Sovereign of the Ashes

Heeding her father’s advice, Gwyneira soon arrived at Sein’s side.

Sein had not been in the mood for experiments lately. Almost all his focus was on preparing for the upcoming battle.

In a conflict of this scale, Gwyneira’s role would be limited.

Since Sein intended to launch a surprise assault on Nocchi, he planned to equip her with the many magic artifacts he had crafted over this period.

“Once the war begins, don’t act rashly. Your top priority is to protect yourself. A sand elemental from the Magus World Legion will come find you soon. Stick with it for the time being. You can also request support from the Magus World legion when needed. I believe they will step in to help,” Sein told her.

He had initially considered leaving Yuri behind. With her silver mecha scrapped by the Gallant Federation, her usefulness in battle had diminished. But the female engineer stubbornly insisted on following her master.

Sein noticed that after surviving successive battles and brushes with death, her core life energy seemed ready to break through to Rank Four.

After some thought, he agreed.

Besides, Yuri could stay within Sein’s spatial living device. If the battlefield became too dangerous, he would simply order her to retreat back inside.

***

The day of action finally arrived.

In response to the Gallant Federation’s steady buildup of troops in the Transversa Star Domain, the Magus Civilization had redeployed numerous legions to the frontline.

The Black Tide Plane also welcomed a new Magus World combat legion—a powerful mechanical force led by a Rank Five mechanic.

Alongside nearly sixty thousand mechanics at Rank One and above, it fielded an enslaved mechanical legion of more than five million units.

This so-called “enslaved mechanical legion” was a unique combat force developed by Steel City’s mechanics for the Clash of Civilizations.

Their origins traced back to enslaved creatures of the Magus Civilization, but only species especially suited for mechanical modification were selected.

Through extensive enhancements and modifications with mounted mechanical constructs, these legions of enslaved creatures had been altered far beyond their original forms.

With greater defenses, better combat strength, and a fearless disregard for death, they could even be commanded remotely by the Magus Civilization’s mechanics to launch suicide attacks.

Such units stood among the elite forces of Steel City’s mechanics.

Influenced by the Magus Civilization’s reinforcements, the Gallant Federation once again swelled its numbers in the Transversa Star Domain, including Black Tide Plane.

In truth, the combined federal forces gathered on Black Tide Plane and in the Transversa Star Domain had already surpassed the expectations of Sein and other Magus World powerhouses.

War was always full of variables.

In any case, it was time for Sein and his allies to act.

The first shots were not fired by the newly arrived mechanic legion on Black Tide Plane, nor by the Huusian forces poised for battle, but by the cannon fodder legions of enslaved creatures and the allied deities of the Magus Civilization.

On that battlefield, four Rank Four creatures and one at Rank Five from the alliance made their appearance.

The Magus Civilization’s orders could not be disobeyed.

Under the command of high-ranking knights and mages from Magus World, these Rank Four allied creatures had no choice but to grit their teeth and charge forward through the federation’s dense barrage of energy beams.

The Rank Five Molten Steel T-Rex was the most striking among them!

Possessing traces of dragon blood, it stood out even among the alliance’s Rank Five creatures.

The Huusian King had once clashed with this creature on Black Tide Plane, only to find himself outmatched.

If not for the concentrated firepower of the Federation fleet in the skies, this kilometer-long tyrannosaur, clad in steel-like skin and scales, could have single-handedly ripped through the federation’s metallic frontlines.

Beams of energy rained down on its massive body, each strike ringing out with a metallic clang.

The creature’s defenses were extraordinary. Having spent years fighting on the frontlines, this Rank Five beast had somehow evolved to adapt better.

The silver-scaled hide that covered its body did not just rely on thickness to endure the barrage. It seemed capable of refracting, or even reflecting, the federation’s energy beams!

The mysteries of evolution must never be underestimated!

Passive evolution, sometimes brought about mechanisms so profound and unique, could rival or even surpass active evolution.

At that moment, Welks, the peak Rank Five mechanic who had just arrived on this low-level plane battlefield, watched with keen interest as the Molten Steel T-Rex barreled recklessly across the frontlines.

The beast’s extraordinary passive evolution was not what caught his eye.

Its real value lay in its body, which was perfectly suited for mechanical modification!

He wondered just how terrifying the Molten Steel T-Rex would become if it ever underwent Steel City’s mechanical enhancements.

With that thought, Welks turned to Clint and asked, “Sir Clint, this Molten Steel T-Rex is a Rank Five allied creature that belongs to the Jehannah Kingdom, right?”

“Would it be possible to transfer its ownership to Steel City? We are willing to offer compensation, either in coins or with another allied creature of equal combat strength,” he said.

In response to Welks’ request, the Rank Five knight shook his head. “That’s not for me to decide. You may formally negotiate with our kingdom through Steel City, Master Welks.”

“For now, our focus must remain on the battlefield before us,” he reminded.

As fellow peak Rank Five powerhouses, Welks undoubtedly carried more authority and influence within Magus World than Clint.

And Clint, who was well-connected, knew that this peak Rank Five mechanic came from a distinguished background, tied to none other than Steel City’s soul-level mechanic.

His deployment here was proof of the Magus Civilization’s commitment to this war zone.

Welks nodded at Clint’s answer. Refocusing on the battlefield, he replied, “I will.”

***

With the Molten Steel T-Rex leading the charge, the Magus World’s enslaved creature legions began tearing apart the federation’s defensive lines. Soon after, hundreds of thousands of knights and mages on the Black Tide Plane surged into action.

This battle was going to be nothing like the skirmishes of the past few days.

When the Jehannah Kingdom unleashed its prized Ground Lizard Legion on the battlefield, the Gallant Federation realized something was changing.

It began throwing every available force onto the frontlines, including the Huusian legion.

“Looks like it’s time for action,” Welks remarked with a smile.