Sovereign of the Ashes

In the afternoon, Sein had already indulged in a hearty meal, and now he was seated for another lavish dinner.

The dinner included elemental alcohol that Sein had crafted himself—a potent brew strong enough to inebriate even the battle-hardened knights.

Therefore, it was unsurprising that Eileen and Selina, being relatively frail Rank One female mages, found themselves overwhelmed.

Reflecting on his personal life, Sein realized he had abstained from intimate relationships for many years.

Due to his rigorous body tempering experiments, Sein had a higher libido than most mages.

However, the pressures of the Thunderfall World War and his intense focus on research had left little room for such activities.

Now, back at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, the familiar and tranquil setting, along with the congenial company, rekindled his long-suppressed desires.

In a bid to lighten the mood, Sein not only served his special brew but also discreetly added two drops of supplementary potions to the red wine.

These potions, used during his body tempering experiments, were harmless to humans.

Sein would never intentionally harm Selina or Eileen. At most, the potions would slightly enhance the women’s constitution without causing any adverse effects.

The night quickly evolved into a lively affair, lasting until noon the next day.

For Eileen and Selina, this was probably a novel experience.

Unlike Selina, who was extremely obedient to Sein, Eileen was a woman of principle. If not for the influence of alcohol, she likely would not have done this.

It was clear that the women had been lonely for decades. Despite their frail constitutions, they were able to endure a long night with him, much to his pleasant surprise.

Their superior Rank One constitution enabled them to withstand what would have been impossible for less robust ordinary women.

This resilience was precisely why Sein was generally disinterested in those of lower life levels.

He found little meaning in engaging with those of different life levels, as such encounters lacked the intensity and equality he desired.

Sein was no brutal knight. In fact, he was known for his “gentleness”, at least between the sheets.

This kind of gentleness was, of course, relative, as his strength far exceeded those of his peers.

Even among those newly promoted to Rank Two Land Knights, only a few could match Sein.

His constitution level had soared to over 3000 points, a feat achieved during the Thunderfall World War, where he discovered techniques like Thunder Body Tempering.

Truth, whether in grand or minute details, was there for those who sought it, and Sein was able to discover it since he was a meticulous mage blessed with a touch of good fortune.

The intense session left Eileen and Selina more than satiated—overstuffed, in fact.

Sein, on the other hand, still felt unfulfilled the next day.

His formidable constitution allowed him to keep going, but he feared continuing in such a manner could potentially harm Eileen and Selina.

Not wanting to hurt them, Sein chose not to indulge further.

Mages were delicate due to inferior constitutions. Unless their bodies were tempered like Bloodline Warlocks; most would not be able to match Sein’s intensity.

Sein forcefully suppressed his lingering desires, ensuring that Eileen and Selina were comfortably tucked under blankets and could rest for the day before leaving the bedroom.

As a Rank Two mage, both his constitution and mental focus levels were high.

Feeling no fatigue, Sein decided to channel his excess energy into his next experimental research since he had several crucial experiments that required the sophisticated equipment in the divine tower’s laboratory.

Standing before the experimental table, surrounded by a vast array of instruments, Sein did not immediately dive into his research.

Instead, he found his thoughts drifting back to the pleasures of the previous night.

Absentmindedly rubbing his chin, he eyed a red potion and mused, “With a knight’s constitution, I should be able to enjoy myself to the fullest, right?”

His thoughts drifted to Natalya who was still in the Thunderfall World.

Truth be told, Sein had shown little interest in Natalya back then. He often rejected her advances and was unaccustomed to her gestures toward him.

For some strange reason, after leaving Thunderfall World and returning to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Sein found his thoughts often returning to Leena, although memories of Natalya occasionally surfaced as well.

He remembered how Natalya had stood in front of him during the fortress defense, protecting him, and their subsequent collaboration over seven years on the battlefield.

Sein stared blankly at the experimental table, lost in thought.

Yuri watched him curiously but refrained from interrupting his reverie.

The laboratory was enveloped in silence. Unbeknownst to Sein, Yuri was also quietly admiring him.

***

Sein’s carefree days at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring were short-lived.

A few days later, Master Lorianne, summoned him to the top of the divine tower.

At the same time, the three deans of the divine tower academy also received a message from Lorianne.

Rumors regarding the “Thunderfall World” interplanar war began spreading within the divine tower.

It seemed like Lorianne had already made a decision.

When Sein saw his mentor, he noticed the rather unusual weariness on her face.

Upon expressing his concern, Lorianne merely cleared her throat and said, “I’ve been mulling over many matters these past few days, and haven’t gotten a good rest.”

Sein nodded, assuming Lorianne was preoccupied with the matter regarding the Thunderfall World war.

She discreetly glanced at Sein’s magic robe and said, “The finer details of the war terms will have to wait until I arrive at the Thunderfall World battlefield to discuss with those three knights. But based on the information in your letter, it appears that the Rank Four knight named Brendek and the others are sincere.”

The Order of the Steel Fist and the other two orders were indeed sincere. Brendek’s letter had also explicitly stated their willingness to offer 1.5 million magicoins for Lorianne’s assistance.

This figure was not set in stone, and there would be room for negotiation once Lorianne arrived.

With tens of millions in magicoin loans weighing on her, an initial offer of 1.5 million was substantial enough to justify Lorianne’s journey.

This sum was merely for Lorianne’s compensation; the employment fees for the additional mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would be calculated separately.

Lorianne considered the deal to be favorable as she was not responsible for paying the other mages from her divine tower.

The total cost of hiring Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would likely approach three million magicoins for the three orders of the knights, which was a substantial amount.

Despite the Magus Civilization’s growth and the resultant inflation, which had decreased the value of magicoins over the years, three million remained a significant sum, even for an average Rank Four being.

Many foreign gods, particularly those from less affluent planes, could not even muster such an amount from their entire wealth.

The electro elemental environment of the Thunderfall World was notably volatile and active, signifying its richness as a low-level plane.

The potential value of Thunderfall World for further development far exceeded three million magicoins.

Moreover, the remains of two Rank Four creatures from the realm held considerable monetary value.

In her youth, Lorianne visited the Magus Alliance’s biggest starport—Rock Starport—where she witnessed the auction of a complete set of Rank Four creature’s organs. It fetched a hefty 2.2 million magicoins.

It went without saying that the flesh and blood of a god drew the keen interest of many knights and mages.

A living Rank Four creature would have fetched an even higher price.

Lorianne once saw Rank Four Void Urchin from an unknown star domain auctioned for 6.7 million magicoins, purchased by a mysterious Rank Six mage.

Theoretically, if Lorianne had two live Rank Four beings to auction, she could instantly settle her debts.

However, such fortunes were mere fantasies.

Auctioning Rank Four creatures as slaves?

Only her mentor, Master Feylis, could manage such feats.

Lorianne knew that Feylis’ private collection included two living specimens of Rank Four creatures.

Yet, Lorianne had nothing to do with Feylis’ assets.

The affection of Feylis and others for Lorianne did not extend to resolving her debts.

Lorianne’s journey was hers to navigate alone. She could not expect Feylist to shelter her forever.

The same applied to Sein.

While he currently utilized the experimental equipment and facilities of the divine tower under Lorianne’s mentorship, there would come a day when he must spread his wings and fly.