Sovereign of the Ashes

The assault from the Gallant Federation and the Grand Eye Demon World came swiftly.

They were not about to let Sein and his allies establish defensive lines around Radbow World unchallenged.

More than four million Eye Demons, backed by an even larger fleet of federal warships, appeared beyond Radbow Plane, blotting out the sky.

With the Gallant Federation’s technology enhancing their forces, the Eye Demons—already formidable at long range—now possessed even greater firepower and range.

This would not be an easy war. Even with the Magus Civilization’s strength gathered here, it was destined to drag into a long, grueling conflict.

“What kind of resources does the Grand Eye Demon World have? At best, it’s just a large-sized plane—it can’t possibly compare to our entire Magus Alliance! And how far is the Gallant Federation from this star domain? Their fleets can’t possibly keep jumping across space forever to fight us here. Hold the line, and victory will be ours!” Sein said to the Magus Civilization powerhouses flanking him before their army clashed with the enemy.

As Rank Four Knights, Tychus and Martini lacked Sein’s strategic perspective but still nodded in firm agreement.

The Huusian King and the others stayed silent, fully aware of their lower standing and limited influence as newcomers to the Magus Alliance. For now, their only duty was to follow Sein’s lead.

The Lizard Elder, a long-time alliance member, opened its mouth as if to speak, but after catching the Frost Crystal Silkworm’s warning glance, it fell silent.

He had wanted to ask if the Magus Alliance truly outmatched the Gallant Federation, why did their strength on this battlefield seem equal, or even inferior? And why were they being forced onto the defensive?

Where were the other Magus Civilization legions? Where were the reinforcements? When would help arrive?

Had it voiced those questions aloud, the answer in Sein’s heart would likely have been: How the hell would I know? I’d love to know where the main force is, for fuck’s sake!

Still, Sein figured the Magus Civilization’s main forces were probably concentrated around the Sanoras Star Domain.

That vast territory was far too important. Another defeat there could open a path for the Gallant Federation to push straight into the alliance’s heartland.

Beyond that, many other star domains along the border between the Magus Civilization and the Gallant Federation were still locked in conflict.

The Transversa Star Domain that Sein crossed on his return to the Magus World was one of them.

Across these sprawling battlefronts, the Magus Civilization had gathered immense forces. Some rumors even claimed that certain legions had already advanced into the Gallant Federation’s own territory.

The battlefield where Sein and his companions fought was merely a small, unremarkable point on the vast map of the Clash of Civilizations.

“Alright, proceed as planned. Rotate fire coverage and maintain the defensive balance. If the pressure becomes too much, abandon the plane’s outer stellar defense line. Shift the fight to Radbow’s outer ring and make your last stand there!” Sein commanded.

***

Meanwhile, as Sein and his forces fought desperately near Radbow World, countless federal soldiers began moving from the distant Netherworld Star Domain. They initiated a massive spacetime jump toward the Sanoras Star Domain.

These were the Gallant Federation’s elite legions.

Under the command of enormous capital ships, countless battleships cut through the void like silent metallic beasts.

Endless drone fleets swarmed around them, their numbers impossible to count. Yet they represented only a tiny portion of the federation’s total power.

Inside each warship, countless smaller spacecraft lay in reserve, waiting to be deployed.

Towering mobile suits—some tens, others hundreds of meters tall—patrolled the periphery of the colossal federal warships, standing guard like steel sentinels.

This massive fleet, this overwhelming might... It was the steel tide upon which the Gallant Federation built its dominance, the very foundation of its civilization!

Within the heart of this vast armada, inside a specially designed capital ship, sat Marshal Seedolf, the “Military God” of the Gallant Federation. His brow furrowed as he studied the star chart before him, deep in thought.

Since leading his overlord-class fleet into the Netherworld Star Domain, Seedolf had been like this.

A lifelong soldier known for his cautious nature, he was one of the few in the military who had opposed such an early, large-scale invasion of the Netherworld Star Domain.

To him, the illusion of superiority could certainly boost morale, but throughout the entire conflict between the Gallant Federation and the Magus Civilization, the federation had yet to deal any real damage to the Magus Civilization’s main forces!

Even their supercomputer had verified this fact.

Unfortunately, machines were still operated by people.

After two major victories in a row, most of the federation’s military leaders had chosen to press their advantage. They were eager to force a decisive battle against the Magus Civilization Army.

To them, the Magus Civilization’s apparent weakness was proof of its decline.

The so-called civilization of magic and battle qi would finally meet its end at the hands of technology!

Science was the one true path in the Astral Realm!

“Marshal Seedolf, what are you thinking about?”

After watching the marshal in silence for some time, his aide finally spoke up.

He was no ordinary man. Anyone qualified to serve beside the federation’s Military God was far from common.

In terms of rank, the aide already held the title of lieutenant general—meaning that if he were sent to the front, he could command a fleet with power equivalent to a Rank Five creature.

Marshal Seedolf had even suggested that he take command of one of the main fleets as a test, to prepare him for promotion to general.

But the aide had politely declined, saying he still had much to learn from Marshal Seedolf and was in no hurry to leave the capital ship.

“Nothing much,” Seedolf said at last, turning his gaze toward the window. “The Netherworld Star Domain just feels bleak and stifling with too few planets. It’s nothing like our star domain.”

The war plans were already in motion. Billions of soldiers had entered the Netherworld Star Domain, and there was no turning back now. Seedolf’s doubts were meaningless.

Besides, as a marshal, it would not do for him to voice concerns that could dampen morale or contradict established strategy.

So instead of speaking his mind, Marshal Seedolf changed the subject, deflecting the conversation toward trivial matters.