Sovereign of the Ashes-Chapter 1526: Dump

Sein had obtained the information about the Gallant Federation colluding with Arid Expanse World from the Collector, at the cost of a single Star Core.

In the Astral Realm, Star Cores were even more precious than the divine relics of Rank Four beings.

Even though Sein’s Star Core came from a mere microplane, the Collector was overjoyed to receive it.

“I’m surprised you already know the Gallant Federation has started colluding with the Arid Expanse World. Do you know anything about the current state of the war in the Netherworld Star Domain?” Sein asked. “And if you have any intel on the Grand Eye Demon World, feel free to share that too.”

The Collector let out an awkward chuckle.

“What I know about the Netherworld Star Domain is common knowledge among the Rank Six beings of nearby star domain civilizations. Hardly a secret.”

“It seems the fighting in Netherworld itself is incredibly intense. But I hear the war is nearing its end. Based on my information, the Netherworld Star Domain should wrap up its conflict within another three hundred years,” he continued. “Once you return, you’ll probably have access to far more detailed intel than I do, Mage Sein.”

“As for the Grand Eye Demon World...” He shrugged. “It’s too far from here. I haven’t made any effort to gather intelligence about that star domain. But since the Netherworld War is close to finishing, I imagine your Magus Civilization’s campaign in the Grand Eye Demon World is progressing at a similar pace, right?”

Sein nodded at the Collector’s speculation.

This Rank Five being simply had more knowledge about the surrounding star domains.

The overlord-level battlefields deep within the Netherworld Star Domain and the even more distant Grand Eye Demon World were far beyond his reach.

For that reason, the Collector did not even bother demanding payment for that portion of the information.

After gathering every intel they could from him, Sein and Karazo took their leave.

Now more than ever, Sein felt the urgency to return to the Magus Civilization’s territory.

It was not just about reporting back. The inert crystals he had discovered, the recruitment of the Klytherans, the Blue Star natives, and several other foreign civilizations—including the Shadowbat Civilization—into the Magus Alliance, and now the Gallant Federation’s latest maneuvers and their attempt to win over Arid Expanse World... all of it was crucial intelligence the Magus Civilization needed without delay.

Based on Sein’s findings and the Collector’s corroboration, Arid Expanse World was indeed the most powerful world among the surrounding star domains, and the one most likely to ascend to a large-sized world civilization.

In this Clash of Civilizations between the Gallant Federation and Magus World, the number of large-sized worlds backing each side had become a decisive factor tipping the scales of war.

The sheer ferocity of the conflict could already be seen from the Grand Eye Demon World War that Sein had taken part in.

By any means necessary, the Magus Civilization needed to stop the Gallant Federation from dragging the Arid Expanse World along with the weaker nearby star domains into its camp, or prevent Arid Expanse World from ascending to the rank of a large-sized world civilization altogether.

For now, the Shadowbat Civilization—long hostile toward the Arid Expanse World—was the best candidate Magus World to recruit.

Other worlds that were wary of Arid Expanse World’s expansion, like Marvelous Plane, were also prime candidates to be absorbed into the Magus Alliance.

As Sein and Karazo prepared to leave, the Collector turned the dazzling Star Core over in his hand, clearly pleased with his new treasure.

After a moment of thought, he called out to Sein. “I have one more piece of information. Consider it a free gift. I heard that the medium-sized world, Planet Aquaria, was recently approached by Arid Expanse World.”

“Of course, this is unconfirmed intel, and a very unreliable one. I only overheard it from an old friend,” the Collector added, hands raised as if to disclaim responsibility.

Sein and Karazo exchanged a look, both thinking of Orric, who had traveled with them to Freedom Star City. For a moment, neither spoke.

“I see. It has been a pleasure doing business with you. I hope we’ll see each other again,” Sein said with a nod.

“Leave that to fate,” the Collector replied with a carefree laugh.

***

Not long after parting ways with the Collector, it was time to regroup.

The Klytheran Legion had finished their resupply in Freedom Star City and sold all the slaves they had previously captured.

Darian, Beatrice, Orric, Auron, and Karl arrived together. Kram, who got along particularly well with Sein, had joined them too.

According to her, they had just participated in an auction hosted by Freedom Star City. Because so many law-wielding powerhouses suddenly showed up, the organizers rushed to add a few more treasures for the grand finale.

For Beatrice and the others, the entire event had been quite an eye-opening experience.

“Auctions in the Magus Civilization are on a whole different level. Every now and then, even a world-class secret treasure makes an appearance,” Sein said. “When we get there, I’ll bring you all to see one.”

That alone was enough to spark everyone’s imagination.

World-class secret treasures... Ever since the Klytherans were driven into exile, none of them had ever laid hands on anything of that caliber again.

Marvelous Plane was only a low-level plane. It was almost impossible for it to produce a world-class treasure.

Only the Shadowbat Civilization and Aquaria were rumored to possess treasures powerful enough to protect their civilization.

No one knew what kind of world-class treasure the Shadowbat Civilization possessed, but Aquaria’s was almost certainly their legendary Ocean King’s Crown. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

It was said that once a royal heir received the Ocean King’s Crown, they would be infused with a portion of the plane’s will and ascend to Rank Six instantly.

In the surrounding star domains, this was widely believed to be the simplest and most convenient path to Rank Six.

Kram sighed and said, “That Darian from the Shadowbat Civilization is seriously rich! He kept throwing bids around at the auction. I had my eye on a pair of divine artifact-grade bracers, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to buy them.”

Most Klytherans were poor, and even Rank Four fighters like Kram were no exception.

Hearing that, Sein glanced her way and said, “If you’re willing to help me with some experimental testing, I’ll make a pair of bracers for you.”

Kram was caught off guard by the offer. The Rank Four fighter immediately lowered her head, clearly weighing whether it would be worth it.

Sein left her alone and approached Darian to share the information he had just obtained.

“We just got word from a collector in Freedom Star City—Arid Expanse World has pledged allegiance to the Gallant Federation. Upheaval is coming to the surrounding star domains. Part of the federation’s fleet has already arrived at the Golden Rock Worlds. Your Shadowbat Civilization needs to prepare,” Sein said.

The information Sein shared made Darian jerk his head up.

This was serious—far too serious to ignore. Darian did not doubt him for a second.

After a brief moment of thought, he called over one of the Rank Four powerhouses from the Shadowbat Civilization.

Among the Shadowbat forces stationed near Blue Star, there were two other Rank Four powerhouses besides Darian.

One had remained behind to guard Blue Star, while the other was the one who now stepped up beside him.

“Return to the Shadowbat Civilization immediately,” Darian ordered, his voice grim. “Report this intel to the high council and warn them to stay alert for any moves from Arid Expanse World!”

Once he finished with Darian, Sein made his way to Orric.

Since even the Collector could not confirm the rumor about possible collusion between Aquaria and the Arid Expanse World, Sein could not confront Orric outright. So, he beat about the bush instead.

“Orric, what do you think of Arid Expanse World?” he asked casually.

The Rank Five Aquarian Prince was clearly confused by the random question.

He stared at Sein for a moment, then scoffed. “Arid Expanse World? Probably a dump for birds to crap on!”

Hearing Orric’s answer, Sein let out a quiet breath of relief.