Cornflower Witch

Chapter 192 The Twin Serpent Cult
Upon arriving at the towering castle of White Stone Fortress, Hiltiah, led by her guards, traversed a complex network of corridors and passageways, finally reaching a tower with a blazing hearth.

"This is where Tristan usually lives." The guard opened the door, told Hilti to wait a moment, and went to inform her.

He came out shortly after.

"Lord Tristan invites you in."

“Okay.” The girl nodded and walked into the tower.

Following the passage, she soon came to a foundry with four burning furnaces, each forging different tools. A blacksmith, about 2.4 meters tall, was working there; his muscles were like those of a bronze cast, exceptionally powerful.

Seeing the girl beneath him approach, he put down the iron block he was hammering.

"Is this Siltia? Have you decided what you want to forge this time?" This was none other than Tristan, the "Giant Stonemason," the branch leader of the "Golden Hammer" in the Radiant Plains.

He looked at Hilti, his large, bronze-candle-like eyes seeming to pierce through her.

“Your arms are very thin, but I think you would look especially impressive wielding a giant axe.”

Upon hearing this suggestion, Hilti couldn't help but cover her face, feeling that these adults all wanted to raise her according to their own ideas.

Kurandchu wanted her to choose the 'Spring Garden', the Knight Commander of the Cassius wanted her to become a knight like a flower on the battlefield, and the blacksmith uncle suggested that she wield a super heavy axe and become a warrior.

"Thank you for your suggestion, but I only need a suit of armor, the kind that allows for easy movement." The girl thought for a moment.

"Armor? I mostly make knight armor for those young men in the Knights Order," he replied with a chuckle.

"But that thing is like a tin can; it would look terrible on you." I never expected this blacksmith to have such an aesthetic sense.

"Let me think, is there a style that suits you?" He crossed his arms and pondered.

two minutes later
“I’ve got it. I’ve seen a mural before. It depicts the Blood Rose Princess ‘Elendina’ during the Blood Dynasty. She is wearing flower armor when she goes to war. She is riding a Black Nightmare warhorse and holding a long axe handle. The black and red giant axe is raised with the warhorse, just like a general who conquers purgatory.”

“I’ll use that design as a template, make some minor modifications, and create a custom one just for you.”

"I don't really understand the aesthetic design of battle armor, but that set is the culmination of the wisdom of the masters of the Blood Dynasty, so it must be the most beautiful one."

"You don't need to worry about the materials; I'll pay for them in advance. Just take your measurements later so I can make a mold."

After listening to the blacksmith's description, Hilti was curious about what kind of armor it would look like, but unfortunately she had never seen such a mural.

Upon arriving at the side room, Hilti found a measuring tape, carefully measured her body measurements, wrote them down, and handed them to the blacksmith.

"Alright, with these, we should be able to forge a suit of armor that fits perfectly."

"Go back first. I'll have someone notify you to come over once it's finished."

“Yes, thank you, Lord Tristan.” Hilti bowed and turned to leave.

……

For the next two months, Hiltiya stayed at Whitestone Fortress, studying various courses under the guidance of the scholars of Serophie. She has already mastered Elvish, Fairy Language, Basic Runes, and the Garden of Lobbe. She is currently studying the courses of Ancient King Muretor and Noble Etiquette and Heritage.

"During the Seventh Era, the ancient king Muretor led his people across the desolate wilderness of the star, a journey that took nearly twelve years and countless hardships to reach the Land of Midsummer..."

"The journey has been fraught with difficulties. He has defeated many monsters along the way, including the 'two-headed giant snake' Hequis." Seroffi tapped the cardboard with his finger, and a huge two-headed snake image appeared on it.

"One of the two-headed serpent's heads has the 'Nightmare' attribute, with dark purple scales, while the other head has the 'Death' attribute, with blackish-purple scales. They represent the dual death of life and spirit. In his battle with it, Muretto teetered on the brink of death several times, fleeing in defeat three times, and only managing a hard-fought victory on the fourth." "So how did he finally defeat that two-headed giant serpent?" Hiltiya was eager to know.

"That two-headed giant serpent had developed a special ability to regenerate, so it had to be killed at the same time. However, at that time, there was no hero among mankind who could be compared to Muretto."

"Finally, Muretto used his wisdom. He grabbed the snakes by the necks with both hands, causing them to bite each other and inject venom into each other, so that they would die together."

"This story later gave rise to an allusion called 'the snake bites itself,' which is used to describe those who do bad things and end up harming themselves."

"The same story can always be viewed in different ways. Although the giant serpent died, some of the humans who accompanied it worshipped and longed for its life. They kept parts of the serpent's remains and secretly worshipped them, trying to obtain the same powerful strength."

"This is the early human cult, the 'Dual Serpent Cult.' They raised snakes, fed them with other humans, and then allowed the snakes to evolve. Once the snakes reached a certain level, they would merge with the snakes to evolve into half-snake, half-human monsters."

"If you encounter similar 'Twin Serpents Cult' members in the future, just kill them on sight," Cerrofi told the two.

"Are there still people in the 'Twin Snakes Cult'?" Sophitina asked.

"And another thing, they've just become more secretive in their operations." Cerrofi shook his head and continued to explain.

“You must understand that not everyone can reach a higher level and gain longevity. Some depraved people, in order to extend their own lifespan, will join the embrace of this cult and use sacrificial rituals to strengthen themselves, even if it means becoming a monster, they will still live.”

"The human heart is unfathomable, and evil organizations like the 'Twin Serpent Cult' still exist in every corner."

"Alright, that's all for today. get out of class dismissed."

"Yes." The two girls nodded and then tidied up their notes.

After the lesson, Sophitina invited the girl to the training ground inside the castle.

"It's been a long time since I've had any real combat experience. Can you practice with me, Siltiia?"

“Of course.” Hiltiya also wanted to give it a try, as she hadn’t had any real combat experience in a long time.

Half an hour later.

The two changed into their training uniforms and clashed on the training field. Sophitina used a rapier, while Siltiah used a longsword.

The young woman lightly flicked her sleeve, revealing a long, narrow blade that was level with her arm, forming a straight line as she slowly walked forward.

Sophitina then swiftly stepped forward, her rapier hurtling straight at Sylvia's face with the shortest possible trajectory. However, Sylvia moved as well, turning her body to the side and deftly dodging the attack. Then, as she turned, she charged up the blade in her hand, and with a single, spun motion, struck Sophitina, causing her to fall to the ground in pain.

Since it was a competition, neither of them deliberately used their supernatural abilities, but even with the protection of training suits, Sophitina still felt that she couldn't hold on any longer.

"I'm so sorry." Hilti picked her up and helped her sit down to the side.

She hadn't sparred with anyone in a long time, so she instinctively used the same technique as in battle. Even though she held back a bit, the force was still too much for Sophitina to withstand.

"Tia, it hurts." Sophitina, who had originally wanted to practice her swordplay, was now lying on the chair, not wanting to move at all.

"I'm sorry." Siltia could only try to comfort her, helping Sophitina to activate her blood and aid in her recovery.

"Is Sophitina really that fragile? She clearly stopped just now," Hiltia thought to herself, as she massaged Sophitina's lower back.

(End of this chapter)