Cornflower Witch

Chapter 130 The Spring of Hiltiya

After temporarily sealing [Aromatherapy Lv.1], Hilti continued to study her [Star] talent. Recalling the swarm of bees she had sealed in the Shadow World, she searched and searched until she finally found the fragile card [Bees and Night Flowers] (Tier 1, Alien, Moth) in a corner of her Destiny Card.
At night, white bees flit like fireflies among the ethereal cornflowers, a scene straight out of a dream.

The card maintained a delicate balance; she had only barely managed to seal the white bees, far from being able to control the swarm like the black cat.

"It needs to be at least 'second tier' or higher," the girl sensed.

After reinforcing the seal once more, Hilti hid the card under the flowers of the Destiny Cards, ignoring it for the time being, and then opened her eyes.

Currently, she possesses two abilities: [Moonlight Breathing Technique Lv.3] and [Blooming Flower Technique Lv.2]. The Blooming Flower Technique is improving slowly, mainly because her elemental affinity is not high enough. She will probably need to reach 'Second Tier · Emerald Honey' before she can continue to improve the Blooming Flower Technique.

As for [Moonlight Breathing Technique Lv.3], she hasn't reached her limit yet; she's just been too busy lately to calm down and explore and practice it.

"I should take this time to sort things out," Silti thought to herself.

After having some baked cookies at home for lunch, Hiltiya went to the stables.

Over the past ten days, she has developed a close relationship with the three horses. Hearing her footsteps, the mare continued to eat her fodder, only nuzzling her slightly with her head when Hiltia approached.

The other two ponies were much more enthusiastic and energetic. They walked briskly to Hilti's side, touching her from time to time and occasionally licking her fingers, probably wanting some treats from the girl.

"You've already eaten all the carrots we had before." The girl shook her head; she had no more carrots to feed them now.

But remembering that there were still turnips, she cut a few more pieces and fed them to the two little ones.

As she watched the two ponies eat turnips from her hand, Hirutia carefully observed their behavior.

【Lakeside Young Horses】: Lakeside horses that have not yet grown up, healthy and energetic.

"I wonder if horses can learn breathing techniques," Hiltiya suddenly thought, pressing her chin lightly with her fingers.

She led out two ponies, one brown and one black. Hilti saddled the brown pony, hung a lantern on it, and then rode on herself. Her light weight made the pony a perfect match for her.

Feeling someone sitting on its back, the brown pony was a little uncomfortable, but thankfully, Hilti comforted it for a while, and it continued walking. The little black pony on the other side saw this and curiously followed behind, occasionally biting the brown pony's tail, and then following Hilti's legs, licking her clothes with its warm tongue.

Riding on her horse, Hilti walked through the valley, moving ever forward toward the inner part of the valley plain.

After walking a distance, the weeds underfoot became noticeably darker, reaching above the pony's legs. If it were Hilti walking in the grass, it would probably reach above her chest.

There were no traces of large animals here; after walking for a long time, all we saw were birds occasionally flying across the sky.

Just as Hilti was about to continue exploring, the brown pony beneath her stopped. It snorted anxiously and lowered its head into the grass, as if it wanted to tear something apart.

"What's wrong?" Hiltiya jumped down lightly and parted the grass to examine the situation closely.

Several strange, twisted weeds were entwined around the hooves of the brown pony, their tips like thin snakes burrowing into its fur, seemingly sucking its blood.

Seeing the strange weeds, Hirutiya frowned, then took down the lantern hanging on the saddle.

An invisible wave of fire swept over and crushed the surrounding weeds. Then she drew her short sword and precisely cut through the tangled weeds, drawing a few drops of blood.

【Twisted Weed】: A strange wild grass that has been tainted with a twisted nature. It will actively entangle passing creatures and suck their blood.

After helping the little horse free itself from the tangled weeds, she picked up the lantern again, and the invisible flames spread continuously, burning and igniting the surrounding weeds, sending up large plumes of blue smoke.

The thick, dense weeds here are damp, making it no easy task to ignite them.

"Not enough firepower," the girl shook her head slightly, then pressed the button on the lantern. Several drops of highly concentrated emerald dew dripped into the flower's stamen, while the flames beside her rapidly expanded, becoming even more powerful and intensely hot.

An invisible ripple of orange flame spread continuously from beneath Hilti's feet, burning the surrounding weeds and finally revealing charred, ash-covered soil. Two ponies hid beside the girl, watching this scene with curiosity.

Afterwards, Hilti remounted her horse and continued walking through the woods and grass.

The further in you go, the dimmer the light becomes, and the quieter the air, as if strange creatures might burst out from the dark corners at any moment.

However, no, Hilti moved her gaze and carefully examined the forest. She did not find any trace of large animals. Just as the patrol cavalry had said, the area had indeed been thoroughly cleared inside and out.

From this perspective, the people in the association seem quite meticulous and reliable in their work, she thought to herself.

Although there were no large animals, she found quite a few rabbits and wild mice, but these animals posed little threat.

After surveying the entire valley, she felt much more at ease, then turned back and took the two ponies back to her lodgings.

After removing the saddle and letting the two calves return to their mother, Hiltiya went back to the second floor of the stone house to rest.

Two days later, the planted wheat began to sprout, and tender new seedlings appeared in the black soil, forming rows of emerald green.

[Wheat] (Deficiency-21): Due to contamination by distorted phases, it has difficulty growing and will wither and die after five days if no intervention is taken.

As expected, with problems in both soil and water, cultivating crops was extremely difficult, something Hiltia had anticipated.

But how to solve these problems? Looking at the wheat, Hiltiya seemed to be deep in thought.

To eliminate the Twisted Aspect, one can use the abilities of the 'Castle' Path to isolate and dispel the erosion of other Aspects. However, this also has drawbacks, because it not only isolates the 'Twisted' Aspect, but also suppresses Aspects that aid growth, such as 'Emerald Honey' and 'Blazing Sun'.

The end result is that the crops on the estate can at best be cultivated to a good level, but it is difficult to go any further and reach an excellent level.

If they failed, the valley would never find a suitable gardener to cultivate it, and it would eventually be handed over to the scholars of White Rock Fortress. They spent their time designing, building high walls and stone pillars, and turning it into a small manor that produced some food to supply the fortress.

This would be costly, and the value of the crops produced wouldn't be much after offsetting the expenses. Therefore, the association and the White Rock Fortress officials would not do this unless it was absolutely necessary.

So, besides the 'castle', are there any other 'sexual aspects' that can better deal with 'twisting'?

'Blazing Sun' can incinerate and effectively eliminate 'twisted' things, but it cannot be used for cultivation.

'Dragon Eyes' are the scales of the world, which can resist the erosion of 'Twisted', but cannot be destroyed.

The 'Radiant Moon' is a symbol of clarity and purity, capable of purifying 'distorted' pollution, but it is difficult to cleanse the source.

The source of everything, the root of the 'distortion,' lies in the impact of otherworldly laws and powers on this world.

Walking among the black earth and soil, Hiltiya's mind was filled with thoughts.

Since she was the only one in the valley, she didn't need to pretend or worry, so she let go of the restrictions and revealed her hidden alien nature.

Strange starlight appeared and vanished in her eyes. Then she released her senses, and invisible ripples swept across the land.

The gaps in the grass, the dewdrops under the leaves, the particles in the soil, the gravel and impurities underground...

Her senses continued to penetrate downwards, extending into the dark depths, perceiving the increasingly obvious 'distorted' force beneath the earth.

Originally, she thought that such a 'twisted' thing would eventually come to an end, but she didn't expect that after she really let go completely, she felt that the valley she was in, the plain, and even the world in the shadows were all built on an endless, twisted abyss, with no end in sight.

Deeper still, there was only an even deeper darkness, a twisted abyss whose end she could not yet fathom with her current mental strength.

Finally, Hiltiya withdrew her mental perception, and somewhat tiredly rubbed her forehead, using the coolness of her fingers to slightly clear her mind.

Well, from this perspective, it's impossible to completely eliminate it. Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Back then, when all the power of the entire world was gathered to fight against the aliens that descended to earth, countless indescribable alien creatures fell into this abyss sea. Even several Sichen perished in the great battle. If the source could be easily eliminated, there would be no need to use a giant serpent to support the continent and traverse the boundless Twilight Sea.

Such historical problems are simply beyond her ability to solve in her current state.

So let's think of other ways, such as using the power of the 'Radiant Moon' to purify this land.

It seems she can't let go of 'Radiant Moon' anymore. In that case, let's use the empty ability slot to learn 'Radiant Moon's' abilities.

However, this makes her title of "Emerald Gardener" somewhat undeserved. If others were to mention it, "Hiltiya, as an extraordinary being of the 'Emerald' nature, you must have learned many abilities of the 'Emerald' path, right?"

At that time, she will probably only be able to awkwardly reply that she actually only selected one [Blooming Flower Technique], and used the rest to learn [Radiant Moon].

Having multiple natures is not unusual, but to truly achieve integration and balance requires at least the fifth level. Attempts at a lower level often result in neglecting both aspects, hindering progress, causing interference and disruption, and making it difficult to advance.

The founding monarch of the Kingdom of Winter only achieved complete balance of the two aspects at the sixth rank, successfully advancing to the class of 'Winter Crown Knight' of 'Sixth Rank - Winter Sleep Castle'.

Originally, she planned to continue learning the abilities of the 'Emerald Honey' path, but now it seems she has to change her plans.

Back in the meditation room, Hilti sat on the soft cushion, closed her eyes, and sensed the depths of her consciousness. She opened the book "Melleranko, Praying in the Lake" once again.

The story of the founder of the 'Silver Glow Church' resurfaced in her mind, and she began to search for clues in historical legends.

……

Two days later, Hiltija finally made a discovery and gradually attempted to recreate the power of the legend. 'The plague raged through the city, corpses piled up by the roadside, well water was polluted, and the stench of decay filled the air. The cries of agony gradually dried up, leaving only numb death.'

The Ravens' Rebellion is not over yet...

I followed that great man through streets filled with gray smoke and despair, and seeing the silver-glowing saint's eyes filled with compassion and sorrow, I wept along with him.

……

Over sixteen days, our companions transported clear spring water from the mountains and poured it into the pristine white stone pool. The flawless saint bathed and changed her clothes, then stepped into the water. She prayed under the moonlight, as invisible moonlight descended in layers.

We sing ancient prayers, invoking the elder of the moon, the eternally pure god.

The radiant moon revealed itself, and pure power filled the pool.

……

The clean spring water washes away the evil disease and dispels the invisible distortion.

We thank the saint for his mercy and greatness, and wish that the figure under the silver light will shine forever.

Thus, the Ravens' Rebellion saw a glimmer of hope...

The book recounts the experience of the "Silver Saint" Melerlanco quelling the "Raven's Rebellion" at the end of the Eighth Age. This was the first time Melerlanco had an impact on the world at that time. After this event, the "Silver Church" she led and founded gradually expanded, establishing branches in various places and step by step becoming a powerful and influential organization.

"The water of a clear spring...?" Hiltiya pondered to herself.

There are many interpretations of the legend, which can lead to many concepts. If she wanted to create clean water that could dispel the distortion, she would probably need spring water as a base.

However, in a sense, one can also deduce from the legend that this method can be used to obtain the spring water.

(Understanding of the legend of 'Melleran' +12)

As if a light bulb of inspiration had been lit, Hilti began to try to recreate the scenes recorded in the book, including the setting, the mood, and the necessary steps.

She first took a bath and changed into the pure white dress she had worn when she first woke up, and then went to the pool at night.

Bathed in moonlight, she began to pray, but she did not ask 'Radiant Moon' Sichen, because the time recorded in the book was when the 'Lord of Dreams' Silver Moon Dragon ruled Radiant Moon, and the current 'Fantasy Black Rabbit' was completely unfamiliar to her.

She could only pray to the invisible moonlight. To strengthen her prayer and self-suggestion, the silver-haired girl stepped barefoot into the pool, knelt halfway in the water, closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and softly sang a song that matched her state of mind.

In the light of hope

"The Waiting Moment"

The dormant heart is gradually awakened.

I will sing in your ear

……

Singing songs of gratitude to her for her blessings.

And the boundless power that brings growth to all things.

(Longing) I devoutly pray for hope.

I earnestly request that it reach my heart.

I pray for the light of hope.

……

(Earnestly) I implore you to listen to my soul.

"Once Again"

The girl's clear, melodious voice drifted along the breeze into the silent valley, into this still-dark world.

This corner of the world, which no one expects or pays attention to.

Her song was sung once, but the dark world remained unchanged.

However, she did not give up. She sang the song a second time, and her voice was even softer.

……

The song rose a third time, echoing in the wind and dissipating into the dark earth, silently.

The chirping of insects continues, the twisted grasses in the mountains still grow wildly, and an invisible affliction still imprisons this land.

……

As the song began for the seventh time, the girl did not stop; in fact, the emotion in her singing still carried anticipation and tenderness.

She felt that she couldn't give up so easily.

……

As the song began for the twelfth time, her voice trembled and became distorted, revealing her weariness.

But it wasn't time to give up yet. The girl recalled everything she had learned and tried hard to remember the scenes described in the book.

……

As the song sang for the seventeenth time, she no longer believed that the invisible radiance and spirit would respond to her.

At this moment, she could only trust everything she perceived, using scenes from her memories to awaken her imagination about the distant future.

She longed for a peaceful and stable world because she had suffered trauma in her childhood and understood the details of that pain.

Gentleness is born from scars, and understanding is born from the process of perceiving pain.

Pale goodwill is nothing but a hypocritical cloak for gaining fame and fortune; true empathy must be a shared sense of sorrow.

……

"again"

(Sincerely) I hope we can stay together.

"Pray for that cry of life"

(Seriously) I hope we can sing.

"To be able to resound again"

……

This time, faint specks of light finally appeared in the breeze, like fireflies dancing in the grass.

Though tiny, these faint points of light responded to the girl's prayer and began to truly manifest.

Like returning travelers, they sway gently in the wind, drifting across the sky and earth of this valley.

A few specks of light fell on the silver-haired girl, and an invisible halo appeared, spreading outwards from her to the pool.

(New ability 'Siltia's Pure Water' successfully condensed)

Countless points of light danced in the air, transforming into gentle whirlpools that slowly flowed into the pool beside the girl, purifying the distortions within. A faint glow appeared on the clear water.

(Ability advancement, 'Siltia's Spring' successfully condensed)

【Hiltiya's Clear Spring】(Radiant Moon): Clear spring water imbued with purifying power, capable of irrigating and cleansing, removing contamination from aspects such as 'Twisted' and 'Dead'. (Because you are the creator of this ability, the extent to which you can achieve it is its limit.)
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Note: The song is "EXEC_REBIRTHIA=PROTOCOL", from Magic Tower Continent 3. A new playlist has been created. You can find it by searching for "songs quoted in 'Cornflower Witch'" on NetEase Cloud Music.

Note 2: The playlist already includes "Woven Song" as the starting point of the distant story.

(End of this chapter)