Sovereign of the Ashes

The warning from the federal frigate quickly drew the attention of the vessel’s commander.

But when he saw the princess at the stern, he immediately reported the situation to their king, who was on another capital ship closer to the center.

“I didn’t deliberately deactivate the shields, nor did I intend to venture out unattended. Our vessels are outdated, with energy circuits prone to malfunction. The temporary shield failure was likely just an accident. I have already dispatched personnel to inspect and repair the system,” Gwyneira explained at once.

True to her royal bearing, Gwyneira skillfully handled the situation.

Had it not been for Sein’s soul magic and the fact that he had saved her before, the princess likely would not have been swayed this easily.

Her calm response, together with the Huusians’ later apology, made the federal frigate hesitate only briefly before letting the matter drop.

After all, Gwyneira had not made excuses. This was indeed a recurring problem within the Huusian fleets.

This was not the first time something like this had happened since they entered the Gallant Federation’s territory.

The Huusians were nothing more than mercenaries hired by the Zeak Empire. Their employer was not going to spend extra money to upgrade their vessels.

Besides, the Zeak Empire was a cultivation-based civilization. They had only acquired shipbuilding technology at low prices as a goodwill gesture from the Gallant Federation after joining their side.

They barely had enough parts for their own fleets. Why would they spare resources to properly arm the Huusians?

Even so, the Gallant Federation had promised limited assistance and some weapon upgrades once the Huusians reached a resource transit base near the frontlines.

At the very least, the Huusian would not have to fight the Magus Civilization with their shabby vessels.

The federal frigate circled the starship for a long time, scanning thoroughly. Their detection radars and deep-spectrum sweeps had indeed uncovered plenty of flaws and vulnerabilities in the vessel.

After compiling the records and finding nothing else suspicious, the frigate finally pulled away.

Their caution was understandable. After all, the Gallant Federation had recently declared this star domain a restricted military zone. With sporadic skirmishes still breaking out here, they could not afford any slip-up.

Since the start of the Clash of Civilizations, most federal soldiers had been on edge.

Those as battle-obsessed as the late Captain Kurch were rare exceptions. The vast majority of federal lifeforms still preferred a peaceful way of life.

Truthfully, Magus World was not particularly inclined toward war either.

Most mages preferred seeking truth in their laboratories rather than throwing themselves into bloody combat.

Yet, for many reasons, the two top-tier civilizations—whose star domains lay uncomfortably close to each other—had plunged headlong into war.

The laws that governed this world, and the events that unfolded within it, were never dictated by human preference.

Once the federal ships finally withdrew, Gwyneira and her sister turned toward Sein, who had been hiding in a corner of the ship.

Gwyndira clearly had doubts about his identity, but not Gwyneira.

The younger sister immediately asked where he had been all these years, how he had fared, and why the Gallant Federation had branded him a wanted man.

Sharp and cunning as an old fox, Sein answered her questions with flawless logic, leaving the sisters no room to doubt or challenge him.

“I suspect a merchant named Jeremy from the Gallant Federation framed me. He claimed to be part of the Doeschers, and I never doubted him. I never imagined he would betray me like this. Are all beings in the Astral Realm so deceitful and treacherous? The Gallant Federation is just as unreasonable!” Sein said, his voice heavy with anguish.

Gwyneira, who harbored a deep affection for him, quickly moved to comfort him.

Many Huusians, including the princess, actually held the Gallant Federation in a somewhat positive regard.

For top-tier civilizations like Magus World and the Gallant Federation, maintaining a good public image was paramount.

At times, the slogans they promoted about equality, freedom, peace, and mutual aid were backed by real actions.

Compared to some of the tyrannical medium and small civilizations, the powerful top-tier ones like the Gallant Federation and Magus World were far more likely to attract weaker planes and wandering races from the depths of the starry void.

Dealing with such powers meant the weaker parties did not have to fear being devoured in one ruthless gulp.

But in truth, these superior civilizations consumed slowly, offering small favors along the way.

Without realizing it, the weaker side would be drained of everything.

Even so, they might still feel grateful and convinced they were the ones benefiting from the arrangement.

***

Under Sein’s subtle prompting, Gwyneira arranged lodgings for him in the ship’s lower decks.

Life for the Huusians was harsh, even for a princess like Gwyneira, whose vessel was little more than a battered wreck.

Conditions for the lowest-ranking Huusians were harsher.

For some reason, the Huusians had brought their entire nomadic tribe into this war.

The lower decks of Gwyneira’s ship now housed a large number of Huusian commoners, turning the massive starship into a mini society.

The section Sein now occupied was essentially the slum district of the Huusian underclass.

This had been Sein’s own request, which Gwyneira found peculiar.

Given her status, she could have easily arranged separate, spacious quarters for him. Perhaps even ones closer to her own at the top of the ship, where the finest cabins were located.

But Sein was here to survive, not to live in luxury.

The slum at the base of the ship, which even Gwyneira frowned upon, was the perfect hiding place for Sein.

The dense crowd here helped to better conceal his presence.

The cabin she arranged for him was located directly above the boiler room.

The scorching steam constantly venting from below made the area unbearable for most, leaving it largely empty.

Here, Sein could set up a temporary workbench to repair his worn gear and prepare for whatever emergencies might come.

In any case, he was more than satisfied with the arrangement. He also held a favorable impression of Gwyneira for sheltering him and lending her aid.

Though his feelings for her were mostly tied to her usefulness to him, the fact that she had appeared when he needed her most made him quietly marvel at fate.

Nevertheless, he was genuinely grateful to the Huusian princess.