Sovereign of the Ashes

Arid Expanse World was not afraid of Gregory’s legion arriving on the Shadowbat Civilization battlefield. They simply did not want to face the Magus Civilization alone.

Seiron, the notoriously barbaric, tyrannical, and bloodthirsty Rank Six powerhouse long stationed near this star domain, was not a fool.

The Magus Civilization far surpassed Arid Expanse World in sheer scale.

Even if it ascended to overlord status and Arid Expanse World became a large-sized plane, it still could not be mentioned in the same breath as the Magus Civilization.

As for the distress calls sent by both Arid Expanse World and Aquaria, the Gallant Federation had shown little response in recent days.

Its attention remained firmly fixed on the Golden Rock Worlds.

The Magus Civilization had already made its aggressive stance toward that cluster of worlds unmistakably clear, along with its hostility toward the federation’s mines and numerous heavy industrial bases.

That said, the Grand Apocalypse World under the Gallant Federation’s command had pledged to dispatch a legion.

The Grand Apocalypse World followed the path of self-cultivation. Backed by the Gallant Federation’s technological might, this large-sized world civilization possessed formidable overall strength.

The arrival of the Grand Apocalypse World legion eased the pressure on the Arid Expanse World’s frontlines, while at the same time further intensifying the tension around the Shadowbat Civilization.

It was clear to everyone that the momentum of conflict within this star domain was steadily escalating.

Although Arid Expanse World had temporarily suspended its full-scale offensive against the Shadowbat Civilization, no one could say when the next, even more brutal, all-out war would erupt.

This oppressive calm before the storm was often the most agonizing part of all.

***

Meanwhile, in the Chaos Sea Star Domain...

Having just finished her conversation with the Rank Six knight named Kuggo, Feylis immediately received another message from the Netherworld Star Domain.

Another Magus Civilization legion was preparing to reinforce the battlefronts near the Chaos Sea. This time, the reinforcements consisted of sea races.

“Well then, we’ll be relying on your guidance during this period, Master Feylis,” a calm and composed voice came from the elemental light screen.

“What are you talking about? We’ll be working together as comrades. Besides, with that royal trident in your hands, you’re as formidable as most Rank Six beings. If anything, your arrival is a tremendous boon to us,” Feylis replied.

“And we’ve fought side by side before; there’s no need to be so formal,” she added with a smile.

“When will you arrive?” she asked.

“My little sister and I will be there shortly. The other sea race legions may take a bit longer,” came the reply from the elemental light screen.

***

The fierce battles on Marvelous Plane battlefield had raged for nearly two years.

When almost two million additional Magus Civilization troops poured into this low-level plane battlefield, the legions of Arid Expanse World and Aquaria were finally forced to consider retreat.

Although their forces outnumbered the Magus Civilization’s legions, the Magus Civilization troops were far more elite.

In fact, a single Magus Civilization combat unit could hold their own against four or five of these extraplanar creatures.

To be fair, had they truly fought to the bitter end, the Arid Expanse World and Planet Aquaria legions might not have lost.

But in terms of momentum, they had already been defeated.

The first to abandon the Marvelous Plane battlefield were the Aquarian legion led by the Rank Five merman.

The choice of word was abandon rather than withdrawal because they did not even bother to inform the Rank Five Sand Crocodile of Arid Expanse World when they fled!

This was the price of fighting as separate powers. They could share the spoils of victory, but not the burden of defeat.

The sudden departure of the Aquarian legion immediately trapped most of Arid Expanse World’s forces on Marvelous Plane.

Earlier, the Huusian Legion had been the primary force holding back the Aquarian legion.

The Huusian King decided not to chase the fleeing Rank Five merman and his forces. Instead, he turned his troops around and joined the assault on the Arid Expanse World legions.

The Huusians could not match the terrifying individual combat power of the Klytheran fighters.

They might not excel in prolonged battles, but they had no trouble surrounding their enemies and kicking them while they were already down.

For a moment, the Huusians became the most outstanding and aggressive allied force on the Marvelous Plane battlefield.

After the elite Aquarian vanguard led by the Rank Five merman made their escape, the Cerulean Crabs—having also sensed the shift on the battlefield—became the second group to slip away.

These crabs were mercenaries hired for this war, specialists at seizing short-term gains.

Throwing themselves into a fight to the bitter end on a planar battlefield went completely against their way of survival.

After all, they were not fighting for territory, nor were they competing for civilizational dominance.

Once they saw the enemy’s overwhelming strength, retreating early was simply the sensible choice.

Besides, the Cerulean Crabs were not the first to run. The Rank Five merman had already set a perfect example.

With that precedent in place, the Cerulean Crab King would have an excuse when facing other high-ranking powers from Planet Aquaria and Arid Expanse World later on.

At least, the Cerulean Crabs’ withdrawal from Marvelous Plane battlefield looked far more “honorable” than Aquaria’s.

The Rank Five Crab King ordered its entire clan to retreat together, unlike the merman leader who had escaped with only his own elite forces.

Meanwhile, several Rank Four Aquarian creatures were still locked in brutal fighting on Marvelous Plane, completely unaware that the merman had already fled.

The Cerulean Crabs’ large-scale withdrawal finally snapped the remaining Aquarian legions back to their senses.

And so began a frantic strategic retreat from this low-level plane battlefield.

The technological equipment supplied by the Gallant Federation to this star domain battlefield proved remarkably useful at this moment.

Many creatures from cultivation-based civilizations ultimately boarded medium- and small-sized technological airships to escape the battlefield.

This retreat—or rather, this rout—quickly escalated.

There was no alternative. Those who did not leave now would soon become the unlucky ones left behind to cover the rear.

For many self-serving species, there was no need to be the fastest. They only needed to be faster than their allies.

The Rank Five Aquarian merman who slipped away earlier clearly knew this all too well.

The widespread retreat across Marvelous Plane triggered a fierce pursuit by the Magus Civilization legions and the plane’s natives.

The long-suffering inhabitants of Marvelous Plane, in particular, seized the chance to strike back, venting years of pent-up fury.

At the same time, they viewed the Magus Civilization legions that had come to their aid as saviors.

Sein and the other Magus Civilization powerhouses had not even raised the topic of recruiting Marvelous Plane into the Magus Alliance yet.

Even so, judging by the current situation, Marvelous Plane’s eventual entry into the Magus Alliance might turn out to be far smoother than expected.

Compared to Aquaria and the interstellar mercenaries, the Arid Expanse World legions were clearly stronger. Yet they were far slower to realize what was happening.

As the Rank Five Sand Crocodile gradually emerged from its battle frenzy, it finally noticed that enemies now swarmed the battlefield. Many of Planet Aquaria’s elites and interstellar mercenaries had already escaped.

A furious roar burst from its maw.

It seemed to be cursing the merman in Arid Expanse World’s tongue.

Unfortunately, Sein had no idea what the crocodile was shouting. He was far more interested in its massive crocodile head.

“I told you that you would become another specimen in my laboratory!” Sein sneered coldly.