The Cornflower Witch Chapter 224

The second week of Dorothy’s arrival at Lantern Town, a violent gale swept over the southwest of Dark Mist Mountains, engulfing the entire wilderness.

In the strong wind, the doors and windows of the town’s buildings were tightly shut, and the sound of howling wind was everywhere. The number of patrolling members on the streets had decreased significantly, with most of them cowering indoors.

Inside the circular restaurant, bright flame candle lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space brightly. Some students were gathered around tables playing cards or chess, others were discussing newly learned topics, and some sat quietly in a corner reading books.

Outside, snow and wind danced, but inside, there was a warm and lively atmosphere.

Hylial sat in a private room on the second floor of the restaurant. A small stove burned in the room. Her legs, clad in black stockings, were tucked up as she sat cross-legged on the sofa, perusing the knowledge classics of the ‘Six-Point Glazed School.’ She was studying advanced glass forging techniques, occasionally sitting up to sip some brewed coffee before noting down key points and her own thoughts.

The room was somewhat quiet. The windows rattled slightly in the wind, and occasionally, the lively sounds from downstairs could be heard.

…

In the wilderness, more than twenty li outside the town, a four-person cavalry squad was struggling through the wind and snow. They could barely see anything ahead, and even the gaps in their helmets were covered with frost, blocking their narrow field of vision.

The captain leading the squad was a Third-Tier Knight. A faint white halo curtain emanated from his feet, expanding into a small circular wall that protected the three people behind him, shielding them from the erosion and assault of the wind and snow.

“We’re almost there. The new outpost ‘Lantern Town’ should be just ahead. We can rest there,” the captain encouraged his team members.

“Yes, sir.”

The group plunged back into the wind and snow, pressing on. They soon disappeared into the vast snowstorm, almost imperceptible.

That night, Hylial was sleeping in bed when she suddenly heard a knocking sound downstairs, and the bell at the door also rang.

She sat up from under the covers, grabbed a coat, wrapped it around herself, and then walked downstairs in her slippers.

Opening the door, she saw a few familiar patrolling members.

“Has something happened?” she knew that being called so late probably meant something was amiss.

“Yes, a few members from the deep outpost in the Dark Mist Mountains have just arrived. They are utterly exhausted, extremely weak and hungry, and they have very important news to report to you.”

“To me?” Hylial was a little surprised. Although she was the leader of the town, her strength and experience were still shallow. Usually, messengers from large outposts would only stop over in the town for transit and rarely sought her out specifically.

“I understand. Take me to them,” she tightened her coat with both hands and stepped out.

Passing through the wind-swept streets, Hylial arrived at the medical and recuperation manor. Here, two doctors were tending to the envoys in bed. One was a Third-Tier Knight, and the other three were Second-Tier Knight Attendants.

The knight’s condition was still manageable, but the remaining three were already unconscious. It seemed that making it to the town was their limit.

Approaching the knight, whose head was constantly drooping, he was clearly exhausted and worn out.

“I am Hylial. What seems to be the matter?” the girl asked him with a hint of curiosity.

Hearing the girl’s clear voice, he forced himself to look up. His vision was blurry, and the only impression in his mind was her captivating blue eyes.

‘So beautiful,’ he silently thought to himself. Then, remembering his mission, he began to tell Hylial about what had happened at Iron Wall Cliff. “My team and I might also have been infected and corroded. You must examine and deal with us carefully, and try to isolate us…” He felt his mind growing heavy, a feeling he had never experienced since reaching the Third Tier.

After listening to his description, Hylial observed his status.

Name: Zalia Todd

Race: Human (Bloodline Advanced)

Status: Sub-healthy (Exhausted)

Talents:

Cold Resistance [Excellent Grade]: A talent passed down through the bloodline, granting resistance to cold weather and better adaptation to harsh climates.

Fate Card: [The Lone Iron Knight] [Third-Tier – Castle]

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‘An extraordinary professional who has integrated knightly skills and abilities into their bloodline.’

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Effect [Bloodline Advanced]: As you step into the Third Tier, all your abilities receive a comprehensive boost, allowing you to bypass the effects of many low-tier abilities.

–

Effect [Cold Resistance Lv.5]: Immune to low and medium degrees of cold invasion, able to adapt to harsh low-temperature environments.

–

Class [Iron Knight Lv.5]: A mature class, mastering various combat techniques. (Steel Body – Blade Edge – Horseback Integration Lv.5)

Core Card: [Knight Who Practices the Path of Valor] [Castle]

‘You have single-handedly defeated seven opponents whose Aspect Tier was higher than yours and are considered a model of valor among knights.’

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Influence: [Valiant Knight], when fighting enemies alone, your reactive abilities are enhanced, your will is strengthened, and you gain resistance to various enemy abilities (moderate level). (Single-person combat enhancement +3, Will +2, all resistances +3)

Ability Cards:

[Wall Barrier Lv.6 (Castle)]: You can deploy an invisible light curtain barrier to block the influence of other Aspect abilities. (Maximum range 20 meters)

[Soldier Empowerment Lv.5 (Castle)]: You can empower twelve ‘First-Tier’ soldiers in your vicinity, temporarily elevating their Tier to ‘Second-Tier’ [Halberd Guard] or [Light Cavalry Escort].

[Sword of Amors Lv.5 (Castle)]: You can raise your greatsword, responding to your vows, to unleash a powerful Radiant Slash. (Usable once every three days)

————

‘Such powerful strength,’ Hylial mused silently, having analyzed his status.

This was the most powerful Third-Tier Transcendent she had ever seen. If this knight were to face the petrified lizard and giant spider she had previously encountered, it would be an effortless victory.

However, judging from his condition, he was severely tormented by the strange ‘gray mud.’ This enemy, rather than being an unconquerable monster, was more akin to some mutated virus or bacteria, making it impossible to fight directly, which was the cause of the crisis at Iron Wall Cliff outpost.

Considering the root cause and risks of the problem, Hylial had the area sealed off for now.

“Don’t go out for now, everyone stay here.” Her gaze swept over everyone present, a shimmering light flashing in her eyes.

Currently, not only was Iron Wall Cliff being corroded by the ‘gray mud,’ but even her own town might have been infiltrated. If not dealt with promptly, once it spread, she would be powerless to salvage the situation.

Although she didn’t understand what this ‘gray mud’ truly was, she could at least rely on her extraordinary observation skills to find traces and corners of its existence, preventing it from causing further harm.

“I need to purify everyone on site and the environment here.”

She spread her hands, and a faint silver glow outlined beautiful floral patterns behind the girl. One beautiful maiden closed her eyes, gently holding a water bottle with both hands. The bottle’s opening shimmered, and a faint silver halo of light poured out like water.

[Hylial’s Spring] (Luminous Moon)

Clear spring water infused with purifying power, capable of cleansing and washing away pollution caused by Aspects such as ‘Distortion’ and ‘Dead Ember.’

The members present watched in curiosity. They felt a faint mist envelop their bodies, pervading the room. Then, certain corners flickered slightly, and everything dispersed, returning to purity.