Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1510 - 519: Emergency Modification_3

"This..." Bradley's voice was barely a whisper as he scanned the small group. "Sect Leader, would it be possible for you and Lord Mogaro to step aside with me for a moment?"

"Hmm? Very well!" Moria's expression flickered with confusion, but he gave a nod to Bradley.

Without delay, the trio moved to a secluded spot nearby.

With a grave expression, Bradley began, "Rumors have reached me that Lord Rein has run into serious trouble."

"What? Trouble? Rein is currently with Prince Menia on a diplomatic mission to the Federation. What could have possibly occurred?" Mogaro's gaze toward Bradley was filled with skepticism.

"The Prince is in danger as well! Several old acquaintances have confirmed the news for me," Bradley said, shaking his head with a heavy sigh. "Word is that the Empire Delegation was caught in an ambush by an avatar of the Nether Sea Goddess and a massive force of Sea God Sect zealots during their return trip."

"What!" This revelation caused even the usually stoic Sect Leader Moria to widen his eyes in shock.

"Both of them... lost?" Mogaro gasped, stunned by the implication.

"The details are murky. However, intelligence from the Star Mage’s Platform suggests that Grand Astromancer Dalain’s divination shows they are still alive. It appears they have been taken captive by the Nether Sea Goddess."

"This is critical... what has been the Empire's official response?" Moria asked, forcing himself to regain his composure.

Bradley shook his head. "Everything is still up in the air."

"It is no wonder the Empire Wizard School Union put our application on hold! Those opportunistic vultures!"

Moria grasped the reality of the situation instantly; the established powers preferred to keep the number of large wizard schools to a minimum. No top-tier organization wanted to witness the ascent of a medium-sized wizard school.

Previously, they were powerless to stop it because Rein’s displayed Cultivation and power were simply too overwhelming.

Furthermore, the Empire itself is wary of too many powerful wizard schools emerging. Combined with the deliberate meddling of certain factions, a process that should have been a certainty has now turned into a nightmare.

"Alas! Our Sect is far too weak in the territories of the deep sea; that is the stronghold of the Sea God Sect! Rescuing Rein is beyond our reach!" Mogaro, acting as Rein’s mentor, looked visibly pained.

Rein was his most exceptional student, yet knowing he was in mortal peril, Mogaro found himself unable to act. The helplessness was agonizing.

"The situation has worsened. The Isodre School is now accusing us of stealing their designs for the Destroyer Demon Statue," Bradley added with rising anger. "They are demanding we hand over all technical documentation to the Empire Wizard School Union within the next fifteen days!"

"What! The audacity! Those dishonorable scoundrels!"

"They are kicking us while we are down!" Moria was nearly fuming with rage.

...

At the same time.

Within the Inner Ring of the Imperial City.

At the Snyder family estate.

"Lord Luther, the Snyder family has long enjoyed a prosperous relationship and various collaborations with us. I have been sent by a mutual friend to deliver a message: it is highly probable that your friend, Lord Rein, has met a tragic end. We suggest you stop dwelling on certain unproductive matters."

A middle-aged man, dressed in the refined attire of a gentleman, spoke while offering a slight bow.

"Lord Rein is a dear friend of mine and a hero who has served the Empire with distinction. Is your stance not a bit excessive?" Luther’s face darkened.

This marked the fourth time high-ranking nobles from the Imperial City had arrived to subtly warn the Snyder family against interfering.

While they arrived under the pretext of business negotiations, the dialogue always shifted toward Rein. The underlying threat was impossible to ignore.

Luther would not have been intimidated if it were merely one or two rival families.

However, this was the fourth visit, and even members of the Guardian Family were beginning to appear.

Although the Snyder family held undisputed power in the Marn Province, they were considered minor players within the hierarchy of the Imperial City.

Most importantly, he struggled with how to convince his father. His own investigations suggested that Rein might truly never return.

Caught between his loyalty to Rein and the survival and prosperity of his family, Luther faced a grueling dilemma.

...

A nearly identical scene played out at the Bavarian family estate.

"Lord Halowin, there is no reason to feel remorse for a friend who isn't coming back. You are simply choosing the path that serves your family's best interests, are you not?"

"Think of the extensive trade partnerships our two families could establish."

"Furthermore, your father, the Duke of Mingster, seems to be acting... rather stubbornly. To be blunt, we will soon be taking steps in Mingster, and we hope you can talk some sense into him. After all, Mingster Province is your family’s ancestral land."

Inside the drawing room, the man known as 'Bavarian Lance' Halowin sat with a grim expression. He watched the noble-dressed visitor depart, the man's parting words still ringing in his ears.

The messenger was from the Drum Family, and the message was clear: the Bavarian family should stay out of this.

"I must seek counsel to find a way through this."

"They are moving against Mingster? But Rein’s relatives have already relocated to the Imperial City, haven't they?"

"Regardless of their target, I must alert my father immediately and prepare for the worst..." Halowin thought deeply.

...