Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 1781: The Gray Zone

The Magus Civilization was reasonable.

Although Kigard the Phantom Thief had caused massive destruction within the Magus Alliance’s territory, the Magus Civilization did not execute him outright or reduce him to a slave.

Instead, they locked him away in the Atlan Interstellar Prison.

On the surface, it suggested that Magus World was not some bloodthirsty civilization. That it held a certain goodwill toward powerful beings of the Astral Realm and hoped to reform them through guidance...

Of course, that was complete nonsense.

Most law-wielding beings already understood the Magus Civilization’s true nature very well.

The existence of the Atlan Interstellar Prison served a purpose of its own.

Beyond Kigard the Phantom Thief, the prison held many other exceptional figures whom the Magus Civilization intended to “reform”.

Not everyone qualified for confinement within those walls.

If a Rank Six being had no special value, the overlord leader of the Quatar Star Pirates would not have bothered capturing him alive. She would have simply killed him.

Kigard’s time to decide was running out. Warden Norton was a very busy man. In addition to overseeing the prison, he had numerous magic experiments of his own to conduct.

As he waited for Kigard’s answer, Norton suddenly frowned and glanced downward.

Moments earlier, he had sensed a faint energy fluctuation within the prison. He identified its source instantly.

It was the disturbance caused by Sein striking the energy barrier in front of Leena.

Ah, it’s him...

Norton’s expression gradually relaxed.

He remembered Sein.

Not because of the world-class secret treasure Sein possessed, nor because of his affiliation with the Verdant Flame Faction.

It was because of the speech Sein had delivered during the 25th Magus Alliance Conference.

Although Norton oversaw the Magus Civilization’s prison, his position required frequent contact with forces operating in the gray and black markets.

The Spider Queen had once told Sein she could find a way to get Leena out.

The method she had in mind likely involved Warden Norton.

Norton had formed a favorable impression of Sein through his speech at the Magus Alliance Conference. He sensed that Sein was no pedantic Rank Four mage, but someone well suited to navigating the gray zones.

He had also taken note that Sein attended the conference as a newly ascended Rank Four powerhouse back then.

Had Sein not become a divine tower master or been part of the Verdant Flame Faction, perhaps after that Magus Alliance Conference, Warden Norton would have personally sent someone to recruit him.

Sein might have instead become an esteemed warden of Magus World, operating in the gray areas and dealing primarily with devils, demons, star pirates, and prisoners of the Magus Civilization.

It was only after learning more about Sein’s background that Norton chose not to approach him.

Norton was not aware of Sein’s recent achievements during the Clash of Civilizations. After all, a peak Rank Six mage had little reason to concern himself with a lower-ranking mage of no direct relevance.

He only remembered Sein because of his exceptional memory.

The faint shift in Norton’s expression made Kigard tense.

He was now at the warden’s mercy. Although he still hoped to negotiate better terms, Kigard knew the man before him was not someone easily dealt with.

Kigard had been imprisoned here for quite some time. The thought of staying for hundreds of thousands of years was...

He gulped.

Forcing himself to remain calm, Kigard spoke. “Your Excellency, I’m willing to serve Magus World from this point forward.”

“After all, the major powers across the surrounding star domains know that the Magus Civilization has demonstrated overwhelming superiority in its conflict with the Gallant Federation. If I don’t join the Magus Civilization, where else could I possibly go?” he added with an awkward chuckle.

Norton turned his gaze back to him and nodded approvingly.

“There’s a saying in the Immortal Realm... the wise submit to circumstance. You have made the right choice. I’ll have a law contract prepared for your signature shortly. You’ll also need to provide the coordinates of your homeplane.”

He continued, “Rest assured, we won’t do anything to your homeplane. We simply require a safeguard—a means of accountability. You understand, right?”

“After all, even a lawful contract is not all-powerful. The Magus Civilization prefers to maintain multiple layers of security,” Norton said evenly.

Kigard’s expression darkened noticeably. It was true that he was a star pirate—but he also had a homeplane of his own, one he had always taken great care to keep hidden.

At least until now, the Magus Civilization had not discovered its coordinates.

Taking a slow breath, Kigard understood that once he chose to join the Magus Civilization, there would be little room left to retreat.

After solemnly nodding in agreement to Warden Norton’s request, he reflected on the warden’s earlier words and asked with a wry smile, “I understand that the Atlan Interstellar Prison holds many powerful beings from the regions surrounding the Magus Civilization. Are there any prisoners from the Immortal Realm Civilization here?”

In many respects, the Magus Civilization maintained relatively good relations with the Immortal Realm, another top-tier civilization.

Perhaps aligning himself with such a powerful faction was not the worst outcome. This was the only way he could console himself.

Warden Norton glanced at him, paused for a moment, then replied evenly, “We are a friendly civilization with stable diplomatic ties to the Immortal Realm. Assisting them in detaining a few of their most vicious heretics is entirely reasonable.”

“I see,” Kigard replied with a faint smile.

He was not truly interested in the Immortal Realm’s heretics or evil cultivators. What he had really wanted to confirm was Norton’s attitude.

From the way the warden spoke to him, Kigard could tell that the Magus Civilization did not intend to treat him as disposable cannon fodder—for now, at least.

That conclusion eased his mind somewhat.

After settling the preliminary terms of Kigard’s induction into the Magus Civilization’s ranks, Warden Norton tapped his pipe lightly and rose to his feet.

“You can’t leave the Atlan Interstellar Prison for the time being. Drafting a lawful contract takes time, and we can’t release you openly.”

Behind the owl mask, Kigard smiled. “Of course. As for the contract, I’d like to negotiate a few additional terms for myself.”

“My homeplane may only be a medium-sized world, but I’m not the only Rank Six being there,” he added calmly.

Norton’s expression shifted slightly in acknowledgment as he nodded.

“I see.”