Sovereign of the Ashes

This was an easy battle, well, for the Gallant Federation.

The sheer imbalance in power made it almost impossible for the Magus Civilization’s forces stationed at the logistics base to mount any real counterattack.

By the time Sein and Yuri fought their way to the heart of the federal fleet, the defenses of the base behind them had already crumbled.

Inside, the enslaved creature legions hastily conscripted for defense were slaughtered in droves.

The few Magus Civilization units still holding the perimeter were wiped out one after another under the fleet’s overwhelming firepower.

The knight legions under Benjamin met the same fate. At the very least, they died with honor, falling in the midst of their charge.

The only real nuisance to the Gallant Federation’s assault fleet was Sein and Yuri, two stubborn “flies” darting through their formation, refusing to die.

The Black Ops had already redirected a huge portion of its firepower to lock onto Sein and his mecha maid.

Some beams and homing missiles did hit, but most were narrowly dodged through sharp maneuvers.

Much of the credit went to Sein’s world-class secret treasure, the Faceless Mask.

On a Clash of Civilizations’ battlefield, only those with strength, skill, and a bit of luck could survive to the end.

The Faceless Mask had saved Sein more times than he could count. Its advanced analysis and detection systems helped him find a sliver of hope, even in the bleakest situations.

Still, there was no such thing as real safety for him.

Once the Magus World’s forces near the logistics base were wiped out and the Gallant Federation’s Shadow Fleet seized the vast stockpile of war supplies, Black Ops—having effectively completed their mission—redirected their firepower toward Sein and Yuri.

Under the fleet commander’s orders, several specialized ships began activating their spatial jump protocols.

It was this ability to warp through space that allowed Black Ops to wreak havoc deep within the Grand Eye Demon World’s rearlines.

Of course, much of their success also came down to their commander’s sharp instincts and adaptability on the battlefield.

“How are you holding up?” Sein asked, turning to Yuri after downing a Golden Apple Potion.

During the battle, he had taken at least two direct hits, each carrying the destructive force of a Rank Six strike.

The damage had nearly destroyed his lawful body.

The gap between their strengths was simply too great; any ordinary Rank Four creature would have been reduced to dust by now.

And on top of that, the federal fleet’s relentless barrage rained down like a storm with no end.

Luckily, Sein had a few Golden Apple Potions.

The potent restorative power of just one were enough to keep him on his feet, though only barely.

His survival, however, left General Noxan of the Gallant Federation fuming.

“Barely, Master! You have to leave now!” Yuri replied from inside the Burning Flame Unit, which was now spewing smoke.

She had taken no less damage than Sein.

As alarms blared through her cockpit, the Burning Flame’s consciousness warned her that it was about to blow.

Yuri had already made up her mind to shield Sein and buy him just a few more moments.

There was no time for Sein to pull her from the mecha and store her in the spatial living device—the federal fleet was not going to give him that chance.

Seeing Yuri and the Burning Flame about to go down, Sein’s eyes widened as realization struck. He pulled out the Magic Cube, and slammed it against the mecha.

The cube fit perfectly into the gaping hole in the mecha’s chest armor and fused with it!

The moment it made contact, a brilliant blue light burst forth, releasing a surge of unique mechanical energy that coursed through the entire Burning Flame Unit.

In mere seconds, the holes in its armor sealed themselves, and the smoke began to fade!

For Yuri, the Magic Cube’s power worked much like the Golden Apple did for Sein.

With a sudden burst of acceleration, Yuri darted to Sein’s side, wrapped the Burning Flame Unit’s arms around him, and sharply shifted their trajectory.

At that exact moment, two deadly beams—one crimson, one white—shot past them, narrowly missing their mark.

Both attacks carried the power of a Rank Six being.

Although Yuri and Sein managed to dodge the direct hit, the shockwave still tore away a section of Sein’s lawful body from behind, while a large chunk of Yuri’s mech armor was melted.

Thankfully, one had a Golden Apple Potion and the other had the Magic Cube to keep them alive, for now.

Sein’s face was as pale as death.

Although he maintained his demonic form at around two meters tall, he still could not escape the relentless barrage raining down from all directions.

Back when they broke through the Gallant Federation’s star domain, he had had two Rank Six allies—Skyhold and Aetherend—who drew enemy fire alongside a group of Rank Four and higher intelligent robots.

But now... Sein had no others to rely on.

Ironically, Sein’s status as the strongest being still alive and the last Magus Civilization fighter made him the prime target for Black Ops.

Even with a few Golden Apple Potions left in his inventory, he could not shake the feeling of despair.

The next hit could be his last.

If death came too quickly, he might not even have the chance to drink the potion in time.

Is this really how it will end?

To be blown to smithereens by the Gallant Federation’s fleet on the frontlines of the Clash of Civilizations?

Those were the thoughts running through Sein’s mind.

Through it all, Yuri held him tight. Empowered by the Magic Cube, her flight speed now exceeded his own.

The Burning Flame Unit’s massive metal frame shielded them from a portion of the crossfire coming from all sides.

She was giving everything she had to keep him alive, even for just a moment longer. The realization hit Sein with a sharp pang of guilt.

Whether it brought her any comfort or not, he forced out a smile and said, “Looks like we might die together.”

Before Yuri could respond, an explosion echoed across the battlefield—this time from the opposite end of this isolated stellar battlefield!

It could not have come from the Gallant Federation’s fleet, which meant only one thing...

“Hehehe... finally found you guys. Good thing I wasn’t too far away!”

The transmitted voice rang out clear and confident across the void as a Rank Six mage appeared on the battlefield, wreathed in the powerful energy of the Cascading Ice Crystal Law.

Almost immediately, two more Rank Six life forces flared into existence nearby.

The Gallant Federation’s Black Ops fleet, which had cornered Sein and Yuri just moments earlier, now found themselves surrounded!