Cornflower Witch

Chapter 231 Compassionate Tenderness

The third month after the discovery of the 'mud' plague

Thanks to the efforts of a group of doctors, a medicine to treat this strange 'mud' plague was finally developed.

Zelarin held a small crystal bottle in his hand and stood in front of everyone. He gently shook the bottle, and the pale purple potion inside swayed gently, reflecting a faint halo in the candlelight.

"This is our achievement. In order to solve the problem of the recurrence of the plague, we adopted a special method. We used the property of 'mushroom fibers' to connect with each other, so that the ingredients in the medicine rich in 'mushroom fibers' could track down the mud plague that also contained weak 'mushroom fibers' characteristics, and then let them come into contact with each other, so that the other would lose its vitality."

"One dose can clear about 90% of the mud plague virus from the body. Two doses will basically prevent recurrence. Three doses can guarantee complete eradication."

"As for the cost," he said, glancing back at Hilti behind him.

"If the 'Purple Jellyfish Mushroom' needed for the raw materials is cultivated by Hilti, one cluster of Purple Jellyfish Mushrooms can make 10 bottles. Spread out, the cost per bottle is about 3 gold coins. Adding other materials and labor, the final cost per bottle is about 5 gold coins."

“Of course, this is purely considering the cost. If we take into account the research costs, the rarity, and the urgent need in the market, I guess even at 100 gold coins, there would be a lot of people scrambling to buy it.” Zelarin put down the medicine bottle and pushed it towards the group of high-ranking officials in front of him.

After receiving the medicine bottle, the representatives present each tested it, and then took out a small amount to experiment on and observe its effects.

About an hour later, everyone confirmed that the medicine did indeed have the effects that Zelarin had described.

"In that case, I'm relieved." The commander sitting at the head of the table felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.

Spending more money is nothing; the most important thing is that the members inside the Iron Cliff survive.

Representatives from other organizations within the association had even more ideas, some of which seemed to have some surprising thoughts popping into their heads.

"I advise everyone not to play with fire. Although we have developed a special medicine, we cannot guarantee that this mortar will not continue to mutate. If, and I mean if, we cannot control it, the consequences will be unbearable for both of us." As an experienced physician, Zelarin was well aware of the thoughts and intentions of those present and issued a warning in advance.

At this point, some people reluctantly gave up the idea.

"We understand. We will do as Lord Zelarin wishes and cure and purify the infected people inside and outside the base as soon as possible."

Afterwards, the parties discussed many details. Although Hilti was not of high rank, she was able to attend the meeting and learn about many of the association's secrets and specific operating methods.

The Forestry Association is an alliance, not a powerful centralized organization. Many things require the division of labor and cooperation among its various internal organizations, and consultation among them.

The downside is that it is less efficient and resource allocation than the central 'Mage Alliance', but the upside is that each organization maintains a certain level of vitality and, because of their specialization, often has its own niche.

After the discussion, the final purification and healing plan was put into process, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

A month later, all personnel inside and outside the camp had been treated, and the canyon below the Iron Cliff was also cleansed by the summoned wizards through a high-temperature flame cleansing, eliminating all detectable 'gray mud' plague progenitors.

Standing on the long corridor on the high cliff, Hilti and her group looked down at the suffocating waves of fire flowing like lava. The air itself was distorted and deformed by the heat, and all of this was orchestrated by 20 fourth-tier wizards.

They completely scorched the approximately 80-kilometer-long canyon, turning it into a dark red, glassy liquid. Even after the flames died down, the canyon still retained the lingering heat of the 'blazing sun,' making it difficult for ordinary creatures to approach.

“That’s settled.” Dorothy stood behind Sylvia, stretched, and then hugged the girl’s shoulders.

"After I go back this time, you need to give me at least a month's vacation~"

"Yes, yes, I understand." Hilti shook her head and broke free from Dorothy's arm.

Just as the two were chasing and fleeing, a knight walked up to them.

"Miss Siltia, Lord Taos requests your presence." Taos was the commander of 'Iron Cliff', the one with gray hair who had temporarily entrusted the 'Broken Steel Sword' to Siltia.

"Yes, I'll be right there."

After parting ways with her companions, Hilti tidied her hair and clothes before heading towards the tower inside the fortress.

Following the knight, she traversed the restored boardwalk checkpoints and arrived at the main hall inside the fortress, where she met the elderly commander standing before a massive furnace.

Today, besides him, there are only three other high-ranking confidants from 'Iron Cliff' here. The representatives of the other organizations and the Forest Association have all evacuated.

Hearing that Hilti had entered, he turned around, his dark gray eyes fixed on the girl, as unwavering as a rock.

“Sylvia has helped us a lot during this time.” “Although there is an obligation for mutual assistance within the association, we will remember this kindness.” He turned and nodded, and another knight in full armor carried a heavy iron box onto the table.

Once opened, it contains neatly arranged black metal ingots with distinctive dark gray edges.

"Iron Cliff doesn't have many special products. This is 200 refined black steel ingots of excellent quality, which can be used to forge at least 'Tier 2' weapons and armor." One such refined black steel ingot costs about 40 gold coins, so 200 ingots would cost 8000 gold coins.

Just as Hilti was wondering how to answer, the knight brought up another heavy iron box and opened it.

The box contained neatly arranged white chess pieces, each adorned with a raised horse head, majestic yet with clean lines. They possessed a full yet understated 'castle' quality, resembling a fine and orderly work of art.

"These are 20 Tier 3 'Knight Pieces'. If you have familiar companions and subordinates and want to choose the path of knighthood to advance, these are essential resources."

If used properly, 20 'Knight Pieces' can be used to cultivate up to 20 'Tier 3 Knights'. Such a valuable resource cannot be bought with money.

If the 200 refined black steel ingots were already a huge sum of money, then these 20 chess pieces are truly priceless treasures.

Currently, many of the students in 'Lantern Town' are nearing the completion of the second stage and are about to advance. They are in dire need of advancement resources. Even with the support of 'Holy White Knight Hall', Hilti Ya cannot guarantee that all the students in the town will be able to obtain enough advancement items.

“This…” Xilutiya opened her mouth in surprise.

"No need for hesitation or politeness. Only with such a return gift will I be qualified to take the 'Broken Steel Sword' back from you." Taos nodded slightly to Hilti, expressing his approval of the young woman.

“I have seen not only your provision of crucial early medicine powder and food supplies, but also your subsequent participation in the assistance process.”

"Take it. This is your honor, and also the pride of us 'Iron Wall Crown Furnaces'."

"Thank you." Hilti no longer hesitated, bowed deeply in thanks, and accepted the two heavy return gifts.

"I will bring the 'Steel-Breaking Sword' later." In fact, the sword is currently in her bedroom inside the fortress, and because it is a sacred object of the 'Iron Wall Crown Furnace', the higher-ups inside the fortress can actually sense the approximate location of the sword.

As Hiltiah got up to leave and get her sword, Taos called out to her.

"During this time, while you were holding that sword, did you see any special scenes or have any memories?"

Hiltiya nodded, recalling her dream in the camp tent that night.

"I saw some special memories." I guess all those who have wielded the sword throughout history could sense it.

"Is that so?" Taos's expression was somewhat strange, and the high-ranking knights beside him also looked at Sylvia at this moment.

"Can you tell me what you saw?"

Is this a test for me? Hilti guessed. These elders really like to give pointers to the younger generation.

"It was a peaceful, golden hillside. I dreamt I ran down the hillside, through layers of wheat fields and meadows, and met the girl humming a lullaby..."

Hiltiya recounted in its entirety what she had seen in her dream that day.

After she finished speaking, the people present remained silent for a long time before Taos slowly spoke.

"Unexpectedly, it recognized you. Perhaps your personality and essence are very similar to Ai Mo Shi's."

“That’s right. What you saw in your dream was recorded inside the ‘Iron Wall Crown Furnace’ a long time ago. Many knights have had similar dreams and seen those distant memories.”

"These knights vary in strength and talent, but they all have something in common: a compassionate gentleness towards the world."

“If you were to learn our school’s ‘Sword of Amorous Poetry,’ you should be able to master it very easily,” Taos chuckled.

"However, since you are about to advance, you probably won't be able to switch to the Knight class. Otherwise, you would have become a powerful Guardian Knight with a gentle yet resilient heart."

"Although it's a bit of a pity, we will always welcome you if you want to learn the secrets and classics of the 'Iron Wall Crown Furnace' in the future."

"Thank you for your support this time. We, 'Iron Cliffs,' will always remember our friendship with 'Lantern Town.'"

(End of this chapter)