novelblue
Chapter 308: A New Era for the Guild
Chapter 308: A New Era for the Guild
Seraphis stood on the edge of the stone balcony, her white hair flowing in the wind as she gazed at the vast ocean one last time. The setting sun cast golden hues across the waves, its glow reflecting off the stone walls that surrounded the port city. The peaceful sounds of seabirds and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the cliffs filled the air.
She took a deep breath, letting the salty air fill her lungs before turning her attention back to the cottage where the retired Guildmaster now resided. His new life here had begun. His days of leading from the shadows were over. The weight of leadership had been passed on.
With a final glance at the sea, Seraphis raised her hand and activated the teleportation rune she had prepared in advance. The air around her shimmered, and within seconds, she vanished from the quiet serenity of the island and reappeared in the heart of the Assassin’s Guild in the other realm.
Return to the Guild
Dark stone walls lined the corridors of the Guild, torches flickering with ethereal blue flames. The temperature was noticeably cooler than the warm coastal breeze she had just left behind. The familiar scent of damp stone, old parchment, and a faint trace of blood clung to the air.
Seraphis stepped out of the teleportation chamber and made her way toward the Guildmaster’s office. Her boots made no sound against the polished obsidian floor as she moved. The few assassins lingering in the halls quickly stepped aside, bowing their heads slightly as she passed.
Though she had never formally taken a leadership role within the Guild, her reputation was enough to command respect. And now, that respect would be tested in a new way.
She pushed open the heavy doors of the Guildmaster’s office, pausing for a brief moment to glance at the now-empty room. The large desk, once covered in mission reports and encrypted documents, was now barren. The chair, once occupied by the man who had built this organization into what it was, sat motionless.
She allowed herself one moment of reflection before stepping back into the corridor. There was work to do.
The Balcony Speech
The grand balcony overlooked the main hall of the Guild—a vast, open chamber where assassins of all ranks gathered for assignments, discussions, and training. It was a place of whispers and secrets, of silent agreements and deadly promises.
Seraphis walked toward the edge of the balcony, placing her hands on the cold stone railing. The hall below was busy, assassins moving about with precision and purpose. Some were sharpening their blades, others were poring over mission details, and a few were simply enjoying a rare moment of rest.
She inhaled deeply, then spoke. Her voice was not loud, but it carried with a weight that commanded attention.
“Listen up, everybody.”
The room fell silent almost instantly. All eyes turned to her.
“I know you all have heard the rumors. And now, I’m here to confirm them.” She let her gaze sweep across the room, making sure to meet the eyes of those who were watching her the closest. “The Guildmaster has retired.”
A murmur ran through the crowd, but no one dared to question her outright.
“And before you ask—no, I will not be taking his place.” She let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “But I have been given the authority to decide who will.”
Another ripple of whispers. Some looked at each other, wondering who would be chosen. Others stood still, waiting for her to speak again.
She lifted a hand and gestured toward the crowd. “I need one of our best assassins. Step forward.”
Silence stretched for a brief moment before a single figure moved through the crowd. He walked with a confident yet disciplined stride, his dark cloak swaying slightly as he approached the base of the balcony.
He looked up at her, his piercing gaze unwavering. “Yes, Seraphis?”
She smirked slightly. “Oh, I remember you. We spoke once before.”
He nodded. “Yes. We did.”
She crossed her arms and studied him for a moment. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible smile, she spoke.
“Well, congratulations.”
The room held its breath.
“The Guildmaster put me in charge of selecting his successor.” She reached into her cloak and pulled out a pendant—a silver medallion engraved with a white raven, the symbol of leadership within the Guild. Without hesitation, she tossed it toward him.
He caught it effortlessly, his fingers closing around the cool metal.
“You will be the next Guildmaster.”
The Ritual of Blood and Mana
The hall remained silent for a moment, and then the whispers began anew. Some assassins nodded in approval, others exchanged glances of curiosity or even mild surprise. But no one openly objected.
The chosen assassin looked down at the pendant in his hand, running his thumb over the engraved raven. He then looked back up at Seraphis. “And if I need guidance?”
She smirked. “That’s what this is for.”
She took a step forward and leaned slightly over the railing. “If you have any questions or need help, contact me. It’s simple.”
She gestured toward the pendant. “Cut your finger and let a drop of blood touch it.”
Without hesitation, he drew a dagger from his belt, made a small cut on his index finger, and let a single drop of crimson blood fall onto the surface of the medallion.
The moment the blood touched the metal, the pendant began to glow, a soft white light pulsing from its center. A faint hum vibrated in the air around it.
Seraphis nodded in approval. “Good. Now, all you have to do is pour your mana into it. Once you do, you’ll be able to reach me whenever necessary.”
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing his energy. A faint shimmer of dark mana flowed from his fingertips and into the pendant. The glow brightened for a moment before stabilizing into a steady, pulsing rhythm.
Seraphis stepped back. “That’s it. If you ever need to contact me, use it.”
The assassin opened his eyes and met her gaze once more. “Understood.”
The New Beginning
Seraphis straightened, taking one last look at the gathered assassins. “The Guild will continue to operate as it always has. Your missions, your ranks, and your roles will remain unchanged. The only difference is who sits in that chair upstairs.”
She turned her gaze back to the new Guildmaster. “Lead them well.”
He gave a small nod, his expression serious but composed. “I will.”
Satisfied, Seraphis turned on her heel and walked away from the balcony, her job here complete.
She had chosen the next leader, secured the Guild’s future, and ensured that there would be stability in the organization.
Now, it was time for her to continue her own path.
As she left the main hall, she allowed herself one final glance over her shoulder. The Guild was in good hands.
A smirk touched her lips.
It was time to see what lay ahead for her in the world beyond.