Sovereign of the Ashes

"Ashenreach is still in its early stages of development. Isn't it too soon to build a floating port?" Sein asked.

"No. Ashenreach is in a very strategic location, yet it's developing too slowly. We can't wait for the local economy to grow on its own. We have to jumpstart it using external resources. Building multiple floating ports will support that development," the Goddess of Wealth explained.

"I also request that you, as the head of the Divine Tower of Ashes, purchase a large number of airships for transport and related functions," she added.

Aurelia went on to outline exactly why the funds needed to be spent and how the budget should be allocated.

While she had performed well overall since receiving financial support from Sein, she had yet to make any profit for him.

However, Sein could see that the area around the Divine Tower of Ashes was becoming more prosperous.

During the short time that Sein accompanied Lorianne to the Divine Tower of Floating Flame, Aurelia had already sealed a deal involving solidified sandworm mucus and trade with the half-beastmen.

Millions of tons of solidified sandworm mucus were sold to the bearfolk tribe of the Beastmen World, with the half-beastmen acting as intermediaries.

The Goddess of Wealth had suggested that Sein bypass the half-beastmen entirely and negotiate directly with the bearfolk, preferably with one of their deities.

But Sein turned down the suggestion and told her to continue working with the half-beastmen as before.

Aurelia might have valued wealth above all else, but Sein took other interests into account.

For him, earning magicoins was just one of many means to grow stronger, not his end goal.

As for Aurelia's "Ashenreach Grand Development Plan", Sein thought it over for a long time before finally nodding in agreement.

He handed over nearly ten million magicoins to her, and with the loan from the Spider Queen on the way, the Goddess of Wealth from Faeloria would soon have more than enough to make a real splash!

After receiving Sein's full authorization, Aurelia's beautiful face flushed red with excitement.

Although Lorthisra had also entrusted her other clone with a substantial pool of magicoins to manage, the level of autonomy she was allowed under Sein far exceeded what she had under the Spider Queen.

And while serving Lorthisra, Aurelia did not dare channel too much of that momentum into strengthening her own law power.

That was why her true potential had never been fully realized under Lorthisra's command.

***

After entrusting his funds to Aurelia for management, Sein once again immersed himself in experimental research.

Despite being the dean of his own divine tower, Sein preferred to take a hands-off approach when it came to administration, just like the Tower Master of Dark Flame.

His dedication to experimentation unknowingly stretched on for another fifty-one years.

Ever since advancing to Rank Four, his experiments seemed to last longer each time.

Fifty-one years later, Sein was forced to leave the laboratory because a friend came to visit him.

At this stage, Sein had very few people he could still truly call friends in Magus World, and most of them were Rank Four or higher.

Yet, this visitor was a mage below Rank Four. It was Marie who had already reached Rank Three.

Sein was both genuinely happy and surprised by her arrival.

She was no longer the beautiful young woman Sein remembered.

During her attempt to break through Rank Three, Marie had likely sustained injuries that weakened her life essence, leaving a few fine lines on her face.

On top of that, her overall presence had grown far more composed and mature.

Accompanying her to the Divine Tower of Ashes was Angie, her junior.

From their conversation, Sein learned that Marie's mentor had passed away of natural causes.

"When I completed my contract at the Divine Tower of Luminaris, I planned to visit my old friend at the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. I didn't expect to hear that he has already been promoted to Rank Four and established the Divine Tower of Ashes," Marie said.

"Why didn't you tell me when you were building your tower? Have you grown tired of me?" she teased.

"Of course not! I was just too busy at the time. That's my fault," Sein replied quickly, offering a sincere apology.

Sein had not forgotten about her—he had even worried that Marie might no longer be around.

After all, she had only been at Rank One the last time they saw each other, and so many years had passed since then...

Some people inevitably fall behind and disappear along the path of growth.

Sein might seem strong on the surface, but deep down, he was a sentimental person. There were just fewer and fewer people left who could stir real emotion in him.

Marie was definitely one of them.

After quickly changing the subject, Sein asked, "Luminaris? Weren't you at the Divine Tower of Dawn before?"

"I transferred to the Divine Tower of Luminaris five hundred years ago. It was my mentor's final wish before he passed away. It was also there that I advanced to Rank Three. Master Medich helped me a great deal," Marie replied.

"Ah, that was Master Medich's divine tower," she added.

"Oh, Master Medich had already reached Rank Four?" Sein asked.

Medich had been a Rank Four far longer than Sein.

Sein rarely returned to the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring these days, and he wondered whether Master Jovian had officially submitted his resignation to Lorianne.

He would be taking over as the next dean of his good friend's divine tower.

Before Marie set off to the Divine Tower of Ashes, Master Medich had tried to keep her and even offered her the position of vice dean.

After all, Rank Three grand mages were rare in the Divine Tower of Luminaris.

In terms of environment, Master Medich's divine tower was not situated in a much better location than Sein's.

However, Medich had joined the Dawning Secret Society and was one of the valued Rank Four mages. The resources allocated to him had been substantial.

Thanks to that support, his divine tower developed far more quickly than most in its early stages.

Despite Medich's efforts to retain her, Marie ultimately declined and chose to follow her heart—coming to the Divine Tower of Ashes.

The only one who came with her was her junior.

Since the passing of their mentor, the two had remained inseparable.

Sein was overjoyed to see his old friend again. He took out two healing potions Lorianne had made back during the White Sand World War and placed them in Marie's hands.

"These should help heal your life essence," Sein said.

When their hands touched, Marie's face flushed noticeably.

Looking at his old friend, now a Rank Three mage, Sein asked, "Would you consider taking on the role of dean at my divine tower academy?"

"Huh? But... I have no experience," Marie replied, clearly taken aback by the offer.

Although Medich had offered Marie the position of vice dean before she left his divine tower, she lacked formal leadership experience.

Still, she was diligent, gentle, and had made significant contributions to the academy's development during her time at Luminaris.

Medich had recognized her talent, which was why he had made the suggestion in the first place.

"I believe you can handle it. The Divine Tower of Ashes is still getting off the ground, and I could use the help of a reliable friend like you," Sein said.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure it's worth your while," he added with a smile.