‘Oh? She knows me?’
It had already been over a month in-game time since his trip to the Sky Palace for the second team’s selection.
Izroth knew that it was only a matter of time before those in positions of power came to know of his name. After all, the teams chosen at the selection would represent the Mortal Realm on a grand stage. Those who participated were all geniuses and young powerhouses who were undoubtedly the future of the Mortal Realm. Therefore, it was not uncommon for some powers to seek out these talents and attempt to win them over to their side. And, even if they could not poach them from the power backing them, it was still possible to form an early connection that may reap some benefits in the future.
However, there were also those who wanted to destroy the next generation of competition from their rivals or claim revenge.
Indeed, there was an agreement in place that no matter what happened at the Sky Palace, one should not interfere with the participants. But, how could those powerful organizations bear suffering a loss and losing face without retaliating?
In the end, it was not uncommon for said organizations to use underhanded or indirect means to accomplish their goals.
Nevertheless, Izroth did not see any such ill intention from Sylvia. Not to mention, after he arrived back in the Mortal Realm and met with Sylvia, Izroth officially completed the SS-ranked quests Enemies In All Directions.
〈System Alert: Congratulations, you have completed the quest ?Enemies In All Directions?!〉
〈System Alert: Your favor with the ?Thousand Blossom Maiden, Sychia? has been maxed!〉
〈System Alert: Your fame with the ?Order of a Thousand Blossoms? has been maxed!〉
〈System Alert: You have become an Honorary Saint of the ?Order of a Thousand Blossoms?!〉
〈System Alert: Your fame with the ?Circle of Six Gods? has decreased by 10,000 points!〉
〈System Alert: Your reputation with the ?Circle of Six Gods? has become Irredeemable! You can no longer gain fame with the ?Circle of Six Gods?!〉
〈System Alert: Your fame with the ?Fifth Great Clan? has decreased by 500 points!〉
〈System Alert: Your favor with the ?Princess of the Fifth Great Clan, Luxia? has decreased by 2,500 points!〉
‘This Circle of Six Gods does not seem to be on good terms with the Order of a Thousand Blossoms. As long as someone becomes an ally of one, they also become an enemy of the other. For it to be like this, there must be some history between the two.’
The Circle of Six Gods—when Izroth defeated the Right Song of Siren, Enigma, the system mentioned he eliminated a servant of the God of Disharmony.
Izroth did not know anything about the God of Disharmony; however, from the name of the organization alone, there was a high chance they were working with others.
If that was the case, who did the Order of a Thousand Blossoms have on their side above the firmament that made them confront such an enemy head-on and risk the wrath of those divine beings?
While someone in the divine realm could not directly interfere with those below the firmament, it was still possible to use those with their blessings to enact their will. Therefore, one would not typically become an enemy of those under divine protection unless they had someone supporting them.
The next moment, Izroth removed the Golden Lustrum Imperial Token from his inventory. It was proof of his identity as a member of the second team that would represent the Mortal Realm in the upcoming Lustrum Imperial Bout.
If one revealed the token to others, even if that person were a king, they would have to treat that individual as an honored guest. This was the level of importance and authority that the Golden Lustrum Imperial Token held.
Upon seeing the token, any lingering doubts regarding Izroth’s identity vanished from Sylvia’s mind.
There was no fool brave enough to forge the Golden Lustrum Imperial Token and walk around showing it off to others so easily. Without a doubt, the person in front of her was the real Izroth.
Sylvia also received some recent news that it was Izroth who took down the servant of the God of Disharmony, Enigma. Just from this act alone, her Order of a Thousand Blossoms would welcome him. But, that was only under normal circumstances.
“I have been discourteous in my late greetings as I had to handle some internal matters regarding my Order of a Thousand Blossoms. I hope that you do not take it to heart.” Sylvia said in a courteous manner.
“It’s fine. There are some matters that must be handled without delay. Since it has to do with your junior sister, naturally, I will not find fault with you.” Izroth replied calmly as he placed the Golden Lustrum Imperial Token back into his inventory.
Sylvia was taken aback by Izroth’s response. Typically, those in the same position as him all came from a powerful background and were extremely arrogant.
At the moment, her Order was going through a major crisis and could not afford to make any new enemies with their master’s declining health. And, since she represented not just herself, but also the Order of a Thousand Blossoms, Sylvia acted accordingly.
“Then, since you are willing to look past this matter, I shall not continue,” Sylvia said.
She then continued, “On to a more important topic, Izroth—you have saved the life of this generation’s Thousand Blossom Maiden. As per the laws of my Order of a Thousand Blossoms, we shall recognize you as an Honorary Saint. On behalf of my master and all those of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms, I, the First Sword of the Thousand Blossoms, Sylvia, thank you. Know that you are always welcomed at our Thousand Blossoms Peak.”
Sylvia spoke in a sincere tone as she properly thanked Izroth.
The life of a Thousand Blossom Maiden was invaluable as they were the future of the Order. That’s why the Order of a Thousand Blossoms would do everything in their power to ensure their safe return. Even if it were an enemy that spared their Thousand Blossom Maiden, it would count as saving their life and they would repay the favor without fail. That is the reason the Order of a Thousand Blossoms made sure such a thing was well known throughout the Mortal Realm.
After Sylvia spoke, there was a brief silence. She seemed to have something to ask but appeared somewhat hesitant.
Of course, Izroth had a good idea of what she wanted to inquire.
“You want to ask if I truly have a way to save your master, right? You can speak freely.” Izroth commented.
Sylvia released a heavy sigh and replied, “It is true, but… I am afraid my junior sister is too inexperienced when it comes to healing methods and has underestimated our master’s condition. I do not wish to waste your time on an internal matter.”
Their master was a grade seven Apothecary that was one step away from reaching grade eight. In addition, they invited several guests to the Thousand Blossoms Peak ranging from priests and alchemists to curse specialists and poison masters.
They even invited a grade eight Apothecary! Yet, even that person was powerless in the face of her master’s condition.
Therefore, no matter how great the quality of Izroth’s pills or his future potential, Sylvia could not help but see his aid as anything but futile. After all, if the great masters they invited could not solve her master’s issue, how could someone who did not even seem to be her age yet solve it? Even if he was the winner of the second team’s selection, it did not necessarily mean that his crafting arts were on par with those great masters.
“Then, since it is my time to waste, there should be no issues, correct?” Izroth said in a carefree manner.
“This…” Sylvia inwardly furrowed her brows.
“With his identity as an Honorary Saint and the winner of the second team’s selection, even if others have some objections to his presence, they can not use the excuse of bringing in an inexperienced outsider. Then, perhaps…” Sylvia fell into a deep state of thought.
Although she did not want to admit it, there were those within the Order of a Thousand Blossoms that wanted nothing more than for her master to fall to her sickness so that they could seize power. In truth, it was these people she was worried the most about, which is why she came out personally to find Sychia and escort her back to the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
Sylvia glanced over at Sychia, who had a hopeful and bright look in her eyes. Seeing that expression caused Sylvia to mentally retreat back a few steps.
If there was even the smallest chance of her master recovering, then…
“Very well. Honorary Saint of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms, Izroth. I, Sylvia, shall personally escort you to the Thousand Blossoms Peak.” Sylvia declared.
