Sovereign of the Ashes

”In my 8,471-year-long life, I had the honor of communicating with two otherworldly planes through the Thunder Well,” the old Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief suddenly said.

His voice was deep and buzzing, requiring Sein to focus intently to parse his words through mental focus in order to understand him.

After the Thunder Lizard chief spoke, the initially irritable and uncontrollable ranked Thunder Lizards around them quieted down significantly.

Its murky purple eyes flashed briefly.

Looking at Sein, who stood at the forefront of the Magus World negotiation team, the Rank Three Thunder Lizard continued, “Birdfish Floral World and Windchaser World... Both have a more hospitable environment compared to our Thunderous World. The Birdfish Floral World is slightly weaker than us, while the Windchaser World likely matches our strength. They, too, have their ‘gods’.”

“Oh? A micro and a low-level plane? If you can provide us with their coordinates, the command center will surely recognize the contribution of your tribe,” Sein responded calmly.

The old Thunder Lizard shook its head, replying, “The Thunder Well has dried up, and I’m not sure what you meant by ‘coordinates’.”

“What I’m trying to say is that I used to believe that the Thunderous World was the center of all planes. Even if other planes existed, I thought they would be weaker than ours, like the Birdfish Floral World, or comparable to ours, like the Windchaser World. However, I’ve never anticipated the existence of a plane powerful enough to govern over two thousand others,” he added.

“Considering that your Magus World is capable of conquering such a formidable plane, the power it wields must surely be beyond anything we could have imagined,” the old chief exclaimed, its eyes widening with a mix of fear and awe.

Although the Rank Three Thunder Lizard before him was physically stronger, Sein initially regarded it as merely a naive native creature from another world.

Yet, he was taken aback by the old creature’s insight and reflective thinking—traits indicative of true intelligence.

While the warriors of Thunderfall World were known for their bravery and fearlessness in battle, Sein had more faith in the wisdom of this old Thunder Lizard chief.

As for the fierce Garths, once the Magus World Army fully conquered this plane, the millions spawned by Thunderfall World would serve as top-tier cannon fodder for the three orders of the knights.

“Yes, the Magus Civilization is much more powerful than you imagine,” Sein said calmly.

There was no longer any need for exaggeration or persuasion.

The negotiation had effectively concluded the moment the old Thunder Lizard showed no resistance.

The Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief did not delay further either.

It glanced at its clansmen, then looked over the Thunder Range and its numerous native inhabitants.

Despite appearing frail earlier, its demeanor transformed as it roared with a surprisingly powerful voice, “As the sovereign of Thunder Range and chief of the Thunder Lizards, I agree to reconcile with the Magus World Army and join the Magus Alliance to maintain the peace of Thunder Range!”

Its voice resonated throughout Thunder Range, echoing across the mountains.

The sheer volume of a Rank Three being was enough to envelop the entire region.

This proclamation sent Thunder Range into a whirlwind of confusion and uproar.

Clearly, not all creatures were ready to reconcile with the Magus Civilization invaders; yet, they found themselves too powerless to resist.

Most chose to remain silent.

Those who had fought fiercely earlier had already been vanquished, and the stench of blood still lingered in the air of Thunder Range.

Sein nodded in appreciation of the old Thunder Lizard’s timely grasp of the situation.

However, before he could sign a magic contract, a younger roar interrupted from the old Thunder Lizard’s side.

“I disagree!”

“We, the Thunder Range’s Thunder Lizard tribe, have already lost nearly two thousand of our members resisting the invaders! And now, we’re to join them? Isn’t this betrayal? Have you forgotten your dead older brother? Because I have not!”

Covered in dark blue scales, the Rank Two Thunder Lizard let out an angry roar that drowned out the echoes of the old chief’s voice across Thunder Range.

Spurred by this dissent, two more Rank Two Thunder Lizards and a dozen Rank One Thunder Lizards nearby also found their courage to stand against the decision.

Decades ago, the Thunder Range’s Thunder Lizards numbered more than three thousand, far more than the thousand or so currently present.

The invasion by the Magus World Army ignited the interplanar war, compelling the majority of Thunder Range’s inhabitants to heed the guardian’s call. They abandoned their homeland to face the Magus World Army on the front lines, initiating a devastating era.

During this period, both the Thunderfall World and the Magus World suffered immensely, with hundreds of millions dead or injured.

Nearly two thousand adult Thunder Lizards, including a young and fierce mid-stage Rank Three Thunder Lizard chief, left the Thunder Range to fight.

Tragically, this chief was killed in battle, reportedly by a powerful black-armored monster that shattered its spine with a single axe strike.

The current old chief was actually the father of the fallen Thunder Lizard chief.

The Rank Two Thunder Lizard now confronting it was another son of the old chief, having inherited its old man’s fiery spirit and impulsive nature from its younger days.

Its agitation had once again stirred up the Thunder Lizards, who had only just settled.

For the creatures of Thunderfall World, talk of benefits and deals held little sway.

Most retained the innate characteristics of Thunderfall’s native creatures, adhering to the principle of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”.

Only a few possessed the sensibility and open-mindedness to see beyond this, like the old chief.

Sein glanced away as the Rank Two Thunder Lizard continued its impassioned rant.

Gould stepped forward with his black sword in irritation, looking to intervene. However, Reina was quicker, stepping in front of him and blocking his path.

Standing next to the formidable Reina, Gould, although strong, seemed almost like her younger brother.

Thankfully, his tanned complexion and beard conveniently hid his embarrassed flush.

Reina dragged her massive brass-colored octagonal hammer—ten meters in diameter, roughly the size of an ordinary Thunder Lizard—across the ground. The noise it produced sliced through the air, drawing the attention of the still-ranting Rank Two Thunder Lizard.

As the lizard turned, Reina’s hammer was already flying toward its face!