Vol 2 Chapter 91: The One-Year Cornflower Maiden

Darkmist Mountains, Lantern Town.

A brand new circular domed greenhouse was under construction. Its exterior used a large amount of glass panels pieced together, simulating a hemisphere covering the greenhouse. Inside, the center was a garden raised one level above the surrounding area, and beyond the garden were large stretches of flat land.

Now, it was planted with a vast number of blue cornflowers. Even though the sky outside the domed greenhouse was gloomy, this place remained beautiful. The stamens of the numerous cornflowers emitted specks of blue fluorescent light, dreamlike.

Within the shrubbery of the central garden, a small, round pavilion stood. Sylutia leaned back sitting on the bench inside the pavilion, flipping through the book in front of her, occasionally glancing at the sky above, her gaze sweeping over the distant sea of flowers. She would space out, thinking of certain things.

Unknowingly, a year had already passed since she arrived at the Darkmist Mountains.

She thought for a moment and took out her diary. Honestly, at this moment, she didn’t know what to write, but she felt like she should write something.

‘One year. The cornflowers have filled the garden.’

…

‘Perhaps, I should change something.’

Closing the book, Sylutia stood up and walked to the sea of cornflowers outside the small garden. She quietly strolled through it, relaxing her control over her body, letting herself follow her feelings as she wandered. Occasionally, her sleeves brushed through the sea of flowers, her fingertips touching the petals and leaves beneath the dome.

She closed her eyes. The sensations of roughness and smoothness were all transmitted from her fingers to her heart.

Her heart felt like an empty cloud, sometimes rising with small worries that quickly dissipated.

She didn’t particularly want anything, but she also didn’t want to lose anything. She somewhat liked this quiet, weightless feeling.

Who am I?

I am an ordinary office worker who once lived on Earth, feeling like my youth was wasted and dull, and could only immerse myself in childhood memories.

I am the eldest daughter of the Meizhalansi family, who grew up surrounded by maids, enjoying the best living conditions, a happy princess with small worries.

I am the silver-haired girl who lost her memory and woke up alone in the forest, a girl full of curiosity about this world, yet also somewhat at a loss.

I am the genius of the Hidden Grove, overly doted on and held in high regard by everyone. Someone who feels a faint sense of accomplishment from managing the garrison affairs, yet also wants to slack off, hiding alone in the garden to read books and take afternoon naps.

Slowly, Sylutia opened her eyes and lay down weightlessly, lying in this sea of flowers surrounded by cornflowers.

A faint sense of peace enveloped her. Her vision was covered by the glass dome, and the periphery of her vision was also crowded with cornflower stems and leaves of varying sizes.

As if embracing everything about her.

Gently raising her hand, Sylutia plucked one of the cornflowers, holding the cornflower with its alternating shades of light and deep blue before her eyes.

Her transparent pupils reflected the image of the cornflower, like equally beautiful gems.

Her eyelids fluttered lightly, closing.

Opening again not long after.

Moving the cornflower held in her fingers away, she casually stretched her arms, not minding even if soil stained her hair and back.

Sylutia had a good sleep in this sea of flowers, never so relaxed before, with no thoughts or ideas swirling around.

Just lying here, having a quiet nap.

Time passed imperceptibly during sleep. The scenes in the dream had no concept of time, passing by gently.

That was her past life.

Also a past with regrets.

…

At some unknown time, this maiden in the sea of flowers slowly stood up, lightly shaking her hair to dislodge the dust particles and leaf fragments.

Walking out of the sea of flowers again, she returned to the pavilion in the garden.

She opened the book again, her gaze occasionally sweeping over those ancient words and phrases.

Just like usual.

But some things were already different.

.

Time and memory etch a person’s past.

Shaping who she is now.

Everything in the memories has not changed.

But those images seem to be like glass under sunlight.

Shining and clear.

————

With the arrival of the new year, Lantern Town also gained many new faces.

“Ribbit~ So this is the boss’s new territory?”

A group of toads gathered curiously in the town square, croaking away, while the second-phase member who led them to the garrison held his forehead with a low sigh, looking quite flustered.

These toads were just too talkative along the way. As the accompanying knight squire, he nearly went insane. Fortunately, they were finally delivered.

Shortly after they unloaded their luggage and supplies, several first-phase apprentices arrived.

“Finally get to see you all~”

The leader, Rachel, wore light white armor. One hand rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist, while the other patted the other person’s shoulder amidst hearty laughter.

“Senior apprentice sister, good!” This knight squire immediately stood at attention, looking at Rachel before him with respectful admiration. Back in the Glittergold Plains, it was Rachel who instructed him in basic swordsmanship and combat techniques.

“Mhm mhm.” Rachel nodded, her gaze appraising him with slight satisfaction, then inquired.

“How many of you came this time, and how much stuff did you prepare?”

“This time, we came with a total of 112 people as the second-phase support members. Most are apprentices from the Glittergold Plains, and over thirty were transferred from surrounding garrisons.”

“The supplies include 120 ‘First Tier – Castle’ White Mane horses, 40 ‘Second Tier – Castle’ Windtrust horses, 200 sets of ‘Second Tier – Excellent’ quality battle armor, forty barrels of construction materials, 230 ‘First Tier – Castle’ engraved crystals, 60 ‘Second Tier – Castle’ Silver-grey Stones, and 12 ‘Third Tier – Castle’ Sacred Engraved Stones.”

“Additionally, there are 658 sets of classics for cultivating various abilities and knowledge, 42 inheritance stone tablets, and one temporary beacon.”

After listening to the report, the first-phase members who followed along had shining eyes, nodding continuously.

Afterwards, they guided this batch of newcomers to the residential apartments to arrange rooms, then checked off the supplies one by one for storage.

In the evening, a lively and sumptuous welcoming banquet was held in the main hall of Lantern Town.

During this, Sylutia also made a grand appearance. She wore a white-based, blue-embroidered formal dress with bare shoulders. Her silver hair and fair shoulders and neck complemented each other. Her bangs gently slanted to one side, with three cornflowers of varying sizes tucked into her hair, echoing her blue eyes, exceptionally beautiful.

Facing this young girl, the accompanying first-phase apprentices consciously positioned themselves at her side, adding to her authority as she took the stage.

Through a year of interaction, everyone had become familiar with this girl’s temperament. Although she appeared somewhat young and gentle, her handling of various affairs within the garrison had become increasingly wise and astute, earning everyone’s genuine respect.

However, if meeting her for the first time, one would probably still be misled by her delicate and quiet appearance, making one unconsciously wonder if she could really hold that position firmly.

Because of this, several core members of the first-phase students would pay attention to helping this young girl establish authority during first meetings, facilitating subsequent management.

Standing on the wooden platform in the brightly lit hall, Sylutia finished her welcoming speech and the matters needing attention in a soft voice. Her eyes blinked lightly, as if she had forgotten what to say next, giving off a kind of pure, adorable feeling.

“…Well then, I hope everyone can live here relatively happily from now on.” After saying this, she gently bent her knees, slightly lifting the hem of her dress in thanks, then stepped down from the high platform.

Warm applause erupted in the hall. Pairs of eyes, burning and bright, converged on her, lingering for a long time.

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