Sovereign of the Ashes

In terms of sheer numbers, the Magus Civilization legions Sein brought to Marvelous Plane likely amounted to no more than one-tenth of the opposing forces.

Yet when it came to momentum and overall strength, both sides were evenly matched.

If anything, the Magus Civilization appeared to have the edge.

At this moment, Marvelous Plane had not yet been completely wiped clean of its native species.

The small contingent of allies Beatrice had managed to break through with was the last remaining elite of this low-level plane.

But in reality, vast numbers of ordinary creatures were still clinging to life across Marvelous Plane.

The timely arrival of the Magus Civilization’s legions greatly boosted the morale of these native beings.

Under the coordination of other powerhouses from Marvelous Plane, the scattered survivors gradually regrouped amid the chaotic battlefield and joined forces with the Magus Civilization.

“We must stand together and resist those evil invaders who ravage our plane and slaughter our kin! The three newly emerged metallic continents and the legions fighting the invaders are our allies—helpers summoned by Queen Hippolyta! We must hold our ground! We must defend our beautiful Marvelous Plane!”

At the edge of a scorched and desolate forest, an old green-skinned lizard waved its arms as it shouted to the diverse creatures gathered before it.

This old lizard was probably not even a Rank Three, and most of the creatures standing before it were battered, weary, and disheveled.

Their homeplane had been defiled by the evil invaders from Arid Expanse World.

Barbaric slaughter and senseless destruction had left these fragile beings without homes.

Years of hardship and their current misery had etched pain and helplessness onto every face.

Yet deep within their dark pupils, suppressed fury toward the enemy and longing for their once-beautiful homeland still burned.

From this perspective, the Magus Civilization’s approach to external conquests was far easier to accept than that of many other world civilizations in the Astral Realm.

At the very least, the Magus Civilization extracted resources from allied planes through cooperation and gradual integration into the Magus Alliance.

They did not incite the kind of widespread hatred like Arid Expanse World.

Even the Gallant Federation’s methods of annexing foreign planes were more civilized.

At least, the federation would establish designated “species conservation zones” to resettle endangered populations.

As for who had driven those species to the brink of extinction in the first place, no one ever asked.

The old lizard’s gesture ignited a fierce response from Marvelous Plane’s creatures. Their long-suppressed frustration finally broke free.

“Drive out the invaders!”

Their cries grew louder and louder along the forest’s edge.

Many creatures immediately grabbed whatever they could use as weapons—a stick, a rock... anything within reach.

“We fight back!” the old lizard roared hoarsely.

With that, it turned and charged straight into the depths of the forest that was still engulfed in raging flames.

Behind it, the weaker creatures that were once paralyzed by hesitation, confusion, fear, and doubt suddenly found their resolve.

With a single surge of courage, they followed the old lizard, rushing together into the burning forest.

Similar uprisings were unfolding across other regions on Marvelous Plane.

This plane was vast enough to nurture a Rank Five being and multiple Rank Four entities, far surpassing those low-level planes that could sustain only a single Rank Four existence.

Its rich material resources and abundant wealth were precisely what had drawn the greedy eyes of Arid Expanse World and Aquaria.

Now, tens of millions, perhaps even a hundred million, native creatures roared as they surged toward the allied forces of Arid Expanse World once more.

This sudden development greatly eased the pressure on the Magus Civilization legions under Sein’s command.

After all, their biggest problem at the moment was a lack of available manpower.

The counterattack by the native creatures of Marvelous Plane served as a perfect diversion.

More importantly, this diversion was far more effective than the enslaved creatures typically thrown forward as cannon fodder. Those slaves charged only because they were forced to.

By contrast, the beings of Marvelous Plane hurled themselves into battle with their enemies in a bid for mutual destruction...

Every plane gave rise to its own kind of life.

When confronted by powerful invaders, some worlds chose to retreat. Their Rank Four deities and native beings withdrew under the banner of “strategic preservation,” saving their strength for vengeance at a later time.

Other worlds, like Marvelous Plane, fought until the very end. They would rather die fighting than surrender.

From an outsider’s perspective, it was difficult to judge which path was right.

But to the Magus Civilization legions fighting here, the creatures of Marvelous Plane were exactly the kind of allies they wanted.

Sein’s decision to lead his forces here had been more than justified!

The fierce melee on Marvelous Plane would continue for some time.

However, as the battle dragged on, the balance of victory would inevitably tilt toward Sein and his allies.

Reinforcements from Sein’s legions were still arriving, and the Magus Civilization would continue to dispatch fresh forces.

By contrast, Arid Expanse World and Aquaria were unlikely to receive any new reinforcements.

It was not that they had abandoned this battlefield. Rather, other fronts of even greater importance had erupted into conflict.

***

After entering the Shadowbat Civilization’s territory, Gregory quickly signed a treaty with them, formally bringing them into the Magus Alliance.

When Darian had previously represented the Shadowbat Civilization, he had repeatedly delayed signing the contract proposed by the Magus Civilization.

Partly, he lacked the authority to make such decisions on behalf of his people. Partly, he had hoped for better terms.

Now, however, Gregory offered conditions far less favorable than those once proposed in the Sanok Star Domain, but the Shadowbat Civilization still signed without hesitation.

Some beings and civilizations only came to understand the value of life and opportunity when they were pushed to the edge.

Upon arriving at the Shadowbat Civilization battlefield, Gregory immediately clashed with an Arid Expanse World legion that had pushed deep into the Shadowbat Civilization’s territory.

Gregory was bold. The Shadowbat battlefield was graced by a Rank Six being—did he truly not fear retaliation from such a powerful enemy?

Had Sein been present himself, he would have chosen a far more restrained and cautious approach.

At the very least, he would have waited for Grandmaster Feylis to arrive before employing such aggressive tactics.

Even so, Gregory’s recklessness had its advantages.

His thunderous opening strike upon entering the battlefield successfully halted the Arid Expanse World Army’s full-scale advance.

Moreover, the legion Gregory crushed was commanded by a mere Rank Four creature.

His forces routed them completely, capturing the commander alive and preserving it as a specimen.

Gregory’s deployment made the Magus Civilization’s position unmistakably clear that Magus World would stand as the Shadowbat Civilization’s protector from that day on!

At the same time, both Arid Expanse World and Aquaria received reports of Magus Civilization forces appearing on Marvelous Plane battlefield.

“The Magus Civilization has mobilized its forces. We need more reinforcements!” Arid Expanse World and Aquaria urgently informed the Gallant Federation, the power backing them.