Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1522 - 524: The Death of Little Black

Over the expansive Summer Sea.

Before long, the Imperial Airships' fleet encountered Elder Ivan along with his pair of Dragon Knights, mounted atop massive dragons.

For the initial glimpse of Rein, Elder Ivan and the remaining two Dragon Knights found themselves swiftly amazed by his young features and the immense yet understated spiritual energy radiating from his form.

Actually, Rein had intentionally held back a portion of his spiritual energy, displaying merely the vibe and essence of a Middle Stage Dawn Wizard.

"Lord Rein, rumors painted you as older, yet here you stand even more powerful than tales claimed," Elder Ivan noted with a grin once the surprise wore off.

"Thank you, Elder Ivan."

...

Following brief exchanges, Rein discovered that Elder Ivan held greater seniority over Prince Menia in years of service, and though lacking direct royal descent, he served as a mentor-like figure to Menia. The other pair possessed remote ties to the royal line but shared the age bracket of the reigning Emperor.

Their trip's primary concern revolved around Prince Menia, as expected.

Thus, once a modest meal was shared, Rein retreated to his private quarters, granting them privacy for discussion.

Under the glowing moon's light across the Summer Sea at the stroke of midnight, a handful of Imperial Airships soared swiftly through the skies.

Within an opulent chamber, Rein abruptly snapped his eyes open during rest, startled by a notification from the system:

[The Host’s fierce creature 'Swift Horned Antelope' has endured a deadly strike and perished!]

[Ding! The Host's capacity for pet contracts has grown, now at (2/4)]

"Blackie has died?"

"Has trouble struck back home?"

"No way—if disaster hit home, Blood Feather might have slipped away, but the Spiritual Greyhound Qu Qi would definitely face peril as well."

"With me gone, only a handful could coax Blackie into action; Cleya might qualify, Anna too... Perhaps harm came to them?"

"No, while I'm away, Cleya relies on her carriage, and Anna shifts forms at will, making it unlikely they'd take Blackie anywhere."

"Then the probable cause... Blackie fell victim in the estate's stables!" As composure returned bit by bit, Rein weighed the options and saw the crisis wasn't as dire as first thought.

"Could the Imperial City prove too risky for striking at my kin directly? Thus, they slew the beast to sow terror among my loved ones?" Rein's gaze sharpened in contemplation.

After pondering deeply, Rein swung open the door and instructed the sentry posted outside:

"Messenger, relay to the bridge that we push full throttle toward the Imperial City."

"At once, Lord Rein. Though..." Rein caught the sentry's doubtful look.

"Should Prince Menia inquire, say it came from me," Rein declared firmly.

Per the arrangement, he didn't lead the Empire Delegation, so accelerating the airship group to maximum velocity typically demanded Menia's approval.

"Understood, Lord Rein!" The sentry snapped a salute and hurried off.

...

As the airship hurtled forward at top pace.

Come ten o'clock the following morning, the Empire Delegation touched down smoothly in the Capital Tamriel.

Post the lavish reception rite, Prince Menia headed back to the Imperial Palace amid throngs of people, whereas Rein voiced his intent to head home first prior to linking up with Marshal Alfred afterward, then climbed into the waiting lavish coach.

Inside the coach.

Rein positioned himself across from Major General Tatia and the capable Olivia.

"Olena, could you update me on home affairs and the Empire's broader developments?" Spotting Olena's somewhat steady poise, Rein sensed minor ease and posed the question deliberately.

"I've gathered the key happenings across the Empire for your perusal, Lord Rein. Feel free to check whenever." Olena produced a sheaf of papers and offered it to Rein with deference.

"That said... concerning your household..." Olena's uncertain look prompted Rein to accept the papers as his grin slowly vanished.

"See... right after your disappearance began, whispers spread wildly, so I held off telling your family at once. I reached out to Lord Luther and Lord Halowin, potential insiders, urging them to withhold it from your kin for the moment."

"I figured your family learning it would plunge them into deep distress."

Absorbing Olena's explanation, Rein gave a measured nod.

In truth, Olena had factored in his folks as everyday civilians, and opting to hide the news briefly to spare needless anxiety and sorrow made sound sense.

"Yet I missed accounting for Miss Cleya; enrolled at the Imperial Royal Academy with ties to numerous info streams, she caught wind of it via alternate routes. Consequently, your household... got aware of your ordeal, leading to Aunt Emma taking sick..."

"That's not on you, Olena," Rein reassured her.

Cleya uncovering it proved merely a surprise twist, and obviously, fault couldn't fall on Olena.

"Grateful for your leniency, Lord Rein."

"Moreover, overnight, a beast-slaughter occurred at your property. City guards have stepped in, yet clues remain scarce for now."

"Miss Cleya clashed with the intruder, appearing as a female figure with elusive agility and power surpassing Miss Cleya's," Olena stated gravely.

Rein inclined his head.

It matched the alert from the system that hit him the prior evening.

"Any clue on the assailant's background?"

"Lord Rein, perhaps I can contribute details on this issue," Major General Tatia, positioned nearby, sat up a touch and offered.