Sovereign of the Ashes

Earl Grantt and Solon’s stay at the castle was brief, lasting only a week before they returned to the frontline.

During this period, the Ohrque Empire launched a strong assault, even amidst the snowy winter conditions.

The frontline demanded the presence of Earl Grantt and other formidable warriors. Before their departure, Sein personally saw them off outside the castle.

After their departure, Sein dedicated nearly two more months to personal research and study within the castle.

Despite the heavier snowfall, the overall winter temperature remained relatively mild.

According to the seasoned farmers in the Grantt Territory, the coming year promised another abundant harvest.

The Lysian Alliance outpaced neighboring human nations in grain production.

Merchants from the Zephyr Kingdom and the Ohrque Empire occasionally visited the Lysian Alliance to secure grains. The more distant nations also came for business during specific years.

In the last two months of his time in the Grantt Castle, Sein did not conduct any specific experiment or research.

He had finally made significant progress in Solar Eye, the advanced magic spell, through repeated experiments and failures.

Since he had managed to construct the spell model in his mind, he took things a bit easier during these two months, only conducting simple alchemy experiments or making new notes on a magic book he had already read.

The gains from these two months were no less significant than the progress in Sein’s magic research.

Two months later, after leaving a letter for Earl Grantt, Sein departed from the castle that he had stayed in for half a year

The night before his departure, the castle hosted a rare farewell banquet. It was not Sein’s idea, but an initiative from his stepmother, Lady Thea.

Regardless of Lady Thea’s sincerity, she assured Sein that the tower inside the castle would always be reserved for him.

During the banquet, she also expressed her anticipation of his return to the castle in the future.

Lady Thea’s sentiments brought a smile to Sein’s face.

Raising his wine glass, he lightly clinked it with his stepmother and said, “I will, Countess.”

***

The following day, Sein embarked on his journey toward the northeastern part of the Lysian Alliance in a luxurious carriage with Old John as his coachman.

Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was not situated within the Lysian Alliance’s borders, the alliance was still considered to be within the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s sphere of influence.

To reach his destination, Sein had to venture beyond the Lysian Alliance, crossing several human nations in the northeast.

Originally, Sein had not planned on accepting a ride from Old John, but the elderly man insisted, claiming it was the earl’s request before his departure.

Therefore, Sein had no choice but to agree, with the condition that Old John would drop him off at the border of the Lysian Alliance.

From there, Sein intended to continue on foot.

The Lysian Alliance was mostly plains and flat roads.

Sein departed the castle during winter, and with Old John’s skillful driving, it took them only a month and a half to reach Gray Territory, the northeastern border of the Lysian Alliance.

This region was connected to a range of dormant volcanoes.

Despite the late winter season, the Gray Territory experienced temperatures equivalent to high summer in the Grantt Territory.

The conditions in the Gray Territory were still considered favorable. Venturing a bit further south revealed an expanse of active volcanoes.

The constant high temperature throughout the year made it uninhabitable for humans.

Rumors circulated about numerous powerful pyro elemental magic beasts inhabiting the area, with some even claiming sightings of dragons.

Beneath the volcanoes lay abundant minerals and pyro elemental resources, yet few nobles attempted to develop the region.

After escorting Sein to Gray Territory, Old John returned to Grantt Territory with his carriage.

Upon departure, Old John had suggested that Sein take along some maids to serve him.

However, considering the journey to Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein declined, as it would only slow his progress.

Besides, money could solve most problems in this world.

With over three hundred thousand gold coins he received from Earl Grantt in his space ring and an ample supply of energy crystals, Sein was confident he could easily afford non-human maids upon reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, not to mention human maids.

After bidding farewell to Old John, Sein, accompanied by Sev, commenced the long journey across the dormant volcanoes before them.

Based on the magic map from his mentor and the knowledge Sein had acquired in Grantt Territory regarding neighboring nations, the estimated travel time to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was half a year.

Traveling on foot proved to be time-consuming.

Mages above Rank One could either rely on spatial teleportation arrays or master the ability to fly when navigating the Magus World.

“Too bad I haven’t put much effort into learning the advanced magic spell, Levitate, even though I have the magic book with its spell model. Then again, considering my mana level as an initiate... it might not be sufficient for a long journey,” Sein mused.

Sein’s experience as an initiate at the Black Magic Academy appeared to have shaped his approach to learning new magic, prioritizing practicality and destructive power.

Levitate, designed for brief ascents into the air, lacked appeal due to its limited flight speed and high mana consumption.

The Solar Eye spell, which Sein had spent six months mastering, was a different story though.

It was a powerful advanced magic spell that could pose a significant threat to Quasi Mages and Quasi Knights. Its utility and value far exceeded that of the Levitate spell.

“Sev, I’ll need your help to reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring more swiftly,” Sein said.

Hoot?

***

After traversing the cluster of dormant volcanoes for over a month, Sein passed through the Gurni Kingdom, the Esseo Dukedom, the Macedonian Empire, and the Fate Alliance.

His final stop before reaching the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring was the Malgheria Kingdom.

It was here in the Malgheria Kingdom that Sein witnessed the ultimate application of magic.

In the eastern part of the kingdom known as Jewel Bay, the reddish-orange hue of the evening sun turned the sea and sky into a stunning red panorama

Above the beautiful sea, several massive airships with enormous “wings” sailed through the sky.

The turbochargers beneath these massive vessels not only provided propulsion but also stirred ripples in the Jewel Sea below.

In the distance, a blue whale, over a hundred meters in size, leaped out of the water, drawing gasps from the local residents and tourists near Jewel Bay.

Amidst their gasps, Sein stepped out of a magic carriage, dressed in an expensive-looking black robe.

After tossing a gold coin used in the Malgheria Kingdom to the coachman, Sein gazed at the magnificent coastline before him and sighed in relief.

“We’ll finally reach the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring soon.”