Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1771 Rules of Engagement

Lucianʼs words rang like thunder.

The Magi standing behind him turned utterly solemn. Some of them even subconsciously reached for their weapons, fearing that his words might truly signal the start of the war.

Berger, Blackie, and the Hermit, who stood on either side of the Acadian Emperor, prepared to move as well. Their auras flared, distorting the very air around them.

However, the enemy side did not react in the way they had expected.

When Tian Di heard Lucianʼs proposal, he suddenly found the man far more pleasing to the eye. In him, he saw a kindred spirit.

As such, his reaction remained calm, though faintly amused.

Surprisingly, Volgron did not display any dark emotions. He still showed the same grin, as though he had already expected such an outcome from the beginning.

He was no fool. If all these Magi were willing to take part in this great battle, it was already evident that they had gone to great lengths to save this world from being sacrificed to Hell. As such, he was not offended by Lucianʼs words.

Volgron knew that powerful figures like Lucian, Magi who had reached the pinnacle of the arcanane arts in their worlds, could not be swayed by mere words. If there was anything that could convince them, it was power and authority.

So he didnʼt give up on recruiting these Magi for the Eternal War just yet. He would ask again. When the battlefield was buried beneath hundreds of thousands of corpses, when rivers of blood flowed across the land, he would ask again.

And by then, he was sure that most of these Magi — assuming they managed to survive that long — would accept his offer. They would have no other choice but to submit to him.

If they refused…

He was going to kill them.

”Very well.” Volgron nodded. ”Then I suppose there is nothing much to discuss.”

He paused briefly, his gaze scanning the sea of soldiers in the distance. ”There is one thing, however,” he added.

Berger and the Hermit were immediately on guard. Lucian, on the other hand, remained the same. He was calm, and his gaze full of contempt.

”There is only one matter that must be settled before the war begins.”

Lucianʼs eyes narrowed, and he signaled for the devil to continue.

”Apprentices will fight upon the main battlefield,” Volgron said. ”As for us Magi… we will fight separately.”

A strange silence permeated the air. The commanders of the Allied Forces hadnʼt expected the devil to lay down such rules of engagement.

Volgron gestured at the blanket of corpses behind him and continued, ”You have already seen what Magi are capable of in wars. If beings of that level unleash their full power amidst ordinary soldiers, the collateral damage alone will slaughter tens of thousands.”

The Hermit couldnʼt help but nod in agreement. Just the other day, there had been so much collateral on both sides for the primary reason that Mana Core Magi fought on the same battlefield as the lesser Magi. It had been a scene of pure carnage and utter chaos.

”It would become less of a battle and more of a massacre of our own men,” the Hermit said. ”However…”

His voice was full of suspicion. ”Why do you care about such a thing?”

Hearing that question, the azirai leader blinked. He was genuinely puzzled.

”Magus…” he began. ”Just what exactly do you take us, devils, for?”

The commanders of the Allied Forces responded with silence. If it wasnʼt obvious already, the expressions on their faces made it clear that they treated the devils no differently from any other feral species. It was understandable. These devils were, after all… quite wild in appearance.

Volgron sighed helplessly. ”I canʼt even blame you. Your perspective of this vast Magus Universe is so narrow. So limited. All you see is the patch of sky above your well.”

The next moment, his eyes narrowed, and his expression turned dark. ”We are not agents of chaos like those vile demons. We are lawful beings. We are methodical. And we play by the rules. Besides…”

His expression turned more and more solemn.

”War is not won through mindless slaughter. Those soldiers are resources. Those are assets to be used efficiently, not pests to be crushed beneath the boots of powerful beings.”

His tone dripped with disdain, and he concluded.

”So yes, I do care about the number of devils I lose in this battle. And I donʼt need to use underhanded tactics to come out on top. I am certain of victory. So certain that my army can defeat your lot even with these rules in place.”

Although Volgron had said that, it was only to appear civilized and gain a moral leverage. The truth of the matter was that devils were far more likely to benefit from organized warfare. After all, they were far more disciplined and experienced in large-scale wars. Separating battlefields favored them tactically.

Meanwhile, the Allied Forces had only just united. They were less coordinated and were emotionally driven. It was clear that in the case of structured battles, the benefits would be reaped mostly by the devils.

But more importantly… he still wanted to recruit talented individuals for the Eternal War. And surprisingly, this backwater planet had produced more than a handful of worthwhile Magi.

”And what if a Magus interferes with Apprenticesʼ battlefields?” The Hermit asked with a grim look on his face.

”Youʼre asking the right questions, human.” The devil turned to him and grinned.

Then his grin widened, and his eyes flashed with cruelty.

”If that happens, then the agreement becomes void.”

He then turned to Lucian, the de facto leader of the Allied Forces, and asked, ”So what do you say?”

Lucian could see the merits of this agreement. The two armies fought the war, while the Magi fought each other elsewhere. He found himself unable to refuse. To do so would only endanger the hundreds of thousands of lives under his command.

He exchanged glances with Berger and the Hermit. Both of them had arrived at similar conclusions, so they offered him a faint nod.

Luican finally turned back to the azirai leader and said in an even voice, ”Aye.”

Volgronʼs lips curled into a satisfied smile. ”Good.”

His gaze swept across the gathered commanders of the Allied Force as well as his own. ”Then let the terms be witnessed by all present,” he said as he raised his hand slightly.

”The Apprentices shall wage war upon the main battlefield. Magi will fight separately, away from the armies. And should either side violate these terms… then the agreement shall be considered void.”

After the two sides came to an understanding, they prepared to return to their respective armies. But suddenly, Bergerʼs voice grabbed their attention.

”Wait.”

Everyone paused, their gaze locking onto the gnome.

Berger coldly glanced at the lich and said in a voice that dripped with venom, ”Youʼve been awfully quiet since the beginning.”

The Cult Leader turned toward the gnome and just silently stared.

But Berger did not flinch. ”Whatʼs the matter? You shy?”

”How dare you!” Lelandʼs roar swept across the field.

”Know your place, filthy gnome.” Alainʼs eyes narrowed, flashing with a dangerous light.

However, Berger didnʼt back down. His lips curled into a dangerous smile.

”Ah, perhaps youʼre just a weak little cunt. Or perhaps, creatures like you were never meant to leave the shadows. Has stepping onto the light reminded you of your place?”

Throughout it all, the lich did not speak a word. The green flames in his sockets remained steady as he indifferently gazed at the gnome.

”Weak?” Marden couldnʼt help but sneer. ”Ignorant fool, youʼre talking to the strongest Magus in the history of Tron!”

And it was in that moment…

The flames in the lichʼs eyes stirred.

Tian Diʼs pupils constricted.

Lucianʼs expression turned grave.

And Volgron, for the first time, felt a sense of foreboding.

Because in that moment…

At the center of the battlefield, not far from where all the commanders had gathered, the space suddenly twisted and churned.

One by one, all the Mana Core Magi turned toward the disturbance in that area.

The space folded in on itself, and a faint outline of an arched gate appeared before solidifying only a moment later.

”Strongest Magus in the history of Tron?”

A voice dripping with ridicule echoed from within the gate.

Then a figure stepped through. His clothes were tattered, his body looked weary, and a black pole rested across his shoulders.

The Dark Kingʼs eyes blazed with supreme confidence.

”Who decided that?”

His figure vanished.

And when he reappeared, he was already directly above the Cult Leader.