Sovereign of the Ashes

After half a year, the initial phase of the Wild Gorilla World War finally came to a close.

In the distant Magus World, the overmages and overlords who stood at the pinnacle of civilization were highly satisfied with the war’s progress.

In under a year, the defensive blockade established by over twenty Gorilla Gods had been shattered.

This invasion was indeed one of the more challenging.

Yet, without any direct intervention from the overmages and overlords, the combat legions of the Magus World had already proven themselves capable of remarkable victories against Wild Gorilla World’s forces

Prior to the war, many overmages and overlords had speculated that this initial campaign would take at least two years before the Magus World Army could firmly establish itself in Wild Gorilla World.

“According to our latest intel, the powerful main war Gorilla Gods are currently away from this world. We’ve been fortunate to encounter minimal resistance,” Bhaal remarked.

“Still that group of main war Gorilla Gods—including their strongest, the so-called Wild Gorilla God—should be returning soon. The strength of this Rank Six Gorilla God is uncertain, but it’s rumored to possess a world-class secret treasure,” the overlord from the Dragon Warlock Clan added.

“Shouldn’t we consider taking the necessary precautions?” he asked.

Initially opposed to the Wild Gorilla World’s invasion, Bhaal was now reassessing his stance as he observed the Magus World Army’s impressive progress.

“What exactly are you suggesting, Bhaal?” Zenasus asked.

“It’s too soon to deploy an overlord directly. Our combat legions are more than capable of conquering this medium-sized world civilization. However, to minimize losses, I believe we should send in second and third waves of combat legions to the battlefield,” Bhaal replied.

“This would not only address the potential threat posed by the so-called ‘Wild Gorilla God’ but would also exert pressure on two neighboring medium-sized world civilizations within the same star domain,” he added.

Bhaal, a peak Rank Seven Dragon Warlock, had skin tinged with a red hue due to his inherited Crimson Fire Dragon bloodline.

The color of his skin conveniently concealed the slight flush on his face.

The reason this peak Rank Seven overlord seemed slightly unsettled was due to the fact that a substantial portion of the anticipated second and third waves of reinforcements were originally slated to come from the West Coast Dragon Warlock Clan and its vassal Bloodline Warlock Clan.

The prior disagreement with Zenasus was one thing, but the expedition to Wild Gorilla World, teeming with opportunities to plunder wartime resources, was another.

For Bhaal the lure of practical gains outweighed pride. Such pragmatism was typical of this top-tier force’s leader.

In contrast, leaders of other top-tier forces, such as the Marmett Union Alliance, the Magic Empire, or the Northern Witches Council, might not act like Bhaal.

Zenasus was not one to monopolize opportunities either; his advocacy for the Magus Civilization Army’s campaign against Wild Gorilla World was part of a strategy designed to align and unite the interests of powerful factions.

Taking on a top-tier civilization like the Gallant Federation was far beyond the capabilities of the Pyro Secret Society alone. Of course, there were other major powers from Magus World were quietly providing support behind the scenes.

As Zenasus nodded approvingly at Bhaal’s suggestion, Clair, a young Rank Seven soul overmage from the Alveroth Empire, smiled and remarked, “The native species in this Wild Gorilla World are quite fascinating. Looking at these simple-minded creatures reminds me of a race from our Magus World’s history.”

He gestured at the latest living specimens lined up before the powerhouses from the Magus World.

Among them stood a shivering Rank Four Gorilla God, its face twisted in terror as it cowered before the overmages and overlords.

Encased in a translucent cube, this “Fire Gorilla God”, sent as a trophy by Feylis, trembled under the scrutiny of its captors.

Clair’s comment sparked a flash of recognition among Zenasus, Bhaal, and the others, as they recalled a similar ancient race from the Magus Civilization’s distant past.

Beside him, a Rank Seven knight from the Jehannah Kingdom named Seth hefted his massive sword and pointed to the toward the trembling Rank Four Gorilla God trapped within a sealed dimension, commenting, “But compared to that race, these gorillas are far inferior. Look at them; they don’t seem capable of becoming much stronger than this.”

The bearded burly knight laughed heartily as he added. “I heard they’ve even adopted a system of divine beliefs? If true, they’re even further from reaching the power that ancient race once wielded.”

Seth’s words effectively captured the perceived limitations of the Wild Gorillas in the eyes of the Magus World’s elite.

The other overlords and overmages present were all ancient beings, each with over a hundred thousand years of experience and witness to countless civilizations.

Naturally, they agreed with Seth’s observations.

Without mentioning the ancient race lost to the dust of history, Hudson, the Rank Seven knight from the Byrne Empire, suddenly asked, “What about the Gallant Federation?”

“We’ve waged fierce battles in Wild Gorilla World. The surrounding medium and small civilizations in that star domain are likely aware by now. Given its location, the Gallant Federation should have heard the news as well. Their borders are closer to that star domain than ours,” he added.

He paused before saying, “If a full-scale war breaks out over this...”

Bev, a peak Rank Seven soul overmage, interjected, “It won’t break out so soon. The Gallant Federation just annexed the Rosen Dynasty Civilization; they need time to recuperate, even more than we do. And even if a war begins, the legions stationed along our borders should suffice to handle the Gallant Federation’s initial strikes.”

“All signs indicate that the Gallant Federation isn’t yet gearing up for a full-scale conflict with the Magus Civilization,” she added.

Though the Gallant Federation kept a close watch on the internal affairs of the Magus Civilization, the Magus World had been equally vigilant in monitoring them.

Despite a formal disconnection and a heavily fortified border, both civilizations continued covert infiltrations and intelligence gathering.

The overmages and overlords of the Magus World were aware of the presence of spies within the ranks of the Magus Alliance and even among certain foreign gods, likely planted by the Gallant Federation.

Similarly, the federation’s elites were also aware that agents from the Magus World, renowned for their soul enslavement magic, had penetrated their ranks.

Both civilizations had their strengths and vulnerabilities.

Prophecies from the Eastern Stargazing Heights and predictions from Magus World’s powerhouses suggested that a full-scale war between the two civilizations would likely erupt ten thousand years from now.

Even accounting for potential shifts in events, this timeline was not expected to deviate significantly.

Alice, a Rank Seven witch from the Northern Witches Council interjected, “Even if a full-scale war isn’t imminent, we must remain vigilant against the Gallant Federation providing covert support to the Wild Gorilla World.”