Sovereign of the Ashes

The journey from Blackhaven to the Knight Continent in the heart of the Western Archipelago was anything but brief.

It took Sein and his group two months to reach a public sea, a region likely part of the central Western Archipelago and typically off-limits to the black mages from the north.

However, with the upcoming opening of the Knight Continent, the authorities of Magus World decided to open this area to them after considering various factors.

The black mages of Blackhaven, especially those at higher ranks, were not as marginal as perceived by other lesser beings in Magus World.

They wielded some influence, which was evident from the allocation of a quota for exploring the Knight Continent to the black towers.

Upon arriving at this public sea, Sein and his group found the area swarming with black mages. The numbers were indeed staggering.

During the Viridian Venom Flame World War, the combined forces of the four divine towers had amounted to roughly two hundred thousand mages.

Yet here, the waters teemed with at least half a million full-fledged black mages, a figure that was still far from representing the full strength of Blackhaven.

In fact, a steady stream of black mages continued to emerge from the depths of Blackhaven.

It seemed that Martin and the other black mages under his command had not yet arrived.

According to Liliana, the black knights of Blackhaven were separated from the black mages.

The black knights were assigned to another public sea to the west, which was even more crowded as the black knights had always outnumbered the black mages.

The sea before them was not entirely azure. Sein could see sizable islands stretching as far as his eyes could reach.

Black mages from all corners of Blackhaven had set up markets on these islands.

The opening of the Knight Continent had spurred the emergence of one of the fairest and friendliest bazaars in Blackhaven.

In these public waters, the black mages of Blackhaven would not dare to cause trouble.

Order was maintained by the local powerhouses from the central and southern parts of the Western Archipelago, while prominent figures from other regions of the Magus World also monitored this region.

Any form of disruption or illegality would be swiftly addressed.

No matter how unruly or cruel the black mages or black knights might be, they behaved themselves in this territory.

However, once they returned to Blackhaven, they would resume their usual antics, unrestrained by any authority.

“I’m going to check out the bazaar below. Would you like to join me?” Liliana extended an invitation to Sein.

Sein was quite intrigued by the bazaar organized by the black mages.

Although he had visited the black market, which merely operated in a gray area of the Magus World, it paled in comparison to the market before him, run entirely by black mages.

This market’s sinister nature was a direct result of the savage and violent traits inherent to black mages.

The lack of regulations also meant that the bazaar might offer items that Sein could not obtain through conventional means.

However, the brief temptation did not sway him into action, as he had more pressing matters to attend to.

He needed to leave this place and head toward the real outskirts of the Knight Continent before Martin’s arrival.

This area, which barred ordinary black mages, served as a gateway to the Knight Continent itself.

Although Sein did not have the credentials to enter the Knight Continent, his status as a normal divine tower mage should grant him access to some hidden secrets and recent updates—advantages not available to the black mages still stranded here on the periphery.

Liliana seemed unfazed by Sein’s refusal and flew toward one of the islands below alone.

Several other mages also descended toward the island, or dove into the depths of the sea.

Beneath the waters, there was another “market” organized by the aquatic races of the Western Archipelago.

Even if these black mages ultimately failed to secure resources from the Knight Continent, the bazaar in the nearby waters made sure their journey was worthwhile.

It was no wonder that so many black mages had gathered here.

Before departing, Sein bid farewell to Zorro.

Aware of Sein’s next destination, Zorro offered him a lift, ostensibly to visit the island bazaar to the south.

Lady Jeanne remained aloft the entire time. She neither visited the bazaars nor ventured elsewhere, merely nodding in acknowledgment of Zorro and Sein’s temporary departure.

“Dean Martin and the others seem to have headed west to trade with the black knights,” Zorro communicated to Sein telepathically during their flight.

He had likely learned this from Lady Jeanne.

Sein could tell that Zorro was highly regarded by Lady Jeanne and the others.

Sein cast a glance at his Zorro, then outlined his plan. “I intend to first head to the Port Thothos in the south, then circle from there to the entrance on the front side of the Knight Continent.”

Port Thothos was located to the southeast of their current position in the public sea, a considerable distance away.

The journey would be a long detour, but it was necessary. The public sea was crowded, and Sein was not ready to reveal his identity as a normal divine tower mage, making this route his only option.

Fortunately, with the Knight Continent’s imminent opening, disturbances were unlikely, thus ensuring safety.

Port Thothos, straddling the boundary between the Western Archipelago’s local forces and Blackhaven, functioned as a gray area.

As long as Sein remained discreet, he could easily revert to his original identity.

Zorro nodded approvingly at Sein’s strategy.

Yet, before they parted, he could not resist confirming, “You know the exact route, right?”

“Don’t worry about me,” Sein reassured him, waving as he flew swiftly toward the sea in the southeast direction.

***

Messia Continent, the southern part of the central Western Archipelago.

Though not the largest island in the Western Archipelago, Messia Continent had been the political, economic, and cultural center of the region for nearly a hundred thousand years.

Millennia of rich history had positioned Messia Continent as a cornerstone in the northwestern waters of the Magus Plane, dating back to when Magus Civilization was merely a medium-sized world.

This island—or continent—has witnessed the ascent and prosperity of the Magus Civilization.

It was during this era that many of the world’s powerhouses emerged, and legend had it that the first Rank Nine creature of the Magus World originated here.

To the north of Misia Continent stood a solemn and majestic order of the black knights.

As the true ruler of this continent and the official leader of the Western Archipelago, the head of this knightly order was currently hosting a meeting with the most esteemed woman of the Magus World.