…
A few moments later, Izroth, Sychia, and Sylvia were on a flying platform in the shape of a cherry blossom. It was several meters long and wide enough to easily fit the three as they soared through the sky at a great speed.
As for Hakros, Astratis, and Nomii, Izroth had other arrangements for them since they could not set foot on the Thousand Blossom Peak. After all, unlike Izroth, they did not earn the title of Honorary Saint.
The promise Hakros made with Izroth only lasted until they left the Secret Realm; therefore, he was no longer in Izroth’s debt. However, the behemoth did not immediately cut ties with Izroth and even suggested that he would take him around the Wilds Lands someday.
Of course, Hakros was most looking forward to the sparring partner Izroth mentioned back in the Secret Realm.
As for the spoils he acquired from Ourami’s treasure room, Izroth asked Hakros to drop everything off at his Mystical Realm Palace so that Aurora could sort through things properly.
In return, Izroth promised to take to Hakros along on something a bit “interesting” sometime in the future.
When it came to Astratis and Nomii, the two did not entirely leave Izroth’s side. Instead, they maintained a good distance and followed after Izroth while keeping their presence hidden.
Izroth was not surprised that Sylvia saw Astratis and Nomii as ordinary people.
When he first arrived in the Ancient Celestial Realm and met Astratis, even with his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth could not see through the Son of Thunder. That is until he learned how to feel ethos directly. However, if one did not actively know how to feel ethos, then their reaction would be the same as Sylvia’s.
Nevertheless, it worked out the way Izroth hoped. Now, he did not have to worry about openly throwing away the balance of power within the Mortal Realm.
“How was your first experience of a Secret Realm? Did you receive anything of worth?” Sylvia inquired as she glanced over at Sychia.
“Yes. It has broadened my views and opened my eyes in more ways than one.” Sychia replied gracefully.
But, not long after she spoke, a look of sadness flashed through her eyes as she released a small sigh. This expression did not escape Sylvia’s gaze.
“Your mind seems burdened and your heart heavy, junior sister. Know that you are always welcome to speak freely. As your senior sister, it is my responsibility to assist you with your worries.” Sylvia stated.
At the start, Sychia seemed somewhat hesitant to speak. However, she knew it had to be said eventually.
“Senior sister, for what I have to say—can you deploy a sound barrier?” Sychia said with a serious expression.
Sylvia narrowed her eyes. To deploy a sound barrier here of all places… Could it be it was something that she did not want to discuss around their guest?
Sensing Sylvia’s thoughts, Sychia reassured, “It is fine. What I have to say is something that I am sure he is already aware of.”
Sylvia gave a slight nod in response. The following moment, she used a Drifting Barrier Talisman to ensure that no one could listen in on what it was that they had to say.
“Then, is there something you would like to tell me, Sy?” Sylvia inquired.
“The truth is…”
Sychia went on to explain in great detail the events that unfolded inside the Secret Realm regarding her interaction with the others who accompanied originally them. This included her personal destruction of the Princess of the Fifth Great Clan, Luxia’s clone, as well as the demise of the Third Disciple of the Eight Heavens Young Zouren, and Azure Lightning Agromin.
By the time Sychia finished her giving her account of what transpired in the Secret Realm, Sylvia’s expression had shifted to one of cold rage.
“How dare they target a Thousand Blossom Maiden of our Order! Even if they are part of the Eight Heavens and Fifth Great Clan, that’s going too far!” Sylvia said as she voiced her clear outrage.
It took Sylvia a while before she managed to calm herself; however, every time she thought back to Sychia’s words, Sylvia could not help but feel anger.
But, even in her anger, Sylvia still kept a clear mind and did not become blinded by rage.
“You two must never speak of this to another soul. We can deal with the people from the Azure Clan, but the Eight Heavens and Fifth Great Clan are two powers that our current Order of a Thousand Blossoms cannot afford to offend. It is true that destroying the Fifth Princess Luxia’s clone is a serious offense; however, as long as we send a few good words with some compensation, given our history with one another, they will not be openly aggressive. As for the problem with the Eight Heavens… I’m afraid it has already gone beyond the point of reconciling.” Sylvia stated.
She then continued, “Young Zouren was not an ordinary disciple, but a direct disciple who was in line to potentially become the next head of the Eight Heavens. His talent was something that appeared only once every hundred years. The Eight Heavens have spent a considerable amount of resources on his upbringing and he was practically guaranteed to step into the peak of the legendary realm in the future. Slaying a future peak legendary figure of a powerful clan like the Eight Heavens—I fear even in death, they will not forgive your offense.”
Sylvia averted her gaze to Izroth, who sat calmly near the back of the large cherry blossom.
“Someone who placed first in the second team’s selection must have a powerful backer. But, why is it that I have never heard of his name before then? Is his master a hidden old monster? Is that why his actions were so reckless? If so, I am afraid he has underestimated the Eight Heavens. After all, their head is a peak legendary realm expert.” Sylvia thought to herself.
Seeing Izroth’s calm and carefree expression as she spoke about the potential consequences left Sylvia feeling bewildered. She wondered what gave him the courage and confidence to offend the Eight Heavens to such an extent.
“This has become quite the headache…” Sylvia said to herself with a heavy sigh.
Now that Izroth was an Honorary Saint, he was almost provided the same benefits as Thousand Blossom Maiden. This meant that the Order of a Thousand Blossoms had an obligation to ensure his safety. But, in the face of such powerful foes with their master at death’s doorstep, it could not have happened at a worse possible time.
“Senior sister, I…” An expression of guilt appeared on Sychia’s face.
Her senior sister already had to deal with most of the internal affairs in their master’s place. Not only did she have to deal with their master’s condition rapidly declining, but she also had to prepare for the potential troubles she caused.
To place more burdens onto her senior sister, who had to maintain a strong outer appearance, how could Sychia not feel riddled with guilt?
“You both did what you had to do. There is no need to feel guilty about your actions, Sy. Besides, our Order of a Thousand Blossoms may not be as strong as those powers, but we will not allow ourselves to be bullied so easily. If anyone wishes to find fault with the two of you in the future, they will first have to find it with me.” Sylvia stated confidently.
“Senior sister…” A look of gratitude could be seen in Sychia’s eyes as she felt Sylvia’s sincerity.
At the same time, a slight smile also formed on Izroth’s face as he quietly listened and watched what unfolded before him.
‘This Order of a Thousand Blossoms… For someone to raise two such individuals—I want to speak with that person myself.’
In these types of situations, it would not unusual for the Order of a Thousand Blossoms to distance themselves as far away as possible from Izroth. After all, it was technically him who slew Young Zouren. Therefore, they had every right to deny any relation to the matter. But, instead of doing so, Sylvia stayed by her word and honored the law of their Order. For this simple action, Izroth saw her in a good light.
‘Don’t worry. Even if I have to move the heavens to make it happen, I will save your master.’
