Cornflower Witch

Chapter 160 Heart-to-Heart Talk During Night Watch
At night, the group gathered around the fire, enjoying the delicious food of the evening and calming their somewhat frightened hearts.

Yann didn't seem to feel anything, only that he should have thrown away his shield earlier and picked up his greatsword to deal damage. On the other side, Karl and Bona walked on the edge of death.

In terms of combat strength, the giant python may not be as strong as one of the team members, but the actual combat situation is ever-changing, and it is very likely that the opponent will find a breakthrough and kill the weak member.

The monsters will eventually die, but even if it's a one-for-one trade, it's still a huge loss that the expedition team can hardly afford. This is the biggest difference between the students and these monster enemies.

"Karl needs to get some sleep and rest tonight, so he can't keep watch. I'll have to ask Tia for help," the captain told the girl after dinner.

“Bona will be with you too. You two will guard the safer first half of the night, and then it will be Ya'en and me for the second half.”

“I understand,” Hiltiya nodded.

Afterwards, everyone sat down by the fire to test and adjust their weapons and equipment.

"How scary." Bona hugged a pillow with her coat folded up, leaning against the fire, and muttered softly.

Hiltia, who was standing to the side, was feeling sleepy. She usually went to bed at this time, and she was not used to staying up late tonight.

"Yes, it's terrifying," she murmured in response, her eyelids drooping, the red flames in her vision blurring, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

A few strands of hair were slightly curled up beside her ears, resting on the soft contours of her face. Her small ears peeked out from between the strands of hair, revealing her somewhat youthful earlobes, indicating that she was not very old. Her legs were together and slightly tucked in, and she rested her head on her shoulders against the tree trunk. Her chest rose and fell slightly, showing a slightly protruding curve.

About fifteen minutes later, Siltia's balance, which was leaning against the tree trunk, was broken, and she leaned forward, suddenly waking up.

Ugh, I think I fell asleep. I was supposed to be keeping watch.

She stood up, looked around, and only felt slightly relieved to see that nothing had changed much.

He probably didn't sleep for long.

She moved her body a bit, and probably because she had taken a nap, she was much more awake now.

Seeing that Bona was in low spirits, Hilti went over, took her hand, and tried to comfort her.

Actually, she wasn't very good at comforting others. In her past life, she had no siblings; at most, her friends would go out to eat together when they saw she was unhappy.

However, perhaps because of her sensitive nature, she is quite good at understanding other people's emotions and feelings.

He sat down next to Bona and gently patted her shoulder, waiting for her emotions to subside.

About half an hour later, perhaps she had recovered from her emotional state, or perhaps she felt ashamed to be so disheartened in front of her juniors, Bona cheered up and looked a little embarrassed.

After all, she should be the one mentoring the newcomer, Silti, instead of being the one being comforted by her junior.

"There's still plenty of time tonight, Tiya, what would you like for a late-night snack?" The other three were already asleep.

"Will cooking now disturb them?"

"It's okay, I'm just grilling something. It doesn't require frying or boiling, so it won't make much noise." Bona rummaged through the package next to her.

Soon, she took out two potatoes and buried them under the fire. Then she took the remaining jerky, skewered it with thin skewers, and placed it next to the fire.

The two leaned against the fire, speaking quietly about their situation.

“I’ve been in the woods for almost seven years,” Bona recalled.

"When I came here, I was just over 17 years old, and now I am 24."

“In my hometown, a 24-year-old usually already has several children.”

"Last year, I finally received a reply to the letter I mailed back, telling me that my sister had another child."

“I can’t remember many people from my hometown anymore,” she said with a touch of melancholy. “Can’t we go home after coming to the woodland?” Hiltiya asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, but entering and exiting the forest requires a lot of points, and those points can be used to buy courses and exchange for rare potions. Most people are unwilling to waste them like that."

"If I advance to the third tier, I can go back for free," she added.

"I thought to myself, when I reach level three, I'll go back and visit, and cook something delicious for my family," she murmured, poking at the fire.

"Although it's only been seven years, it feels like I've completely changed. I used to be shy even when talking to boys." She rested her chin on her hand, her chestnut-red short hair framing her face, and smiled wistfully.

“Being a chef is a lot of fun, Tia.”

"Did you know that seemingly ordinary ingredients can be transformed into exquisite food in your own hands, not only with an enticing aroma and delicious nutrition, but also to help others improve?"

"Every time I finish cooking, I receive everyone's praise and love. That sense of accomplishment and recognition is something I could never experience before when I was just an ordinary person."

"The secret techniques I learned in the woods and the abilities that gradually improved, like the flames that bake food, have slowly transformed me. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am also very enthusiastic about discovering new and interesting things in my travels and adventures."

"Because I cook very well and it is also very useful, even if it is a burden, everyone is still willing to take me with them and protect me without complaint. This always warms my heart, and I often want to cook better food to make up for it."

"It's probably this mindset that's making me improve my cooking skills quite quickly. My teachers say I'm the most talented professional chef they've seen in the last ten years."

"Although I've always felt that I'm not a genius enough, after all, I've seen a few real geniuses in the woods, I'm still very happy."

"I'm so happy." She repeated, the flame in her eyes reflecting the orange-red light.

"Many people cultivate and improve themselves in order to become stronger, but I don't have such a strong desire."

"For me, living happily with everyone and basking in their love for my cooking is the greatest joy."

"However, what happened today was quite a blow to me." She shook her head slightly.

"How terrifying! That giant python! When it charged at me, if the captain hadn't kicked me away, I probably would have been swallowed whole."

“Death can happen in an instant.” She sighed softly, twisting the wooden skewer piercing her flesh with her fingers.

"After this expedition, I will no longer follow the group." She seemed to have made up her mind.

"After all, it's irresponsible to keep everyone distracted by protecting me, especially as the secret realms they go to become more and more dangerous, and I'll only become a burden."

“Pona…” Shiltiya comforted her.

"It's alright. Actually, preparing food for you in the rear is a good idea. I'd be happy to welcome you back and prepare delicious rations for your departure. Just tell me where you went and what interesting things you experienced when you get back."

Hiltia couldn't offer any further advice.

Advancement, strength... She hasn't encountered any major obstacles in improving her strength yet, so she doesn't feel it deeply.

If she were in Bona's situation, she would probably be sad and regretful too, because due to her own lack of ability and strength, she could only say goodbye to all kinds of adventures and encounters, and stay quietly in the rear, waiting for her companions to return.

This is a world with all sorts of extraordinary powers, a world very different from the orderly society of her previous life. Even if she is not keen on fame and fortune, she still needs to constantly advance in order to gain more freedom, the ability to travel the world freely without hindrance or trouble.

Like Bona, Hilti was staring blankly at the fire, lost in thought about their own thoughts and memories, until the oil from the roasting meat dripped down, making a soft sizzling sound, which brought them back to their senses, and they smiled at each other.

"Alright, Tia, come and try my cooking." She sprinkled some salt, then added some palatable spices, and finally handed it to Hiltia.

Seeing the cute girl blowing air and biting into the meat, Bona smiled happily.

"Is it good? I'll bake you some more. If you'd like to learn my secret recipe, I can teach you!"

(End of this chapter)