Sovereign of the Ashes

Hela naturally did not defy her aunt’s order.

Moreover, from the perspective of the titan deities, there was no harm at all in moving to the battlefield to the Grand Eye Demon World!

The Magus Civilization’s campaign against the Grand Eye Demon World had already pushed deep into the heart of their homeland.

Billions of Eye Demons had been killed.

The Magus Civilization never showed mercy to traitors.

Not only Eye Demons, but also the weaker medium-sized and low-level planes that had been swept up in the Grand Eye Demon World’s betrayal had not escaped the Magus Civilization’s purge.

Such was the tragedy of the weak.

By optimistic estimates, the remaining battles in the Grand Eye Demon World would conclude within two hundred years.

By then, every living being within the Grand Eye Demon World would have been slaughtered.

Even the Rank Seven Evileye Tyrant Monarch had already shown signs of attempting to flee.

However, it was trapped by the Alveroth Empire’s desperate resistance, which sealed the surrounding space with powerful magic.

If Hela were to transfer to the Grand Eye Demon World, she would have to move quickly.

After discussing the situation involving the Amenkha Empire, Bev smiled and said, “The real challenge in the Grand Eye Demon World lies ahead in the overlord-level battlefield, which will fall under your direct command.”

“The lower-tier engagements no longer pose much of a threat. You may bring Thor and Loki along if you wish. I can see that they have been growing quite rapidly lately. The older one seems close to advancing to Rank Six, while the younger also shows signs of reaching Rank Five,” she added.

“Those two brats?” Hela rolled her eyes. “The best they can do for me is stay out of trouble.”

After chatting a while longer, Hela rose to take her leave. Just before departing, she paused as if recalling something, then turned back and asked her aunt, “Will the next phase of this war shift toward those ancient civilization ruins?”

Bev paused for a moment before replying, “At most, those top-tier civilization ruins may eventually become an overlord-level battlefield. But centering the Clash of Civilizations there is impossible. We’ll maintain the pre-war strategy we established.”

Perhaps sensing her niece needed a clearer explanation, Bev elaborated, “Our Magus Civilization is advancing steadily across all fronts, and the overall momentum of the war remains strong. By adhering to our established strategy, we’ll secure victory in this Clash of Civilizations. There’s no reason to take unnecessary risks by altering our course simply because of the Gallant Federation’s actions or the accidental discovery of a civilization’s ruins.”

“Even if those top-tier ruins contain some extraordinary technology, that doesn’t mean the Gallant Federation can immediately turn it into usable combat power. They may not even have the chance to unveil any new weapons before the Clash of Civilizations comes to an end,” she said, shaking her head.

Seeing Hela still looking puzzled and uncertain, Bev sighed and continued, “The Gallant Federation has no choice. They simply cannot defeat us on the frontlines, so they are pinning their hopes on uncovering some secret within the ruins of a top-tier ancient civilization that might turn the tide of the war.

“But our Magus World has every means necessary to secure victory in this Clash of Civilizations. We have not even deployed our full strength, yet the Gallant Federation has already revealed the Infinity Light—its trump card.

“Besides, I’ve already dispatched overlord-class forces to the ruins of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization. With vast Magus Civilization legions converging from the surrounding battlefields, the Gallant Federation may not obtain what it seeks.”

Hela finally had a clearer picture now.

“So, by drawing their attention toward those civilization ruins and even pulling their overlord-class warfleets into that star domain, we allow the Magus Civilization to gain a greater advantage and achieve more decisive victories on the main battlefield with only minimal adjustments?” she asked.

Bev nodded. “Precisely. This is how a king should act. What the Gallant Federation pursues are merely shortcuts.”

“One of your uncles once spoke to me about the Way of Kings and Hegemons. I find the concept quite sound,” she added.

Seeing curiosity return to Hela’s eyes, Bev continued, “His name is Gongsun Wuji.”[1]

“Ah, that uncle. I’ve heard of him.” Hela smiled.

“Will the Martial Civilization[2] join our war?” Hela asked.

“I haven’t informed him yet. The Dawn Dynasty he founded isn’t part of the Magus Alliance. Besides, given our long-standing ties with the Immortal Realm, there is no need to involve the Martial Civilization in this conflict,” Bev replied.

***

Soon after, a directive from the Magus Civilization’s high command reached the remnants of the Rosen Dynasty Civilization.

At present, these creatures were primarily stationed along the Netherworld Star Domain border.

During the early stages of the Clash of Civilizations, when the Magus Civilization first clashed with the Gallant Federation and deliberately feigned defeat under heavy pressure, the Rosen Dynasty Army fought with everything they had.

That period marked the peak of their battlefield performance.

Unfortunately, subsequent difficulties, such as depleted reserves and a severe lack of manpower, prevented them from taking part in the Magus Civilization’s major counteroffensive.

In recent years, the remnants of the Rosen Dynasty have spent much of their time recuperating along the Netherworld Star Domain border.

Although the Magus Civilization had assigned several planes near the Sanoras Star Domain to the remnants of the Rosen Dynasty Civilization for recuperation, life on foreign soil never quite felt right.

What the survivors of the Rosen Dynasty desired most was to return to their former home star domain.

The Magus Civilization had long observed that only when mobilized against the Rosen Dynasty’s old strongholds did these so-called “elderly, weak, and infirm” refugees unleash their greatest strength.

Second only to that... was when they were set against enemies like Rommel.

“I’ll lead the charge personally. The grudges of the past must be settled,” the Rank Seven psychic named Moraia declared, flexing her wrist as she stood upon a medium-sized plane.

The Rosen Dynasty Civilization had been a female-dominated, large-sized world, with its Empress serving as the nominal supreme leader.

The current Empress was a young Rank Five psychic.

A psychic’s power was deeply tied to bloodline, and the Rosen Dynasty’s strongest lineage belonged to the imperial family.

As a result, the Empress shared direct blood ties with Moraia, the Rank Seven psychic.

When the Rosen Dynasty Civilization’s homeplane fell, only two members of the imperial bloodline with succession rights managed to escape. The other was the current Empress’s younger sister.

All remaining royal members, including the previous Empress, perished alongside their civilization in its final stand.

The current Empress had inherited nothing but the burden of leading her people’s survivors back toward revival.

Overlord-level combatants were now the rarest and most precious resource the Rosen Dynasty possessed, and they represented the Empress’ only truly reliable source of strength.

Should anything happen to this venerable ancestor, the Rosen Dynasty’s situation would worsen.

The Empress, slender with a sickly pallor, addressed the departing Rank Seven psychic.

“General Artest has already gone off to another frontline battlefield designated by the Magus Civilization in his overlord-class mobile suit. The psychic legions under our command are our last remaining elite forces. Grandmother, if you’re going, take the two Imperial Mobile Suit Legions assigned to guard the imperial family with you.”

Moraia frowned. “If I take the Imperial Mobile Suit Legions, what will protect you?”

“We’re currently in the relatively secure rear border region of the Netherworld Star Domain. What danger could I possibly face?” the Empress asked.

Shaking her head, she continued, “Rather than clinging to tradition, I would rather minimize losses among what remains of our forces.”

The psychics of the Rosen Dynasty civilization were, in many ways, similar to the mages of Magus World.

They possessed tremendous offensive power but weak defenses, and thus typically required Mobile Suit Legions for protection.

Moraia understood that this was no longer an era where imperial traditions could be strictly followed.

After only a moment’s thought, she nodded and accepted the Empress’ suggestion.

Translator’s Notes:

1. I have no proof, but this is likely a reference to