Sovereign of the Ashes

Not only Sein but also Angreas, who had just been promoted to Rank Four and established his own divine tower, was also very interested in the foreign plane mentioned by Grimm.

The three of them were all “freshies” who had just reached Rank Four in the Magus World, desperate for money and eager to build up their initial capital.

While Angreas could rely on his family elders during the early stages of his divine tower’s construction and development, he was not the type to lean on others.

Kermoine Serpent was a cold-blooded creature. Bloodline Warlock clans were not as united as outsiders might think. In fact, competition ran deep within the Kermoine Serpent Warlock Clan.

Angreas’ ability to secure significant resources, allowing him to advance to Rank Four and establish his divine tower, was both a testament to his talent and potential. Yet, this also offended many within the clan.

After all, a clan’s resources were limited. If Angreas received more, the others naturally got less.

Even among blood-related warlocks, conflict and betrayal were nothing unusual when interests were threatened.

Because of these recent events, Angreas had already started considering breaking away from the clan to pursue independent development.

He accepted Grimm’s invitation but raised a crucial point. “The Clash of Civilizations between the Magus Civilization and the Gallant Federation is about to begin. At this critical time, will the alliance stop us from launching a war against a distant star domain or plane?”

Every Rank Four or higher being in the Magus World was part of the Magus Civilization collective.

Personal interests had to give way to the collective good—this was something everyone understood.

If the Magus Civilization went to war with the Gallant Federation and someone decided to venture into a foreign star domain to do a “side quest” during that time, it would clearly go against the direction of the Magus Civilization.

Simply put, if the Clash of Civilizations erupted suddenly and Sein and the others were still in the foreign star domain, unable to return in time, the Magus Civilization might take action against them!

Angreas’ point made Grimm’s expression darken slightly.

This had been a concern for him and his senior in recent years.

If Grimm and the others had advanced to Rank Four earlier, and if the coordinates of this foreign plane had been discovered sooner, it would have been ideal.

Even a difference of just two hundred years would have made things much easier.

Despite Grimm and Angreas’ concerns, Sein remained relatively composed.

Sein, who had been on a diplomatic mission to Phantom Crow World and was fully involved in negotiations to persuade Eternal Sand World to surrender, knew very well that the current diplomatic strategy of the Magus Civilization was still focused on forming alliances with medium-sized planes.

Low-level worlds and microplanes had not yet drawn much attention from the Magus Civilization.

Moreover, Magus World had not issued any official prohibitions or restrictions on the external conquest and expansion efforts of divine towers and knightly orders.

It was still too early to be worrying about those issues now.

Even if the Magus Civilization did introduce new policies, it would certainly grant the divine towers and knightly orders across Magus World a grace period.

It was possible that this very alliance conference would address such matters.

Sein asked, “How much longer will it take you to complete the coordinates for that low-level plane?”

Grimm gritted his teeth. After a brief pause, he replied, “After this alliance conference, give me another fifty years, and it should be no problem.”

Sein patted him on the shoulder and said, “Don’t push yourself too hard. My mentor will make some restorative potions for me soon. I’ll send you a few.”

Grimm had invited Sein to collaborate on developing a prosperous low-level pyro elemental plane, so Sein had no reason to be stingy with him.

The restorative potions made with Amethyst Aphid Honeydew, contributed by the Rank Six Void Aphid King, were particularly effective for Grimm’s condition.

Grimm was well aware of Lorianne’s exceptional talent in potion-making; after all, he had once been part of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

That tower had already raised two Rank Four mages.

Lorianne still had no idea that Grimm had been promoted to Rank Four. If she learned of it, she would undoubtedly be delighted.

When it came to mentoring juniors, Lorianne had never been one to hold back.

Angreas also offered to assist Grimm through the resource trading networks of his divine tower.

Taking advantage of others was not the way to build lasting friendships.

The Kermoine Serpent Warlock Clan held significant resource advantages in many areas, surpassing even Sein, who was still working hard in Ashenreach.

***

As Sein chatted with his two friends, more and more alliance members streamed into the conference venue.

Almost all the powerhouses of the Magus Alliance had arrived early; no one would be arrogant enough to show up right on time.

During this time, Sein spotted Mayne. He had entered alongside two elemental beings.

One of them seemed quite familiar with Mayne. It was the Rank Five Eternal Sand Lord, who had also come to attend the Magus Alliance Conference.

The other elemental being was a humanoid figure wrapped in intense flames, her form distinctly feminine and her presence as powerful as the Eternal Sand Lord’s.

Mayne eventually joined the Western Archipelago knights and mages, taking a prominent spot in the front row.

The Eternal Sand Lord moved toward the area where many Magus Alliance members had gathered. Sein could barely see it anymore as soon as it disappeared into the crowd.

There were simply too many Rank Four or higher beings present. Even with a Rank Five life level, the Eternal Sand Lord did not particularly stand out here.

The woman who had come with Mayne eventually stopped before a group of Rank Four or higher pyro elemental creatures that shared her appearance and aura.

These pyro elemental creatures clearly originated from a large-sized world, and there were hundreds of them, all Rank Four or higher.

Noticing Sein’s gaze, Angreas, who had some knowledge of that world, took the initiative to explain.

“Those elemental creatures are the Burning Sanoras. They are a special species that exists somewhere between flesh and elemental beings. Most elemental creatures don’t have gender, but the Sanoras are strictly divided into male and female. Unlike most elemental creatures that reproduce by division, these ones reproduce through copulation.”

“They really are a peculiar species. I wish I could dissect one and study it,” he added with genuine admiration.

“Yes, me too,” Sein said, equally fascinated.

He had only heard of the Burning Sanoras before; today was the first time he had seen a living one.

Influenced by Sein and Angreas, Grimm also turned his gaze in that direction.

The three of them, all recently promoted to Rank Four, were full of curiosity and the urge to explore.

It was not just them. Most Magus World mages, especially those attending the Alliance Conference for the first time, stared at those foreign attendees with eyes that seemed ready to peel their skin off for study.

As a result, every alliance conference naturally put enormous pressure on these creatures.

Just as Sein and the others were observing the Sanoras, a piercing cry split the heavens, followed by a chill that sank to the bone.

The first overlord had arrived!