Sovereign of the Ashes

The Neisse Civilization’s sole surviving Rank Four combatant was the azure mecha that had clashed with Sein’s mentor, Lorianne, many years prior.

Sein had only caught a glimpse of this mecha from afar within the space fortress.

Compared to damaged silver mecha captured by the Divine Tower of Floating Flame, this azure mecha seemed slightly smaller and bore significantly lesser marks and damage on its surface.

When the azure mecha first emerged on the battlefield near the Azurite Sea, it was Lorianne who came forward to face it.

She had fought the azure mecha for many years. Based on the outcomes of past conflicts, Lorianne’s strength slightly exceeded that of the azure mecha.

However, this marginal difference in power was not enough to swiftly conclude the war.

The real reason the battle at the Azurite Sea lasted only half a year was the descent of a striking greenish-purple pillar of light from the sky, three months after Lorianne began fighting the azure mecha.

For lower-ranking mages like Sein, they only witnessed an impressive greenish-purple light beam cutting through the dark clouds above the distant battlefield.

The specifics of what occurred were beyond their sight, likely eluding even the Rank Two and Three mages.

Following the appearance of this greenish-purple light, the Neisse Civilization’s forces were thoroughly routed.

This spectacular event led to the collapse of their war effort, which, to the astonishment of the Magus Civilization mages, had persisted longer than anticipated, especially when the native pyro elemental creatures of the Viridian Venom Flame World had long ceased any significant resistance.

In the final two months of the battle at the Azurite Sea battle, Sein and Eileen shifted their focus from their duties within the space fortress to pursuing the retreating Neisse Civilization’s forces.

For Sein, this phase of the conflict was the easiest, since the most challenging and intense battles were long over.

With numerous abandoned mechas from the Neisse Civilization scattered in the waters around the Azurite Sea, Sein’s efforts to “clean up” in the nearby lava sea were bound to be lucrative, even if he chose not to chase after the remnants of the defeated army.

***

Following the conclusion of the battle at the Azurite Sea, the Neisse Civilization’s forces in the Viridian Venom Flame World were effectively eradicated.

Even though a few damaged mechas might have escaped, their ability to cause further trouble for the Magus Civilization Army was significantly hindered due to their diminished numbers and lack of the energy supply from the bases.

The space fortress had deployed a small number of mages to pursue the remaining creatures from the Neisse Civilization within the world, while the main army pressed eastward.

At this stage of the war, the Viridian Venom Flame World’s two continents and the vast sea of molten lava had seen dramatic changes.

The western continent had succumbed to the Magus Civilization’s invading forces years prior.

After years of intense conflict, the northern, western, southern, and central lava sea had finally fallen under complete control of the Magus Civilization Army.

The main force of the Magus World had since advanced toward the navel of the Viridian Venom Flame World, with Sein among its ranks.

Everyone was expecting another fierce confrontation near the navel of the world, especially since Anridar the Venom Flame Demon King was believed to still be alive, along with some formidable pyro elemental creatures.

However, as the Magus Civilization Army approached the navel of the plane, they were met with what could only be described as a “farce”.

***

In his seventh year within the Viridian Venom Flame World, Sein joined the Magus Civilization’s main army on an expedition to a region of lava sea, which was noticeably hotter than its surroundings.

The sea of molten lava in this world exhibited varied hues across different regions, influenced by environmental and geographical factors.

Some areas were a deep crimson red, while others shimmered in shades of blue or green.

The region, which was identified by the Magus Civilization Army as proximate to the “navel of the plane”, glowed with a reddish-orange hue.

The identification and investigation of numerous resource points within this area suggested it was the wealthiest region of the Viridian Venom Flame World in terms of resources.

The unique resources harvested from some of these sites were extremely appealing to Sein.

Among them was an extraordinary pyro-attribute resource known as the “Flame Crystal Quicksand”, which Sein deemed extremely valuable in the creation of pyro-type magic artifacts.

Yet, despite the allure of numerous resources like the Flame Crystal Quicksand, the focus of Sein and most mages on this battlefield was drawn to the six towering pillars of molten lava at the heart of this lava sea.

The three space fortresses of the Magus Civilization hovered above the lava sea, strategically positioning themselves to block any escape for Anridar the Venom Flame Demon King.

This location was initially chosen by the Magus Civilization Army as the final resting place for the formidable Rank Five creature.

However, it seemed that even before their confrontation, Anridar already found itself in trouble.

What piqued the curiosity and surprise of many within the Magus Civilization Army, Sein included, was the apparent internal strife among the already limited population of pyro elemental creatures in the Viridian Venom Flame World.

These creatures, some of which shared similar appearances, were fighting fiercely near the navel of the plane.

However, the reasons behind their conflict and the sides they represented remained unclear.

Due to the difficulty in differentiating friend from foe, the Magus Civilization army opted to hold their position and observed from a distance upon their arrival at the Viridian Venom Flame World.

Over a hundred thousand mages, accompanied by an even larger force of enslaved creatures, watched impassively as the pyro elemental creatures within the sea of lava engaged in intense conflict.

Sein, stationed initially in a space fortress, was unaware of the situation in the depths of the lava sea before him.

Yet, from the six towering pillars of molten lava in the distance, he heard what seemed like the anguished cries of a powerful being.

“Looks like some sort of entrapment, yet it doesn’t seem like the work of Master Lorianne or her seniors,” Sein mumbled to himself as he gazed at the fiery columns in the distance.

Lorianne, along with other mages above Rank Four from the Magus World, had ventured close to the navel of the plane to lay siege to Anridar right from the moment the Magus Civilization Army reached this region.

Yet, the unexpected situation near the navel of the plane momentarily bewildered these high-ranking mages.

The divine tower masters were all rational leaders. Despite their initial shock, they quickly made a strategic decision and joined the fray against Anridar.