The Cornflower Witch Chapter 280

“Lady Tiya.”

The scholar in the crowd was calmer and more rational. He walked up to the young girl.

“What is it, Mr. Derek?” Sylphidya remembered the scholar she had saved.

Derek was slightly taken aback when the young girl called out his name, then he spoke.

“Now that the Hundred-Eyed Cult problem is resolved and most of the Anti Kingdom’s army has scattered, it’s an extremely rare opportunity. I wonder what your thoughts and plans are for the future of this land?”

Thoughts? Sylphidya pondered the question.

She had once lived in a modern information society, and naturally preferred modern civilized social systems. However, the overall cognition, technology, productivity, and ideological understanding required for such a system were not present in Regas at this time. Rushing to implement an overly advanced system would only lead to maladjustment and failure to implement.

One step at a time.

“Regarding the future of Regas, I will discuss it with everyone.” Seeing that the young girl had already realized this problem, Derek felt relieved.

“Where is Katchis now, do you know?” If this Anti general were to escape, he would probably be able to gather many Anti troops again and cause trouble for Regas.

“We captured the unconscious Katchis, and he is being escorted here.”

Soon, the disheveled Anti general was brought over, tied up and with several sachets of ‘burning silver powder’ strapped to him.

“What is this?”

Sylphidya wondered why these things were tied to him. She remembered that burning silver powder, once ignited, reached extremely high temperatures and was an advanced version of ‘red snow powder’.

“Ahem, my lady, these are things I prepared,” Derek explained from the side.

“Because none of us are as strong as Katchis, if he woke up and escaped or attacked, we wouldn’t be able to resist at all. So we tied these things to him.”

“As long as I activate my ability, I can ignite these powders, and they will react with the other things tied to him, causing an explosion. This way, Katchis will die instantly if he tries to resist or struggle.”

“Okay.” Sylphidya’s mouth slightly opened, then she nodded.

“But now that I’m back, he shouldn’t be able to resist. Let’s remove these things first, otherwise, it’s too dangerous.”

“Yes.”

Over the next two days, Sylphidya gathered representatives from the various towns in the southern part of Regas, and then, accompanied by Princess Masha, discussed the future construction of the Regas Kingdom with them.

Many acknowledged and missed King Regard, the ‘Knight King’ and pioneer of the forest country. Everyone still agreed to use the name Regas, believing it would better unite the people.

However, many were disappointed with the last Regas royal family, especially Prince Jabbers’ series of actions, which tarnished the glory of the Knight King’s descendants. Many hoped that Sylphidya would become the future ruler of the kingdom.

“Lady Tiya becoming the new queen is the best choice.” Many nodded in agreement.

“No, I like everyone and this land very much, but I prefer a freer life and have other things to do, so I’m probably not suitable to be your queen.” The cute and graceful girl sat at the head of the table, shaking her head.

Sylphidya then proposed that Princess Masha replace her as the future spiritual symbol and leader of a unified Regas, but this idea was still not accepted by many.

“Although Princess Masha is a legitimate royal descendant, a descendant of Knight King Regard, Princess Masha is too gentle and may not be able to bear the expectations of the people.” This was not a time of peace, and the conflict between Regas and Anti was still ongoing. Everyone yearned for a strong monarch to lead them out of their difficulties.

The meeting debated for a long time. Although Sylphidya was not keen on becoming queen, after the previous war, the surrender of many nobles, and Prince Jabbers’ disappointing actions, no one else had enough prestige and influence to become a leader collectively recognized by the people of Regas.

Although Princess Masha was the best choice other than Sylphidya, she still found it difficult to gain everyone’s approval. Especially the townspeople who had experienced war desperately needed and yearned for a strong monarch to bring them peace of mind.

“I know everyone expects me to take that position, but I still need to explain the situation.” Sylphidya raised her finger, her eyes blinking as she explained.

“All of us gathered here are residents of southern Regas. You’ve met me, and you know me, so you recognize me. But what about the other residents within Regas, what about their thoughts?” “Most of the residents of Regas outside the southern borders, especially those from the former White Cliff City, I believe they would still recognize the Regas royal family more.” Sylphidya directed everyone’s attention to Princess Masha beside her.

The princess, with her golden hair and black dress, now sat gracefully, displaying impeccable poise and a regal demeanor befitting her royal title.

Under Sylphidya’s continuous suggestions and guidance, everyone finally reluctantly agreed to Princess Masha becoming the next queen. However, they still proposed that Sylphidya become the Chief Knight and Prime Minister of Regas to handle the kingdom’s affairs on behalf of Princess Masha.

Princess Masha had no objections to this, and even agreed wholeheartedly.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble and delay Sylphidya for a while.” She knew that this girl couldn’t be held back forever, and yet, she was filled with inexpressible emotions: admiration, adoration, gratitude, and love, all swirling in her heart.

If Sylphidya were a boy, she could have married him directly. Even if Sylphidya didn’t want to be confined to this country forever, she could still have a child with him, which would perfectly meet everyone’s needs and expectations.

Princess Masha shook her head slightly at the thought, sighing that Tiya was also a girl, and a girl whose beauty and temperament were no less than her own.

Over the next month, the newly organized army in southern Regas, led by Sylphidya and under the banner of Princess Masha, easily reclaimed other territories, encountering little organized resistance.

Firstly, the Anti garrisons were not strong to begin with, mostly consisting of third-line troops conscripted within the Anti Kingdom.

Secondly, Katchis’s overwhelming defeat demoralized many Anti people, who reasoned that if such powerful royal elites were defeated, their own surrender was perfectly understandable.

Thirdly, the reputation of the Gryphon was widespread. The Gryphon’s charge that night shocked all of Regas, and many witnessed the scene firsthand. Upon learning that Princess Masha had summoned the Gryphon, many Regas people believed that the restoration of Regas was inevitable. Various resistances began to emerge, making Anti’s rule precarious.

Under multiple overlapping conditions and circumstances, the Anti garrisons quickly crumbled and retreated, eventually mostly fleeing to White Cliff City to hold out.

That was the former capital, and currently the most heavily garrisoned area for Anti troops within Regas, governed by a branch of the current Anti Kingdom’s royal family.

With the ‘Seven-Colored Picture Book,’ Sylphidya could easily switch aspects and classes. In these two months, she learned a great deal of combat techniques and knowledge, which she put into practice. The Knightly Path under her ‘Castle’ aspect became increasingly proficient in her hands, and her various combat abilities rapidly improved.

As her reputation spread and the territory of New Regas expanded, she, as a high-ranking official second only to Princess Masha, received immense blessings from the ‘Castle’ aspect and broke through to ‘Tier 4 Castle’ in battle.

No wonder so many nobles were keen on power and territory; the ‘Royal Sealing Academy’ path to advancing in tiers was truly fast and effortless.

Standing on horseback before White Cliff City, Sylphidya couldn’t help but sigh.

It had taken her over four years to reach ‘Tier 3 Verdant Dew’ in her ‘Jade Honey’ gardening path. Yet, in just a few months of practicing and mastering the ‘Castle’ Knightly Path, she had already broken through to Tier 4. This disparity was truly unsettling.

Of course, this kind of advancement was not without risks and drawbacks. It meant that her rank and status were highly bound. If New Regas were to decline or be conquered, the ranks of the nobles and royal family of New Regas would rapidly plummet. Furthermore, the ‘Castle’ aspect’s abilities were not very versatile or expandable, and the usable skills were relatively limited.

After her sigh, the young girl, donned in armor carved with floral patterns, raised her hand. A group of brand-new knights stepped forward, all clad in engraved silver armor, with a ‘Gryphon’ crest on their chests and feathers on their helmets matching the azure color of the Gryphon.

This was the knighthood of the New Regas Kingdom, named the ‘Gryphon Knights.’ Most of these knights had only advanced less than two weeks ago, and their ranks were bestowed by Sylphidya.

This battle for White Cliff City would be their first battle as knights, and the first appearance of the ‘Gryphon Knights’ since their establishment.

Facing the knightly curtain rising outside the city walls, the gates of White Cliff City slowly opened, and Prince Fierce of the Anti Royal Family, leading a group of knights, also slowly stepped out.

Dark red flags fluttered, and heavily armed Anti soldiers, brandishing long halberds, followed them out. In contrast, the New Regas army on the plains outside the city had much simpler and less ornate armor and weapons.

“They only have ten thousand men, while we have thirty thousand brave warriors! Charge with me and crush them!” Prince Fierce raised his knight’s sword and shouted from horseback at the front of the formation. As he passed through the Anti soldiers’ ranks, a chorus of cheers erupted, punctuated by the clanging of weapons.

Subsequently, this Anti army, three times the size of New Regas, slowly advanced, pressing towards the enemy formation.

Prince Fierce and his knights remained within the formation, not charging recklessly. Instead, they intended to rely on their superior numbers to slowly and steadily crush the enemy.

The great battle to determine the fate of New Regas thus began.