Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1521 - 523: Jennifer’s Crisis_3

"It's truly reckless!"

The Light Curtain lay shattered at that instant. The man in the cloak declared, "Hold on, we should pursue those women first."

"They're inside that servants' quarters." A different Crystallization Wizard shut his eyes for a quick scan, then reopened them and announced.

Sure enough, Jennifer along with the other two women dashed from the servants' room in the front courtyard straight toward the entrance.

"Heh, how fascinating—do they think they can get away?" the man in armor scoffed mockingly.

His form blurred as he sped to the front courtyard, yet he stopped abruptly when two men and one woman showed up at the gate, shielding the three women: Angus, Evelyn, and Neoro.

"These were once Lord Rein's teammates; their strength is indeed feeble." By now, the two Crystallization Wizards and the cloaked figure had drawn near and commented.

Angus and Neoro stayed sharply vigilant. Even though their advancement had been impressive, a vast gap in power remained against these foes.

Right then, a Knight gripping a gleaming silver Dual-Handed Warhammer, at the head of several Silver Armored Knights, reached the gate.

"Miss Jennifer, apologies—I arrived a touch late."

"Goddess Church? A Punishment Knight?" Now, the cloaked man's hooded face turned a bit grave.

Clearly, they hadn't expected the Goddess Church in Mingster Province to share such close ties with the target—or more precisely, with Lord Rein himself.

Rarely did the Goddess Church meddle in disputes among the Empire's nobles, yet here it was stepping in.

"Punishment Knight, I urge you not to get involved here; it brings no advantage to you."

"Lord Rein rendered great service to the Church in the past, and holding a Second Level Goddess Medal, his kin and loved ones receive the Church's safeguard unless they violate the Empire's laws."

Brandel also perceived the toughness of the adversaries facing him.

Three of them equaled his own level, forming a squad far beyond what typical Great Nobles of the Empire would send out.

....

Imperial City Tamriel.

Drum Duke's Mansion.

"What! Rein has come back? He and Prince Menia weren't captured by the Avatar of the Nether Sea Goddess—instead, they triumphed over it? Vanished briefly, just to recover?"

The Drum Duke burst out, leaping up from his spot behind the mahogany desk.

"Yes, Duke, I found it hard to accept too, but this intel came straight from a trusted family member working in the Elder Council, and word is Crown Reginald has welcomed both Prince Menia and Rein."

The Drum Duke double-checked, his gaze drifting vaguely, like his backbone had vanished, and he slumped heavily into the broad chair.

Moments later, the Drum Duke uttered gravely, "Halt every operation right now!"

"Pull back the squad en route to Frostwind Prairie for the Gold Mine at once."

"Instruct the O'Lence family to halt their moves in Mingster Province immediately."

"Yes! But... Marquis O'Lence got wind of this two days ago and headed to Mingster himself. With him are two lords of the Isodre school; I fear they've begun by now." The butler replied hesitantly.

"Regarding Frostwind Prairie, we can still catch them since the trip is lengthy; the group hasn't arrived yet."

Listening to the butler's update, the Drum Duke's look grew ever more grim.

"Quickly cut all links with the O'Lence family on this issue, wiping out every hint of the Drum Family's role!"

The Drum Duke's command sent a chill through the butler's core!

Over the years, the O'Lence family had relied on the Drum Family for guidance, but surprisingly, the Drum Duke discarded them without mercy. Was this the ruthless strategy of the Empire's elite ancient nobles?

"Understood! Still, Duke, one or two of our hidden messages might linger with the O'Lence family."

"It's fine; every covert letter uses unique ciphers, so without hard proof linking the Drum Family, we're safe."

"Once we distance ourselves, Lord Rein lacks grounds to strike at us without firm evidence. Besides, we boast the Empire Guardian, our forebear Pantoscoke, famed as 'Storm Cloud'."

Invoking this Empire Guardian eased the Drum Duke's features considerably.

The Drum Family's enduring rank among the Empire's premier nobles stemmed mostly from 'Storm Cloud' Pantoscoke.

"True enough, with Crown Pantoscoke, any grievances from Lord Rein over this will fizzle out." The butler laughed lightly, offering praise.

...