Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1463 - 502: Prison_2

However, being sent to the prison on the negative second floor meant that any belongings the captive possessed—specifically the follow-up Meditation Method—would likely be located within that same facility.

...

A few minutes passed.

The party of four made their way back to the temporary base. Those who had stayed behind listened to the group's report with expressions of pure astonishment!

The wizards representing Haleem’s Mechanical Research Institute were especially moved; their eyes sparkled with reverence as they gazed upon the memory crystals.

During this time, Rein addressed his three companions, "Gentlemen, it is my intention to descend and investigate the prison located on the negative second floor."

Hmm?

The announcement caught everyone off guard!

"Lord Rein, are you suspecting that some relics belonging to the prisoners might still be there?" Before the others could process Rein's plan, Hernandez’s eyes brightened as if a realization had struck him.

Prompted by Hernandez's words, Sword Saint Terrio and Haleem also caught on immediately.

"I see, Lord Rein. Even though those captives perished long ago, you believe their remains or personal effects might provide evidence regarding the true cause of the Floating City’s destruction, correct?"

"Brilliant, such impressive reverse thinking!" Haleem couldn't help but offer his repeated praise.

"You flatter me. First, there is a possibility of finding clues. Second, I suspect that if even a few outsiders like ourselves were held there, the prison might contain lost witchcraft or other valuable treasures."

Rein chose his words carefully, avoiding any direct mention of the Meditation Method.

In truth, Rein wasn't lying; if the Valziger School Sect Leader had indeed been apprehended, he would be counted among those imprisoned outsiders.

"Lord Rein, allow me to go with you," Terrio suggested, standing up.

"The wounds on my body have already begun to scab. They are merely minor injuries and won't be a problem," Sword Saint Terrio insisted.

"I appreciate the offer, Lord Terrio, but while your wounds may be superficial, your physical reserves are severely drained. You are in no condition for further exploration. Furthermore, these three vital memory crystals are now in our possession. I believe our top priority must be protecting these crystals and ensuring they are escorted out safely," Rein replied, shaking his head in refusal.

"Therefore, it is best if you all remain here at the camp to recover. I shall return within the next twenty-four hours."

"Naturally, should I fail to come back in the allotted time, you have the structural map of the Floating City and may proceed with the evacuation on your own."

"This..." Terrio and the others looked at each other, wanting to argue but finding themselves at a loss for words.

Rein’s logic was sound; the three memory crystals were simply too precious to risk.

Taking the crystals into the prison was far too dangerous, yet leaving them at the camp with the weaker combatants made everyone feel uneasy.

"Very well then, Lord Rein, please exercise extreme caution!"

"May safety go with you, Lord Rein."

"My thanks, I shall be careful." Rein gave a nod and turned to depart.

.....

Shortly thereafter.

Rein arrived back at the mechanical assembly zone on the negative second floor.

By now, a few wandering goblin corpses were drifting toward the site of the previous explosion, though their numbers remained low.

After clearing the path of a few stragglers, Rein relied on his mental map to head west, toward the prison's location.

He moved swiftly for roughly seven hundred meters, dodging goblin corpses along the way. Gradually, the thick clusters of hanging chains and mechanical parts thinned out, granting Rein a clearer line of sight.

A massive hall appeared a few hundred meters ahead of him.

A dark corridor stretched out from the western side of this hall. Guarding the entrance were two massive, strangely shaped half-body statues.

Despite being only torsos, they stood over ten meters tall. Their powerful arms, forged from heavy gray metal, each gripped a two-handed hammer seven or eight meters in length. These weapons were crossed in the air, mimicking a bayonet salute used in formal parades.

"Wait... are these Torrim Demon Statues designed after the ancient Torrim Giants?"

Rein took one look at the statues and sensed an immediate threat.

This realization came from the goblin engineering data he had committed to memory earlier.

Though they were only partial bodies, their design was nearly identical to the Torrim Demon Statues described in the advanced goblin engineering section of the second memory crystal.

Anyone who dismissed these as mere decorations would be making a fatal mistake.

Most likely, such an error would result in critical injury or instant death!

These Torrim Demon Statues were replicas built by ancient goblin engineers to mimic the Torrim Giants, who possessed the power to command lightning. Even as partial imitations, their destructive potential was terrifying.

Rein focused, trying to recall the specific details from the texts.

"When the heavy hammer strikes, it triggers a thunderous blast covering a ten-meter radius. Good heavens, it blankets the entire area," Rein noted, looking at the narrow passage which was barely five meters wide.

"A direct hit would paralyze the entire body. Even with high Thunder Resistance, one would still be left stiff, causing a massive drop in movement speed!"

"Furthermore, the eyes can fire arc rays, providing a lethal long-range strike."

"This is going to be quite a hassle..."

However, by identifying these as demon statues, Rein had already bypassed the most dangerous trap.

He was now fully aware of their origins and the specific threats they posed.

After pondering for a moment, Rein decided to forgo any complicated schemes.

Since cleverness wasn't required, he would use a more direct approach.

Chanting a swift incantation, he raised his right hand. A dark silver disc, several meters wide, manifested and began to whirl rapidly above his palm.