Sovereign of the Ashes

Though the collaboration had been finalized, both sides still needed considerable preparation time.

Some matters simply could not be rushed.

Sein could only hope that the Rank Four intelligent robot on Nocchi would hold out a little longer, without being destroyed by the Gallant Federation or relocated elsewhere.

Aside from Bishura, the battles on Black Tide Plane and Ferramo World had also eased slightly during this time.

Of course, that “easing” was only in comparison to the earlier peak of the Clash of Civilizations.

For the less experienced creatures of low-level planes, the scale of these battles was still terrifyingly intense.

Take Nokda, for example, the Rank Four being who had just arrived on Black Tide Plane.

Nokda was a strange creature born within the Astral Realm. According to Magus World’s taxonomy, it fell under the geo elementals category.

Outwardly, Nokda looked like nothing more than a massive asteroid in the Astral Realm.

In fact, before the Gallant Federation discovered it, it had only been a peculiar asteroid that had just developed intelligence.

It was the federation that sent a research vessel to study, modify, and catalyze its leap to a Rank Four lifeform.

Many planar civilizations referred to such unique species living in the Astral Realm as “Astral Beasts”.

As a creature aligned with the Gallant Federation, Nokda was not particularly wise or knowledgeable, but it was far from stupid.

The terrifying might of the Magus Civilization gathered on the Black Tide Plane was enough to suffocate Nokda, let alone other federal lifeforms!

Many Rank Four beings of the federation and its vassal legions felt enormous pressure when they entered the Transversa Star Domain battlefield.

Only the Gallant Federation’s elite fleets and mobile suit legions seemed unfazed.

In fact, they were the toughest obstacles the Magus Civilization faced in this star domain.

Yet with the steady stream of reinforcements flowing into the Transversa Star Domain, it was clear the federation had no intention of giving up this stronghold anytime soon.

Perhaps the recent slowdown in the Magus Civilization’s offensives was already lulling the Gallant Federation into a false sense of complacency.

***

The preparations before a major event were always the most nerve-wracking.

Sein felt a flicker of unease, and so did the Huusians, who bore the crushing weight of this “great undertaking” and the “fate of their people”.

To avoid any leaks, the Huusian King kept the plan to defect from the Gallant Federation secret from the other Rank Four Huusians until the very last moment.

Besides the King himself, only one other Rank Four Huusian elder knew about it. He was the king’s most loyal supporter and the most trusted figure within the royal court.

As for the rest, the king believed they would fall in line once he raised the banner of rebellion. After all, he was still the spiritual leader of all Huusians.

After all, he was still the spiritual leader of all Huusians.

With him personally declaring allegiance to the Magus Alliance, the others would have no choice but to follow, however reluctantly, only to avoid being purged by the federation.

On the eve of the uprising, Gwyneira approached the king and asked, “Father, did you choose to join the Magus Alliance because of me?”

While this pink-skinned young woman possessed great combat talent, her words made it clear she had no grasp of the bigger picture or the ability to judge long-term consequences.

How could the Huusian King possibly gamble the fate of his entire tribe for his daughter?

And yet, in truth, Gwyneira had indeed been the spark that pushed him to lead his people into the Magus Civilization’s fold.

He sighed, then answered, “To be honest, our tribe’s fate was already sealed the moment you sheltered that Rank Four mage named Sein.”

Seeing her bewildered expression, he continued, “You met that mage before you even reached the Zeak Empire, and later saved him by chance within the federation’s territory. He must have been sent by the Magus Civilization itself on a special mission deep within the Gallant Federation.

“If we refuse to join the Magus Alliance, that mage will eventually break free. Once the federation notices, they will trace it all back to us. The Gallant Federation won’t even need to act; the Zeak Empire alone would be more than enough to crush us.”

The king’s explanation was perfectly clear. Understanding finally dawned, and a look of guilt flashed across Gwyneira’s delicate face.

She did not want her actions to endanger the fate of her entire tribe.

The Huusian King did not blame his daughter. Instead, he softened his tone and said, “Since that mage chose not to escape right away and return to the Magus Civilization’s camp when he reached the Black Tide Plane, but instead took the risk of trying to persuade us, it shows he still carries some trust and gratitude toward us. After all, you had saved him back in that star domain. Without our fleet as cover, he likely would not have escaped the federation’s capture either.”

“You should learn to build on that goodwill. Once we join the Magus Alliance, our tribe may have to rely on him in more ways than one,” the king advised.

Gwyneira did have feelings for Sein. Setting aside the subtle influence of soul magic, there was nothing about him she could truly dislike.

Even so, the entire incident still left a bad taste in her mouth.

Sensing his daughter’s thoughts, the king chose not to press her further and instead turned the conversation to the fighting on Ferramo World.

The conflict there was not as fierce as on Black Tide Plane, yet the Huusians had already suffered one and a half times more casualties.

Part of this was because the king himself was not present to protect the Huusian legions fighting there.

On the other hand, the federal legions did not see the Huusians as their own. They used them as cannon fodder, sending them to the frontlines to die. Heavy casualties were inevitable.

The king did not dwell on the losses of the lower-tier Huusian legions. Instead, he mentioned one individual, a Rank Four Huusian named Bisoo.

Bisoo was not a direct descendant of the royal family. In fact, he had long been at odds with them and was the loudest voice calling for his tribe to secede from the main Huusian tribe.

His resentment toward the royal family could be traced to the fall of their homeplane.

It was the royal family’s misguided decisions that had cost them their home, and it was in that disaster that Bisoo’s father and most of his tribe’s warriors were annihilated.

But that was all in the past, and time had dulled it.

On Ferramo World, Bisoo had been the first Rank Four Huusian to suffer severe injuries.

The reason was not that the Magus Civilization legions had overpowered him, but that the federal fleet simply did not care whether he lived or died.

Had the other two Rank Four Huusians on that battlefield not supported him, Bisoo would have been the first Huusian powerhouse to fall!

When Gwyneira heard of his injuries, she curled her lip and said, “I never liked Uncle Bisoo. He’s always challenged you and talked about leaving with his people.”

The Huusian King had not expected his daughter to miss his point so completely.

He paused, then said, “But Bisoo is still one of us. Whatever he truly thinks, he at least came here with us. He’s wounded fighting for our people’s sake.”

Seeing Gwyneira’s stubborn refusal to change her mind about the man, the king rubbed his temples.

At that moment, he realized something. While this daughter might be Sein’s “favorite”, perhaps the one he could truly count on was his second daughter.

Thankfully, he had decided to marry off both of his daughters. With her sharp mind and more mature way of thinking, Gwyndira would not be as clueless as her older sister.

With that thought, he ended the conversation with his first daughter.

After telling Gwyneira to spend more time with Sein, the king instructed her to bring Gwyndira, as he had matters to discuss with her younger sister.