Sovereign of the Ashes

Aside from Mayne's request, which already put Orethorn in a difficult position, the second condition presented by Sein left it even more at a loss.

It was not exactly a condition—just something Sein brought up during the negotiations: what were they going to do about the Rank Four White-Winged Bird King?

At this point, White Sand World's stance was anything but unified.

The guardian and the Sandworm Queen clearly supported peace. But the winged tribe, led by the White-Winged Bird King, was determined to keep fighting.

While large-scale clashes between the Magus Civilization's expeditionary forces and native White Sand World creatures had decreased, disturbances in the rear had sharply increased.

The main culprits behind these ambushes were the flying bird creatures of the winged tribe, led by the White-Winged Bird King.

The sea races, vital to the expeditionary forces' logistics and supply operations, had suffered heavy losses from these raids.

Sein and the other high-ranking Magus World figures had already taken notice, so the guardian needed to take a stand, and fast.

"I'll try my best to persuade it. After all, it's still a member of White Sand World. For the sake of the billions who live here, I'm sure it'll choose the right path," the guardian said.

"I don't care how you plan to persuade it, but the damage it has caused to the Magus Civilization's legions cannot be ignored," Sein replied coldly.

He sneered and continued, "As compensation, I want its right wing for my specimen collection. That shouldn't be too much to ask, right?"

For a Rank Four creature, losing a wing would not be life-threatening.

After resting for eight hundred to a thousand years, it could regrow, though it might not function as well as before, and the creature could suffer lasting effects.

Even so, Sein's request was not exactly unreasonable.

Seated beside him at the negotiation table, Mayne simply smiled at the guardian, showing no intention of speaking on its behalf.

Outnumbered and clearly outmaneuvered, the guardian could only lower its head in reluctant agreement.

"Well, I suggest you hurry. The Magus Civilization doesn't have the patience to wait forever," Sein said.

He slowly rubbed the tip of his magic rod and added, "And if you can't persuade the White-Winged Bird King... I'd be more than happy topersuadeit myself!"

Mayne nodded in agreement; the Magus Alliance he represented held the same stance.

Although the alliance was actively inviting White Sand World to join, that did not mean they were willing to welcome a traitor into their ranks.

If the White-Winged Bird King continued to show hostility toward the Magus Civilization, then naturally, the Magus Civilization would not allow it to continue living.

Due to certain events in the alliance's history, the Magus Civilization had always been brutal toward traitors.

Once rebellion was confirmed, it was not unusual for the whole race, or even the entire civilization, to be wiped out.

Even without concrete proof, the mere hint of unusual behavior from within could trigger swift and ruthless retaliation.

Because of this, most members of the Magus Alliance would never dare to even think about rebelling against Magus World.

***

After wrapping up negotiations with the guardian, Sein introduced Lorianne and Berecca to Mayne.

He had never told Lorianne that he had previously communicated with the overlord of the Western Archipelago because of this particular knight.

But since Mayne had been chosen to represent the Magus Alliance in official talks with White Sand World, it was clear he had strong backing.

Still, Mayne showed full respect to Sein's mentor.

After all, anyone who could train a talent like Sein had to be an exceptional divine tower master.

Mayne had always admired such powerful figures, and his respectful demeanor toward Lorianne made that clear.

Lorianne began to feel a little awkward, especially since she could sense that Mayne might actually be stronger than her.

While Lorianne felt a bit shy, Berecca stayed cold and distant toward the Western Archipelago knight, though as fellow knights, they should have had some common ground.

Nevertheless, Berecca's frosty attitude did nothing to dampen Mayne's friendliness.

If his attitude toward Lorianne had been polite and respectful, then his reaction to Berecca was something else entirely.

From the moment he laid eyes on her, Mayne was stunned.

There was something about Berecca's aloofness and indifference that struck a chord with him.

Normally eloquent and composed, Mayne suddenly found himself struggling for words.

Watching him stammer, Sein gave him a curious sideways glance.

Berecca, unfazed, offered Mayne a brief nod and walked off without another word.

Even after she had disappeared from sight, Mayne stood there, still in a daze.

Sein cleared his throat and said, "Uh, Berecca is always like that. Please don't take it personally, Sir Mayne."

"Of course not!" Mayne snapped out of it and quickly shook his head. "But Lady Berecca... seems injured?"

"Yes, she was hurt by the White-Winged Bird King," Sein replied.

"That creature flies unbelievably fast. It comes and goes without a trace. Those wings would definitely make top-grade aero elemental lawful material," he added, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

At that, Mayne's expression shifted.

"The White-Winged Bird King, huh?" he muttered, clenching his fists and looking as if he was ready to go hunt it down himself.

***

The guardian did not keep Sein and the other Magus World powerhouses waiting for long.

Its actions made it clear that its attempts at persuasion had failed.

The Rank Four White-Winged Bird King had indeed refused to surrender to the Magus Civilization.

However, faced with the overwhelming military might that the Magus Civilization had brought into White Sand World, the bird king understood that continued resistance would be meaningless. So, it led its loyal followers in a breakout attempt.

It had chosen to head for the Submerged Wave World to seek refuge with the Sea Emperor Shark.

After all, the White-Winged Bird King had once helped defend the Submerged Wave World from invaders and had forged strong ties with the Sea Emperor Shark and several other sea kings in that plane.

What was surprising, however, was the direction it chose for the escape.

Interestingly, all of the bird king's prior activity had taken place in the northern regions of White Sand World. Yet now, it had suddenly chosen to make its breakout from the southern part of the plane.

Over a hundred thousand winged creatures followed the White-Winged Bird King in its escape.

In fact, even more had wanted to go. But the harsh environment of the Astral Realm was not something most lower-tier creatures could endure.

The majority likely perished shortly after leaving the shelter of White Sand World's planar barrier.

Those that did escape were mainly higher-ranking winged creatures.

Even so, without a proper vessel for traveling through the Astral Realm, making it safely to the Submerged Wave World would be incredibly difficult.

Even under the protection of a Rank Four creature like the White-Winged Bird King, many of its followers were almost certain to perish.