Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1483 - 509: Pride and Prejudice_3

Was it truly possible for a Fourth Level Dawn Wizard to perish so abruptly?

In truth, a series of unfortunate coincidences played a role. Elvin was mid-cast, preparing a Fire Element Dawn Killing Move that demanded a significant amount of time to manifest. He had never considered that a lethal strike would erupt from the metallic floor beneath his feet.

Ultimately, his downfall was an over-reliance on the martial prowess of his two Heavy Knights. They failed to obstruct the foe for even a heartbeat, providing him no window to retreat!

This sequence of events culminated in what was practically an instantaneous execution.

Suddenly, the jarring, screeching sound of massive metal plates being wrenched apart echoed from the depths.

Through the jagged breach in the floor, a titanic metallic dinosaur skull emerged. Glowing with a fierce, crimson light, it forced its way through the thick subterranean metal layers.

The sheer magnitude of the mechanical head alone rivaled that of a massive steam locomotive.

...

Zetaya.

Concurrently, the Empire Delegation finished their final agenda in the Federation—a brief half-day tour of Zetaya.

At the Zetaya airship docks, Vice Speaker Bertrand and the Federation’s greeting party were seeing off 'Red Queen' Menia, Rein, and Reginald.

"I appreciate the meticulous care and the gracious hospitality the Vice Chairman has shown us during our stay," Menia remarked with a polite smile.

"The honor was entirely mine, Prince Menia. I anticipate our paths crossing again," Bertrand answered, offering a shallow bow.

However, just as Bertrand finished his pleasantries and Menia turned toward the airship, an Attendant with a grim look hurried to Bertrand’s side and whispered a few brief words.

Though Bertrand merely gave a silent nod, Rein noticed the man’s posture waver slightly, and his hospitable smile instantly turned into a frozen mask.

It was clear that a catastrophe had occurred.

Once Menia, Rein, and the rest of the Empire’s party had fully boarded the vessel, Bertrand’s expression turned stormy. He barked orders to the Attendant:

"Summon Congressman Nelson and General Randall for an emergency meeting immediately!"

"Also, see if Haleem is still in the vicinity. If he hasn't departed, command him to attend as well."

The elegant congresswoman, Trena, overheard the orders and frowned, asking softly, "Vice Chairman, what has happened?"

Bertrand dismissed the surrounding staff and officials with a wave of his hand. He let out a heavy sigh and whispered:

"Congresswoman Trena, during the Military Department’s foray into the Floating City Ruins, Crown Elvin was killed. Sword Saint Guiterrez was brought back to camp with fatal injuries and has passed away. At this moment, only Crown Garrett and a handful of others remain alive."

"What!" Trena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

An age had passed since the Federation last endured the simultaneous loss of two Epic-level powerhouses.

...

Thirty minutes later, the Zetaya administrative hall’s high-security chamber hosted an emergency summit.

Once the briefing concluded, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Eventually, Trena broke the quiet: "The news of the two Crowns’ sacrifice is both shocking and heartbreaking."

"However, I require an explanation. Why did the Military Department launch this expedition only a day after our last assembly? General Randall, was this operation actually preceded by proper reconnaissance and planning?"

"Our Federation experts are seasoned veterans. Furthermore, they studied Lord Haleem’s documentation before entering the Floating City Ruins. While the second-day deployment was swift, I maintain it was justified."

"Yet, in light of these events, there is reason to suspect that the Empire’s Lord Rein may have sabotaged the second basement level." General Randall’s voice was frigid.

The loss of two military-aligned Epic-level figures was a devastating blow to the military’s influence.

Such a catastrophic failure had been entirely outside his calculations.

"That is out of the question!"

Haleem, seated at the far end of the conference table, could no longer remain silent.

Technically, his rank did not grant him the right to speak freely in such a high-level gathering, but he was past the point of restraint.

"Lord Rein explicitly warned us against entering the prison area without caution. I included this warning in my report and emphasized it heavily..."

Nelson tapped his pipe against the table, cutting Haleem off. He narrowed his eyes and sneered:

"That is precisely where Lord Rein’s cunning lies. He gave that warning because he knew our experts would be driven to explore it regardless. He engineered a psychological trap for us to walk into."

"I strongly object!" a mature female voice interjected.

"Lord Nelson, by your logic, had Lord Rein remained silent, would you not be accusing him of a deliberate cover-up?"

"Is it not hypocritical to condemn Lord Rein regardless of whether he provides a warning or not?"

Trena’s sharp rebuttal left Nelson momentarily speechless.

"It is plain to see that the Military Department’s own recklessness caused this disaster. Blaming a sincere warning is nothing short of disgraceful," Haleem declared, standing up in a fit of anger.

"To those blinded by bias, everything is viewed through a lens of prejudice!"

"Gentlemen, I am leaving. I must return to Antuol to begin my preparations for advancement. Goodbye!" Haleem turned and walked out without another word.

General Randall’s face turned purple with rage. He intended to reprimand Haleem for his insolence, but the phrase 'preparations for advancement' made the words die in his throat.

Except for Bertrand, who had known for two days, the rest of the room stared in shock at the departing Director of the Mechanical Research Institute.

No political faction would dare antagonize a Wizard on the verge of becoming a Dawn Wizard.

This was especially true for a man who was the Federation's foremost scientific mind.

...