Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 272: Out for Battle

A Rank Two mage flew close to the combat platform where Sein was stationed and addressed the mages with voice amplification magic, “The base’s southern defense line has been breached, and the mages below are overwhelmed. We urgently need reinforcements from within the fortress! Mages who still have over seventy percent of their mana and focus reserves, follow me to Exit Two now!”

Apart from Sein, more than half of the mages in this area had been fighting for the past few days, so they had depleted more than half of their mana and focus reserves.

They were only able to keep fighting at the combat platform due to the protection provided by the fortress.

However, leaving the fortress’ protection and descending to the base to fight would involve greater risks.

Hence, the Rank Two mage was specifically looking only for those with more than seventy percent focus and mana remaining.

There were not many movements after the announcement. Only a few younger mages rallied to the Rank Two mage.

It was at this moment, Sein had just finished casting a Verdant Pyro Ray spell.

Unlike the Verdant Fiery Hand spell, which could envelop an entire mecha unit, the power and coverage of the Verdant Pyro Ray spell were less impressive.

However, it consumed way less focus and mana to cast, making it a more sustainable option in prolonged engagements, especially with the help of potions and energy crystals to replenish elemental energies.

In the relentless and unpredictable nature of the war, where the end was nowhere in sight, the Verdant Pyro Ray clearly surpassed that of the Verdant Fiery Hand in terms of cost-effectiveness.

This was the reason why Sein was able to still preserve over eighty percent of his focus and mana reserves even after fighting for quite some time on the combat platform.

As a prudent mage, Sein managed his energy and resources better than average mages.

After briefly contemplating the Rank Two mage’s summons, Sein decided to join the group heading to Exit Two.

If he were still a black mage in the underground, he would have definitely avoided such dangerous missions.

Ever since Sein arrived at the surface world and learned more about the divine towers, along with other aspects and secrets of the Magus World, he began to grasp the concepts of responsibility and duty.

The strength of the Magus Civilization was not built on the self-serving actions of individual mages.

In fact, the black mages constituted merely a small group characterized by their extreme ideologies.

After receiving so many benefits from his affiliations with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and Magus Civilization, Sein felt it was natural to contribute to the interplanar war.

Witnessing the pervasive darkness and selfishness of the underground world had intensified his appreciation for the opportunities and relationships he now held dear, compelling him to contribute meaningfully to the Magus Civilization Army and his mentor, Lorianne.

Naturally, that did not imply that Sein would sacrifice himself. He was only committed to contributing to the best of his abilities. After all, Sein was not a selfless saint.

There was also another reason behind his willingness to fight—his confidence in his abilities and a measured understanding of the war’s dynamics.

He was not inclined to embark on suicidal missions.

Despite the breach in the fortress's main base, the Magus Civilization Army’s defenses remained robust overall.

While the mages stationed at the base below might lack a clear perspective of the entire battlefield, Sein could easily survey the surrounding area and gain a comprehensive view of the situation around the fortress from his vantage point.

Although he was clueless about the state of the war in other regions of the Viridian Venom Flame World, he was confident that the main base, fortified by the presence of the space fortress, could not be taken down so easily.

It was even plausible that reinforcements were already on their way back to the fortress, though unbeknownst to Sein and other lower-ranking mages.

Sein’s decision to leave the combat platform and join the Rank Two mage’s team brought an astonished look to the faces of the mages who had been paying attention to Sein.

With Sein’s prestigious status, his absence from battle would not have drawn criticism from his peers.

Although mages were focused on their pursuit of truth, they also navigated worldly concerns and the complexities of human nature.

In the Magus World, absolute fairness was a myth. Some people were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

Sein, the apprentice of a Rank Four mage, had at least earned his position and strength through his own intellect and diligence.

It was rumored in the Magus World that the offspring of the elites were born at Rank One. They could easily advance to Rank Two and Three with minimal effort, inheriting vast resources and connections from their parents.

Such privileged existences enjoy luxuries well beyond what Sein could even imagine.

The Rank Two mage, who had come to gather forces on the combat platform, was unaware of Sein’s background.

After gathering dozens of mages, the Rank Two mage directly guided them toward the combat area’s exit without wasting any time.

The space fortress offered multiple exits beyond the primary hatch at its base, including special passages throughout its massive structure and others resembling ventilation ducts and energy conduits not intended for mage passage.

After navigating through security barriers and undergoing several identity checks, Sein and the newly formed group finally arrived at a circular metal hatch.

Their numbers had swelled from dozens to over five hundred by this point.

A Rank Three grand mage announced to the crowd before him, “The fortress will be providing us support with additional artillery and magic attacks. We’ll also be granted command over all enslaved creatures nearby. Our mission’s objective is to reclaim the southern breach and hold it for at least five hours. Let’s head out!”

With no dramatic battle cries, the group silently proceeded as the hatch opened, and Sein, along with the others, flew out of the fortress.

As soon as Sein left the relatively “peaceful” fortress, the energy shockwaves outside nearly threw him off balance.

Fortunately, he managed to quickly regain his balance.

The two mages near him, with frail appearances, were immediately swept away by the energy blast.

However, no one bothered to check on them. The group was focused on its mission.

The Rank Three mage leading them transformed into a bolt of blue-purple lightning and darted toward the southern part of the base.

The other mages, including Sein, who was enveloped in a subtle green flame followed suit. Sein fortified himself with two magic shields and a speed-enhancing spell before quickly flying in the same direction.

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