girl, handing her the two forged weapons.

One was a slender, dark golden long knife, its blade slightly curved. When Hylial gripped it, it flowed lightly and smoothly like a rushing stream as she twirled and swung it.

The other was a small dagger. The black goat horn hilt felt warm in the hand, but the dark bite marks and the connection to the blade exuded a hint of darkness, making it seem mysterious.

[Black Dream Dagger] (Tier 2, Rare): A dagger with magic-breaking properties. When it stabs an enemy, it delivers an unexpected fear-inducing shock, destroying their will to resist. (Magic Breaking +3, Sharpness +1, Fear +3)

[Glimmergold Blade] (Tier 2, Rare): A long knife forged from glimmergold, exceptionally sharp, comfortable to wield, and possessing magic-breaking properties. (Sharpness +3, Magic Breaking +2)

After receiving the two weapons, Hylial thanked the blacksmith uncle and then paid the remaining 100 Gold Coins.

Seeing that Hylial didn’t want to carry both weapons, the blacksmith thought for a moment and then told her the location of a tailor’s shop, suggesting she go there to have straps custom-made.

“If you don’t mind, you can have a dagger strap made on the thigh inside your skirt, which would be quite convenient.”

“As for the long knife, it can be worn normally at your waist.”

“Okay, I’ll go take a look.” Hylial thanked him and, after some thought, realized she indeed needed a way to carry her weapons. So, she headed to the tailor shop the blacksmith uncle recommended.

After Hylial explained her purpose, the tailor aunt in the shop said it was very simple and would only cost three Gold Coins.

About twenty minutes later, the aunt had already sewn the straps to Hylial’s measurements and helped her adjust them.

“There, now if you put your skirt down, no one will see it, hehe.”

“Girls need to protect themselves when they’re out and about. It’s always good to have an unexpected weapon.”

After acquiring these items, Hylial went to the Association and mentioned commissioning a set of protective armor. This was a reward she had received for her ‘Excellent’ evaluation, which she hadn’t claimed yet.

“We understand. However, Master Tristan, the ‘Forge Master’ of the city, has already given instructions on this matter. You can seek him directly; he is the Guildmaster of the ‘Hammer of Forged Gold’ and currently the strongest blacksmith in the city.”

“With Master Tristan, he will surely custom-forge the most suitable armor for you.”

Tristan… Hylial silently repeated the name, suddenly recalling the towering figure she had seen on the top floor of the tower that day. His physique was like bronze casting, solid as metal and stone.

She hadn’t expected these important figures to value her so much, giving Hylial a feeling of being overwhelmed by their kindness.

_Oh well, I’ll go see him first._ she thought. _In any case, having good equipment is always safer. And who knows where the next outpost will be? According to the intelligence I’ve gathered recently, it’s very likely to be a dangerous border area._

According to the Woodland Association’s current strategy, it was to let the current students gain experience and grow as much as possible. It was unlikely she would be transferred to a safe rear area again.