The Cornflower Witch Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Castle · School of Monarchy

In the village square, the cavalry captain, who had just led his men in, turned his horse around and engaged the giant wolf with his broadsword. Although his strike drew a trickle of blood from the wolf’s mouth, it didn’t truly injure it. Instead, the captain was knocked off his horse due to wielding the sword with one hand. If he hadn’t been experienced enough to roll away in time, he would likely have been torn apart by the giant wolf’s claws.

Gasping for breath, he scrambled out of the giant wolf’s attack range, gripping his broadsword with both hands. He regulated his breathing, his eyes fixed on the giant wolf five meters away, his expression tense. A few drops of blood fell from his reddish-brown beard.

At this moment, the crimson giant wolf was in no hurry to pursue. Instead, it stepped on the warhorse the cavalry captain had just ridden, tore open its neck with a bite, and then bit the horse’s head. The crunching sound of bones breaking in its blood-soaked maw sent chills down the spines of everyone present, filling them with dread.

“Hoo… hoo… hoo…” Shaking almost uncontrollably, the cavalry captain regulated his breathing, his feet slowly shifting, searching for a position to exert force.

As he tensely reacted, battles were also raging in other parts of the square. The Orange-Red Teewolves that had stormed in with the giant wolf bit anyone they encountered, fighting against the personnel defending the square.

The strength of these Teewolves varied. Some only had orange-red fur and were not much stronger than ordinary wild wolves, while others could easily knock a person down and tear open an enemy’s throat with their sharp teeth and claws. Out of fear and respect for their leader, they did not rashly intervene in the standoff at the very center of the square, but instead fought around the bonfires and other personnel.

…

The scene was a chaotic mess. Hylial was pulled by Talil, stumbling and running towards a distant stone building. It was square, looking like a fortress.

“Finally here.”

Talil pulled open the half-open thick wooden door, led Hylial inside, then closed the door and secured it with a wooden bar, finally leaning against the wall, catching her breath.

Hylial looked around with a slight curiosity. There was an old wooden table and two chairs, some straw on the floor, and some dusty miscellaneous items piled in the corner.

Seeing the girl’s curiosity, Talil explained, “This is for defense. There’s a small opening over there where you can shoot arrows, but I don’t have my bow and arrows right now, so it’s no use.”

“Is it always this dangerous here? I see that giant wolf is very difficult to deal with,” Hylial asked.

“No, usually only the late Aurora Wind Season and the Blazing Wind Season are very dangerous. During this period, many wild beasts acquire powers and become fierce and powerful.”

“Aurora Wind Season, Blazing Wind Season?” Hylial blinked, repeating the two words.

“You don’t even know this?” Talil looked at the girl’s expression a little strangely, but still couldn’t help but answer.

“The Aurora Wind Season, the Blazing Wind Season, the Misty Season, the Trade Wind Season, these are the four great wind seasons. Each season lasts over a decade, and conditions vary from place to place, but overall it’s a fifty-four-year cycle.”

As Talil answered, a familiar feeling appeared in Hylial’s mind, and then she continued, “During the Aurora Wind Season, because all things grow and animals reproduce in large numbers, more and stronger beasts are born, so the wild becomes dangerous. And by the Blazing Wind Season, the ‘Blazing Sun’ aspect weakens, plant growth slows down, herbivorous animals decrease, and many beasts become even more ferocious due to hunger.”

“Mmm, it seems you do know,” Talil nodded with satisfaction.

“But that’s knowledge you’ve learned from books, you probably rarely go into the wild. Actually, in the first few years of the Blazing Wind Season, because the continent sinks into the clouds, the rainfall is exceptionally abundant. At this time, there’s also plenty of food, so the beasts actually have a brief period of peace, and frogs reproduce in large quantities during this season.”

“Hehe, I know a lot, don’t I?” Seeing Hylial listening intently, Talil felt very pleased.

“Did you go to school?” Hylial became interested.

“Not really. Reading and writing are too much trouble, but my sister is very studious. She used to study in the city, and sometimes when she came back, she’d drag me along and tell me what she learned. I got tired of listening, but I did remember some things.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“By the way, where are you from? I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you before. Are all nobles this pretty? Is it true that not basking in the sun can make you fairer, and your hair can turn snow-white? Also, how old are you?” Talil finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity and asked a string of questions.

“Where I come from, I can’t say for sure right now,” the girl replied, pressing her chin lightly with a finger and shaking her head. “Because of some accident, I can’t remember some things.”

“Nobles, because they do less manual labor and have money for maintenance, probably look a bit prettier, but it’s not absolute. As for not basking in the sun, it can indeed make you a bit fairer, but it can’t change your skin color, and the color of your hair cannot be changed by not basking in the sun. Regarding age, I should be about the same as you.” Her memory was exceptionally good now, and even though Talil asked many questions in a row, she could answer each one clearly and logically.

“Wow, is that true?” Talil felt inexplicably happy after Hylial’s reply. The other person actually listened carefully to every word she said and patiently answered. The last time she felt this way was with her sister. Other adults always got impatient with her various strange questions.

“So, are you looking for a way home now?” Talil looked up and down at the silver-haired girl, trying to guess her origin from the style of her clothes.

“Yes.” However, her ‘home’ would probably be across worlds, the girl thought to herself.

“Hmm… I think Grandpa Pound should be able to help you.” She held her chin, recalling people she knew.

“Who is he?”

“He’s my sister’s teacher, a scholar in Burntstone City. They say he used to be an advisor to a noble, but now he’s very old and lives alone in a small house in the city.”

“Let me tell you, Grandpa Pound isn’t just any ordinary teacher. He has taken the ‘Candlefort School’ certification and is a scholar with a ‘Bronze Book Crest’.”

Candlefort School… The girl repeated the words to herself. It sounded a little familiar, and a vague sense of familiarity surfaced.

“If there’s an opportunity, I’ll pay a visit.” She currently needed to understand all aspects of this world, and if she could find a knowledgeable teacher, that would be even better.

As the two talked, their relationship gradually became more familiar, until a shout and a collapse from outside shifted their attention.

Huddled at the small, closed window, Talil pulled open the latch and carefully observed the situation outside. Hylial followed closely behind her, looking out.

A blazing fire spread across the square. Many of the previous combatants lay fallen, but there were even more wolf corpses on the ground. Now, apart from the crimson giant wolf, only a few stray Teewolves were still roving and fighting. The cavalry captain was now covered in blood, his tunic torn, and a long gash ripped in the chainmail underneath. Dark red blood dripped continuously, one arm hung limply, seemingly broken, while the other barely clutched his sword hilt.

The remaining cavalry and villagers were still confronting the giant wolf. The crimson giant wolf also had a fair amount of blood on its body, one eye closed, dripping thick black blood, faintly steaming on the ground.

Under normal circumstances, this injured beast would have fled long ago, but influenced by the ‘Blazing Sun’ aspect, the giant wolf was arrogant and now even more ferocious due to its injury. In its judgment, the few remaining soldiers before it were also extremely weak, and it only needed a few more attacks to kill them all.

Under the dual stimulation of appetite and bloodlust, the crimson giant wolf growled, slowly shifting its stance in the firelight. Even when it occasionally stepped on hot coals, it showed no fear. Its strength had indeed diminished, but it was now more cunning and dangerous.

The situation was dire. If that cavalry captain fell, things would take a sharp turn for the worse. The girl frowned slightly, a wave of worry rising within her.

Unfortunately, besides her advantage in identification, she had no other abilities. Even if she rushed out, she wouldn’t be able to help much. This situation ignited a strong desire within her to gain power.

She secretly resolved that during this time, she must find an opportunity to learn a skill for self-preservation.

“Almost…” Talil’s eyes were fixed on the stone platform at the side of the square, murmuring softly.

“What’s almost here?” Hylial asked, puzzled.

“I can’t explain it clearly. Look over there, you’ll know in a moment.” Talil pointed outside the square, where several people were climbing onto the stone platform, then dipping their hands in lime and smearing something on it.

“Is it ready yet!” In the square, the injured cavalry captain urgently shouted again.

Seconds later, a joyful voice rang out in the night, “Yes, it’s ready!”

Although there was no change in the eyes of others, in Hylial’s eyes, the stone platform此刻 radiated a transparent, grayish-white ripple. And not only here, but there seemed to be other stone platforms in the village. The ripples from a total of six stone platforms collided with each other, finally converging in the center of the square. A peculiar force field then emerged, covering and spreading throughout the entire village.

[School of Monarchy · Protection of the Six Stone Towers] (Castle)

‘A classic ritual array of the School of Monarchy, capable of suppressing the power of other aspects within the boundary area except for the “Castle” aspect, and slightly enhancing the abilities of the “Castle” School.’

As the grayish-white ripples spread, the crimson giant wolf’s fur in the square became a few shades darker. In the girl’s eyes, its scorching hot blood had cooled down considerably, and the aura and oppressive feeling emanating from its body immediately diminished by a third.

Her gaze shifted to the cavalry captain. His condition seemed to have improved now; his gaze had once again become firm, and even his breathing had stabilized somewhat.

Name: Unknown (Cavalry Captain)

Race: Human (Mortal Body)

Status: Injured (Two fractures, three wounds)

Talent: Toughness [Good]: Your body is inherently two points tougher than ordinary people, but do not rely too much on this talent, as it is not strong and may lead to your demise due to carelessness.

Fate Card: [Iron-Armored Guard (Bestowed)] (Tier 1 – Castle); The grey stone border is like a standard cuboid. Inside the card, a soldier in chainmail stands with a sword, his figure tall and stance standard, a look of pride on his face.

‘You have been enfeoffed by Baron Hawlin to be his loyal guard, thus acquiring the ‘Castle’ aspect profession – Iron-Armored Guard.’

Effects:

[Iron Armor Protection Lv.2]: Makes your iron armor stronger and more durable, making it difficult for ordinary weapons to penetrate, and slightly reducing impact force and distributing damage.

Ability Card:

[Steel Edge Blade Lv.2 (Bestowed)] (Castle): Temporarily gives your weapon the strength of steel and increases its sharpness, allowing it to penetrate weak defensive barriers.

[Breathing Technique Lv.2] (Blood Discipline): Regulates blood flow speed through breathing, and drives and enhances overall body strength and reaction speed. This ability places demands on the heart and body, and cannot be used for extended periods (recommended not to exceed 3 minutes/day).

After gaining a brief advantage, the cavalry captain immediately commanded loudly, urging the remaining villagers and his cavalrymen to constantly distract the giant wolf. While these individuals shot arrows, clanked weapons, and struck shields to attract the giant wolf, he gripped his broadsword, looking for an opportunity, constantly maneuvering. After several such turns, he lunged forward, thrusting the sharp blade directly into the giant wolf’s jaw, piercing through flesh and entering its mouth.

The intense pain caused the crimson giant wolf to frantically jump and struggle, and its wild strength caused the cavalry captain’s subsequent plan for a finishing blow to fail. Perhaps truly sensing the threat of death at this moment, the giant wolf no longer desired to fight, but rather dragged the broadsword embedded in its jaw and bolted into the night.

Blood dripped along its path, but the giant wolf moved like the wind, disappearing into the darkness in an instant. At present, no one could match its speed, and the few remaining warhorses, either wounded or fled to the village’s edge, were of no use now.

“Damn it!” Spitting out a mouthful of blood, the cavalry captain could only watch in anger as the giant wolf escaped into the night and disappeared.

Without the fierce crimson giant wolf, the remaining Teewolves also saw the unfavorable situation and prepared to escape, but their speed was not that fast. The cavalry captain, still fuming, once again used his ‘Breathing Technique’. His face suddenly flushed red, and then he sped up, chasing after these Teewolves. In a short while, several blood-stained wolf heads flew into the air, rolling into the weeds and mud.

“Hoo—” A long exhalation of hot air escaped his mouth. At this point, the cavalry captain could no longer hold on. The side effects of using the Breathing Technique began to take their toll, and a tidal wave of soreness surged throughout his body, making him almost unable to stand steadily.

“Captain!” A cavalryman quickly helped him up, then shouted for someone to find a doctor.

“Hurry up and call for help, there are still many people injured here. If we can’t stop the bleeding in time, many will probably die.” The bite force of ordinary Teewolves is not strong; unless they strike the throat, they won’t cause immediate death.

Upon hearing this, the remaining villagers also ran to the village, calling for people to come and help.

…

The night was bustling. Many pine resin torches and makeshift braziers were set up in the square. Seeing that the battle had ended, the villagers who had rushed over began to tend to the injured, while others finished off the Teewolves that were not yet dead.

“How many people died?” The village chief, looking weary, walked out of his house and asked with some suppression.

“I don’t know, at least five or six. Some are still being rescued. If they don’t make it through the night, I’m afraid…” A sturdy villager answered beside him, his expression not looking well either.

“This Teewolf Festival is exceptionally perilous,” said Van der Heath, the merchant who had been hiding earlier, as he slowly approached. He was closely followed by two mercenary guards, both wearing full chainmail, helmets, and shields, the strongest in the caravan.

“Hmph.”

Seeing Van der Heath only appearing now, the village chief’s face was displeased. He knew that this person must have found a safe place to hide from afar earlier. If he had committed all his guards to the defense, the village’s losses could have been significantly reduced.

“Hehe, Old Man Pound~” Van der Heath knew his actions earlier might have caused dissatisfaction, but he certainly wouldn’t put his own safety second. At this moment, he could only greet him with a smile, trying to ease the tension.

“The village has indeed suffered unexpected losses this time. As an old friend of Linden Village, I should do my part to help. How about this, I’ll give you an 80% discount on this batch of goods, no, a 70% discount!” He made a pained gesture.

The village chief did not answer, but merely shook his head and turned to look at the injured being rescued.

“How is Lord Frien?” He approached the injured cavalry captain. So, this man’s name was Frien.

“I won’t die yet,” he said, gnashing his teeth, as a teammate wiped the long gash on his chest, revealing swirling black and fresh red flesh, quite alarming.

The village chief didn’t object. He glanced at the wound and nodded slightly. He had been an adventurer in his youth and knew that despite how frightening the injury looked, it wasn’t a major problem.

“That sets my mind at ease.” If this capable captain under Baron Hawlin were to die here, he would have a massive headache and an unpleasant time explaining it to the Baron.

“How are the other members?” Only then did he have the leisure to observe the other members of the cavalry. Many of them were wounded; although they wore leather or chainmail armor, they had experienced much more intense combat than the villagers, and their casualties were also more severe.

“Four were lost on the way, and three more died now. Several others are still unconscious, and their condition is unpredictable,” Frien shook his head, his mood low.

Many of these men were trained by his own hand, just like his nephews, so he naturally felt sad.

Just as the two were discussing how to handle the aftermath, two figures walked through the firelight of the square.

“Grandpa, Miss Lia says she might be able to help.” Talil led Hylial over, constantly glancing at the wolf corpses on the ground, a mixture of fear and excitement in her eyes.

Thus, Hylial once again stood before the village chief. The appearance of this silver-haired girl also surprised Frien, who had no idea such a person was hidden in the village.

After a brief introduction, he understood the girl’s situation. There was no time for detailed discussion now; he only hoped this girl could find a way to save his men.

“I know some ways to clean wounds, and I can stitch up simpler injuries.” She had learned a bit of needlework from her grandmother when she was young, and during university, she had also been trained in first aid knowledge.

Perhaps these things are quite common knowledge on Earth, but the villagers’ methods of rescue here were too crude, so much so that she couldn’t bear to watch, which is why she offered help.

This might also help build some rapport, as she would need the help of the locals for many things in the future. Once she made up her mind, she and Talil walked over.

The village chief and Frien were half-believing, half-doubting the girl’s words, but they still let her try. The subsequent process indeed showed that the girl’s methods were effective, putting their minds at ease.

…

With her fingers in the warm clear water, Hylial deftly cleaned the dirt and blood from the wounds, reset some broken and displaced bones, then carefully bandaged and splinted them. Talil stood by, assisting her, helping to hold down the injured or secure the splints.

Their coordination, initially clumsy, grew increasingly skilled. They worked methodically until late into the night when the rescue work was finally completed.

Dipping her fingers into the warm clear water to wash them, then draining them, Hylial finally had the leisure to carefully wipe the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.

“No, don’t wipe sweat with clothes like that, use this,” Talil offered a clean cotton cloth.

“Thank you.” Hylial wiped her face, then put down the cotton cloth, and suddenly thought of something.

“Cotton cloth must be quite valuable, right?” She noticed that most of the villagers wore linen, and only a few wore woolen sweaters.

“It’s quite expensive. My sister brought this for me from the city before,” Talil replied.

“But wiping your sweat is absolutely worth it.” She looked carefully at the girl’s face again under the lamplight.

“No matter how I look at it, you’re beautiful. I think even the prettiest girl in Burntstone City can’t compare to you.” She took the cotton cloth Hylial returned and carefully placed it in an inner pocket of her clothes.

Miss Lia looks so captivating when she’s working. That focused and earnest demeanor even makes a mischievous person like her quiet down.

The two were now sitting by the lamp, resting. Later, an old village woman brought them some food.

“Eat quickly, I just baked these pies. You two must be tired tonight.” She stroked Talil’s reddish-brown hair with some tenderness, then looked at the girl sitting in the lamplight not far away.

“What a beautiful person…” At this moment, she, too, expressed the same sentiment as Talil.

“You two should get some rest tonight. You’ve been busy for so long. I’ll go deliver some food to the others.”

After that, she walked out. On this night, Linden Village was destined to have many sleepless people.

New book, asking for monthly votes 0 0/~

(End of this chapter)