Sovereign of the Ashes

“You actually dare to contact me? Are you not scared that I might hand you over to the Magus Alliance?”

In the dimly lit, massive stone hall, Naeverynk looked down at the dozen or so insignificant ants beneath him.

He was only a clone projection. After all, as an overlord-level being, every move he made attracted immense attention.

And at this moment, the Netherworld Star Domain was not home to just one overlord.

With the Magus Alliance’s forces pouring in, there were now two other overlord-level powerhouses besides Commander Blood River.

One of them was even stronger than Naeverynk, who wielded the Trident of Heaven and Hell!

At such a critical juncture, if word of Naeverynk’s private meeting with these Gallant Federation envoys were to spread, it would spell disaster for both sides.

“Haha, we trust our instincts, and we believe that you, Commander Blood River, are no fool either. According to our federation’s historical records, your two elder brothers—Commander Soul River and Commander Corpse River—both perished, directly or indirectly, at the hands of the Magus Civilization. Surely you haven’t forgotten that, have you?

“In our Federation’s secret archives, you rank second among the most powerful figures with great potential for recruitment. The Magus Alliance is too vast, and more and more beings like you are growing dissatisfied with the current order. The Gallant Federation is more than willing to extend an opportunity to such friends.

“The prerequisite, of course, is the destruction of the Magus Civilization—a barbaric, ignorant society that knows only how to exploit and plunder without restraint.”

One of the Gallant Federation envoys spread his arms, extending a welcoming gesture toward Commander Blood River Naeverynk.

This envoy, chosen to lead the mission, was no ordinary man.

Though his true life level was below Rank Three, he remained calm and unflinching in Naeverynk’s presence. Not many could maintain such composure before an overlord-level being.

It was precisely because of their low life levels that this group of Gallant Federation envoys managed to slip into the heavily militarized Netherworld Star Domain undetected and make contact with Naeverynk.

The rivalry between the two top-tier civilizations had been raging for a long time, with both sides doing everything they could to prepare for the coming clash.

While the Magus Civilization sent Sein to Nexon to instigate a rebellion, the Gallant Federation also sent envoys here to the Netherworld Star Domain.

In Nexon, the Titanfangs had already been lured over by the Magus Civilization. Who knew how many more worlds within the federation had been infiltrated?

And within the Magus Civilization, no one could say which other worlds, besides the Netherworld Star Domain, secretly harbored resentment toward them.

“Oh? So, in the eyes of your Gallant Federation, I’m only second in terms of potential and recruitment value? Tell me, who else have you recruited?” Naeverynk asked as his narrow blood-red eyes glinted.

“I’m truly sorry, but I can’t answer that. Truth is, even I don’t know the details. My job is only to handle your recruitment. There are others tasked with dealing with the other allied planes of the Magus Civilization,” the Federation envoy replied calmly.

“Of course, once the Clash of Civilizations begins, you will see for yourself. There will be others, perhaps many more, standing with the Gallant Federation.”

He spread his hands dramatically.

“The tens of thousands of planes and inhabited worlds in the surrounding star domains have suffered under the Magus Civilization’s oppression for far too long. It’s time for a change, so that all sentient beings can finally thrive in a free and peaceful environment!”

Naeverynk glanced down at the tiny creature before him, one so small it barely reached the height of his toe.

He had to admit, the envoy had a silver tongue. For a moment, he was swayed.

But in the end, Naeverynk shook his head.

“Your words, along with the conditions you have already laid out, aren’t enough to move me. You must understand, the Magus Civilization’s territory and resources in the surrounding star domains far surpass what your Gallant Federation can muster. In my opinion, they have a higher chance of winning this Clash of Civilizations.”

His calm, logical reasoning stood in stark contrast to the bloodthirsty, impulsive reputation that he had cultivated for himself as Commander Blood River.

The Federation envoy did not falter. Instead, he gestured to his companions.

The other envoys activated the mechanical spheres in their hands, projecting a vast star map into the dimly lit hall.

The map displayed not only the precise coordinates of demiplanes, broken planes, complete planes, and asteroid belts, but also the detailed deployment of both the Gallant Federation and Magus Civilization legions across the star domain.

It was a medium-sized star domain, not part of the Netherworld, but positioned between the Magus Civilization and the Gallant Federation.

Naeverynk had not expected the federation to produce such a map.

The federation having its own internal fleet and deployment maps was one thing, but how did they know the positions of the Magus Civilization’s legions?

As the envoy claimed, there were indeed quite a number of traitorous planes within the Magus Alliance!

In fact, their subversion efforts might have already reached into the heart of the Magus World itself.

Not all Magus World knights and mages of Rank Four or higher were loyal to their own world.

As long as the stakes were high enough, betraying one’s homeplane and mother civilization was hardly unthinkable.

This world, after all, was built on people. And as long as they were human, there would always be desires and choices.

Naeverynk would not have been surprised even if the Gallant Federation had already won over soul overmages or knight overlords from Magus World.

Of course, such a scenario was practically impossible.

The traitorous knights or mages would likely be Rank Five or, at most, Rank Six.

Those ancient soul overmages and knight overlords who had lived for more than a hundred thousand years were no fools.

Take this low-ranking envoy, for example. Much of his knowledge of the struggles between the two top-tier civilizations came from records and encrypted databases.

But for ancient beings like Naeverynk, events from tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years ago were things he had personally witnessed.

Naturally, his feelings ran far deeper than anyone!

“Our Gallant Federation’s efficiency in resource use far surpasses that of Magus Civilization!” the envoy declared.

“And over the past fifty thousand years, with advances in technology, we have built a scientific and balanced system of development with all our allied worlds. Yes, our territories and resource planets may be fewer than those of the Magus Civilization, but in terms of war potential, we are their equal!

“In fact, the number of mechanical legions and warships we have prepared already exceeds the combined military might of the Magus Civilization and its vassals. Victory in this Clash of Civilizations will belong to the Gallant Federation!”

His tone shifted to something more earnest. “I hope you will choose wisely, Lord Naeverynk. You’re not just speaking for yourself. Your decision will impact the fate of countless lives in the Netherworld Star Domain.”