Sovereign of the Ashes

“The war on Radbow has already ended? Unbelievable. It has only been three years since Master Sein arrived at that low-level plane, right? I thought I’d have to hold out here for at least another two years,” Martini said with a smile after Sein arrived at the gray-white asteroid belt.

This Rank Four knight was rather slender, a contrast to Sein’s usual impression of knights as broad-shouldered and heavily built.

Martini had not had an easy time holding the line in this region.

Although the alliance had reinforced his defenses with several additional prism forts and an expanded fleet of war airships, the combined strength and numbers of the Grand Eye Demon World’s legions were nearly twice his own.

Fortunately, the terrain favored the defenders, and reinforcements from nearby Magus Civilization legions could reach this sector with relative ease.

Together with other nearby sectors under Magus World’s control, Martini had managed to hold his ground until now.

Before meeting him in person, Sein had already noticed the devastation spread across the asteroid belt.

Even Martini’s heavily armored space fortress showed visible signs of damage.

The arrival of Sein and his forces would undoubtedly relieve much of the pressure on Martini’s defenses.

“The war in Radbow isn’t completely over yet. A small number of radioactive creatures are still being cleared out. Before I left, I ordered part of my legion to remain behind and finish the cleanup,” Sein explained.

“However, that low-level plane is no longer a concern. Our focus should be the incoming Eye Demon legion.”

His words earned a firm nod from the knight.

This time, Sein had arrived at the asteroid belt with two space fortresses—one belonging to his Divine Tower of Ashes and the other to Tychus’ Order of the Cyclonic Plume.

The Ashen Fortress was a massive, heavy-duty combat fortress!

In certain situations, a war machine like that could hold a key position even more effectively than a Rank Five being.

Sein chose not to deploy the Divine Tower of Sapphire’s fortress stationed at Radbow World because Master Barron was currently away.

Before departing with severe injuries, the Summoner had generously left his divine tower legions behind to aid in the war effort.

How could Sein presume to command another’s forces without authorization from the Magus Alliance?

After Martini briefed him on the defensive situation, Sein asked, “Have the Gallant Federation’s war legions already appeared in the star domains surrounding the Grand Eye Demon World?”

“Upon my arrival, I saw the Eye Demons using technological devices to amplify their power,” he added.

Martini had been stationed in the Grand Eye Demon World far earlier than Sein.

Positioned in the starry void, his access to intelligence was far superior to Sein’s, who had been fighting within a plane.

At Sein’s question, Martini shook his head. “No large federal fleets have appeared so far,” he replied. “But I have heard from my brethren in other sectors that they have encountered small fleets of federal ships and drones.”

Martini was part of the Knights’ Edict, a medium-sized power based in the central-western regions of Magus World. Its scale was roughly comparable to the Elemental Gate founded by Grandmaster Feylis.

Many law-wielding knights from this organization were currently deployed across the Grand Eye Demon World’s star domain. Naturally, the “brethren” Martini mentioned were his fellow knights of the Knights’ Edict.

Tychus, who had arrived at the asteroid belt alongside Sein, was not a member of that power. He belonged to a smaller knightly organization in the southwestern part of Magus World.

Strictly speaking, Sein was not affiliated with any power.

Yet because of his mentor and the Verdant Flame Faction, he felt a closer bond with the mages of the Elemental Gate and the Pyro Secret Society.

“Master Sein, what’s your plan?” Tychus asked. “With our reinforcements here, our strength in this sector already exceeds the Eye Demon legions. Shall we strike now and crush them?”

Having fought beside Sein during the Radbow Plane campaign, Tychus knew that Sein’s temperament burned as fiercely as the pyro element he commanded.

At present, the Magus Civilization’s legions in this asteroid belt held a clear advantage over the Grand Eye Demon World’s forces.

Launching a counterattack now would almost certainly yield a decisive victory.

Martini, too, looked toward Sein expectantly. If Sein chose to attack, he would support him.

Faced with the eagerness of both knights, Sein fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

“We launched a fierce assault on Radbow World because we were ordered by the Magus Alliance to occupy it and eliminate all resistance on that plane. However, our mission here is purely defensive,” he reminded.

“Even my decision to bring forces here was made without authorization. I was simply concerned that the pressure on your sector was becoming too great. If we are to launch a counteroffensive, it’s best to wait for direct orders from the Magus Civilization before acting. Let’s not rush into this recklessly,” Sein said firmly.

His approach to warfare had become more measured and cautious, a stark contrast to the bold, relentless tactics he employed on Radbow World.

Although both Rank Four knights were eager to seize the momentum and expand their gains, they could only comply with Sein’s judgment.

Not long after Sein arrived at the gray-white asteroid belt, the Grand Eye Demon World likely received news of Radbow World’s fall.

Strangely, however, the Grand Eye Demon World did not withdraw from this asteroid belt. Instead, it steadily increased its forces in the following months.

Over the next six months, millions more troops were poured into the region, including an astonishing six Eye Demons of Rank Four or higher!

Warships and massive mobile suits from the Gallant Federation were also frequently sighted.

What was even more unsettling was that this pattern was not limited to Sein’s sector. Other peripheral battlefields across the Grand Eye Demon World’s star domain were also receiving steady reinforcements.

This aggressive deployment was completely at odds with the Grand Eye Demon World’s earlier strategy of full defensive retreat.

Faced with the situation, Sein could not help but voice his concern. “The Grand Eye Demon World’s Rank Four or higher natives should not exceed five hundred. Even if they are supported by medium or small vassal planes, their total strength is still limited.”

“Their current deployment must be drawing heavily from their own home domain. I imagine their plane is left largely unguarded right now,” he deduced.

“What are they planning? Do they intend to force a premature confrontation with us?” Sein wondered aloud.

Martini, Tychus, and the other knights had no answer. They were just as baffled.