Sovereign of the Ashes

Chapter 883: Close-Quarters Combat

As one of the more prosperous low-level planes, the three major legions of the Gumo World each had their own long-range capabilities.

The burly Guran Lizardmen could spit fireballs from their mouths.

Individuals of Rank Two or higher could even sprout a pair of fleshy wings from their backs and launch even more explosive fireball attacks.

As for the Moknu, they had developed a unique manufacturing process, showcasing their impressive creativity.

Their primary long-range weapon was a crossbow compressed in a metal gas cylinder.

By increasing the air pressure, they could generate significant kinetic energy.

As for the Goul Groundworms—blind creatures extremely sensitive to sunlight, these massive, earthworm-like beings could release thin red rays from the small, bristle-like structures on their bodies.

These red rays were essentially a form of radioactive light, likely linked to the rare metals within the Goul Groundworms’ bodies.

When these groundworms burrowed through the ground, they used these rays to break through hard ores.

While each of these races had some form of long-range attack, none had developed their technologies or racial abilities to an extraordinary extent.

After all, the Gumo Plane was a low-level world.

In terms of range, the magic cast by the Magus World mages far outclassed the attacks of the native forces, with the mages’ spells having more than double the range.

By the time the Magus Civilization’s mages had unleashed several devastating area-of-effect spells, the native legions—despite their overwhelming numbers—had only just entered the effective range of their own long-range attacks against the Magus World forces.

Of all the native races, the Goul Groundworms, despite their vast numbers, had the shortest range for their attacks.

The smaller Goul Groundworms, under one meter in size, had a range of only twenty meters.

Though those over two meters long had a slightly longer reach, the increase was marginal.

Furthermore, the farther the distance, the weaker the power of their rays became.

Surely, no Magus World powerhouse would come close enough to face one of these rays head-on, just to test the strength of their opponent’s attack.

As the black tide in the distance drew closer, the main forces of the Magus World moved as well.

The legions of elite enslaved creatures, bathed in colorful elemental flames, surged forward.

Not long after the elite enslaved creature legions had begun their march, the knight legions, already eager for action, followed closely behind.

The Akre Plains, with its expansive and open terrain, left little room for complex strategies or tactical maneuvers; the battlefield was essentially a stage for head-on clashes.

However, this did not mean that tactics, encirclements, or other battlefield strategies were entirely useless.

Years of chaotic warfare had reshaped the entire region’s terrain, leaving it as if plowed by war itself.

While innovative large-scale maneuvers were difficult amidst the synergy and chaos of millions of troops, smaller skirmishes and medium-scale battles still allowed for strategic ingenuity.

The elite knight legions from the Ylli Knight Alliance, in particular, demonstrated exceptional prowess in this regard.

Groups of knights, ranging from a few dozen to several hundred, formed a formation that resembled a formidable steel arrowhead.

When supported by the surrounding enslaved creature legions, these knights showcased their ability to cleave through enemy ranks with unmatched ferocity.

Fearless in their onslaught, they charged relentlessly. @@novelbin@@

Sein noticed that many of the Ylli Knight Alliance’s ranked knights had mounts of their own.

For a knight of that rank, their mount had to be a Rank One or higher creature too.

Some of them were ranked magic beasts from Magus World, while others were creatures from the Magus Alliance’s allied planes.

Most of these mounts were massive beasts capable of bearing the weight of heavily armored knights while charging and wreaking havoc on the battlefield.

As a result, the true combat power of this mounted knight army could not simply be calculated by counting their numbers.

In terms of destructiveness, their power was effectively doubled.

Natalya and Reina did not have mounts of their own.

This was largely because their families had not invested in horsemanship.

Besides, they had yet to encounter mounts worthy of their consideration.

Choosing a mount for a knight was no less significant than a mage selecting a spirit familiar—it was a deeply personal decision that required thoughtful deliberation.

It was not as simple as picking a random Rank One magic beast of adequate size.

There had to be a compatibility between the knight and the beast.

In Magus World, the laws of divine towers and knightly orders protected ranked magic beasts from unwarranted harm within their jurisdiction.

While Magus World’s magic beasts enjoyed this protection, the same could not be said for creatures from the Magus Alliance—particularly enslaved ones.

Sein was already entertaining the idea of purchasing two strong and massive mounts for Natalya and Reina from the Magus Alliance’s trade market once this interplanar war concluded.

Rather than enhancing their mobility, the real intention was to provide additional support during wartime.

Mounted knights charging through the battlefield presented a heroic and striking sight, commanding attention and delivering devastating impact.

Whether Natalya and Reina liked the idea of mounts or not was of little concern to Sein. If they did not favor them as partners, they could simply use them as enslaved creatures.

Only mages like Sein would view the relationship between knights and their mounts like this.

Knights held a very different perspective. They chose their mounts not solely for their strength or usefulness.

For those who had spent years with their mounts and developed deep bonds, the relationship was one of profound mutual trust—a connection so strong that knights and their mounts could rely on each other with their very lives.

Not long after the Ylli Knight Alliance’s knight legions launched their charge, Natalya and Reina were also eager to join the fray.

From the vantage point of the battlefield, Sein and his group were positioned on the right flank of the main army.

The advancing enemy forces were primarily composed of Goul Groundworms, followed by the Moknu.

Of course, numerous other strange native creatures were interspersed among them. After all, the Gumo Plane was home to far more than just its three dominant species.

With a roar, Reina charged forward, her body expanding as if inflating. Her heavy, thunderous steps shook the battlefield as she plunged into the oncoming enemy forces.

Ever since her last failed breakthrough, Reina had been carrying the weight of frustration.

For her, this interplanar war was not just a battlefield—it was an opportunity to make another push toward achieving the rank of Sky Knight. Hence, this battle meant more to Reina than to anyone else in their group.

As Reina charged forward, Natalya was not far behind her.

This pair of Land Knights were best friends who had fought side by side for years, honing a battlefield synergy that allowed them to push their limits and unleash power far beyond their individual capabilities.

However, what truly stunned the knights and mages under Sein’s command was what happened next.

After instructing the five Rank One mages behind him to hold their position and engage in ranged combat, Sein charged alongside the two female knights to everyone’s surprise.

This powerful Rank Two mage did not bring even a single enslaved creature with him.

“Is this what it means to be a Rank Two mage who has grasped the mystery of truth surrounding the Elemental Body? Incredible!”

A young Rank One mage, still new to the harsh realities of the battlefield, could not help but voice his admiration as he watched Sein launch himself into the fray fearlessly.

“Only such an existence can disregard the risks and dangers lurking on the battlefield,” he added with awe.

Sein was not entirely alone in his charge, however. Apart from Reina and Natalya, who always kept a watchful eye on him, a crimson-colored mech suddenly appeared on his right, seemingly out of nowhere.