Sovereign of the Ashes

On this particular day, Sein found himself visiting his mentor once again.

He had requested that Lorianne order a small energy generator from the Capiche Business Alliance on his behalf.

It was a device typically employed in space fortresses and, on rarer occasions, in war airships and their modified counterparts.

Sein had acquired this energy generator for Yuri.

Over the past few years, he had been buying a number of spare parts for Yuri, including several original pieces from the Neisse Civilization’s constructs and mecha factory in Steel City.

With Sein’s help and a slew of top-tier parts, Yuri’s Burning Flame Unit had undergone significant upgrades from the inside out.

As an alchemist, Sein was extremely interested in Yuri’s mecha units.

Their combined efforts significantly enhanced the Burning Flame Unit’s strength and performance.

Yuri’s recent breakthroughs and the substantial increase in her mental focus levels allowed her to wield the strength comparable to a mid-stage Rank Two being on the battlefield in her Burning Flame Unit.

Of course, this feat was only achievable through Sein’s generous investments.

Had Yuri relied solely on ordinary parts with minimal upgrades, she might have only achieved the strength of an early-stage Rank Two being at best.

After collecting the package from the Capiche Business Alliance, Sein stayed for a bit at Lorianne’s place.

In the laboratory, Lorianne wore a concerned expression, her brow furrowed slightly.

She had been this way ever since the decision to launch the interplanar war was made.

“Master Lorianne, are you worried about something?” Sein asked.

Lorianne was dressed in a pale green magic robe today instead of her usual nightgown— a more formal choice due to her morning meeting with one of the divine tower deans and several afternoon social commitments.

Despite her concerns, Lorianne usually maintained a confident and cheerful demeanor in front of others.

Even when Feylis and Gregory kindly offered their assistance, she merely smiled and politely declined.

However, Lorianne’s facade of resilience faded when she was alone.

She had always tried to appear confident and proper in Sein’s presence. Yet, today, when he unexpectedly entered her laboratory, she could no longer maintain the pretense.

Lorianne had granted Sein access to most areas on the top floors of the divine tower, except for her bedroom. He even had access to the world laboratory—a privilege she had extended two years earlier, showing her deep trust in her apprentice.

The Rank Four mage was so lost in her thoughts that she had not even noticed Sein’s entrance. It was clear to Sein just how stressed out she was.

Upon hearing Sein’s concerned inquiries, Lorianne managed a strained smile.

To outsiders, she was a powerful, confident tower master. But with Sein, she felt safe enough to lower her guard.

Over time, Lorianne had grown to confide in her apprentice, perhaps because of Sein’s exceptional abilities beyond his rank or her awareness of the “little secret” between him and Leena.

This closeness allowed her to discuss matters more freely with him.

While Sein might not resolve her current challenges, his presence offered her some relief.

Lorianne confided in a hushed tone, “Attacking the low-level realm offers greater rewards, but the Order of the Steel Fist has made it clear that they won’t be able to initiate another interplanar war. There’s also another issue with targeting the microplane... The Verdant Leaf World can’t accommodate a Rank Four being... I can only send a clone of myself to fight.”

“The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring isn’t well-off... I’m not even sure what I’m going to do if we lose this interplanar war,” she confessed.

Lorianne shocked Sein by speaking so candidly.

Despite her appearance as a wise and strong mentor, she was mentally fragile.

“If we lose the war, then it’s just a loss. The Divine Tower of Verdant Spring wouldn’t collapse; we could always start anew,” Sein thought, trying to grasp why Lorianne was fretting over potential failure before the conflict had even begun.

He wondered if his mentor was prone to overthinking or simply too cautious and timid.

If Master Gregory were here, he would have plunged into battle, considering the consequences only afterward!

With the profound legacy of the Magus Civilization, even a relatively new divine tower could overpower a microplane.

Sein knew that the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring could mobilize over two thousand five hundred seasoned mages for this war alone—a thousand of whom were from various mage councils in Viridescent Land.

The external support knights and mages also made up a considerable number.

Moreover, the legions of enslaved creatures amassed for this upcoming war numbered at least half a million.

From the centaur tribe alone, Lorianne had secured nearly two hundred thousand as cannon fodder, with more potentially on the way.

Lorianne had also prepared over three hundred thousand plant creatures in her world laboratory, initially for an assault on the low-level plane.

The number of enslaved creatures needed for a microplane invasion would be significantly less than for an assault on a low-level plane.

Sein’s detailed explanation and comparison of their forces against the enemy visibly improved Lorianne’s mood.

Lorianne was likely the only Rank Four mentor who needed to be consoled by an apprentice who had only recently been promoted to Rank Two.

Nevertheless, her rare display of “vulnerability” showed her closeness with Sein.

Every interaction with Sein revealed new facets of his character to Lorianne, although she thought she knew him well.

Beneath Sein’s calm, wise demeanor was a mature and courageous mind.

Fear seemed foreign to Sein as he even dared to associate himself with a female black mage.

Taking a deep breath, Lorianne felt her mood lighten considerably thanks to Sein’s comforting words.

She smiled and said, “Regarding the new collaboration plan with the centaur tribe you proposed, although the other two deans are skeptical, Archimedes and I see its potential. Centaurworld is struggling with a food shortage, correct? The dendro elemental plane is abundant in edible plants.”

“And about working with the aquatic races... White Stella has asked us to look after her younger sister. Are you sure it’s wise to involve Tourmaline in this?” Lorianne asked.

“We’re merely leveraging Tourmaline’s influence to negotiate a deal with the aquatic races in Jewel Sea. Besides, our target isn’t on the esteemed aquatic races, but on the populous ones with lower status,” Sein replied.

“During my travels along the South Coast of the Magus World when I was at Rank One, I saw many of these struggling lesser aquatic races. Their lives were hardly better off than those in Centaurworld. By aligning with these aquatic races, our investment is minimal but the potential gain is substantial.

“As for Tourmaline, we’re not dragging her into the war unless she wants to visit that microplane. Do you still remember how she complained that we didn’t take her to Thunderfall World last time?” Sein added, shaking his head.

Unlike Sein, Lorianne still harbored reservations. She frowned slightly and pondered for a long moment before slowly nodding.

“If it’s just a microplane, I suppose the threat to Tourmaline is virtually nonexistent. A demigod-level being like her is formidable compared to average extraplanar natives. Even a lesser Rank Four creature would be no match for her,” Lorianne concluded.

It was the first time Sein had heard such high praise of Tourmaline’s prowess.

Not even a Rank Four mage could rival it?

Isn’t she just a hatchling?

Driven by curiosity, Sein could not help but ask, “Then, who do you think is stronger—you or Tourmaline?”

Sein’s question clearly disrupted Lorianne’s train of thought.

It was not the most considerate question to ask, causing Lorianne to poke his head in mild exasperation as she replied, “Of course your mentor is stronger.”

“Besides, I’m a Rank Four tower master,” she grumbled under her breath.

Sein’s unexpected inquiry and the light-hearted exchange that followed had the unintended but welcome effect of lifting Lorianne from her low spirits.