Sovereign of the Ashes

Leena and Faye were unable to accompany Sein back to the Magus Continent to clear their names, each for their own reasons.

In the end, even Zorro politely declined Sein’s offer to migrate to the Magus Continent.

“I’m a mage of the Western Archipelago; I’ve lived in Blackhaven with Master Morsidor since I was a child. This is where I belong. The lifestyle of the normal divine towers and Knight Continent won’t suit me,” Zorro explained with a sigh.

“Besides, staying here allows me to look out for Faye,” he added.

Faye had only recently been promoted to Rank One and was undoubtedly at her most vulnerable stage.

With limited resources and few connections in Blackhaven, having Zorro stay would mean they could support each other.

After Sein avenged his mentor Morsidor, Zorro found himself free from all burdens.

However, he had no desire or interest in traveling to the Magus Continent to lead a normal life in a divine tower.

Following in his mentor’s footsteps, continuing his alchemy studies, and looking after Faye had become his primary focus now.

Sein respected Zorro’s decision.

Ironically, when Sein had initially set sail from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, it was with the hope of reuniting with his old friends and spending the rest of their lives together.

However, upon his arrival in the Western Archipelago, none of the three people he valued most could return to the Magus Continent with him.

Sein sometimes wondered if he should have stayed in Blackhaven.

However, White Stella coldly reminded Sein that “one gets stained black the closer they stay to ink”.

Despite Sein having a certain moral baseline, remaining in Blackhaven would jeopardize his future.

Furthermore, the thin wisp of planar light within his body might be unwittingly depleted in such an environment.

Moreover, Sein was still apprenticed to Master Lorianne, and he had no compelling reason to justify his prolonged stay in Blackhaven to his mentor.

His family, Selina, Eileen, and other friends were all in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

While Sein loved Leena dearly, she was not the only factor he had to consider.

Life was akin to a multiple-choice question; Sein would like to choose all the answers, but the rules didn’t allow it.

***

After his duel with Daelis, Sein accepted an invitation from Tourmaline and White Stella to travel to the frozen ocean north of Blackhaven to meet their eldest brother.

Leena, naturally, accompanied Sein. Aware that their time in Blackhaven was limited, she cherished every moment with him.

Faye also joined them, standing quietly behind Sein the entire time.

The only one not traveling north with Sein was Zorro.

“I’m going to make a trip back to Thousand Leaf Coral Island first, to pay my respects to Master Morsidor,” Zorro said, clutching a charred and blackened magic rod.

It was Daelis’ magic rod, crafted by Morsidor back then.

Sein nodded in approval of Zorro’s decision.

Before departing with White Stella and Tourmaline, Sein took a moment to bid farewell to Martin and Gypson.

Fortunately, their slower reactions had spared them a fate similar to Gandra’s.

Looking extremely fearful and incredulous, Martin eyed the distant giant sea kings and White Stella, struggling to understand how Sein was connected with such formidable figures.

The magic contract between Martin and Zorro, being free from the complex powers of laws, was easily modified by White Stella.

As a party to the contract, Martin was undoubtedly aware of the changes being made.

Sein remained principled; as long as Martin posed no direct threat, Sein was not inclined to deceive or target him specifically.

After all, Zorro and Faye were able to settle down in Blackhaven thanks to him and Jeanne.

“Please look after Zorro and Faye, Dean Martin,” Sein said gently to Martin.

“Of course, you were all Morsidor’s apprentices and from Mystralora City. I’ll definitely take extra care of them,” Martin responded.

Sein nodded, then added, “About that magic contract, I feel it’s quite unfair for Zorro, so I’ve shortened the term to ten years, what do you think...?”

“It does feel somewhat unreasonable, now that I think about it. How about I just cancel that contract with Zorro?” he asked.

“We mages follow the principle of equivalent exchange. Zorro told me that he owes you and Lady Jeanne a great deal and feels obligated to fulfill the ten-year term,” Sein explained.

Zorro resembled Morsidor in many ways.

So much so that upon hearing Sein’s explanation, Martin was momentarily stunned, suddenly recalling Morsidor—a principled man who always obeyed the rules.

Such characters among black mages were rare in Blackhaven.

Yet, it was precisely their rarity that made many black mages keen to befriend them.

Though Morsidor had passed away, Martin and Jeanne continued to protect Zorro, who had not yet achieved Rank One.

After all, he was Morsidor’s enduring legacy.

While Sein and Martin were talking, Leena was summoned by Gypson.

Gypson had come to perform a small favor for the tower master’s favored black mage but had not anticipated such a dramatic turn of events!

Gypson could clearly see that the sea kings and White Stella, whose power was unfathomable, were all acquaintances of Leena’s boyfriend.

Gypson called Leena over primarily to inquire about Sein’s circumstances.

Moreover, he was genuinely concerned that Leena might simply depart with Sein.

With his own abilities, Gypson had no chance of intervening in the presence of such formidable sea kings and other terrifying entities.

Even the Black Tower Master of Cinderbones would not be up to the task.

However, Gypson knew he would face severe consequences upon his return if Leena were to disappear just like that. The tower master would not overlook such an incident lightly.

The ideal outcome was for Leena to remain at the Black Tower of Cinderbones, or better yet, convince her boyfriend to join her there...

The information Gypson brought back this time would undoubtedly shake the upper echelons of the Black Tower of Cinderbones.

Leena’s status and treatment at the Black Tower of Cinderbones would change significantly after this.

Previously, the extra care Leena received was due to the tower master’s favorable opinion of her.

But now, with the new information Gypson had, it was likely that her treatment at the Black Tower of Cinderbones would be substantially upgraded.

After all, even the powerful tower master might fear the possibility of Sein summoning a host of giant sea kings to demolish the Black Tower of Cinderbones should Leena suffer any mistreatment.

In this world, strength was the basis for everything.

While Sein was still lacking in strength, he certainly understood how to leverage the strength of others.