Chapter 57: Faint Light
The next day, Hua Mi logged into the website backend. Many people in the comment section were eagerly asking about when the new products would be released or when the previous two honey varieties would be back in stock.
Hua Mi posted a brief notice:
"Let's draw a big picture: The new honey is already in the brewing process, everyone is welcome to stay tuned~ If customers knew that the so-called 'already in the brewing process' actually meant that even the flower seeds were not ready, they might unsubscribe and report without hesitation.
However, due to various magical factors, the production process of honey cannot be judged based on Earth's experience; it will be much faster.
As for when the two varieties of honey will be back in stock...
Hua Mi vaguely stated that it would be after the new honey is available.
After dealing with matters on Earth, he crossed into the otherworld.
Today's main task remained the same as yesterday: producing Thunder Blossom seeds.
As for when the Elven Master would arrive, it was not something he could control.
Even though the letter said today, it could be delayed.
Seven pseudo-flower spirits guarded the seed manufacturing machine, while Hua Mi took a shovel to clear the snow outside.
In addition to the area in front of the wooden house, there was also an area diagonally behind.
That was the space he had cleared in advance for building a greenhouse.
Strictly speaking, the area wasn't large, about the same size as the small wooden house's footprint.
Because the building was based on spatial expansion magic, it didn't need a large area.
Busy until noon, and the Elven Master didn't arrive as expected, but a raven did.
Most likely the same one as last time.
The raven threw the letter in through the window without stopping, performing an elegant mid-air spin before flying away.
Hua Mi noticed a detail; this raven's direction of arrival and departure was different from the last time.
This time, the letter wasn't in an envelope, just a folded piece of paper.
Hua Mi opened it and saw familiar handwriting, signed by "Alyss, Special Architect of the Emerald Court."
It was indeed the letter from the Elven Master.
Hua Mi initially thought she might stand him up, but the content of the letter was not what he expected.
There was only a short sentence on the paper: "I have settled in the Black Forest, taking a short break, and will come later. Don't forget the 15g horn powder, or everything is off the table."
Last time he noticed that the master used somewhat archaic language.
Probably not young.
"Not just 15g horn powder, I have half a horn here, enough for you to use."
But Hua Mi wondered why she didn't come directly.
Claimed to have settled in the Black Forest.
Where did she live? As far as he knew, there were no inns in the Black Forest.
Not to mention inns, there was probably only his shop in the entire forest.
After all, this wasn't a tourist destination.
But since the letter said so, at least he had some idea.
Next, just wait for her to come.
It's worth mentioning that today's seed manufacturing machine seemed to be more efficient again.
Before sunset, it reached a production level comparable to yesterday's entire day.
Four full bags of seeds, over four thousand in total.
"At this rate, in a week, the number of seeds produced will be enough to plant a small flower field."
...
Unknowingly, it was already dusk.
The sun had already set halfway, and the Elven Master had yet to appear.
Hua Mi chatted with the seven small creatures in his spare time: "Have you heard of 'Alyss,' the Special Architect of the Emerald City? She's the one I mentioned, the top architect of the Emerald City."
The pseudo-flower spirits shook their heads.
Little Orange said, "She has her own title; she must be a powerful elf. Normally, elves don't have titles."
Little Green, with a look of admiration, said, "It's an honor for her to visit the Black Forest!"
Little Red pondered, "Shouldn't we host a feast to welcome her?"
Little Cyan sighed, "It depends on whether she can pass our test, but I'm tired of teasing people."
Little Yellow speculated, "An elf with a title must be quite old. Maybe she will stay in the Black Forest forever, becoming a part of this land."
Little Purple, with a dreamy expression, said, "I heard that the Emerald City has many delicious foods. I wonder if she'll bring some over, hehe..."
After listening to their various speculations, there wasn't much useful information.
Only knowing that an elf with a title must be powerful.
Hua Mi walked to the door and stretched lazily.
Suddenly, his gaze froze, looking towards the depths of the forest.
Vaguely, he saw a dark figure moving between the trees.
"What's that?"
Hua Mi took a few steps outside, focusing to get a clear view.
It seemed to be a person...
No, the size was too large.
Both horizontally and vertically, it exceeded the dimensions of a normal human.
And that figure was gradually approaching the direction of the wooden house!
An unexpected sense of crisis!
Hua Mi immediately activated the magic box.
Swarm of Pain Bees, Armored Swift Bees, and Circular-Cutting Bees swarmed out, forming a formation in front.
At this moment, the approaching figure began to reveal its true identity.
It was a... stone golem.
Probably over four meters tall, with a round and clumsy body, as if assembled from huge stones.
Each step it took produced the sound of stones colliding and rubbing.
The footsteps were heavy and powerful.
On its left shoulder sat a small figure.
As the stone golem approached, Hua Mi could see its rough facial features and the figure on its shoulder clearly.
Judging by size, it seemed to be a child.
Wearing a red robe, with the hood covering the head.
The stone golem walked towards this side, leaving large footprints in the snow.
From its momentum, it seemed to have no intention of attacking.
But Hua Mi didn't relax his guard.
Cannot confirm whether the other party is an enemy or a friend.
The bee swarm was ready for any eventuality.
Bee venom was likely ineffective against the stone golem, so the primary target for Swarm of Pain Bees was the little figure on its shoulder.
Circular-Cutting Bees could attempt to attack the weak points of the stone golem, such as the joints.
Armored Swift Bees were in charge of defense.
While pondering his strategy, the stone golem suddenly stopped.
It didn't come too close, staying about ten meters away from him.
The stone golem extended its grinding disc-like right hand to its left shoulder.
The little figure stood up on it.
The stone golem extended its palm steadily forward.
The little figure stood firmly on it, looking down at Hua Mi.
Due to the angle and the dim light, Hua Mi could only see half of the little figure's face clearly.
But he noticed the lips moving: "Are you the Bee Speaker?"
Similar accent to Sindra.
The voice sounded mature, not like a child's tone.
An idea popped into Hua Mi
's mind: "Is she Alyss?"
Quite different from the image he had imagined.
This height seemed to be only a little over a meter, clearly a child.
Could Alyss be a prodigy, earning the title of a top architect at such a young age?
That wasn't very realistic.
Or, were there gnomes among the elves?
"It's me." Hua Mi replied, calmly scrutinizing her.
She raised her hand and took off her hood, revealing silver-white shoulder-length hair and characteristic pointed ears.
"Is the 15g horn powder ready?"