Sovereign of the Ashes-Chapter 1587: Hydro Battlefield

Of course, Aquaria and Arid Expanse World were not about to bicker like kids.

After all, both of them answered to the Gallant Federation and Grand Apocalypse World.

Still, there was no denying that Aquaria bore responsibility for the crushing defeat on Marvelous Plane.

The interstellar mercenary who had withdrawn at the same time—the Rank Five Cerulean Crab King—also confirmed that the Rank Five Aquarian merman had been the first to disengage from the battlefield.

Out of a measure of restraint, the Cerulean Crab King described the merman’s action as a “withdrawal” rather than a “flight”.

Even so, it was Arid Expanse World that ultimately suffered the heaviest losses in the conflict. After a period of heated wrangling and deliberation, a final decision was made.

Orven, the young Rank Six Ocean King, personally declared that Aquaria would assume responsibility for the Marvelous Plane front to atone for their earlier failure.

Since the Ocean King had spoken, the Rank Four and Rank Five beings of the Arid Expanse World could only move on from the matter.

What surprised many was Seiron’s reaction. The most fearsome existence of Arid Expanse World, infamous for his fury, cruelty, and bloodlust, made no move against Aquaria and appeared indifferent to the entire matter altogether.

Under the shadow of Seiron’s lingering authority, the other four Rank Five beings of Arid Expanse World dared not voice any dissatisfaction.

Ever since Seiron had broken through the peak of Rank Six with the Gallant Federation’s aid and grasped even greater power, he had grown increasingly low-key and silent.

Meanwhile, Aquaria’s military mobilization was anything but modest.

With a Rank Six Ocean King personally overseeing the central command, the legions converging on Marvelous Plane battlefield quickly swelled into the tens of millions.

The total number of Aquaria’s law-wielding powerhouses now exceeded thirty, and this was still not Aquaria’s full strength. If Orven so wished, he could commit even more forces to this front.

As for the Rank Five merman who had abandoned the battlefield during the previous engagement, Orven ultimately issued only a verbal reprimand, imposing no real punishment.

The reason was that the merman was skilled at currying favor and counted as one of Orven’s trusted confidants.

When Orven first ascended the Ocean King’s throne, his succession defied Aquaria’s traditional line of inheritance. As a result, the vast majority of law-wielding powerhouses on the planet either adopted a wait-and-see attitude or harbored subtle hostility toward him.

This merman had been among the earliest Rank Five warriors to pledge loyalty to Orven openly. He rendered outstanding service during the subsequent consolidation of Orven’s rule.

To stabilize his authority, Orven could not afford to punish him too harshly.

“When I led Aquaria’s elite forces to evacuate from Marvelous Plane, I heard that Arid Expanse World’s powerhouses behind us failed to escape because the Magus Civilization dispatched a powerful giant mermaid to intercept them,” the Rank Five merman reported.

“Even that arrogant and foolish Sand Crocodile was left behind forever on Marvelous Plane. Your Majesty should be wary of that mermaid,” he added.

Seated upon his coral throne, Orven rested one hand on the pearl-inlaid armrest and gave a casual hum of acknowledgment.

***

Beyond Marvelous Plane stretched a vast asteroid belt, now serving as the Magus Civilization’s forward battlefield deployment zone. It would likely become the site of future clashes with enemy legions.

Given that the plane’s origin energy had yet to recover and its environment remained heavily damaged, Sein and the others chose to shift the battlefield beyond the plane.

Moreover, a melee involving dozens of law-wielding powerhouses risked overwhelming Marvelous Plane entirely. Fighting in the open starfield was a far more practical choice.

Queen Hippolyta was naturally deeply grateful for the decision made by Sein and the other Magus Civilization powerhouses.

Although this Rank Five being had not yet fully recovered from her injuries, she insisted on joining the upcoming battle to contribute whatever strength she still possessed to the Magus Civilization Army.

Sein could only allow her to have her way.

Standing amidst the starry expanse and gazing at the boundless, glittering galaxy before him, Sein learned that their primary adversary in the upcoming engagement would be the Aquarian legions.

In addition to the continuous reinforcements arriving from Magus World’s sea races, Feylis had also dispatched several waves of allied creature forces to relieve the pressure on Sein and his allies.

Among these reinforcements, one Rank Five being drew Sein’s particular attention—an undead creature known as the Wraithlord.

Through conversation, Sein confirmed that it hailed from Undead World, one of the large-sized worlds within the Magus Alliance.

According to available intelligence, Undead World’s main legions were currently deployed along the Netherworld Star Domain front, with some even pushing deep into the Gallant Federation’s territory.

Why, then, was a Wraithlord commanding nearly two million undead creatures here?

Sein found this deeply puzzling.

The Wraithlord, however, offered no clear answer to his question.

What Sein gathered was that it had been accepting assignments from both Undead World and the Magus Alliance.

At times, amidst the chaos of war, it would even find itself charging into unfamiliar territories with its undead legion.

This latest deployment to support the Marvelous Plane battlefield had likewise come directly from an order issued by the Magus Alliance.

Prior to this, the Wraithlord had been resting along the rear edge of the Netherworld Star Domain.

Yet in recent years, it had been reassigned to the Chaos Sea under unclear circumstances.

Now, it had once again been dispatched to the Marvelous Plane battlefield, under equally obscure conditions.

As for the Rank Six Undead King originally assigned to command it, the Wraithlord had lost contact entirely.

With no higher authority reachable, it could only follow direct orders from the Magus Alliance.

Situations like this were not uncommon for those operating on battlefields of such scale.

Powerful beings from allied planes could not always remain with their main forces; being separated was often inevitable.

So far, the Magus Civilization’s command structure had remained remarkably stable and rational.

At the very least, Sein had heard no reports of serious decision-making chaos.

After a brief exchange with the Wraithlord, Sein turned to greet another familiar figure—Orric, the Rank Five being who had arrived as reinforcement for the Marvelous Plane battlefield.

After their time apart, the beard on Orric’s chin had grown thicker, giving him a noticeably rougher appearance.

Gone was the arrogant air with which he once looked down on others. The Orric who arrived this time appeared far more mature and composed.

The moment they met, Orric pulled Sein into a crushing bear hug.

This man’s physique was even more solid than Sein’s.

Sein also noticed a deep, jagged scar carved across Orric’s cheek.

Clearly, Orric’s recent battles near the Shadowbat Civilization had been anything but easy.

“I heard Orven brought his legions here, so I came as well,” Orric said.

“Now that he has inherited the Ocean King’s Crown and broken through to Rank Six, I wonder if he could beat me now.” He clenched his fists, his words laced with bitterness.

Orric had not come alone. Alongside his nearly forty-thousand-strong legion, three law-wielding powerhouses from Aquaria followed him.

These Aquarian elites had all defected to Orric’s side over the past few years.

Compared to Orven’s current position, Orric’s circumstances now seemed bleaker—almost pitiable.

“This interstellar battlefield will likely turn into a maelstrom of hydro elements in the coming days. When that happens, you will have plenty of chances to prove yourself,” Sein said, patting Orric on the shoulder.