44: Chapter 44: The Legend of Wind Bell Grass 44: Chapter 44: The Legend of Wind Bell Grass “And the legend I’m about to tell is related to the Wind Bell Grass with nine blooms.”

Unfortunately, the specific content of this legend has been lost, and all I know is the ending of the legend—which was told to me by my grandmother.”

The old woman squinted her grey eyes and smiled, reminiscing about the bygone years, while the little boy put down the grass weaving in his hands and listened intently to the old woman’s story.

In the legend, Wind Bell Grass with nine ‘wind chimes’ is a symbol of luck.

As long as one can find the Wind Bell Grass with nine wind chimes, one would attain happiness and longevity!

However, since Wind Bell Grass with nine wind chimes cannot be found, people usually substitute it with Wind Bell Grass dried under the sun and weave it together with mangur fruits into grass wind chimes to pray for good luck for the year.”

Fiona’s lake-blue eyes widened with curiosity as she asked the old woman.

“Old lady, have you ever found the Wind Bell Grass with nine wind chimes?”

“Wind Bell Grass with nine wind chimes, eh…”

Seemingly touched by Fiona’s question, the old woman’s face revealed a content smile, and her voice became somewhat hoarse.

“This old woman has weaved grass her whole life and only saw it once when I was young!”

“Do you know?

My girl, originally we were not residents of Karlars but came from a small mountain village dozens of kilometers away.

During a Beast Tide, our village was destroyed.

Out of necessity, my husband and I came to Karlars with our three children.

To make a living, my husband chose to become a proud member of the City Guard Army.

I picked up the grass weaving skill I had learned from my grandmother and in my spare time from household chores, I would craft small items, then take them to the market to exchange for money to support the family.

During that brief time, life was very hard for me, but it was the happiest time of my youth.

But as is often the case, wonderful things are very fragile.

Three years later, during an invasion by Magic Beasts, my husband’s throat was torn open by a wind wolf.

As compensation, we gained official residency in Karlars and a place in the Lower City District.

Even though I lost him, life had to go on, and the children still needed my care.

But back then, my grass weaving skills were not great, daily earnings were low and completely insufficient for living expenses.

For a long period, the entire family could only afford two meals a day, and my eldest daughter had to go out to do odd jobs to help with the family expenses…”

At this point, the old woman couldn’t help but sigh.

“On one afternoon in the Golden Flowing Month, under the scorching sun, I was gathering grass in the fields outside the city.①

However, the sky that was originally very clear became overcast in a matter of minutes and soon, a torrential downpour started.

With no choice but to run towards a small hill covered with bushes with my basket of grass overhead, hoping to find some shelter from the rain.

But because I ran too hastily, I tripped over a rock and fell heavily into the mud.

My clothes were covered in mud, cold rain soaked my whole body, and the grass from the basket was scattered all over the ground.

For a moment, I truly wanted to just lie there on the ground, never to get up again—

But I couldn’t do that, as my three daughters were waiting for me at home.

Grinding my teeth, I got up, picked up the fallen grass bit by bit back into the basket despite the downpour.

Luckily, as quickly as the rain came, it also stopped, and the sun soon peeked out from the clouds once more.

On my way back, I passed by a large Rock.

At that time, something shiny caught my eye.”

With that, the old woman’s storytelling tone started to rise.

“In a crevice of that rock, I saw it—

Stems of an emerald green like gemstones, still sparkling with crystal clear water droplets; the pure white flowers drooping from the stems swayed in the wind like real wind chimes.

I remember that scene very clearly—”

Exactly nine blossoms, not one more, not one less!

At that time, I was in a hurry to get back home and didn’t think too much of it, just felt that this grass was very eye-catching.

It wasn’t until the Frost Fall Month of that year, when I was sorting through my grandmother’s belongings, that I remembered the legend once more, but by then the grass had long withered and died.

In the Red Rain Month of the next year, I went there again, but this time, the number of its blossoms was the normal twelve.

“During that time, I often regretted not remembering the legend at the moment; if I had picked it, it might have sold for a lot of money and improved our family’s living conditions.

But later on, as my craft of weaving grass improved and more people started to buy my work, our living conditions gradually got better.

Moreover, during the annual Professional Talent tests, both my second and youngest daughters were found to have Professional Talents, successively.

Although not high, they have reached the level required to enter the Professional College.

My eldest daughter also married a good husband and lives a very happy life.”

As she spoke, the old woman lifted her face, smiling till her eyes disappeared into crinkles.

Deep within the continuous wrinkles, a profound and serene satisfaction overflowed.

“Looking back now, this outcome isn’t bad.

Although I didn’t pick it, I eventually found it—”

As she spoke, the old woman seemed to suddenly realize something and looked at the two girls again, her gaze carrying a trace of apology.

“I’m sorry, you young ladies, for taking up so much of your time.

Once people get old, they tend to become verbose…”

“No, Granny, thank you for sharing your story.”

Fiona, having been engrossed in the tale, snapped back to reality.

Upon hearing the old woman’s words, she quickly shook her head but had already made a decision in her heart.

She held the woven grass wind chime, motioning for Annie to pay for it.

Then, taking back the string of fruits from Annie, she smiled at the little boy who was sneaking glances at her.

With her slender hand gloved in white, she pushed the string of fruits into his hand—she had noticed his gaze earlier.

“Here, take it and enjoy.”

Watching this scene, Annie hesitated to speak.

Although she liked her mistress’s kindness, as a little princess of Olivendi, she should not have too much interaction with the commonfolk.

In the end, Annie sighed and decided to pretend she had not seen her mistress’s unbecoming behavior.

After all, she was but a small Half-Elf maid.

“Thank you, big sister…”

Grasping the string of fruits, the little boy’s face flushed red with a hint of shyness, and quickly thanked Fiona.

Fiona was startled for a moment, then chuckled, finding it quite novel to be addressed as big sister—for she had never before been called that.

“May the gods bless you, kind young lady.”

The old woman also revealed a grateful smile.

Fiona nodded with a smile to the old woman and then left the stall with Annie.

As they were affectionately seen off, the delicate figures of the two girls gradually disappeared into the dazzling sunshine at the other end of the alley.

From afar, the conversation between the little boy and the old woman could faintly be heard.

“Granny, next year I’ll be old enough.

When the adults from the college come to test for talents, I’ll definitely pass the test and become a Mage!

Then, the grass weavings you make can really come to life, and they will sell very well!”

“Alright, little Roche, Granny will definitely wait for that day—”

……

①: August ②: October ③: April