Sovereign of the Ashes

While General Lambros thought the federal military’s orders and reinforcements from other fleets were arriving too slowly, Sein and his group felt the Gallant Federation’s response was too fast!

It was nearly impossible to prepare in time!

Though Sein and the others still did not know that the Gallant Federation’s apocalyptic weapon had already locked onto their location, the constant fleet movements outside the Nexon Star Domain made it clear that surveillance satellites on the periphery were still tracking Titanfang and the other intelligent robots.

“We can’t stay here any longer. We must leave Nexon immediately! Abandon any bulky materials or heavy machinery. Once we reach the Magus Civilization’s star domain, the Magus Alliance will provide everything you need!” Sein said urgently after returning from the BHR678 Space Station.

Since setting foot in Nexon, the pressure on Sein’s heart had never eased for even a moment. It always felt as if a guillotine were hanging over his head.

Not even getting his hands on a giant mobile suit with Rank Five combat strength or an unfinished world-class secret treasure did much to lift his spirits.

What good were those treasures and research materials if he wound up dead?

Sein’s mood affected Titanfang and Skyhold.

Skyhold had done great work during the short time that Sein and Titanfang were at the BHR678 Space Station.

It had made excellent use of the robots and the basic resources available to their kind.

Compared to combat, Skyhold’s abilities clearly leaned toward administration. Vibron, Titanfang’s right hand, still lagged behind it in that respect.

The upgrade parts for the high-tier intelligent robots that Sein had brought back from BHR678 provided a timely supply boost for this displaced group.

Many of them had sustained heavy damage during the earlier battles with the R7 Fleet, both inside and outside Nexon.

With these new components, many could quickly return to fighting shape.

Upon hearing Sein, Skyhold immediately agreed to depart from Nexon. Any resources or ordinary robots that could not be transported would simply have to be left behind.

Perhaps there was still a hint of the black mages’ ruthlessness in Sein’s way of doing things.

When it came to judging others, Sein cared less about what they thought and more about what they actually did.

Skyhold had been criticized more than once by Titanfang for being indecisive and naive.

But after watching the actions it took once it was forced onto the Magus Civilization’s side, Sein’s view of it had changed considerably.

When it came to major strategic decisions, overall command, and responsibility for their kind, Skyhold showed far more versatility than Titanfang.

The two Rank Six robots—one with a strategist and the other a warrior—held real promise for the future of Nexon’s robots if they could stay united.

“Father left you an exoskeleton. It should support your third transformation. Go see it,” Titanfang said.

Skyhold knew exactly who Titanfang meant by “Father”.

It looked one last time in the direction of BHR678 Space Station, then nodded. “Got it. But first, I need to speed up the loading of the energy blocks and get the haulers serviced.”

***

The M667 Asteroid Belt was one of the largest within the Gallant Federation’s territory. It had long been a restricted military zone.

Not only were all civilian and commercial ships barred from approaching, but even many lower-tier military craft were forbidden to cross this region.

Deep within this region, a colossal gray asteroid suddenly split open, revealing a vast circular deck.

A pitch-black hole appeared there, nearly a kilometer across.

Just looking at it gave the absurd and terrifying sensation of being pulled in and swallowed whole.

At the bottom of that dark abyss, a faint blue-white spark appeared.

It grew brighter and brighter until it drowned out everything!

A blazing white beam then rushed out from the dark well, streaking through the starry sky.[1]

The swarm of asteroids around it was blasted away by the overwhelming force, leaving an empty trail in the void!

The white beam looked strong enough to tear space itself, leaving tiny black fissures and warped anomalies in its wake.

And at the end of its trajectory, Nexon stood as the ultimate target.

The Gallant Federation fleet had just unleashed its full might!

General Lambros had clearly seen through Sein and his team’s attempt to break out.

Unable to wait for reinforcements from other fleets, he ordered his subordinates to intercept Nexon’s intelligent robots at any cost.

High-tier intelligent robots with combat strength of Rank Four and above had mostly charged ahead, breaking out of Nexon and engaging the federal fleet that stood in their way.

Though these awakened robots were reluctant to leave their home planet, they knew that leaving now was the only path to a brighter future for their kind.

But perhaps one day, they might be able to return here again.

The federal fleet held the advantage in sheer firepower.

Nexon’s intelligent robots were strong, but the planet itself was only a manufacturing world with no permanent federal fleet stationed there.

As a result, the haulers Skyhold had mobilized were nothing more than ordinary transport ships, with little defense and combat capability. Some had even been hastily modified for their cause.

Still, there were many outstanding robots.

This was a war fought with lives, enduring enemy fire for the sake of freedom.

Sein did not know exactly how Titanfang and Skyhold had managed to mobilize so many units, but he could see the determination burning in these intelligent robots.

It was at this moment, Sein caught sight of a searing white beam from a distant star domain, cutting across the void!

“What’s that?” he mumbled nervously, his face paling as dread surged through him.

Titanfang was already deep in battle. Aggressive as always, it had pushed far ahead of Nexon.

When it saw the same blinding white beam, it froze in shock too.

The beam was not aimed at Sein and his group. Its true target was the planet below them.

At least a dozen high-intelligence robots were still on the planet, along with countless standard units.

Many haulers were still on standby too!

Even Skyhold had not emerged yet. It was still tied up with logistics.

Faceless Mask’s analysis came instantly, and Sein did not dare waste another second. He shot off toward the direction it identified as safe.

The White Sand Fan in his hand conjured a pair of storm wings on his back, but before he could get far, a devastating shockwave mixed with the power of law erupted from behind him.

Despite being a Rank Four with a strong constitution and layers of defensive gear protecting him, the force of the shockwave still made him spit blood.

As his strength faded and his vision blurred, he caught one last glimpse of Nexon... and of the BHR678 Space Station, obliterated like a speck of dust in the void.

For reasons he could not explain, a strange sense of peace washed over him in that moment.

1. Translator’s Note: Ohh, so that’s why they named it the Deepspace Well... I was so confused cuz in the raws, it was literally ”Deep Space Drill Well”, which doesn’t even sound like a long-range weapon/cannon name. So the weapon actually had this name because its barrel was like a horizontal well. ☜