Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 451: Avenge

After regaining her confidence, Faye showed Sein around her magic tower, which had been purchased for her by Zorro.

The primary function of this magic tower was to protect Faye since Mordoron Island was not entirely safe for Quasi Mages,

In addition to this tower, Faye had also received numerous life-saving items from Zorro.

However, Faye’s extensive acquisitions were not solely due to Zorro’s generosity; much of it was attributed to the legacy of their late mentor, Morsidor.

Morsidor’s legacy in the Western Archipelago included not just personal connections but also substantial resources.

As Morsidor’s primary heir, who had traveled with him from the Western Archipelago to Gloomhaven, Zorro had inherited Morsidor’s most valuable legacy upon their return.

The magic tower located at the base of the Bess Range in northern Mordoron Island, along with several strategic resource points, were parts of the legacy Morsidor left for his apprentices.

Since Faye was not strong enough to safeguard these assets, it was natural for Zorro to manage and defend them.

While black mages were generally known for their self-serving nature, those within Morsidor’s faction showed better qualities.

Zorro’s effort to establish a magic tower for Faye alone had set him apart significantly from other black mages in Blackhaven.

Furthermore, he had also prepared resources for Faye’s advancement to a full-fledged mage.

By providing all this assistance, he had amply fulfilled his duties as a senior.

In the underground laboratory of Faye’s magic tower, Sein saw several creatures locked in cages.

Although he had braced himself for this sight, Sein was still taken aback.

He sighed deeply, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by Faye. She approached him and asked, “Sein, do you disapprove of my actions?”

Without waiting for him to answer, she continued, “That’s understandable. You’re now a divine tower mage, and your perspectives have shifted from ours. If you request it, I’ll release them all,” Faye offered.

Sein shook his head in response.

He did not consider himself a paragon of virtue, especially considering his recent activities at the black market auction where he had purchased and subsequently disposed of several black magic initiates.

His sigh was not one of judgment but rather an instinctual response.

Sein felt as though he, along with Zorro and Faye, were living in different worlds.

While their bonds remained, their lives had diverged significantly. Sein now lived openly as a registered mage in a standard divine tower.

He was unsure if Zorro and Faye could ever shed their labels as black mages.

Faye, still merely a magic initiate, might find a path to redemption.

Zorro, on the other hand, had attained Rank One and became a genuine black mage.

Sein feared that Zorro’s name was already on the wanted lists of the major divine towers. If true, the possibility of clearing his name was virtually nonexistent.

If this were indeed the case, the possibility of clearing his name was virtually nonexistent.

After exploring the basement of the magic tower, Sein did not immediately return to the first floor.

Instead, he activated a soundproof barrier around them and asked in a hushed tone, “Faye, have you already found out the cause and reason behind our mentor’s death?”

Sein’s question immediately dampened Faye’s previously good mood, plunging her into silence and reigniting a murderous light in her eyes.

Morsidor was extremely kind to his three remaining apprentices, hence the hatred Faye held for those responsible for his demise ran deep.

“Yes, I found out two years after arriving in the Western Archipelago. It was Daelis, the Rank One black mage, who killed our mentor!” Faye replied somberly.

With the destruction of Mystralora city and the death of the demigod-level black mage named Jemal, the power dynamics of the twelve islands on the southern edge of Blackhaven were completely reshuffled.

Morsidor, a highly esteemed alchemist, was personally invited to Mystralora City by Martin, securing a prestigious position within their group of black mages.

His assassination by Daelis, a mere Rank One black mage, was not only a profound loss for his allies, including Martin and Jeanne, but also a betrayal that demanded retribution.

Despite her lower rank, Daelis was a cunning adversary. As an expert in apothecary, she was as well-regarded in Blackhaven as Morsidor. She had even cultivated friendships with many Rank Two black mages.

Her treachery and the news she spread about the destruction of Mystralora City by the Divine Tower of Dawn resonated widely across the southern part of Blackhaven.

This revelation significantly complicated Martin’s return to the Blackhaven, as he faced a series of internal and external challenges before he could assume control of the extensive legacy left by his demigod-level mentor, Jemal.

During this tumultuous period, Martin found himself embroiled in confrontations with peers of his own rank in three separate incidents over just two years, not to mention numerous conflicts with Rank Two black mages.

Among the Rank Two black mages defeated by Martin was a junior from his own faction.

During the initial decade of Faye’s time in the Western Archipelago, the relentless upheavals and power shifts spurred rapid growth in her abilities.

After fleeing back to the Western Archipelago, Daelis decisively aligned herself with Gandra, a mid-stage Rank Three black mage.

Of the twelve islands once under the control of Jemal, the demigod-level black mage, Gandra now ruled five.

Gandra’s regime was authoritarian, only a few black mages were genuinely loyal to him; most were merely intimidated by his formidable strength and ruthless tactics.

Daelis, having thrown in her lot with Gandra, ended up faring poorly.

It was rumored that she was nearly turned into a puppet but for the time being, she toiled as a slave, concocting potions for him.

It seemed that evil often met its match only among its own kind.

In contrast, Martin, an early-stage Rank Three black mage, was considerably strong and known for his composed personality and peaceful demeanor.

Though he now controlled just four islands, he governed them judiciously. He welcomed both Rank One and Rank Two black mages to conduct transactions there.

As a result, Martin and his group of black mages gradually established a stable presence around Mordoron Island.

“Two years after Zorro became a full-fledged mage, he requested Master Martin to help him issue a formal challenge to Daelis,” Faye said.

“Four years later, they dueled one-on-one over the waters in a battle overseen by two Rank Three black mages. Sadly, it ended in his defeat.”

"That battle exacted a heavy toll on him, both emotionally and physically. He even lost one of his arms to Daelis,” Faye added somberly.