Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 767: Operations Command

Magus World knights and mages had evolved into mutually complementary combat units over years of tactical refinement.

Unlike the enslaved creatures destined to serve as mere cannon fodder, it was the synergy between knights and mages that forged the strongest legion across all the star domains governed by the Magus Civilization!

The circular gully chosen by Sein as the battlefield, though rugged and uneven, had become a hotspot teeming with creatures embroiled in intense combat.

Standing atop the Green Spikefur King, he could already see that the forces amassed by both sides numbered no less than three hundred thousand.

Under Sein’s leadership, this legion became a robust pillar of support for the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain.

More importantly, Sein’s arrival signaled not just the addition of over a hundred thousand undead and plant creatures, but also the support of Divine Tower of Verdant Spring mages.

Over a thousand full-fledged mages pointed their magic rods toward the area of the battlefield where Sein stood.

Meanwhile, other mages unleashed their elemental power, aiding the centaurs, plant giants, and lesser aquatic races engaged in the conflict.

The expansive and complex terrain of the gully made it impossible for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s magic firepower to cover the entire area.

They could only support the enslaved creatures and knights at the frontline to combat the immediate threats.

As an apprentice to the tower master, Sein was committed to aiding the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, he was not prepared to risk his life from the outset.

He had responsibilities and loved ones; it was senseless for him to join the frontlines and risk his life like an expendable troop.

The enslaved creatures, their souls bound and controlled, had no say in their fate.

In contrast, mages with their senses intact would never willingly place themselves in harm’s way.

Even the knights, often driven by sheer brawn and a readiness to charge into battle, recognized the importance of fighting alongside enslaved creatures.

There was no way Sein would act recklessly.

Upon reaching the designated battlefield, Sein strategically deployed his forces. The undead troops were sent in as the initial wave of cannon fodder, followed closely by the plant creatures from the Verdant Wilderness World in the second wave.

The undead, fearless in the face of death and driven by the surrounding blood and lingering souls, were already clamoring for action.

Furthermore, Sein’s decision to deploy them first was pragmatic—undead troops were easier to replenish on the battlefield than plant creatures.

The abundance of corpses and their resentment energy were excellent materials for Skeleton Summoning.

With the size of those Wild Gorilla skeletons, the summoned skeleton warriors should possess exceptional strength.

Once the Magus World Army established a fortress base in the Wild Gorilla World, Sein could utilize the fortress’ power to empower the skeletal dragon to summon reinforcements from the Undead World if needed.

A belligerent Rank Two undead knight led tens of thousands of undead troops into the fray. Their grim procession poured into the narrow battlefield, heralded by the chilling aura of gray and white necromantic energy.

The plant legion formed the second wave. As these creatures advanced, thousands of colorful elemental halos burst forth in the sky.

Although Sein was a mage, he now held a more crucial role as the commander of a legion numbering over a hundred thousand strong—far beyond the responsibilities of a mere Rank Two mage.

Consequently, he refrained from casting his strongest spells immediately, opting instead to coordinate the strategic deployment of his forces.

Magic shields materialized around Sein, one after another.

Some of these shields he had cast on himself during their advance into Wild Gorilla World, while others were contributions from Leena and Selina.

Since Sein was an alchemist, he and his allies each carried no fewer than ten personal defense magic items.

The dozens of space fortresses in the Verdant Wilderness World and the descent of numerous Magus World powerhouses had somewhat intimidated Sein.

Although he had not anticipated the full scale of the conflict in Wild Gorilla World at the time, he already had a vague premonition of the challenges ahead.

Hence, the extensive array of magic items was the fruit of Sein’s preparations over recent years.

Yet, upon setting foot in Wild Gorilla World and experiencing the war firsthand, Sein felt his stockpile of life-saving magic items was perhaps too conservative...

Sein, who rigorously practiced tempered his body, boasted a constitution comparable to knights of his rank.

However, in the heat of today’s battle, he chose not to recklessly charge forward alongside the knights.

Even Natalya and Reina, both pure knights, also refrained from advancing to the front lines at Sein’s insistence.

“Your task is to protect the mage! No one is allowed to stray fifty meters away from me!” he ordered the female knights who seemed eager to join the frontlines.

Natalya and Reina were not officially registered knights of the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain; there was no reason for them to contribute so eagerly.

The binding power of the order’s contract did not extend to them.

Besides, with the war underway, the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring had little time to concern itself with these two external knights.

Nevertheless, knights were all inherently belligerent, and this conflict in Wild Gorilla World was also unlike any they had witnessed in their lives.

It was no surprise that the two female T-Rexes were swept up by their surroundings, feeling an uncontrollable urge to engage.

Sein’s command was not just a tactical decision but a gesture of care for them.

For now, the safest place for anyone was indeed by Sein’s side.

As Sein brandished his magic rod and began his incantations, Leena unleashed five potent spells in rapid succession.

Selina, Faye, and Eileen managed to cast two or three spells each, though their effects were less destructive due to their lower ranks.

Still, they were mages, and even Selina made a significant impact.

The range and effect of her Burst of Light spell far outstripped the combined force of four or five Rank One knights charging into battle.

Their coordinated magic attacks greatly aided the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain’s efforts at the forefront, carving out an open space.

The Wild Gorilla Clan, which lacked metallurgical skills and prided itself on brute strength, found itself thoroughly outmatched.

No matter how formidable their bodies, they were no match for the unrelenting magical onslaught unleashed by the Magus World mages.

With the mages’ participation, the battle’s tide clearly began to turn.

***

Three days later, the battlefield before Sein had transformed into a morass of blood and mud, reminiscent of the terrain he had traversed earlier.

It was strewn with bodies from both the Wild Gorilla World and the Magus World’s cannon fodder legion, including a few fallen knights.

According to a message received a day prior, fifteen mages from the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring Army had perished.

Positioned near the middle and rear of the army—typically considered the safest zones—they met their end when stray energy bullets, unexpectedly fired from the right wing of the battlefield, pierced through their outer shields.

The battlefield was in utter chaos.

Beyond the gully where Sein and his forces were stationed, legions from at least two other divine towers and knightly orders were embroiled in a deadly battle with the Wild Gorilla World Army.

The energy blast that had breached the elemental shields of the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring’s mages, resulting in the deaths of fifteen mages in the periphery, was suspected to be the work of a demigod-level being—though the exact perpetrator remained unknown.

The chaotic conditions on the battlefield made it impossible for the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring to investigate further.

The Rank Three divine tower mages, temporarily overseeing the battle, commanded all mages to focus their firepower on the advancing Wild Gorilla Army.

For any threats emerging from the flanks, they depended on their allies engaged in adjacent battlefields to handle them.

Exhausted from commanding and casting spells, Sein had no time to determine which divine towers and knightly orders were positioned on his flanks.

Nevertheless, they were all from the Magus World power—allies that could be relied on in this medium-sized plane’s conflict.

“The lesser aquatic races are suffering heavy casualties upfront. They’re falling much faster than the centaurs and plant giants,” Reina reported, her armor bloodied. Wielding a heavy octagonal hammer, she hurried to Sein’s side.

The Green Spikefur King was no longer by Sein’s side. Due to its immense size and unparalleled strength, Sein had sent it to the frontline two days earlier to bolster the primary assault.

Currently, Sein’s primary guard was the Kingfisher perched on his shoulder, which had just deflected an energy beam aimed at Sein half a day earlier.

This beam, clearly containing the power of a Rank Three, was likely fired from a technological weapon.

The Wild Gorillas were no fools. Despite the chaos, they had identified Sein as a key tactical figure.

“Also, the Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain’s frontline has just been breached. A Rank Two knight came over just now to request our support,” Reina continued.

Sein frowned slightly upon hearing her report.

As she relayed that, Leena flew toward them. “I’ll head over with Sanchez. There are plenty of undead creatures there.”

In a conflict as fierce as this, there was no room for hesitation or timidity.

The Order of the Fiery Molten Mountain had sought help, and Sein was compelled to respond.

He looked up at Leena. Despite the storm of emotions swirling within him, he could only give her a firm nod and said, “Stay safe!”