Sovereign of the Ashes

The Life Tree Trunk of the Ancient Verdant Banyan was undoubtedly the most suitable material for Sein’s next magic rod upgrade.

A powerful magic rod required not only a top-quality head but also a body of equal quality.

However, the choice of adhesive connecting the head to the rod, as well as the engravings on various parts of the rod, would depend on Sein’s competence as an alchemist.

The Maya Tribe of Centaurworld understood the value of strategic investments.

Although their tribal heritage did not allow them to directly curry favor with Rank Four mages like Lorianne, getting on the good side of Sein was deemed a worthwhile endeavor.

The demigod-level centaur, Maya, had gained only a few top-quality materials in Verdant Leaf World.

Thus, offering a section of the Life Tree Trunk to Sein was a significant gesture of their tribe’s sincerity.

“Thank you for introducing our tribe to the esteemed Tower Master of Verdant Spring, Master Sein. Thanks to your assistance and the generosity of the tower master, our tribe will be free from hunger for the next twenty to thirty years, heralding a period of prosperity.”

Luna, the Rank Two centaur, clutched her silver scepter and bowed to Sein in gratitude.

She was slightly taller than Sein due to her equine lower body.

Although Sein was not certain if she was considered beautiful among her tribe, by the standards of the Magus World’s humans, she definitely fit the definition of beauty from the waist up.

Considering that her grandmother, Maya, could attract a Rank Four centaur god, Luna, as her descendant, was likely considered a top beauty among the centaur tribe too.

Despite being slightly taller than him, Luna bowed so deeply that Sein could see a “deep valley” before him.

Nevertheless, her gesture had sufficiently conveyed the Maya Tribe and her respect toward Sein and the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

The backing of a Rank Four centaur god did not significantly elevate the Maya Tribe’s status within Centaurworld.

These gods had their own tribes, and as one of his many lovers, Maya was not necessarily highly cherished by him.

On top of that, the Rank Four centaur god was considered one of the weakest among his peers, hence the support he could provide to the Maya Tribe was limited.

Research from the Magus World indicated that female creatures were often more pragmatic and realistic than males—a difference attributed to hormonal variations, physical differences, environments, and other factors.

The Maya Tribe now seemed more inclined toward relying on the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring than that Rank Four centaur god.

Despite having the backing of the Rank Four centaur god back then, the Maya Tribe was still subjected to sporadic famines and the scrutiny of other formidable tribes within the Centaur Wasteland.

On the other hand, the Maya Tribe gained substantial profits by aligning with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring this time!

Although the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, represented by Lorianne, had initially tried to limit the war spoils distributed to the centaur tribe, the war progressed far smoother and concluded much sooner than anticipated.

Hence, the executives of the divine tower were generous in sharing the profits with their allies, like the Maya Tribe who joined the war as their partner rather than subordinate.

In addition to the food promised pre-war, which was scheduled for timely delivery to the Maya Tribe, Lorianne also issued a payment of about 150,000 magicoins to them.

For the financially constrained Lorianne to allocate such a sum indicated that the Divine Tower had further expectations from the Maya Tribe.

Sein, privy to his mentor’s plans, suspected this could be related to the upcoming conquest of the low-level Verdant Wilderness World that might take place several decades later.

Of course, the relatively isolated centaur tribe remained oblivious to this.

For the Maya Tribe, the receipt of 150,000 magicoins was a delightful windfall.

As merely a Rank Two being, Luna had never seen such a large sum, and she believed her mother and grandmother had not either.

Although Luna could not read her grandmother’s expression, she noticed the astonishment and excitement on her mother’s face upon seeing the heap of magicoins.

With substantial food supplies and 150,000 magicoins, the Maya Tribe was set for a period of unprecedented growth over the coming decades.

Luna’s opinion was somewhat understated, perhaps a reflection of the typical “prudence” of a centaur tribe’s future matriarch.

She had estimated that the food from Verdant Leaf World would resolve the Maya Tribe’s food crisis for the next twenty to thirty years, but this was assuming that the tribe would continue to expand rapidly.

In Centaurworld, food could easily entice centaurs from other tribes to defect.

Even the minotaurlings, essentially bottom-tier slaves, could be acquired from neighboring tribes in exchange for grain of equivalent weight.

If the Maya Tribe chose not to expand and maintain their current size, the grain harvested from Verdant Leaf World could sustain them for nearly two hundred years.

After receiving ample benefits, the Maya Tribe was eager to continue their alliance with Sein as their representatives were keen on securing even more similar opportunities!

Sein did not mind the ulterior motives behind Luna’s words and accepted the Maya Tribe’s goodwill.

Aware of his mentor’s long-term strategies for the upcoming war, Sein intended to maintain close relations with the centaurs, recognizing the value of allies who could provide substantial canon fodder at low cost within the Magus Alliance.

Given that Lorianne’s next conquest would also be another dendro elemental world, Sein was confident it could provide sufficient food resources for the Centaurworld.

Without disclosing the upcoming conflict, Sein assured Luna, “When the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring wages the next interplanar war, we’ll surely get in touch with the Maya Tribe first!”

Luna’s face lit up with satisfaction and relief at Sein’s words.

Her mission was accomplished after securing this promise for her tribe.

She did not expect a formal contract from Sein or the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, aware of the meticulous and cautious nature with which the Magus World’s spellcasters approached contractual agreements.

Before her departure, Sein offered Luna a brief tour of the divine tower and his laboratory.

During her previous visit to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, Luna had only been able to wander around the exterior as she had yet to earn the privilege to explore the interior of the tower, much less the laboratory of a Rank Two mage.

This visit presented new experiences for Luna, including an unexpected moment when Sein took a sample of her blood with a needle.

Being likely a descendant of a Rank Four creature, Luna’s blood was tinged with a hint of gold amid its bright red, unlike other ordinary centaurs.

Upon obtaining such a valuable blood sample, the smile on Sein’s face grew slightly wider.

Before Luna left, Sein gifted her a piece of magic equipment he had crafted in his spare time—a silver wind chime.

Though more decorative than functional, it was a beautiful parting gift.

Luna accepted it and immediately wore the chime on her silver hair like an accessory.