Sovereign of the Ashes

Sein’s decision earned Grethel’s approval, while the others remained silent for the moment.

They understood their own limits well. In terms of combat strength, Sein ranked among the elite even among Rank Five beings. Black Oblivion and his cousins were no weaklings either.

As for Grethel, Roth, Gilbert, and Valerie, they were unquestionably research-oriented mages.

They had also suffered considerable injuries in the earlier battles.

If they chose to charge straight into the Gallant Federation forces and rendezvous with Master Howard and the others inside the Yellow Sand Base II, casualties would be inevitable.

Sein and his group had already clashed multiple times with the Gallant Federation legions within the ruins.

After rescuing Master Gilbert and the others, the federation’s forces would certainly be aware that a formidable Magus Civilization unit was still operating inside the ruins.

They were likely lying in wait, expecting Sein and his group to fall into their trap!

Under these circumstances, rushing into the besieged Yellow Sand Base II simply to wait for reinforcements hardly seemed like a wise decision.

“I wonder if that Rank Six angel robot is also present in this warzone,” Sein murmured, gazing toward the battlefield around the experimental base, where violent energy fluctuations continued to rage.

That Rank Six angel was undoubtedly one of the greatest threats to Sein and his group.

If she were indeed present, it would remain a serious threat despite the heavy damage she had sustained in earlier battles.

But so far, Sein had not detected any direct combat fluctuations from the eight-winged angel.

However, he could clearly see numerous angel-type robots with metal wings flying and circling above the Yellow Sand Base II, actively engaged in aerial combat.

Blazing energy beams erupted from their chests and arms.

The sight cast a gloom over Sein’s heart.

“Is there any way to contact Howard and the others who are inside the base?” Sein asked, turning to the group.

Grethel and Roth exchanged glances, clearly at a loss.

Master Gilbert, however, fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “I might have a way.”

Truly, having an elder around was like possessing a walking treasure!

Master Gilbert was far older and wiser than Grethel, Roth, and the others.

Meeting the hopeful gazes of Sein and the others, the old mage explained, “First, I need to locate a nearby inert crystal vein. Even a small one will do.”

“We have previously discovered inert crystals within this base. By using the optical frequency resonance between the veins, we should be able to establish contact with Master Howard and the others,” Gilbert said thoughtfully.

Sein scanned their surroundings, lingering briefly on HALL-E, before making his decision.

“Let’s go find an inert crystal vein then!”

***

With the assistance of a native like HALL-E, Sein and his group did not take long to locate a small inert crystal vein.

Establishing contact with the Yellow Sand Base II also went smoothly. After Master Gilbert set up a specialized magic array, a large mirror-like surface formed from inert crystals, gradually revealing the situation inside the base.

Before long, Master Howard’s image appeared before Sein and the others.

“I heard reports that the inert crystals were producing a strange projection, so I knew it had to be you,” Howard said. The middle-aged mage had exhaustion clearly written across his face.

“What’s the situation on your end?” he asked.

Sein quickly briefed Howard on their circumstances, including the disappearance or death of several law-wielding mages who had stayed behind earlier.

Overall, Sein’s group was still holding together.

Including Yuri, Sein now commanded a total of eight law-wielding combatants!

If this force coordinated with Howard’s team inside the base, they could potentially deal a heavy blow to the Gallant Federation’s legions surrounding the Yellow Sand Base II.

However, when Sein explained HALL-E’s origins and background, Master Howard swallowed the words he had been about to say.

As a battle mage, Sein likely did not fully grasp HALL-E’s value.

But as one of Magus World’s most renowned experts in archaeological research, Master Howard was aware of its potential significance!

Taking a deep breath, Howard said, “We were dispatched by Magus Civilization high command to enter this top-tier civilization’s ruins. Our mission was to explore the profound secrets of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization and recover anything of research value.

“But as you can see, the Gallant Federation’s combat legions have trapped us here. Even so, we must not forget our original purpose for entering this civilization’s secret realm.”

Howard’s tone turned solemn as he continued, “Master Sein, I’d advise you not to involve yourself in the battle raging around this experimental base. You should explore the deepest part of these ruins with HALL-E and uncover the biggest mysteries of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization.”

“If you succeed, then even if every one of us here dies, it won’t be in vain. At the very least, to prevent the Gallant Federation from obtaining these secrets, you must ensure that any information useful to the enemy is destroyed.

“The data at this base remains remarkably well preserved. We even consolidated research findings from other bases after regrouping here. But if this base ultimately falls, I’ll personally ensure that every secret uncovered by the Magus Civilization is erased before my own death.”

Although Master Howard was primarily a research-oriented mage, there was an unmistakable resolve in his words.

At that moment, Sein could not help but feel deep respect for Master Howard and his colleagues.

In truth, if Sein and his group forced their way into the Yellow Sand Base II, the greatest risks would fall on them.

Master Howard and his team, by contrast, would gain much-needed reinforcements, giving them both the chance and the strength to hold out longer.

Yet Master Howard ultimately refused Sein’s proposal to reinforce them. Instead, he chose a more rational course—one that placed the interests of the Magus Civilization and the greater good above all else.

Indeed, Sein’s small group now possessed an exceptionally well-rounded mix of talents.

Grethel and Roth had remarkable progress in the field of ancient civilization research. Masters Gilbert and Valerie held unrivaled authority in the study of inert crystals. Meanwhile, Black Oblivion and his cousins possessed formidable combat strength and harbored a deep fascination with the ruins of the Black Merlot Civilization.

If HALL-E agreed to guide them, Sein and his group could push into the deepest parts of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization’s secret realm. There, they might truly uncover more profound mysteries.

At the thought of this, Master Howard could not help but sigh. “How did you manage to find HALL-E? What a pity we discovered it so late. If we had encountered it earlier, just imagine how much faster our exploration of the ruins could have been.”