Chapter 220: Behind the Cherry Blossom Screen

Among the three men standing respectfully beneath the cherry blossom screen, the Mage who spoke was a new face. The two standing beside him, however, were quite familiar.

The Knight on the left had once led the assault against the Werewolf Cabaro, only for his entire force to be wiped out by the beast’s savage area-of-effect attacks. The man on the right had previously commanded the squad that fought its way through the entrance of the third level of Black Rock Spire, only to be driven out shortly afterward when the Violet Thunder Guild arrived and swept them aside.

The Violet Thunder Guild’s Guild Creation Token had undoubtedly dropped from the Werewolf Cabaro on that third level. That loot should have been theirs. Yet because of a series of strange disruptions at the crucial moment, the Violet Thunder Guild had managed to seize the opportunity and snatch the prize from right under their noses. It was only natural that the three men standing here now felt a deep resentment when the news of Violet Thunder’s guild formation reached them.

When no response came from the figure behind the embroidered screen, the Mage in the center took the silence as permission to continue. He steadied himself and began recounting everything that had happened at Black Rock Spire in careful, methodical detail.

“Master, when the Knight riding the black horse first appeared on the third level, we initially believed he was an NPC. However, after further investigation and deduction, we have confirmed that he is in fact a player. His mount is a Divine Mount known as the Nightmare Dragon Steed, and the most distinctive feature about him is the rabbit mask he wears.”

The Mage finished his report and quietly offered his conclusions.

Even after hearing the explanation, the master behind the screen did not speak.

The twelve players standing in a row beside the screen, known collectively as the Twelve Cherry Blossom Envoys, had begun to grow restless. At last their leader, the Knight responsible for the guild’s operations, stepped forward. His in-game name was Sakura Knight.

“Master, should we investigate this player further?”

Almost immediately another figure stepped forward as well. “Master, I am willing to go,” said Sakura Assassin, the Rogue among the Twelve Envoys, volunteering without hesitation.

The Twelve Cherry Blossom Envoys were all highly skilled players with formidable confidence in their own abilities. Ever since rumors had begun circulating about a player who possessed a Divine Mount, curiosity had been simmering among them. Now that they finally had a lead, none of them wanted to let the opportunity slip away.

More than curiosity, however, there was pride.

They wanted to see what kind of player could possibly command such a rare and powerful mount. If the rabbit-masked Knight truly possessed the strength to match it, then so be it. But if he did not, then in their eyes he had no right to keep it.

A treasure like the Nightmare Dragon Steed belonged in the hands of someone worthy of it. A great horse should be ridden by a hero, and true power belonged to the strong.

“No. Leave it be.”

The voice from behind the cherry blossom screen finally sounded.

The tone was calm and quiet, yet it carried a weight that left no room for debate.

“Yes, Master.”

Sakura Knight and Sakura Assassin immediately lowered their heads and stepped back into position beside the screen without another word.

“Is there anything else?” the master asked the Mage standing below.

The Mage hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“Master, it was because of that Knight’s interference that the Violet Thunder Guild was able to steal the kill on Werewolf Cabaro. Based on the timing, the Guild Creation Token must have dropped from that fight. My subordinates are extremely dissatisfied. Many of them want to track down both the Violet Thunder Guild and that Knight and take revenge. How should we proceed? Perhaps we could cause some trouble for the Violet Thunder Guild and…”

The second Guild Creation Token in the entire United States region should have belonged to them. That achievement had been within their grasp, yet it was taken away at the last moment. Anyone in their position would have felt wronged.

The Mage had originally intended to continue with the words “and take revenge on that rabbit-masked Knight,” but the thought halted halfway through his mind. He suddenly remembered that the master had already forbidden the Twelve Envoys from interfering in matters related to that mysterious Knight. Realizing he had almost spoken out of line, he quickly cut himself off before finishing the sentence.

“There is no need,” the master replied calmly. “Focus on leveling. Continue recruiting the kind of players we need. The greedy ones. Those who lack any sense of loyalty, pride, or national honor. The ones who are willing to betray anyone if the price is right.”

The master behind the screen seemed utterly unconcerned that the Violet Thunder Guild had taken what should have been his Guild Creation Token.

In truth, he believed the formation of the second guild in the United States had already been delayed long enough. Not only did he have no intention of causing trouble, he actually hoped more guilds would be established as soon as possible. If necessary, he was even prepared to quietly provide assistance to certain mid-sized organizations.

There was no denying that the U.S. region was filled with talented players, and its population was the largest among all the game’s servers.

At present, across every national region in Dominion, only the United States had successfully obtained Guild Creation Tokens. The world’s very first guild, the Black Dragon Guild led by Demonic Dragon, had also been born here.

Thanks to their early start, their overwhelming reputation, and their immense financial backing, the Black Dragon Guild had already surpassed one hundred thousand members in only a few days. They had drawn in elite players from every corner of the server, along with countless battle-hungry individuals eager for large-scale conflict.

If this continued, Demonic Dragon’s guild would not only become an immovable force within the United States but would likely secure a decisive advantage over other nations when the future global wars began.

The man behind the cherry blossom screen understood that better than anyone.

He was the mysterious dark horse who had suddenly appeared at the Old Vine Auction House, the calculating strategist known as Blaze Phoenix.

Blaze Phoenix had no intention of standing by and watching the Black Dragon Guild expand without restraint. He could not allow them to unify the entire U.S. region under a single banner.

What he needed was the exact opposite.

He wanted the region to remain fragmented, a landscape of competing factions scattered like loose sand. Only in such chaos could he quietly pull the strings from the shadows.

The establishment of the Violet Thunder Guild was therefore a welcome development. Their presence alone would inevitably create friction with the Black Dragon Guild. If one or two additional guilds rose to prominence as well, the entire U.S. region would become far more lively.

The only regret was that the Violet Thunder Guild was already a large-scale organization. Groups of that size rarely accepted outside influence, and even if they did, Blaze Phoenix would never be able to exert meaningful control over them.

Mid-sized guilds were far more suitable.

With enough financial support and careful guidance, those guilds would be far more willing to follow his suggestions.

For the moment, however, it was still too early for him to make his move.

“Yes, Master.”

The three men beneath the screen did not dare offer further opinions. They bowed deeply, then slowly withdrew from the living room.

“The rest of you may leave as well.”

“Yes, Master.”

The Twelve Cherry Blossom Envoys bowed in unison before exiting the room.

Moments later, the spacious living room fell silent. Only Blaze Phoenix remained behind the cherry blossom screen, accompanied by the two handmaidens who always stood quietly at his side.

“Raven. Skye.”

“We are here.”

The two women responded softly.

Their voices were clear and melodious, Yet beneath that gentle tone there lingered a faint chill, reminiscent of the first frost of winter, distant and difficult to approach.

Both handmaidens were dressed in Assassin attire.

One wore fitted black leather armor that allowed swift movement while still offering protection. The other was dressed in a sleek black cloth outfit that clung lightly to her form. A compact shortbow rested across one woman’s back, while the other carried two short blades secured neatly at her waist.

Their equipment was simple, efficient, and deadly.

Standing there in silence, they gave off an unusual presence, something graceful yet sharp at the same time, like shadows that had quietly taken human form.

Anyone who saw them would find it difficult not to look twice, compelled by curiosity to take a closer look at these two mysterious women.

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