Sovereign of the Ashes

The Magus Alliance Conference lasted a long time, with countless motions discussed.

While Sein’s proposal had stirred a wave of debate when first presented, it was quickly buried under the flood of motions and events that followed in the later sessions.

Some powerhouses of the Magus Civilization and allied worlds put forward proposals more shocking than Sein’s.

In the end, only a few of the particularly “odd” motions were approved.

Most of the motions that passed were the more “conventional” ones.

***

During the thirty-fifth agenda item, newer allied planes spoke.

The Rank Six Phantom Crow King and the Rank Five Eternal Sand Lord, both of whom Sein had personally persuaded to join the Magus Alliance, each gave short speeches.

They did not say much of substance, mainly formal words of gratitude for being welcomed into the alliance and pledges of loyalty.

Still, among the two, the Eternal Sand Lord came across far better despite being its lower life level. It spoke clearly, straightforwardly, and a bit more than the Phantom Crow King.

In contrast, the Rank Six Sea Emperor Shark, also one of the latest additions to the Magus Alliance, was not given a chance to speak at all during the conference.

***

By the end of this year’s Magus Alliance Conference, forty-seven agenda items had been discussed, with countless additional motions raised and debated in between.

Among the Magus World powerhouses Sein was familiar with, only Tourmaline’s sister, White Stella, had spoken twice during the entire event.

Most of the others, including Grandmaster Feylis, simply cast their votes without delivering any speeches throughout.

White Stella’s speeches focused on the interests of the sea races. One addressed their general well-being, while the other emphasized protecting the Magus World’s sea kings and creating a better environment for them to live and grow.

Unlike the demihumans, who were often ignored or dismissed, both of White Stella’s motions gained traction.

The second speech about the sea kings, in particular, won the approval of several Magus World guardians.

The motion passed easily and even secured substantial funding during the Magus Alliance Conference itself.

***

After concluding the final agenda item of the conference regarding the deployment of additional garrisons to the star domain bordering the Gallant Federation, Lady Bev put away her magic rod.

“This session of the Magus Alliance Conference is hereby concluded! In my capacity as head of the Magus Alliance, one of the guides of the Magus Civilization, leader of the Marmett Union Alliance, Lord of Steel City, and a soul overmage of Western Archipelago, I now declare that we are entering the first phase of war preparation against the top-tier technological civilization, the Gallant Federation! The conference is now closed!”

As Lady Bev’s words echoed through the arena, the countless energy and light barrier above the massive oval-shaped venue slowly dissipated.

Protective wards in the surrounding deactivated one by one, and members of the Magus Alliance began leaving the arena in an orderly manner.

Looking back at this year’s conference, it was clear that despite the sheer number of motions proposed, the heart of the discussion had been focused on one thing: war!

The war with the Gallant Federation had been the single most important topic of this conference.

“What do you think of the forty-fifth item?” Angreas suddenly asked as the attendees began to disperse.

The agenda item he mentioned concerned the Magus Alliance’s plan to significantly increase troop deployments to the star domain where Grand Cosmic World was located.

What made it strange was that Grand Cosmic World was far from the Magus Alliance and in the opposite direction of the frontline against the Gallant Federation.

“It could mean there are enemies at Grand Cosmic World as well. Maintaining a strong garrison there makes sense if they want to prevent unforeseen changes,” Sein replied.

He was not entirely sure why the Magus Alliance had made that decision, but the world was full of mysteries, far too many for him to uncover.

For now, Sein’s focus was on the immediate interests around him.

The grand strategies of the alliance were not things he needed to worry about.

Angreas had not been looking for a deep answer anyway; it was just a casual question.

Rank Four and above beings might look noble to ordinary creatures, but in the context of a Clash of Civilizations, they were nothing more than low-ranking soldiers.

When the overlords told them which battlefield to march to, they had no choice but to lead their legions to the designated front.

Defiance was not an option.

Sein cared more about the benefits he could secure than about matters that had little to do with him.

He turned to Grimm and said, “It was mentioned during the conference that we have to cease any planned or ongoing interplanar invasions in three hundred years. Considering we still need time to prepare before the Clash of Civilizations begins, that leaves us only about one hundred and fifty years, maybe even less for that Pyreling World you discovered...” he said.

“When I return, I’ll immediately work on the final part of deciphering that plane’s coordinates. I’ll update both of you within fifty years,” Grimm replied.

Sein and Angreas exchanged glances before saying, “Then we’ll also begin preparing our combat legions after this conference.”

Starting an interplanar war before the Clash of Civilizations left them with an incredibly tight schedule.

But there was no other option. They needed to fight this war because all three of them were short on resources.

They had to draw enough sustenance before the coming Clash of Civilizations to have any hope of enduring it.

As Grimm had said, Pyreling World was a prime breeding ground for cannon fodder.

Sein could not rely solely on half-beastman mercenaries for every interplanar war—he needed an army of his own cannon fodder.

Grimm was in an even worse situation. Although he was the initiator of this war, he needed to rely on Sein and Angreas for support.

Besides, a pyro-attribute plane like Pyreling World would also bring great benefits to Sein’s personal development.

After making arrangements with Grimm, Sein parted ways with his two friends and flew to where his mentor and the other members of the Verdant Flame Faction were gathered.

Together, they would return to Magus World.

***

In truth, not all the attendees rushed to leave once the Magus Alliance Conference ended.

Many Magus World powerhouses stayed behind, gathering in pairs or small groups.

Some continued to discuss motions raised during the conference, while others focused on networking and building alliances.

Quite a few foreign deities within the alliance also formed their own groups and flew away from Howling Stone Demiplane.

Those who were required to immediately lead their legions and stand by in designated star domains in particular sought out their peers for support before departing.