Sovereign of the Ashes

Over the past fifty years, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had experienced significant growth.

Currently, the total number of registered mages within the Divine Towers exceeded two thousand—nearly doubled since before Sein left for his travels.

These mages hail from diverse origins, including the Byrne Empire, the South Coast, and Viridescent Land.

The presence of the Verdant Wave Canal had indeed impacted the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring significantly.

Of these two thousand mages, Lorianne could usually draft at least a thousand into battle under normal circumstances, though the actual number might be slightly higher.

The spoils from the last Viridian Venom Flame World war had prompted a number of less combat-oriented “academy mages” to reconsider their career.

Besides, an academy mage was not an inherent role; one could always transition into a war mage, especially when their research required funding.

Mages, generally wealthier than knights of the same rank, also tended to spend money at a rate most knights would find difficult to match.

Given the current status of the interplanar war in Thunderfall World, which was already in its late stages, the threat level appeared minimal.

With hundreds of thousands of knights engaged, the risks might even be lower than those experienced during the Viridian Venom Flame World War.

It remained to be seen how many mages the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring would ultimately mobilize for this conflict.

Sein emphasized “training” because the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring lacked mages who were truly seasoned in interplanar wars.

Without prior experience on the Thunderfall World battlefield, launching an independent interplanar war later could prove overly ambitious.

Sein also shared his second point with Lorianne.

“Having participated in two interplanar wars, I’ve observed that conflicts involving solely mages or only knights each have significant shortcomings. The Magus Civilization has evolved with both mages and knights progressing side by side, creating an unprecedented synergy. These two power systems, as masters of their realm, are naturally interdependent.”

“Therefore, I suggest that in future interplanar wars, you might consider collaborating with one or two orders of the knights. The three orders of knights currently engaged in Thunderfall World, particularly one of them, could be an ideal partner. This war could serve as an initial test run. Though we may have to share some of our gains, the overall benefits outweigh the costs, and our losses will likely be minimized,” Sein concluded.

Lorianne nodded in agreement. Sein’s analysis was in line with her own thinking.

In truth, she had already contemplated many of these issues; asking for Sein’s opinion was more of an assessment for him.

Lorianne nodded and explained, “Most of the interplanar wars I participated in during my youth were predominantly collaborations between the divine towers and orders of the knights.”

“The Viridian Venom Flame World War initiated by your grandmaster was considered an anomaly due to the unique resources of that realm being crucial to our Verdant Flame Faction. Your grandmaster wanted to prevent outsiders from accessing them. Moreover, she is so powerful that she didn’t need to collaborate with orders of the knights to conquer that plane,” she explained.

Sein nodded in understanding, then asked, “Do you know what’s so valuable in the Thunderfall World battlefield that the three orders of the knights refuse to partner with a divine tower in the first place?”

This question mirrored Lorianne’s own curiosity.

She shook her head. Perhaps she could only find an answer to this question once she arrived at the Thunderfall World battlefield.

However, Sein had some potentially relevant information.

“I’ve heard that at the beginning of the Thunderfall World war, neither the Order of the Steel Fist nor the Order of the Green Gale was involved. It was initiated solely by the Order of the Thunder Knights. When they could no longer hold out that they brought in the Orders of the Steel Fist and Green Gale, with whom they had a stronger rapport,” Sein shared.

A look of realization crossed Lorianne’s face as she said, “Then perhaps that Thunder Knight has a specific agenda in Thunderfall World. I recall he’s a Rank Five knight who can wield the power of electro-elemental laws.”

She then chuckled, adding playfully, “Not everyone can start an interplanar war on their own like your grandmaster. It seems that Thunder Knight has overestimated his own ability!”

Lorianne’s playful tone made Sein observe her more intently.

After so many years of studying under Lorianne, Sein had never really seen his mentor’s angry or solemn face.

Lorianne was an easy-going Rank Four mage, which made her a favorite within the Verdant Flame Faction.

He appreciated being apprenticed to such a mentor.

Just when Sein was reflecting on Lorianne’s pleasant personality, her demeanor suddenly shifted dramatically.

Her expression hardened as she rebuked Sein. “While your observations are correct, there’s something important you must understand. As a spellcaster, you must recognize your role and responsibilities at this stage of your career.”

Lorianne’s sudden reprimand left Sein bewildered.

How could his mentor’s demeanor change so quickly?

Before Sein could even inquire if he had done something wrong, Lorianne continued, ”If you told me you were going on a trip, then just go on a trip! Why did you go and do so many unnecessary things?!”

“Does your mentor really need you, an apprentice, to look after her?” she asked.

“I’ll overlook that whole thing about the dragon turtle, but what’s up with House Jobbs from the East Coast? Did you really go out and expand your mentor’s business?” Lorianne chastised, poking Sein in the chest.

She initially wanted to poke his head, but Sein had grown so tall that she could only reach his chest.

Unless Lorianne levitated, she could not reach his head.

As Sein listened, sweat began forming on his head.

House Jobbs was extremely well-established and presumably more influential than House Ernst.

Moreover, they were a major family involved in the trade of enslaved creatures.

If Lorianne planned to initiate an interplanar war in the future, dealing with such a family would be inevitable.

Given that Lorianne already had other partners in the trade of enslaved creatures, evidenced by her possession of coordinates to two dendro elemental complete planes, she clearly had the necessary connections.

If not, Master Feylis could certainly introduce Lorianne to the right contacts.

In that case, there was truly no need for Sein, a mere Rank Two mage apprentice, to be widening doors for her.

“Tell me, what should be the most important thing for you right now?” Lorianne asked sternly, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at her apprentice.

Faced with Lorianne’s stern question, Sein could only lower his head and respond meekly, “Exploring the mysteries of truth.”

Lorianne nodded in satisfaction. She truly did not want her apprentice to be distracted from his studies by extraneous matters.

“Maybe I should ask Tourmaline to leave then,” Sein teased. Among his elders, he only

dared to speak so boldly to Lorianne.

Lorianne’s eyes widened in shock as she exclaimed, ”Don’t you dare!”

The stern demeanor she had while scolding Sein instantly vanished.

Sein was secretly amused, yet he maintained a perfectly composed and respectful expression in front of Lorianne.

Just when Sein thought the conversation had concluded, Lorianne suddenly asked, “What about that Rank Two centaur, Luna, from Centaurworld?”

“I’m warning you now... I can overlook you messing around, but don’t take it too far!” she said.

“Centaur? Luna?” Sein was momentarily confused before he realized that his mentor was referring to the pure white female centaur he had encountered on the East Coast.

Had she come to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring as well?

Instead of inquiring further about the centaur, Sein retorted, “When have I ever messed around? Where did you hear such a thing, Master Lorianne?”

“And I assure you, there’s nothing between me and that centaur!” Sein quickly clarified.

Lorianne’s face immediately turned red slightly.

Rather than responding to Sein’s defensive questions, Lorianne simply stated sternly, “That’s good if you aren’t!”