Chapter 2098: Seven Space Fortresses

The names chosen by the two Rank Four knights for their respective knightly orders clearly reflected their individual strengths and characteristics.

In the future, those names would also influence the kind of knights their orders attracted, much like Sein’s Divine Tower of Ashes naturally drew in mostly pyromancers.

Aside from their names, the two Rank Four knights had also more or less settled on the locations of their orders and branch halls, having already gone over them with Sein during their earlier discussions.

As “newcomers” who had only recently settled in Ashenreach, their orders were located somewhat farther from Sein’s Divine Tower of Ashes. At best, the locations could only be considered above average.

Likewise, the territories covered by their branch halls were currently limited to the outskirts of Ashenreach.

It couldn’t be helped. Nova and Vernier naturally could not compare to veterans like Reina and Sia, who had followed Sein for many years.

In fact, Ashenreach was currently preparing to establish not two, but three new knightly orders.

The Order of the Mad Lion, founded by Sein’s great-grandfather Julius, had already submitted its application to the Magus Civilization.

Once the Guardians and representatives from the Magus Civilization arrived to review the application, construction of Julius’ knightly order could officially begin.

Naturally, Sein intended to give Julius and the first knightly order of House Grantt every possible advantage.

Not only would the main hall of Julius’ knightly order occupy one of the best locations in Ashenreach, but it would also stand close to the planar node occupied by Sein’s Divine Tower of Ashes.

The territories covered by its branch halls would likewise encompass some of the most fertile and densely populated regions of Ashenreach.

Of course, this did not mean Nova and Vernier were at a disadvantage.

As two of the earliest outsiders to establish knightly orders in Ashenreach, they still enjoyed advantages that those who arrived later simply would not have.

After seeing off the two Rank Four knights, Sein began organizing his upcoming schedule and experimental plans.

Marie, who had been listening quietly throughout the meeting in the tower master’s office, finally spoke.

“Establishing a divine tower or a knightly order really is more troublesome than I imagined. When Nova and Vernier mentioned taking out nearly thirty million magicoins in loans from the Magus Alliance, they looked so miserable that even I started worrying for them.”

Sein replied, “Newly promoted Rank Four knights and mages really do have a hard time getting started. A basic standard space fortress alone costs ten million magicoins. Building a divine tower costs another ten million, while the remaining ten million is needed for daily expenses and training expenses. In fact, during the current Clash of Civilizations, borrowing thirty million magicoins is already considered the bare minimum.”

“A divine relic from a Rank Four creature is worth only around three million magicoins. Even if you squeeze every last bit of value out of the creature’s remains and the conquered plane itself, it usually takes two or three interplanar wars just to pay off the loans and get a newly established divine tower or knightly order on track for growth,” he remarked with a sigh.

Having built the Divine Tower of Ashes from scratch himself, Sein naturally understood just how difficult the process could be.

Marie laughed. “It really is better to work for you. There’s less pressure, and I even get to collect a hefty salary as a Rank Four dean from you every year.”

With the salary Sein paid her, if Marie continued working for him for another thousand years, she could easily afford the latest model of a special-purpose space fortress from the Magus Civilization on her own.

And that was not even counting the war dividends she received or her other sources of income.

Sein also regularly provided Marie with potions and rare specimens to aid her growth.

Hearing this, Sein shook his head. “That’s different. I still think you should establish a divine tower of your own. It’ll be better for your future development.”

“If you don’t want to take on too much pressure, I can give you fifty million magicoins as start-up capital, just like I did for Julius. You don’t even have to pay me back. We’re friends,” Sein told her earnestly.

“We’ve already talked about this plenty of times. I’m not changing my mind,” Marie quickly refused, waving her hand.

“Let’s get back to you. Are you planning to head to Steel City next, or go to the Capiche Business Alliance first?”

Sein thought for a few seconds before replying, “I’ll go to Steel City first. I’ve already secured approval for four space fortresses there. All that’s left is to go over and settle the payments. I also have to discuss their design blueprints with the mechanics there.”

“As for the two space fortresses from the Capiche Business Alliance, although all the paperwork has already been completed, I came up with another idea during my recent trip to Sky City.”

Sein paused briefly before asking, “What do you think about having Sky City’s Heavy Industry Lab custom-build a core fortress for me instead?”

“That’s up to you. This is a project involving hundreds of millions of magicoins. I really can’t offer much advice on something like that,” Marie replied.

Sein nodded and began mulling the idea over.

Since he would be leaving again soon, Sein also took the opportunity to discuss several matters concerning the future development of the Divine Tower of Ashes with Marie.

During their conversation, Marie reminded him that the apprentice he had chosen was expected to arrive at the Divine Tower of Ashes in about another decade.

By then, Sein most likely would not have returned yet.

“Let her work as an instructor at the academy for a while,” Sein said. “There’s no need to give her any special treatment. We can discuss everything else after I return.”

“All right.” Marie nodded.

***

After saying goodbye to the others at the Divine Tower of Ashes, Sein set out for Steel City.

This time, he traveled alone.

Of course, Fermera was still accompanying him from within the Magic Cube.

Having merged with her and fought alongside her several times before, Sein felt he should discuss his newly commissioned space fortress with Fermera.

Rather than heading straight to Steel City, however, Sein first stopped by several large magic beast forests west of Ashenreach, as well as Sage’s Forest, the largest magic beast forest in Magus World.

His purpose in going to these forests was naturally to visit the local law-wielding magic beast kings.

Thanks to the connections Black Oblivion had previously established for him, Sein’s meetings with these magic beast kings went quite smoothly.

While visiting Sage’s Forest, Sein also happened to encounter Milena, the Moon Tiger, who had recently returned to Magus World to recuperate.

Over the past few centuries, Milena had primarily been active alongside the Grand Elven World.

In recognition of her contributions during the Clash of Civilizations, Aeluna, the God of Elves, had even personally awarded her a Life Leaf.

Milena’s return to Magus World this time was mainly to recover from her injuries. Sein noticed that one of the pure white wings on her back had a clearly visible tear near its base.

Milena herself, however, did not seem particularly concerned about the injury.

When Sein brought up his request for help in establishing a magic beast forest for Samson, the Reverse Winged Lion King, Milena readily agreed.

“I’ll have my subjects gradually relocate batches of newborn magic beasts to Ashenreach over the next few centuries,” she said.

“Thank you, I truly appreciate it,” Sein replied with a smile.