Chapter 51: Hearts of Worry, Fields of Gold

    Violet stepped closer, her face a mask of concern. "So you''re telling me... the council wants the guild to focus on this... cult and abandon everything else?"

    "Isn''t that strange? Are they really expecting us to not issue any local quests?"

    Thalion nodded grimly. "It seems that way." He let out another sigh; he was clearly frustrated. "The guild was always meant to stay out of such matters. But now we''re being forced into the heart of it. The timing couldn''t be worse."

    Violet gazed at Thalion with a thoughtful expression as he sighed and leaned back in his chair. She could see the frustration in his eyes, the same frustration that came from years of managing a guild and dealing with conflicts that seemed so out of place.

    "I believe it would be best for you to confirm the authenticity of this report, sir," Violet suggested. "It''s hard to believe that the guild, which has managed to stay neutral through three great wars, is suddenly being given trouble by some cult."

    Thalion nodded slowly, his fingers tapping repeatedly on the surface of the desk. "You have a point," he said, looking down at the papers once again. "Perhaps it would be best to confirm it over a magic orb transmission... or maybe I''ll just pay for a teleportation to the council at the Magic Tower."

    He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. He was clearly uncertain about all this, but one thing remained clear... he needed answers, and quickly.

    Thalion let out another sigh, rising from his seat. As he straightened his coat, he glanced over at Violet, who was still standing beside his desk, watching him carefully.

    "Whatever it is," he said, "I would prefer to have some lunch first."

    Violet blinked, her eyebrows knitting together in surprise.

    "What... you''re surprised I suddenly want to eat after hearing such strange news?" Thalion asked with a smile as he noticed the puzzled expression on her face.

    "Indeed, sir... but then again, I should have expected you''d say something like this," Violet said, sighing right after.

    Sylvana stood atop a small, grassy knoll overlooking the farmland, her deep green hair fluttering in the breeze.

    The fields were alive with activity. Rows of golden wheat swayed gently in the breeze, while patches of vibrant red tomatoes gleamed like jewels against the rich soil.

    Over to the west, clusters of green and purple cabbages grew in neat rows.

    The farmers were equally diverse in their appearance and tasks. Clad in simple yet sturdy linen shirts and trousers, patched aprons tied at their waists.

    Wide-brimmed straw hats shielded them from the sun, while some wore bandanas tied around their heads to keep the sweat at bay.

    They wielded an array of tools... sickles for cutting wheat, wooden crates for collecting vegetables, and sturdy hoes for loosening the soil. A pair of oxen worked steadily in the distance, pulling a wooden plow guided by a man whose laughter echoed as he chatted with his companion.

    Sylvana descended from her perch, stepping lightly down the hill. As she approached the farmers, her warm smile lit up her face.

    "Good morning, Darian!" she called to a young man bundling wheat into tight sheaves. "Your technique has improved. I see you''ve mastered the tying method I showed you."

    Darian straightened, brushing sweat from his brow. "Lady Sylvana, your advice was a game-changer! Look at this wheat; it''s sturdier and easier to handle now." He held up a sheaf proudly.

    Sylvana chuckled. "That''s all your hard work, Darian. Pair this with some fresh honey butter, and you''ve got the perfect addition to a meal."

    Nearby, an elderly woman worked, her hands gently plucking ripe tomatoes from their vines. She waved Sylvana over. "My lady, these tomatoes are the best we''ve had in years! It''s crazy to think all of this has happened in only a couple of days!"

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