Sovereign of the Ashes

Sein had sought advice from the right person on a question concerning bloodline magic.

Angreas, a Bloodline Warlock, was undoubtedly an expert in this area.

However, knowledge among mages was too valuable to be exchanged for free.

To acquire knowledge about bloodline purification magic from Angreas, Sein traded a Rank Three Wild Gorilla’s heart.

Given the substantial gains Sein had accumulated during the recent Wild Gorilla World War, and with two demigod-level fighters under his command, this expense was insignificant to him.

The heart of a Wild Gorilla was an excellent raw material for undead chimera synthesis experiments, and the potent blood qi it contained was highly beneficial for cultivation, especially for Bloodline Warlocks like Angreas.

Initially, Angreas had planned to negotiate for a better deal.

He would have been satisfied with a peak Rank Two Wild Gorilla’s heart, so he was surprised when Sein handed him a Rank Three Wild Gorilla’s heart without hesitation.

Having accepted such a generous offer, Angreas felt obligated to reciprocate.

Mages adhered strictly to the principle of equivalent exchange, so Angreas gave Sein a crystal ball containing the most comprehensive bloodline purification knowledge he possessed.

“Knowledge related to bloodline purification is held by many Bloodline Warlock Clans on the West Coast, and each has its own unique secret methods,” Angreas explained.

“Due to family restrictions, I can’t share knowledge specific to the Kermoine Serpent Warlock Clan, but sharing general bloodline purification techniques isn’t considered a violation of my clan’s rules.”

The information within the crystal ball was extensive—far more than Sein could process quickly.

Thus, he planned to study this knowledge, equivalent in value to a Rank Three Wild Gorilla heart, in detail once he returned to Sandstorm World.

Moreover, Angreas and the other Kermoine Serpent Warlocks were set to travel to Sandstorm World next to negotiate trade cooperation involving enslaved creatures with Lorianne.

This meant that if Sein encountered any challenges while studying the bloodline purification knowledge, he could easily reach out to Angreas for assistance.

With that, the reunion between Sein and Angreas ended on a mutually satisfying note.

After bidding farewell to Sein and Empyrean, the demigod-level Kermoine Serpent Warlock approached Angreas and said, “That Rank Two mage, Sein, is the Tower Master of Verdant Spring’s apprentice. It would be beneficial for our entire clan if you could maintain a good relationship with him.”

“Whether or not we succeed in striking a deal with the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring, that Rank Two mage could still play a significant role. I’ve heard he’s the Tower Master of Verdant Spring’s sole apprentice and she favors him greatly,” he added.

“Understood, Uncle. I’ll speak to Sein about it,” Angreas replied.

Bloodline Warlocks shared a similar culture to knights—they were bonded by strong family ties.

Angreas and the demigod-level Warlock, both descendants of the Kermoine Serpent bloodline, were close as uncle and nephew.

In fact, all mages with the Kermoine Serpent bloodline were related to some degree; it was just a matter of how close the connection was.

In terms of bloodline, Angreas was the direct great-grandson of the current head of the Kermoine Serpent Warlock Clan.

In terms of lineage, Angreas was no less distinguished than Sein.

The group of twenty Kermoine Serpent Warlocks then set out for Sandstorm World at the invitation of Sein and Empyrean to discuss the potential cooperation.

Lorianne and Black Oblivion had made preparations in Sandstorm World, having been informed by Sein and Empyrean about the Warlocks’ intentions.

Black Oblivion was eager to engage in trade with the Kermoine Serpent Warlocks, as his uncle wielded significant influence and maintained an extensive network of contacts.

These connections extended not only within the Magus Alliance but also beyond the Magus Civilization, allowing them to trade goods across vast and varied territories.

To Black Oblivion, partnering with the Kermoine Serpent Warlocks was akin to being handed a golden opportunity for a substantial profit.

Lorianne was also pleased by the prospect of this cooperation.

As a participant and witness, she stood to gain her own share of commissions.

Additionally, forging a relationship with the powerful Kermoine Serpent Warlock Clan would greatly aid the development of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring.

More alliances meant more opportunities.

As a recently promoted Rank Four mage in the Magus World, Lorianne knew the importance of expanding her network within the Magus Civilization.

***

At the border of the Feral Beast Star Domain...

The Rank Six Wild Gorilla God surveyed its subordinates with a grim expression.

Seventeen Gorilla Gods were gathered around it, including one female among their ranks.

In truth, these were not the only Gorilla Gods that had survived.

Scattered across the Wild Star Domain were more than a dozen planes that had not yet fallen.

Among these planes, a few still had Gorilla Gods who continued to resist, fighting to their last breath.

Some Gorilla Gods, however, had been captured alive, their fate grimly sealed.

The Gallant Federation, the power backing Roman Planet, had made it clear that these captured Gorilla Gods would spend the rest of their life as specimens preserved in embalming fluid in the laboratories of Magus World’s powerful mages.

Wild Gorilla God had once asked what a “specimen” meant. The answer it received shook it to its core.

Despite being a Rank Six entity that had witnessed countless deaths and wrought unspeakable destruction, its body trembled, and a chill ran down its spine.

While some Gorilla Gods continued to resist and others were captured, there were also those who had chosen to flee.

As far as Wild Gorilla God knew, five Gorilla Gods had managed to escape the Wild Star Domain.

These cowardly deserters neither stayed to fight against the Magus World Army nor returned to support their kin.

Convinced that Wild Gorilla World was beyond saving, they led small groups of gorillas and disappeared into the starry depths.

The fate of those five escapees was unknown, but Wild Gorilla God regarded their cowardice with disdain.

Wild Gorilla God was steadfast in its decision to fight to the end, knowing that cowardice would never have brought it to the heights of power it now commanded.

Its resolve was clear, but whether the other Gorilla Gods would follow it into battle was another matter.

“Golden Gorilla God and the others have already fled. If any of you feel that the enemy is too strong to resist and wish to leave our home star domain, I won’t stop you,” Wild Gorilla God said, its voice uncharacteristically calm and low for one known for its fierce temper.

The dozen or so Gorilla Gods exchanged glances, remaining silent at first.

Each bore the marks of battle and suffered from various injuries.

Having just been rebuffed by the Feral Beast Star, they were painfully aware that continuing the fight meant facing almost certain doom.

Yet, in that moment, not a single one chose to retreat.

“I choose to keep fighting. If we can stage a victorious comeback, Feral Beast Star may reconsider its stance, and even Blue Violet Star might switch sides. And the powerful civilization backing the Feral Beast Star—they’ve helped us before. Maybe, when the time comes, they’ll join the war too!” declared Beauty Gorilla God, the sole female among them, with a fervor that lit up her eyes.

Beauty Gorilla God’s words were naive, almost laughably so.

Any rational being would have dismissed its optimism as foolish.

Yet, none of the Gorilla Gods present spoke against it.

In the depths of despair, even the slimmest hope could ignite the resolve needed to fight on.

Its commitment shamed the male Gorilla Gods into standing firm.

In Wild Gorilla World, strength was revered, and weakness had no place. Cowardice would be scorned and remembered.

Every Gorilla God present wished for a chance to reclaim victory.

Among them was a Rank Five Gorilla God who had once defeated a powerful Rank Four mage from the Magus Civilization.

It was second only to Wild Gorilla God in rank and status.

“Since everyone chooses to fight on, then... we will target these worlds next!” Wild Gorilla God said, pointing to a cluster of glowing points on the azure star map before them.