Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1473 - 506: Dispute (Part 2)

Despite being a Metal Series Wizard, Haleem knew that the complex gear system hidden beneath this turntable demanded immense physical power to rotate. Simply using metal deformation would not suffice to force the door open.

This massive, helm-shaped circular turntable measured over three meters in diameter. It was clearly intended to be operated by heavy goblin machinery or a powerful demon statue.

Among the group, Lord Terrio the Sword Saint might possess the necessary strength, but the turntable was positioned at least two and a half meters high. A normal human would find it impossible to leverage their strength from the ground.

As for attempting to directly warp the colossal door, such a feat was entirely beyond Haleem’s capabilities.

Perhaps Lord Rein could manage it, Haleem speculated.

"Hmm, I’ll do it," Rein announced, stepping forward without hesitation.

He had already recognized the same logistical hurdle that Haleem had identified.

Suddenly, Rein's right arm expanded, dark silver Dragon Scales surfaced on his skin, and his height rapidly surged to over four meters—a controlled degree of transformation he had specifically chosen.

"Creak! Creak!"

A formidable Dragon Claw gripped the metal turntable, beginning to rotate it with overwhelming force.

"Rumble!"

The massive metal barrier, which stood tens of meters tall and exceeded a meter in thickness, started to lift slowly.

But then, unexpectedly!

Surrounding red warning lights began to pulse, accompanied by a piercing mechanical broadcast:

"Warning! Warning! Door No. 3 has been breached illegally. Please eliminate the threat immediately. (Ancient Goblin language)"

"This is problematic. All exits of the Floating City are supposed to be linked to the control room, but I didn’t anticipate the security system would still be operational," Haleem said, his expression darkening.

"Lord Rein, you..."

"Don’t worry, we still have time."

Due to the gear-driven mechanism, each full rotation of the turntable only raised the metal door by roughly ten centimeters.

However, as the alarm blared, Rein’s speed became incredibly intense. The massive metal wheel spun faster and faster within the giant Dragon Claw.

Consequently, the metal door rose with increasing speed.

"Go!" Hernandez shouted, quickly ushering the researchers and the Federal exploration team through the opening.

Sword Saint Terrio remained behind, utilizing his superior speed to guard Rein’s flank.

"That’s high enough, Lord Rein."

"Alright."

When Rein let go of the turntable, he intentionally left the nearby safety latch unfastened.

As the wheel spun backward at high velocity, the door began a rapid descent to seal itself.

Nevertheless, with the agility shared by Rein and Terrio, they could easily sprint through the closing gap.

"Swish, swish!"

The two figures blurred as they dashed out of the exit.

Just as Rein cleared Door No. 3, a sensation caused him to glance back. Several hundred meters behind them, a pack of mechanical monsters resembling velociraptors was charging toward their position.

"Boom!"

In the following instant, the heavy metal door slammed shut, cutting the mechanical velociraptors off from Rein’s sight.

"Lord Rein, is something the matter?" Sword Saint Terrio asked with curiosity, noticing Rein staring back at the sealed Door No. 3.

"Nothing, Lord Terrio. Let’s move," Rein replied, shaking his head.

They had now emerged onto the exterior of the Floating City. They stood upon a narrow maintenance path, barely two meters wide, with dark red magma flowing like a protective moat far below.

Since they were now much closer to the bottom than they had been at the cave entrance, their surroundings were significantly clearer.

Hernandez and Haleem had already utilized witchcraft to cross to the opposite side, where they were busy assembling a makeshift steel bridge for the elite soldiers.

Rein and Terrio required no such assistance. Five minutes later, the entire group had safely returned to the original base camp located in Ressero Canyon.

The cave camp was now far more established than when they had left.

Dozens of tents of varying sizes were pitched, protected by various witch arrays.

Upon seeing Rein, Terrio, and Hernandez return successfully with Haleem and the others, the camp erupted in celebration.

Within half an hour, top-secret reports began reaching the highest levels of the Federation's leadership.

...

Meanwhile.

In the skies between Antuhol and the Federation Capital, Zetaya.

A combined airship fleet of the Empire and the Federation stretched for miles like a floating dragon, moving steadily toward Zetaya.

Aboard a massive Federation Airship leading the convoy, a small group held an emergency meeting in a conference room.

The gathering had been triggered by an urgent dispatch received ten minutes prior.

"What? Those ruins are actually a Floating City?"

The revelation struck those in the room like a bolt of lightning!

A Floating City!

It was a legendary marvel capable of sustained flight, possessing military power that eclipsed the Federation's most advanced giant airships by tenfold.

"It is true. I received this urgent message ten minutes ago. Everyone, please review the documents provided. Afterward, we will determine our next course of action," Vice Speaker Bertrand said with a nod.

Because Zetaya was the final destination for the Empire’s delegation, the Federation Congress had appointed him to oversee the ruins project.

He had been just as stunned as his colleagues upon hearing the news.

The room fell silent, save for the rustle of turning pages.

After several minutes, an elderly man with a pipe finished reviewing the intelligence. With a grave expression, he spoke, "The successful rescue of Haleem's team, the retrieval of ancient goblin technical documents, and the discovery of the Floating City are all monumental achievements."