Once Master Welks domain was fully deployed, the Molten Steel T-Rex and two space fortresses began their steady approach toward the planet under Clints command.

Its been too long since I last unleashed my domain. I feel a bit rusty. Welks sighed after completing the barrier.

From casting a forbidden spell on Black Tide Plane to deploying a planet-spanning domain here on Nocchi, this Rank Five mages strength was clearly nothing short of formidable.

Master Welks, your domain power will save us a lot of trouble. Taking this planet might go smoother than expected, Clint marveled. .

Well, magic experiments are costly. Helping you also serves my own interests. Seems like our harvest this time will be substantial. Welks chuckled, his mechanical eye sweeping across the planet below.

So it seems. Ill see to it that you get a fair share, Master Welks. Youve been critical in both battles, Clint replied earnestly.

Sharing was a virtue.

Just as Welks knew he had to share the federations giant mobile suit with Sein earlier, Clint was considerate enough to split the spoils here too.

Master Sein, what are you doing? Welks suddenly asked.

Sein had not descended into the planet right away. Instead, he held a plain-looking cube in his hand.

Although it looked unremarkable to others, Sein could see the information it revealed to him.

Still on this planet, huh? he murmured in relief as feedback came through the cube.

I need to check something first. Ill rejoin you later, Sein answered.

With that, he shot off toward a specific area at the heart of Nocchi.

It was not a supply hub, but a control and experiment facility built by the Gallant Federation.

After Sein left, Welks exchanged a puzzled glance with Clint.

Clint cleared his throat. I recall that Master Sein only just returned from a covert mission. Maybe he still has unfinished business tied to that assignment.

Welks mechanical eye flickered as he shook his head. I dont know the details of his mission either. I only received orders to escort him back safely.

He let the matter drop and added, Resistance on this planet isnt particularly strong. We should move quickly and secure it before complications arise.

Agree, Clint replied without hesitation.

As Clint and his men set to work, the Huusian King followed after Sein toward his destination.

Lately, Sein had felt a strange and growing bond with the Magic Cube.

It might have something to do with the time when the cube had exhausted its energy to protect him when he was affected by the federations particle shock grenade.

After that incident, Sein had slowly recharged the cube through his own skill in alchemy and array arts.

***

The Gallant Federations garrison on Nocchi was, at best, as strong as two Rank Four creatures.

The two Rank Four knights Clint had brought along were more than enough to deal with that. Besides, he also had Rank Five combatants like the Molten Steel T-Rex backing them.

With most of the federations forces tied up repelling the Magus Worlds invasion, Sein met little resistance at the central experiment facility.

Only a handful of federal personnel were still here, and what stood in his way was mostly robots and automated defenses.

Sein did not know the exact layout of the facility, but with the Magic Cubes data on the Nexon Rank Four intelligent robot, he simply blasted through walls and created his own direct path forward.

His straight-line approach was quicker than the routes the federal personnel themselves usually took to reach the inner labs.

At last, Sein reached a spacious white chamber deep underground.

The federal scientists seemed to prefer white for their laboratories, though Sein found the uniformity dull and lifeless.

This laboratory was clearly dedicated to robotics research. Along the way, he had passed many robotic components and structural prototypes.

At the very end of the chamber stood a massive metal door. The Magic Cube pulsed, telling Sein his target was inside.

Blue flames burst to life in his hand.

Using the flames decomposing property, he slowly melted the heavy door as though it were made of wax.

But before the doorway was fully open, a yellow blur suddenly flashed before him.

Seins instincts kicked in. He activated his elemental body and dodged in a split second, just in time to avoid the strike that blasted a massive crater where he had been standing.

The enormous yellow figure followed up with another attack, each blow tearing up the floor and walls around them.

Even so, its speed was sluggish, and its movements were strangely stiff.

It fought with claws shaped like digging buckets, swinging with terrifying force, mounted on heavy black treads built to bear immense loads.

This was no stranger. The construct before him was Sky Tyrantthe Nexon Rank Four intelligent robot Sein had once treated.

Sky Tyrant! What are you doing? Sein frowned at the Rank Four intelligent robot that kept coming at him.

At his side, the Huusian King moved to intervene, but Sein waved him back.

Sky Tyrant did not answer. Its attacks only grew faster and more relentless.

Sein, however, paid little attention to the hostility.

Putting aside whether it could defeat him, its sluggish movements and lack of coordination alone told Sein that it was significantly weaker than it had been before.

Rather than strike back right away, he studied it, looking for the cause.

Sure enough, after a closer look, a clue surfaced.

The Faceless Mask picked up signs of life inside Sky Tyrants chest cavity. At the same time, the Magic Cube also confirmed that Sky Tyrant was in piloted mode.

What the hell?!

With a sharp snort, Sein lunged. His demonic claw flared with searing elemental fire.

Under his precise control, his claw drove straight into Sky Tyrants chest, sparing the rest of the construct from damage.

When he withdrew his claw, he tore out a burning yellow metal plate, revealing a federal scientist in the space behind it, his face frozen in terror.

It was a cockpit. The bastard had been piloting Sky Tyrant against him.

The moment the cockpit was detached, Sky Tyrant froze.

Then, after a brief pause, its optical sensors flickered back to life, like it had just regained full control of its body.

Ugh… Sky Tyrant lowered its gaze to the gaping hole in its chest.

For robots, such damage was no big deal. They felt no pain.