Sovereign of the Ashes

Violet Thistlestar’s decision was largely influenced by the Magus Civilization.

Previously, the Magus Civilization had been helping the Grand Cosmic World defend its homeplane.

Ever since their clash with the Third Pharaoh of the Amenkha Empire, the Magus Civilization had begun systematically scaling back the combat strength of its legions.

An overlord-level powerhouse from the Magus Civilization was still present on the Grand Cosmic World’s homeplane—Aeberton, the Rank Eight knight who wielded the Dark Blade.

However, he did not seem to have any real intention of defending the Grand Cosmic World.

His reason for remaining here appeared to have more to do with a long-held desire to face a certain Amenkha Empire overlord in battle.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of the Magus Civilization’s legions had already withdrawn to the middle and rear sectors of the Grand Cosmic World, closer to the Magus Civilization’s territory.

The Magus Civilization had once advised the Cosmic King to temporarily abandon his homeplane and continue pulling the frontlines farther back.

But in the end, the Cosmic King rejected their suggestion.

It was not because he was particularly attached to his homeplane.

He simply could not bring himself to let go of what he possessed, especially the boundless assets and vast wealth he had accumulated within the Grand Cosmic World.

For the Cosmic King and his followers, abandoning all the assets of the Grand Cosmic World would be more painful than cutting off one of their own limbs!

***

Beyond the Grand Cosmic World, the Third Pharaoh Makhast appeared once more.

Gazing at the colorful planar rings before him, Makhast felt no admiration for the large-sized world ahead. Instead, he was filled with a fierce desire for destruction.

“Where’s that witch from the Magus Civilization? She isn’t here?” Makhast asked coldly, staring down at the vast plane below.

Makhast was extremely interested in Vivian, the former leader of the Northern Witches Council.

This interest had nothing to do with Vivian’s gender, nor did it come from any desire to flay her skin.

Rather... Makhast hoped she would seal him away once more.

Ideally, for an even longer period of time.

Such a request might sound strange.

But it was the truest thought in Makhast’s heart!

Unfortunately, things rarely went as one wished.

Since the last battle ended, Makhast had not faced Vivian and the others in direct combat again.

Although Vivian’s presence could still be sensed within the Grand Cosmic World, she seemed to be deliberately avoiding him.

This caused the Third Pharaoh, who was already known for his impatience, to gradually lose what little patience he had.

This time, however, Makhast discovered something new.

“Oh? The Imperial Blade?”

Sensing the First Pharaoh’s former weapon within the vast world below, the Third Pharaoh suddenly regained his interest in the coming battle.

The First Pharaoh had always been his ultimate goal, as well as an insurmountable mountain standing before him.

He had long heard that the Imperial Blade had fallen into the hands of the Magus Civilization many years ago, but he never expected one of their overlords to bring it right before him.

“This world’s planar barrier still hasn’t been broken?”

With his battle spirit ignited, the Third Pharaoh stepped forward from the vast army of the Amenkha Empire.

“Leave it to me.”

Around him, the generals, viziers, and overlord-level monster kings of the Amenkha Empire all bowed their heads before this man, the strongest figure in the empire after the First Pharaoh, expressing their respectful obedience.

Below, vast swaths of starlight shimmered across the surface of the Grand Cosmic World’s planar barrier, mixed with various energy barriers and law-powered shields.

The starlight was primarily a manifestation of the Grand Cosmic World’s own laws. Faced with impending danger, the Grand Cosmic World naturally possessed a strong instinct for self-preservation.

As for the remaining energy barriers and law shields, they were defensive artifacts the Grand Cosmic World had purchased at great cost through trade with friendly civilizations and interstellar merchant fleets.

Among them were even several defensive artifacts that had reached the level of world-class secret treasures!

This alone was enough to show the Grand Cosmic World’s extraordinary economic strength.

Furthermore, several layers of protective barriers radiated distinct mana fluctuations and clearly bore traces of the Magus Civilization.

They were likely the work of a soul overmage.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to create such an extravagant defensive effect covering an entire plane.

When Makhast appeared before the ranks of the Amenkha Empire’s army and extended his right fist, the self-seal on his body gradually began to unravel.

For some inexplicable reason, the Grand Cosmic World coalition forces on the battlefield below felt an overwhelming sense of pressure descend upon them.

At that moment, the Rank Eight Violet Thistlestar was the one most eager to flee the battlefield!

If it were not afraid that leaving now would make it the primary target of that terrifying peak Rank Eight lifeform outside the plane, it would have already made a run for it.

Whispering Plume, who hailed from a top-tier civilization known as Heavenly Plume World, stared at the space beyond the plane in disbelief.

His sharp beak parted slightly as he stared wide-eyed at the sky beyond and mumbled, “How could such a terrifying creature possibly exist? Tens of thousands of years ago, the Sky Plume Divine who left our world...”

Unlike the other overlords on the Grand Cosmic World battlefield, who were gripped by emotions ranging from alarm and awe to fear, Aeberton remained silent.

The Rank Eight knight overlord from the Magus Civilization stood beneath the Grand Cosmic World’s planar barrier with the Dark Blade in his grasp.

He was likely the calmest overlord present. Yet beneath his dark, tranquil eyes, a faint impulse stirred... along with surging battle intent!

The Dark Blade hummed incessantly in his hands.

After drinking its fill of the Amenkha Empire’s Eighth Pharaoh’s blood, this blade of vengeance now desperately yearned to taste the blood of the Third Pharaoh standing before it.

A faint dragon’s roar emanated from the weapon in Aeberton’s hand.

In the end, it was Makhast beyond the plane who struck first.

Just like the Eighth Pharaoh, Makhast had only partially unlocked his Second Unsealing.

This state consumed less energy while still allowing him to unleash tremendous power for a short period. It was the most rational way to use his strength.

Moreover, Makhast’s partial unsealing was clearly far smoother than the Eighth Pharaoh’s had been back then.

In fact, partial unsealing was nothing to him. If he wanted to, he could even fully undo his second seal.

A colossal arm descended from the heavens and slammed directly into the surface of the Grand Cosmic World’s planar barrier!

At the same time, a barrage of attacks erupted from within the Grand Cosmic World. Among them were numerous defensive weapons specifically purchased from technological planes.

Yet when those attacks struck Makhast’s arm, they barely amounted to a tickle.

At first, they could not even break through the thick sealing bandages wrapped around his arm.

After all, those seemingly ordinary bandages had once been the skin of renowned overlords from the Astral Realm!

The Rank Eight Cosmic King trembled as he gazed at the peak Rank Eight Pharaoh beyond the plane, who radiated supreme might.

Looking at the Third Pharaoh’s domineering figure, the Cosmic King felt as though he were reliving the agony of having the skin of his own forehead torn away all those years ago!

No matter how many years had passed, Makhast remained a nightmare the Cosmic King could never forget!

“Are you guys ready?” Aeberton muttered under his breath, gripping the Dark Blade.

Compared to the Cosmic King’s pitiful display, Aeberton was calm and composed.

It seemed as though he were speaking to the blade in his hand.

Another hum, faintly resembling a dragon’s roar, came from within the Dark Blade, as if it were answering him.