Sein’s performance in the war at the troop transport base astonished Grandmaster Feylis.

She had already received reports claiming that Sein had instantly unleashed a forbidden spell and gathered hundreds of thousands of angel robots into something called Mechanical Space.

After all, with so many beings present on the battlefield and countless eyes watching, Sein’s extraordinary performance was bound to draw attention.

That said, since Sein had never mentioned the Magic Cube to her, Feylis chose not to pry.

Everyone had their own secrets and trump cards—Feylis included.

From the moment Sein repeatedly surprised her and successfully turned a Rank Six robot to his side, Feylis had known he was someone destined for greater things.

After all, he was the young man who had inherited the Faceless Mask, a mid-tier world-class secret treasure.

What Sein himself had yet to realize was that he did not need to worry about his Magic Cube drawing covetous attention within the Magus Civilization.

It was not that his grandmaster could protect him. Rather, the Faceless Mask itself was intricately connected to multiple Magus Civilization overlords.

Its creator, Master Jorces, was the tower master of the Divine Tower of Facelessness in the Western Archipelago. He would likely have become a soul overmage by now had he not abandoned his pursuit of truth in his later years.

Everyone walked their own path. Master Jorces’ choice back then was not necessarily a mistake.

At the very least, his later years had been profoundly fulfilling and meaningful.

Having walked life’s path hand in hand with his beloved, what need was there to pursue eternity?

When Feylis praised Sein for his outstanding performance on the battlefield he had chosen, Sein responded humbly, “It was largely thanks to your assistance, Grandmaster. Master Lorianne also entrusted me with many potions to use during the mission.”

A humble grand apprentice was what many elders liked to see. Feylis chuckled at his response. “Alright. Head next to the sector where your elders and the others are stationed.”

“The intensity of the fighting there is slightly lower than in the sector you just left. Once you arrive, I believe you should be able to advance faster than Gregory’s group,” she commented, stroking her chin.

“I won’t let you down, Grandmaster!” Sein replied firmly.

Feylis nodded and dismissed him with a wave.

***

After the Gallant Federation made its intention to withdraw clear, the subspace war dragged on for another year.

Completing a full withdrawal from an overlord-level battlefield within a single year was, in itself, proof of Marshal Rommel’s capabilities—even though he was the one forced to retreat.

The war supplies and military reserves abandoned under such pressure were resources that could not be carried away.

Although the Gallant Federation forces destroyed as much as they could before departing, the Magus Civilization ultimately recovered the bulk of it.

Whether it was technology coveted by mechanics or neutral energy blocks, these resources of a top-tier civilization like the Gallant Federation were highly sought after by many members of the Magus Alliance.

Billions of Magus Alliance creatures had risked their lives, following the Magus Civilization into battle against the Gallant Federation, precisely for the chance to obtain such spoils.

In short, this subspace battlefield left many participating Magus Alliance members thoroughly satisfied.

Everyone was pleased with the outcome of the war, and as a result, their view of Magus Civilization powerhouses such as Sein and Feylis improved significantly.

Upon leaving the subspace battlefield, Marshal Rommel addressed his generals.

“I would rather sacrifice an entire hauler squadron’s crystal energy reserves than witness the senseless loss of our destroyers, giant mobile suits, or soldiers.

“Only by staying alive can we continue seeking opportunities. Only by preserving our fighting strength can we create turning points in other theaters of war.

“The resources and wealth we lost are insignificant. We will find ways to reclaim them in the future!” he declared with unwavering resolve.

His genuine concern for lower-ranking troops deeply moved many generals.

Moreover, his strategic vision and battlefield decisions earned the approval of many who had fought in this subspace.

But such approval meant little in the end.

Marshal Rommel’s defeat at the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization’s subspace ruins was an undeniable fact, witnessed by all.

Upon his return to the Gallant Federation, the recognition awaiting him would likely no longer resemble the glory he once enjoyed as the Desert Fox.

One need only look at another federal marshal—Seedolf. Despite his greater fame, seniority, and even the title of Military God, he still found himself in dire straits within the Gallant Federation after suffering a crushing defeat in the Netherworld Star Domain.

Although Marshal Seedolf still commanded an overlord-class war fleet, the severe damage to his forces and his increasingly tarnished reputation would likely make his future path far more difficult.

Upon Marshal Rommel’s return to the Gallant Federation, he would inevitably face interrogation from both military headquarters and federal authorities.

He was slightly luckier than Marshal Seedolf because he had, at least to some extent, fulfilled the mission originally assigned to him by the federation’s high command.

Marshal Rommel singled out Bond, the most inconspicuous figure standing quietly in a corner among the assembled commanders, and ordered him to meet in private.

Inside a secret room aboard the overlord-class capital warship, Marshal Rommel handed Bond a black briefcase.

The case was no stranger to Bond. He himself had led the team responsible for retrieving it.

“I need you to take this to the Gallant Federation’s rear as quickly as possible,” Marshal Rommel said. “It contains all the information we gathered in this subspace regarding the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization and the Black Merlot Civilization.”

“I’ll grant you the necessary clearance. You may even request an audience with the federation’s chief scientist, Samaret. You must explain everything we discovered here to him in detail,” he emphasized.

Bond understood the importance of this mission and the weight of responsibility it carried. He also held deep respect for Marshal Rommel, sharing his strategic vision and approach to warfare.

Yet from Marshal Rommel’s words, it was clear that he did not intend to return to the Gallant Federation alongside the rest of them.

That was precisely why Bond was being sent ahead to deliver these materials in secret.

So where was Marshal Rommel planning to go?

If this had been a conversation between Sein and Feylis, Sein might have asked.

But standing before Marshal Rommel, Bond merely saluted. He secured the black briefcase to his wrist with a pair of cuffs, then turned to leave.

Only after Bond departed did Marshal Rommel return to his usual seat within the capital ship, gazing out at the boundless starry expanse beyond the viewing window. His eyes settled on the star domain bordering the Grand Eye Demon World.

“Strange space-time fluctuations have been detected, huh? Even the ultimate quantum computer’s calculations for that region have been thrown into disarray,” he murmured.

“What exactly is happening there?”

Marshal Rommel continued to stare into the distant cosmos, deep in thought.