The Cornflower Witch

August, Asra District, Chive Street.

Two years later, Sylutia found herself here once again.

Since it was daytime, the bustling night market hadn’t opened yet, though many shops and stalls were already making preparations. She could see quite a few carriages coming and going, delivering ingredients and alcohol.

Sylutia walked through the street and arrived before a guild building.

The Vinewood Guild was an established merchant guild. Its business scope mainly included grains, vegetables, ingredients, and fruits. Currently, many high-end restaurants in Asra District partnered with them, ordering ingredients for daily delivery.

In the past, Fire Pig had cooperated deeply with the Vinewood Guild, providing manpower to help them compete against rivals and ensuring smooth local operations, free from underhanded sabotage or extortion.

Since the integration of Asra District’s underground world, this cooperation had deepened further, and Ti Ya had even obtained the Vinewood Guild’s gold membership card, which granted her many privileges.

“Hello, miss. Do you have an appointment?” This was the guild’s headquarters, and they generally didn’t receive unfamiliar guests.

“Yes, here’s my card.” Ti Ya produced the gold card bearing her name.

After checking it, the staff member returned it to Sylutia and led her to a room on the third floor.

“Miss Hedra, please follow me. Vice-President Reksen has already informed me in advance.”

“Alright.” Ti Ya glanced around the lobby. It was somewhat empty—only a handful of clients discussing business in the afternoon hours.

Following the staff member to the third-floor room, she walked through the door and saw the Vinewood Guild’s representatives already waiting, along with several cadres under Fire Pig and Four Fingers’ command.

“Finally, Miss Hedra has arrived. Welcome, welcome!” A bearded man who looked about forty years old stood up, smiling as he greeted her.

He was Reksen, the current vice-president of the Vinewood Guild and the second son of the current president. The old president rarely handled affairs now, delegating most business to his three sons, only occasionally appearing at certain events.

“Hello, Mr. Reksen.” Ti Ya nodded in response, then took a seat under his hospitality.

“This is our first meeting, isn’t it, Miss Hedra?” He raised his glass.

“Yes. Although I studied in Asra District before, I didn’t socialize much outside.” In truth, back then, as an apprentice, she couldn’t have known figures like him anyway.

“What a pity, not getting to know Miss Hedra sooner.” The man said warmly.

Since her promotion to Fourth Tier a year ago, more people had gradually taken notice of Sylutia. Some factions actively reached out to her, extending goodwill.

Although Fourth Tier wasn’t considered very powerful within the Mage Alliance, it was still a milestone—one that marked entry into the ranks of elites. Moreover, she had gained admission to Tetis College and advanced to Fourth Tier in just two years—she was clearly a promising prospect, attracting many who wished to invest in or befriend her.

This time, when she returned to Asra District and expressed a desire to discuss certain matters with the Vinewood Guild, the news had been met with an enthusiastic response as soon as it reached them.

As a long-established guild entrenched in Asra District, they had extensive dealings with headmen like Fire Pig and were very familiar with this young woman’s background. For that reason, they valued her highly. This time, they had specially invited and hosted her, even summoning underground world figures to join the banquet.

Notably, in the past, even though they cooperated with these headmen, such dealings were always kept private, never brought into the open—after all, they needed to distance themselves to avoid reputational damage. This time, the Vinewood Guild had expressed immense sincerity in seeking cooperation.

After sitting down and exchanging a few pleasantries to bridge the gap, the conversation gradually turned to the main topic.

“I’ve heard that Miss Sylutia wants to get involved in business in the Western Mountain Range, opening a trade route there. What exactly are your plans?”

Hearing the question, Duo Nan nodded.

“That’s right. To be honest, I didn’t plan on making a big splash or taking on a massive venture right from the start. I just want to test the waters.” She began humbly, then launched into her explanation.

“My main idea for now is to sell some goods from the central regions of the Mage Alliance to the Western Mountain Range, and in turn, purchase fresh rare ingredients, furs, and the like from there to sell back in the central Mage Alliance.”

“At the beginning, it won’t be a large-scale operation. I plan to lease two airships as a trial run, initially shipping some alcohol and medicine over there to trade with the local beastman tribes.”

“However, I’ve never actually run a business before, and I lack sales channels for the ingredients and furs I’d acquire. So I’ll need the Vinewood Guild’s assistance and guidance.” She spoke sincerely.

“I see.” The man stroked his beard, pondering the feasibility of this venture.

“I’ve heard that the Western Mountain Range is home to many powerful beasts and rare mountain delicacies. If that’s the case, they are indeed what our Vinewood Guild needs.” He tapped his fingers on the table, thinking as he responded.

“If you can supply these ingredients steadily, the Vinewood Guild has the means to help you sell them. That’s our strength.”

“Considering that you might not be familiar with the demand for various ingredients or the methods of preservation, our guild can send personnel to accompany you in the early stages, assisting with the transport of the first batch of goods back here.”

“If that trip goes smoothly, we can use it as a template for future cooperation.”

Hearing his words, Ti Ya thought for a moment.

What he said made sense, but there were also hidden risks. For example, if the Vinewood Guild became fully aware of her business process, they might bypass her later and establish direct trade with those tribes.

However, if she refused now and tried to launch the project entirely with new recruits, it would be far too time-consuming and labor-intensive, and she could easily run into many pitfalls.

“That’s acceptable, but I have a few conditions.” She blinked her eyes as she spoke.

“After all, I can’t rely on the Vinewood Guild’s assistance forever. We also want to become self-sufficient. So I’d like you to help train some of my people. In exchange, for future business, we’ll give you priority cooperation.”

“Well…” He thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Perhaps he felt the young woman was overthinking things—how could a newly formed merchant caravan and organization compete with a guild that had stood for a hundred years?

By the end of the dinner, the two had settled most of the details. The finer points would be ironed out by their deputies later. At that moment, Reksen grew curious.

“I wonder, Miss Hedra, have you named your newly established guild yet? Even if it’s just starting out, having a name makes communication easier. Also, you’ll need a legal business entity to handle operations.”

“Well, let me think. My hometown is by Meteorite Lake. They say it’s an inland sea lake formed by a meteorite crashing down. Since that’s the case, I’ll call it the Meteorite Guild.” Ti Ya nodded.

In truth, “meteorite” held another meaning—she, as a visitor from another world, was the dormant Star, a meteorite that had once streaked across the universe and landed in this world.

Speaking of this, Sylutia suddenly felt a pang of homesickness. She wondered when she might return to that distant Earth for a visit. Perhaps by the time she got back, the Earth she once knew would have long since changed.

The last remnant in her memory still lingered on that summer, on the road home.

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