Vol 2 Chapter 87 The Song of the Girl Under the Moon
Her silver hair was neatly combed before the mirror, lying flat and smooth as it cascaded down from the nape of her neck. Each delicate strand was clearly visible, possessing a beauty that could make one's mind wander.
A hair ribbon dyed with the blue of cornflower petals gently gathered and tied her hair, fastened into light butterfly bows on both sides. The pure white long dress accentuated the maiden's purity, while the blue-dyed waistband highlighted her slender, bow-moon-like waist, also revealing another faint, bewitching charm that kept her appearance and aura from being too plain.
For the completeness of the 'Awaiting the Moon Ceremony,' Sylutia had studied the attire style once used by the Silver Radiance Church and had this dress set custom-made.
After finishing her makeup, Sylutia stood up, spun slightly to look at herself in the mirror, and then walked out of the room.
At this ti, braziers were set up and burning along the paths within the town, illuminating it brightly even in the night.
One by one, apprentices dressed in silver-white robes stood on both sides of the path, waiting for Sylutia's appearance. Under Sylutia's guidance during this period, they had learned the procedures of the 'Awaiting the Moon Ceremony' and knew the roles they were to play tonight.
When Sylutia stepped out of the house, the gazes of the apprentices along the path converged on her. Although the many lines of sight made her feel a little shy, she took a deep breath, slightly raised her head, looked forward, picked up the bouquet of cornflowers before her, and began to walk forward step by step without shifting her gaze.
Whenever she passed by an apprentice, that person and their counterpart on the opposite side would join the procession. Thus, the group gradually arrived at the white stone pool behind the town.
Sylutia ca to a stop in front of the pool, while the apprentices behind her continued forward, each side circling around the pool until sixty people surrounded it in a crescent moon shape resembling a 'U,' standing in two rows.
Sylutia first lit the two specially made incense burners beside the pool. The scent of 'Wind-Guiding Incense (Vaulted Sky)' drifted into the night sky, bringing gentle breezes.
Then, Sylutia clasped her hands together and recited the prayers of the Silver Radiance Church, praying for the manifestation of the Luminous Moon's purifying power. Although she didn't know if such prayers were truly effective, for the sake of the ceremony's completeness, she tried to synchronize her actions with the legends.
Afterwards, the mbers each took out silver plates, drew clear water from the pool, and placed them on the stone platform beside the pool.
Then, the crisp sound of glass wind chis rang out, dispelling the miscellaneous noises of the night. Everyone slowly held their breath, their gazes fixed on the maiden standing before the pool.
At this mont, Sylutia slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the overcast, cloud-covered night sky. The chi sounds also ceased at this very mont.
Multiple secret ritual rune marks of the Silver Radiance Church appeared in her pupils, and then a soft singing voice rose in the night wind.
『In the light of hope』
『The waiting mont』
『The slumbering heart is gradually awakened』
『I will sing by your ear』
...
The lodious song, a ballad that has traversed the vicissitudes of history, the prayers of countless people from the past, the miraculous voice that ended calamity
Was once again sung beneath this sea of clouds
Even though those present were unaware of the history of the Silver Radiance Church, they were moved by the compassion and hope contained within the song.
『Singing the ballad of gratitude for the blessings she brought us』
『And the infinite power that brings growth to all things』
『(Longingly) I devoutly pray for hope』
『(Earnestly) Praying it can reach my heart』
『I pray for the light of hope』
...
『(Imploringly) I beseech you to listen to my soul』
『Descend once more』
Tonight, the apprentices were intoxicated and imrsed in the night breeze and the gentle song. Their thoughts gradually aligned, moved by that ancient prayer for salvation.
Then, faint points of light finally appeared in the gentle breeze, like fireflies erging and dancing under this dim canopy of sky.
Though tiny, these weak points of light responded to everyone's prayers and began to manifest.
Like returning wanderers, they swayed gently in the wind, drifting across this sky and land covered by dark clouds.
So of the light points landed on the silver-haired maiden. An intangible halo appeared, spreading out from her as the center to the surroundings of the pool, touching every mber standing by the poolside holding bouquets of cornflowers.
At this mont, they gently dipped their flower bouquets into the water in the silver plates and sprinkled it into the night sky, where it mingled with the floating points of light.
Afterwards, these water droplets and light points shimred and drifted, rising and falling with the ballad in the wind, swaying gently until Sylutia finished singing the entire prayer song. Then they slowly descended, gathering into the silver plates one by one, like flowing moonlight.
Facing the prepared 'Awaiting the Moon Holy Water,' the apprentices took out the silver bottles they had prepared and carefully filled and sealed them.
A long ti later, the gentle breeze carrying the echoes of the ballad dispersed, and the holy water in the plates was also completely sealed.
After concluding the ceremony, everyone silently prayed in gratitude once more. Then they tidied up the items on site, gathered all the silver bottles, and placed them into compartntalized boxes for storage.
"Thirty bottles per box, ten boxes total, three hundred bottles, Lady Sylutia." This ti, the reporting apprentice used an honorific, likely because tonight's ceremony had completely won him over.
"Alright." Sylutia let out a slight sigh of relief.
This should be enough to et the supply needs of Dark Sand River Valley. She might even have so left over to use in Lantern Town for purifying water sources and treating pollution symptoms.
However, this ceremony was also extrely taxing. It would probably be three months before she could cultivate another batch of 'Second Tier' cornflowers. This tifra seed sowhat long to her, but in the eyes of other gardeners, it was nothing short of terrifying.
One must understand, Second Tier plants are not as easy to handle as First Tier ones. Normally, a gardener would need nearly two years to cultivate the 'Second Tier' plants they require. Back then, when Lady Franne cultivated that vast sea of sunflowers, it also took over two years, and she was considered a genius by her peers.
This is because even with ticulous care from a gardener, not every plant can advance to the Second Tier. Roughly one out of ten 'First Tier' plants can enter the 'Second Tier.' For soone like Lady Franne, where one out of three First Tier sunflowers advanced to Second Tier, that was already a rare and exceptionally skilled gardener.
After packaging the prepared holy water silver bottles, Sylutia waited for Reginson's transport team to arrive on their next trip and entrusted him with delivering them to Dark Sand River Valley.
"Since it's an important item entrusted by Sylutia, I will take good care of it and ensure it arrives safely." Reginson was also a man who recognized valuable goods. He understood how crucial this batch of holy water was for the developnt of Dark Sand River Valley and solemnly accepted the commission.
"I will probably return in about a month and a half, bringing back the magnetic sand exchanged from Dark Sand River Valley."
"Sylutia can focus on developing Lantern Town with peace of mind during this ti." Initially, Reginson had so doubts about this young lady's ability to manage this brand-new garrison.
But over the past six months, watching a rather scenic little town gradually rise from the barren foothills, his mood had beco exceptionally good.
If 'Lantern Town' developed well, their transport team would have another place to rest and resupply during their journeys to and from the various garrisons in the Darkmist Mountains in the future, greatly improving safety as well.
"Wait for my news, haha."
After bidding farewell to the young lady, Reginson called to his team mbers to mount their horses and set off from the town once again, heading towards the distant depths of the Darkmist Mountains.
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